Bj. Geddes et Ajs. Summerlee, THE EMERGING CONCEPT OF RELAXIN AS A CENTRALLY ACTING PEPTIDE-HORMONEWITH HEMODYNAMIC ACTIONS, Journal of neuroendocrinology, 7(6), 1995, pp. 411-417
The novel finding that relaxin has an action on the brain was first pu
blished in 1984. Since then, it has been shown that exogenous relaxin
affects the release of a number of hypothalamo-pituitary hormones and
has a robust pressor action. In this paper, we review the accumulating
evidence that relaxin affects the release of oxytocin and vasopressin
by an action at the level of the brain. The potential mechanisms of t
his central action are discussed and the evidence presented for the in
teraction between relaxin and the forebrain angiotensin-II system. Fur
thermore, we articulate the possible physiological influences of relax
in on the changes in cardiovascular function that occur during pregnan
cy.