Title: Abnormal endothelial vasomotor and secretory function
Abstract: The endothelium plays a crucial role in the maintenance of vascular integrity and function. Nitric oxide produced by endothelial cells is a key player, inducing relaxation of vascular smooth muscle cells, inhibition of vascular inflammation, and prevention of coagulatory activation. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by deterioration of different protective endothelial properties, collectively described as endothelial dysfunction. Several factors such as methylarginines, modified lipoproteins, and other substances that accumulate may be involved in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction of CKD. Endothelial dysfunction is suggested to be the first critical step in the initiation of atherosclerosis. Clinical assessment of endothelial function may become important in recognition of patients with increased cardiovascular risk. Beside several invasive and non-invasive methods to assess endothelial function <italic>in vivo</italic>, measurement of circulating (bio)markers may be useful for the evaluation of endothelial dysfunction.
Publication Year: 2015
Publication Date: 2015-10-01
Language: en
Type: book
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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