Endothelium: Molecular Aspects of Metabolic Disorders PDF

Preface

The function and lifespan of endothelial cells have a large impact on the quality and expectancy of an individual's life. Vascular aging and cardiovascular diseases are both associated with endothelial dysfunction. While aging vessels often exhibit endothelial cell senescence and increased oxidative stress, the changes in vascular endothelium leading to arteriosclerosis is initiated by various risk factors such as, diabetes mellitus, morbid obesity, renal failure, airborne particles or hyperhomocysteinemia. Furthermore to describe the infl uence of disturbed shear stress and a rising tension of the vessel wall with the fl ow properties of blood and its elements on endothelial function requires a new concept. Additionally infl ammationdependent disorders seem to be a central force in the impairment of endothelium-dependent vascular responses. During low perfusion, the adaptation of different cells to hypoxia precipitate the aggressive progression of diseases. Although clinical studies have convincingly shown that endothelial dysfunction occurs whenever the biological functions or bioavailability of nitric oxide are impaired, in all these scenarios, the role of the endothelial cell-destructive process cross-talk is yet poorly understood. This publication focuses on the contribution of molecular mechanisms to endothelial dysfunction in related metabolic disorders.