The endothelium as a metabolic and endocrine organ: its relation with insulin resistance

The vascular endothelium, building the inner layer of capillaries and brood vessels of all sorts, represents a highly active metabolic and endocrine o rgan producing a multitude of different molecules, including vasoactive pep tide hormones, growth factors, coagulation factors and adhesion molecules. In addition, it expresses many of the respective endocrine, paracrine and c ytokine/growth factor receptors. It thereby regulates the delicate balance between vasoconstriction and vasodilation, between coagulation and fibrinol ysis, proliferation and apoptosis, as well as between transient adhesion an d diapedesis of blood borne leukocytes. This minire-view addresses the pote ntial interactions of these important functions in the states of diabetes a nd of insulin resistance including obesity, hypertension and dyslipidaemia, all of which characterized by endothelial dysfunction.