NUTRITION AND ENDOTHELIAL-CELL INTEGRITY - IMPLICATIONS IN ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Loss of the functional integrity of the vascular endothelium may be on e of the initiating events in the etiology of atherosclerosis. Endothe lial cells interact with blood components and the abluminal tissues, t hus playing an active role in many aspects of vascular functions, such as permeability and vessel tone regulation. Endothelial cells constan tly are exposed to nutrients which can modulate enzymes, receptors, tr ansport molecules and various vasoactive mediators, resulting in signi ficant functional changes of the endothelium and the underlying tissue s. Nutrition may play an important role in the atherosclerotic disease process. There is evidence that certain vitamins and minerals prevent some metabolic and physiological perturbations of the vascular endoth elium. This review focuses on selected lipids which cause endothelial cell injury or dysfunction and on nutrients which may exhibit antiathe rogenic properties by being able to function as antioxidants or membra ne stabilizers.