How to improve endothelial repair mechanisms: the lifestyle approach

Abstract

Occurrence of endothelial dysfunction is primarily the result of a reduction in nitric oxide bioavailability. Besides pharmacological approaches, lifestyle interventions with various forms of exercise training have the potential to partially correct endothelial dysfunction in many cardiovascular diseases. A normal endothelial function also depends on the balance between loss of endothelial cells and regeneration by circulating progenitor cells that are released from the bone-marrow. Nevertheless, exercise training also has the potential to increase the amount of endothelial progenitor cells and improve their migratory capacity, hence rejuvenating the endothelium. This review focuses on lifestyle interventions to correct endothelial dysfunction in different cardiovascular diseases.