Laboratory of Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovica Alasa 12-14, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Department of Hypertension, WAM University Hospital in Lodz, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Curr Med Chem. 2020;27(7):1021-1040. doi: 10.2174/0929867326666190903112146.
The endothelium consists of a monolayer of Endothelial Cells (ECs) which form the inner cellular lining of veins, arteries, capillaries and lymphatic vessels. ECs interact with the blood and lymph. The endothelium fulfils functions such as vasodilatation, regulation of adhesion, infiltration of leukocytes, inhibition of platelet adhesion, vessel remodeling and lipoprotein metabolism. ECs synthesize and release compounds such as Nitric Oxide (NO), metabolites of arachidonic acid, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix. Endothelial dysfunction represents a phenotype prone to atherogenesis and may be used as a marker of atherosclerotic risk. Such dysfunction includes impaired synthesis and availability of NO and an imbalance in the relative contribution of endothelialderived relaxing factors and contracting factors such as endothelin-1 and angiotensin. This dysfunction appears before the earliest anatomic evidence of atherosclerosis and could be an important initial step in further development of atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction was historically treated with vitamin C supplementation and L-arginine supplementation. Short term improvement of the expression of adhesion molecule and endothelial function during antioxidant therapy has been observed. Statins are used in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Future studies should focus on identifying the mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of statins on the endothelium. This may help develop drugs specifically aimed at endothelial dysfunction.
内皮由单层内皮细胞 (ECs) 组成，形成静脉、动脉、毛细血管和淋巴管的内层细胞衬里。ECs 与血液和淋巴液相互作用。内皮具有血管舒张、调节黏附、白细胞浸润、抑制血小板黏附、血管重塑和脂蛋白代谢等功能。ECs 合成和释放化合物，如一氧化氮 (NO)、花生四烯酸代谢物、活性氧物种 (ROS) 和降解细胞外基质的酶。内皮功能障碍代表一种易于发生动脉粥样硬化的表型，可作为动脉粥样硬化风险的标志物。这种功能障碍包括 NO 的合成和可用性受损，以及内皮衍生的舒张因子和收缩因子（如内皮素-1 和血管紧张素）之间的相对贡献失衡。这种功能障碍出现在动脉粥样硬化最早的解剖学证据之前，可能是动脉粥样硬化进一步发展的重要初始步骤。内皮功能障碍历史上采用维生素 C 补充和 L-精氨酸补充进行治疗。在抗氧化治疗期间，观察到黏附分子和内皮功能的表达短期改善。他汀类药物用于治疗高脂血症，这是心血管疾病的一个危险因素。未来的研究应集中于确定他汀类药物对内皮有益作用的相关机制。这可能有助于开发专门针对内皮功能障碍的药物。
