Diversity of endothelium-derived vasocontracting factors--arachidonic acid metabolites

Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2003 Nov;24(11):1065-9.

Abstract

Vascular endothelium releases vasocontracting and/or vasorelaxing substances. Here, we report the diversity of endothelium-derived vasocontracting factors (EDCFs), arachidonic acid metabolites, and discuss the pathophysiological significance. In the canine basilar artery and the rabbit intrapulmonary artery, acetylcholine-induced contractions (ACh-induced EDC) are due to endothelial thromboxane A2 (TXA2) (TXA2-type). The ACh-induced EDC in the rabbit coronary artery is due to endothelial leukotrienes (LTs) (LTs-type). In addition, in the rat coronary artery, nicotine and noradrenaline (NAd)-induced EDCs are due to endothelial COX-metabolites (COX metabolite-type). These arachidonic acid metabolites derived from endothelium (activation by vasoactive substances including ACh, NAd and nicotine) cause a contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells and may disturb the local circulation. These EDCFs (TXA2, LTs and COX-metabolites) may be involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular immuno-inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arachidonic Acid / metabolism
  • Basilar Artery / drug effects
  • Basilar Artery / physiology
  • Coronary Vessels / drug effects
  • Coronary Vessels / physiology
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Dogs
  • Endothelins / pharmacology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology*
  • Leukotrienes / physiology
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects*
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Thromboxane A2 / physiology

Substances

  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
  • Endothelins
  • Leukotrienes
  • Arachidonic Acid
  • Thromboxane A2