ENDOTHELIAL REGULATION OF VASCULAR TONE

Through the release of a variety of relaxing and contracting factors, including nitric oxide and endothelin-1, the endothelium exerts a comp lex paracrine influence on vascular smooth muscle cells. Dysfunction o f these mechanisms for regulating tone may have relevance to various c linical entities, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, renal failu re, and diabetes.