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Cited by 521Nitric Oxide and Endothelin EffectsCardiovascular Health and Disease PreventionAtherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases

Endothelial dysfunction : the early predictor of atherosclerosis

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Mudau, Mashudu, Genis, Amanda, Lochner, Amanda, Strijdom, Hans·2012·Cardiovascular Journal of Africa
DOI 10.5830/cvja-2011-068PMC PMC3721957
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Abstract

Since the discovery in the 1980s that nitric oxide (NO) is in fact the elusive endothelium-derived relaxing factor, it has become evident that NO is not only a major cardiovascular signalling molecule, but that changes in its bioavailability are crucial in determining whether atherosclerosis will develop or not. Sustained high levels of harmful circulating stimuli associated with cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus elicit responses in endothelial cells that appear sequentially, namely endothelial cell activation and endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED, characterised by reduced NO bioavailability, is now recognised by many as an early, reversible precursor of atherosclerosis. The pathogenesis of ED is multifactorial; however, oxidative stress appears to be the common underlying cellular mechanism in the ensuing loss of vaso-active, inflammatory, haemostatic and redox homeostasis in the body's vascular system. The role of ED as a pathophysiological link between early endothelial cell changes associated with cardiovascular risk factors and the development of ischaemic heart disease is of importance to basic scientists and clinicians alike.

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  • Reduced NO bioavailability leads to impaired vasodilation, increased arterial stiffness and elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.

    “Reduced NO bioavailability leads to impaired vasodilation, increased arterial stiffness and an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease [207,242].”

    From Dietary Nitrate-Rich Vegetables as Natural Modulators of Health: Mechanisms and Benefits in Ageing Populations (2026) · cites this paper as [207]

    The Nitric oxide section explains that NO causes vascular smooth-muscle relaxation and vasodilation, while the Abstract links reduced NO bioavailability to endothelial dysfunction and the development of atherosclerosis. The Direct mechanical endothelial function measurements section uses arterial stiffness to assess endothelial function, but does not establish that reduced NO bioavailability increases arterial stiffness. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • Endothelial dysfunction is recognised as an early, potentially reversible stage of cardiovascular disease, particularly in ageing populations with metabolic comorbidities.

    “Endothelial dysfunction is now recognised as an early, potentially reversible stage of cardiovascular disease, particularly in ageing populations with metabolic comorbidities [207,208].”

    From Dietary Nitrate-Rich Vegetables as Natural Modulators of Health: Mechanisms and Benefits in Ageing Populations (2026) · cites this paper as [207]

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Authors
Mudau, M., Genis, A., Lochner, A., & Strijdom, H.
Affiliations
Stellenbosch University (ZA)
ORCID
Venue
Cardiovascular Journal of Africa
Publisher
Clinics Cardive Publishing
Published
2012-05-14
Volume
23
Issue
4
Pages
222-231
ISSN
  • 1015-9657 (ISSN-L)
  • 1995-1892
  • 1680-0745
DOI
10.5830/cvja-2011-068
PMC
PMC3721957
OpenAlex
W2124860950
Cited by
521
References
12
Citations by year
2026: 27 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 35 · 2022: 52 · 2021: 58 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 47 · 2018: 42 · 2017: 34 · 2016: 39 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 2
FWCI
14.15
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Cardiovascular journal of South Africa/Cardiovascular journal of Southern Africa (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • SUNScholar (Stellenbosch University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiovascular Health and Disease Prevention
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases
Keywords
endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, nitric oxide bioavailability, endothelium-derived relaxing factor, oxidative stress, endothelial activation, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular risk factors, ischemic heart disease
MeSH terms
Endothelium, Vascular, Humans, Nitric Oxide, Risk Factors, Oxidative Stress, Atherosclerosis

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