Endothelial dysfunction in sepsis.

Endothelial dysfunction in sepsis. Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2013 Mar 1;11(2):150-60 Authors: Boisramé-Helms J, Kremer H, Schini-Kerth V, Meziani F Abstract The endothelium takes part in the regulation of numerous physiological functions and lies at the interface of circulating blood and the vessel wall. Under physiological conditions, it is responsible for anticoagulant and anti-adhesive properties, and it regulates vasomotor tone and vascular homeostasis. Endothelial dysfunction has been associated with many pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation and oxidative and nitrosative stresses. Endothelial cells are precociously exposed to circulating signaling molecules and physical stresses, like in sepsis and septic shock. Septic shock is associated with hypotension and frequently with disseminated intravascular coagulation contributing to multiple organ failure and a high mortality rate. Impairment of endothelial function leads to phenotypic and physical changes of the endothelium, with deregulated release of potent vasodilators nitric oxide and prostacyclin, reduction of vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictors, associated with leukocytes' and platelets' aggregation, and increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase expression that can exert a negative feedback on endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, with subsequent deregulation of nitric oxide signaling. Endothelial dysfunction therefore plays a major role in the pathophysiology o...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: research