Endothelin and Its Inhibitors, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2001 Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology Series, Vol. 152

Recent publications have addressed specific aspects of the endothelins, such as their roles in disease or the importance of endothelin receptors. However, in this book the entire field of endothelins is covered. This includes the pathways of endothelin production and their regulation, the local and systemic actions of endothelins, receptors for the endothelins and the signalling pathways employed, and the involvement of endothelins in a range of diseases. Attention is also paid to the development through chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of endothelin antagonists and endothelin-converting enzyme inhibitors, with mention of all the important members of these drug classes. This leads to well-rounded discussions of the potential therapeutic benefit of endothelin inhibitors.

1. Historical Perspective and Introduction to the Endothelin Family of Peptides 2. Sarafotoxins and their Relationship to the Endothelin Family of Peptides 3. Identity of Endothelin-Converting Enzyme and Other Targets for the Therapeutic Regulation of Endothelin Biosynthesis 4. Endothelin Receptors 5. Cell Signalling by Endothelin Peptides 6. Lessons from Gene Deletion of Endothelin Systems 7. Endothelin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Their Effects 8. Endothelin-Converting Enzymes and Endothelin Receptor Localisation in Human Tissues 9. Endothelin Receptor Antagonists 10. Toxicology of Endothelin Receptor Antagonists 11. Endothelins and the Release of Autacoids 12. The Role of Endothelins in Proliferation, Apoptosis and Angiogenesis 13. The Involvement of Endothelins in Cerebral Vasospasms and Stroke 14. Involvement of Endothelins in Airway Reactivity and Disease 15. Endothelin-1 and Pulmonary Hypertension 16. Vascular and Cardiac Effects of Endothelin 17. Endothelins within the Liver and the Gastrointestinal System 18. Endothelin and the Kidney 19. Endothelin Ligands and their Experimental Effects within the Human Circulation