Chronic Liver Disease From Molecular Biology Therapy

MARIA JULIA GUIL; MARCELO S. VATTA; MYRIAN R. RODRIGUEZ; MERCEDES SCHOLLER ; LUIS CASSINOTTI; LILIANA G. BIANCIOTTI

Endothelins in Liver Health and Disease

Published by Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Lugar: New York; Año: 2017; p. 123 - 147

Endothelins (ETs) are a family of structurally related peptides with greater vasoconstrictive properties than any known factor so far. Since their discovery numerous investigations were carried out in order to determine their role in almost every organ. The biologic effects of the ETs are variable and depend on tissue and cell-specific expression of ET receptors. ETs, particularly, ET-1 plays a key role in the regulation of vascular tone in healthy individuals but it is also involved in cellular growth and proliferation as well as tissue fibrogenesis suggesting a potential role in various diseases. Given the importance of the ETs in vascular biology, renal, cardiovascular and liver diseases have been emphasized. This chapter focuses primarily on the role of the ET system in the physiology and pathophysiology of the liver. It also highlights the importance of the endothelinergic system as a therapeutic target for various liver diseases.