title: Endothelium-derived relaxing factors.
abstract: The endothelium modulates vascular tone by liberating both dilator [endothelium-derived relaxing factors; EDRFs]and constrictor substances [endothelium-derived contracting factors; EDCFs]. This review focused on endothelium-derived relaxing factor, its discovery, characteristics, synthesis and interaction with vascular smooth muscle. The major endothelium-derived relaxing factor is nitric oxide formed from L-arginine, which activates guanylate cyclase in the smooth muscle, leading to accumulation of cyclic-GMP. Endothelial cells can also release endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor EDHF which also cause endothelium-dependent relaxation.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D005609:Free Radicals; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase