Biomaterial Database

Endothelium-dependent smooth muscle hyperpolarization: do gap junctions provide a unifying hypothesis? 2004

Tudor M Griffith

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Wales Heart Research Institute, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN. griffith@cardiff.ac.uk

An endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) that is distinct from nitric oxide (NO) and prostanoids has been widely hypothesized to hyperpolarize and relax vascular smooth muscle following stimulation of the endothelium by agonists. Candidates as diverse as K(+) ions, eicosanoids, hydrogen peroxide and C-type natriuretic peptide have been implicated as the putative mediator, but none has emerged as a 'universal EDHF'. An alternative explanation for the EDHF phenomenon is that direct intercellular communication via gap junctions allows passive spread of agonist-induced endothelial hyperpolarization through the vessel wall. In some arteries, eicosanoids and K(+) ions may themselves initiate a conducted endothelial hyperpolarization, thus suggesting that electrotonic signalling may represent a general mechanism through which the endothelium participates in the regulation of vascular tone.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009131	Muscle, Smooth, Vascular	The nonstriated involuntary muscle tissue of blood vessels.	Vascular Smooth Muscle,Muscle, Vascular Smooth,Muscles, Vascular Smooth,Smooth Muscle, Vascular,Smooth Muscles, Vascular,Vascular Smooth Muscles
D009569	Nitric Oxide	A free radical gas produced endogenously by a variety of mammalian cells, synthesized from ARGININE by NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE. Nitric oxide is one of the ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT RELAXING FACTORS released by the vascular endothelium and mediates VASODILATION. It also inhibits platelet aggregation, induces disaggregation of aggregated platelets, and inhibits platelet adhesion to the vascular endothelium. Nitric oxide activates cytosolic GUANYLATE CYCLASE and thus elevates intracellular levels of CYCLIC GMP.	Endogenous Nitrate Vasodilator,Mononitrogen Monoxide,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium-Derived,Nitrogen Monoxide,Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide,Monoxide, Mononitrogen,Monoxide, Nitrogen,Nitrate Vasodilator, Endogenous,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium Derived,Oxide, Nitric,Vasodilator, Endogenous Nitrate
D010741	Phospholipases A	Phospholipases that hydrolyze one of the acyl groups of phosphoglycerides or glycerophosphatidates.
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D002450	Cell Communication	Any of several ways in which living cells of an organism communicate with one another, whether by direct contact between cells or by means of chemical signals carried by neurotransmitter substances, hormones, and cyclic AMP.	Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interaction,Cell Communications,Cell Interactions,Cell to Cell Interaction,Cell-to-Cell Interactions,Communication, Cell,Communications, Cell,Interaction, Cell,Interaction, Cell-to-Cell,Interactions, Cell,Interactions, Cell-to-Cell
D004730	Endothelium, Vascular	Single pavement layer of cells which line the luminal surface of the entire vascular system and regulate the transport of macromolecules and blood components.	Capillary Endothelium,Vascular Endothelium,Capillary Endotheliums,Endothelium, Capillary,Endotheliums, Capillary,Endotheliums, Vascular,Vascular Endotheliums
D006861	Hydrogen Peroxide	A strong oxidizing agent used in aqueous solution as a ripening agent, bleach, and topical anti-infective. It is relatively unstable and solutions deteriorate over time unless stabilized by the addition of acetanilide or similar organic materials.	Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2),Hydroperoxide,Oxydol,Perhydrol,Superoxol,Peroxide, Hydrogen
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014664	Vasodilation	The physiological widening of BLOOD VESSELS by relaxing the underlying VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE.	Vasodilatation,Vasorelaxation,Vascular Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation,Endothelium-Dependent Relaxation, Vascular,Relaxation, Vascular Endothelium-Dependent,Vascular Endothelium Dependent Relaxation
D016718	Arachidonic Acid	An unsaturated, essential fatty acid. It is found in animal and human fat as well as in the liver, brain, and glandular organs, and is a constituent of animal phosphatides. It is formed by the synthesis from dietary linoleic acid and is a precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes.	(all-Z)-5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraenoic acid,Arachidonic Acid, (all-Z)-Isomer, 1-(14)C-Labeled,Arachidonic Acid, (all-Z)-isomer, 3H-Labeled,Arachidonic Acid, Ammonium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Arachidonic Acid, Cerium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Arachidonic Acid, Cesium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Arachidonic Acid, Lithium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Arachidonic Acid, Potassium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Arachidonic Acid, Sodium Salt,Arachidonic Acid, Sodium Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Arachidonic Acid, Zinc Salt, (all-Z)-Isomer,Sodium Arachidonate,Vitamin F,Arachidonate, Sodium