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Relaxin improves poor blood flow and kidney function in a rat model of PKD

May 13, 2017

Ward and her colleagues instead examined the non-cystic aspects of PKD progression, particularly the poor blood flow and extensive internal scarring called fibrosis that encroaches on the glomeruli, the vital clusters of looping blood vessels that filter wastes and excess water from the blood.

They decided to evaluate relaxin because the hormone is a powerful vasodilator. It was first identified in pregnant women but also occurs in men.

Prompted by the hormone's positive effects on the PKD animals, Ward and colleagues explored the differences in kidney gene expression between relaxin and control-treated rats. The results of the gene expression analysis suggested that relaxin, in part, affects genes associated with epithelial trafficking.

The researchers said that they hypothesize that relaxin's direct effect on signaling pathways of kidney fibroblasts and vascular cells improves the renal environment, indirectly affecting cystic epithelia and slowing cyst growth.

Source: University of New Mexico

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