title: [Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor].
abstract: Endothelial cells control the tone of the underlying smooth muscle by releasing relaxing factors, such as nitric oxide (NO), prostacycline, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) and contracting factors such as thromboxane A2, endothelins, endoperoxides and superoxide anion. The term EDHF should be restricted to a relaxing factor(s) that differs from NO and prostacyclin. The nature of EDHF is as yet unknown. EDHF might be a cytochrome P-450 metabolite of arachidonic acid or an endogenous cannabinoid--anandamide. The EDHF component of the relaxation is more important in smaller than larger arteries. In various models of disease and in aging animals endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization is diminished. The identification of EDHF and the understanding of its physiological role could lead to the design of new therapies în several cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Fiziologie, Facultatea de Medicină, Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie Gr. T. Popa, Iaşi.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brăiloiu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beşchea-Chiriac
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiriac
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000502:physiology; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D002186:Cannabinoids; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D001685:Biological Factors; D002186:Cannabinoids; D063388:Endocannabinoids; D053284:Polyunsaturated Alkamides; C067410:endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization factor; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; C078814:anandamide