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Updated: Jul 5, 2025

On-Chip Endothelial Inflammatory Phenotyping
Published on: July 21, 2012
Targeting systemic inflammation in metabolic disorders. A therapeutic candidate for the prevention of cardiovascular
Elena Domingo1, Patrice Marques1, Vera Francisco2
1Institute of Health Research INCLIVA, University Clinic Hospital of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Odontology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is linked to obesity and high cholesterol, which promote inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Therapies targeting these metabolic issues may reduce cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular science
- Metabolic disease research
- Inflammation and immunology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major global health concern, with atherosclerosis as its primary pathology.
- Atherosclerosis development is linked to metabolic risk factors like dyslipidemia and obesity.
- Systemic inflammation, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity are interconnected, contributing to endothelial dysfunction.
Approach:
- This review synthesizes current literature on the relationship between hypercholesterolemia, obesity, systemic inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction.
- It examines the earliest stages of atherogenesis, including leukocyte infiltration into the arterial wall.
- The review discusses current and emerging pharmacological therapies for metabolic disorders.
Key Points:
- Hypercholesterolemia and obesity are associated with low-grade systemic inflammation.
- Endothelial dysfunction, a proinflammatory state, is linked to both metabolic disorders and early atherogenesis.
- Therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic abnormalities may impact systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the interplay between metabolic disorders, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction is crucial for CVD prevention.
- Pharmacological interventions for hypercholesterolemia and obesity show promise in mitigating associated inflammatory processes.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the cardiovascular benefits of these therapies.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. While many factors can contribute to CVD, atherosclerosis is the cardinal underlying pathology, and its development is associated with several metabolic risk factors including dyslipidemia and obesity. Recent studies have definitively demonstrated a link between low-grade systemic inflammation and two relevant metabolic abnormalities: hypercholesterolemia and obesity. Interestingly, both metabolic disorders are also associated with endothelial dysfunction/activation, a proinflammatory and prothrombotic phenotype of the endothelium that involves leukocyte infiltration into the arterial wall, one of the earliest stages of atherogenesis. This article reviews the current literature on the intricate relationship between hypercholesterolemia and obesity and the associated systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, and discusses the effectiveness of present, emerging and in-development pharmacological therapies used to treat these metabolic disorders with a focus on their effects on the associated systemic inflammatory state and cardiovascular risk.
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