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Vascular Toxicity of Chemotherapeutic Agents.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Cancer chemotherapy is not free of undesirable side effects. With respect to the cardiovascular system, cardiotoxicity is a well-described and potentially lethal side effect of certain chemotherapeutic agents, such as anthracyclines. However, in the last few years, several clinical studies have taken into account the fact that some non-anthracycline chemotherapy treated-patients also have a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events. The exact mechanism of this toxicity is not known, and several possibilities, including vascular autonomic neuropathy and vascular damage, have been proposed. The aim of the pre...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - September 18, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: López-Miranda V, Herradón E, González C, Martín MI Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Personalized Medicine in Psoriasis: Concept and Applications.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Personalized medicine is a new treatment modality where patients are the center of interest. Thus, one drug does not fit all; rather we look for a drug which fits the individual patients' disease. Treatment is moving towards molecular medicine driven by the growing knowledge and understanding of pharmacogenetics. Psoriasis is a common dermatological disease characterized by genetic polymorphism. The association of biomarkers and psoriasis is helpful to evaluate susceptibility to the disease, its severity and its progression. Additionally, the response to treatment will be anticipated. The growing expenses of health car...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - September 18, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Al-Hoqail IA Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Dyslipidaemia in Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Role of Inflammation, Drugs, Lifestyle and Genetic Factors.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) associates with excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, resulting in significantly shortened lifespan. Traditional risk factors (e.g. dyslipidaemia and hypertension) and novel risk factors (e.g. systemic inflammation) contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in RA. In the general population, dyslipidaemia has been found to be central to the development of CVD, playing an important role in all stages of atherosclerotic plaque formation. In RA, lipid metabolism may be altered by systemic inflammation, environmental lifestyle factors, drug therapy and several genetic f...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - September 18, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Toms TE, Symmons DP, Kitas GD Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporters in Fetal Endothelial Dysfunction in Diabetes Mellitus and Hyperglycaemia.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2, and gestational diabetes are characterized by abnormal D-glucose metabolism and hyperglycaemia, and induce foetal endothelial dysfunction with implications in adult life increasing the risk of vascular diseases. Synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) and uptake of L-arginine (i.e. the L-arginine/NO signalling pathway) and adenosine (a vasoactive endogenous nucleoside) by the umbilical vein endothelium is altered in pathological pregnancies, including pregnancies with pre-established diabetes mellitus or in gestational diabetes. The mechanisms underlying these alterations include differential ex...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Westermeier F, Puebla C, Vega JL, Farías M, Escudero C, Casanello P, Sobrevia L Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Nucleoside Transporter Proteins.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Concentrative nucleoside transporters (CNT; SLC28) and equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENT; SLC29) mediate the uptake of natural nucleosides and a variety of nucleoside-derived drugs, mostly used in anticancer therapy. SLC28 and SLC29 families consist in three and four members, respectively, which differ in their substrate selectivity and their energy requirements. Tissue distribution of these transporters is not homogeneous among tissues, and their expression can be regulated. In epithelia, CNT and ENT proteins are mostly localized in the apical and basolateral membranes, respectively, which results in nucleosi...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Molina-Arcas M, Casado FJ, Pastor-Anglada M Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Glucose Transporters in Sex Steroid Hormone Related Cancer.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Cancer cells, as with most mammalian cells, depend on a continuous supply of glucose; not only as a precursor of glycoproteins, triglycerides and glycogen, but also as an important source of energy. This review concentrates on GLUT transporter expression in both normal and cancerous classical sex-steroid hormone tissues (i.e. breast, uterus, ovary, testis and prostate, among others). Given the importance of estrogen, progesterone and androgens in carcinogenesis, as well as in survival and propagation of these cancers, this review also highlights the current literature on hormone regulation of glucose transporters and o...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Nualart F, Los Angeles García M, Medina RA, Owen GI Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Do Adenosine Receptors Offer New Therapeutic Options for Diabetic Nephropathy?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Diabetes mellitus is currently considered to be an epidemic disease. Approximately a third of individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes develop persistent albuminuria, lose renal function, and are at increased risk of cardiovascular and other microvascular complications. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the primary cause of end stage renal disease throughout the world. Microvascular dysfunction in the glomerulus appears as an early pathogenic event in progression of this renal complication. In recent years, studies with animal knockout (KO) models have revealed that uncoupling of the vascular endothelial growth factor/ni...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Martín RS, Valladares D, Roa H, Troncoso E, Sobrevia L Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

