Endothelial Glycocalyx as Biomarker for Cardiovascular Diseases: Mechanistic and Clinical Implications

The endothelial surface layer is covered with abundant proteoglycans, of which syndecans and glycosaminoglycans are major constituents.

Among the endothelial glycocalyx (eGC) constituents, syndecan-1 (sdc1) is a main component, and an elevated serum level of sdc1 may indicate the degradation of eGC. In patients with ischemic heart disease or heart failure, elevation of serum sdc1 has been associated with worsening cardiac and renal function; however, the causal relationship between degradation of eGC and clinical outcomes is unclear. Herein, we review the previous literature on eGC in cardiovascular and noncardiovascular diseases and their clinical implications.