Effects of Retinoids on Vasculatures

Retinoids are natural and synthetic derivatives of retinol, otherwise known as vitamin A. Retinoids bind to several classes of proteins including retinoid-binding proteins and retinoid nuclear receptors leading to the activation of specific regulatory elements of DNA that are involved in regulating cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. Several clinical studies have examined the role of retinoids in disease, and research is still ongoing. A natural retinoid, all-transretinoic acid, possesses various beneficial effects on the vasculature. ATRA regulates various types of important cellular functions via retinoic acid receptor. Thromboxane induced contraction and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells was completely abrogated by retinoid treatment,which has been recognized to have beneficial effects against atherosclerotic vascular disorders. Therefore retinoids can be a potential therapeutic candidate against vascular disorders. At present, retinoids are used in various fields of medicine. This paper aims to review the recently revealed actions of retinoids on the vasculature as well as some of their current use in vasculogenesis.