ABSTRACT
Vascular endothelial cell glycocalyx is a layer of glycoprotein complex located on the surface of endothelial cells, forming a selective permeation barrier on the surface of endothelial cells. In the present review, after a brief introduction of glycocalyx, the relationship between glycocalyx and mass transport under fluid sheer stress (FSS), especially the relationship between glycocalyx and macromolecules such as low density lipoprotein (LDL) has been discussed. This relationship was reflected as following: on the one hand, the thickness and integrity of the glycocalyx affects the concentration polarization of LDL and its transendothelial transport and heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) participates in the whole process of residual lipoproteins metabolism. On the other hand, ox-LDL, an oxidized product of LDL, destroys heparan sulfate (HS) which is a major component of the endothelial cell glycocalyx. The study on relationship between vascular endothelial glycocalyx and lipoproteins will provide a new clue to elucidate the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and provide more evidence to view the glycocalyx as a new control target.