Atherosclerosis
-
Comparative Study
The predictive relationship between baseline insulin and glucose with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis after 5 years in a multi-ethnic cohort.
We aimed at exploring the relationship between baseline insulin and glucose and the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in a multi-ethnic cohort. ⋯ Ethnicity modifies the predictive relationship between insulin and glucose with sub-clinical indicators of carotid atherosclerosis but not consistently so.
-
Micro-particles (MP) are secreted by various cells. Their biological roles in health and in disease remain unknown. Here we describe formation of MP in the process of ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux in different cell types. ⋯ We show that MPs are lipoprotein-sized structures created by the ABCA1 transporter, and contribute approximately 30% of ABCA1-and apoA-I mediated cholesterol efflux. In addition, we found that MPs release from cells consists, in part, of exosomes and depends on the same pathway used for HDL biogenesis.
-
There are many IL1RL1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) significantly associated with circulating sST2 concentration. Little is known about the effects of IL1RL1 SNP on the outcome of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to investigate whether IL1RL1 SNP can predict mortality. ⋯ Individuals having rs950880 AA genotype also have rs13001325 TT genotype and tend to have lower sST2 levels. The rs950880 AA homozygote is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality in CAD and PAD patients.
-
Homozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HoFH) is a rare inherited condition characterized by elevated plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, severe, accelerated atherosclerosis and premature coronary heart disease. We evaluated cardiovascular complications in HoFH patients over extended follow-up and investigated their association with changes in cholesterol over time, as well as total cholesterol burden. ⋯ Our findings reinforce the importance of early diagnosis and initiation of maximal treatment, including lipoprotein apheresis, to ensure long-term reduction in the cholesterol burden, expressed as the total-cholesterol year score, and risk of cardiovascular complications in HoFH.
-
Monocytes are known to play a key role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and contribute to plaque destabilization through the generation of signals that promote inflammation and neoangiogenesis. In humans, studies investigating the features of circulating monocytes in advanced atherosclerotic lesions are lacking. ⋯ Neovascularized atherosclerotic lesions selectively associate with lower blood levels of CD14+ and CD14highCD16- monocytes independently of systemic inflammatory activity, as indicated by normal hsCRP levels. Whether the reduction of circulating CD14+ and CD14highCD16- monocytes is due to a potential redistribution of these cell types into active lesions remains to be explored.