Prostanoids are a subclass of eicosanoids consisting of the prostaglandins (mediators of inflammatory and anaphylactic reactions), the thromboxanes (mediators of vasoconstriction), and the prostacyclins (active in the resolution phase of inflammation.)
By 1976, Vane and fellow researcher Salvador Moncada published the first paper on prostacyclin, in the scientific journal Nature.
Endothelin, and angiotensin are the vasocontrictors of smooth muscles while nitric oxide and prostacyclin are vasodilators of the smooth muscles.