Interactions of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells of arteries.
Relaxation of selected isolated arteries by acetylcholine, bradykinin, and certain other vasodilators is mediated by a factor released from endothelial cells. Relaxation by the factor (chemical identity still unknown) is accompanied by an increase of cyclic GMP. The finding that hemoglobin inhibits both endothelium-dependent relaxation and the increase in cyclic GMP may have pathophysiologic relevance.
D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000378:metabolism; D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism*; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000378:metabolism; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D004727:Endothelium / Q000378:metabolism; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits
D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D006454:Hemoglobins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006152:Cyclic GMP