The role of Trophoblast Nutrient and Ion Transporters in the Development of Pregnancy Complications and Adult Disease.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and fetal overgrowth occur in 15% of all pregnancies and lead to the delivery of a baby with an abnormally low or high birth weight, respectively. Both these conditions of pathological fetal growth increase the risk for perinatal complications and predispose the baby for the development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in childhood and later in life. Fetal growth is closely related to the capacity of the placenta to transport nutrients and ions, which is dependent of the expression and activity of specific transporter proteins in the plasma membrane of the syncytiotrophoblas...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Jansson T, Myatt L, Powell TL Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Insulin Action on the Human Placental Endothelium in Normal and Diabetic Pregnancy.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The placental endothelium is unique among the entire human vasculature. The blood enriched in oxygen and nutrients is transported in the veins, whereas the arteries contain deoxygenated blood coming from the fetus. The placental vasculature has to develop rapidly to ensure adequate supply of the fetus. Therefore, factors present in the fetal circulation will stimulate placental angiogenesis. In the third trimester of pregnancy the placental endothelium is richly endowed with insulin receptors. In a pregnancy complicated by maternal diabetes, fetal hyperinsulinemia resulting from maternal and, hence, fetal hyperglycaemi...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Hiden U, Lang I, Ghaffari-Tabrizi N, Gauster M, Lang U, Desoye G Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Epigenetics: New Concepts of Old Phenomena in Vascular Physiology.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The hypothesis of 'Developmental Origins of Health and Disease' (DOHaD) relies on the presence of mechanisms sensing and signalling a diversity of stimuli during fetal development. The mechanisms that have been broadly suggested to be involved in these processes are the epigenetic modifications that could 'record' perinatal stimuli. Since the definition of epigenetic and the associated mechanisms are conflictive, in this review epigenetic was defined as 'chromosome-based mechanisms that can change the phenotypic plasticity in a cell or organism'. The most understood epigenetic mechanisms (i.e. DNA methylation, histone ...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Krause B, Sobrevia L, Casanello P Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Dysfunctions of the Diffusional Membrane Pathways Mediated by Hemichannels in Inherited and Acquired Human Diseases.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Connexins and pannexins comprise 2 families of transmembrane proteins ubiquitously distributed in vertebrates. Most cell types express more than 1 connexin or pannexin. Members of the same protein family form homo- or hetero-hexamers termed hemichannels. Hemichannels are pathways for the transmembrane diffusional exchange of ions and small molecules. Several human genetic diseases are associated with connexin mutants that may form hemichannels with increased or reduced activity. Pro-inflammatory conditions of different duration and/or intensity can lead to acute or chronic increase in hemichannel activity. Non-lethal s...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Schalper KA, Orellana JA, Berthoud VM, Sáez JC Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

