Research compounds
Urocortin
Ucn1, Ucn2, Ucn3
The urocortins are a family of peptides related to corticotropin-releasing hormone, with roles in the stress response and, for urocortin 2, in cardiac function. None has been approved.
Also known as: Ucn1, Ucn2, Ucn3, urocortin 2, stresscopin
- Status
- Urocortin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
- Half-life
- Short; on the order of minutes to tens of minutes depending on isoform.
- How it's taken
- Intravenous infusion in the research setting
- Mechanism
- Other
How Urocortin works
Urocortin 1 binds both CRF1 and CRF2 receptors; urocortins 2 and 3 are selective for CRF2. CRF1 activation drives the classical stress and ACTH response, while CRF2 activation is associated with vasodilation, positive inotropy and stress recovery rather than stress initiation. Urocortin 2 infusion in heart failure increases cardiac output and reduces systemic vascular resistance.
What research has looked at
- Urocortin 2 infusion studies in heart failure showed improved cardiac output and reduced vascular resistance without increased heart rate — a favourable haemodynamic profile.
- CRF2 selectivity separates the cardiovascular effects from the ACTH and stress-axis activation driven by CRF1.
- The urocortins clarified that the CRF system is a two-receptor system with distinct stress-initiation and stress-recovery arms.
Evidence level: Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- No urocortin has been approved for any indication, and development in heart failure has not progressed to definitive outcome trials. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy.
- CRF1 activation by urocortin 1 raises ACTH and cortisol, producing a systemic stress response.
- Hypotension follows from the vasodilator effect.
- Peptide half-lives are short, requiring infusion.
Sources
- PubMed research on urocortin 2 CRF2 heart failure haemodynamics · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for urocortin · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for urocortin · U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Related compounds
Urocortin FAQ
What is Urocortin?
The urocortins are a family of peptides related to corticotropin-releasing hormone, with roles in the stress response and, for urocortin 2, in cardiac function. None has been approved.
How does Urocortin work?
Urocortin 1 binds both CRF1 and CRF2 receptors; urocortins 2 and 3 are selective for CRF2. CRF1 activation drives the classical stress and ACTH response, while CRF2 activation is associated with vasodilation, positive inotropy and stress recovery rather than stress initiation. Urocortin 2 infusion in heart failure increases cardiac output and reduces systemic vascular resistance.
Is Urocortin FDA approved?
No. Urocortin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
What is the half-life of Urocortin?
Reported half-life: Short; on the order of minutes to tens of minutes depending on isoform.
How is Urocortin taken?
Intravenous infusion in the research setting.
What side effects have been reported with Urocortin?
Reported in the sources: No urocortin has been approved for any indication, and development in heart failure has not progressed to definitive outcome trials. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy; CRF1 activation by urocortin 1 raises ACTH and cortisol, producing a systemic stress response; Hypotension follows from the vasodilator effect; Peptide half-lives are short, requiring infusion.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.