Current Vascular Pharmacology - Volume 18, Issue 1, 2020

Cigarette smoking is one of the most important health concerns worldwide. Even though the rate of smoking is declining in developed countries, it is still experiencing growth in developing regions. Many studies have examined the relationship between smoking, as an established risk factor, and cardiovascular diseases. We provide an updated review of the underlying mechanisms of smokinginduced cardiovascular diseases, with Read More

A considerable amount of data supports a 1.8-7.4-fold increased mortality associated with Cushing’s syndrome (CS). This is attributed to a high occurrence of several cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in CS [e.g. adiposity, arterial hypertension (AHT), dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)]. Therefore, practically all patients with CS have the metabolic syndrome (MetS), which represents a high CVD risk. Char Read More

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), largely represented by Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), alter gastrointestinal physiology and mucosal immunity through a complex inflammatory process. These diseases can lead to significant arterial endothelial dysfunction. There is also evidence linking IBD with a modification of cardiac structure and function. A growing body of research has associated IBD with an accele Read More

Arterial stiffness (AS) is considered an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Among lipid lowering drugs, statins have a beneficial effect on AS, independent of their hypolipidaemic effect. Based on 3 meta-analyses and other studies, this effect is compound- and doserelated. Potent statins at high doses are more effective than less powerful statins. Ezetimibe (± statin) also seems to decrease AS in Read More

Objective: To study the distribution of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms and protein levels in human haemorrhoids and rectal tissue. Methods: Protein expression of NOS1, NOS2 and NOS3 was compared between haemorrhoids (n=14) and normal rectal submucosa (n=6) using Western blot analysis. The localisation of all NOS isoforms to specific structures was determined by immunohistochemistry. Results: Western blot anal Read More

Background: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and distal symmetrical sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) are serious microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Their simultaneous development remains disputable. The aim of the present study was to examine the correlation between CAN and the presence/severity of DSPN in DM. Methods: Subjects with type 1 (group A: n=51; mean age 40.4 years Read More

Aim: To determine the prevalence, genetic characteristics, current management and outcomes of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) in the Gulf region. Methods: Adult (18-70 years) FH patients were recruited from 9 hospitals and centres across 5 Arabian Gulf countries. The study was divided into 4 phases and included patients from 3 different categories. In phase 1, suspected FH patients (category 1) were collected ac Read More

Background: The prevalence of traditional risk factors such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity are increasing in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Furthermore, outcomes after ACS are worse in patients with DM. The high prevalence of DM and an early age at onset of ACS have been described in prior publications from the Gulf Coast Database. Aims: We aimed to define the effect of DM on total mortality foll Read More

Background: Takayasu’s arteritis (TA) is a large-vessel vasculitis that predominantly affects the aorta, pulmonary artery, and its main branches. The cause of TA is still unclear. Objective: To identify the clinical characteristics of TA at onset in different patient groups. Methods: The clinical manifestations, laboratory, and angiographic findings of 53 patients with TA based on age at onset and sex were retrospectively analyse Read More

Background: Angiotensin II is a potent activator of the Rho-kinase (ROCK) pathway, through which it exerts some of its adverse vasoconstrictor effects. Clinical evidence on the effects of blocking the angiotensin II receptor 1 on ROCK activity in hypertensive patients is scarce. Objective: To demonstrate that ROCK activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBCs) in patients with essential hypertension is reduced earlier Read More

Objective: To analyze characteristics, management and outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) receiving chronic oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy enrolled in the EPICOR (long-tErm follow-uP of antithrombotic management patterns In acute CORonary syndrome patients) prospective, international, observational study of antithrombotic management patterns in ACS survivors (NCT01171404). Meth Read More