A Role for Insulin on L-Arginine Transport in Fetal Endothelial Dysfunction in Hyperglycaemia.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Endothelial cells are key in the regulation of vascular tone through the release of vasoactive molecules, including nitric oxide (NO). NO is a gas synthesized from the cationic amino acid L-arginine via the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). The semi-essential amino acid L-arginine is a taken up by endothelial cells via systems y(+) and y(+)L in primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). System y(+) is a family of membrane transporters including at least five transport systems for cationic amino acids (CAT) of which HUVEC express human CAT-1 (hCAT-1) and hCAT-2B. Exposure of HUVEC to high extracel...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: González M, Sobrevia L Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Regulation of the Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Pit-1 and its Role in Vascular Calcification.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Vascular calcification is caused by the deposition of basic calcium phosphate crystals in blood vessels, myocardium, and/or cardiac valves. Calcification decreases artery wall compliance, and arterial calcification is associated to mortality in hyperphosphatemic renal failure and diabetes mellitus. The calcification of the tunica media characterizes the arteriosclerosis observed with age, diabetes and end stage-renal disease, and it can develop independently from intima calcification. As part of the vascular calcification mechanism, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) experience a transition from a contractile to an os...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Gonzalez M, Martínez R, Amador C, Michea L Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Potential cell Signalling Mechanisms Involved in Differential Placental Angiogenesis in Mild and Severe Pre-Eclampsia.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality is high in severe pre-eclampsia compared with mild pre-eclampsia and normotensive pregnancies. Causes for these fetal disturbances had been associated with iatrogenic prematurity and reduction in placental blood flow. Actual evidences suggest that in severe (early-onset) pre-eclampsia a reduction in placental angiogenesis could be a mechanism responsible for the reduced placental blood flow, while in mild (late-onset) pre-eclampsia normal placental blood flow could result from either no alteration or increased placental angiogenesis, or reduced vessel resistance. Since adenosi...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Escudero C, Puebla C, Westermeier F, Sobrevia L Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Basic Concepts of Nitric Oxide Physiology, Endothelial Dysfunction, Oxidative Stress and Therapeutic Possibilities.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The vascular manifestations associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) result from the dysfunction of several vascular physiology components mainly involving the endothelium, vascular smooth muscle and platelets. It is also known that hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress plays a role in the development of this dysfunction. This review considers the basic physiology of the endothelium, especially related to the synthesis and function of nitric oxide. We also discuss the pathophysiology of vascular disease associated with DM. This includes the role of hyperglycemia in the induction of oxidative stress and the role of advan...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Capellini VK, Celotto AC, Baldo CF, Olivon VC, Viaro F, Rodrigues AJ, Evora PR Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Impact of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone-System on Cardiovascular and Renal Complications in Diabetes Mellitus.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality because of its cardiovascular complications. It has been suggested that hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, glycation of proteins, oxidative stress, inflammation, and many other factors may be related to atherogenesis in diabetes. The metabolic abnormalities associated with diabetes lead to activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), with a subsequent increase of angiotensin II and aldosterone levels, which might alter the insulin signaling pathway and promote the formation of reactive oxygen species that induce endot...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Hayashi T, Takai S, Yamashita C Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Silence of the Limbs Pharmacological Symptomatic Treatment of Intermittent Claudication.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Several oral "vasoactive" drugs claim to increase walking capacity in patients with intermittent claudication (IC). Naftidrofuryl, cilostazol, buflomedil, and pentoxifylline are the most studied molecules. Although spanning several decades, several studies underlying these claims were not properly designed, underpowered or showed clinically doubtful outcomes. The evidence for these "vasoactive" drugs has always been received with scepticism, creating the need for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. This brief review discusses the benefit-risk assessment of vasoactive drugs, by applying a systematic review to evaluate...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: De Backer T, Stichele RV, De Buyzere M, De Backer G, Van Bortel L Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Targeting Platelet G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs): Looking Beyond Conventional GPCR Antagonism.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Platelets are key mediators of thrombosis. Drugs that interfere with platelet activation substantially improve survival in arterial thrombotic disease. One attractive family of drug targets which has already been exploited in the development of antiplatelet agents are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Yet limitations of present antiplatelet agents, including incomplete efficacy, bleeding and drug resistance, have spurred the development of new drugs directed at alternative platelet GPCRs. Compounds that target platelet receptors including P2Y(12), protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1), the thromboxane A(2) receptor (...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Dowal L, Flaumenhaft R Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

The Axis of Thrombospondin-1, Transforming Growth Factor Beta and Connective Tissue Growth Factor: An Emerging Therapeutic Target in Rheumatoid Arthritis.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) targets specific molecules that mediate and sustain the clinical manifestations of this complex illness. Compared with the general population, patients with RA die prematurely, in part due to associated cardiovascular disease. Even though the mechanisms by which premature atherosclerosis develops in RA is unknown, chronic inflammation may play a major role. This review connects current knowledge of the pathophysiology of RA with data available in the literature related to thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta and connective tissue growth factor ...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Rico MC, Rough JJ, Del Carpio-Cano FE, Kunapuli SP, Dela Cadena RA Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Thromboembolic Complications in Malignant Haematological Disorders.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
It is well known that solid cancers are associated with thromboembolic complications, but recent studies have shown that the incidence of thrombosis may be as high (or even higher) in patients with malignant haematological disorders. However, this may be obscured by the significant morbidity and mortality due to other complications of haematological malignancies, such as bleeding and infections. The vast majority of patients with haematological neoplasias also have clinically silent haemostatic abnormalities, but some may show clinical manifestations, including venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, disseminated i...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Castelli R, Ferrari B, Cortelezzi A, Guariglia A Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Gender Bias in Acute Coronary Syndromes.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The major aim of this review was to ascertain whether effective evidence-based treatments for acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are underutilized in women in various geographic areas compared with men. The focus of our review was the relative use of effective treatments in patients with coronary angiographic evidence of obstructive coronary disease, defined as a lumen stenosis >50% of the adjacent non-diseased arterial diameter. We searched MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Database between January 1998 and May 2008. Only a few of the published clinical registries on ACS provide data on treatments dichotomized by confirmed cor...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Bugiardini R, Navarro Estrada JL, Nikus K, Hall AS, Manfrini O Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

