Abstract
Alterations in the function and structure of the blood vessel wall account for most clinical events in the coronary and cerebrovascular circulation such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Cardiovascular drugs may exert beneficial effects on the vascular wall both at the level of the endothelium and vascular smooth muscle cells. Therefore, endothelial mediators, in particular nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin (ET), are of special interest. Drugs can modulate the expression and actions of NO, a vasodilator with antiproliferative and antithrombotic properties, and of ET, a potent vasoconstrictor and proliferative mitogenic agent. The most successful drugs in this context are statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors. While statins increase the expression of NO synthase. ACE-inhibitors increase the release of NO via bradykinin-mediated mechanisms. Antioxidant properties of drugs are also important, as oxidative stress is crucial in atherosclerotic vascular disease. These properties may explain part of the effects of calcium antagonists and ACE-inhibitors. Indeed, angiotensin II stimulates NAD(P)H oxidases responsible for the formation of superoxide, which inactivates NO. ACE-Inhibitors thus increase the bioavailability of NO. Newer cardiovascular drugs such as nebivolol are able to directly stimulate NO release from the endothelium both in isolated arteries and in the human forearm circulation. ET receptor antagonists may exert beneficial effects in the vessel wall by preventing the effects of ET at its receptors and by reducing ET production. In summary, cardiovascular drugs have important effects on the vessel wall, which may be clinically relevant for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
