The vasorelaxant hormone relaxin induces changes in liver sinusoid microcirculation: a morphologic study in the rat

Bani, Danièle; Nistri, Silvia; Quattrone, Silvia; Bigazzi, Mario; Sacchi, Tatiana Bani

doi:10.1677/joe.0.1710541

Cited by 29 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Interestingly, effects of relaxin have been detected in normal (undiseased) liver. Porcine relaxin treatment caused morphological changes in rat perisinusoidal liver cells, and dilation of the sinusoids [14]. Relaxin had protective effects against ischemia and reperfusion damage in perfused rat liver [37].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

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Relaxin receptors in hepatic stellate cells and cirrhotic liver

Bennett

Dalton

Mahan

et al. 2007

Biochemical Pharmacology

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Relaxin treatment of rats caused acute changes in hepatic microcirculation, and induced morphological changes in sinusoidal myofibroblastic cells [14]. In addition, the relaxin-null mouse developed significantly increased liver weight [15], although it was not reported if this phenomenon was due to increased collagen.…”

Section: Insl3mentioning

confidence: 99%

Relaxin receptors in hepatic stellate cells and cirrhotic liver

Bennett

Dalton

Mahan

et al. 2007

Biochemical Pharmacology

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“…Studies have also shown that Rlx has a potent effect on the vasculature of the liver [15] and lung [16]. In the kidney, Rlx increases renal blood flow without an effect on systemic blood pressure [2].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Relaxin in Two Models of Renal Mass Reduction

et al. 2002

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Background: Relaxin (Rlx), a 6-kD protein hormone, belongs to the insulin growth factor family. We have previously shown that Rlx reduces interstitial fibrosis in a model of chronic papillary necrosis. Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to extend these observations to a model of renal injury induced by mass reduction. Material and Methods: Renal mass was reduced by either infarction or surgical excision of both poles, with removal of the contralateral kidney. Two weeks later, creatinine clearance was done and animals from both groups implanted with osmotic pumps delivering either Rlx (2 µg/h) or vehicle (Veh). Treatment was continued for 4 weeks. The severity of the glomerular injury was quantified by planimetric measurements. Renal function was assessed by creatinine clearance and plasma creatinine. Results: Rlx significantly decreased systolic blood pressure in animals with infarction. This was accompanied by a decrease in serum creatinine and a slight improvement in creatinine clearance. The severity of the glomerular lesion was reduced by Rlx (sclerosis index, Veh 1.16 ± 0.13 vs. Rlx 0.74 ± 0.16, p = 0.037). In the excision group the animals were normotensive. In this group, Rlx treatment was accompanied by a decrease in serum creatinine (Veh 1.01 ± 0.03 vs. Rlx 0.81 ± 0.05 mg/dl, p = 0.02) and an increase in GFR (Veh 0.90 ± 0.14 vs. Rlx 1.33 ± 0.11 ml/min, p = 0.03). The sclerosis index was also reduced. Conclusion: Rlx decreases renal injury by at least two mechanisms, one by lowering blood pressure as seen in the infarction model, the other independent of blood pressure as seen in the normotensive excision model where there was also a significant functional improvement.

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“…In this study, pRLX dilated the liver sinusoids. This effect was reduced by NO synthesis inhibition, suggesting a role for NO (6).…”

Section: Influence Of Rlx On the Vasculature Of Other Organsmentioning

confidence: 91%

Emerging role of relaxin in renal and cardiovascular function

Conrad

Novak

2004

American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comp

136

113

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Conrad, Kirk P., and Jacqueline Novak. Emerging role of relaxin in renal and cardiovascular function. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 287: R250 -R261, 2004; 10.1152/ajpregu.00672.2003.-Although traditionally associated with reproductive processes, relaxin is emerging as an important player in renal and cardiovascular function. Much of our recently acquired understanding of relaxin in this new context has arisen from studies of maternal renal and cardiovascular adaptations to pregnancy in rats where the hormone is turning out to be an important mediator. First, we highlight the influence of relaxin on renal hemodynamics and glomerular filtration rate, as well as on other peripheral circulations. Second, we discuss the effect of relaxin on both the steady and pulsatile systemic arterial load, as well as on the heart, in particular, coronary blood flow. Third, we consider the impact of the hormone on cultured endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. Fourth, we address the interaction of relaxin with renal and cardiac disease, as well as its role in angiogenesis. Finally, in Perspectives, we point out several key research questions in need of investigation that relate to a potential autocrine/paracrine role of relaxin in renal and cardiovascular tissues. Furthermore, on the basis of its potent vasodilatory and matrix-degrading attributes, we speculate about the therapeutic potential of relaxin in renal and cardiovascular diseases. pregnancy; kidney circulation; glomerular filtration; osmoregulation; peripheral circulation; systemic hemodynamics; vasodilation; arterial compliance; heart; myogenic reactivity; angiogenesis; relaxin receptors; matrix metalloproteinase; gelatinase; endothelin B receptor; nitric oxide; angiotensin II THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS REVIEW is to highlight the new and emerging roles of relaxin (RLX) in the renal and cardiovascular systems. Traditionally, RLX has been tied to reproductive processes during pregnancy, because most investigations conducted by reproductive biologists have dealt with the hormone in this context. The traditional sources of RLX have been reproductive tissues such as the corpus luteum of the ovary from which the hormone emanates and circulates during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy in women (95). Furthermore, there has been no well-established role in the male. However, the concept of a role for RLX in cardiovascular function actually has its antecedents early on in the history of RLX research, when Frederick L. Hisaw, who discovered the hormone (47, 113), noted that after administration of RLX to castrated monkeys, there were marked morphological changes in the endothelial cells of the endometrium consistent with hypertrophy and hyperplasia (48). The concept that RLX can affect blood vessel structure and function has since gained considerable support, particularly in the last decade. Much of our recently gained knowledge of RLX in this new light has arisen from studies of maternal renal and cardiovascular function in the gravid rat mo...

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The vasorelaxant hormone relaxin induces changes in liver sinusoid microcirculation: a morphologic study in the rat

Cited by 29 publications

References 37 publications

Relaxin receptors in hepatic stellate cells and cirrhotic liver

Relaxin receptors in hepatic stellate cells and cirrhotic liver

Effect of Relaxin in Two Models of Renal Mass Reduction

Emerging role of relaxin in renal and cardiovascular function

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