endothelium-derived relaxing factor
{{Short description|Nitric Oxide as an EDRF}}
{{Update|date=January 2022}}File:Nitric-oxide-2D.png
The Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) is a strong vasodilator produced by cardiac endothelial cells in response to stress signals such as high levels of ADP accumulation or hypoxia.{{fact|date=January 2025}} Robert F. Furchgott is widely recognised for this discovery, even going so far as to be a co-recipient of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Medicine with his colleagues Louis J. Ignarro and Ferid Murad. Nitric oxide (NO) is a key component in any EDRF as these compounds either include NO or are structurally in the form of NO.{{Cite journal |last1=Bauer |first1=Viktor |last2=Sotníková |first2=Ružena |date=29 December 2010 |title=Nitric oxide--the endothelium-derived relaxing factor and its role in endothelial functions |journal=General Physiology and Biophysics |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=319–340 |doi=10.4149/gpb_2010_04_319 |issn=0231-5882 |pmid=21156995|doi-access=free }}{{Cite journal |last1=Francis |first1=S. H. |last2=Busch |first2=J. L. |last3=Corbin |first3=J. D. |date=2010-09-01 |title=cGMP-Dependent Protein Kinases and cGMP Phosphodiesterases in Nitric Oxide and cGMP Action |journal=Pharmacological Reviews |language=en |volume=62 |issue=3 |pages=525–563 |doi=10.1124/pr.110.002907 |issn=0031-6997 |pmc=2964902 |pmid=20716671}}
Physiological Functions and production
File:Microscopic anatomy of an artery en.svg
EDRF serves various functions, of which the most common and topical are vasodilation and the prevention of platelet adhesion. EDRF also plays a role in the production of cyclic GMP.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
EDRF is produced from L-arginine by an enzyme (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) that is dependent on calcium-calmodulin and NADPH - this occurs in the cardiac endothelium.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
EDRF then diffuses to the smooth muscle in vascular tissue (vessels may be large or small), here it enacts endogenous vasodilation. Moreover, it serves the function of preventing sympathetic vasoconstriction - when the sympathetic nervous system, reacting to a situation perceived as dangerous, attempts to raise blood pressure through vasoconstriction.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}
The NO compound is also capable of reducing clotting in the blood stream due to its ability to prevent platelet adhesion and aggregation.{{Citation |last1=Pirahanchi |first1=Yasaman |title=Physiology, Endothelial Derived Relaxation Factor |date=2022 |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537010/ |work=StatPearls |place=Treasure Island (FL) |publisher=StatPearls Publishing |pmid=30725695 |access-date=2023-01-21 |last2=Marsidi |first2=Jennifer L. |last3=Brown |first3=Kristen N.}}
Related pathology
Atherosclerosis and hypertension are grave contributors in the group of pathological conditions under the umbrella of Cardiovascular disease. Among these conditions is also the disfunction of the endothelium, which given its properties of vasodilation when functional, can cause excessive vasoconstriction, thus leading back to hypertension. Another effect of this particular disfunction may also be excessive platelet adhesion, signifying a significant increase in blood clots, thus the promotion of a prothrombotic state.
References
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External links
- {{Citation|last1=Pirahanchi|first1=Yasaman|title=Physiology, Endothelial Derived Relaxation Factor|date=2022|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537010/|work=StatPearls|place=Treasure Island (FL)|publisher=StatPearls Publishing|pmid=30725695|access-date=2022-01-29|last2=Marsidi|first2=Jennifer L.|last3=Brown|first3=Kristen N.}}
- {{Cite journal|last1=Ignarro|first1=L. J.|last2=Buga|first2=G. M.|last3=Wood|first3=K. S.|last4=Byrns|first4=R. E.|last5=Chaudhuri|first5=G.|date=1987-12-01|title=Endothelium-derived relaxing factor produced and released from artery and vein is nitric oxide|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|language=en|volume=84|issue=24|pages=9265–9269|doi=10.1073/pnas.84.24.9265|issn=0027-8424|pmid=2827174|pmc=299734|bibcode=1987PNAS...84.9265I|doi-access=free}}
- {{Cite journal|last1=Vanhoutte|first1=P.-M.|last2=Boulanger|first2=C.-M.|last3=Mombouli|first3=J.-V.|date=1995-11-24|title=Endothelium-derived relaxing factors and converting enzyme inhibition|url=https://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(99)80496-2/abstract|journal=American Journal of Cardiology|language=English|volume=76|issue=15|pages=3E–12E|doi=10.1016/S0002-9149(99)80496-2|issn=0002-9149|pmid=7484885}}
{{Nitric oxide signaling}}
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