Atherosclerosis
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Diabetes is an important determinant of prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Limited data are available concerning benefits and risks of upstream abciximab administration in diabetic patients. Thus, the objective of the study was to assess the impact of early abciximab administration before primary angioplasty (PCI) for STEMI in diabetic patients. ⋯ Early administration of abciximab improves infarct-related artery patency before and after primary PCI, and leads to improved survival in diabetic STEMI patients.
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Cytokine-induced monocyte-endothelial interaction and vascular inflammation play a critical role in atherogenesis. A modified hop extract, META060, was identified as an inhibitor of inflammatory mediators in human rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts. ⋯ META060 inhibited monocyte-endothelial cell interactions and suppressed multiple biomarkers of inflammation in both a monocytic cell line and an endothelial cell line. MMP-9 expression and activity also were inhibited. These effects resulted in part from META060's inhibition of transcription factors NF-κB and AP-1. META060 may have beneficial effects for prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases by ameliorating inflammation and plaque destabilization, which are hallmarks of atherosclerosis.