Endothelium and Cardiovascular Diseases: Vascular Biology and Clinical Syndromes

Endothelium and Cardiovascular Diseases: Vascular Biology and Clinical Syndromes provides an in-depth examination of the role of endothelium and endothelial dysfunction in normal vascular function, and in a broad spectrum of clinical syndromes, from atherosclerosis, to cognitive disturbances and eclampsia. The endothelium is a major participant in the pathophysiology of diseases, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and hypertension, and these entities are responsible for the largest part of cardiovascular mortality and morbidly. Over the last decade major new discoveries and concepts involving the endothelium have come to light. This important reference collects this data in an easy to reference resource.

Written by known experts, and covering all aspects of endothelial function in health and disease, this reference represents an assembly of recent knowledge that is essential to both basic investigators and clinicians.

Provides a complete overview of endothelial function in health and diseases, along with an assessment of new informationIncludes coverage of groundbreaking areas, including the artificial LDL particle, the development of a new anti-erectile dysfunction agent, a vaccine for atherosclerosis, coronary calcification associated with red wine, and the interplay of endoplasmic reticulum/oxidative stressExplores the genetic features of endothelium and the interaction between basic knowledge and clinical syndromes

Part I – Basic Features Section I – Structure 1. Vascular Endothelium: a perspective 2. Development of the coronary system: perspectives for cellular therapy from differentiaton of its precursors 3. Translational pathways in endothelial cell: Implications for angiogenesis 4. Endothelial barrier: factors that regulate its permeability 5. Growth factors, endothelial progenitor cells and angiogenesis 6. Characteristics of Endothelium in both sexes

Section II – Endocrine functions and metabolic interactions 7. Hemodynamic forces in the Endothelium: from mechanical transduction to atherosclerosis development 8. Endothelium dependent vasodilation: NO and other mediators 9. Endothelial vasoconstrictor substances produced by the endothelium 10. Cellular redox pathways in endothelial dysfunction and vascular diseases 11. Blood coagulation and Endothelium 12. Genetics of Endothelium 13. Epigenetic regulation of endothelial function 12. Adhesion molecules and the Endothelium 15. Endothelium and Renin-Angiotensin System

Part II – Endothelial Dysfunction and Clinical Syndromes Section III – Methods of investigation 16. Methods for endothelial function investigations in humans 17. Endothelial biomarkers

Section IV – Aging and cognitive function 18. Endothelial alterations in aging 19. Vascular function in dementia and cognitive decline 20. Emotional stress and its influence upon the Endothelium

Section V - Lipoproteins 21. Lipids and lipoprotein mediators of endothelial function and dysfunction 22. HDL and Endothelium 23. Artificial lipoproteins in endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis

Section VI – Diets and Endothelium 24. Influences of diets upon endothelial function 25. Effects of Mediterranean diet upon endothelial function 26. Effects of red wine and polyphenols upon endothelial function and clinical events

Section VII – Kidney and hypertensive diseases 27. Kidney and the Endothelium 28. Endothelium and arterial hypertension 29. Endothelial alterations in pulmonary hypertension

Section VIII – Atherosclerosis and Coronary Artery Disease 30. Endothelial alterations in chronic coronary disease 31. Molecular mechanisms of the arterial wall in acute coronary syndromes 32. Endothelium: coordinator of acute and chronic inflammation 33. Endothelium in atherosclerosis: plaque formation and its complications 34. Risk factors and endothelial dysfunctions 35. Sleep disturbances and endothelial dysfunction 36. Smoking and Endothelium: Endothelial dysfunction and microcirculation in women with angina and normal coronaries

Section IX – Heart Failure 37. Endothelial alterations in heart failure: mechanisms and molecular basis 38. Heart Failure: influences of drug intervention upon vessels

Section X – Percutaneous Coronary Interventions and Cardiac Surgery 39. Endothelial repair after percutaneous intervention 40. Stents and Endothelium 41. Vascular disease of the transplanted heart: physiopathology and therapeutic options

Section XI – Metabolic Syndromes 42. Erectile dysfunction and endothelium 43. Obesity, Diabetes and Endothelium: molecular interactions

Section XII -- Non-Cardiovascular Diseases and Endothelium 44. Endothelial mechanisms in pre-eclampsia 45. Endothelium and nitric oxide: interactions in cancer evolution 46. Endothelial function and skin microcirculation

Section XIII – Treatment Options in Endothelial Dysfunction 47. Endothelial dysfunction in the clinical setting: prognosis and therapeutic target 48. Physical exercise and the Endothelium 49. Endothelium and immunologic alterations in atherosclerosis