New Anticoagulants for Prevention and Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major public health issue, with a high incidence in hospitalised patients. Furthermore, many VTE events are preventable with appropriate thromboprophylaxis. Medical thromboprophylaxis usually comprises heparins, while warfarin has been the mainstay of long term anticoagulation for many years. Both drugs are limited by their narrow therapeutic index and the need for regular monitoring. The introduction of low molecular weight heparins and fondaparinux has overcome some of these shortfalls but their use remains restricted by requisite parenteral administration. There is a clear need for ...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Roberts LN, Arya R Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Thromboembolic Events in Patients Treated with Anti-Angiogenic Drugs.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Induction of neo-angiogenesis is a fundamental step in many pathological conditions. The therapeutic value of inhibiting angiogenesis is an interesting area of research in oncology, with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) being the most suitable anti-angiogenic target. In the last decade a number of anti-VEGF drugs have demonstrated, especially in combination with standard chemotherapy, clinical efficacy in the treatment of different solid tumor types. As data from clinical trials on anti-VEGF drugs are becoming available, it is increasingly recognized that VEGF, in addition to being a permeability, proliferatio...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Ferroni P, Formica V, Roselli M, Guadagni F Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

The role of the Stress-Related Anti-Inflammatory Hormones ACTH and Cortisol in Atherosclerosis.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Chronic stress and probably the accompanying changes in personal behaviours can influence life expectancy. The role of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol in atherosclerosis is not widely accepted and incompletely characterized. Several reports support a role of these hormones in atherogenesis by modulating the function of vascular endothelium, the recruitment of circulating monocytes to the artery wall and their differentiation into macrophages- foam cells, by controlling the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory interleukins. Previous reports suggested an important role of ACTH and cortisol in the modu...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Fantidis P Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

The Role of Intracellular 3'5'-Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) in Atherosclerosis.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Intracellular cAMP is an ubiquitous intracellular second messenger that regulates important cellular functions. Intracellular cAMP levels are regulated by the enzymes adenylyl cyclase and phosphodiesterases. The role of cAMP in atherosclerosis is not widely accepted and incompletely characterized. Several reports support a role of cAMP in atherogenesis by modulating the function of vascular endothelium, the production of reactive oxygen species, the recruitment of circulating monocytes to the artery wall and their differentiation into macrophages- foam cells, by controlling the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory ...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Fantidis P Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio, High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and N-Terminal Pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide -Three new Cardiovascular Risk Markers -Do They Improve Risk Prediction and Influence Treatment?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In order to prioritize limited health resources in a time of increasing demands optimal cardiovascular risk stratification is essential. We tested the additive prognostic value of 3 relatively new, but established cardiovascular risk markers: N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP), related to hemodynamic cardiovascular risk factors, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), related to metabolic cardiovascular risk factors and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR), related to hemodynamic as well as metabolic risk factors. In healthy subjects with a 10-year risk of cardiovascular death lower than 5% base...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Olsen MH, Sehestedt T, Lyngbæk S, Hansen TW, Rasmussen S, Wachtell K, Torp-Pedersen C, Hildebrandt PR, Ibsen H Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Diabetes and Antioxidants: Myth or Reality?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Numerous studies have shown that increased oxidative stress (OxS) is present in diabetic patients. There is evidence that this OxS can be increased before complications associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) occur. However, the role and influence of OxS in the initiation and progression of DM remains the subject of debate. It has been suggested that in DM, OxS is caused by increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and associated with reduction in antioxidant defenses and altered cellular redox status. Acute and chronic OxS which could enhance the development of complications associated with DM. This review...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Haidara MA, Yassin HZ, Zakula Z, Mikhailidis DP, Isenovic ER Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

