Search results for "ASC"
showing 10 items of 14117 documents
Familial hypercholesterolemia: The Italian Atherosclerosis Society Network (LIPIGEN)
2017
Background and aims: Primary dyslipidemias are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by abnormal levels of circulating lipoproteins. Among them, familial hypercholesterolemia is the most common lipid disorder that predisposes for premature cardiovascular disease. We set up an Italian nationwide network aimed at facilitating the clinical and genetic diagnosis of genetic dyslipidemias named LIPIGEN (LIpid TransPort Disorders Italian GEnetic Network). Methods: Observational, multicenter, retrospective and prospective study involving about 40 Italian clinical centers. Genetic testing of the appropriate candidate genes at one of six molecular diagnostic laboratories serving as nationw…
Genetics and pathophysiology of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and its main autoantigen proteinase 3.
2016
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a severe autoimmune disease and one of the small vessel anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides. Although its etiology and pathophysiology are still widely unknown, it is accepted that infections, environmental factors, epigenetic modifications, and a genetic predisposition provide the basis for this systemic disorder. GPA typically evolves into two phases: an initial phase characterized by ear, nose and throat (ENT) manifestations, such as chronic sinusitis and otitis, ulceration of the oral cavity and pharynx, as well as pulmonary nodules and a severe generalized phase, defined by the occurrence of rapidly progressive g…
Palmitoylethanolamide Promotes a Proresolving Macrophage Phenotype and Attenuates Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation
2018
Objective— Palmitoylethanolamide is an endogenous fatty acid mediator that is synthetized from membrane phospholipids by N -acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D. Its biological actions are primarily mediated by PPAR-α (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α) and the orphan receptor GPR55. Palmitoylethanolamide exerts potent anti-inflammatory actions but its physiological role and promise as a therapeutic agent in chronic arterial inflammation, such as atherosclerosis remain unexplored. Approach and Results— First, the polarization of mouse primary macrophages towards a proinflammatory phenotype was found to reduce N -acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D expression …
Cardiomyocyte proliferation prevents failure in pressure overload but not volume overload
2017
Induction of the cell cycle is emerging as an intervention to treat heart failure. Here, we tested the hypothesis that enhanced cardiomyocyte renewal in transgenic mice expressing cyclin D2 would be beneficial during hemodynamic overload. We induced pressure overload by transthoracic aortic constriction (TAC) or volume overload by aortocaval shunt in cyclin D2-expressing and WT mice. Although cyclin D2 expression dramatically improved survival following TAC, it did not confer a survival advantage to mice following aortocaval shunt. Cardiac function decreased following TAC in WT mice, but was preserved in cyclin D2-expressing mice. On the other hand, cardiac structure and function were compr…
Guanxin Danshen Formulation Protects against Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury-Induced Left Ventricular Remodeling by Upregulating Estrogen Rece…
2017
Background: Guanxin Danshen formulation (GXDSF) is a traditional Chinese herbal recipe recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia since 1995 edition, which consists of Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma and Dalbergiae odoriferae Lignum. Our previous research suggested GXDSF had positive effect on cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of GXDSF on myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury-induced left ventricular remodelling (MIRI-LVR). Methods: The effects of GXDSF on cardiac function were detected by haemodynamics and echocardiograms. The effects of GXDSF on biochemical parameters (AST, LDH and CK-MB) were analysed. H…
Protective Role for LPA3 in Cardiac Hypertrophy Induced by Myocardial Infarction but Not by Isoproterenol
2017
Background: We previously reported that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) promoted cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro via one of its G protein-coupled receptor subtypes, LPA3. In this study, we examined the role of LPA3 in cardiac hypertrophy induced by isoproterenol (ISO) and myocardial infarction. Methods: In vitro, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) were subjected to LPA3 knocked-down, or pretreated with a β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) antagonist (propranolol) before LPA/ISO treatment. Cardiomyocyte size and hypertrophic gene (ANP, BNP) mRNA levels were determined. In vivo, LPA3-/- and wild-type mice were implanted subcutaneously with an osmotic mini-pump containing ISO or vehicle for 2 weeks;…
Homozygous Resistance to Thyroid Hormone β: Can Combined Antithyroid Drug and Triiodothyroacetic Acid Treatment Prevent Cardiac Failure?
2017
Resistance to thyroid hormone β (RTHβ) due to homozygous THRB defects is exceptionally rare, with only five kindreds reported worldwide. Cardiac dysfunction, which can be life-threatening, is recognized in the disorder. Here we describe the clinical, metabolic, ophthalmic, and cardiac findings in a 9-year-old boy harboring a biallelic THRB mutation (R243Q), along with biochemical, physiologic, and cardiac responses to carbimazole and triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC) therapy. The patient exhibits recognized features (goiter, nonsuppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, upper respiratory tract infections, hyperactivity, low body mass index) of heterozygous RTHβ, with additional characteri…
Cardioprotection and natural polyphenols: An update of clinical and experimental studies
2018
Myocardial ischemia is the leading cause of death worldwide. Despite better outcomes with early coronary artery reperfusion strategies, morbidity and mortality remain significant. The principal myocardial hallmark of myocardial ischemia is cell death and the associated impairment of cardiac contractility. In this way, the use of extracts from medicinal plants versus synthetic drugs to mitigate post-ischemic damage constitutes an alternative. Despite their proven beneficial effects in cardiovascular disorders, the use of many plants is questioned. Our aim is to update the clinical and experimental studies about the actions of medicinal plants and polyphenol-enriched extracts against ischemia…
Pathophysiology of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): A Review on Oxidative Disorders
2020
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic disease that affects a wide range of the world’s population, reaching up to 200 million individuals worldwide. PAD particularly affects elderly individuals (>65 years old). PAD is often underdiagnosed or underestimated, although specificity in diagnosis is shown by an ankle/brachial approach, and the high cardiovascular event risk that affected the PAD patients. A number of pathophysiologic pathways operate in chronic arterial ischemia of lower limbs, giving the possibility to improve therapeutic strategies and the outcome of patients. This review aims to provide a well detailed description of such fundamental issues as physical exe…
CD40/CD40L and Related Signaling Pathways in Cardiovascular Health and Disease—The Pros and Cons for Cardioprotection
2020
The CD40–CD40 ligand (CD40L) dyad represents a scientific and clinical field that has raised many controversies in the past and cannot be clearly defined as being an either beneficial or harmful pathway. Being crucially involved in physiological immunological processes as well as pathological inflammatory reactions, the signaling pathway has been recognized as a key player in the development of both autoimmune and cardiovascular disease. Even though the possibilities of a therapeutic approach to the dyad were recognized decades ago, due to unfortunate events, detailed in this review, pharmacological treatment targeting the dyad, especially in patients suffering from atherosclerosis, is not …