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J Physiol Volume 586, Number 2, 319-324, January 15, 2008 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2007.145698
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TOPICAL REVIEW

Physical (in)activity and endothelium-derived constricting factors: overlooked adaptations

 D. H. J. Thijssen1, G. A. Rongen2, P. Smits2 and M. T. E. Hopman1

Departments of
1 Physiology
2 Pharmacology–Toxicology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands

The inner surrounding of arterial vessels, the endothelium, is optimally located to detect changes in blood characteristics or blood flow that may result from changes in physical activity or from diseases. In response to physical stimuli, the endothelium varies its release of circulating vasoactive substances and serves as a source of local and systemic endothelium-derived dilator and vasoconstrictor factors. Endothelial dysfunction is one of the earliest markers of vascular abnormalities observed in cardiovascular disease and ageing. Exercise training is an efficient therapeutic strategy to improve endothelial function. Traditionally, studies on endothelial dysfunction and physical (in)activity-related effects on vascular adaptations are primarily focused on vasodilator substances (i.e. nitric oxide). One may suggest that augmentation of vasoconstrictor pathways (such as endothelin-1 and angiotensin II) contributes to the endothelial dysfunction observed after physical inactivity. Moreover, these pathways may also explain the exercise-induced beneficial cardiovascular adaptations. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the effects of physical (in)activity on several endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor substances.

(Received 27 September 2007; accepted after revision 24 October 2007; first published online 25 October 2007)
Corresponding author D. H. J. Thijssen: Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Physiology, Geert Grooteplein-noord 21, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Email: d.thijssen{at}fysiol.umcn.nl






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