The Impact of Pharmacotherapy on the Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test Response in Patients with Heart Failure: A Mini Review.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) is a well-recognized assessment technique in patients with HF. Ventilatory efficiency, aerobic capacity and heart rate recovery are several parameters obtained from CPX that accurately reflect physiologic function and provide robust prognostic information. Pharmacotherapy is a vital component to the management of patients with HF. Numerous pharmacologic interventions, such as ACE inhibition and beta-blockade have demonstrated significant physiologic and prognostic improvement in this population. Furthermore, a number of investigations demonstrating a positive change in the CPX res...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Guazzi M, Arena R Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Potential Effect of Anti-Tumour Necrosis Factor-Alpha Treatment on Reducing the Cardiovascular Risk Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that affects about 1% of the adult population. RA sufferers not only have a high chronic disease burden, but may also experience increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality as the prevalence of myocardial infarction (MI) is 4 times higher in RA patients than in general population, and there is ample evidence showing that coagulation processes are active in RA. Fibrin accumulation in the synovium is one of the most striking pathological features of rheumatoid synovitis and characteristic RA antibodies such as anti-citrullinated protein antibod...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Cugno M, Ingegnoli F, Gualtierotti R, Fantini F Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Cardiovascular Effects of Endogenous Estrogen and Hormone Therapy.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The incidence of cardiovascular disease is low in healthy premenopausal women and increases with age especially after the menopause; this difference has been attributed to the loss of endogenous estrogen. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition of the vascular wall that may result in an acute clinical event by inducing plaque rupture/erosion leading to thrombosis. A growing body of evidence suggests that the spectrum of the effects of estrogen on vascular pathophysiology is complex and may depend largely on the state of vascular pathology. In relatively healthy vessels, estrogen prevents the development and...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Bechlioulis A, Naka KK, Calis KA, Makrigiannakis A, Michalis L, Kalantaridou SN Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Clinical Studies in Stem Cells Transplantation for Stroke: A Review.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Stroke is a significant cause of long-term disability. Currently, once damage from a stroke is established little can be done to recover lost function. Cell transplantation emerged as possible alternative therapy, on the basis of animal studies showing that cells transplanted into the brain not only survive, but also lead to functional improvement in different neurodegenerative diseases. Stem cells have been tested in stroke patients as a possible treatment option. While initially stem cells seemed to work by a 'cell replacement' mechanism, it is emerging that cell therapy works mostly by providing trophic support to t...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Bersano A, Ballabio E, Lanfranconi S, Boncoraglio GB, Corti S, Locatelli F, Baron P, Bresolin N, Parati E, Candelise L Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

A Review on Clinical Management and Pharmacological Therapy on Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT).Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) or Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome, is an autosomal dominant rare disease characterized by localized angiodysplasia. This is manifested as epistaxis, mucocutaneous and gastrointestinal telangiectases, and arteriovenous malformations in the pulmonary, cerebral or hepatic circulation. The prevalence is between 1 in 5,000 to 8,000, although it is higher in some regions. The most frequent clinical manifestation of HHT is epistaxis, normally from light to moderate from the 4(th) decade of life. However, many patients show severe epistaxis which may interfere with their quality of life...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Zarrabeitia R, Albiñana V, Salcedo M, Señaris-Gonzalez B, Fernandez-Forcelledo JL, Botella LM Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Kidney Disease.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a main regulator of blood vessel growth and plays a important role in promoting endothelial survival and maintaining the microvasculature. The kidney is a highly vascularized organ and has 2 important microvasculatures; glomerular and peritubular capillaries. Loss of these capillaries is strongly associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to end-stage renal disease. In several kidney disease animal models, VEGF expression in the kidney is decreased and administration of VEGF is protective. Recent clinical observations revealed that blocking VEGF by endog...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Doi K, Noiri E, Fujita T Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

