[Value of endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases and methods of its correction with drugs].

Vascular endothelium is not simply a barrier between blood and extra vascular bed but is a source of large number of mediators regulating various functions of the body among which nitrous oxide appears to be one of most important. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) develops in a number of processes: diabetes mellitus, smoking, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia. ED promotes increase of rate development of cardiovascular diseases. One of most well known markers of ED is microalbuminuria (MAU). Drug and nondrug means are used for the treatment of ED. Calcium antagonists and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors both separately and as components of combination therapy are able to maximally diminish MAU.