OBJECTIVES Relaxin (RLX or RLN) levels are increased in cases of human breast cancer and has been shown to promote cancer cell migration in carcinoma cells of the breast; however, the cellular mechanisms of relaxin exposure in breast cancer cells are not fully understood. In human breast cancer cells, relaxin was shown to downregulate the metastasis-promoting protein S100A4, a highly significan...

Our studies demonstrate significantly lower expression of relaxin and its receptor in ectopic endometriotic tissues than their expression in eutopic endometrium and in endometrium from normal controls. These data suggest that in normal and eutopic endometrium, relaxin may exert a protective effect against endometriosis.

Excess accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins has been well recognized as a key feature of chronic kidney diseases. Renal fibrosis, particularly tubulointerstitial fibrosis, parallels the progressive loss of organ function, which ultimately leads to overt renal failure and the need for dialysis. Driven by distinct causes like hypertension, chronic inflammation, elevated blood glucose, or...

Relaxin, best known for its reproductive effects can be also viewed as a cardiovascular hormone. Its action includes a marked increase in coronary blood flow, exerted through the up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS II) and NO production in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. This effect seems to involve NFB, a classical transcription factor controlling NOS II in...

Relaxin-3 has recently been identified as a ligand for two structurally related G-protein-coupled receptors, human GPCR135 and GPCR142. This current study reports the characterization of mouse and rat GPCR135 as well as GPCR142 from mouse, monkey, cow, and pig at the molecular and pharmacological levels. Mouse and rat GPCR135 exhibit high homology (>85%) to the human GPCR135 and have very simil...

PURPOSE This study was designed to investigate the relationship between serum relaxin concentration (SRC) and menstrual history and hormonal contraceptive use among elite collegiate female athletes. Evaluation of SRC in athletes is necessary, because relaxin has been associated with increased knee joint laxity and decreased anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) strength in animal models. METHODS N...

The last half of the book is slightly more clinically oriented. Aspects of substrate and hormonal regulation of glucose, lactate, and ketone body metabolism are covered during both normal and pathological states such as diabetic ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, catecholamine stress, fasting, hypoxia, and congenital aciduria. This book should be of considerable interest to clinicians who wish to e...

The relaxin-like RXFP1 ligand-receptor system has important functions in tumor growth and tissue invasion. Recently, we have identified the secreted protein, CTRP8, a member of the C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein (CTRP) family, as a novel ligand of the relaxin receptor, RXFP1, with functions in brain cancer. Here, we review the role of CTRP members in cancers cells with particular emp...

Monday, May 19, 2008

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of relaxin (RLX) on hypertensive disorders pregnancy (HDP) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) using a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor-induced HDP murine model.