ARTERIAL-WALL - A NEW PHARMACOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTIC TARGET

In recent years, endothelial dysfunction and arterial remodelling in v arious cardiovascular diseases have emerged as two key concepts, with numerous interrelationships. Both endothelial dysfunction and arterial remodelling occur in various pathologies including heart failure, ath erosclerosis, restenosis after angioplasty, and pulmonary hypertension , and have modified the therapeutic approach by offering new pharmacol ogical targets: specific receptors not only at the site of the vascula r smooth muscle cells but also on the endothelial cells, growth factor s that stimulate proliferation of smooth muscle, and receptors and enz ymes of the extracellular matrix. Among the various substances under r esearch, the present review will discuss angiotensin II receptor antag onists, endothelin receptor antagonists, nitrates-NO donors, potassium channel activators, and substances interfering with proteoglycans and other components of the extracellular matrix.