1
|
Wang Y, Anesi J, Maier MC, Myers MA, Oqueli E, Sobey CG, Drummond GR, Denton KM. Sympathetic Nervous System and Atherosclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13132. [PMID: 37685939 PMCID: PMC10487841 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yutang Wang
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
| | - Jack Anesi
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
| | - Michelle C. Maier
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
| | - Mark A. Myers
- Discipline of Life Science, Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability, Federation University Australia, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
| | - Ernesto Oqueli
- Cardiology Department, Grampians Health Ballarat, Ballarat, VIC 3350, Australia
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3216, Australia
| | - Christopher G. Sobey
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine & Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Grant R. Drummond
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine & Environment, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Kate M. Denton
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| |
Collapse
|