Salusin-α and salusin-β as new biological markers in cardiovascular diseases: literature review

Despite significant advances in medicine, cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide. An important task in cardiology is the search and study of new cardiovascular biological markers. In recent years, salusins have attracted the interest of scientists. Salusins are endogenous biologically active peptides, which were first identified in 2003. Thus far, studies have demonstrated that salusin-α and salusin-β play important roles in vascular remodeling, inflammation, hypertension, and atherosclerotic processes. Salusin-α exhibits an antiatherogenic effect, whereas salusin-β plays a proatherogenic role. Despite the diverse biological, physiological, and pathophysiological aspects of salusins, the exact mechanism of their cardiovascular effects is not fully known. Further in-depth studies of the role of salusins in cardiovascular diseases are required. The regulation of the concentration and expression of salusin-α and salusin-β may prove to be a promising strategy for the treatment of patients with cardiac diseases.