Identification of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) in human arteries.

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We have recently identified that endothelium-derived hydrogen peroxide (H202) is an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) in mice (Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2002). In this series of experiments, we have examined whether H202 is also and EDHF in human arteries.In isolated human mesenteric arteries, EDHF-mediated responses were inhibited by catalase that specifically decomposes H202 into water and oxygen. Exopgenous H202 also exerted relaxations and hyperpolarizations of vascular smooth muscle. By contrast, we were unable to confirm other hypotheses on the nature of EDHF, including epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), K ion, and gap junctions.These results indicate that H202 is also an EDHF in human mesenteric arteries.