(University of Pittsburgh) As a healthy heart ages, it becomes more susceptible to cardiovascular diseases. Though researchers have discovered that relaxin, an insulin-like hormone, suppresses atrial fibrillation (AF), inflammation, and fibrosis in aged rats, the underlying mechanisms of these benefits are still unknown. In a recent Scientific Reports paper, University of Pittsburgh researchers discuss how relaxin interacts with the body’s signaling processes to produce a fundamental mechanism that may have great therapeutic potential.

Original source: https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-01/uop-thp010720.php