ErbB Targeted Drugs and Angiogenesis.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Members of the ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase family are central regulators of several normal as well as tumor cell functions. A number of therapeutic compounds such as small molecular weight tyrosine kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies have been developed to inhibit ErbB signaling in cancer. Drugs that target epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR = ErbB1) and/or ErbB2 have demonstrated effect against breast, colorectal, lung, pancreatic and head and neck carcinomas, and are currently in clinical use. Part of the anti-tumor effect of the ErbB inhibitor drugs has been suggested to derive from inhibition of tumor...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Iivanainen E, Elenius K Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Protective Effect of Dietary Potassium against Cardiovascular Damage in Salt-sensitive Hypertension: Possible Role of its Antioxidant Action.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
It is well known that high salt intake induces hypertension and cardiovascular damage, while dietary potassium supplementation counteracts these harmful effects. Actually, the protective effect of potassium is strengthened with excess salt as compared with salt depletion. Although the precise mechanisms have not been fully elucidated, in our previous reports, the antihypertensive effect of dietary potassium was accompanied by sympathetic nerve inhibition in salt-sensitive hypertension. Also, potassium supplement suppressed salt-induced insulin resistance. These effects of dietary potassium can explain its cardio- and v...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Ando K, Matsui H, Fujita M, Fujita T Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Animal Models for Studying Neointima Formation.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The objective of this review therefore is to provide a survey of all the possible models that can be used to explore the effects of drugs on NI formation. The review will focus on the most commonly used of species, namely the rat, rabbit, mouse, pig and dog. PMID: 19485916 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology)
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Jeremy JY, Thomas AC Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Statins and Ischaemia Reperfusion Injury: A Molecular Biological Review.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) are a class of drug used to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. However, in recent years, statins have been shown to possess a pleiotropic effect beyond its cholesterol lowering ability, including attenuating the effect of ischaemia reperfusion injury. This review considers the biomolecular processes that may lead to this beneficial effect. PMID: 19485917 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology)
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Rahman MN, Chetter IC Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Selective Removal of Macrophages in Atherosclerotic Plaques as a Pharmacological Approach for Plaque Stabilization: Benefits versus Potential Complications.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Atherosclerotic plaque destabilization is a major cause of unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death. Macrophages, which are an essential component of unstable plaques, play a pivotal role in the destabilization process, whereas smooth muscle cells contribute to plaque stability. Selective removal of macrophages is therefore an interesting pharmacological objective to stabilize vulnerable, rupture-prone lesions. Pharmacological agents such as clodronate, nitric oxide donors, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors, protein synthesis inhibitors, and statins, that are capable of selectively...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Croons V, Martinet W, De Meyer GR Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

HDL Therapy for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) therapy is an emerging area of therapeutic development in the cardiovascular field, aimed at supplementing and improving the vascular benefit exerted by current treatments. Several studies have clearly established that HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are a potent and independent epidemiologic risk factor for cardiovascular diseases; moreover, studies in animal models have established that HDL-C raising interventions, such as over-expression of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), the major HDL protein component, reduce the extent of atherosclerosis. In vitro and in vivo experiments have provided m...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Parolini C, Marchesi M, Chiesa G Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Endothelial Dysfunction in Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy: Potential Pharmacological Interventions.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Nowadays long-term outcome of heart transplantation is limited by a peculiar type of coronary atherosclerosis, known as cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV). Although the exact pathogenesis of CAV remains unclear, emerging evidence indicates that the endothelium plays a significant role in the onset and progression of this disease. Nitric oxide (NO) is the principal mediator of all endothelial protective effects, due to its antinflammatory, antiproliferative, immunomodulatory and vasorelaxant properties. CAV involves immunologic mechanisms operating in the context of common cardiovascular risk factors which lead to imp...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Osto E, Tona F, De Bon E, Iliceto S, Cella G Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Characterization of Molecular and Functional Alterations of Tumor Endothelial Cells to Design Anti-Angiogenic Strategies.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The neo-angiogenesis process is crucial for solid tumor growth and invasion, as the vasculature provides metabolic support and access to the circulation. Tumor blood vessels differ from normal vessels by altered morphology, blood flow and permeability, and the "switch" of endothelial cells to an angiogenic phenotype is considered a hallmark of the malignant process. Recent evidence indicates that tumor-derived endothelial cells (TEC) possess a distinct and unique phenotype differing from normal endothelial cells at the molecular and functional levels. The anti-angiogenic therapies developed to date are based on tumor e...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Bussolati B, Deregibus MC, Camussi G Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

CGRP, a Vasodilator Neuropeptide that Stimulates Neuromuscular Transmission and EC Coupling.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) is a vasodilator; its plasma levels are altered in several human diseases, including migraine, hypertension and diabetes. CGRP is locally released by motor neurons, and is overexpressed in response to surgical or pharmacological blockage of neuromuscular transmission. Additionally to a brief discussion with regard to the clinical relevance of CGRP, this review focuses on the effects of CGRP on skeletal muscle excitation-contraction (EC) coupling, as well as the corresponding pathohysiological consequences. EC coupling involves activation of 2 different types of calcium channels: d...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Vega AV, Avila G Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

