Open AccessAbnormalities of Endothelial Function in the Pathogenesis of Stroke: The Importance of Endothelin
Author(s) -
Massimo Volpe,
Francesco Cosentino
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.762
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1533-4023
pISSN - 0160-2446
DOI - 10.1097/00005344-200000002-00011
Subject(s) - pathogenesis , vasospasm , stroke (engine) , endothelin 1 , endothelin receptor , medicine , subarachnoid hemorrhage , endothelial dysfunction , endothelium , cerebral vasospasm , endogeny , pathological , endothelins , neuroscience , biology , receptor , mechanical engineering , engineering
Endothelial cells play a key role in the local regulation of the vascular smooth muscle tone by producing and releasing relaxing and contracting factors. Endothelin (ET)-1, one of the most potent endogenous vasoconstrictor substances known, is produced by endothelial cells. In the cerebral vasculature ET-1 is thought to be involved in several pathological conditions, including vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage and stroke. This review contains evidence suggesting that endothelial dysfunction may contribute to the development of ischemic stroke and discusses the current knowledge concerning the role of ET-1 in the pathogenesis of stroke in animal models and in humans.