Labile products of vascular endothelium as mediators and modulators of the functions of the central nervous system.
A rapid development of the knowledge about vascular endothelial cell function as an "endocrine gland" releasing the labile, highly biologically active products, caused a major reapprisal of our concepts concerning the pathophysiology of our body. The publication summarizes the present understanding of the involvement of nitric oxide (NO), endothelins (ETs) and arachidonic acid products in the mechanisms underlying the regulation of the tonus of vessels supplying blood to the CNS, their known modulatory and mediatory role in CNS functions such as a development and memory, peripheral nonadrenergic noncholinergic, or sensory neurotransmission. The regulation intracellular Ca+ +ion levels as a proposed mechanism for the neuroprotective, as well as the neurotoxic effect of the described endothelial products is presented. The supposed therapeutical usefullness of compounds which can modulate their biosynthesis, substitute their activity, or modify its degradation are also summarized.
Dembińska-Kieć
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Department of Clinical Biochemistry Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University of Cracow.
Gościński
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Szczudlik
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D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents