Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Sphingomyelin is found in plasma membranes and related organelles (such as endocytic vesicles and lysosomes) of all tissues, as well as in lipoproteins. Abnormalities in sphingomyelin metabolism have been associated with atherosclerosis, cancer and genetically transmitted diseases; however, except for Niemann-Pick disease, little is known about the mechanism for these disorders. Sphingomyelin biosynthesis de novo involves ceramide formation from serine and two mol of fatty acyl-CoA followed by addition of the phosphocholine headgroup. The headgroup appears to come from phosphatidylcholine, but other sources have not been ruled out. Factors that influence the rate of sphingomyelin synthesis include the availability of serine and palmitic acid, plus the relative activities of key enzymes of this pathway. Sphingomyelin turnover involves removal of the headgroup and amide-linked fatty acid by sphingomyelinases and ceramidases, respectively, which have been found in both lysosomes (with acidic pH optima) and plasma membranes (with neutral to alkaline pH optima). The enzymes of sphingomyelin turnover release ceramide and free sphingosine from endogenous substrates, which may have implications for the participation of a sphingomyelin/sphingosine cycle as another 'lipid second messenger' system.
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PMID:An update of the enzymology and regulation of sphingomyelin metabolism. 218 37

This paper reviews the epidemiological literature of relevance for the hypothesis that somatic mutation is involved in the formation of the atherosclerotic plaque. Assuming that somatic mutations are involved in atherogenesis, one would expect at least some of the risk factors for cancer and for atherosclerosis to be identical. Therefore, the review covers the correlated occurrence of cancer and atherosclerotic disease. Special interest is given to populations at high risk of cancer, including subpopulations with certain genetic diseases, and populations exposed to certain carcinogenic environmental agents including ionizing radiation, vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), arsenic, tobacco, and various industrial combustion effluents containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Exposure to combustion effluents from burning of tobacco or fuel is associated with an increased risk of cancer and atherosclerotic disease. Combustion effluents constitute a complex mixture of potentially hazardous agents, however, and the observed correlation of cancer and atherosclerosis among exposed persons cannot be unambiguously interpreted as evidence of a common etiology of the two groups of diseases. For ionizing radiation, arsenic, and VCM there is suggestive evidence that these agents possess an atherogenic effect beside their well-known carcinogenic properties. Both arsenic and VCM seem to have a specific affinity to the vascular bed causing various lesions including angiosarcomas and atherosclerotic plaques. Regarding ionizing radiation, the atherogenic effects seem to be localized to heavily irradiated fields. Beside the carcinogenic and atherogenic effects, exposure to arsenic, VCM, and ionizing radiation brings about an increase in the incidence of mutations and chromosomal aberrations. A theory involving somatic mutation in the pathogenesis of the atherosclerotic plaque could be consistent with the observed biological effects of ionizing radiation, arsenic, and VCM. The scant data from families with certain inherited diseases may also be consistent with an involvement of the genome in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In conclusion, there is strong epidemiological evidence that several factors associated with an increased risk of cancer are also associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:International Commission for Protection Against Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens. ICPEMC Working Paper 7/1/2. Shared risk factors for cancer and atherosclerosis--a review of the epidemiological evidence. 223 24

The development of age pathology has been studied in relation to changes occurring in the activity of various genes and in the synthesis of various proteins as well as in relation to the topography of those changes. The relationship between age-related changes in the activity of various genes and the onset of atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease has been studied. The appearance of gene regulatory age-related changes in cells of the nervous, endocrine and immune systems determines their involvement in the age pathology development. The prospects of gene regulatory therapy aimed at selective activation and suppression of various gene groups are outlined.
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PMID:[Genoregulatory mechanisms of aging as a basis for the development of age-related pathology]. 227 89

