Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 20, Issue 40, 2014

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) claims more lives than any other disease in the Western World [1]. In US, it is estimated that there was a decline in CVD-related deaths from 1980 to 2000 [1,2]. Nearly half (44%) of this drop resulted from population-wide risk factor reduction (smoking), whereas another (47%) resulted from medical treatment targeting patients at risk or with established atherosclerosis [1,2]. In contrast, only 5% o Read More

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common genetic disorder that presents with robust increases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and can lead to premature cardiovascular disease. There are heterozygous and homozygous forms. The diagnosis is usually made based on blood cholesterol levels, clinical signs and family history. Genetic testing can be used to confirm the diagnosis. Effective lowering of LDL-C in FH Read More

High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and its related apolipoproteins form part of the reverse cholesterol transport system that removes excessive cholesterol from the periphery to the liver. Many transport proteins and enzymes that are involved in this process are susceptible to genetic defects that influence plasma HDL-C concentrations and HDL function. The HDL-C concentration in the blood may not be as imp Read More

Maintaining total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels within healthy limits decreases the risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease (AVD) and cardiovascular (CV) events. The predictive value of elevated TG levels for coronary artery disease (CAD) seen in univariate analysis tends to disappear on multivariate analyses, especially when corr Read More

Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are considered as important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), while highdensity lipoproteins (HDL) are well recognized for their putative role in reverse cholesterol transport and other atheroprotective functions. Both LDL and HDL are heterogeneous in nature, including various subfractions depending on the method of isolation (≥ 7 LDL and 10 HDL subspecies, respectively). While it is Read More

Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), also named as platelet-activating factor (PAF)-acetylhydrolase, exhibits a Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2 activity and catalyzes the hydrolysis of the ester bond at the sn-2 position of PAF and oxidized phospholipids (oxPL). These phospholipids are formed under oxidative and inflammatory conditions, and may play important roles in atherogenesis. The vast majorit Read More

The global burden of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing. Obesity is rapidly increasing worldwide and is associated with dyslipidaemia, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Excess risks of T2DM and CVD are found in migrant Indian Asian and West African populations but with increasing urbanization similar changes are occurring in the original populations and are likely to predispose Read More

Low to moderate alcohol intake has been associated with beneficial effects on the heart and the vasculature, including improvements in several established and emerging cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors as well as reduced risk for several metabolic diseases, CVD morbidity and mortality. Binge and heavy drinking exert the opposite effects, leading to increased risks for all the above conditions. With regard to bev Read More

The concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol has long been generally accepted as one of the strongest, independent risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. However, an increasing number of studies suggest that the ratio of apolipoprotein B (apoB) to apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) is a better risk predictor. In the present review, we focus on apoB and apoA-I as factors in predicting vascular Read More

Statins effectively reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. However, even after low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment there is a residual CVD risk. To reduce this risk, combining statins with drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was investigated. The GREek Atorvastatin and Coronary-heart-disease Evaluation (GREACE), Japanese Coronary Artery Disease (JCAD), Anglo Read More

In addition to the modification of the lipid profile, most lipid-lowering agents appear to modulate other atherogenic pathways. We summarize the effects of lipid-lowering agents on inflammation, hemostasis and blood pressure. We also discuss the potential contribution of these actions on cardiovascular disease prevention. Most lipid-lowering agents appear to exert anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic and antihypertensive ef Read More

Statins are the most powerful lipid lowering drugs in clinical practice. However, the efficacy of statin therapy, as seen in randomized control trials, is undermined by the documented non-adherence observed in clinical practice. Understanding the clinical consequences of statin non-adherence is an important step in implementing successful interventions aimed at improving adherence. Our previous systematic review included a lit Read More

Many therapeutically active medications have significant side effects, some of which can compromise the intended therapeutic goal. The development of plasma lipid abnormalities or a dyslipidemia as the result of a medication intended for an unrelated effect has been reported. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can cause dyslipidemia as can the medications used to treat this infection. Such dyslipide Read More

Aging is associated with arterial stiffening and subsequent acceleration of pulse wave movement. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidemia are associated with increased arterial stiffness, a ‘premature’ arterial aging. Antihypertensive drugs exhibit beneficial effects on arterial stiffness, both at the central and peripheral level, and these effects are mainly attributed to blood pressure Read More

Statins remain the cornerstone of hypolipidaemic drug treatment. The recent American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) lipid guidelines suggest using percent reductions of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), according to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, rather than specific LDL-C targets. These guidelines raised concerns and other Societies (US, International, European) have not end Read More