Editing Endothelium-derived relaxing factor

{{Short description|Nitric Oxide as an EDRF}}
{{Update|date=January 2022}}[[File:Nitric-oxide-2D.png|thumb|131x131px|Nitric Oxide (NO), the principal EDRF]]
The '''Endothelium-derived relaxing factor''' ('''EDRF''') is a strong [[Vasodilation|vasodilator]] produced by [[Endothelial cells|cardiac endothelial cells]] in response to stress signals such as high levels of [[ADP-ribosylation|ADP]] accumulation or [[Hypoxia (medical)|hypoxia]].{{fact|date=January 2025}} [[Robert F. Furchgott]] is widely recognised for this discovery, even going so far as to be a co-recipient of the 1998 [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine|Nobel Prize in Medicine]] with his colleagues [[Louis J. Ignarro]] and [[Ferid Murad]]. [[Nitric oxide]] (NO) is a key component in any EDRF as these compounds either include NO or are structurally in the form of NO.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bauer |first1=Viktor |last2=Sotníková |first2=Ružena |date=29 December 2010 |title=Nitric oxide--the endothelium-derived relaxing factor and its role in endothelial functions |journal=General Physiology and Biophysics |volume=29 |issue=4 |pages=319–340 |doi=10.4149/gpb_2010_04_319 |issn=0231-5882 |pmid=21156995|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last1=Francis |first1=S. H. |last2=Busch |first2=J. L. |last3=Corbin |first3=J. D. |date=2010-09-01 |title=cGMP-Dependent Protein Kinases and cGMP Phosphodiesterases in Nitric Oxide and cGMP Action |journal=Pharmacological Reviews |language=en |volume=62 |issue=3 |pages=525–563 |doi=10.1124/pr.110.002907 |issn=0031-6997 |pmc=2964902 |pmid=20716671}}</ref>

== Physiological Functions and production ==
[[File:Microscopic anatomy of an artery en.svg|thumb|362x362px|Anatomical cross section of an artery: the "intima" is composed of endothelial cells]]
EDRF serves various functions, of which the most common and topical are vasodilation and the prevention of [[platelet adhesion]]. EDRF also plays a role in the production of [[Cyclic gmp|cyclic GMP]].{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

EDRF is produced from [[Arginine|L-arginine]] by an enzyme (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) that is dependent on calcium-calmodulin and [[NADPH]] - this occurs in the cardiac endothelium.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

EDRF then diffuses to the smooth muscle in vascular tissue (vessels may be large or small), here it enacts [[endogenous]] vasodilation. Moreover, it serves the function of preventing sympathetic vasoconstriction - when the sympathetic nervous system, reacting to a situation perceived as dangerous, attempts to raise blood pressure through vasoconstriction.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

The NO compound is also capable of reducing clotting in the blood stream due to its ability to prevent platelet adhesion and aggregation.<ref name=":1">{{Citation |last1=Pirahanchi |first1=Yasaman |title=Physiology, Endothelial Derived Relaxation Factor |date=2022 |url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537010/ |work=StatPearls |place=Treasure Island (FL) |publisher=StatPearls Publishing |pmid=30725695 |access-date=2023-01-21 |last2=Marsidi |first2=Jennifer L. |last3=Brown |first3=Kristen N.}}</ref>

== Related pathology ==
Atherosclerosis and hypertension are grave contributors in the group of pathological conditions under the umbrella of Cardiovascular disease. Among these conditions is also the disfunction of the endothelium, which given its properties of vasodilation when functional, can cause excessive vasoconstriction, thus leading back to hypertension. Another effect of this particular disfunction may also be excessive platelet adhesion, signifying a significant increase in blood clots, thus the promotion of a prothrombotic state.<ref name=":1" />

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{Citation|last1=Pirahanchi|first1=Yasaman|title=Physiology, Endothelial Derived Relaxation Factor|date=2022|url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537010/|work=StatPearls|place=Treasure Island (FL)|publisher=StatPearls Publishing|pmid=30725695|access-date=2022-01-29|last2=Marsidi|first2=Jennifer L.|last3=Brown|first3=Kristen N.}}
*{{Cite journal|last1=Ignarro|first1=L. J.|last2=Buga|first2=G. M.|last3=Wood|first3=K. S.|last4=Byrns|first4=R. E.|last5=Chaudhuri|first5=G.|date=1987-12-01|title=Endothelium-derived relaxing factor produced and released from artery and vein is nitric oxide|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|language=en|volume=84|issue=24|pages=9265–9269|doi=10.1073/pnas.84.24.9265|issn=0027-8424|pmid=2827174|pmc=299734|bibcode=1987PNAS...84.9265I|doi-access=free}}
*{{Cite journal|last1=Vanhoutte|first1=P.-M.|last2=Boulanger|first2=C.-M.|last3=Mombouli|first3=J.-V.|date=1995-11-24|title=Endothelium-derived relaxing factors and converting enzyme inhibition|url=https://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(99)80496-2/abstract|journal=American Journal of Cardiology|language=English|volume=76|issue=15|pages=3E–12E|doi=10.1016/S0002-9149(99)80496-2|issn=0002-9149|pmid=7484885|url-access=subscription}}
{{Nitric oxide signaling}}

[[Category:Nitrogen compounds]]
[[Category:Nitrogen cycle]]
[[Category:Vasodilators]]


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