[Phosphodiesterase regulation of cardiovascular functions]

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are the enzymes to degrade the intracellular second messengers cAMP and cGMP. They are the targets for drug research and development of great therapeutic interests. Recent studies show that PDEs in cardiomyocytes form a complex with beta-adrenergic receptor and related proteins to ensure precise and localized cAMP signaling. The mechanism may provide new insight for the treatment of chronic heart failure with PDE inhibitors. The functions of blood vessels are regulated by the reactivity and phenotypes of vascular smooth muscle. PDE5 inhibitors, by enhancing the vasodilator effect of cGMP, have been successfully applied to the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The expression of PDE4 and PDE1C is upregulated during proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Selectively inhibiting these PDE subtypes may provide a new way in treating disorders associated with vascular proliferation such as pulmonary hypertension and post-angioplasty restenosis. This review will focus on recent advance in PDE regulation of cardiovascular functions and new applications of PDE inhibitors in cardiovascular diseases.