Zuzana Michnová, Lenka Turoňová, Lýdia Zúbriková, Katarína Janíková, Peter Bánovčin
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed word. Their principal underlying
mechanism is atherosclerosis. Endothelial cells are not only a mechanical barrier but also form metabolically very active
tissue regulating vascular tone, permeability and other vascular functions. Functional impairment of endothelial layer
(endothelial dysfunction) initiated by number of mechanical, physical, chemical and immunological factors. Endothelial
dysfunction is the first stadium of the atherosclerosis which begins since childhood. Endothelial dysfunction can be
assessed by various methods, however, these are not being routinely used in clinical practice as they yield widely variable
results. Nevertheless, the methods help us understand the mechanisms, through which both non- and pharmacological
treatments induce restitution of endothelial function and, thus, reduce risk of development of atherosclerosis.