Vascular Endothelium in Human Physiology and Pathophysiology (Endothelial Cell Research Ser. 7)

Once thought to represent an inert lining in blood vessels, an increasing number of vital functions of the vascular endothelium have emerged in recent years. Among its many functions are the production of anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic agents and regulation of vascular tone through the vasodilator nitric oxide and vasoconstrictors, such as endothelin-1 and angiotensin II. Understanding the central role that endothelial function has in maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis has lead to the concept that endothelial dysfunction may also play an important role in cardiovascular disease. Reduction in nitric oxide function has been recognized in a wide range of conditions such as hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, menopause, and heart failure. Indeed, abnormal activity of a number of endothelial mediators may be a feature of many forms of cardiovascular disease. The present understanding of the role of the endothelium in health and disease has resulted from both animal experiments and cl Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Contents......Page 5 Foreword......Page 10 Contributors......Page 12 Acknowledgements......Page 16 Endothelial Nitric Oxide......Page 20 The Endothelin System: Physiology......Page 48 Cyclooxygenase-dependent Endothelium-derived Contracting Factors......Page 80 Endothelium-derived Hyperpolarizing Factor......Page 92 Regulation of Blood Cell Function by Endothelial Cells......Page 112 Endothelial Dysfunction and Hypertension......Page 126 Endothelial Control of Vascular Tone in Chronic Heart Failure......Page 148 Hypercholesterolemia, Atherosclerosis, and the NO Synthase Pathway......Page 164 Endothelial Function in Diabetes Mellitus......Page 190 Flow-mediated Dilatation and Cardiovascular Risk......Page 208 Endothelial Mediators and Renal Disease......Page 222 Infection and Vascular Inflammation......Page 244 The Endothelium in Human Pregnancy......Page 264 Index......Page 300 Bioscience & Clinical Medicine Book Cover 1 Title 4 Contents 5 Foreword 10 Contributors 12 Acknowledgements 16 Endothelial Nitric Oxide 20 The Endothelin System: Physiology 48 Cyclooxygenase-dependent Endothelium-derived Contracting Factors 80 Endothelium-derived Hyperpolarizing Factor 92 Regulation of Blood Cell Function by Endothelial Cells 112 Endothelial Dysfunction and Hypertension 126 Endothelial Control of Vascular Tone in Chronic Heart Failure 148 Hypercholesterolemia, Atherosclerosis, and the NO Synthase Pathway 164 Endothelial Function in Diabetes Mellitus 190 Flow-mediated Dilatation and Cardiovascular Risk 208 Endothelial Mediators and Renal Disease 222 Infection and Vascular Inflammation 244 The Endothelium in Human Pregnancy 264 Index 300 Annotation Endothelial dysfunction is now regarded as an early marker of vascular disease and therefore an important target for therapeutic intervention and discovery of novel treatments. Ideal for both basic and clinical scientists, whether in industry or academia, and physicians, Vascular Endothelium in Human Physiology and Pathophysiology provides an up-to-date review of the vascular functions of the endothelium and its role in key areas of cardiovascular disease. It focuses on evidence from studies in humans In 1980 Furchgott and Zawadzki reported the observation that vascular relaxation induced by acetylcholine was dependent on the presence of the endothelial lining of the blood vessel (Furchgott and Zawadzki, 1980) An up-to-date review of vascular functions of the endothemium and its role in cardiovascular disease. Edited By Patrick J.t. Vallance And David J. Webb. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.