[Endogenous digitalis-like substance. II. Relation to pathologic states and diseases]

Endogenous digitalis-like substances (EDLS) may play an active but differential role in numerous physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms. Reviewed are diseases, in which EDLS could be considered to play a causative role in their pathogenesis. Relations of EDLS were described mainly to cardiovascular, endocrine and metabolic diseases. Existence of EDLS, however, may have also another clinical implications which include possibility of influencing of digoxin monitoring as well as effects of digoxin therapy. Finally, methods of detection of EDLS are reviewed.