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International Atherosclerosis |
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Featured IAS Commentaries These Commentaries, including all information, text, graphics, images, and other material are for general educational purposes only and are not intended to be used for the purposes of providing medical treatment or attention or making medical or health-related decisions. These Commentaries are not a substitute or replacement for medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, we encourage you to consult a physician or other medical professional. The views expressed in these Commentaries are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of IAS. COMMENTARIES POSTED IN APRIL 2010 Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become one of the major public health challenges worldwide[2] R. Kahn, J. Buse, E. Ferrannini, M. Stern and American Diabetes Association; European Association for the Study of Diabetes, The metabolic syndrome: time for a critical appraisal: joint statement from the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, Diab Care 28 (2005), pp. 2289–2304. Full Text via CrossRef | View Record in Scopus | Cited By in Scopus (550) [1]. There is increasing evidence that metabolic syndrome can influence the progression of atherosclerosis and that subjects with metabolic syndrome have increased risk of atherosclerotic disease (coronary heart disease and stroke) morbidity and mortality [2]. Timing Is
Critical To Treat Atherosclerosis with TZDs----A Study from
Animal Model The family of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) includes 3 isoforms (PPARa, ?, and ß/d). They play critical roles in many biological processes, particularly in energy balance [1]. Once activated by ligand binding, PPARs form a heterodimer with retinoid X receptor (RXR), and the PPAR/RXR heterodimer binds to PPAR response elements (PPREs) in the regulatory region of target genes and modulates their transcription. The well-characterized member of the PPAR family, PPAR?, is expressed by many cell types with most abundance in adipocytes and macrophages. The synthetic PPAR? ligands, thiazolidinediones (TZDs), increase insulin sensitivity and improve glycemic control, thus reducing levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and triglycerides [2]. TZDs were used clinically to treat type 2 diabetic patients although some TZDs have been removed from the market due to the hepatotoxity. Blood Infusion
of Reconstituted HDL Containing V156K-apoA-I for Anti-Atherosclerotic
Therapy and Synthesis of Proteoliposome to Enhance Viral Gene
Delivery During last three decades, anti-atherosclerotic and lipid-lowering therapeutic modalities have focused on LDL-cholesterol levels, as is the case in statin therapy. Recently, however, the focus of research in this area is currently shifting to regulation of HDL-cholesterol and protein levels [1]. Two approaches are currently being exploited in HDL-oriented therapy. One of these involves the use of synthetic HDL with recombinant apoA-I and its mutants, and the other employs the apolipoprotein-mimetic peptide [2]. A Melon
Extract Linked To Cardiovascular Benefits Junk food and sedentary lifestyles are important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and obesity which are key features of metabolic syndrome and which greatly predispose individuals to many diseases associated with markedly diminished life expectancy [1]. Among healthy people, there is a perfect balance between production and reactive oxygen species (ROS) system antioxidant defenses. Oxidative stress is increasingly becoming an important hypothesis to explain the genesis of several pathologies such as atherosclerosis. Several groups at risk of high oxidative stress are identified and more particularly those consumming unbalanced diets, in relation to reduced antioxidant defenses and/or strong free radical production. Is Pre-Eclampsia
the First Manifestation of Atherosclerosis? Pre-eclampsia (PE), which is defined as hypertension developing after 20 weeks of gestation with proteinuria, complicates 3-5% of pregnancies and is the leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. It is characterized by endothelial dysfunction, which is also one of the pathogenetic mechanisms in coronary artery disease (CAD) and in other atherosclerotic vascular diseases such as stroke [1]. Atherosclerosis and PE share common risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome (MBS), general inflammation, thrombophilia, and family history of cardiovascular risk factors [2,3]. A history of pre-eclampsia increases the risk of future hypertension, ischemic heart disease, stroke, venous thromboembolism [4]. This is true especially for women with a history of early pre-eclampsia, who have the greatest risk of future cardiovascular disease, even higher than those who have "severe" pre-eclampsia [4]. |
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