The endothelial glycocalyx: research methods and prospects for their use in endothelial dysfunction assessment

A modern concept of the endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of many diseases includes the glycocalyx damage along with impaired of the morphology and function of endothelial cells. The glycocalyx is a gel-like submembrane complex of protein-carbohydrate, carbohydrate-lipid components and plasma molecules forming a three-dimensional network on the luminal surface of the endothelium. The features of the borderline location of endothelial glycocalyx in the vascular system determine various important functions: barrier, regulatory, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, mechanotransduction ones, etc. In recent years, due to the improvement of visualization methods endothelial glycocalyx structure has been detailed. Its physiological functions and the role in the development of some pathological conditions have been clarified. Modern methods of glycocalyx assessment include invasive and non-invasive research techniques. The most promising ones are dark-field microscopy and the determination of glycocalyx-associated biochemical markers. Endothelial glycocalyx damage is a universal pathogenetic component and the earliest marker of the development of most diseases. Therefore, the endothelial glycocalyx assessment refers to promising areas of research. The ability to correlate with other prognostic indicators allows us to consider the endothelial glycocalyx damage as a marker of the poor health prognosis. That is why, assessment of the endothelial glycocalyx condition will allow to personalize treatment and to prevent the diseases progression.