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

Both overweight and insulin resistance predispose to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, independently of other risk factors. We studied the relationship between insulin resistance and heart function and dimension in 39 patients with different degrees of obesity. Twenty-six women and 13 men with body mass index (BMI) ranging 26.1-41 kg/m2 (mean +/- SD = 33.9 +/- 3.8), without diabetes, hypertension and heart, liver or kidney diseases were studied. Patients were subdivided into 2 groups, 25 with overweight or grade I obesity (group A) and 14 with severe (grade II or III) obesity (group B). Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by the Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT), performed after an overnight fast and K(ITT) was calculated. Echocardiographic measurements were also assessed. Between the two groups no significant difference was observed for either K(ITT) (group A, K(ITT) = 5.47 +/- 1.30; group B, K(ITT) = 4.57 +/- 1.53) or the ejection fraction (EF%) (group A, 71.40 +/- 6.63; group B, 69.86 +/- 7.43). No correlation was observed between BMI and both the EF% and other echocardiographic measurements. In patients with mild obesity (group A) a significant negative correlation between EF% and KITT (r = -0.62,p < 0.001) was observed. In mild obesity, therefore, cardiac function changes occur in relation to the level of insulin resistance but these changes are not related to mass and/or volume changes. The cause(s) of this relationship is not clear, but most likely involves metabolic or endocrine factors. The increased EF% in moderately obese patients that are insulin-resistant may provide an initial compensatory mechanism but may also contribute to a late cardiac damage.
 ...
PMID:Relationship between cardiac function and insulin resistance in obese patients. 1185 64

Atherosclerosis and carcinogenesis may share some common mechanisms of the genotoxic action of exogenous compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The main objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that "bulky" aromatic DNA-adducts in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of thoracic aortas taken at autopsy from sudden and accidental death male subjects, aged between 30 and 60 years (N=133), are associated with the stage of atherosclerosis. The subjects with severe atherosclerotic damage were treated as "Cases" (N=66). The subjects meeting diagnostic criteria for slight and moderate total atherosclerotic body damage were treated as "Controls" (N=67). An additional objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of known atherogenic risk factors and possible modifiers of atherosclerotic changes, such as age, smoking, plasma lipid and antioxidant vitamin levels and some genetic susceptibility markers, e.g. polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1, NAT2, CYP1A1 or apolipoprotein E (APO E) genes. We found significantly higher DNA-adduct levels in "Cases" as compared with "Controls" (2.11+/-1.07 adducts/10(8) nucleotides versus 1.49+/-0.55 adducts/10(8) nucleotides, P<0.001). "Cases" were significantly older and had elevated heart weight and plasma cholesterol levels and a higher frequency of overweight subjects as compared with "Controls". No significant differences in DNA-adduct levels between smokers and non-smokers within either group were detected. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that the "bulky" aromatic DNA-adducts, which are the most likely related to environmental exposure to genotoxic chemicals, remain a statistically significant predictor of the stage of atherosclerosis (OR=3.76, 95% CI=1.54-9.18, P=0.004) even after adjustment for age, smoking, obesity, heart weight and genetic susceptibility markers (GSTT1 and CYP1A1-MspI polymorphisms) that were also significant predictors. The fact that the "bulky" aromatic DNA-adduct levels predict the progression of atherosclerosis independently of smoking indicates that the formation of atherosclerotic plaques may also be initiated by environmental exposures other than tobacco smoke.
 ...
PMID:DNA-adducts and atherosclerosis: a study of accidental and sudden death males in the Czech Republic. 1193 43

The emerging public health problem of type 2 diabetes in youth reflects increasing rates of childhood obesity. As in adults, type 2 diabetes in children is part of the insulin resistance syndrome that includes hypertension, dyslipidemia and other atherosclerosis risk factors, and hyperandrogenism seen as premature adrenarche and polycystic ovary syndrome. Studies in children document risk factors for type 2 diabetes and associated cardiovascular risk factors, including obesity, family history, diabetic gestation, and underweight or overweight for gestational age. Genetically determined insulin resistance, or limited beta-cell reserve, has been demonstrated in high risk individuals. This genetic background, considered advantageous in a feast and famine existence (the thrifty genotype), is rendered detrimental with abundant food and physical inactivity, a lifestyle demonstrated to be typical of families of children with type 2 diabetes. Case finding in high risk individuals who are asymptomatic may be an appropriate response to the public health challenge of type 2 diabetes in children, because risk factors for cardiovascular disease are already present at the time of diagnosis. Treatment is dictated by the degree of metabolic derangement and symptoms. The only data on the use of oral hypoglycemic agents in children has been with metformin. Prevention efforts will require community and government involvement to reduce obesity and increase physical activity in the child, as well as adult, population.
 ...
PMID:Increasing incidence of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents: treatment considerations. 1196 May 10

