Paul M. Vanhoutte

Endothelium-Derived Hyperpolarizing Factor Paul M. Vanhoutte 1. izdevums

Inspired by the First International Symposium on EDHF, held in Vaux de Cernayin in June 1995, this book presents the first comprehensive study of the factor. It introduces EDHF and its effects and discusses the nature of EDHF and the mechanisms underlying its release. It looks at the effects of EDHF on vascular smooth muscle and its potential contribution to the physiology of the vascular wall. Also investigated is the possible role of EDHF in human physiology and pathology.
Endothelium-dependent responses have been discovered in most vasculature of all species so far studied. The first factor to be isolated was termed 'endothelium-derived relaxing factor' and has been identified as nitric oxide. The search for another factor has lead to a likely candidate, dubbed 'endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor' (EDHF).