Erythropoietin and cerebral vascular protection: Role of nitric oxide

Anantha Vijay R. Santhanam, Zvonimir S. Katusic

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a major clinical problem causing cerebral ischemia and infarction. The pathogenesis of vasospasm is related to a number of pathological processes including endothelial damage and alterations in vasomotor function leading to narrowing of arterial diameter and a subsequent decrease in cerebral blood flow. Discovery of the tissue protective effects of erythropoietin (EPO) stimulated the search for therapeutic application of EPO for the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular disease. Recent studies have identified the role of EPO in vascular protection mediated by the preservation of endothelial cell integrity and stimulation of angiogenesis. In this review, we discuss the EPO-induced activation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase and its contribution to the prevention of cerebral vasospasm.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1389-1394
Number of pages6
JournalActa Pharmacologica Sinica
Volume27
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2006

Keywords

  • Cerebral vasospasm
  • Endothelium
  • Nitric oxide synthase
  • Tissue protection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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