Abstract
The microcirculation is a complex and integrated system, transporting oxygen and nutrients to the cells. The key component of this system is the endothelium, contributing to the local balance between pro and anti-inflammatory mediators, hemostatic balance, as well as vascular permeability and cell proliferation. A constant shear stress maintains vascular endothelium homeostasis while perturbed shear stress leads to changes in secretion of vasodilator and vasoconstrictor agents. Increased oxidative stress is a major pathogenetic mechanism of endothelial dysfunction by decreasing NO bioavailability, promoting inflammation and participating in activation of intracellular signals cascade, so influencing ion channels activation, signal transduction pathways, cytoskeleton remodelling, intercellular communication and ultimately gene expression. Targeting the microvascular inflammation and oxidative stress is a fascinating approach for novel therapies in order to decrease morbidity and mortality of chronic and acute diseases.
Abbreviations | ||
ACE-I | = | angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors |
ADMA | = | asymmetric dimethylarginine |
AGEs | = | advanced glycation products |
AP-1 | = | Activator protein-1 |
BH4 | = | Tetrahydrobiopterin |
BMC | = | bone-marrow cells |
cNOS | = | Constitutive NOS |
COX | = | Cyclooxygenase |
CRP | = | C-reactive protein |
CVD | = | Cardiovascular damage |
eNOS | = | endothelial NOS |
ERK | = | Extracellular signal-regulated kinase |
ET-1 | = | Endothelin-1 |
ET-A | = | Endothelin-A receptor |
HPV | = | Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction |
JNK | = | Jun N-terminal kinase |
KATP | = | Potassium-Adenosine triphosphate sensitive K+ channels |
Kv | = | Voltage-dependent potassium channels |
ICAM-1 | = | Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 |
IL-1 | = | Interleukin-1 |
IFN-γ | = | interferon-gamma |
iNOS | = | Inducible NOS |
I/R | = | Ischemia reperfusion injury |
LDL | = | Low density lipoprotein |
LTB4 | = | Leukotriene B4 |
MAPK | = | Mitogen-activated protein kinase |
MCP-1 | = | Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 |
MMPs | = | Matrix metalloproteinases |
MPO | = | Myeloperoxidase |
NADPH | = | Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate |
NO | = | Nitric oxide |
NOS | = | Nitric oxide synthase |
NF-κB | = | Nuclear factor-κB |
nNOS | = | neuronal NOS |
PAF | = | Platelet-activating factor |
PAI-1 | = | Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 |
PGI2 | = | Prostacyclin |
P13 K | = | phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase |
ROS | = | Reactive oxygen species |
SOD | = | superoxide dismutase |
TNF-α | = | Tumour necrosis factor alpha |
TRP | = | Transient receptor potential channels |
TXA2 | = | Thromboxane |
VCAM-1 | = | Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. |
Abbreviations | ||
ACE-I | = | angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors |
ADMA | = | asymmetric dimethylarginine |
AGEs | = | advanced glycation products |
AP-1 | = | Activator protein-1 |
BH4 | = | Tetrahydrobiopterin |
BMC | = | bone-marrow cells |
cNOS | = | Constitutive NOS |
COX | = | Cyclooxygenase |
CRP | = | C-reactive protein |
CVD | = | Cardiovascular damage |
eNOS | = | endothelial NOS |
ERK | = | Extracellular signal-regulated kinase |
ET-1 | = | Endothelin-1 |
ET-A | = | Endothelin-A receptor |
HPV | = | Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction |
JNK | = | Jun N-terminal kinase |
KATP | = | Potassium-Adenosine triphosphate sensitive K+ channels |
Kv | = | Voltage-dependent potassium channels |
ICAM-1 | = | Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 |
IL-1 | = | Interleukin-1 |
IFN-γ | = | interferon-gamma |
iNOS | = | Inducible NOS |
I/R | = | Ischemia reperfusion injury |
LDL | = | Low density lipoprotein |
LTB4 | = | Leukotriene B4 |
MAPK | = | Mitogen-activated protein kinase |
MCP-1 | = | Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 |
MMPs | = | Matrix metalloproteinases |
MPO | = | Myeloperoxidase |
NADPH | = | Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate |
NO | = | Nitric oxide |
NOS | = | Nitric oxide synthase |
NF-κB | = | Nuclear factor-κB |
nNOS | = | neuronal NOS |
PAF | = | Platelet-activating factor |
PAI-1 | = | Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 |
PGI2 | = | Prostacyclin |
P13 K | = | phosphatidyl-inositol-3-kinase |
ROS | = | Reactive oxygen species |
SOD | = | superoxide dismutase |
TNF-α | = | Tumour necrosis factor alpha |
TRP | = | Transient receptor potential channels |
TXA2 | = | Thromboxane |
VCAM-1 | = | Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. |