Recombinant relaxin: a review of pharmacology and potential therapeutic use.

Use of recombinant relaxin in the treatment of systemic sclerosis (or scleroderma) has been explored and determined as ineffective. However, continued research has revealed that relaxin is not limited to its role as a hormone. Relaxin has also been shown to decrease collagen formation and secretion, increase collagenase production, influence renal vasodilation, increase vascular endothelial growth factor expression and angiogenesis, promote dilation of blood vessels, and inhibit release of histamine. Further studies to discover other potential uses of relaxin are well-justified.