Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry - Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents) - Volume 10, Issue 4, 2012

Given the demonstrated importance of the incretin effect on the prandial insulin response, augmentation of the incretin effect in people with type 2 diabetes is an important pharmacological approach to glycemic management. In recent years, the use of incretin-based therapies, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors, has increased dramatically due to their demonstrated efficacy, low risk of hypoglycemia when us Read More

Dyslipidemia is a prominent feature of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance that contributes to increased atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks under these conditions. Incretin-based therapies (GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors) have recently been developed and are approved for clinical use for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Besides improved glycemic control, other benefits are being increasi Read More

The endothelium is critical for multiple processes occurring on both sides of the vascular wall including regulation of blood flow, maintenance of blood fluidity and control of inflammation. Endothelial dysfunction is an early event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and appears to be a critical determinant of cardiovascular events. It is frequently detected in the early stages of type 2 diabetes and even in pre-diabetes co Read More

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at high risk for developing cardiovascular diseases. Traditional medicines for type 2 diabetes, such as sulfonylureas, pioglitazone, and insulin have glucose lowering effects; however, they also increase the frequency of hypoglycemia and/or body weight and thus may cancel out the benefits of glucose lowering on the development of atherosclerosis. In contrast, the recently develo Read More

Cardiovascular disease continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Whilst a focus on improved glucose control and HbA1c has led to a reduction in the progression and development of microvascular complications, the potential for this strategy to reduce cardiovascular event rates is less clearly defined. Identification of the incretin axis has facilitated the developmen Read More

Atrial fibrillation occurs in 20-50% of patients after surgical revascularization (40% have more than 1 episode), with a peak between 2nd and 3rd postoperative days. Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) has been associated with an increase in adverse events, length of hospital stay and, therefore, cost of care, and late mortality. A higher risk profile in patients who develop POAF may contribute to the higher late mortality Read More

Anemia is a prevalent and premature comorbidity in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated with multiple adverse clinical consequences including increased mortality. Today Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), together with iron supplementation, are the cornerstones of therapy for correcting anemia in CKD patients. As no generally accepted dosing algorithms for these agents exist, current recommendations pre Read More

Inflammation is essential for atherogenesis, and many inflammatory markers have been analyzed for their association with short- and long-term outcome in patients with manifestations of coronary artery disease. C-reactive protein (CRP) plasma levels increase in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). CPR is an important prognostic marker in ACS. Although CRP will remain over time a useful marker, the role and implic Read More

Background. The prevention of oral mucositis (OM) in the management of hematological malignancies continues to represent an unmet clinical need. Addressing this issue has major clinical implications as OM can also greatly impair patient’s quality of life. Objectives. To review currently available measures and investigational agents to prevent OM in hematological patients. Methods: we searched for OM and related issue Read More