title: [Endothelin. A new class of vasoactive peptides].
abstract: Endothelin (ET) is a novel vasoactive peptide occurring in 3 isoforms (ET1, ET2, ET3) in humans. Derived from vascular endothelium cells, ET arises from a precursor peptide and exerts diverse actions through specific receptors. ET possess a wide spectrum of activities: a potent vasoconstrictor activity but also contraction of nonvascular smooth muscles (air-way, intestinal, urinary) or mitogenic actions, renal and endocrine effects. The physiological and/or physiopathological roles of endothelin is still unclear, but ET may play a part in the genesis of some vascular diseases as atherosclerosis, forms of hypertension or may be implicated in the pathogenesis of vasospasm.
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine Interne, Diabétologie, Angéiologie, Hôpital de Boisguillaume, CHU de Rouen, Boisguillaume.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lévesque
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thuillez
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Courtois
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016232:Endothelins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents
vernacular_title: Les endothélines. Une nouvelle classe de peptides vasoactifs.