ABSTRACT
The endothelium is a major regulator of vascular homeostasis. Alterations in endothelial cell function such as impaired vasodilatory responses, increased prothrombotic/procoagulant activity and proinfl ammatory/ prothrombotic states have been linked to a number of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Chronic infl ammation is widely accepted as a common pathophysiological mechanism leading to endothelial dysfunction (Stenvinkel 2001, Szmitko et al. 2003, Csiszar et al. 2008, Rabelink et al. 2010). A body of evidence has shown that persistent infl ammation can promote a pro-atherogenic environment in the vessel wall (Vercellotti 2001, Corrado and Novo 2005, Lamon and Hajjar 2008). Under infl ammatory activation, endothelial cells can express a number of inflammatory cytokines, including, but not limited to, interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6
Toxicology and Molecular Biology Branch, Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505-2888, USA. E-mail: byucesoy@cdc.gov
*Disclaimer: The fi ndings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
