title: Introduction to EDRF research.
abstract: In response to acetylcholine, endothelial cells were shown to release a nonprostanoid factor, called endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), which caused relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. Since this discovery in 1980, many additional agents have been shown to stimulate release of EDRF from endothelium. Biological and chemical evidence has supported the proposal that EDRF is nitric oxide (NO), a potent vasodilator. Research on the synthesis, inhibition, and physiological roles of EDRF/NO has led to studies of this factor in vascular regulation and in various disease states, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn 11203.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Furchgott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D017942:Nitric Acid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D012106:Research
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D017942:Nitric Acid