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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Assessing Endothelial Vasodilator Function with the Endo-PAT 2000
Published on: October 15, 2010
Pharmacological potential of endothelin receptors agonists and antagonists
Jirí Patocka1, Vladimír Merka, Vratislav Hrdina
1Department of Toxicology, University of Defence in Brno, Faculty of Military Health Sciences in Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. patocka@pmfhk.cz
Abstract:
Endothelins are potent predominantly vasoconstricting agents that act as local autocrine and paracrine mediators. Endothelin-1 is the most potent and sustained vasoconstrictor and pressor substance yet identified. Abnormalities of the endothelin system occur in a range of diseases associated with vasoconstriction, vasospasm, and vascular hypertrophy. ET receptor antagonists were until recently regarded as drugs of great promise in patients with congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and others. The aim of this article is a survey of compounds that affect the endothelin receptors and clinical trials with these agents.
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