Urocortin: a beneficial or detrimental agent to endothelium?

As a member of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family, urocortin (UCN) has been demonstrated to show diverse effects on cardiovascular system. It is commonly considered as a protective agent on vascular function. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that some effects of UCN may lead to endothelial dysfunction (ED) which may be the cause or consequence of vascular disease and a hallmark of known cardiovascular risk factors. The present review is then focused on recent evidence that reveals the beneficial and detrimental effects of UCN on endothelium.