[Endothelial dysfunction and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in coronary disease]

The endothelium plays a fundamental role in the regulation of the vascular tone. It produces EDRF-NO that dilates the vessels. In endothelial dysfunction, the reduction of EDRF-NO production increases the vasoconstrive effects of endothelin-1 and angiotensin-II. The endothelial dysfunction is part of the coronary artery disease. It can be minimized by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors that block the deleterious effects of angiotensin-II.