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Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor and diabetes
Xue Gao, Department of Physiology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China
Luis A Martinez-Lemus, Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology and Internal Medicine, Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
Cuihua Zhang, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Pharmacology and Physiology and Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, United States
Author contributions: All Authors contributed equally to this work.
Correspondence to: Cuihua Zhang, MD, PhD, FAHA, Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Pharmacology and Physiology and Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States. zhangcu@missouri.edu
Telephone: +1-573-8822427 Fax: +1-573-8844232
Received: August 2, 2010
Revised: November 30, 2010
Accepted: December 7, 2010
Published online: January 26, 2011
Revised: November 30, 2010
Accepted: December 7, 2010
Published online: January 26, 2011
Abstract
In addition to its role as a barrier between blood and tissues, the vascular endothelium is responsible for the synthesis and released of a number of vasodilators including prostaglandins, nitric oxide and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). As one of these vasodilators, the specific nature of EDHF has not been fully elucidated, although a number of roles have been proposed. Importantly, many conditions, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart failure, ischemia-reperfusion and diabetes mellitus comprise vascular endothelial dysfunction with EDHF dysregulation. This article reviews reports on the role of EDHF in diabetes-related endothelial dysfunction.
Keywords: Endothelial-dysfunction, Hyperglycemia, Potassium channels, Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, Hydrogen peroxide