vasoactive

[ vas-oh-ak-tiv, vey-zoh- ]

adjective

, Physiology, Pharmacology.

1. of or relating to a substance, drug, or event that changes the diameter of a blood vessel.

vasoactive

/ ˌveɪzəʊˈæktɪv /

adjective

1. affecting the diameter of blood vessels

   vasoactive peptides

Word History and Origins

Origin of vasoactive¹

First recorded in 1920–25; vaso- + active

Example Sentences

On the other hand, these drugs increase the concentration of the vasoactive signaling substance bradykinin.

From Science Daily

The researchers narrowed it down to a hormone called vasoactive intestinal peptide, or VIP.

From New York Times

Aviptadil is a synthetic form of human vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, which is highly concentrated in the lungs.

From Los Angeles Times

Vascular diameter responses can propagate between adjacent pericytes, but it is not yet known whether arterioles receive a signal to dilate from pericytes, or from vasoactive messengers which reach arterioles later than they reach pericytes.

From Nature

And there are numerous other bodily chemicals that turn us on, ranging from the commonplace, nitric oxide, to the obscure, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide.

From Time Magazine Archive