[The lung and the metabolism of vasoactive substances]

The lung is the site of a number of reactions affecting vasoactive substances: hydrolysis of angiotensin I, bradykinin and ATP, occurring at the surface of endothelial cell; uptake and intracellular metabolism of 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine; and intracellular oxidation of prostaglandins. Mediators, including prostaglandins, histamine and SRS-A (slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis), can also be released from the lung. The possible implications of these recent findings are analysed.