0000000000563931
AUTHOR
Sandrine Lecour
Circadian rhythms in ischaemic heart disease
Abstract Circadian rhythms are internal regulatory processes controlled by molecular clocks present in essentially every mammalian organ that temporally regulate major physiological functions. In the cardiovascular system, the circadian clock governs heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac metabolism, contractility, and coagulation. Recent experimental and clinical studies highlight the possible importance of circadian rhythms in the pathophysiology, outcome, or treatment success of cardiovascular disease, including ischaemic heart disease. Disturbances in circadian rhythms are associated with increased cardiovascular risk and worsen outcome. Therefore, it is important to consider circadian rhy…
Identification and role of inflammatory oxygen free radicals in cardiac ischemia and reperfusion injury
Prolonged myocardial ischemia results in a variety of severe cellular, metabolic and ultra-structural damages. It is therefore generally accepted that reperfusion is an absolute prerequisite for the survival of ischemic tissue. However, reperfusion may precipitate arrhythmias, cause myocardial stunning and accelerate necrotic process. Oxygen free radicals have been suggested as possible mediators of reperfusioninduced injury and there is circumstantial evidence that supports this hypothesis. Indirect evidence in support of this concept derives from studies in which antioxidant enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, free radical scavengers and iron chelators are able to protect against reperfusion inju…
Influence of mental stress and environmental toxins on circadian clocks : implications for redox regulation of the heart and cardioprotection
Risk factors in the environment such as air pollution and mental stress contribute to the development of chronic non-communicable disease. Air pollution was identified as the leading health risk factor in the physical environment, followed by water pollution, soil pollution/heavy metals/chemicals and occupational exposures, however neglecting the non-chemical environmental health risk factors (e.g. mental stress and noise). Epidemiological data suggest that environmental risk factors are associated with higher risk for cardiovascular, metabolic and mental diseases, including hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction, diabetes, arrhythmia, stroke, depression and anxiety disorders. W…