Endothelium-derived contracting factors.
In the past decade, the importance of endothelium in modulating vascular tone has become apparent. Endothelium can produce different vasodilators, such as prostacyclin, endothelium-derived relaxing factor (most likely nitric oxide), and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor. Endothelium can also produce endothelium-derived contracting factors (EDCF) which can induce constriction of the underlying vascular smooth muscle. Constriction may be mediated by a variety of products released by the endothelium. Thus, by responding to various stimuli and releasing either relaxing or contracting factors, the endothelium can set and modulate vascular tone.
Lin
P J
PJ
Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Pearson
P J
PJ
Chang
C H
CH
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D016232:Endothelins / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D014661:Vasoconstriction
D016232:Endothelins; D013481:Superoxides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002118:Calcium