血管内皮舒张因子的作用及其对疾病发生发展的影响

自从1980年Furchgott等发现内皮依赖性舒张作用以来,血管内皮就被认为是调节血管平滑肌张力的重要功能单位.血管内皮细胞可通过释放前列环素(PGI_2)、内皮舒张因子(EDRF)、内皮超极化因子(EDHF)、内皮收缩因子(EDCF)等血管活性物质来调节血管平滑肌张力.其中,血管内皮舒张因子具有舒张血管平滑肌和抑制血小板活性的作用,它能介导许多内源性血管活性物质的舒张     

血管内皮依赖性超极化因子的研究进展

内皮依赖性超极化因子（endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizing factor，EDHF）是血管平滑肌内皮源性舒张反应中通过非环氧合酶、非一氧化氮合酶途径的舒张因子。在不同物种、不同血管，EDHF反应都得到了确认。其在心血管生理学和药理学方面有着重要的作用。     

内皮依赖性超极化因子在剪切应力引起的内皮依赖性舒张反应中的作用

目的研究内皮依赖性超极化因子(EDHF)在剪切应力引起的内皮依赖性舒张反应中的作用及机制。方法测定不同流量下的血管内径及各种内皮依赖性舒张因子抑制剂、钾通道抑制剂、细胞色素P450单氧化酶抑制剂作用下的血管内径。结果剪切应力在大鼠肠系膜微动脉引起的舒张反应是内皮依赖性的,且在大的肠系膜动脉明显大于小阻力型肠系膜动脉。EDHF在上述两种动脉的内皮依赖性舒张反应中作用均明显大于NO,起主要作用。剪切应力引起的内皮依赖性舒张反应不受SKF525A的抑制，ChTx加apamin明显抑制了此舒张反应，TBA则几乎完全抑制此舒张反应。结论在剪切应力引起的内皮依赖性舒张反应中EDHF起主要作用，钾通道特别是K_Ca通道的激活为主要机制。     

内皮依赖性超极化因子的研究进展

血管内皮通过释放血管活性物质来调节血管紧张度,包括舒张性和收缩性两类,内皮依赖性超极化因子(endothelium-de-pendent hyperpolarizing factor,EDHF)是继一氧化氮(NO)和前列环素(PGI2)后在血管平滑肌舒张反应过程中发现的内皮释放的第三类舒血管因子,尽管其作用机制有几种不同类型,但都包括了细胞内Ca2 浓度的升高、钙依赖性钾通道(calcium-activatedpotassium channels,KCa)的开放及内皮细胞(endothelial cell)的超极化,最终导致了血管平滑肌细胞(smooth muscle cell,SMC)的超极化。SMC的超极化可以由直接接触机制(包括缝隙连接和细胞间隙的K )和可扩散性化学活性物质机制完成,两种机制不具有排他性,可同时存在于某些血管。     

内皮依赖性超极化因子在血管舒张中的作用

目的研究内皮依赖性超极化因子(EDHF)在血管舒张中的作用及机制。方法测定各种内皮依赖性舒张因子抑制剂、钾通道抑制因子、细胞色素P450单氧化酶抑制剂作用下的血管环张力。结果EDHF的血管舒张作用在大鼠肠系膜微动脉明显大于胸主动脉。一氧化氮(NO)合成受到慢性抑制时,胸主动脉的EDHF作用有增加趋势,在肠系膜微动脉投药后3 d和1周的EDHF作用明显增加。ChTx部分抑制、TBA明显抑制EDHF在肠系膜微动脉的舒张作用。结论EDHF在大鼠肠系膜微动脉的内皮依赖性舒张反应中起主要作用;在NO合成受抑制时其作用明显增加;其作用介导于K_Ca通道。     

血管内皮细胞超极化因子

内皮细胞释放多种重要的生物活性物质 ,调节血管张力、血液纤溶与凝血机制、脂蛋白代谢、免疫反应等重要生命过程。内皮细胞释放的超极化因子 (EDHF)是一类既不同于一氧化氮 (NO) ,也不同于前列环素 (PGI2 )的活性成分 ,可能是花生四烯酸的非前列腺素类代谢物或细胞色素P45 0 ,也可能是K+ 或H2 O2 。EDHF可激活钙依赖性钾通道 ,诱导平滑肌膜电位超极化 ,诱发内皮依赖性舒血管反应。在病理状态下 ,尤其是NO通路障碍时 ,EDHF通路发挥重要作用。因此深入研究EDHF的药理学特征已形成心血管学科的又一热点     

