The vasoactive peptide urotensin II (UII) is upregulated in atherosclerosis and several other cardiovascular diseases; however, its role in the pathogenesis of AVS remains to be determined.
Ucn-2 also appears to have potential as a biomarker of diagnostic/prognostic relevance in cardiovascular disease, this being a recent field in the study of this peptide needing further corroboration.
This review will provide an overview of current knowledge about the physiological roles of Uro-II, UCN and AM in the cardiovascular system and their implications in cardiovascular diseases.
Urotensin II ((U-II)) and its receptor (UTR) are involved in the progression of CVD through enhancement in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Since the regulation of the urotensin II/urotensin II receptor offers a great potential for therapeutic strategies related to the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, the study of selective and potent antagonists for urotensin II receptor is more fascinating.
Because U-II has been found to be elevated in cardiovascular disorders and in tumour tissues, this feed-forward mechanism could be an interesting anti-angiogenic therapeutic option in these disorders.
Human urotensin II induces tissue factor and cellular adhesion molecules expression in human coronary endothelial cells: an emerging role for urotensin II in cardiovascular disease.
UII may also play a role in renal disease, being elevated in the circulation or urine of patients with renal failure and in experimental models of cardiovascular disease such as the spontaneously hypertensive rat.
UII may also play a role in renal disease, being elevated in the circulation or urine of patients with renal failure and in experimental models of cardiovascular disease such as the spontaneously hypertensive rat.