Nitric oxide: Orchestrator of endothelium-dependent responses

Author： Félétou Michel Köhler Ralf Vanhoutte Paul M.

ISSN： 0785-3890

Source： Annals of Medicine, Vol.44, Iss.7, 2012-11, pp. : 694-716

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Abstract

AbstractThe present review first summarizes the complex chain of events, in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells, that leads to endothelium-dependent relaxations (vasodilatations) due to the generation of nitric oxide (NO) by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and how therapeutic interventions may improve the bioavailability of NO and thus prevent/cure endothelial dysfunction. Then, the role of other endothelium-derived mediators (endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing (EDHF) and contracting (EDCF) factors, endothelin-1) and signals (myoendothelial coupling) is summarized also, with special emphasis on their interaction(s) with the NO pathway, which make the latter not only a major mediator but also a key regulator of endothelium-dependent responses.