We describe how innate and adaptive immune cascades trigger the release of cytokines and chemokines, resulting in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. We discuss how cytokines have direct and indirect effects on myocardial function.
Atherosclerosis is the predominant underlying pathology of cardiovascular disease...atherosclerotic lesions are characterized by abundance of immune cells and their effector molecules, eventually leading to unstable angina, myocardial infarction, or strok
The cellular and extracellular matrix accumulations that comprise the lesions of atherosclerosis are driven by local release of cytokines at sites of predilection for lesion formation, and by the specific attraction and activation of cells expressing rece
Researchers say circulating mononuclear cells (the largest type of white blood cell) and lymphocytes, exist in a proinflammatory state in obese persons known to be at increased risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, or both.
Exposure to secondhand smoke leads to inflammation and oxidation, representing another pathophysiologic mechanism for the development of atherosclerosis.
Research on function & role of micronutrients, phytochemicals, and antioxidants in chronic diseases (cardiovascular, metabolic, cancer, aging, neurodegenerative).
Dr. Noboru Ashida, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawaramachi, Shogoin Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan. Voice +81-75-751-3465; fax: +81-75-751-3574; ash@kuhp.kyoto.u.ac.jp.
HEMOSTASIS, THROMBOSIS, AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY. Judith Branger, Bernt van den Blink, Sebastiaan Weijer, Abhya Gupta, Sander J.H. van Deventer, C. Erik Hack, Maikel P. Peppelenbosch, and Tom van der Poll
The anti-inflammatory potential of an oral p38 MAPK inhibitor in humans in vivo suggests that p38 MAPK inhibitors may provide a new therapeutic option in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Boehringer Ingelheim. 2002 Branger J, et al
Human resolvin E1 inhibits both the migration of inflammatory cells to sites of inflammation and the turning on of other inflammatory cells. Aspirin-triggered resolivins are made from omega-3 fatty acids by cellular enzymes. COX-2 inhibitors also inhibit
In much of the world (but not in the U.S.,) drug-coated stents are avoided by cardiologists because of their high cost. To compensate for the inability to use these stents, many cardiologists outside of the U.S. have taken to administering sirolimus (also
In the Injury Theory, it's damage to the arterial endothelium, followed by platelet activation, then smooth muscle cell migration to injury, then macrophages, with resulting "foam cells." Engorged foam cells burst, starting the injury cycle all over again
it may no longer be enough to measure just HDL levels without determining levels of paroxonase and platelet-activating acetylhydrolase; levels of these enzymes may determine whether HDL is proinflammatory or protective. Likewise, measuring Lp(a) and small
Overweight men and women assigned to drink fructose-sweetened beverages as 25% of their energy intake developed atherogenic lipid profiles in just two weeks; unlike glucose, fructose promotedatherogenic lioproprotein phenotypes and glucose intolerance/ins
Elevated levels of myeloperoxidase in otherwise healthy men and women increased the likelihood of overt coronary artery disease by 50% over 8 years compared with patients who had the lowest levels of the enzyme (P<0.001), according to a 2007 report publis
Two Swiss meta-analyses have found an increased rate of myocardial infarction and death with the Cypher (sirolimus-eluting) coronary stent, which is likely to put a serious chill in interventional cardiology's infatuation with drug-coated devices
Third Joint Task Force of European and other Societies on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice (constituted by representatives of eight societies and by invited experts).
After adjusting for other risk factors impaired fasting glucose was associated with a 2.5-fold increase in the risk of a fatal cardiac event within five years (hazard ratio 2.5, 95% CI 1.2-5.1), said Elizabeth L.M. Barr, M.P.H., of the International Diabe
For "traditional" cardiologists, CAD is a blockage or blockages in the coronary arteries, and the treatment is stents. For "nontraditional" cardiologists, CAD is a more systemic, diffuse condition, and the treatment is systemic.
Electron Beam CT, or EBCT scans (formerly called ultrafast CT scans) are useful in detecting the presence of calcium deposits in the lining of the coronary arteries. The presence of calcium deposits is a strong indicator that coronary artery disease is al
