244 OLIVE OILS AND HEALTH EICOSAPENTAENOIC ACID -EPA- (See LIPIDS / Unsaturated lipids / ω-3 polyunsaturated lipids) ELAIDIC FATTY ACID (See LIPIDS / Concepts / Trans fatty acids) ENDOCRINE (See PHYSIOLOGY / Endocrine system) ENDOCRINE PANCREAS (See PANCREAS) ENDOCRINE SYSTEM (See PHYSIOLOGY) ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION (See ENDOTHELIUM) ENDOTHELIN – 1 (See ENDOTHELIUM) ENDOTHELIUM or VASCULAR ENDOTHELIUM The endothelium is arguably the largest organ in the human body. If it could be gathered as a single surface, it would cover between 4,000 and 7,000 square metres and weigh around one kilogram. It is made up of billions of cells arranged in a single layer lining the interior of veins, arteries, and capillaries, as well as the inner lining of the heart, known as the endocardium. - endothelial function Until recently, this extensive tissue was believed to serve only a mechanical purpose: to contain and direct blood flow. However, it is now well established that endothelial cells carry out a wide range of functions that vary depending on their location. Because of this, the endothelium is involved in numerous diseases and has significant potential as a pharmacological target. However, the difficulty in assessing endothelial damage has delayed the translation of this knowledge into clinical practice. The main function of the endothelium is to regulate blood flow to tissues by modulating vascular diameter and tone. Other key roles include regulating the movement of cells and fluids into surrounding tissues, controlling blood coagulation, and participating in new blood vessel formation. Endothelial dysfunction involves an imbalance between vasodilatory and vasoconstrictive factors produced by the endothelium, in which vasoconstriction becomes predominant. This leads to progressive pathological changes that result in pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidant, proliferative, pro-coagulant, and vascular adhesion states. Endothelial dysfunction is the earliest detectable alteration in the development of atherosclerosis, and in this case, it can be assessed “non-invasively” using ultrasound techniques on the humeral artery. - sub-endothelium Part of the vessel wall composed of layers of cells and proteins located beneath the vascular endothelium.
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