Endothelial Dysfunction and Its Related Cardiometabolic Disorders: From Mechanisms to Targeted Therapies

Dear Colleagues,

Endothelial dysfunction represents the earliest sign of both cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, as well as a common underlying mechanism in the pathogenesis of such ailments. The renowned impact that metabolic abnormalities such as hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia exert on endothelial dysfunction has been linked to pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory mechanisms that impair endothelial cell functionality, leading to the dysregulation of the endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS) pathway. Several mechanisms may participate in eNOS dysfunctions, such as eNOS dimerization and uncoupling, modified eNOS expression/activity, the genetic polymorphism of eNOS gene, altered eNOS signaling regulation, and the epigenetic regulation of eNOS expression.

The search for specific and sensitive biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction is an ongoing actively pursued field, in which the clinical theragnostic potential extends from the validation of novel criteria for identifying at-risk subjects and monitoring the effectiveness of current treatments, to the recognition and discovery of additional therapeutic targets.

Endothelial adhesion molecules, cytokines, oxidized low density lipoproteins (Ox-LDL), circulating endothelial microparticles, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels are among the putative biomarkers of endothelial activation and dysfunction that have been identified thus far. Recent evidence suggests that endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) dysfunction, alterations in the gut microbiota, and microRNA released by extracellular vesicles may also play a role in the development of cardiovascular impairment under dysmetabolic disturbances.

The goal of this Special Issue is to help to bridge the gap between molecular mechanisms involved in the onset of endothelial dysfunction and the potential therapeutic strategies targeting the pathophysiological pathways behind endothelial dysfunction and its related cardiometabolic disorders.

For this purpose, original research articles and novel review articles focusing on molecular and clinical approaches to identify predictive biomarkers are welcome.

Dr. Nacci Carmela
Guest Editor

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• endothelial dysfunction
• endothelial activation
• endothelial nitric oxide synthase
• cardiometabolic disease
• vascular inflammation
• chemokines
• adipocytokines
• atherosclerosis
• diabetes
• biomarkers