Despite years of investigation our fundamental and clinical knowledge of the major public health problem, obesity-hypertension, is relatively meager and certainly inadequate. We are at a loss to explain why the pathophysiological mechanisms of obesity and hypertension are so inextricably intertwined. Adding to this frustration is the inadequacy of the treatment for obesity. Hemodynamically, we recognize that the expanded plasma volume caused by obesity imparts a significant volume overload on the heart, thereby increasing cardiac output, while the hypertension compounds this ventricular stress by an associated pressure overload. Thus, the ventricle has an eccentric as well as a concentric adaptive hypertrophy. Associated with obesity is an increased burden of pressor (e.g., catecholamine, angiotensin II); peptide (e.g., endothelin, insulin, leptin, natriuretic); hormonal (e.g., growth, steroids, thyroid); and neural mechanisms. Further complicating these alterations are electrolytic, lipid, uric acid, and other metabolic factors. Both diseases (obesity and hypertension) are exacerbated by frequently encountered comorbid pathophysiological disorders including atherosclerosis, ventricular dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemias, and sleep apnea. To add to these issues, therapy for obesity-hypertension is suboptimal. Behavioral modification (of overweight and obesity) is commonly characterized by recidivism, and pharmacotherapy of obesity is woefully inadequate; the present agents either raise arterial pressure or are fraught with adverse effects. Fortunately, there are no contraindications imparted by obesity that complicate the drug treatment of the associated hypertension. Each of the lifestyle modifications and seven classes of antihypertensive therapy that is discussed herein is done in light of the coexistent hypertension and comorbid diseases.
 ...
PMID:Clinical management of the obese hypertensive patient. 1204 91

The clinical diagnosis of dysmetabolic syndrome in an adult defines a patient with abnormal glucose metabolism (or diabetes), hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. This disorder accelerates atherosclerosis and significantly raises the risk for cardiovascular events. With the marked rise in the prevalence of obesity in childhood, obesity-linked risk factors are being expressed at young ages. The case of a 12-year-old girl with dysmetabolic syndrome is described and discussed. Emerging clinical data now indicate that the presence of 1 risk factor for cardiovascular disease in an overweight child should prompt screening for additional clinical abnormalities, with the aim of finding treatable disorders.
 ...
PMID:Dysmetabolic syndrome: multiple risk factors for premature adult disease in an adolescent girl. 1289 10

We evaluated the possible additive effect of overweight and diabetes in the occurrence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, and their interaction with other established risk factors. In a cross-sectional study, we evaluated the frequency of CHD and stroke in four groups of subjects: (1) lean non-diabetic subjects (n=250); (2) lean diabetic subjects (n=269); (3) overweight non-diabetic subjects (n=203); and (4) overweight diabetic subjects (n=446). CHD was more frequent among diabetic subjects, and even more among overweight diabetic subjects; stroke was more frequent among diabetic subjects, but equally frequent in overweight and in lean diabetic subjects. At multiple logistic regression analysis, age, arterial hypertension, diabetes were independent risk factors for CHD and for stroke; BMI and hyperlipidemia were risk factors only for CHD. CHD was an independent risk factor for stroke, and stroke was a risk factor for CHD. We conclude that obesity and diabetes are additional risk factors for CHD but not for stroke. The value of established risk factors such as arterial hypertension and hyperlipidemia in determining the appearance of CHD and stroke is maintained in the presence overweight and diabetes. Finally, CHD is frequently associated with stroke, suggesting a common process of atherosclerosis underlying both diseases.
 ...
PMID:Additive effect of overweight and type 2 diabetes in the appearance of coronary heart disease but not of stroke: a cross-sectional study. 1212 Sep 18

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors, such as obesity, lipid abnormalities, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and hypertension. Exercise is reported to lower the incidence of cardiac events. The effect of exercise on plasma homocysteine concentrations, an independent cardiovascular risk factor, has not been previously reported in women with PCOS. We examined the effects of exercise on plasma total homocysteine concentrations in young overweight or obese PCOS women [age (mean +/- SD), 30.6 +/- 6.6 yr; body mass index, 35.49 +/- 7.57 kg/m(2)]. Twenty-one women consented to a 6-month exercise program; 12 women (exercisers) adhered to the program, whereas 9 (nonexercisers) did not. In both groups of women, the following parameters were recorded at baseline and 6 months: body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and aerobic capacity (maximal oxygen consumption); blood samples were taken after an overnight fast for plasma total homocysteine, insulin, and other biochemical parameters. A significant decrease in plasma total homocysteine concentrations (P < 0.001) and waist-to-hip ratio (P = 0.041) and a significant increase in maximal oxygen consumption (P = 0.019) were recorded at 6 months, compared with baseline in the exercise group. This decrease in homocysteine was not explained by changes in anthropometric or biochemical parameters. In contrast, no significant changes in any of the variables were observed in the nonexercise group. Our study has provided the first evidence that regular exercise significantly lowers plasma homocysteine in young overweight or obese women with PCOS, a group at increased risk of premature atherosclerosis. The precise mechanism by which exercise is associated with a reduction in homocysteine remains to be elucidated.
 ...
PMID:Exercise decreases plasma total homocysteine in overweight young women with polycystic ovary syndrome. 1236 25

