Mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in obesity-associated hypertension

Obesity is strongly associated with high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes. These conditions synergistically increase the risk of cardiovascular events. A number of central and peripheral abnormalities can explain the development or maintenance of high blood pressure in obesity. Of great interest is endothelial dysfunction, considered to be a primary risk factor in the development of hypertension. Additional mechanisms also related to endothelial dysfunction have been proposed to mediate the development of hypertension in obese individuals. These include: increase in both peripheral vasoconstriction and renal tubular sodium reabsorption, increased sympathetic activity and overactivation of both the renin-angiotensin system and the endocannabinoid system and insulin resistance. The discovery of new mechanisms regulating metabolic and vascular function and a better understanding of how vascular function can be influenced by these systems would facilitate the development of new therapies for treatment of obesity-associated hypertension.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Lobato,N.S., Filgueira,F.P., Akamine,E.H., Tostes,R.C., Carvalho,M.H.C., Fortes,Z.B.
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica 2012
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X2012000500003
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