Mechanisms and Clinical Implications of Endothelial Dysfunction in Arterial Hypertension

• Published in: Journal of cardiovascular development and disease Vol. 9; no. 5; p. 136
• Main Authors: Ambrosino, Pasquale, Bachetti, Tiziana, D’Anna, Silvestro Ennio, Galloway, Brurya, Bianco, Andrea, D’Agnano, Vito, Papa, Antimo, Motta, Andrea, Perrotta, Fabio, Maniscalco, Mauro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 27.04.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Adenosine; arginine; arterial hypertension; Blood pressure; chronic disease; Coronaviruses; endothelial dysfunction; Endothelium; Enzymes; heart failure; Homeostasis; Hypertension; Nitric oxide; occupational medicine; Oxidative stress; Pathophysiology; Peptides; Physiology; Review; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Smooth muscle; Veins & arteries; arterial hypertension; cardiovascular disease; heart failure; rehabilitation; arginine; chronic disease; exercise; endothelial dysfunction; occupational medicine; outcome
• ISSN: 2308-3425; 2308-3425
• DOI: 10.3390/jcdd9050136

The endothelium is composed of a monolayer of endothelial cells, lining the interior surface of blood and lymphatic vessels. Endothelial cells display important homeostatic functions, since they are able to respond to humoral and hemodynamic stimuli. Thus, endothelial dysfunction has been proposed as a key and early pathogenic mechanism in many clinical conditions. Given the relevant repercussions on cardiovascular risk, the complex interplay between endothelial dysfunction and systemic arterial hypertension has been a matter of study in recent years. Numerous articles have been published on this issue, all of which contribute to providing an interesting insight into the molecular mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in arterial hypertension and its role as a biomarker of inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular disease. The prognostic and therapeutic implications of endothelial dysfunction have also been analyzed in this clinical setting, with interesting new findings and potential applications in clinical practice and future research. The aim of this review is to summarize the pathophysiology of the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and systemic arterial hypertension, with a focus on the personalized pharmacological and rehabilitation strategies targeting endothelial dysfunction while treating hypertension and cardiovascular comorbidities.