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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research
Published on: October 22, 2014
Abstract:
A sequential mechanism for endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation is proposed. The following events appear to be involved: Endothelial cell: activation of a receptor----activation of membrane phospholipases----increase in intracellular free Ca2+----formation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s) (EDRF) via a cytochrome P450-dependent epoxygenase or non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation pathway----release of EDRF----diffusion of EDRF to the smooth muscle cell; Smooth muscle cell: activation of guanyl cyclase----activation of protein kinase----protein phosphorylation----dephosphorylation of myosin light chain----relaxation. Relationships between endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasorelaxation are indicated. EDRF-candidates include aldehydes and epoxides.
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