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Sympathetic Nervous System and Atherosclerosis

Authors :
Yutang Wang
Jack Anesi
Michelle C. Maier
Mark A. Myers
Ernesto Oqueli
Christopher G. Sobey
Grant R. Drummond
Kate M. Denton
Source :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 24, Iss 17, p 13132 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2023.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is characterized by the narrowing of the arterial lumen due to subendothelial lipid accumulation, with hypercholesterolemia being a major risk factor. Despite the recent advances in effective lipid-lowering therapies, atherosclerosis remains the leading cause of mortality globally, highlighting the need for additional therapeutic strategies. Accumulating evidence suggests that the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in atherosclerosis. In this article, we reviewed the sympathetic innervation in the vasculature, norepinephrine synthesis and metabolism, sympathetic activity measurement, and common signaling pathways of sympathetic activation. The focus of this paper was to review the effectiveness of pharmacological antagonists or agonists of adrenoceptors (α1, α2, β1, β2, and β3) and renal denervation on atherosclerosis. All five types of adrenoceptors are present in arterial blood vessels. α1 blockers inhibit atherosclerosis but increase the risk of heart failure while α2 agonism may protect against atherosclerosis and newer generations of β blockers and β3 agonists are promising therapies against atherosclerosis; however, new randomized controlled trials are warranted to investigate the effectiveness of these therapies in atherosclerosis inhibition and cardiovascular risk reduction in the future. The role of renal denervation in atherosclerosis inhibition in humans is yet to be established.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14220067 and 16616596
Volume :
24
Issue :
17
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.60dab3885cb40b392bd251aaa895d21
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713132