L-Arginine/Nitric Oxide Pathway and KCa Channels in Endothelial Cells: A Mini-Review

Abstract

The endothelium is an organ with a key role in the maintenance of cardiovascular health through the regulation of vascular tone, vascular resistance, blood flow, and arterial pressure. These functions are related with the synthesis and release of vasoactive molecules, mainly vasodilators like nitric oxide (NO) and endotheliumderived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). Both factors are released and diffused from endothelial cells to the smooth muscle cells, where there is a subsequent activation of signaling pathways that finally decrease the intracellular calcium to induce the vascular relaxation. The study of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the endothelial function still is in development, but from the evidence obtained from the endothelial cells in vitro studies are possible to partially describe the pathways to regulate the physiological endothelial function and the disturbances in pathological conditions. In this mini-review, we describe the main mechanisms for NO synthesis and the role of potassium channels related with EDHF. We include schemes and graphical summaries for better understanding of the molecular regulation of vascular tone in the human cardiovascular system.

Integrating Genome-Scale Metabolic Models with Patient Plasma Metabolome to Study Endothelial Metabolism In Situ

“…Moreover, the significance of arginine in promoting NO production within ECs and its correlation with endothelial dysfunction [45][46][47] are particularly relevant in trauma patients, where this is a characteristic feature of shock-induced endotheliopathy (SHINE) [17,48]. Moreover, our analysis identified a high sensitivity of this metabolic function to alterations in malate, fumarate, valine, lactate, and alanine levels in the plasma metabolome.…”

Comparative Evaluation of Captopril, Spironolactone, and Carvedilol Effect on Endothelial Function in Breast Cancer Women Undergoing Chemotherapy

“…[ 22 ] Endothelium releases vasoactive factors like NO that is endothelium-dependent vasodilator which produced by the NOS enzyme. [ 23 ] Endothelial dysfunction is an early marker for atherosclerosis in patients with malignancies and several studies demonstrated the effects of medications on improving this function. [ 24 25 ] Captopril is an ACE-I placed on the endothelium to affect angiotensin II and bradykinin activity and NO synthesis.…”

l-Arginine is a feasible supplement to heal chronic anal fissure via reducing internal anal sphincter pressure: a randomized clinical trial study

“…Proline, another metabolite of arginine, plays an important role in collagen structure, tissue repair, and wound healing (Li et al 2001 ; Majumdar et al 2016 ). One of the most important metabolites of this amino acid is nitric oxide (NO), which acts as a neurotransmitter and vasodilator in the body (González and Rivas Ferreira 2020 ). Low amounts of NO increases cell survival and stimulate cell division, in contrast in higher concentrations, can promote apoptosis and cell aging; this action play a crucial role in the immune response, inflammation, and free radicals reduction (Luiking et al 2012 ; Kelly and Pearce 2020 ).…”