Endothelial cell dysfunction: can't live with it, how to live without it.
Endothelial cell dysfunction is emerging as an ultimate culprit for diverse cardiovascular diseases and cardiovascular complications of chronic renal diseases, yet the definition of this new syndrome, its pathophysiology, and therapy remain poorly defined. Here, I summarize some molecular mechanisms leading from hyperhomocystinemia, elevated asymmetric dimethylarginine, and advanced glycolation end product-modified protein level to the proatherogenic, prothrombogenic, and proinflammatory endothelial phenotype and offer a model of endothelial dysfunction based on the interconnectedness of diverse functions. Finally, several therapeutic strategies to prevent and correct endothelial dysfunction are discussed in the light of uncertainty of their action modulated by the endothelial dysfunction per se.
Goligorsky
Michael S
MS
Department of Nephrology and Renal Research Institute, Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York 10595, USA. Michael_Goligorsky@nymc.edu
D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*