Endothelium-derived relaxing factor and the pulmonary circulation

Endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) is probably identical to nitric oxide (NO) and is released by the vascular endothelium both in the basal unstimulated state and in response to a wide range of physical and chemical stimuli. Since it was first described 10 years ago, evidence is accumulating that it is an important modulator of vascular smooth muscle tone. EDRF acts on the pulmonary vascular bed as on the systemic circulation. EDRF release to pharmacologic stimuli is impaired in pulmonary arteries from patients with chronic hypoxemia. This impairment is associated with severity of respiratory failure and of structural change of vessel walls. Disturbance of EDRF activity may be important in the pathophysiology of pulmonary vascular disease. This brief review describes the current status of experimental studies concerning the possible role of EDRF on the pulmonary circulation in normal conditions and in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension.