Endothelial dysfunction in acute coronary syndromes: association with elevated C-reactive protein levels.
Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) serum level, which is an exquisitely sensitive, objective marker of inflammation, relates to long-term prognosis in patients with stable or unstable coronary artery disease and even in apparently healthy men. CRP is the prototypical, classic acute-phase reactant synthesized in the liver. Several studies have recently shown that elevated CRP levels are associated with a blunted systemic endothelial vasodilator function, indicative of a systemic inflammatory response. Moreover, the identification of elevated CRP levels as a transient independent risk factor for endothelial dysfunction might provide an important clue to link a systemic marker of inflammation to atherosclerotic disease progression. This editorial addresses the role of C-reactive protein in endothelial dysfunction.
Fichtlscherer
S
S
Zeiher
A M
AM
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
D002097:C-Reactive Protein