Microparticles and cardiovascular diseases

Microparticles are a distinctive group of small vesicles, without nucleus, which are involved as significant modulators in several physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms. Plasma microparticles from various cellular lines have been subject of research. Data suggest that they are key players in development and manifestation of cardiovascular diseases and their presence, in high levels, is associated with chronic inflammation, endothelial damage and thrombosis. The strong correlation of microparticle levels with several outcomes in cardiovascular diseases has led to their utilization as biomarkers. Despite the limited clinical application at present, their significance emerges, mainly because their detection and enumeration methods are improving. This review article summarizes the evidence derived from research, related with the genesis and the function of microparticles in the presence of various cardiovascular risk factors and conditions. The current data provide a substrate for several theories of how microparticles influence various cellular mechanisms by transferring biological information.