Titre du document / Document title

Obesity, atherosclerosis and the vascular endothelium: mechanisms of reduced nitric oxide bioavailability in obese humans

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

WILLIAMS I. L. ⁽¹⁾ ; WHEATCROFT S. B. ⁽¹⁾ ; SHAH A. M. ⁽¹⁾ ; KEARNEY M. T. ⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Department of Cardiology, Guy's, King's and St Thomas'School of Medicine, King's College London, London, ROYAUME-UNI

Résumé / Abstract

It is now well established that obesity is an independent risk factor for the development of coronary artery atherosclerosis. The maintenance of vascular homeostasis is critically dependent on the continued integrity of vascular endothelial cell function. A key early event in the development of atherosclerosis is thought to be endothelial cell dysfunction. A primary feature of endothelial cell dysfunction is the reduced bioavailability of the signalling molecule nitric oxide (NO), which has important anti atherogenic properties. Recent studies have produced persuasive evidence showing the presence of endothelial dysfunction in obese humans NO bioavailability is dependent on the balance between its production by a family of enzymes, the nitric oxide synthases, and its reaction with reactive oxygen species. The endothelial isoform (eNOS) is responsible for a significant amount of the NO produced in the vascular wall. NO production can be modulated in both physiological and pathophysiological settings, by regulation of the activity of eNOS at a transcriptional and post-transcriptional level, by substrate and co-factor provision and through calcium dependent and independent signalling pathways. The present review discusses general mechanisms of reduced NO bioavailability including factors determining production of both NO and reactive oxygen species. We then focus on the potential factors responsible for endothelial dysfunction in obesity and possible therapeutic interventions targetted at thses abnormalities.

Revue / Journal Title

International journal of obesity   ISSN 0307-0565   CODEN IJOBDP 

Source / Source

2002, vol. 26, n^o6, pp. 754-764 (151 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Nature Publishing, Basingstoke, ROYAUME-UNI  (1977) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Vascular disease ; Cardiovascular disease ; Nutrition disorder ; Nutritional status ; Blood vessel ; Human ; Bioavailability ; Nitric oxide ; Endothelium ; Atherosclerosis ; Pathogenesis ; Complication ; Obesity ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Vaisseau sanguin pathologie ; Appareil circulatoire pathologie ; Trouble nutrition ; Etat nutritionnel ; Vaisseau sanguin ; Homme ; Biodisponibilité ; Azote monoxyde ; Endothélium ; Athérosclérose ; Pathogénie ; Complication ; Obésité ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Vaso sanguíneo patología ; Aparato circulatorio patología ; Trastorno nutricíon ; Estado nutricional ; Vaso sanguíneo ; Hombre ; Biodisponibilidad ; Nitrógeno monóxido ; Endotelio ; Ateroesclerosis ; Patogenia ; Complicación ; Obesidad ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 18243, 35400010157775.0030