Document Detail


Pharmacology of gap junctions in the cardiovascular system.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15094349     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Gap junction channels provide the basis for intercellular communication and play an important physiological role in the cardiovascular system for maintenance of the normal cardiac rhythm, regulation of vascular tone, endothelial function and myoendothelial interaction as well as for metabolic interchange between the cells. Thus, pharmacological influence on these channels might help to elucidate their role in physiology and pathophysiology and might reveal new therapeutic approaches. The gap junction conductance between two cells is defined by the number of channels, the single channel conductance and the mean open and closed time. In principle, it is possible pharmacologically to induce closing of the channels, to change preferred single channel conductance, to open channels (or to keep them open), and to regulate the expression, synthesis, assembly and degradation of the channels thereby controlling the number of channels. This review describes the various substances affecting these parameters and outlines the possible pharmacological use of such drugs.
Authors:
Stefan Dhein
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Cardiovascular research     Volume:  62     ISSN:  0008-6363     ISO Abbreviation:  Cardiovasc. Res.     Publication Date:  2004 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2004-04-19     Completed Date:  2004-09-20     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0077427     Medline TA:  Cardiovasc Res     Country:  Netherlands    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  287-98     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, Heart Centre Leipzig, University of Leipzig, Struempellstr. 39, 04289 Leipzig, Germany. dhes@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy*,  metabolism
Cardiovascular System / drug effects*,  metabolism
Cell Communication
Connexins / metabolism*
Gap Junctions / drug effects*,  metabolism
Humans
Ion Channel Gating*
Myocardial Contraction / drug effects
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Connexins

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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