Contribution of vasoconstriction to the origin of atherosclerosis: a conceptual study

Research during the past century has clearly shown that endothelial injury (EI) and/or endothelial dysfunction (ED) are among the major events determining the onset of atherosclerosis. Included in the events that may elicit endothelial damage, vasoconstriction (VC) has received relatively little attention. This conceptual review attempts to show that in elastic and conduit arteries, VC is not only capable of producing EI/ED, but is also closely associated with many recognized proatherogenic stimuli. Of related interest is the observation that a number of suspected antiatherogenic stimuli oppose VC by their vasodilatory effects, lending further support to this relationship. In addition, recent developments in the knowledge of the molecular basis of VC (including the role of specific inhibitors) are discussed, and their potential for preventing lesion formation and thus becoming novel therapeutic alternatives against the onset of atherosclerosis are highlighted.