Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 24, Issue 31, 2018

Background: Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an autosomal-dominant genetic disease and represents the most common genetic disorder: heterozygous 1/250 births, homozygous 1/300, 000 births. FH is characterized by high to very high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), which is the main cause of increased incidence of premature atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) or aortic stenosis. Objective: The ai Read More

Background: Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is the most common metabolic genetic disorder, with around 13 million people worldwide having the disease. However, FH is globally underdiagnosed and undertreated, while the vast majority of those treated do not achieve treatment goals. Objective: This review aims to clarify how to identify patients with FH. Methods: We performed a comprehensive search of the literature Read More

Background: Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal-dominant genetic disease, associated with premature atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), especially in its homozygous type (HoFH). Objective: The aim of this review is to discuss the safety and efficacy of combination treatments (procedures and drugs) for HoFH. Results: Historically, liver transplantation was used first; however, it is current Read More

Protein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a serine protease primarily expressed in the liver, which represents the main source of the plasma enzyme. The best characterized function of PCSK9 relates to the binding to Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDL-R) in hepatocytes, increasing its endosomal and lysosomal degradation. This results in the inhibition of LDL-R recycling to the cell surface and therefore the Read More

Background: A combination therapy with PCSK9-inhibitors (PCSK9-I) and lipoprotein-apheresis (LA) may have synergistic effects on circulating lipid and lipoprotein levels, in particular in Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemic (HoFH) subjects. The relationships between the above mentioned novel therapeutic approaches as highly effective treatment option for Dyslipidemia in Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolaemic (He Read More

Background: Drugs mimicking natural beneficial mutations, including that for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), might represent the future of hypolipidemic drug treatment. Objective: The aim of this review is to review the properties and the effects of these drugs, which are either already commercially available or are in the process to be approved for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Results: More than a decade ago, it was Read More

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder that is characterized by substantially increased Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Patients with FH have a significantly higher risk for Cardiovascular (CV) events, and the timely reduction of LDL-C is of paramount importance to ameliorate the risk for CV disease. Among the available lipid-lowering therapies, the n Read More

Background: Statin treatment exhibits a beneficial effect on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and on cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with NAFLD. Objective: The aim of this review is to summarize the role of proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type- 9(PCSK9) in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and discuss the effects of the new hypolipidaemic drugs PCSK9 inhibitors on NAFLD. Results: Data indicates that Read More

Background: Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) is a major Cardiovascular (CV) risk factor. Accumulating evidence supports a linear association between LDL-C levels and CV risk. However, the lower limit of LDL-C that might offer CV benefits without any safety concerns is still a topic of debate. Objective: The purpose of this review is to present the safety of reducing LDL-C to low levels as it comes from major lipi Read More

Background: Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a genetically determined lipid disorder, affecting 1 per 200-500 individuals in the general population. It is significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), although it remains still an underrecognized and undertreated disease. Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-like molecule, containing an addition Read More

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a hereditary genetic disorder predisposing in premature atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications. Early diagnosis as well as effective treatment strategies in affected children are challenges among experts. Universal screening and cascade screening among families with familial hypercholesterolemia are being controversially discussed. Diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia in chil Read More

MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs with key roles in gene expression. It has been revealed that aberrant expression of microRNAs is related to gene expression abnormality, and they have the potential to be used as anti-cancer drugs. However, the delivery of microRNAs is limited due to barriers, such as low uptake and insufficient endosomal release, intracellular nucleases degradation, phagocytic elimination, and renal fil Read More

Advanced nanomaterials indubitably represent one of the most propitious class of new materials due to their intriguing optical, electronic and redox properties. The incredible progress achieved in this research area has been propelled by the development of novel synthetic procedures owing to the emergence of nanotechnology and by the wide range of applications. These nanostructured materials possess high surface area, bi Read More

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were conducted to determine the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on metabolic profiles of patients diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Methods: Two independent reviewers systematically searched online databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases, Scopus, EMBA Read More