Genetic factors play an important role in the development of many common diseases of adulthood that result in early morbidity and mortality. Prevention of these disorders and their sequelae is best established through early detection and early intervention. Although it may be feasible to screen the entire population for some disorders (e.g., hypertension), this approach would be expensive and impractical for others (e.g., colon cancer). The family history provides an inexpensive and convenient method of identifying families at risk for premature diseases of adulthood. Family screening for a disorder should be recommended if there is increased risk for the disorder among family members, if screening methods are available to detect the condition at an early age or preclinical stage, and if early intervention will alter the course of the disease. For many disorders screening and intervention can prevent the occurrence of clinical disease. The prenatal counseling session affords an ideal setting for identifying families at risk for diseases of adulthood with major genetic components. By reviewing the family history, key family members can be identified and investigated, in order to establish a specific genetic diagnosis. At-risk relatives can then be counseled and screened for the disorder preclinically and premorbidly. The screening and intervention available for a disease depends on the nature of the disorder, our understanding of its physiology and etiology, and our current technology. The disorders discussed earlier are typical of conditions of adulthood that are influenced strongly by genetic factors, especially when they appear in younger adults. Atherosclerosis, colon cancer, and diabetes are complex phenotypes. Each can be caused by single-gene defects, but commonly the genetics are more complex. Empiric data help to establish the risk to an individual in the latter cases. In all three examples, early detection should lead to treatment, which can prevent more serious sequelae: by treating the dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease can be prevented; by removing the benign polyp, malignant cancer can be avoided; and when impaired glucose tolerance is detected, diet and exercise can prevent or delay frank diabetes and its complications. The complete evaluation of individuals at risk for disorders such as those in Table 1 and their families can be a complicated task. Referral to a center experienced in the genetics of common diseases often may be necessary.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Genetics of common diseases of adulthood. Implications for prenatal counseling and diagnosis. 228 33

Since the establishment of a new social order in 1949, China's attempts to feed and nurture its large population has been a topic of serious study in many disciplines. This review focuses on dietary sources of Chinese population and incidence, increase and decline of important diet related health disorders in China during the last four decades. Literature published since 1949 on goiter, rickets, riboflavin deficiency, beri beri, vision impairment, favism, cancer, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, hypertension, dental and smoking related diseases, diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, lactose intolerance, mineral deficiency, Kashin-Beck disease, parasitic diseases and genetic disorders are reviewed. Also presented selectively are reports related to ethnodietetics, health care, maternal health and pediatric care as well as longevity. In the 1980s, total caloric intake of Chinese population showed a 19% increase on a daily basis from that of late 1940s. In overall terms, plant derived foods supplied 93% of energy, 87% of protein and 55% of fat to the Chinese. Among the animal foods, pork remains the most common and least expensive form of meat, contributing more than 90% of China's total meat production excluding poultry and fish. In 1949, the life expectancy in China was only 36 years. In early 1980s, it has increased to 68 years. This increase in life expectancy is attributed mostly to improved nutrition and lowering of mortality due to decrease in infectious diseases. Though population, disease and mortality statistics of modern China are spotty and sometimes questionable, common consensus among the researchers is that since 1949 the public health situation in China has improved tremendously.
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PMID:Nutrition and health in China, 1949 to 1989. 229 45

We have studied 15 women who were previously treated by irradiation for pelvic malignancies and who all developed symptoms of arterial occlusive disease of the iliac arteries and the distal aorta. Risk factors were evaluated in a case control study in which each patient was compared with three individually matched controls who were treated during the same period for the same type of cancer and who did not develop arterial occlusions. We conclude that smoking habits as well as treatment by irradiation are strong predictors of the development of atherosclerotic occlusive disease. Side effects of irradiation occur in the arteries more often in patients who have also radiation reactions in other organs--for example, the bowel and bladder. Irradiation acts in combination with other atherogenic factors and this should be kept in mind when radiation treatment is planned for patients with a high risk of developing atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Atherosclerotic occlusive disease after radiation for pelvic malignancies. 234 56

