BACKGROUND Recent studies demonstrate that spatially restricted, local Ca2+ signals are key regulators of endothelium-dependent vasodilation in systemic circulation. There are drastic functional differences between pulmonary arteries (PAs) and systemic arteries, but the local Ca2+ signals that control endothelium-dependent vasodilation of PAs are not known. Localized, unitary Ca2+ influx events...

Cigarette smoking impairs endothelial function. Hydroxymethylglutaryl (HMG) CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) may favorably affect endothelial function via nonlipid mechanisms. We tested the hypothesis that statins would improve endothelial function independent of changes in lipids in cigarette smokers. Twenty normocholesterolemic cigarette smokers and 20 matched healthy control subjects were ...

BACKGROUND Chronic coronary occlusion (CCO) impairs endothelial function of distal collateral-dependent microvasculature; however, long-term exercise training (EX) seems to improve endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesized that EX enhances vasodilation responses to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF165), mediated via nitric oxide (NO), in arterioles exposed to CCO. METHODS AND RESULTS Th...

Reductions in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production have been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction in animal models of hypertension; however, no studies have examined a functional role for H2S in contributing to microvascular dysfunction in hypertensive (HTN) adults. We hypothesized that endogenous production of H2S would be reduced, impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation wou...

cirrhosis is characterized by marked abnormalities in the cardiovascular system. a hyperdynamic splanchnic and systemic circulation is typical of cirrhotic patients and has been observed in all experimental forms of portal hypertension. the hyperdynamic circulation is most likely initiated by arterial vasodilatation, leading to central hypovolemia, sodium retention, and an increased intravascul...

OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that external-beam radiation induces a chronic impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilation. BACKGROUND Radiation therapy is used commonly in the treatment of cancer and is associated with an increased incidence of adverse vascular events related to the field of radiation, including stroke and myocardial infarction. As endo...