Potential role of endothelin and nitric oxide in physiology and pathophysiology of the lower urinary tract

Endothelium-derived vasoactive mediators (endothelin-1 with its vasoconstri ctive and mitogenic properties and nitric oxide with its vasodilatory and a ntiproliferative properties) play an important role in the regulation of va scular smooth muscle tone and cellular proliferation. Several recent studie s have now demonstrated the presence of these vasoactive agents in the urin ary tract where they are thought to play a prominent role in urinary tract physiology and disease. This article reviews the synthesis, localisation an d actions of endothelin and nitric oxide in the lower urinary tract and exa mines the possible role of these mediators in disease.