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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Oxidized low density lipoproteins (LDL) are now considered to be one of the atherogenic lipoproteins in vivo and to play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We previously demonstrated in mouse peritoneal macrophages that oxidized LDL stimulated prostaglandin (PG) E2 synthesis when incorporated into the cells [Yokode, M. et al. (1988) J. Clin. Invest. 81, 720-729]. In this study, we investigated arachidonate metabolism in macrophages after foam cell transformation. The cells were incubated with 100 micrograms/ml of oxidized LDL for 18 h, then stimulated with zymosan. Lipid-enriched macrophages which had taken up oxidized LDL produced much less eicosanoids, such as PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and leukotriene C4 than control cells. After labeling of the cells with [14C]arachidonic acid, they were stimulated with zymosan and the phospholipase activity was determined. The activity of lipid-enriched cells was about two-thirds of that of control cells. Then we investigated the fatty acid composition of their phospholipid fraction to clarify arachidonic acid content and mobilization. Percent of arachidonic acid of lipid-enriched cells decreased and less arachidonic acid mobilization was observed after stimulation with zymosan. These data suggest that impaired arachidonate metabolism in lipid-enriched macrophages can be explained by their decreased phospholipase activity and changes in their fatty acid composition.
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PMID:Decreased arachidonate metabolism in mouse peritoneal macrophages after foam cell transformation with oxidized low-density lipoproteins. 149 Oct 2

Small high density lipoproteins (HDL) with pre-beta electrophoretic mobility (pre-beta HDL) have recently been shown to be the primary acceptor of cholesterol from cultured cells. We studied the metabolism of these particles by incubating serum at 37 degrees C in the presence and absence of active lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT). We found that the serum pre-beta HDL concentration decreased in the presence of LCAT, but when LCAT was inhibited the concentration remained constant, or increased, depending on the method of inhibition. This suggests that pre-beta HDL are a substrate for LCAT. We also found a significant negative correlation between levels of LCAT activity and pre-beta HDL in 28 fasting healthy subjects, this provides evidence that the activity of LCAT regulates, at least in part the concentration of these particles in vivo. During the early phase of incubation there was a more rapid decrease in pre-beta HDL concentration which was greater in the post-prandial than fasting state. When we infused a triglyceride emulsion into 6 subjects or added this to serum in vitro we observed an immediate fall in pre-beta HDL concentration. These findings suggest that pre-beta HDL interact with triglyceride rich particles. We investigated the origin of pre-beta HDL from blood lipoproteins during their lipolysis, in vivo and in vitro and found that they were produced from both triglyceride-rich and high-density lipoproteins. Formation from triglyceride-rich lipoproteins was evident by the rise in pre-beta HDL concentration during heparin-induced lipolysis when fasting and post-prandially. The rise was greater post-prandially and particularly marked in 4 hypertriglyceridaemic patients following a fat load. Generation from alpha-HDL was evident when we prolonged the action of the heparin-released lipases by incubation of post-heparin sera at 37 degrees C. Continued formation of pre-beta HDL occurred at an equal rate in the fasting and post-prandial samples suggesting release by lipolysis of alpha-HDL. This was supported by the action of lipases on serum and isolated HDL in vitro, where triglyceride lipase rather than phospholipase activity appeared more effective at releasing pre-beta HDL. These findings suggest binding and release of pre-beta HDL by triglyceride-rich lipoproteins depending on the prandial state and production from alpha-HDL through the action of lipases.
Atherosclerosis 1991 Jul
PMID:An investigation of the role of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the metabolism of pre-beta high density lipoproteins. 177 70

Feeding of cholesterol-rich diet in male rabbits resulted in increased levels of cholesterol in plasma, aorta and liver and total lipids, phospholipids, free fatty acids in aorta and liver. Garlic supplementation to this diet suppressed these effects but their levels were still higher as compared to control rabbits. The plasma fibrinolytic activity which was decreased on cholesterol feeding was considerably increased when this diet was supplemented with garlic. There was increase in the activity of phospholipase in the cell-free supernatant of aorta and liver and decrease in the activity of cell-free supernatant NADH dehydrogenase of aorta when atherogenic diet was supplemented with garlic. Histopathological studies of aorta, liver and heart supported biochemical studies and indicated retardative effect of garlic on the development of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Effect of garlic supplementation to cholesterol-rich diet on development of atherosclerosis in rabbits. 186 1

Platelets play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. The arachidonic acid, whose oxygenated metabolites are potent regulators of the platelet-vessel wall interactions, is released from membrane phospholipids by the phospholipase (s) system (s). These membrane-linked phenomena are strongly modulated by the membrane physical properties. The present study was carried out to investigate the relationship between membrane fluidity and arachidonic acid metabolism in platelets from atherosclerotic patients. Twenty-one patients with peripheral vascular disease and twelve controls were studied. Platelets from patients showed an increase in membrane fluidity and enhanced thrombin-stimulated thromboxane synthesis. No alterations were found, however, in total phospholipid fatty acid composition. A significant decrease in the cholesterol/phospholipid ratio could account for the alterations in the membrane physical properties described in the platelets from patients.
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PMID:Membrane fluidity and thromboxane synthesis in platelets from patients with severe atherosclerosis. 309 71

