Polypeptides Which Affect Smooth Muscles and Blood Vessels

Abstract

Most clinicians are aware of the many physiologically active substances occurring naturally in the human body, but they can only guess at the possible clinical significance or the chemical structure of many of these compounds. A fascinating but somewhat obscure group in these physiologically potent substances are the polypeptides affecting smooth muscle and blood vessels —all with molecular weights in the range 1,000 to 2,000. This book summarizes the investigations of these compounds in 31 articles by 36 noted participants. The book is divided into 5 sections: (1) Oxytocin and vasopressin, (2) Angiotensin, (3) Substance P, (4) Kallidin, bradykinin, and related substances, and (5) Anaphylatoxin, leukotaxine, and permeability globulins. Of these, the first, oxytocin and vasopressin, have been studied most thoroughly. In 9 articles, the chemistry, pharmacology, enzyme inactivation, and clinical application are discussed. The second section will be of interest to those physicians concerned with the riddle of hypertension,