Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 16, Issue 34, 2010

This issue of Current Pharmaceutical Design covers several topics in the field of vascular disease. Bountziouka and Panagiotakos [1] critically discuss the statistical methods used to evaluate the reliability and validity of nutrition assessment tools in clinical trials. This is an important topic because the outcome of studies involving vascular risk can easily be influenced by changes in diet, as well as other lifestyle measures. O Read More

The contribution of diet to the development of several chronic diseases, such as vascular disease, diabetes or lipid abnormalities has been established. Therefore, clinical trials dealing with these diseases need to adjust for individual dietary habits in order to account for potential confounding. Common practice in the majority of studies that collect dietary information is to record individual habits using specific ques Read More

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases throughout the world. The majority of its complications arise from vascular- related inflammation apparently initiated by endothelial cell injury. One cause of this injury has been attributed to hyperglycaemia induced reactive oxygen species. Consequently, current drug developmental strategy has targeted specific inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways for the p Read More

Several studies over the last years have demonstrated that statins exhibit actions beyond that of lipid-lowering (pleiotropic effects) ranging from improving endothelial function, modulating the inflammatory response, maintaining plaque stability and preventing thrombus formation. Since the interplay among platelets, cells and other components of atherosclerotic lesions as well as the coagulation system play an important rol Read More

Transsexualism refers to individuals that identify themselves as members of the opposite gender and who strive to acquire the physical appearance and psychosocial role compatible with that gender. Gender reassignment therapy is applied through hormonal treatment ± surgical intervention in addition to psychological support. Hormone treatment for male-to-female transsexuals includes estrogen supplementation ± suppressio Read More

The role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the development of vascular disease is controversial. Insulin resistance (IR) is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is associated with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Thus, IR may promote atherosclerosis and vascular disease in CHC patients. HCV-associated IR may also cause hepatic steatosis and resistance to antiviral treatment. In addition, HCV may contribute Read More

The sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2), located in the plasma membrane of cells lining the proximal tubule, facilitates the reabsorption of glucose in the kidney. Inhibition of SGLT2 has the potential to reduce blood glucose and represents an opportune target for managing blood glucose. By promoting the excretion of glucose, SGLT2 inhibitors are the first anti-diabetic treatment to target the removal rather than t Read More

It is well known that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). A predicted worldwide increase in the incidence of T2DM, taking the form of an epidemic, is expected to induce a substantial increase in CVD incidence. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) are related to an increased risk of developing T2DM, especially in obese people. Prevention of T2DM Read More

Stem cell therapy heralds a new chapter in cardiovascular regenerative medicine. Cardiovascular implants are often used in both surgery and interventional cardiology. Cardiovascular stents are utilized in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), and are classified as either bare metal stents (BMS) or drug-eluting stents (DES). Although DES might decrease the risk of vascular restenosis, there are complications (e.g. thr Read More