Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading cause of death worldwide. CVD comprise a range of diseases affecting the functionality of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and pulmonary hypertension. Disruption of the normal homeostasis of endothelia, alterations in the blood vessel structure, and abnormal functionality are essential factors in the onset and progression of CVD. An emerging theory proposes that pathological blood vessel responses and endothelial dysfunction develop as a result of an abnormal endothelial metabolism. It has been suggested that, in CVD, endothelial cell metabolism switches to higher glycolysis, rather than oxidative phosphorylation, as the main source of ATP, a process designated as the Warburg effect.
Metabolic alterations in cardiovascular diseases suggests that understanding endothelial metabolism and mitochondrial function may be central to unveiling fundamental mechanisms underlying cardiovascular pathogenesis and to identify novel critical metabolic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Imaging techniques as well as sophisticated 3D in vitro cultures would also help the systematic study of endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases.
The scope of the research topic is focused on studies on metabolism in cardiovascular diseases to promote the discovery of new biomarkers and new treatment strategies.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading cause of death worldwide. CVD comprise a range of diseases affecting the functionality of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and pulmonary hypertension. Disruption of the normal homeostasis of endothelia, alterations in the blood vessel structure, and abnormal functionality are essential factors in the onset and progression of CVD. An emerging theory proposes that pathological blood vessel responses and endothelial dysfunction develop as a result of an abnormal endothelial metabolism. It has been suggested that, in CVD, endothelial cell metabolism switches to higher glycolysis, rather than oxidative phosphorylation, as the main source of ATP, a process designated as the Warburg effect.
Metabolic alterations in cardiovascular diseases suggests that understanding endothelial metabolism and mitochondrial function may be central to unveiling fundamental mechanisms underlying cardiovascular pathogenesis and to identify novel critical metabolic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Imaging techniques as well as sophisticated 3D in vitro cultures would also help the systematic study of endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases.
The scope of the research topic is focused on studies on metabolism in cardiovascular diseases to promote the discovery of new biomarkers and new treatment strategies.