[Vasoactive endothelial factors]

Rev Port Cardiol. 1993 Jun;12(6):557-60, 510-1.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

Endothelium-derived vasoactive factors are produced by the endothelium activated by effective stimulus, and with paracrine regulatory activity of the tone/proliferation of the vascular smooth muscle and platelet function. They are divided in two groups: endothelium-derived relaxing and contracting factors. Among the endothelium-derived relaxing factors, PG I2, EDRF (NO or other nitrous compound) and EDHF (still unidentified) have been considered Synthetized by the endothelium after stimulation by plasmatic, platelet-derived and endothelium-derived substances and mechanisms, towards the vascular smooth muscle (myorelaxing/cytostatic) and the platelets (antiaggregation). The endothelium-derived contracting factors include the EDCF1 (endothelins, 21 amino acids peptides), EDCF2 (O2-) and TxA2. Its production, induced by stimulus similar to those for relaxing factors, promotes constriction/mitogenesis of the vascular smooth muscle and platelet aggregation. Probably, endothelin-1 has indirect actions over hormonal mechanisms of cardiovascular and renal regulation. The vascular system establishes a tight regulation over the production of these endothelium-derived vasoactive factors. Its loss (usually due to alteration of endothelial responsiveness to stimulation) allows local or generalized modifications of the vascular tone. These can depend on hypertension, atherosclerosis, ischemia-reperfusion lesion, diabetes, inflammation and situations of farmacotoxicity (all developing vasoconstriction/vasospasm) or by septicemia (leading to vasodilation). This disregulation is also involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension, atherosclerosis and ischemia-reperfusion. The vascular tone regulation by endothelium also leads to systemic consequences. Essentially by decreasing cardiac, cerebral and renal blood flow it implies morphologic and functional modifications of these organs.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endothelins / pharmacology
  • Endothelins / physiology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Vasoconstriction / drug effects
  • Vasoconstriction / physiology
  • Vasodilation / drug effects
  • Vasodilation / physiology

Substances

  • Endothelins