Vnitr Lek 1995, 41(9):637-643

[Endogenous digitalis-like substance. I. Basic characteristics].

E Martinka: I. interná klinika MFN, Martin.

Klíčová slova: Animals; Blood Proteins, physiology, ; Cardenolides; Digoxin; Enzyme Inhibitors, metabolism, ; Humans; Saponins; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase, antagonists & inhibitors,

Endogenous digitalis-like substances (EDLS) present endogenous products which structurally belong to cardiac glycosides (CG). According contemporary views these substances potentially present a newly discovered hormonal group produced by adrenal cortex. EDLS, similarly exogenous CG, bind to specific CG- receptor of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and inhibit activity of this enzyme. At the cellular level, EDLS lead to increase in intracellular calcium storing and such may play an important role in modulation of calcium-dependent processes and their response to characteristic stimuli (e.g. contractility of vascular smooth muscle cells, hormonal secretion etc.). First part is a review of present views to character and cellular effects of EDLS.