B7-33 replicates the vasoprotective functions of human relaxin-2 (serelaxin)

Abstract

Recombinant H2 relaxin (serelaxin) has gained considerable attention as a new vasoprotective drug, largely due to its potential therapeutic effects in heart failure and fibrosis. However, serelaxin is laborious and costly to produce. A single-chain peptidomimetic, B7-33, has been developed to overcome these problems but little is known about its biological actions in the vascular system. This study first compared the rapid vascular effects of an acute bolus injection of B7-33 compared with serelaxin. Male Wistar rats received a tail vein injection of placebo (20 mM sodium acetate), B7-33 (13.3 μg/kg) or serelaxin (26.6 μg/kg). Three hours later vascular function in the mesenteric artery, sma..