Endothelial Cells as Mediators of Vasodilation of Arteries

A brief review is first presented of findings during the past few years by the authors and by others on the nonprostaglandin endothelium-dependent relaxation of isolated arteries by a large number of vasoactive agents. Among these agents are acetylcholine (ACh); the calcium ionophore A23187; ATP and ADP; substance P; bradykinin (canine, human, and porcine arteries); histamine, acting via an H1-receptor (rat arteries); thrombin (canine arteries); serotonin (canine coronary artery); and norepinephrine, acting via an alpha2-receptor (canine coronary artery). The endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) released by ACh and other agents has not yet been identified. Our original hypothesis that arachidonic acid is the precursor of EDRF is not supported by the finding that other unsaturated fatty acids in addition to arachidonic acid, and even stearic acid, elicited nonprostaglandin endothelium-dependent relaxations. Methylene blue and hemoglobin (but not methemoglobin) rapidly inhibited relaxation of rabbit aorta by ACh or A23187, suggesting that our proposal that EDRF is a labile free radical may be correct. The endothelium-dependent relaxation by each of these agents was shown to be preceded by an endothelium-dependent increase in cyclic GMP in the smooth muscle--a finding consistent with the hypothesis that EDRF stimulates guanylate cyclase in the muscle, leading to an increase in cyclic GMP that somehow activates relaxation. Some questions relating to the potential physiological important of endothelium-dependent relaxations are discussed.