多巴胺1受体激动剂对犬肺动脉内皮依赖性舒张反应的影响

目的本研究多巴胺1（DA1）受体激动剂（FODA）对犬离体肺动脉内皮依赖性舒张反应的作用机制。方法利用离体血管微量生物反应检测技术测定肺动脉对多巴胺1受体激动剂（FODA）内皮依赖性舒张反应的作用机制。结果①NO合成酶抑制剂L—NAME，明显降低完整内皮的肺动脉环对多巴胺1受体激动剂FODA的舒张反应；②L—NAME对FODA引起肺动脉内皮依赖性舒张效应的抑制作用能够被L—arginine翻转，③鸟苷酸环化酶抑制剂甲烯兰亦可明显减弱FODA对肺动脉的舒张效应；④ATP钾通道阻滞剂格列本脲则不影响FODA引起肺动脉内依赖性舒张反应。结论多巴胺1受体激动剂对肺血管的内皮依赖性舒张反应主要是通过内皮舒张因子（EDRF）NO实现，而内皮超极化因子（EDHF）不参与这一过程。     

杜鹃花总黄酮对缺血/再灌注损伤模型大鼠脑基底动脉TRPV4的作用研究

目的探讨杜鹃花总黄酮(TFR)对缺血/再灌注损伤模型大鼠脑基底动脉(CBA)瞬时感受器电位通道香草酸受体亚型Ⅳ(TRPV4)的作用。方法以改良四血管阻断法(4-VO)建立大鼠缺血/再灌注模型(IR);运用加压灌注法和细胞膜电位记录法,离体观察TFR对KCl预收缩IR大鼠CBA的舒张作用和超极化反应及TRPV4阻断剂钌红(RR)对其的影响;采用实时荧光定量PCR法和蛋白质印迹法,在体观察TFR对IR大鼠脑血管内皮细胞TRPV4 mRNA和蛋白表达以及RR对其的影响。结果递增浓度的TFR可诱导IR大鼠离体CBA产生明显剂量依赖性的舒张效应和超极化反应。去除血管内皮细胞后,TFR仍能介导CBA产生较弱的舒张作用和超极化反应,与血管内皮完整组比较,差异有显著性(P<0.01);去除一氧化氮(NO)和前列环素(PGI2)舒张作用后,TFR仍能诱导IR大鼠CBA产生明显的舒张效应和超极化作用,此作用可被TRPV4通道阻断剂RR抑制;TFR可明显上调IR大鼠脑血管TRPV4 mRNA和蛋白表达,而阻断TRPV4可明显抑制TFR上调的TRPV4基因表达。结论 TFR能介导IR大鼠CBA产生较强的内皮依赖性和较弱的内皮非依赖性血管舒张反应和超极化作用,其内皮依赖性效应推测可能与TFR促使脑血管内皮激活,促进内皮细胞生成和释放内皮衍生性超极化因子(EDHF)增多,继而激活TRPV4,引发Ca~(2+)内流,导致血管平滑肌细胞膜超极化,产生血管舒张效应有关。     

内皮依赖性超极化作用

通过对内皮依赖性松弛作用机制的探讨，作者指出，除一氧化氮外，另外一种不依赖于ｃＧＭＰ的内皮衍生的超极化因子参与内皮依赖性扩血管作用，其超极化及松弛作用的可能与钙依赖性钾通道的开放有关。除ＮＯ和前列环素外，Ｈ２Ｏ２，花生四烯酸的非ＰＧ类代谢物及细胞     

血管平滑肌钾通道及其调节因素

血管张力是决定血管阻力和血流量的重要因素 ,而改变钾通道活性能直接影响血管张力。钾通道开放引起钾外流 ,细胞膜超极化 ,关闭电压依赖性钙通道 ,钙内流减少 ,血管舒张 ;当钾通道受抑制时 ,可使细胞膜去极化 ,从而使电压依赖的钙通道开放 ,细胞外钙内流 ,钙离子使肌球蛋白轻链磷酸化 ,粗细肌丝发生相对运动 ,血管收缩。本文介绍血管平滑肌上 4种钾通道的基因结构、电生理学与药理学特性     

