Endothelial damage

Endothelial damage refers to injury or dysfunction in the endothelium—the thin layer of cells lining the interior surface of blood vessels. The endothelium plays critical roles in regulating vascular tone through nitric oxide production, controlling permeability between blood and tissues, modulating inflammation and thrombosis, and maintaining overall cardiovascular health. Damage to this layer impairs these functions and leads to increased risk for vasoconstriction, inflammation, thrombosis (blood clotting), hypertension, and progression toward diseases such as atherosclerosis. Common biomarkers indicating endothelial injury include reduced nitric oxide levels and elevated markers like CRP or D-dimer. While many therapies aim to protect or restore healthy endothelial function by targeting underlying causes such as oxidative stress or high cholesterol with antioxidants or statins respectively, "endothelial damage" itself is not considered a discrete therapeutic target like an enzyme or receptor but rather describes an adverse pathological condition that underlies many cardiovascular diseases.

Other names

Endothelial dysfunctionVascular endothelial injuryEndothelium damage