High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Statin Initiation
The assessment of cardiovascular risk and treatment of cardiovascular diseases are major public health issues worldwide. Inflammation is now recognized as a key regulatory process that links multiple risk factors for atherosclerosis. The substantial number of patients having cardiovascular events lack commonly established risk factors. The utility of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a circulating biomarker related to inflammation, may provide additional information in risk prediction. This review will consider the impact of hsCRP level on initiation of statin therapy.
Anti-atherogenic Effects of 17β-Estradiol
Estrogens are secreted primarily by the ovaries and placenta, by the testes in men and also produced by peripheral steroidogenic conversion. The 3 major naturally occurring estrogens are: 17β-estradiol (E2), estrone and estriol, of which E2 is the predominant and most active. The actions of E2 are mediated by at least 3 different receptors - the classical ERs (ERα and ERβ) and G-protein coupled receptor 30 (GPR30). E2 signaling in cardiomyocytes involves ERα- and ERβ-independent pathways, and treatment with the E2 receptor antagonists (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators- SERMs), which are agonists of GPR30, inhibits cardiac cell growth. Effects of E2 in preventing endothelial dysfunctio…