Vasculoprotective properties of the endothelial glycocalyx: effects of fluid shear stress

• Published in: Journal of internal medicine Vol. 259; no. 4; pp. 393 - 400
• Main Authors: GOUVERNEUR, M., BERG, B., NIEUWDORP, M., STROES, E., VINK, H.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.04.2006; Blackwell Science
• Subjects: Animals; atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Atherosclerosis - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Endothelial Cells - physiology; Endothelium, Vascular - physiology; General aspects; glycocalyx; Glycocalyx - physiology; Humans; hyaluronan; Hyperglycemia - metabolism; Mechanotransduction, Cellular - physiology; Medical sciences; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Regional Blood Flow - physiology; shear stress; Stress, Mechanical; Vascular disease; Medicine; glycocalyx; Endothelial cell; Healing agent; hyaluronan; Atherosclerosis; Shear stress; Cardiovascular disease; Antirheumatic agent; Hyaluronic acid; Properties
• ISSN: 0954-6820; 1365-2796
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2006.01625.x

. The endothelial glycocalyx exerts a wide array of vasculoprotective effects via inhibition of coagulation and leucocyte adhesion, by contributing to the vascular permeability barrier and by mediating shear stress‐induced NO release. In this review, we will focus on the relationship between fluid shear stress and the endothelial glycocalyx. We will address the hypothesis that modulation of glycocalyx synthesis by fluid shear stress may contribute to thinner glycocalyces, and therefore more vulnerable endothelium, at lesion‐prone sites of arterial bifurcations. Finally, we will discuss the effects of known atherogenic stimuli such as hyperglycaemia on whole body glycocalyx volume in humans and its effect on endothelial function.