Changes in our understanding of diet and health drive changes in the way foods are processed. Conversely, what is available on the shelf will have an impact on the choices consumers make, thereby affecting their health. Historical examples of industrial manipulation of the diet include fortification and enrichment of cereal grains with vitamins; increased production of unsaturated vegetable oils and margarine as substitutions for hydrogenated fat, lard, and butter; lowered cholesterol content foods; reduced sugar content foods; lower sodium foods; decreased portion sizes or caloric density in prepackaged foods for use in weight loss or maintenance; and increased calcium levels to prevent osteoporosis. However, degenerative diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, bone disease, arthritis, and dementia will continue to be prevalent in the future. Whether or not the food systems available on the shelf can influence all of these disease states is not clear; however, studies have indicated that nutritional factors do contribute to the development of some of these diseases. Patterns in food consumption have changed and will continue to change as recommendations such as decreased consumption of saturated fats, salt, and cholesterol continue to be made. Increased ingestion of fish and/or fish oil is one recommendation that has been suggested because of the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on platelet aggregability and circulating levels of lipids. Wildly speculating from preliminary studies, fish oil has also been recommended for disease states including arthritis, cancer, and diseases of the immune system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:Food systems: the relationship between health and food science/technology. 240 Dec 59

Intravenous injection of recombinant interleukin-2 (r-Met-hu-IL-2(Ala-125] and LAK cells induced dramatic changes of lipoproteins in 12 patients with advanced cancer. After r-IL-2 injection (1) total cholesterol was reduced by 47% as a mean, LDL-cholesterol by 62%, HDL-cholesterol by 77%; (2) the triglyceride/cholesterol ratio was greatly increased (352%); (3) apolipoproteins B, A-I and A-II showed a mean reduction of 26%, 55% and 51%, respectively; and (4) very low density lipoproteins relatively increased, and HDL were separated into two definite fractions (I and II). LAK cell administration accentuated all the above effects and in most patients, HDL-fraction I almost completely disappeared. An action on hepatic synthesis of acute phase proteins is pointed out by the increase in C-reactive protein and apolipoprotein S concentrations contrasting with an unexpected reduction of fibrinogen. Surprisingly the drastic changes caused by treatment were quickly and completely reversible.
Atherosclerosis 1988 Oct
PMID:Modifications of plasma lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in advanced cancer patients treated with recombinant interleukin-2 and autologous lymphokine-activated killer cells. 246 Dec 6

Medical histories of 310 patients of a pulmonary department were analysed. All were older than 60 years. They made up 41.6% of treated patients during this time. More than two diseases were present in 79.3%. Most often the following disorders were found: chronic obstructive lung disease, pneumonias, pleuritis, circulatory insufficiency, atherosclerosis, disrhythmias, acute coronary diseases. In 68.2% good results of therapy were observed clinical improvement and complete resolution of changes were however seen in only 5.2%. Therapeutical side effects were seen in 29.7%. During hospitalization 10.9% of the patients died. The most common cause of death was atherosclerosis and malignancy. Mean hospital stay was 36.5 days and was 6 days longer in comparison with younger patients.
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PMID:[Elderly patients at the Pulmonary Disease Department]. 262 28

Premature development of atherosclerosis is a fatal complication together with cancer in patients with Werner' syndrome, a known syndrome of premature aging. Proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC) is a key event in the formation of atherosclerosis. This paper studied the serum growth promoting activity of Werner's syndrome in cultured rabbit aortic SMC. Serum of cases of Werner's syndrome showed significantly higher growth-promoting activities than those of age-matched controls. The levels of serum growth hormone, plasma somatomedin C, and urine epidermal growth factor were not increased in Werner's syndrome. The level of serum insulin was generally increased in Werner's syndrome. However, there was no correlation between serum insulin level and growth promoting activity, and the effective dose of insulin for the promotion of SMC growth was ten thousand times higher than that contained in the serum. The above results suggest that elevated serum growth-promoting activity in Werner's syndrome is in part responsible for the premature atherosclerosis and that this elevated activity is derived from either platelet derived growth factor or an unknown growth factor(s) contained in the serum.
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PMID:[Growth factors in the serum in patients with Werner's syndrome]. 263 23


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