Cardiovascular system therapeutic target

Kirkby NS et al The endothelin system as a therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease Great expectations or bleak house Br J Pharmacol 2008 153 1105. [PMID 17965745]... 

Many aspects of the role of inflammadon and the immune system in sdoke remain condoversial (Chamorro and Hallen-beck, 2006). However, more refined characteiizadon of immune responses after sdoke may suggest new and different therapeutic targets for acute ischemic sdoke, in addidon to novel approaches that are ongoing for the prevendon of cardiovascular disease. 

Gray, G.A. et al. (1996) The endothelin system and its potential as a therapeutic target In cardiovascular disease. Pharmacol. Ther. 72.109 148. 

Many diseases result from the dysfunction of cells located outside the cardiovascular system. Thus, for a drug to exert its therapeutic effects, it must exit from the central circulation and interact with its extravascular-extraceUular or extravascular-intracellular target(s). This process of transvascular exchange is called extravasation, and it is governed by the permeability of blood capillary walls. The main biological features that control permeability of capillaries include the structure of the capillary wall under normal... 

It is also evident that inhaled particles and irritants, such as ozone and SO2, can cause perturbations in both the lungs and the cardiovascular system that can potentially contribute to the increased morbidity and mortality observed with increasing levels of these pollutants. There is httle doubt that these neural responses to inhaled irritants and antigen are increased in persons with hypersensitive airways, pulmonary congestion, and heart disease. Clearly, the roles of these irritants and allergens on these vital pulmonary and cardiovascular functions as well as the mechanisms whereby they defend the body or compromise its function need further delineation. This will help provide the needed mechanistic links between inhaled irritants and increased morbidity and mortality. In addition, it will lead to the identification of target sites for prophylactic and therapeutic intervention. 

Overall, this volume provides a detailed analysis of a wide range of signal transduction systems that mediate hypertrophy, intimal hyperplasia, oxidative damage, contractility, cardiovascular protection, and remodeling. Many components of these signaling pathways are potential targets to develop new therapeutics to treat cardiovascular disorders. 

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