Table 1.

The primary characteristics of endothelial dysfunction [references ^{4,5,6,17,25,32}].

Normal endothelial function	Endothelial dysfunction	Mechanisms
Normal NO bioavailability and vasodilation	↓NO bioavailability and vasodilation	↓eNOS, eNOS uncoupling, ↑NO breakdown (ROS)
↑Prostacyclin	↓Prostacyclin	↓Prostacyclin synthase
↑EDHF-mediated responses	↓EDHF-mediated responses
Normal vasoconstrictor levels	↑Vasoconstriction	↑ET-1, PGH2 and other endothelium-derived factors
Anti-inflammatory properties	Pro-inflammatory properties	↑Adhesion molecules, ↑cytokines
↓Endothelial permeability	↑Endothelial permeability
Anti-thrombotic properties	Pro-thrombotic properties	↑PAI-1, vWF, P-selectin, ↑platelet activity
Normal fibrinolytic activity	↓Fibrinolytic activity
↓Oxidative stress	↑Oxidative stress	↑NADPH oxidase, eNOS uncoupling, other enzymes, ↓antioxidant defense
Anti-atherogenic properties	Pro-atherogenic properties	↑FFA, ↑LDL oxidation, ↑AGE + above described mechanisms
Normal quantity and quality of EPC	↓Quantity and quality of EPC	Weak bone marrow mobilization, ↓proliferation, ↓survival, ↑ROS
Normal vascular structure and angiogenesis	Remodelling	Changes in growth factors, inflammation, matrix proteins, etc.

EDHF: endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor; ROS: reactive oxygen species; PAI-1: plasminogen activator inhibitor-1; vWF: von Willebrand factor; eNOS: endothelial nitric oxide synthase; PGH₂: prostaglandin H₂; EPC: endothelial progenitor cells; NADPH: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate; AGE: advanced glycation end products; LDL: low-density lipoprotein; FFA: free fatty acids.