title: Clinical Significance of Endothelial Dysfunction in Essential Hypertension.
abstract: The endothelium is recognized as a major determinant of vascular physiology and pathophysiology. Over the last few decades, a plethora of studies have implicated endothelial dysfunction in the progression of atherosclerosis and the subclinical target organ damage observed in essential hypertension. However, the clinical significance of diagnosing endothelial dysfunction in patients with essential hypertension remains under investigation. Although a number of vascular and non-vascular markers of endothelial dysfunction have been proposed, there is an ongoing quest for a marker in the clinical setting that is optimal, inexpensive, and reproducible. In addition, endothelial dysfunction emerges as a promising therapeutic target of agents that are readily available in clinical practice. In this context, a better understanding of its role in essential hypertension becomes of great importance. Here, we aim to investigate the clinical significance of endothelial dysfunction in essential hypertension by accumulating novel data on (a) early diagnosis using robust markers with prognostic value in cardiovascular risk prediction, (b) the association of endothelial dysfunction with subclinical vascular organ damage, and (c) potential therapeutic targets.
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ring Road Nea Eukarpia, 564 03, Thessaloniki, Greece. elenicelli@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Eugenia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gkaliagkousi
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ring Road Nea Eukarpia, 564 03, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gavriilaki
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ring Road Nea Eukarpia, 564 03, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Areti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Triantafyllou
authors.affiliation: 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Ring Road Nea Eukarpia, 564 03, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Douma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000075222:Essential Hypertension; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D009569:Nitric Oxide
keywords: ADMA; Endothelial dysfunction; Essential hypertension; FMD; Treatment