PROSTANOIDS - INTRINSIC MODULATORS OF CEREBRAL-CIRCULATION

Prostanoids are important autocrine/paracrine modulators of the cerebr al circulation. They can directly affect vascular smooth muscle by act ivating second messenger pathways leading to changes in vascular tone. They also can have more indirect effects: modifying responses of vasc ular smooth muscle to other stimuli and providing critical intercellul ar communication for coordinated vascular responses to important physi ological stimuli.