FGF2 and endothelial dysfunction: Endothelial dysfunction is effectively a functional imbalance reflected by changes in a number of biomarkers, including increases in markers of inflammation (such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, TNFα, IL-1, IL-6), changes in markers of vascular tone and homeostatic balance (e.g., increased Ang-2/Ang-1 ratio, VEGFα, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2); reduced NO and prostacyclin), and increases in procoagulant/prothrombogenic markers (including TM, vWF, TF, neutrophil extracellular traps [NETs]).