The Cardiovascular Effects of Metformin: Further Reasons to Consider an Old Drug as a Cornerstone in the Therapy of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Cardiovascular events occurring in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are a major problem in clinical practice. In particular, the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) presented by patients affected by T2DM without previous cardiac events is similar to that of non-diabetic patients with previous MI. To reduce the elevated cardiovascular risk associated with T2DM, tight glycemic control and aggressive therapy against all known cardiovascular risk factors are strictly required. Despite the role played by hyperglycemia in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular events, studies showing an improvement of cardiovascular outcomes by anti-hyperg...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Anfossi G, Russo I, Bonomo K, Trovati M Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Cardiac Biomarkers in Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Review.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report the differences between BNP and NT-proBNP, both from an analytical and a clinical point of view and discuss the use of cardiac natriuretic peptides for early recognition of cardiac insufficiency and early management of patients presenting to Emergency Departments with dyspnoea. Finally, we briefly discuss the most promising new cardiac markers actually used only in preclinical studies. PMID: 19485924 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology)
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Amodio G, Antonelli G, di Serio F Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Why are People with "Poor Lung Function" at Increased Atherothrombotic Risk?: A Critical Review with Potential Therapeutic Indications.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In conclusion, the term "poor lung function" includes various chronic illnesses with different mechanisms of atherothrombosis. Research is needed for better understanding why persons with lung dysfunctions have higher cardiovascular risk, and for identifying adequate preventive strategies. PMID: 19485925 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology)
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Fimognari FL, Scarlata S, Antonelli-Incalzi R Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The last 10 years have seen significant advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology and treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This has included new insights into the genetics, cell-signalling pathways and pathological changes seen in the small pulmonary arteries as well as the introduction of new treatments which have improved prognosis. The classification of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has also been changed several times, most recently in 2003. It now divides forms of PH into 5 broad groups according to their pathophysiology and response to treatment. This review focuses primarily on the advance...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Burt C, Pepke-Zaba J, Falter F Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Genetic and Molecular Determinants of Atherosclerotic Plaque Instability.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Arachidonic acid metabolism plays a key role in atherothrombotic events affecting the coronary or cerebrovascular territory, as reflected by experimental studies based on biochemical measurements of eicosanoid biosynthesis and the results of inhibitor trials in these settings. Two cyclooxygenase (COX)-isozymes exist, COX-1 and COX-2, that differ in terms of regulatory mechanisms of expression, tissue distribution, substrate specificity, and susceptibility to inhibition by drugs. Whereas the role of COX-1 expressed in platelets in acute coronary syndromes and ischemic stroke is definitely established through several lar...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Cipollone F, Toniato E, Martinotti S, Mezzetti A Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

The failure of Immunomodulation Therapy in Heart Failure: Does the Statins "Paradigm" Prove the Rule?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Inflammation is an important process and an underlying mechanism involved in atherogenesis as well as the clinical manifestations following coronary artery disease (CAD). Evidence suggests that chronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with an increased inflammatory process. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and adhesion molecules are elevated in states of CHF and are related to long term prognosis. Statins are among the most effective compounds reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with, or at increased risk of, CAD. Efficacy and s...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tousoulis D, Papageorgiou N, Briasoulis A, Antoniades C, Stefanadis C Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

Targeting Dyslipidemia in the Metabolic Syndrome: An Update.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Several drugs have been described for the management of the dyslipidemia of the MetS, namely statins, fibrates, ezetimibe, niacin, bile acid sequestrants, cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors, as well as combined treatment regimes. Although each of these may deal to some extent with some aspect of the dyslipidemia of the MetS compared with placebo, a direct comparison of all these agents has not been carried out. A head-to-head comparison between the suggested regimes could identify the mono- or combination therapy for the optimal management of dyslipidemia associated with MetS. PMID: 19485929 [Pu...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Paraskevas KI, Karatzas G, Pantopoulou A, Iliopoulos DG, Perrea D Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals

VISFATIN/PBEF and Atherosclerosis-Related Diseases.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Visfatin is highly expressed in adipose tissue (mainly by the stromal cells), but it is also ubiquitously present in most tissues. Visfatin, which plays a role in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis, has been implicated in inflammatory states. Controversial results exist about the expression, circulating levels and the role of visfatin in atherosclerosis-related diseases. Most studies showed increased levels of visfatin in diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, renal and cardiovascular disease. However, other studies reported lower levels of visfatin in these diseases. The discrepancies in clinical ...
Source: Current Vascular Pharmacology - June 27, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Filippatos TD, Randeva HS, Derdemezis CS, Elisaf MS, Mikhailidis DP Tags: Curr Vasc Pharmacol Source Type: journals