Regulatory Physiology: Blood Flow and Pressure

Blood vessels have layers (tunica intima, media, externa) with specific functions influencing blood flow.

Blood vessel diameter is adjusted by hormones (vasodilators, vasoconstrictors) for controlled blood flow.

A condition linked to various health issues, typically involving high blood sugar, blood pressure, and/or cholesterol.

Atherosclerosis involves a progressive process of plaque buildup in arteries.

The body uses mechanisms to adjust blood flow based on needs of different tissues and organs.

Blood vessels have three layers (tunics): intima (inner), media (middle), and externa (outer).

The innermost layer of blood vessels, composed of endothelial cells and a subendothelial space.

The middle layer, primarily composed of smooth muscle cells, controlling vessel diameter.

The outermost layer composed of collagen, containing nerves and smaller blood vessels (vasa vasorum) in some vessels.

Wider vessels mean lower pressure and higher flow; narrower vessels mean higher pressure and lower flow.

Precise control of blood pressure is crucial for efficient oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues.

Carry oxygenated blood from the heart to organs.

Return deoxygenated blood to the heart from organs.

Blood pressure is greatest in arteries and progressively decreases along the vascular system, smallest in veins.

Cells lining the inner layer of blood vessels, playing a key role in vasodilation, blood clotting, immune response and more.

A vasodilator gas produced by endothelial cells that relaxes vascular smooth muscle.

A vasodilator produced by endothelial cells; hyperpolarizes vascular smooth muscle, causing relaxation.

A vasoconstrictor produced by endothelial cells that causes smooth muscle contraction.

A vasoconstrictor produced in the liver that raises blood pressure and promotes inflammation.

Widening of blood vessels that increases blood flow.

Narrowing of blood vessels that reduces blood flow.

Enzyme responsible for nitric oxide production.

Enzyme activated by NO that converts GTP to cGMP.

Cyclic GMP; a molecule that facilitates smooth muscle relaxation.

Muscle cells in the walls of blood vessels that control blood vessel size.

A plaque in an artery that is likely to rupture, releasing a blood clot that can block the artery.

An unstable plaque in an artery that is more likely to rupture than a stable plaque.

An early stage of atherosclerosis, characterized by the accumulation of oxidized LDL and macrophages in artery walls forming a yellowish appearance.

A plaque in an artery that is growing, has a thin fibrous cap, and is considered stable but can narrow the artery.

Obesity is a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS), with a strong correlation between weight gain and MetS development.

A condition where the body doesn't respond properly to leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite and energy balance.

A breakdown in the function of the inner lining of blood vessels, a pre-condition to atherosclerosis.

Proteins on the surface of cells that allow immune cells to stick to the inner lining of blood vessels.

Immune cells entering the inner layers of blood vessel walls as a response to atherosclerosis.

Deceased or dead cells within an atherosclerotic plaque, often the central part of unstable plaques

5% weight loss improves insulin sensitivity and reduces leptin levels, impacting MetS positively.

Problem with fat cells promoting inflammation, insulin resistance, and high cholesterol.

Increased ANGII promotes inflammation and artery thickening, worsening atherosclerosis.

ET-1 promotes inflammation, oxidative stress, and vessel wall issues, further damaging vessels.

Reduced NO availability disrupts vasodilation, contributing to high blood pressure and narrowing vessels.

Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share complex causes, including insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Drugs that improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation in blood vessels, benefiting MetS and Atherosclerosis.

Drugs that regulate glucose and increase fat burning, improving MetS and lowering inflammation

Drugs that improve insulin and suppress appetite, leading to blood glucose and blood pressure improvement in MetS.

Drugs that reduce glucose reabsorption and lower blood volume and blood pressure, benefiting people with MetS.

Vitamin C and E reduce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and LDL oxidation, protecting blood vessels.

A surgical procedure leading to weight loss, improving insulin & leptin sensitivity and reducing inflammatory markers around the cells.

Exercise improves the body's ability to use insulin, a hormone crucial for blood sugar regulation.

Substances that release nitric oxide (NO), improving vasodilation and blood vessel function.

ACE inhibitors reduce Angiotensin II production, thus lowering blood pressure via vasodilation.

The Metabolic Syndrome significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, like atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis, a hardening/narrowing of arteries, begins with an issue in the lining of the blood vessels, called endothelial dysfunction.

The blood vessels tightly control blood flow and pressure to meet the needs of organs and tissues.