Recent secular trends have resulted in large numbers of very overweight children who are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus and for various coronary heart disease risk factors, including adverse levels of lipids, insulin, and blood pressure. Furthermore, severe overweight in childhood is associated with risk factor clustering and with the initial stages of atherosclerosis. There are also several adult consequences of childhood obesity, including coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and premature mortality. The difficulties in preventing and reversing obesity, along with the frequent non-adherence of adolescents to lifestyle changes and medical treatment, will complicate treatment and prevention efforts.
 ...
PMID:Clustering of coronary heart disease risk factors among obese children. 1238 7

Combined hyperlipidemia (coincident present hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia) may contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease by increasing of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Although the cellular expression of CAMs is difficult to assess clinically, soluble forms of CAMs (sCAMs) are present in the circulation and may serve as marker of CAMs. The aim of this study was to determine whether combined hyperlipidemia in overweight adults without clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus or hypertension is associated with increased expression of CAMs. We examined the levels of soluble cell adhesion molecules (sICAM-1, sE-Selectin and sP-Selectin) in blood plasma of overweight adults (n = 36), mean of BMI 27.08 +/- 4.12 kg/m2 with combined hyperlipidemia, with total cholesterol (TC) 7.27 +/- 1.50 mmol/l, LDL cholesterol 4.89 +/- 1.35 mmol/l, HDL cholesterol 1.27 +/- 0.51 mmol/l and triglycerides (TG) 4.08 +/- 2.22 mmol/l before lipid-lowering therapies, and in equal numbers of age, sex and BMI matched controls. Patients with combined hyperlipidemia had significantly higher plasma levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) (298.13 +/- 41.24 ng/ml versus 241.35 +/- 37.48 ng/ml; P < 0.001), sE-Selectin (63.31 +/- 9.48 ng/ml versus 42.16 +/- 14.18 ng/ml; P < 0.001) and sP-Selectin (161.18 +/- 20.85 ng/ml versus 111.54 +/- 26.12 ng/ml; P < 0.001) compared with overweight, non-hyperlipidemic control subjects. Combined hyperlipidemia in adults with overweight is associated with elevated soluble plasma levels of CAMs. We suppose that levels of CAMs in these patients may be determined as a marker for appreciation of their potential atherosclerotic burden.
 ...
PMID:Increasing plasma levels of soluble cell adhesion molecules (sE-Selectin, sP-Selectin and sICAM-1) in overweight adults with combined hyperlipidemia. 1244 98

The prevalence of marked obesity is increasing rapidly among adults and has more than doubled in 10 years. Sixty-one percent of the adult population of the United States is overweight or obese. Americans are the fattest people on earth. Paradoxically these increases in the numbers of persons who are obese or overweight have occurred during recent years when Americans have been preoccupied with numerous dietary programs, diet products, weight control, health clubs, home exercise equipment, and physical fitness videos, each "guaranteed" to bring rapid results. Overweight and obesity are also world problems. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 billion people around the world are now overweight or obese. Westernization of diets has been part of the problem. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are being replaced by readily accessible foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and refined carbohydrates. Since class 3 obesity (morbid or extreme obesity) is associated with the most severe health complications, the incidence of hypertension, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease will increase substantially in the future. Recently, obesity alone has been implicated in the development of cardiac hypertrophy and CHF. The metabolic syndrome associated with abdominal obesity, which includes insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and elevated CRP levels, identifies subjects who have an increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Twenty to 25% of the adult population in the United States have the metabolic syndrome, and in some older groups this prevalence approaches 50%. The prevalence of overweight children in the United States has also been increasing dramatically, especially among non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican-American adolescents. Overweight children usually become overweight adults. Atherosclerosis begins in childhood. The degree of atherosclerotic changes in children and young adults can be correlated with the presence of the same risk factors seen in adults. As health providers, our direction is obvious!
 ...
PMID:Obesity and the metabolic syndrome. 1262 76


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10