Tag Archives: cardiovascular disease
Endothelial glycocalyx integrity in health and disease: molecular mechanisms and stress-related vascular injury
, , , ,
Department of Biochemistry, DNT “Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University”, Ukraine;
*e-mail: iryna.fomenko.lviv@gmail.com
Received: 21 May 2026; Revised: 16 June 2026;
Accepted: 27 July 2026; Available on-line: August 2026
Background. The endothelial glycocalyx (EGX) is a dynamic carbohydrate-rich structure located at the blood-endothelium interface that regulates vascular permeability, mechanotransduction, inflammation, coagulation, and endothelial signaling. Its complex molecular architecture makes the EGX highly susceptible to enzymatic degradation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory mediators, making its disruption a key mechanism of endothelial dysfunction in diverse pathological conditions. Objective. To synthesize current evidence on the molecular architecture of the endothelial glycocalyx, the biochemical mechanisms underlying its degradation, its role in cardiovascular and stress-associated disorders, and emerging glycocalyx-targeted therapeutic strategies. Methods. This integrative review synthesizes evidence from 93 scientific studies identified through a systematic search of ten electronic databases. Results. The analysis demonstrates that glycocalyx degradation contributes to impaired endothelial nitric oxide signaling, increased vascular permeability, endothelial inflammation, and microvascular dysfunction in cardiovascular pathology. Recent evidence further suggests that chronic psychological stress and post-traumatic stress disorder may promote EGX disruption through sustained sympathetic activation, oxidative stress, and low-grade inflammation. The review also discusses therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving or restoring glycocalyx integrity, including inhibition of enzymatic degradation and glycocalyx-targeted regenerative approaches. Conclusions. These findings support a shift toward targeting the glycocalyx as an upstream regulator of vascular health rather than exclusively focusing on downstream vascular complications.
Cardiovascular disease among patients with type 2 diabetes: role of homocysteine as an inflammatory marker
Ashok Sahu1,2, Trapti Gupta2, Arvind Kavishwar3, R. K. Singh4
1MGM Medical College Indore, Jabalpur, India;
e-mail: asahu888@gmail.com; asahu888@yahoo.co.in;
2NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur, India;
3Regional Malaria Research Centre of Tribal (ICMR), Jabalpur, India;
4Chirayu Hospital, Bhopal, India
It is known that inflammation has a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases; measurement of inflammatory markers improves the risk prediction of cardiovascular diseases. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been correlated with the occurrence of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes; though it is unclear whether hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for these conditions. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the role of homocysteine in type 2 diabetes patients with cardiovascular disease in a population of Madhya Pradesh India. Total 100 type 2 diabetes patients were included in the study, of these 50 had angiographically proven cardiovascular disease and 50 had no evidence of it. High sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and lipoprotein (a) were measured in serum. Homocysteine, blood glucose in plasma, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, glycated haemoglobin were measured in whole blood. A albumin excretion rate, creatinine clearance rate were measured in the urine sample for renal function. It was shown that, levels of homocysteine and other inflammatory markers were elevated significantly in the group II (n = 50). A correlation between hyperhomocysteinemia and inflammatory markers in patients with impaired renal function was observed. It was concluded that impairment of renal function is a key factor that affects homocysteine level.