The Endothelium and Its Role in Regulating Vascular Tone

Abstract

The endothelium forms an important part of the vasculature and is involved in promoting an atheroprotective environment via the complementary actions of endothelial cell-derived vasoactive factors. Disruption of vascular homeostasis can lead to the development of endothelial dysfunction which in turn contributes to the early and late stages of atherosclerosis. In recent years an increasing number of non-invasive vascular tests have been developed to assess vascular structure and function in different clinical populations. The present review aims to provide an insight into the anatomy of the vasculature as well as the underlying endothelial cell physiology. In addition, an in-depth overview of the current methods used to assess vascular function and structure is provided as well as their link to certain clinical populations.

Liraglutide Treatment Reduces Endothelial Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Insulin Resistance in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

“…Endothelial dysfunction has been described as a hallmark and a predictor of CVD 3, 4, 5. However, our understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction in the vasculature of patients with DM is still uncertain.…”

Antihypertensive and vasorelaxant effects of aqueous extract of Artemisia campestris L. from Eastern Morocco

“…Indeed, AcAE provoked a total relaxation of contracted aorta isolated from normotensive rats, which seems to be endothelium dependent, since the relaxant effect disappeared after the denudation process. Given the major importance of endothelium in the regulation of vascular tone by releasing vasodilator factors such as nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin (PGI 2 ) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) (Sandoo et al, 2010), the participation of endothelium mediators in the obtained vasorelaxant response was investigated. It is well known that the muscarinic vasorelaxation is mainly mediated via NO production in endothelial cells, which is triggered by the activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), induced by Ca 2+ -calmodulin complex (Furchgott and Zawadzki, 1980;Harvey, 2012).…”

New concepts in microvascular function and metabolic diseases: importance of cephalic phase of insulin response

“…4 Similarly, reactivity to specific agonists is also variable according to vessel diameter. 5 The endothelium exerts many physiological actions, such as: regulation of vascular tone 6 ; modulation of fibrinolysis, platelet aggregation, and coagulation 7 ; participation on an inflammatory process through cytokines secretion 7 ; and regulation of leukocyte activation and adhesion to vessel wall. 8 Endothelial damage caused by many cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and tobacco reduces the synthesis and secretion of protective factors activating the endothelium and promoting a pro-constrictor, pro-inflammatory, and pro-atherogenic state of blood vessels.…”