Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Sep 2014
Epidemiology and public health policy of tobacco use and cardiovascular disorders in low- and middle-income countries.
All forms of tobacco lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. During the past few decades, the number of people who consume tobacco has increased worldwide because of an overall increase in the global population. ⋯ Lack of targeted and effective strategies to control tobacco consumption contributes to a large burden of cardiovascular disorders in low- and middle-income countries, where cardiovascular disorders have become the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. In this review, we evaluate the epidemiology of tobacco use in low- and middle-income countries and assess the public health policies needed to control tobacco use in such regions for the prevention of cardiovascular disorders and other tobacco-related morbidities and mortality.
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Sep 2014
Neutrophil extracellular traps promote thrombin generation through platelet-dependent and platelet-independent mechanisms.
Activation of neutrophils by microbial or inflammatory stimuli results in the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) that are composed of DNA, histones, and antimicrobial proteins. In purified systems, cell-free DNA (CFDNA) activates the intrinsic pathway of coagulation, whereas histones promote thrombin generation through platelet-dependent mechanisms. However, the overall procoagulant effects of CFDNA/histone complexes as part of intact NETs are unknown. In this study, we examined the procoagulant potential of intact NETs released from activated neutrophils. We also determined the relative contribution of CFDNA and histones to thrombin generation in plasmas from patients with sepsis. ⋯ These studies examine the procoagulant activities of CFDNA and histones in the context of NETs. Our studies also implicate a role for the intrinsic pathway of coagulation in sepsis pathogenesis.
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Sep 2014
Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalinin in the general population: association with inflammation and prognosis.
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a glycoprotein stored in granules of neutrophil leukocytes participating in inflammatory and atherosclerotic processes and possibly plaque rupture. Despite the putative role of NGAL in atherosclerosis and acute myocardial infarction, human studies of plasma NGAL are still limited. ⋯ Plasma NGAL is strongly associated with inflammation in the general population. NGAL independently associated with 10-year outcome, and when added to the Framingham risk score, NGAL both improves c-statistics and correctly reclassifies participants into more accurate risk categories.
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Sep 2014
Comparative StudyChronic treatment with ticagrelor limits myocardial infarct size: an adenosine and cyclooxygenase-2-dependent effect.
In a phase III clinical trial (PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes, PLATO), ticagrelor provided better clinical outcomes than clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes. In addition to P2Y12-receptor antagonism, ticagrelor prevents cell uptake of adenosine and has proven able to augment adenosine effects. Adenosine protects the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury. We compared the effects of clopidogrel and ticagrelor on myocardial infarct size (IS). ⋯ Ticagrelor, but not clopidogrel, reduces myocardial IS. The protective effect of ticagrelor was dependent on adenosine-receptor activation with downstream upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and COX2 activity.
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Aug 2014
Multicenter StudyMediation of cardiovascular risk factor effects through subclinical vascular disease: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.
It is unclear to what extent subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as coronary artery calcium (CAC), carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) are mediators of the known associations between traditional cardiovascular risk factors and incident CVD events. We assessed the portion of the effects of risk factors on incident CVD events that are mediated through CAC, CIMT, and FMD. ⋯ Many of the risk factors for incident CVD (other than age, sex, and body mass index) showed a modest level of mediation via CAC, CIMT, and FMD, suggesting that current subclinical CVD markers may not be optimal intermediaries for gauging upstream risk factor modification.