ENDOTHELIUM-DERIVED HYPERPOLARIZING FACTOR

1. Not all endothelium-dependent relaxation can be full explained by the release of either nitric oxide (NO) and/or prostacyclin. Another unidentified substance(s) that hyperpolarizes the underlying vascular smooth muscle cells (endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor; EDHF) contributes to endothelium-dependent relaxations. 2. In blood vessels from various species these hyperpolarizations are resistant to inhibitors of NO synthase (NOS) and cycl-oxygenase. In canine, porcine and human blood vessels the hyperpolarization cannot be mimicked by nitrovasodilators or exogeneous NO. However, in other species (rat, guinea-pig, rabbit) endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations resistant to inhibitors of NOS and cyclo-oxygenase and hyperpolarizations to endothelium-derived or exogeneous NO can be obsercved n the same vascular smooth muscle cells. 3. In blood vessels where NO causes hyperpolarization, the response is blocked by glibenclamide, suggesting the involvement of ATP-dependent potassium channels. Hyperpolarizations caused by EDHF are insensitive to glibenclamide but, depending on the tissue, are inhibited by relatively small concentrations of tetraethylammonium (TEA) or by apamin or the combination of charybdotoxing plus apamin, indicating that calcium-dependent potassium channels are likely to be involved. 4. Metabolites of arachidonic acid, through the cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenase pathway (epoxyeicosatrienoic acids), are produced by the endothelial cells, increase the open-state probability of calcium-activated potassium channels sensitive to TEA or charybdotoxin, and induce the hyperpolarization of arterial smooth muscle cells, indicating that epoxyeicosatrienoic acids could be EDHF. However, in blood vessels from various species, cytochrome P450 inhibitors do not affect endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations, indicating that EDHF is not yet identified with certainty. 5. Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor released from cultured endothelial cells reduces the intracellular calcium concentration in vascular smooth muscle cells and the EDHF component of the relaxation is proportionally more important in smaller than larger arteries. In aging animals and in various models of diseases, endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations are diminished. 6. The identification of EDHF and/or the discovery of specific inhibitors of its synthesis and its action may allow a better understanding of its physiological and pathophysiological role(s).     

The obligatory link: role of gap junctional communication in endothelium-dependent smooth muscle hyperpolarization

Although an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) has often been hypothesized to underpin vascular relaxations that are independent of nitric oxide (NO) and prostanoids, bioassay techniques have failed to confirm the existence of a freely transferable EDHF in a consistent fashion. Indeed, observations that inhibitors of direct cell-cell coupling such as connexin-mimetic peptides (e.g. Gap 26 and 27) and glycyrrhetinic acid derivatives attenuate "EDHF-type" smooth muscle hyperpolarizations and relaxations suggest that an electrotonic spread of endothelial hyperpolarization via myoendothelial and homocellular smooth muscle gap junctions plays an obligatory role in such responses. The endothelial hyperpolarization that initiates relaxation results from the opening of K(Ca) channels and is sustained by capacitative Ca(2+) entry triggered by the depletion of intracellular Ca(2+) stores in the endoplasmic reticulum. EDHF-type relaxations are also associated with a prostanoid-independent synthesis of cAMP that increases the conductance of gap junction channels and enhances the transmission of endothelial hyperpolarization through the vascular wall in a permissive fashion. This review will discuss the roles of these interacting signalling pathways in the mediation of the EDHF phenomenon.     

Endothelial potassium channels, endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization and the regulation of vascular tone in health and disease

