title: The role of endothelium-derived vasoactive substances in the pathophysiology of exercise intolerance in patients with congestive heart failure.
abstract: The vascular endothelium releases vasoactive substances that appear to play an important role in the normal regulation of peripheral vasomotor tone. Nitric oxide, endothelins, prostaglandins, and other endothelium-derived vasodilating and vasoconstricting factors are released by the vascular endothelium in response to a diverse array of hormonal, pharmacologic, chemical, and physical stimuli. Shear stress, produced by pulsatile blood flow at the endothelial cell luminal surface, alters endothelial production of several endothelium-derived vasoactive substances, which may contribute to regional regulation of skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise. Abnormal vascular endothelium function has been shown in both experimental and clinical heart failure. Preliminary data suggest that abnormalities of endothelial function may contribute to increased peripheral vasomotor tone during exercise in patients with congestive heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016232:Endothelins / Q000502:physiology*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018056:Hemorheology / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D016232:Endothelins; D011453:Prostaglandins; D009569:Nitric Oxide