Interactions between autonomic nervous system activity and endothelial function: a model for the development of

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Assessment of Vascular Tone Responsiveness using Isolated Mesenteric Arteries with a Focus on Modulation by Perivascular Adipose Tissues
08:41

Assessment of Vascular Tone Responsiveness using Isolated Mesenteric Arteries with a Focus on Modulation by Perivascular Adipose Tissues

Published on: June 3, 2019

Kelly F Harris1, Karen A Matthews

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

Psychosomatic Medicine
|March 25, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Psychosocial factors may influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by affecting the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and endothelial function. Further research is needed to confirm this link and its mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Neuroscience
  • Psychology

Background:

  • Endothelial dysfunction is an emerging pathway in cardiovascular disease (CVD) development.
  • The role of psychosocial factors in endothelial function, potentially via the autonomic nervous system (ANS), is understudied.
  • Understanding these interactions may reveal new CVD risk pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a model linking psychosocial factors to CVD development.
  • To explore the interaction between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and vascular endothelium.
  • To investigate the potential role of these interactions in CVD pathogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on ANS-endothelium interactions in health and disease.
  • Exploration of potential mechanisms connecting the ANS and vascular endothelium.
  • Analysis of existing data on endothelial dysfunction and ANS regulation in CVD.

Main Results:

  • Endothelial dysfunction and impaired cardiovascular ANS regulation are established CVD risk markers.
  • In healthy states, sympathetic nerves and endothelial cells maintain a functional antagonism.
  • Early CVD development shows alterations in both sympathetic activity and endothelial function, potentially disrupting this balance.

Conclusions:

  • Interactions between cardiovascular ANS regulation and endothelial function are likely implicated in CVD development.
  • Further research is required to validate the proposed pathway linking psychosocial factors, ANS, and endothelial function to CVD risk.
Abstract

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