How to improve endothelial repair mechanisms: the lifestyle approach

Abstract

Occurrence of endothelial dysfunction is primarily the result of a reduction in nitric oxide bioavailability. Besides pharmacological approaches, lifestyle interventions with various forms of exercise training have the potential to partially correct endothelial dysfunction in many cardiovascular diseases. A normal endothelial function also depends on the balance between loss of endothelial cells and regeneration by circulating progenitor cells that are released from the bone-marrow. Nevertheless, exercise training also has the potential to increase the amount of endothelial progenitor cells and improve their migratory capacity, hence rejuvenating the endothelium. This review focuses on lifestyle interventions to correct endothelial dysfunction in different cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords::

• cardiovascular disease
• endothelial function
• exercise training
• lifestyle changes

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.