- The endothelial glycocalyx is a soft layer of molecules that lines the endothelium.
- It is difficult to stain and visualize, and vanishes when tissue samples are removed for study.
- It protects the endothelium from damaging molecules in the blood.
- It blocks the excursion of fluid and lipids from arteries. (In shock the glycocalyx is dissapated).
- It strongly reduces the incursion of LDL into the arterial wall unless its damaged.
Heart Disease Assumptions
- Atherosclerotic plaques are caused by the incursion and retension of LDL cholesterol into the arterial wall.
- Prevention can address either the incursion or the retention or both. Only the incursion is considered here.
- LDL incursion is increased by higher cholesterol levels, and/or by damage to the endothelial glycocalyx layer.
- High-carb dieters have blood glucose spikes after every meal.
- Blood glucose spikes damage the glycocalyx layer and allows a temporary increase in the LDL influx.
- Low-carb dieters have higher cholesterol levels. All else equal, this causes higher fasting LDL incursion.
- But perhaps postprandial glycocalyx damage of high-carb diets may produce higher LDL incursion overall.
Note: There are supplements to help maintain the glycocalyx, including metformin, hyaluronic acid, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), chondroitin Sulfate, and nitric oxide boosters, perhaps advisable for those on a high-carb diet along with plenty of L-Carnosine to reduce glycation.
References
Endothelial Glycocalyx as a Shield Against Vascular Diabetic Complications
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Short-term hyperglycemia increases endothelial glycocalyx permeability ...
Endothelial Glycocalyx: Role in body fluid homeostasis ...
The endothelial glycocalyx: composition, functions, and visualization
Dave Feldman's (CholesterolCode) interview with Ivor Cummings (The Fat Emperor)
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Edited by RWhigham, 09 August 2020 - 10:38 PM.