Title:Endothelial Dysfunction in Metabolic Diseases: Role of Oxidation and Possible Therapeutic Employment of N-acetylcysteine
Volume: 21
Issue: 32
Author(s): A. Masha and V. Martina
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Antioxidants, cGMP, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, nitric oxide, N-acetylcysteine, oxidation, oxidative
stress, polycystic ovary syndrome, thiols, obesity.
Abstract: Several metabolic diseases present a high cardiovascular mortality due to endothelial dysfunction consequences.
In the last years of the past century, it has come to light that the endothelial cells, previously considered as inert
in what regards an eventual secretion activity, play a pivotal role in regulating different aspects of the vascular function
(endothelial function). It was clearly demonstrated that the endothelium acts as a real active organ, owning endocrine,
paracrine and autocrine modulation activities by means of which it is able to regulate the vascular homeostasis. The present
review will investigate the relationship between some metabolic diseases and the endothelial dysfunction and in particular
the mechanisms underlying the effects of metabolic pathologies on the endothelium. Furthermore, it will consider
the possible therapeutic employment of the N-acetilcysteine in such conditions.
