We describe how innate and adaptive immune cascades trigger the release of cytokines and chemokines, resulting in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. We discuss how cytokines have direct and indirect effects on myocardial function.
Atherosclerosis is the predominant underlying pathology of cardiovascular disease...atherosclerotic lesions are characterized by abundance of immune cells and their effector molecules, eventually leading to unstable angina, myocardial infarction, or strok
The cellular and extracellular matrix accumulations that comprise the lesions of atherosclerosis are driven by local release of cytokines at sites of predilection for lesion formation, and by the specific attraction and activation of cells expressing rece
Exposure to secondhand smoke leads to inflammation and oxidation, representing another pathophysiologic mechanism for the development of atherosclerosis.
Statins may act on an enzyme called endothelial nitric oxide synthase, which stimulates nitric oxide production. Increased nitric oxide has anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting effects...
Researchers said today they have identified the mechanism of action of lipoic acid, a remarkable compound that in animal experiments appears to slow down the process of aging, improve blood flow, enhance immune function and perform many other functions.
Dr. Noboru Ashida, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawaramachi, Shogoin Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan. Voice +81-75-751-3465; fax: +81-75-751-3574; ash@kuhp.kyoto.u.ac.jp.
Women and Heart Disease The Role of Diabetes and Hyperglycemia Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, MD; Elsa-Grace V. Giardina, MD; Anselm K. Gitt, MD; Uwe Gudat, MD; Helmut O. Steinberg, MD; Diethelm Tschoepe, MD Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:934-942.
In postmenopausal women with relatively low total fat intake, a greater saturated fat intake is associated with less progression of coronary atherosclerosis, whereas carbohydrate intake is associated with a greater progression.
Surgery does not deal with the basic molecular foundation of disease. It is a mechanical approach to a biologic problem. For those of us who are considered experts in the areas of coronary disease, what an embarrassment to admit that coronary artery disea
The morbidity, mortality, expense and transient benefits of a high technology approach toward the coronary disease epidemic, has failed. It is time to realize that the answer to a faulty lifestyle epidemic is not drugs and technology – it is lifestyle.