EFFECTS OF ADMINISTRATION OF RELAXIN TO HUMAN SUBJECTS

Abstract

Relaxin was administered to 10 human subjects in varying doses. Expts. of 24 hours'' duration showed that relaxin had no effect on blood pressure, pulse, temp., blood count, or the blood level of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids. Two patients with rheumatoid arthritis were treated for 4 and 9 days, respectively. One received relaxin alone and 1 received relaxin together with cortisone in small doses. The arthritis did not improve in either case. Except for an unexplained rise in creatinine excretion in 1 patient while he was receiving relaxin, no effect on the metabolic functions studied in these patients was observed. One patient with Cushing''s syndrome received relaxin for 5 days without change in the course of his disease or in level of blood steroids. Toxic effects consisted only of local pain and inflammation. No changes occurred in the breasts, pubes, or cervices of the females treated.