Endothelial dysfunction: Are we ready to heed the vasculature's early-warning signal?

摘要

Endothelial dysfunction (ED) refers to a spectrum of pathophysiological changes in the vascular endothelium that ultimately results in a loss of vascular homeostasis. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. diabetes mellitus, smoking, dyslipidaemia and hypertension) are all associated with the development of ED via sustained and harmful effects, mediated by circulating stimuli such as pro-inflammatory tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), oxidised low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), asymmetrical dimethyl-arginine (ADMA), angiotensin II and hyperglycaemia.