Obesity-Related Endothelial Dysfunction: moving from classical to emerging mechanisms

Abstract

Human obesity is associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction, caused by a reduced nitric oxide availability secondary to an enhanced oxidative stress production. Pro-inflammatory cytokine generation, secreted by perivascular adipose tissue, is a major mechanism whereby obesity is associated with a reduced vascular NO availability. Vasculature also represents a source of low-grade inflammation and oxidative stress which contribute to endothelial dysfunction in obese patients. Recently, a direct influence of ghrelin and arginase on endothelial function by interfering with nitric oxide availability was demonstrated in small vessels from patients with obesity.

Topics & Concepts