PMID: 11324317Apr 28, 2001Paper

Clinical and biological investigation of NO

Journal de la Société de biologie
B DarbladeJ F Arnal

Abstract

Furchgott et al. demonstrated in 1980 that relaxation of arterial smooth muscle cells in response to acetylcholine is dependent on the integrity of endothelium. They named the factor responsible of this intercellular relationship EDRF (Endothelium Derived Relaxing Factor), which was identified 7 years latter as nitric oxide (NO), a free radical gas. In vessels, NO is generated locally by the endothelial NO synthase and its effect is mainly paracrine (relaxation of the underlying smooth muscle cells, and inhibition of platelet aggregation). The in vivo half-life of NO is short, and the assessment of its production is thus difficult. Invasive and non invasive techniques are now available to explore the variations of arterial diameter or flow. Furchgott's pioneering work anticipated the whole pathophysiology of endothelial-dependent relaxation. Indeed, numerous diseases, in particular atherosclerosis, are accompanied by abnormalities of endothelial-dependent vasodilation ("endothelial dysfunction"). Whereas acetylcholine (or serotonin) infused in a normal artery elicits a vasodilation, in contrast, it promotes a vasoconstriction in an atheromatous artery, as a consequence of a decrease in NO bioavailability. This defect in NO favo...Continue Reading

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