Peptides for the heart and blood
Blood pressure, clotting, iron and red cells: the peptides that work on your heart and blood.
Vasopressin
Hits V1 receptors to constrict blood vessels and V2 receptors so the kidneys hold water: a drip to lift blood pressure in shock.
Justice · FDA approved
Angiotensin II
The body's own angiotensin II: it binds AT1 receptors in artery walls and narrows them, rescuing blood pressure in shock.
FDA approved
Balixafortide
Blocks CXCR4, a receptor that holds cells in place, meant to pull breast cancer cells out of hiding and into chemo's path.
Not FDA approved
Bivalirudin
Leech-inspired, lab-built: it blocks thrombin, the clotting enzyme, during heart stenting, then wears off fast. Commitment issues.
FDA approved
Desirudin
Hirudin, the leech's saliva anticoagulant, made by yeast: it blocks thrombin directly to prevent vein clots after hip replacement.
FDA approved
Desmopressin
Acts like vasopressin on kidney V2 receptors to hold water, yet barely raises blood pressure. Fewer 3 a.m. bathroom runs.
FDA approved
Echinocandins
Ring peptides with a fatty tail that stop fungi building their cell wall, which human cells lack. For Candida in the blood.
FDA approved
Eptifibatide
Modeled on rattlesnake venom, it blocks GP IIb/IIIa, the receptor platelets use to stick together, in heart attacks and stenting.
FDA approved
Motixafortide
Moves stem cells from bone marrow into the blood for a myeloma transplant by blocking CXCR4, the receptor that anchors them.
FDA approved
Nesiritide
BNP, the hormone stretched heart muscle releases, copied to relax blood vessels and flush salt and water in acute heart failure.
FDA approved
Pegcetacoplan
Traps C3, the hub of the complement cascade that destroys red blood cells in the rare disease PNH. Stopped near the source.
FDA approved
Rusfertide
Starves the marrow of iron by mimicking hepcidin, the liver's iron-control hormone, so fewer red cells form in polycythemia vera.
FDA approved
Selepressin
Vasopressin tuned to V1a, the vessel-tightening receptor, sparing the kidney's V2. Built to hold blood pressure in septic shock.
Not FDA approved
Vancomycin
Soil bacteria make this glycopeptide, amino acids laced with sugars and chlorine, which stops resistant staph building its wall.
FDA approved