THE ENDOTHELIN SYSTEM - PHYSIOLOGICAL SIG NIFICANCE AND POSTULATED ROLE IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF VASCULAR-DISEASE

The endothelins are a family of potent vasoconstrictors and mitogenic agents. Since the isolation of ET-1 in 1988 the worldwide scientific r esearch interest has mushroomed, resulting in considerable knowledge a bout molecular biology, biochemistry and pharmacological actions of th ese peptides. A body of evidence has parallelly emerged pointing to th eir role in some physiological phenomena as well as in the pathophysio logy of cardiovascular disease. The future therapeutic nse of anti-end othelin strategies may offer clinical benefit in many of these conditi ons.