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Abstract
The vascular endothelium secretes factors that not only modulate blood vessel tone,
but also participate in the development and progression of atherosclerosis through
their effects on platelet adhesion and aggregation, thrombogenicity, and cell proliferation.
Altered activities of these substances in patients with risk factors for cardiovascular
disease (e.g., hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, aging, postmenopausal
status, smoking, and infections) appear to underlie the atherosclerotic process. There
is increasing evidence from both preclinical studies and clinical trials that nitric
oxide (NO) plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of arteriosclerosis. This review
describes the role of NO in human health and disease and summarizes strategies currently
being used to measure and improve endothelial dysfunction.