Adrenomedullin: a vasodilator to treat sepsis?

Abstract

Adrenomedullin is a vasodilatory polypeptide with pleiotropic effects secreted by various organs. Adrenomedullin is produced first as a prepropeptide, and then cleaved into mature adrenomedullin and mid-regional proadrenomedullin. Whereas levels of the latter have been shown to correlate with severity of sepsis and carry prognostic value, adrenomedullin plays a role in vascular tone homeostasis. In the previous issue of Critical Care, the infusion of exogenous adrenomedullin is suggested to protect against increased lung endothelial permeability and end-organ dysfunction in a model of pneumococcal pneumonia in mechanically ventilated mice, possibly by stabilizing vascular endothelia. Since adrenomedullin is a strong vasodilatory molecule, further studies are needed to evaluate its potential as a future treatment of sepsis.

• Authors: Jérôme Pugin
• Journal: Critical care (London, England) (Crit Care) Vol. 18 Issue 3 Pg. 152 (Jun 16 2014) ISSN: 1466-609X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25041977 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Comment)

Chemical References

• Bronchodilator Agents
• Adrenomedullin

Topics

• Adrenomedullin (therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Bronchodilator Agents (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Pneumonia, Pneumococcal (prevention & control)
• Respiration, Artificial (adverse effects)
• Sepsis (prevention & control)
• Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury (prevention & control)