Reduction of reperfusion injury edema with corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF): a pilot study.

Regulation of capillary permeability with ischemic reperfusion injury is a complex interaction between vascular endothelium and circulating blood factors. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a 41 -amino acid peptide CNS neurotransmitter known to modulate the pituitary-adrenal axis during stress response, has been shown to affect capillary leakage after thermal injury in peripheral tissue. When administered prior to ischemic reperfusion injury in a pedicled rat hindlimb model, CRF (80 mcg/kg) reduced limb weight gain to approximately 50% of saline control, suggesting a role for CRF in control of vascular permeability. The characteristics of CRF are reviewed.