Vascular Disease Prevention (Discontinued) - Volume 5, Issue 1, 2008

In cultured human macrophages, apolipoprotein(a) (apo(a)), has pro-inflammatory properties attributable to the presence of oxidized phosphatidylcholine (ox-PC) in kringle V. In the plasma, apo(a) is linked to apoB100 and contains ox-PC, whereas in the artery plaque, the status of apo(a) is unknown. To this effect we have studied the properties of blood-derived apo(a) in the human carotid plaque. Subjects having ei Read More

Coronary revascularization procedures (coronary artery bypass graft - CABG surgery, percutaneous coronary intervention - PCI) are widely used in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). By assessing myocardial perfusion, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) aids the diagnosis of CAD and patient risk stratification, providing useful information regarding the decision abo Read More

Background: The positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and type 2 diabetes (DM) is well established. Data on the clinical resolution of DM through diet-induced weight loss, however, are limited. Objective: Examine the relationship between BMI reduction and resolution of type 2 DM using a medically-monitored, behavior modification, weight-management program involving low-calorie, meal replacement diets in obes Read More

Atherosclerosis, a major vascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), is a chronic inflammatory disease with increased glycoxidative stress in response to cellular and systemic glucose overload and lipid retention in the vessel wall. Glycoxidative modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered as a major causative factor of accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetic patients. Since atherogenesis starts Read More

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a pleiotropic cytokine, which plays a neuroprotective role. Immune abnormalities have a close relationship with cerebral palsy (CP) development. Our aim was to investigate the roles of EPO and inflammatory cytokines in CP development. Serum samples of 31 CP patients (mean age 5.2 years, range 0 to 10 years), 37 neonates who suffered asphyxia and/or infection (mean age 6.3 days, range 0 to Read More

Saphenous vein (SV) is an excellent conduit for revascularization, especially for patients with multi-vessel coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease. However, its patency is limited in comparison with arterial grafts. Vein graft occlusion is the result of intimal hyperplasia and accelerated development of atherosclerosis, a cellular response triggered by surgical trauma, hypoxia, and increased wall stress. Never Read More

Hypertension is considered as one of the major cardiovascular risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial vasculature. Chronic activation of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) and enhanced oxidative stress are characteristic features of both, hypertension and atherosclerosis. In fact, Angiotensin II, the effector peptide of the RAS is a central mediator of vasoconstrictor an Read More

Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO) is the most common visually disabling disease affecting the retina after diabetic retinopathy. Although the disease entity has long been known, its management is still controversial. Macular edema is the main reason for decreased visual acuity in RVO. Recently the vitreous cavity has increasingly been used as a reservoir of drugs for the direct treatment of macular edema through intravitreal inj Read More