Regular aerobic exercise counteracts endothelial vasomotor dysfunction associated with insufficient sleep.

Insufficient sleep is associated with endothelial vasomotor dysfunction and increased cardiovascular risk. Regular aerobic exercise is an effective lifestyle strategy for improving endothelial function and, in turn, reducing cardiovascular risk. We tested the hypotheses that regular aerobic exercise would ) improve endothelial vasodilation and ) decrease endothelin (ET)-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone in middle-aged adults who chronically sleep <7 h/night.

Association between hypertension and circulating vascular-related microRNAs.

microRNAs (miRNAs) have a key role in regulating inflammation, vascular health and in turn, cardiovascular disease. Specifically, altered circulating expression of miR-17, miR-21, miR-34a, miR-92a, miR-126, miR-145, miR-146a, and miR-150 has been linked with the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to determine whether the circulating profile of these vascular-related miRNAs is disrupted with hypertension.

Influence of Overweight and Obesity on Circulating Inflammation-Related microRNA.

Background: Increased cardiovascular disease risk and prevalence associated with overweight and obesity is due, in part, to heightened inflammatory burden. The mechanisms underlying adiposity-related amplification of inflammation are not fully understood. Alterations in regulators of inflammatory processes such as microRNAs (miRs), however, are thought to play a pivotal role.

Nebivolol, But Not Metoprolol, Treatment Improves Endothelial Fibrinolytic Capacity in Adults With Elevated Blood Pressure.

Background: Vascular endothelial fibrinolytic function is impaired in adults with prehypertension and hypertension and plays a mechanistic role in the development of atherothrombotic events. The influence of β-blockers on endothelial fibrinolysis is unknown. This study compared the effects of chronic nebivolol and metoprolol treatment on endothelial tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) release in adults with elevated blood pressure (BP).

Insufficient sleep is associated with impaired nitric oxide-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation.

Background And Aims: Habitual short nightly sleep duration is associated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk and morbidity. Vascular endothelial dysfunction represents an important mechanism that may underlie this heightened cardiovascular risk. Impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation, particularly NO-mediated vasodilation, contributes to the development and progression of atherosclerotic vascular disease and acute vascular events.

Chronic Nebivolol Treatment Suppresses Endothelin-1-Mediated Vasoconstrictor Tone in Adults With Elevated Blood Pressure.

Unlabelled: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) plays a major role in the pathophysiology of hypertension and its associated cardiovascular risk. We tested the hypothesis that chronic nebivolol treatment reduces ET-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone in adult humans with elevated blood pressure (BP). Furthermore, reducing ET-1 vasoconstrictor activity contributes to the improvement in endothelial vasodilator function associated with nebivolol treatment.

ENDOTHELIN-1 SYTEM ACTIVITY IN ADULTS WITH BORDERLINE HIGH LDL-CHOLESTEROL.

Background: Modest elevations in plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol have been shown to confer a significant increase in cardiovascular risk. Endothelin (ET)-1 is a vasoconstrictor peptide with proatherogenic properties. The experimental aim of this study was to determine whether ET-1 system activity is elevated in adults with borderline high LDL-cholesterol, independent of other cardiometabolic abnormalities.

Impaired fasting blood glucose is associated with increased endothelin-1 vasoconstrictor tone.

Aim/hypothesis: The experimental aim of this study was to determine whether ET-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone is elevated in adult humans with impaired fasting blood glucose concentrations, independent of other cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: Forearm blood flow (FBF: plethysmography) responses to intra-arterial infusion of selective ETA receptor blockade (BQ-123: 100 nmol/min for 60 min) and non-selective ETA/B blockade (BQ-123 + BQ-788: 50 nmol/min for 60 min) were determined in 28 middle-aged, sedentary adults (17 M/11 F): 14 with normal fasting blood glucose (age: 57 ± 2 yr; 6 F/8 M; BMI: 29.2 ± 0.

Effects of endothelin-1 on endothelial progenitor cell function.

Background: Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to vascular endothelial repair. Endothelin (ET)-1 is associated with endothelial damage and atherogenesis. The experimental aim of this study was to determine, in vitro, the effects of ET-1 on the ability of EPCs to form colonies, migrate, release angiogenic growth factors and resist apoptosis.

White blood cell count and endothelin-1 vasoconstrictor tone in middle-aged and older adults.

Background: Higher white blood cell (WBC) count is associated with impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation. However, the influence of higher WBC count on endothelin (ET)-1 vasoconstrictor activity is currently unknown. We tested the hypothesis that adults with elevated WBC count demonstrate enhanced ET-1 system activity.

Nitric oxide-mediated endothlium-dependent vasodilation is impaired with borderline high-LDL cholesterol.

The experimental aims of this study were to determine: (1) whether nitric oxide-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation is blunted in adult humans with borderline high plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol compared with adults with optimal/near optimal LDL-cholesterol levels; and, if so: (2) whether the magnitude of impairment in adults with borderline high LDL-cholesterol is similar to adults with high LDL-cholesterol. Forearm blood flow responses to intraarterial infusions of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were measured in 50 middle-aged (43-64 year) adults: 20 in the optimal/near optimal LDL-cholesterol range (<130 mg/dL); 20 with borderline high LDL-cholesterol (130-159 mg/dL); and 10 with high LDL-cholesterol ($160 mg/dL). In addition, blood flow responses to acetylcholine were determined in the absence and presence of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G) -monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA).

CD31+ T cells, endothelial function and cardiovascular risk.

Deficits in endothelial cell repair mechanisms are thought to contribute to the aetiology of endothelial dysfunction and, subsequently, cardiovascular disease (CVD). CD31(+) T cells or so-called "angiogenic T cells" are a newly defined T cell subset that exhibit favourable vascular qualities and show a strong negative relation with atherosclerotic disease severity. Despite growing evidence that CD31(+) T cells are important for vascular homeostasis, it is currently unknown if CD31(+) T cell number and function are related to endothelial function and CVD risk in healthy adults.

Human aging and CD31+ T-cell number, migration, apoptotic susceptibility, and telomere length.

CD31(+) T cells, or so-called "angiogenic T cells," have been shown to demonstrate vasculoprotective and neovasculogenic qualities. The influence of age on CD31(+) T-cell number and function is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that circulating CD31(+) T-cell number and migratory capacity are reduced, apoptotic susceptibility is heightened, and telomere length is shortened with advancing age in adult humans.