title: Molecular Mechanisms Leading to Splanchnic Vasodilation in Liver Cirrhosis.
abstract: In liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension is a consequence of enhanced intrahepatic vascular resistance and portal blood flow. Significant vasodilation in the arterial splanchnic district is crucial for an increase in portal flow. In this pathological condition, increased levels of circulating endogenous vasodilators, including nitric oxide, prostacyclin, carbon monoxide, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, glucagon, endogenous cannabinoids, and adrenomedullin, and a decreased vascular response to vasoconstrictors are the main mechanisms underlying splanchnic vasodilation. In this review, the molecular pathways leading to splanchnic vasodilation will be discussed in detail.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Internal Medicine and Hepatology (UIMH), Department of Medicine - DIMED, University of Padova, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Pascoli
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sacerdoti
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pontisso
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Angeli
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bolognesi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D017082:Portal Pressure; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013152:Splanchnic Circulation; D014661:Vasoconstriction; D014664:Vasodilation
keywords: Liver; Liver cirrhosis; Splanchnic vasodilation; Vascular tone; Vasoactive molecules