Detection of a new blood pressure-increasing hormone
A study group headed by Charité scientists has detected a new Hormone that constricts the blood vessels, thus increasing blood pressure. In the latest issue of Nature Medicine the researchers reported the hormone to be the nucleotide "urine adenosine tetraphosphate" (Up4A). They found that Up4A is produced by the endothelial cells, the inner cells of the blood vessel wall, and released into the blood, where it affects the muscle cells of the vessel wall and causes contractions. Constriction of the muscle cells triggers constriction of the vessel walls, which leads to a rise in blood pressure.
"The blood pressure in rats increased by 30% over the long term after injecting Up4A into the animals", reported biochemist Joachim Jankowski. "This hormone may be responsible for pathologically high blood pressure", added Prof. Walter Zidek, director of the department.
Clinical studies are underway to test whether the hormone concentration in hypertensive patients is pathologically high. At the same time, the researchers want to develop an antagonist hormone in the lab, which will counteract vasoconstriction.
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