1. The elusive nature of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) has hampered detailed study of the ionic mechanisms that underlie the EDHF hyperpolarization and relaxation. Most studies have relied on a pharmacological approach in which interpretations of results can be confounded by limited specificity of action of the drugs used. Nevertheless, small-, intermediate- and large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SKCa, IKCa and BKCa, respectively) have been implicated, with inward rectifier K+ channels (KIR) and Na+/K+-ATPase also suggested by some studies. 2. Endothelium-dependent membrane currents recorded using single-electrode voltage-clamp from electrically short lengths of arterioles in which the smooth muscle and endothelial cells remained in their normal functional relationship have provided useful insights into the mechanisms mediating EDHF. Charybdotoxin (ChTx) or apamin reduced, whereas apamin plus ChTx abolished, the EDHF current. The ChTx- and apamin-sensitive currents both reversed near the expected K+ equilibrium potential, were weakly outwardly rectifying and displayed little, if any, time- or voltage-dependent gating, thus having the biophysical and pharmacological characteristics of IKCa and SKCa channels, respectively. 3. The IKCa and SKCa channels occur in abundance in endothelial cells and their activation results in EDHF-like hyperpolarization of these cells. There is little evidence for a significant number of these channels in healthy, contractile vascular smooth muscle cells. 4. In a number of blood vessels in which EDHF occurs, the endothelial and smooth muscle cells are coupled electrically via myoendothelial gap junctions. In contrast, in the adult rat femoral artery, in which the smooth muscle and endothelial layers are not coupled electrically, EDHF does not occur, even though acetylcholine evokes hyperpolarization in the endothelial cells. 5. In vivo studies indicate that EDHF contributes little to basal conductance of the vasculature, but it contributes appreciably to evoked increases in conductance. 6. Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor responses are diminished in some diseases, including hypertension, pre-eclampsia and some models of diabetes. 7. The most economical explanation for EDHF in vitro and in vivo in small vessels is that it arises from the activation of IKCa and SKCa channels in endothelial cells. The resulting endothelial hyperpolarization spreads via myoendothelial gap junctions to result in the EDHF-attributed hyperpolarization and relaxation of the smooth muscle.     

Thromboxane A2 inhibition of SKCa after NO synthase block in rat middle cerebral artery

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: NO/prostanoid independent, EDHF-mediated hyperpolarization and dilation in rat middle cerebral arteries is mediated solely by endothelial cell IK(Ca). However, when the NO-pathway is also active, both SK(Ca) and IK(Ca) contribute to EDHF responses. As the SK(Ca) component can be inhibited by stimulation of thromboxane A(2) (TxA(2)) TP receptors and NO has the potential ability to inhibit thromboxane synthesis, we investigated whether TxA(2) might explain loss of functional input from SK(Ca) during NOS inhibition in cerebral arteries. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Rat middle cerebral arteries were mounted in a wire myograph. Endothelium-dependent responses to the PAR2 agonist, SLIGRL were assessed as simultaneous changes in smooth muscle membrane potential and tension. KEY RESULTS: Responses were obtained in the presence of L-NAME as appropriate. Inhibition of TP receptors with either ICI 192,605 or SQ 29,548, did not affect EDHF mediated hyperpolarization and relaxation, but in their presence neither TRAM-34 nor apamin (to block IK(Ca) and SK(Ca) respectively) individually affected the EDHF response. However, in combination they virtually abolished it. Similar effects were obtained in the presence of the thromboxane synthase inhibitor, furegrelate, which additionally revealed an iberiotoxin-sensitive residual EDHF hyperpolarization and relaxation in the combined presence of TRAM-34 and apamin. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In the rat middle cerebral artery, inhibition of NOS leads to a loss of the SK(Ca) component of EDHF responses. Either antagonism of TP receptors or block of thromboxane synthase restores an input through SK(Ca). These data indicate that NO normally enables SK(Ca) activity in rat middle cerebral arteries.     

The Na-K-ATPase is a target for an EDHF displaying characteristics similar to potassium ions in the porcine renal interlobar artery

