Abstract

Urocortin, expressed throughout the heart and vasculature, has potent effects on the cardiovascular system including vasodilation, increases in cardiac contractility and coronary blood flow, and protection of the myocardium against ischemia / reperfusion damage. This range of actions suggests urocortin has therapeutic potential in states of cardiac dysfunction and injury.

Keywords: urocortin, heart, vasculature, vasodilation, inotropism, cardioprotection