Biomaterial Database

Platelets, endothelium-dependent responses and atherosclerosis. 1991

A Mügge, and U Förstermann, and P R Lichtlen

Division of Cardiology, Hannover Medical School, Germany.

Basal release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and prostacyclin from intact vascular endothelium may inhibit continuously platelet aggregation. If local platelet aggregation occurs, platelet-derived adenine nucleotides stimulate the release of EDRF. Stimulated EDRF release may override the direct vasoconstrictor effects of other platelet products such as thromboxane and serotonin resulting in local vasodilatation. In addition, stimulation of EDRF release by adenine nucleotides may inhibit further platelet adhesion and aggregation by a feedback mechanism. Thus, intact vascular endothelium may play an important role in the defense against platelet deposition and vasospasm. In atherosclerosis, basal and stimulated release of EDRF is markedly reduced. Endothelial dysfunction will impair this protective mechanism and will favour vasoconstriction and further platelet disposition. Occurrence of occlusive thrombus formation in patients with coronary artery disease may be pathophysiologically related to this impairment of endothelial defense.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
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
D010974	Platelet Aggregation	The attachment of PLATELETS to one another. This clumping together can be induced by a number of agents (e.g., THROMBIN; COLLAGEN) and is part of the mechanism leading to the formation of a THROMBUS.	Aggregation, Platelet
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
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
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
D001161	Arteriosclerosis	Thickening and loss of elasticity of the walls of ARTERIES of all sizes. There are many forms classified by the types of lesions and arteries involved, such as ATHEROSCLEROSIS with fatty lesions in the ARTERIAL INTIMA of medium and large muscular arteries.	Arterioscleroses
D014661	Vasoconstriction	The physiological narrowing of BLOOD VESSELS by contraction of the VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE.	Vasoconstrictions
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