Endothelins and Coronary Heart Disease

pp 525-532

Abstract

The endothelins, peptides synthetized principally by the vascular endothelium, are substances with relevant regulating properties of the vascular physiology. It was suggested that they may be involved in the development of pathologic conditions such as essential hypertension, atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Plasma levels of endothelin-1 are correlated with the extent of systemic atherosclerosis. Furthermore, strong experimental data support the hypothesis that endothelin may play a role in the atherogenic process. Animal studies have suggested that this autacoids may be involved in the extension of myocardial ischaemia during coronary occlusion. Endothelins are also associated to acute coronary syndromes, microvascular ischaemia, and severe coronary atherosclerosis. The availability of specific antagonists and larger clinical studies will clarify the role of these novel peptides in the pathophysiological mechanisms of vascular disease.