Endoteeliriippuvaisiin

Endoteeliriippuvaisiin is a Finnish term that translates to "endothelium-dependent" in English. It refers to physiological processes that require the presence and proper functioning of the endothelium. The endothelium is a single layer of cells that lines the interior surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. It plays a crucial role in regulating vascular tone, preventing blood clots, and controlling inflammation.

When a process is described as endothelium-dependent, it means that the endothelium actively participates in initiating, mediating, or maintaining that process. For example, the release of nitric oxide (NO) by endothelial cells is a key mechanism in vasodilation, a process that relaxes blood vessels and increases blood flow. This vasodilation is therefore considered endothelium-dependent. Similarly, the endothelium's ability to inhibit platelet aggregation and prevent clot formation is another endothelium-dependent function. Impairment of these endothelium-dependent functions can contribute to the development of various cardiovascular diseases. Understanding endothelium-dependent mechanisms is vital in the study of cardiovascular health and disease.