The ability of platelets to synthetise thromboxane B2 and hydroxylated fatty acids from arachidonic acid was studied simultaneously with arachidonic acid-induced aggregation in 42 patients suffering from severe cerebral atherosclerosis and also in 34 healthy controls. Additionally, phospholipase-A2-induced aggregation was performed as a probe for arachidonic acid located at the platelet surface. All the assays were performed with washed platelets, eliminating a possible influence of plasma. Platelets from patients were found responsive to significantly lower concentrations of arachidonic acid whereas thromboxane and hydroxylated fatty acid biosynthesis did not differ from controls. In the experimental conditions used, 75% of the control platelets underwent aggregation with phospholipase A2 plus sphingomyelinase C, in comparison to only 50% for the patients, indicating the necessity for further analysis of the platelet membrane lipids in atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Platelet arachidonic acid metabolism in severe cerebrovascular disease. 681 8

The effect of triiodothyronine (T3) on prostacyclin production in rat aortic smooth muscle cells was investigated by using an intact cell assay system. T3 at its physiological concentrations has no significant effect on smooth muscle cell proliferation, but it does significantly stimulate prostacyclin production by the cells. Maximum stimulation of prostacyclin production is obtained when cells are treated with T3 for 4 consecutive days. The dose--response curve shows a linear relationship between the stimulation of prostacyclin production and T3 concentrations in the range 0.007--10 microgram/dl. The maximal prostacyclin production by T3-treated cells (at a concentration of 10 microgram/dl), is 270% compared with control cells. T3 treatment shows no significant effect on phospholipase (and/or lipase) activities. Our results suggest that thyroid hormone might play an important physiological role in the protection of arteries from atherosclerotic changes by stimulating prostacyclin production in arterial smooth muscle cells.
Atherosclerosis 1981 Jul
PMID:Triiodothyronine stimulates prostacyclin production by rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture. 702 Jul 10

Isoprostanes are eicosanoids that are non-enzymatic products of free radical catalyzed peroxidation of arachidonyl containing phospholipids (1). They are subsequently released from the site of generation as esters of phospholipid (bound) or through the action of phospholipase(s) A2 in free form (2). One F2-isoprostane whose formation is highly favored is 8-iso-PGF2 alpha which has been shown to be a potent pulmonary and renal vasoconstrictor (3,4). Actions of 8-iso-PGF2 alpha were demonstrated to be mediated through a receptor related to but probably distinct from the thromboxane (TXA2)/endoperoxide (PGH2) receptor (5). Although 8-epi-PGF2 alpha is a potent agonist of TXA2/PGH2 receptors in vascular smooth muscle, interestingly it acts primarily as an antagonist of TXA2/PGH2 receptors on both human and rat platelets (6). There is also evidence for the generation of D- and E-ring isoprostanes (7) and their receptor-mediated action on smooth muscle cells (8) and platelets (9). Recent reports support the hypothesis that E2-isoprostane receptors are distinct from TXA2/PGH2 receptors, suggesting at least different subtypes, one of these specifically recognizing E2-isoprostanes (9). Isoprostanes have been suggested to be useful markers for oxidant injury. For example, F2-isoprostanes were significantly elevated in plasma of rats during reperfusion after hepatic ischemia (10) and in patients with hepatorenal syndrome (11). It has been suggested that the release of F2-isoprostanes from oxidized LDL in macrophages could be a contributory factor in the development of atherosclerosis and at sites of inflammation, locally elevated levels of isoprostanes could contribute to blood cell activation. In this study we investigate possible pro- or antiaggregatory properties of various F- and E-type isoprostanes on human platelets.
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PMID:The influence of isoprostanes on ADP-induced platelet aggregation and cyclic AMP-generation in human platelets. 918 22