The present study was performed to determine the characteristics of the endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) that mediates the nitric oxide (NO)- and prostacyclin (PGI2)-independent hyperpolarization and relaxation of porcine renal interlobar arteries. Bradykinin-induced changes in isometric force or smooth muscle membrane potential were assessed in rings of porcine renal interlobar artery preconstricted with the thromboxane analogue U46619 in the continuous presence of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine and diclofenac to inhibit NO synthases and cyclo-oxygenases. 3 Inhibition of NO- and PGI2-production induced a rightward shift in the concentration-relaxation curve to bradykinin without affecting maximal relaxation. EDHF-mediated relaxation was abolished by a depolarizing concentration of KCl (40 mM) as well as by a combination of charybdotoxin and apamin (each 100 nM), two inhibitors of calcium-dependent K+ (K+(Ca)) channels. Charybdotoxin and apamin also reduced the bradykinin-induced, EDHF-mediated hyperpolarization of smooth muscle cells from 13.7+/-1.3 mV to 5.7+/-1.2 mV. 4 In addition to the ubiquitous alpha1 subunit of the Na-K-ATPase, the interlobar artery expressed the gamma subunit as well as the ouabain-sensitive alpha2, alpha3 subunits. A low concentration of ouabain (100 nM) abolished the EDHF-mediated relaxation and reduced the bradykinin-induced hyperpolarization of smooth muscle cells (13.6+/-2.8 mV versus 5.20+/-1.39 mV in the absence and presence of ouabain). Chelation of K+, using cryptate 2.2.2., inhibited EDHF-mediated relaxation, without affecting NO-mediated responses. Elevating extracellular KCl (from 4 to 14 mM) elicited a transient, ouabain-sensitive hyperpolarization and relaxation that was endothelium-independent and insensitive to charybdotoxin and apamin. 6 These results indicate that in the renal interlobar artery, EDHF-mediated responses display the pharmacological characteristics of K+ ions released from endothelial K+(Ca) channels. Smooth muscle cell hyperpolarization and relaxation appear to be dependent on the activation of highly ouabain-sensitive subunits of the Na-K-ATPase.     

Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor but not NO reduces smooth muscle Ca2+ during acetylcholine-induced dilation of microvessels.

1. We hypothesized that nitric oxide (NO) and the endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) may dilate microvessels by different cellular mechanisms, namely Ca2+-desensitization versus decrease in intracellular free calcium. 2. Effects of acetylcholine (ACh) and the NO donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 0.1 - 10 micromol l(-1)) and S-Nitroso-N-acetyl-D, L-penicillamine (SNAP, 0.01 - 10 micromol l-1) on intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i, fura 2) and vascular diameter (videomicroscopy) were studied in isolated resistance arteries from hamster gracilis muscle (194+/-12 microm) pretreated with indomethacin and norepinephrine. Membrane potential changes were determined using 1, 3-dibutylbarbituric acid trimethineoxonol (DiBAC4(3)). 3. ACh (0.1 and 1 micromol l-1)-induced dilations were associated with a [Ca2+]i decrease (by 13+/-3 and 32+/-4%) and hyperpolarization of vascular smooth muscle (VSM, by 12+/-1% at 1 micromol l-1 ACh). Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA, 30 micromol l(-1)) partially inhibited the dilation but did not affect VSM [Ca2+]i decreases or hyperpolarization. In contrast, the KCa channel inhibitors tetrabutylammonium (TBA, 1 mmol l(-1)) and charybdotoxin (ChTX, 1 micromol l(-1)) abolished the ACh-induced [Ca2+]i decrease and the hyperpolarization in VSM while a significant dilation remained (25 and 40%). This remaining dilation was abolished by L-NA. ChTX did not affect [Ca2+]i increase and hyperpolarization in endothelial cells. SNP- or SNAP-induced dilations were not associated with decreases in VSM [Ca2+]i or hyperpolarization although minor transient decreases in VSM [Ca2+]i were observed at high concentrations. 4. These data suggest that ACh-induced dilations in microvessels are predominantly mediated by a factor different from NO and PGI2, presumably EDHF. EDHF exerts dilation by activation of KCa channels and a subsequent decrease in VSM [Ca2+]i, NO dilates the microvessels in a calcium-independent manner.     

C-type natriuretic peptide: a new endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor?

Vascular relaxation mediated by endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) is important for resistance artery function and is underpinned by hyperpolarization of the smooth muscle cells of the blood vessel wall. Debate surrounds the identity of EDHF and its mechanism of action, with the consensus being that there is no universal EDHF. Regional differences in vascular function reflect the complex mechanisms of EDHF. Two primary mechanistic pathways are implicated: (i) myoendothelial gap junctions mediating the spread of endothelial cell hyperpolarization or small signaling molecules (or both) to the smooth muscle; and (ii) diffusible mediators released from the endothelium, including K+ and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids. Here, we discuss the evidence for and against C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), the latest candidate for a diffusible mediator.     

