A layer that lines all the internal surfaces of the blood vessels is termed as endothelium. It separates circulating blood from the tissues. It helps in maintenance of vasomotor balance and vascular tissue homeostasis. It regulates the smooth muscle cells relaxation and contraction property by secretion of a large number of anti-atherosclerotic substances, the most important of them is nitric oxide (NO). Endothelium regulates homeostasis by controlling the production of prothrombotic, antithrombotic, fibrynolitics and antifibrynolitics components. Imbalance between vasodilation and vasocontraction leads to endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction is considered as a key early event in majority of cardiovascular diseases. Oxidant stress plays an important role in altering the function of endothelial cells. Oxidant stress is excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which leads to oxidation of biological macromolecules like DNA, RNA, protein, carbohydrates and lipids. Endothelial dysfunction is involved in pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases i.e. diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia and heart attack. Endothelial Dysfunction therapies are effective in cardiovascular diseases.
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