Search results for "inflammation"

Oxidative stress in ciliated nasal epithelial cells from patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia

2016

Background: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare disorder characterized by dysfunction of respiratory cilia and impaired mucociliary clearance leading to recurrent airway infection and chronic inflammation appearing in childhood. Rationale and aims: Chronic inflammation has been associated to oxidative stress (OS). Moreover, evidence of increased OS in the airways of stable children with PCD has been shown (Zihlif, N. et al . Pediatr Pulmonol 2006; 41:509-14). We hypothesize that OS would be increased in ciliated nasal epithelial cells (CNEC) from patients with PCD. This study was aimed to assess the OS profile in CNEC isolated from children with PCD. Methods: CNEC were obtained from …

SUBFRACTIONS AND SUBPOPULATIONS OF HDL: AN UPDATE

2014

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are classified as atheroprotective because they are involved in transport of cholesterol to the liver, known as "reverse cholesterol transport (RCT)" exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. There is also evidence for cytoprotective, vasodilatory, antithrombotic, and anti-infectious activities for these lipoproteins. HDLs are known by structural, metabolic and biologic heterogeneity. Thus, different methods are able to distinguish several subclasses of HDL. Different separation techniques appear to support different HDL fractions as being atheroprotective or related with lower cardiovascular (CV) risk. However, HDL particles are not always prote…

1.12 C-Reactive Protein is Associated with Aortic Stiffness Independently of Microalbuminuria in Essential Hypertension

2008

European Society of Hypertension Working Group on Obesity Obesity-induced hypertension and target organ damage: current knowledge and future directio…

2009

Physical Activity in Polluted Air—Net Benefit or Harm to Cardiovascular Health? A Comprehensive Review

2021

Both exposure to higher levels of polluted air and physical inactivity are crucial risk factors for the development and progression of major noncommunicable diseases and, in particular, of cardiovascular disease. In this context, the World Health Organization estimated 4.2 and 3.2 million global deaths per year in response to ambient air pollution and insufficient physical activity, respectively. While regular physical activity is well known to improve general health, it may also increase the uptake and deposit of air pollutants in the lungs/airways and circulation, due to increased breathing frequency and minute ventilation, thus increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Thus, determi…

Damage-associated molecular pattern activated Toll-like receptor 4 signalling modulates blood pressure in L-NAME-induced hypertension

2013

Aims Recent publications have shed new light on the role of the adaptive and innate immune system in the pathogenesis of hypertension. However, there are limited data whether receptors of the innate immune system may influence blood pressure. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a pattern recognition receptor, is a key component of the innate immune system, which is activated by exogenous and endogenous ligands. Hypertension is associated with end-organ damage and thus might lead to the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which are endogenous activators of TLR4 receptors. The present study aimed to elucidate whether TLR4 signalling is able to modulate vascular contractility in …

Anxiety, depression, chronic inflammation and aortic stiffness in Crohn's disease: the brain--gut--vascular axis.

2020

Background Patients with Crohn's disease have an increased aortic stiffness, a known cardiovascular risk factor. Anxiety, a key factor of the brain--gut axis in patients with Crohn's disease, is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of the disease, and is linked with aortic stiffening in other clinical settings. Objectives Considering that depression is frequently linked to anxiety in Crohn's disease, we performed a mediation analysis to reveal the potential link between anxiety, depression and aortic stiffness in these patients. Methods Multicentre observational cross-sectional study of 86 consecutive patients with Crohn's disease and 86 matched control individuals. The connection…

The non-neuronal cholinergic system in humans: expression, function and pathophysiology.

2003

Acetylcholine, a prime example of a neurotransmitter, has been detected in bacteria, algae, protozoa, and primitive plants, indicating an extremely early appearance in the evolutionary process (about 3 billion years). In humans, acetylcholine and/or the synthesizing enzyme, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), have been found in epithelial cells (airways, alimentary tract, urogenital tract, epidermis), mesothelial (pleura, pericardium), endothelial, muscle and immune cells (mononuclear cells, granulocytes, alveolar macrophages, mast cells). The widespread expression of non-neuronal acetylcholine is accompanied by the ubiquitous presence of cholinesterase and receptors (nicotinic, muscarinic). …

Quantitative and Qualitative Platelet Derangements in Cardiac Surgery and Extracorporeal Life Support

2021

Thrombocytopenia and impaired platelet function are known as intrinsic drawbacks of cardiac surgery and extracorporeal life supports (ECLS). A number of different factors influence platelet count and function including the inflammatory response to a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) or to ECLS, hemodilution, hypothermia, mechanical damage and preoperative treatment with platelet-inhibiting agents. Moreover, although underestimated, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is still a hiccup in the perioperative management of cardiac surgical and, above all, ECLS patients. Moreover, recent investigations have highlighted how platelet disorders also affect patients undergoing biological prosthesis implanta…

Coronavirus disease 2019 in chronic kidney disease

2020

Abstract The clinical spectrum of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe pneumonia with respiratory failure and even death. More severe cases with higher mortality have been reported in older patients and in those with chronic illness such as hypertension, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases. In this regard, patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a higher rate of all-type infections and cardiovascular disease than the general population. A markedly altered immune system and immunosuppressed state may predispose CKD patients to infectious complications. Likewise, they have a state of chronic systemic inflammation that may increase …