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Abstract
Large epidemiologic studies have established that diabetes, hyperlipidemia and obesity
all increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. However, the precise mechanisms
by which these metabolic disorders increase the propensity to develop atherosclerosis
are not known. Recently, the concept of the metabolic syndrome - a constellation of
conditions including obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance
- has received much attention. Studies on the metabolic syndrome might enable a better
understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms that lead to cardiovascular
disease. This review focuses on endothelial nitric oxide synthase and summarizes evidence
that a reduction in the bioavailability of endothelium-derived nitric oxide serves
as a key link between metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk.