THE ROLE OF THE ENDOTHELIUM IN STRUCTURAL -CHANGES OF THE ARTERIAL SYSTEM IN ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION

Active contraction and morphological changes of the arterial wall in r esponse to increased arterial pressure were mediated by the endothelia l cell layer. Pressure-induced structural changes may be induced by re duced release of endothelial derived relaxing factors, increased respo nse to endothelial derived constricting factors and direct action on v ascular smooth muscle. Even in treated hypertensive patients the condu it function and the viscoelastic properties of the arterial function r emain decreased.