Search results for "dysfunction"

BIOMARKERS OF CORONARY MICROVASCULAR DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH MICROVASCULAR ANGINA: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

2021

The current gold standard for diagnosis of coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in the absence of myocardial diseases, whose clinical manifestation is microvascular angina (MVA), is reactivity testing using adenosine or acetylcholine during coronary angiography. This invasive test can be difficult to perform, expensive, and harmful. The identification of easily obtainable blood biomarkers which reflect the pathophysiology of CMD, characterized by high reliability, precision, accuracy, and accessibility may reduce risks and costs related to invasive procedures and even facilitate the screening and diagnosis of CMD. In this review, we summarized the results of several studies that have i…

Modeling of Myotonic Dystrophy Cardiac Phenotypes in Drosophila

2018

After respiratory distress, cardiac dysfunction is the second most common cause of fatality associated with the myotonic dystrophy (DM) disease. Despite the prevalance of heart failure in DM, physiopathological studies on heart symptoms have been relatively scarce because few murine models faithfully reproduce the cardiac disease. Consequently, only a small number of candidate compounds have been evaluated in this specific phenotype. To help cover this gap Drosophila combines the amenability of its invertebrate genetics with the possibility of quickly acquiring physiological parameters suitable for meaningful comparisons with vertebrate animal models and humans. Here we review available des…

Nutraceuticals as an Important Part of Combination Therapy in Dyslipidaemia

2017

Several risk factors such as abnormality of lipid metabolism (e.g. high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), elevated triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)) play a central role in the aetiology of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nutraceutical combination together with a cholesterol- lowering action, when associated with suitable lifestyle, should furnish an alternative to pharmacotherapy in patients reporting statin-intolerance and in subjects at low cardiovascular risk. The present review is focused on nutraceuticals and their synergetic combinations demonstrating a beneficial effect in the management of dyslipidaemia. Several nutraceu…

Paraoxonase-2 regulates coagulation activation through endothelial tissue factor

2017

Oxidative stress and inflammation of the vessel wall contribute to prothrombotic states. The antioxidative protein paraoxonase-2 (PON2) shows reduced expression in human atherosclerotic plaques and endothelial cells in particular. Supporting a direct role for PON2 in cardiovascular diseases, Pon2 deficiency in mice promotes atherogenesis through incompletely understood mechanisms. Here, we show that deregulated redox regulation in Pon2 deficiency causes vascular inflammation and abnormalities in blood coagulation. In unchallenged Pon2-/- mice, we find increased oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Bone marrow transplantation experiments and studies with endothelial cells provide ev…

Lipoproteins in atherosclerosis process

2019

Background:Dyslipidaemias is a recognized risk factor for atherosclerosis, however, new evidence brought to light by trials investigating therapies to enhance HDLcholesterol have suggested an increased atherosclerotic risk when HDL-C is high.Results:Several studies highlight the central role in atherosclerotic disease of dysfunctional lipoproteins; oxidised LDL-cholesterol is an important feature, according to “oxidation hypothesis”, of atherosclerotic lesion, however, there is today a growing interest for dysfunctional HDL-cholesterol. The target of our paper is to review the functions of modified and dysfunctional lipoproteins in atherogenesis.Conclusion:Taking into account the central ro…

Genetics and Gene Therapy of Anderson-Fabry Disease.

2018

Fabry's disease is a genetic disorder of X-linked inheritance caused by mutations in the alpha galactosidase A gene resulting in deficiency of this lysosomal enzyme. The progressive accumulation of glycosphingolipids, caused by the inadequate enzymatic activity, is responsible of organ dysfunction and thus of clinical manifestations. In the presence of a high clinical suspicion, a careful physical examination and specific laboratory tests are required, finally diagnosis of Fabry's disease is confirmed by the demonstration of absence or reduced alpha-galactosidase A enzyme activity in hemizygous men and gene typing in heterozygous females; in fact the performance of enzymatic activity assay …

How can dementia and disability be prevented in older adults: where are we today and where are we going?

2021

Abstract Ageing of the population, together with population growth, has brought along an ample increase in the number of older individuals living with dementia and disabilities. Dementia is the main cause of disability in old age, and promoting healthy brain ageing is considered as a key element in diminishing the burden of age‐related disabilities. The World Health Organization recently launched the first risk reduction guidelines for cognitive impairment and dementia. According to recent estimates, approximately 40% of dementia cases worldwide could be attributable to 12 modifiable risk factors: low education; midlife hypertension and obesity; diabetes, smoking, excessive alcohol use, phy…

2020

Aging is the major risk factor for the development of chronic diseases. After decades of research focused on extending lifespan, current efforts seek primarily to promote healthy aging. Recent advances suggest that biological processes linked to aging are more reliable than chronological age to account for an individual’s functional status, i.e. frail or robust. It is becoming increasingly apparent that biological aging may be detectable as a progressive loss of resilience much earlier than the appearance of clinical signs of frailty. In this context, the INSPIRE program was built to identify the mechanisms of accelerated aging and the early biological signs predicting frailty and pathologi…

Environmental Factors Such as Noise and Air Pollution and Vascular Disease

2020

Significance: According to the World Health Organization, noncommunicable diseases are the globally leading cause of mortality. Recent Advances: About 71% of 56 million deaths that occurred worldwide are due to noncommunicable cardiovascular risk factors, including tobacco smoking, unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, overweight, arterial hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia, which can be either avoided or substantially reduced. Critical Issues: Thus, it is estimated that 80% of premature heart disease, stroke, and diabetes can be prevented. More recent evidence indicates that environmental stressors such as noise and air pollution contribute significantly to the global b…

The Role of JAK/STAT Molecular Pathway in Vascular Remodeling Associated with Pulmonary Hypertension

2021

Pulmonary hypertension is defined as a group of diseases characterized by a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), which leads to right ventricular failure and premature death. There are multiple clinical manifestations that can be grouped into five different types. Pulmonary artery remodeling is a common feature in pulmonary hypertension (PH) characterized by endothelial dysfunction and smooth muscle pulmonary artery cell proliferation. The current treatments for PH are limited to vasodilatory agents that do not stop the progression of the disease. Therefore, there is a need for new agents that inhibit pulmonary artery remodeling targeting the main genetic, molecular,…