Endothelial protection drugs - A new class of pharmacological agents

Abstract

This review considers issues dealing with the role of nitric oxide and endothelial function/dysfunction in providing a number of physiological and pathophysiological processes and various body systems functioning. It also covers in details the possible ways of pharmacological management of endothelial dysfunction (ED) using drugs of different pharmacological groups (classes). Diverse pharmacological effects which have various degree of intensity and presented at various stages of ED pathogenesis are discussed. The value and urgency of search and development of agents with endothelial protection potential are studied in available experimental and clinical works on the considerable role of endothelial system in cardiovascular diseases and lack of specific means for prevention and treatment of endothelial dysfunction. Integrated morphological-functional approach to assessment of ED and endothelial protection of substances was developed and implemented in experimental practice in Cardiovascular Agents Laboratory of the Volgograd State Medical University Research Institute of Pharmacology. Various ED models were tested and most valid ones were selected. Endothelial protection of new compounds such as Salifen and Flavian are considered and compared with cardiovascular drugs, antioxidants with metabolic effects, GABA derivatives. These drugs are assumed to belong to a new class of drugs - endothelial protection drugs.