Fig. 1.
Endothelium-derived relaxing factors. Endothelial cells synthesize and release nitric oxide and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH) factors. Endothelium-derived H2O2 is one of the major EDH factors. AMPKα1, α1-subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase; CaM, calmodulin; CaMKKβ, Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase β; cAMP, cyclic AMP; cGMP, cyclic GMP; COX, cyclooxygenase; EETs, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids; eNOS, endothelial NO synthase; EOX, epoxygenase; HETEs, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids; H2O2, hydrogen peroxide; IP3, inositol trisphosphate; KCa, calcium-activated potassium channel; KIR, inwardly rectifying potassium channel; LOX, lipoxygenase; LTs, leukotrienes; NO, nitric oxide; ONOO−, peroxynitrite; PGI2, prostacyclin; PKG1α, 1α-subunit of protein kinase G; PLA2, phospholipase A2; PLC, phospholipase C; SOD, superoxide dismutase.