Endothelial and Smooth Muscle Cell Dysfunction in Endocrine Disorders – Volume II

Given the success of the first editions of the Research Topics Endothelial Dysfunction in Endocrine Disorders and Vascular Dysfunction and Endocrine Disorders, we are pleased to announce a compiled second volume of the Research Topic “Endothelial and Smooth Muscle Cell Dysfunction in Endocrine Disorders”.

The vascular endothelium has a central role in the regulation of blood flow through continuous modulation of vascular tone, where healthy endothelial cells are essential for maintenance of vascular homeostasis involving antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, pro-fibrinolytic, anti-adhesive, or anticoagulant effects. Oppositely, endothelial dysfunction is principally characterized by impaired endothelium - dependent transduction mechanisms related to vascular relaxation, as an outcome of decreased release of endothelium-derived relaxing factors, mainly nitric oxide, as well as augmented oxidative stress, increased inflammation and predominance of vascular action produced by endothelium-derived contracting factors. In parallel, vascular smooth muscle cells are key effectors of vascular tone and structural remodeling, and their dysfunction can contribute to abnormal vasoreactivity, vascular stiffness, and maladaptive vascular remodeling. Current data strongly suggest that endocrine pathological disorders, including impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, gestational diabetes, subclinical hypothyroidism, primary hyperparathyroidism, primary aldosteronism, Cushing's syndrome, hypopituitarism, or COVID-19 – related endocrine disorders include notable vascular changes associated with endothelial dysfunction and smooth muscle cell impairment.

The goal of this Research Topic is to summarize some of the latest clinical and laboratory findings related to the role of endothelial dysfunction in etiology and pathogenesis of different endocrine disorders, and to expand this scope by addressing smooth muscle cell dysfunction and endothelial–smooth muscle cell crosstalk in endocrine-related vascular disease, as well as existing and novel therapeutic possibilities for modulating and improving endothelial dysfunction and vascular smooth muscle function in treatment of endocrine diseases. This is substantiated with still increasing data pointing out that pharmacological approach in improving or reversal of endothelial dysfunction was shown to be beneficial in clinical trials aimed to this scientific problem and may also improve vascular smooth muscle–mediated outcomes (e.g., vascular tone and stiffness).

Specific themes are:

- etiology of endothelial dysfunction in endocrine disorders and smooth muscle cell dysfunction in endocrine disorders

- contribution of endothelial dysfunction in pathogenesis of endocrine disorders and contribution of smooth muscle cell dysfunction to vascular complications in endocrine disorders

- biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction in endocrine disorders and biomarkers of vascular smooth muscle dysfunction and remodeling

- non-invasive clinical protocols for detection of endothelial dysfunction in endocrine disorders and assessment of smooth muscle–dependent vascular function (including vascular stiffness and vasoreactivity)

- endothelial dysfunction and smooth muscle cell dysfunction as consequences of endocrine disorders

- COVID-19 and endothelial dysfunction interplay in endocrine disorders including potential effects on vascular smooth muscle function

- treatment options for improvement or reversal of endothelial dysfunction in endocrine disorders and therapies targeting vascular smooth muscle dysfunction and endothelial–smooth muscle signaling

- prevention possibilities against endothelial dysfunction occurrence in endocrine disorders and prevention strategies addressing smooth muscle cell dysfunction and vascular remodeling