Combination of Ca2+ -activated K+ channel blockers inhibits acetylcholine-evoked nitric oxide release in rat superior mesenteric artery

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The present study investigated whether calcium-activated K+ channels are involved in acetylcholine-evoked nitric oxide (NO) release and relaxation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Simultaneous measurements of NO concentration and relaxation were performed in rat superior mesenteric artery and endothelial cell membrane potential and intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) were measured. KEY RESULTS: A combination of apamin plus charybotoxin, which are, respectively, blockers of small-conductance and of intermediate- and large-conductance Ca2+ -activated K channels abolished acetylcholine (10 microM)-evoked hyperpolarization of endothelial cell membrane potential. Acetylcholine-evoked NO release was reduced by 68% in high K+ (80 mM) and by 85% in the presence of apamin plus charybdotoxin. In noradrenaline-contracted arteries, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an inhibitor of NO synthase inhibited acetylcholine-evoked NO release and relaxation. However, only further addition of oxyhaemoglobin or apamin plus charybdotoxin eliminated the residual acetylcholine-evoked NO release and relaxation. Removal of extracellular calcium or an inhibitor of calcium influx channels, SKF96365, abolished acetylcholine-evoked increase in NO concentration and [Ca2+]i. Cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, 30 microM), an inhibitor of sarcoplasmic Ca2+ -ATPase, caused a sustained NO release in the presence, but only a transient increase in the absence, of extracellular calcium. Incubation with apamin and charybdotoxin did not change acetylcholine or CPA-induced increases in [Ca2+]i, but inhibited the sustained NO release induced by CPA. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Acetylcholine increases endothelial cell [Ca2+]i by release of stored calcium and calcium influx resulting in activation of apamin and charybdotoxin-sensitive K channels, hyperpolarization and release of NO in the rat superior mesenteric artery.     

Effects of chronic in vivo administration of nitroglycerine on ACh-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation in rabbit cerebral arteries

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In the setting of nitrate tolerance, endothelium-dependent relaxation is reduced in several types of peripheral vessels. However, it is unknown whether chronic in vivo administration of nitroglycerine modulates such relaxation in cerebral arteries. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Isometric force and smooth muscle cell membrane potential were measured in endothelium-intact strips from rabbit middle cerebral artery (MCA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA). KEY RESULTS: ACh (0.1-10 microM) concentration-dependently induced endothelium-dependent relaxation during the contraction induced by histamine in both MCA and PCA. Chronic (10 days) in vivo administration of nitroglycerine reduced the ACh-induced relaxation in PCA but not in MCA, in the presence of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor diclofenac (3 microM). In the presence of the NO-synthase inhibitor N (omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 0.1 mM) plus diclofenac, in MCA from both nitroglycerine-untreated control and -treated rabbits, ACh (0.1-10 microM) induced a smooth muscle cell hyperpolarization and relaxation, and these were blocked by the small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+)-channel inhibitor apamin (0.1 microM), but not by the large- and intermediate-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+)-channel inhibitor charybdotoxin (0.1 microM). In contrast, in PCA, ACh (<3 microM) induced neither hyperpolarization nor relaxation under these conditions, suggesting that the endothelium-derived relaxing factor is NO in PCA, whereas endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) plays a significant role in MCA. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: It is suggested that in rabbit cerebral arteries, the function of the endothelium-derived relaxing factor NO and that of EDHF may be modulated differently by chronic in vivo administration of nitroglycerine.     

血管平滑肌细胞的内皮依赖性超极化(英文)

In response to various neurohumoral substances en-dothelial cells release nitric oxide (NO) and prostacy-clin, and produce hyperpolarization of the underlying vascular smooth muscle cells, possibly by releasing another factor termed endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). NO and prostacyclin stimulate smooth muscle soluble guanylate and adenylate cyclase respectively and can activate, depending on the vascular tissue studied, ATP-sensitive potassium ( KATP) and large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BKca). Furthermore, NO directly activates BKca. In contrast to NO and prostacyclin, EDHF-mediated responses are sensitive to the combination of charybdotox-in plus apamin but do not involve KATP or BKca. As hyperpolarization of the endothelial cells is required to observe endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization, an electric coupling through myoendothelial gap junctions may explain the phenomenon. An alternative explanation is that the hyperpolarization of the endothelial cells cau