A peptide originally found in fish could be used in the battle against cardiovascular disease, research has found.
The peptide Urotensin II (UII) was first isolated from teleost fish, a class of ray-finned fishes.
UII can modulate a vast array of biologic activities encompassing the cardiovascular system, kidneys and central nervous system, the findings showed.
“We have been working on this exciting peptide for a number of years; it exhibits a very interesting pharmacological profile. Design and evaluation of small molecule drugs has potential for use in the treatment of several cardiovascular diseases,” said professor David Lambert from the University of Leicester in Britain.
Interestingly, the peptide can constrict some blood vessels yet dilate others, the researchers noted.
The study appeared in the journal Pharmacological Reviews.
Reference:
Hubert Vaudry, Jérôme Leprince, David Chatenet, Alain Fournier, David G. Lambert, Jean-Claude Le Mével, Eliot H. Ohlstein, Adel Schwertani, Hervé Tostivint, and David Vaudry. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XCII. Urotensin II, Urotensin II–Related Peptide, and Their Receptor: From Structure to Function. Pharmacol Rev January 2015 67:214-258; published online December 22, 2014, doi:10.1124/pr.114.009480
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