Urocortin 2
Overview
Urocortin 2 is a 38-amino acid peptide member of the corticotropin-releasing factor family with selective affinity for CRF receptor 2. It exerts cardiovascular effects including coronary and peripheral vasodilation, increased cardiac contractility, and protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury through receptor-mediated cyclic AMP signaling. The selective receptor profile distinguishes it from urocortin 1 and may offer advantages in minimizing stress-axis activation.
Key Research Findings
Preclinical studies in animal models have demonstrated that urocortin 2 improves cardiac output and reduces myocardial injury in heart failure and ischemia models. Limited early-phase human data exist, and the peptide remains in the research phase without published clinical efficacy trials for cardiovascular indications.
Intravenous
Research Phase
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