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En Face Detection of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide in Endothelial Layer of Intact Arteries
Published on: February 25, 2016
Beta-adrenergic receptors and nitric oxide generation in the cardiovascular system
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, King's College London, 2.38 New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, United Kingdom. mole_queen@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Nitric oxide plays a crucial role in cardiovascular homeostasis, with important vasodilatory, anti-thrombotic and anti-atherogenic properties. Beta-adrenergic receptors (betaARs), present on a wide variety of cardiovascular cells, including vascular endothelial cells, platelets, cardiac myocytes and leukocytes, have long been established as key players in maintaining cardiovascular homeostatic control. During the last few years a wealth of evidence has emerged which directly links stimulation of these cardiovascular betaARs to nitric oxide (NO) generation, suggesting a new and important mechanism of adrenergic control of cardiovascular function. This review explores the cardiovascular cell systems in which this coupling of betaARs and NO occurs, the intracellular signalling and regulatory mechanisms involved and the abnormalities in betaAR-NO oxide coupling found in cardiovascular disease states.
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