Vascular adaptation to extreme conditions: The role of hypoxia
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.artres.2016.02.003How to use a DOI?
- Keywords
- Hypoxia; High altitude; Endothelial function; Arterial stiffness; Carotid remodeling
- Abstract
The study of vascular adaptation to extreme conditions, and in particular to hypoxia, represents a unique opportunity in cardiovascular physiology, with relevant translational implications. First, it has crucial clinical consequences for about 140 million people worldwide living at high altitude and chronically exposed to hypobaric hypoxia. Second, an increasing number of lowlanders are exposed to high altitude for recreational or working purposes, including aged, diseased individuals: in these cases, hypoxia could be a trigger for acute cardiovascular events. Finally, hypoxia plays a major role in the pathogenesis of many diseases and chronic conditions, as respiratory (i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome) and cardiovascular disorders (i.e. heart failure, ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease). Thus, results from field studies at high altitude might be important for a deeper understanding of their pathophysiology. This review is aimed at summarizing the main findings in the field of chronic and acute vascular adaptation to hypoxia, focusing on the role of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelial function, as well as large artery behavior.
- Copyright
- © 2016 Association for Research into Arterial Structure and Physiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Open Access
- This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license.
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TY - JOUR AU - Rosa Maria Bruno AU - Lorenzo Ghiadoni AU - Lorenza Pratali PY - 2016 DA - 2016/02/22 TI - Vascular adaptation to extreme conditions: The role of hypoxia JO - Artery Research SP - 15 EP - 21 VL - 14 IS - C SN - 1876-4401 UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.artres.2016.02.003 DO - 10.1016/j.artres.2016.02.003 ID - Bruno2016 ER -