Luana Urbano Pagan et al. Mariana Janini Gomes Marina Politi Okoshi
The endothelium is considered an active and dynamic tissue with important properties such as maintenance of blood circulation, regulation of vascular tone, microvascular permeability, signaling, and vascular angiogenesis and inflammatory response. The endothelium allows the connection among components of the circulation and body systems. Endothelial cells produce and, depending on the stimulus received, release factors that lead to vascular smooth muscle cells contraction or relaxation. Vascular tone control by the endothelium is modulated by the production and release of mediators such as nitric oxide, prostacyclins, prostaglandins, thromboxane, angiotensin II, endothelin-1 and reactive oxygen species. Under physiological conditions, these factors are balanced. Imbalance in the production of substances by the endothelium leads to triggering and progression of several conditions and diseases such as ischemia, thrombosis, atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, inflammation and tumor growth., Therefore, vascular endothelial dysfunction is an important pathophysiological factor in human diseases.
Endothelial dysfunction is mainly characterized by changes in endothelial actions involving the reduction of vasodilation and the induction of a pro-inflammatory or prothrombotic state. Due to its clinical importance, endothelial dysfunction is considered an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk. In addition, it can also be observed in non-cardiovascular diseases, such as rheumatic and autoimmune diseases.
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