Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic systemic disease of the vasculature with an inflammatory component. It accounts for the majority of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries and its incidence is increasing in developing countries. The impairment of vascular endothelial cell function in atherosclerosis and in conditions associated with increased cardiovascular risk is an important determinant of disease progression. The reduction of endothelium-dependent relaxation in the coronary and systemic circulation in atherosclerosis is in part due to decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide and increased release of oxygen-derived free radicals. Atherosclerosis also increases the formation of vasoconstrictors and growth factors, adhesion of leukocytes, thrombosis, inflammation, cell proliferation, as well as increases in vascular tone. Here we review mechanisms and therapeutic approaches to improve endothelial pathways in atherosclerosis. Restoration of NO bioactivity through pharmacological inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system, statin therapy, or endothelin receptor blockade, ameliorates vascular function in experimental hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and heart failure. These treatments also have therapeutic benefit for patients at risk or with overt atherosclerosis, to reduce vascular and myocardial complications of this disease.
Keywords: ace inhibitors, atherosclerosis, endothelium, endothelin, nitric oxide, risk factors, statins, vascular
Current Vascular Pharmacology
Title: Endothelial Therapy of Atherosclerosis and its Risk Factors
Volume: 1 Issue: 2
Author(s): Tobias Traupe, Jana Ortmann, Klaus Munter and Matthias Barton
Affiliation:
Keywords: ace inhibitors, atherosclerosis, endothelium, endothelin, nitric oxide, risk factors, statins, vascular
Abstract: Atherosclerosis is a chronic systemic disease of the vasculature with an inflammatory component. It accounts for the majority of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries and its incidence is increasing in developing countries. The impairment of vascular endothelial cell function in atherosclerosis and in conditions associated with increased cardiovascular risk is an important determinant of disease progression. The reduction of endothelium-dependent relaxation in the coronary and systemic circulation in atherosclerosis is in part due to decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide and increased release of oxygen-derived free radicals. Atherosclerosis also increases the formation of vasoconstrictors and growth factors, adhesion of leukocytes, thrombosis, inflammation, cell proliferation, as well as increases in vascular tone. Here we review mechanisms and therapeutic approaches to improve endothelial pathways in atherosclerosis. Restoration of NO bioactivity through pharmacological inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system, statin therapy, or endothelin receptor blockade, ameliorates vascular function in experimental hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and heart failure. These treatments also have therapeutic benefit for patients at risk or with overt atherosclerosis, to reduce vascular and myocardial complications of this disease.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Traupe Tobias, Ortmann Jana, Munter Klaus and Barton Matthias, Endothelial Therapy of Atherosclerosis and its Risk Factors, Current Vascular Pharmacology 2003; 1 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570161033476763
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1570161033476763 |
Print ISSN 1570-1611 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6212 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Ischemic Cardiovascular Diseases: Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Therapy
Ischemic cardiovascular disease includes myocardial infarction, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, angina pectoris, etc., constitute the leading cause of patient mortality by preventing tissues from getting sufficient oxygen and nutrients. Ischemic heart disease, as a clinical condition, is characterized by myocardial ischemia, causing an imbalance between myocardial blood supply and demand, ...read more
TREATMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN CHRONIC AND END STAGE KIDNEY DISEASE
Cardiovascular disease still remains the leading cause of death in Chronic and End Stage Kidney Disease, accounting for more than half of all deaths in dialysis patients. During the past decade, research has been focused on novel therapeutic agents that might delay or even reverse cardiovascular disease and vascular calcification, ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Respiratory Effects of β-Adrenergic Receptor Blockers
Current Medicinal Chemistry Diabetes and Its Complications: Therapies Available, Anticipated and Aspired
Current Diabetes Reviews Role of GSK-3 in Cardiac Health: Focusing on Cardiac Remodeling and Heart Failure
Current Drug Targets The Role of Disproportionality Analysis of Pharmacovigilance Databases in Safety Regulatory Actions: a Systematic Review
Current Drug Safety A Gastroretentive Drug Delivery System of Lisinopril Imbibed on Isabgol- Husk
Current Drug Delivery Early Vascular Aging: A New Target for Hypertension Treatment
Current Pharmaceutical Design Therapeutic Approaches for Dominant Muscle Diseases: Highlight on Myotonic Dystrophy
Current Gene Therapy Atypical Antipsychotics: Pharmacokinetics, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Pharmacological Interactions
Current Medicinal Chemistry Review on Patents for Ubiquitin-Proteasome Inhibitor as Medical Advance in Major Human Diseases
Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) PPAR- γ Agonist in Treatment of Diabetes: Cardiovascular Safety Considerations
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Metabolism and Pharmacological Mechanisms of Active Ingredients in <i>Erigeron breviscapus</i>
Current Drug Metabolism Targeting MAPK Signalling: Prometheus Fire or Pandoras Box?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitor Therapy and Cardiovascular and Renal Damage in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Current Vascular Pharmacology Development of Nitrendipine Nanoliposome for Transdermal Drug Delivery: Preparation, Characterization and Permeation Studies
Drug Delivery Letters Medications Affecting Functional Status in Older Persons
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mouse Models of Autoimmune Diseases - Autoimmune Myocarditis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress and Heart Failure ∼Novel Pathophysiological Insight and Treatment Strategies∼
Current Cardiology Reviews Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome: An Overview of the Molecular Mechanism, Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approach
Current Gene Therapy Targeting Cardiomyocyte Ca<sup>2+</sup> Homeostasis in Heart Failure
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Promise of Slow Down Ageing May Come from Curcumin
Current Pharmaceutical Design