Inflammation and arterial function☆

During the last decade, several studies have documented the unfavourable effects of inflammation on cardiovascular function and its role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic disease. The interplay between inflammation and arterial system is multifaceted. On the one hand, the endothelium contrib...

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Main Authors: Konstantinos A. Aznaouridis, Christodoulos I Stefanadis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2019-12-01
Series:Artery Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/125925749/view
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author Konstantinos A. Aznaouridis
Christodoulos I Stefanadis
author_facet Konstantinos A. Aznaouridis
Christodoulos I Stefanadis
author_sort Konstantinos A. Aznaouridis
collection DOAJ
description During the last decade, several studies have documented the unfavourable effects of inflammation on cardiovascular function and its role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic disease. The interplay between inflammation and arterial system is multifaceted. On the one hand, the endothelium contributes to the initiation and the perpetuation of vascular wall inflammation. On the other hand, the inflammatory cascade affects adversely the endothelium-dependent processes and the mechanical properties of the arteries. These effects give rise to impaired vasomotion, arterial stiffening and increased wave reflections and thus result in an unfavourable haemodynamic loading of the heart. Chronic inflammatory diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, and others) as well as acute inflammatory stimuli (such as acute infections) may adversely influence the arterial performance. Moreover, systemic subclinical low-grade inflammation, as expressed by high circulating levels of inflammatory markers/mediators, is a common denominator of most cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, etc.) and importantly, it is closely related to impaired arterial elastic properties. In addition, vasculogenic erectile dysfunction, which comprises an alternative phenotype of arterial dysfunction and an emerging cardiovascular risk predictor, is accompanied by low-grade inflammatory activation. Among the several inflammatory markers/mediators, level of C-reactive protein has been consistently associated with indices of arterial function in several populations. However, data regarding a possible direct etiological role of C-reactive protein in arterial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, if any, are yet inconclusive. Current evidence suggests that anti-inflammatory strategies benefit arterial function in several clinical settings. Further research is needed to elucidate whether inflammation may comprise a worthwhile treatment target with regard to the cardiovascular system.
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spelling doaj.art-11eca16a1b7c4003b28ef847e214f3a92022-12-22T02:10:03ZengBMCArtery Research1876-44012019-12-011110.1016/j.artres.2007.03.005Inflammation and arterial function☆Konstantinos A. AznaouridisChristodoulos I StefanadisDuring the last decade, several studies have documented the unfavourable effects of inflammation on cardiovascular function and its role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic disease. The interplay between inflammation and arterial system is multifaceted. On the one hand, the endothelium contributes to the initiation and the perpetuation of vascular wall inflammation. On the other hand, the inflammatory cascade affects adversely the endothelium-dependent processes and the mechanical properties of the arteries. These effects give rise to impaired vasomotion, arterial stiffening and increased wave reflections and thus result in an unfavourable haemodynamic loading of the heart. Chronic inflammatory diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis, and others) as well as acute inflammatory stimuli (such as acute infections) may adversely influence the arterial performance. Moreover, systemic subclinical low-grade inflammation, as expressed by high circulating levels of inflammatory markers/mediators, is a common denominator of most cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, etc.) and importantly, it is closely related to impaired arterial elastic properties. In addition, vasculogenic erectile dysfunction, which comprises an alternative phenotype of arterial dysfunction and an emerging cardiovascular risk predictor, is accompanied by low-grade inflammatory activation. Among the several inflammatory markers/mediators, level of C-reactive protein has been consistently associated with indices of arterial function in several populations. However, data regarding a possible direct etiological role of C-reactive protein in arterial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, if any, are yet inconclusive. Current evidence suggests that anti-inflammatory strategies benefit arterial function in several clinical settings. Further research is needed to elucidate whether inflammation may comprise a worthwhile treatment target with regard to the cardiovascular system.https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/125925749/viewInflammationArterial stiffnessWave reflectionEndothelial function
spellingShingle Konstantinos A. Aznaouridis
Christodoulos I Stefanadis
Inflammation and arterial function☆
Artery Research
Inflammation
Arterial stiffness
Wave reflection
Endothelial function
title Inflammation and arterial function☆
title_full Inflammation and arterial function☆
title_fullStr Inflammation and arterial function☆
title_full_unstemmed Inflammation and arterial function☆
title_short Inflammation and arterial function☆
title_sort inflammation and arterial function☆
topic Inflammation
Arterial stiffness
Wave reflection
Endothelial function
url https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/125925749/view
work_keys_str_mv AT konstantinosaaznaouridis inflammationandarterialfunction
AT christodoulosistefanadis inflammationandarterialfunction