PD 089828, a novel protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor of a new structural class, the 6-aryl-pyrido-[2,3-d]pyrimidines, was identified by screening a compound library with assays that measured protein tyrosine kinase activity. PD 089828 was found to inhibit human full-length fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor-1 (FGFR-1), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor beta subunit (PDGFR-beta), Src nonreceptor tyrosine kinase (c-Src) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinases with half-maximal inhibitory potencies (IC50 values) of 0.15 +/- 0.02 (n = 4), 0.18 +/- 0.04 (n = 3), 1.76 +/- 0.28 (n = 4) and 5.47 +/- 0.78 (n = 6) microM, respectively. PD 089828 was further characterized as an ATP competitive inhibitor of the growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases (FGFR-1, PDGFR-beta and EGFR) but a noncompetitive inhibitor of c-Src tyrosine kinase with respect to ATP. In addition, PD 089828 inhibited PDGF- and EGF-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation in vascular SMC (VSMC) and basic FGF-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation in A121 cells with IC50 values similar to the potencies observed for inhibition of receptor tyrosine kinase activity. The inhibition of PDGF receptor autophosphorylation in VSMC by PD 089828 occurred rapidly, with maximal effects reached within 5 min of drug exposure. Inhibition after single exposure was long lasting but also rapidly reversible, occurring within 5 min after drug removal. The PDGF-induced association of downstream signaling proteins, including phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI-3K), growth factor receptor binding protein-2 (GRB2), SH-2 domain and collagen like (Shc) and phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma), with VSMC PDGF receptors was also blocked as a result of the inhibition of PDGF-stimulated receptor autophosphorylation by PD 089828. PD 089828 also inhibited the PDGF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the 44- and 42-kDa mitogen-activated protein kinase isoforms. Moreover, the effects of PD 089828 were demonstrated in functional assays in which PDGF-stimulated DNA synthesis, PDGF-directed migration and serum-stimulated growth of VSMC were all inhibited to the same extent as PDGF receptor autophosphorylation (IC50 = 0.8, 4.5 and 1.8 microM, respectively). These results highlight the biological characteristics of PD 089828 as a novel, broadly active protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor with long-lasting but reversible cellular effects. The potential therapeutic use of these broadly acting, nonselective inhibitors as antiproliferative and antimigratory agents could extend to such diseases as cancer, atherosclerosis and restenosis in which redundancies in growth-signaling pathways are known to exist.
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PMID:Inhibition of growth factor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle by PD 089828, a new synthetic protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor. 919 Aug 82

Free-radical oxidation of human plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) produces (carboxyalkyl)pyrrole (CAP) epitopes that were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using antibodies raised against keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-bound 2-(omega-carboxyheptyl)-pyrrole (CHP) and 2-(omega-carboxypropyl)pyrrole (CPP). These antibodies exhibit high structural selectivity (< 0.5% cross-reactivity) in competitive binding inhibition assays with the corresponding human serum albumin (HSA)-bound pyrroles. No cross-reactivity was detected for HSA-bound 2-pentylpyrrole, an epitope that is generated by a reaction of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) with protein lysyl residues. Oxidation of either arachidonic or linoleic acid in the presence of HSA produced an HNE-derived 2-pentylpyrrole epitope. However, only oxidation of linoleic acid formed HSA-bound CHP, while only oxidation of arachidonic acid generated HSA-bound CPP. Since ester hydrolysis with KOH markedly elevated levels of immunoreactive epitopes detected in oxidized LDL, the CAPs are presumably generated by reactions of oxidized cholesteryl esters, triglycerides, and phospholipids with LDL protein, and only some of these oxidized esters are hydrolyzed, e.g., by phospholipase activity associated with LDL. Protein-bound CHP immunoreactivity was detected in human plasma, and levels are significantly elevated in renal failure and atherosclerosis patients compared with healthy volunteers. This provides the first evidence for the biological occurrence of protein-bound CAPs in vivo and further suggests that free-radical oxidation of polyunsaturated lipids produces hydroxyalkenal carboxylate esters whose gamma-hydroxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde functionality and reactivity resemble that of HNE.
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PMID:(Carboxyalkyl)pyrroles in human plasma and oxidized low-density lipoproteins. 943 30

Chlamydia are obligate intracellular eubacteria that are phylogenetically separated from other bacterial divisions. C. trachomatis and C. pneumoniae are both pathogens of humans but differ in their tissue tropism and spectrum of diseases. C. pneumoniae is a newly recognized species of Chlamydia that is a natural pathogen of humans, and causes pneumonia and bronchitis. In the United States, approximately 10% of pneumonia cases and 5% of bronchitis cases are attributed to C. pneumoniae infection. Chronic disease may result following respiratory-acquired infection, such as reactive airway disease, adult-onset asthma and potentially lung cancer. In addition, C. pneumoniae infection has been associated with atherosclerosis. C. trachomatis infection causes trachoma, an ocular infection that leads to blindness, and sexually transmitted diseases such as pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy and epididymitis. Although relatively little is known about C. trachomatis biology, even less is known concerning C. pneumoniae. Comparison of the C. pneumoniae genome with the C. trachomatis genome will provide an understanding of the common biological processes required for infection and survival in mammalian cells. Genomic differences are implicated in the unique properties that differentiate the two species in disease spectrum. Analysis of the 1,230,230-nt C. pneumoniae genome revealed 214 protein-coding sequences not found in C. trachomatis, most without homologues to other known sequences. Prominent comparative findings include expansion of a novel family of 21 sequence-variant outer-membrane proteins, conservation of a type-III secretion virulence system, three serine/threonine protein kinases and a pair of parologous phospholipase-D-like proteins, additional purine and biotin biosynthetic capability, a homologue for aromatic amino acid (tryptophan) hydroxylase and the loss of tryptophan biosynthesis genes.
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PMID:Comparative genomes of Chlamydia pneumoniae and C. trachomatis. 1019 88


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