title: Role of EDRF and endothelin in coronary vasomotor control.
abstract: It has recently been recognized that the endothelium plays a crucial role in the regulation of coronary vasomotor tone through the elaboration of potent endothelium-derived vasoactive factors. The properties of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and the constrictor peptide, endothelin-1 (ET) are briefly reviewed. Data is summarized which supports an important physiological role of EDRF in the control of coronary vascular resistance. Although ET is possibly the most potent constrictor of coronary arteries yet described, its role in physiological regulation of coronary vasomotor tone is less certain. Interactions between EDRF and ET in the coronary circulation are highlighted and a schema of regulation of release of endothelium-derived vasoactive factors is proposed.
authors.affiliation: McGill Unit for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000502:physiology*; D016232:Endothelins / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D009569:Nitric Oxide