Kits
Relaxin ELISA
Kits
Description
Relaxin is a peptide hormone with a molecular weight of 6500Da that belongs to
the insulin family. Its main function is the relaxation of smooth musculature. Because
of the increased relaxin levels during ovulation and pregnancy most of the knowledge
about its physiological properties is gained in the field of gynecology and reproductive
sciences. Recently, novel sites of relaxin action have been recognised. In
particular, it has been shown that relaxin: (i) promotes dilation of blood vessels in
several organs and tissues, including the uterus, the mammary gland, the lung and
the heart; (ii) has a chronotropic action on the heart; (iii) inhibits the stimulation of
endothelin-1, the most potent vasoconstrictor in heart failure; (iv) inhibits the release
of histamine by mast cells, thus being able to counteract experimental allergic
asthma; (v) depresses aggregation of platelets and their release by megakaryocytes;
(vi) influences the secretion of hormones by the pituitary gland; and (vii) contributes
to the regulation of fluid balance.
Specific G protein-coupled receptors for relaxin, LGR7 and LGR8, have been found in
the brain (interaction with ADH-secretion), uterus and heart (effect on the heart frequency).
Dschietzig et al. (2004) report that relaxin acts as a glucocorticoid-receptoragonist.
Recent publications describe a relationship between relaxin and oxidative
stress. Bani et al. (1997) and Nistri (2003) demonstrate, that relaxin added to reperfusion
solutions protects myocardial tissue of ischemic rat hearts against oxidative
damage. Moreover, the production of malondialdehyde (degradation product during
lipid oxidation) and myeloperoxidase (marker for the activity of granulocytes)
has been significantly reduced. As a result, reduced damage of the myocardial tissue
during ischemia/reperfusion, and as a consequence, reduced death rates have been
observed. Finally, Hocher et al. (2004) found relaxin as an independent risk factor predicting
death in a survey of 245 male patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on
chronic hemodialysis.
the insulin family. Its main function is the relaxation of smooth musculature. Because
of the increased relaxin levels during ovulation and pregnancy most of the knowledge
about its physiological properties is gained in the field of gynecology and reproductive
sciences. Recently, novel sites of relaxin action have been recognised. In
particular, it has been shown that relaxin: (i) promotes dilation of blood vessels in
several organs and tissues, including the uterus, the mammary gland, the lung and
the heart; (ii) has a chronotropic action on the heart; (iii) inhibits the stimulation of
endothelin-1, the most potent vasoconstrictor in heart failure; (iv) inhibits the release
of histamine by mast cells, thus being able to counteract experimental allergic
asthma; (v) depresses aggregation of platelets and their release by megakaryocytes;
(vi) influences the secretion of hormones by the pituitary gland; and (vii) contributes
to the regulation of fluid balance.
Specific G protein-coupled receptors for relaxin, LGR7 and LGR8, have been found in
the brain (interaction with ADH-secretion), uterus and heart (effect on the heart frequency).
Dschietzig et al. (2004) report that relaxin acts as a glucocorticoid-receptoragonist.
Recent publications describe a relationship between relaxin and oxidative
stress. Bani et al. (1997) and Nistri (2003) demonstrate, that relaxin added to reperfusion
solutions protects myocardial tissue of ischemic rat hearts against oxidative
damage. Moreover, the production of malondialdehyde (degradation product during
lipid oxidation) and myeloperoxidase (marker for the activity of granulocytes)
has been significantly reduced. As a result, reduced damage of the myocardial tissue
during ischemia/reperfusion, and as a consequence, reduced death rates have been
observed. Finally, Hocher et al. (2004) found relaxin as an independent risk factor predicting
death in a survey of 245 male patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on
chronic hemodialysis.