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

The oxygen and glucose uptake, lactate formation, ATP/ADP and NADH/NAD ratios and incorporation of [14C]acetate and [14C]linolenic acid into lipids of early fatty streaks and more advanced complicated atherosclerotic lesions of human aorta were determined during aerobic and hypoxic incubation. Compared with grossly normal appearing sections of the aorta in intima and media preparations of early fatty streaks the oxygen uptake was increased while that in further developed atheroma was slightly diminished. Under aerobic incubation conditions the metabolic state of fatty streaks and atheroma was characterized by increased lactate formation, NADH/NAD ratio and incorporation of [14C]acetate and [14C]linolenic acid into the lipids, but by a lowered ATP/ADP ratio. More pronounced changes in these metabolic parameters were observed when the aortic tissue segments were incubated under hypoxic conditions. The analysis by argentation TLC of fatty acid methylesters derived from total lipids of aerobically incubated fatty streaks revealed an increased incorporation of [14C]acetate into the highly unsaturated long-chain fatty acids. In developed atherosclerotic lesions and in hypoxia the incorporation of radioacetate into the polyunsaturated fatty acids and the formation of 20:4 fatty acid from [14C]linolenic acid were, in contrast to the above finding, decreased while the synthesis of eicosatrienoic acid was increased. This finding suggests a block in the desaturation step of linoleic into 20:4 fatty acid in further developed atheroma and in hypoxia. In aerobically incubated atherosclerotic lesions and in hypoxia the palmitic acid was synthesized mainly by chain elongation while in grossly normal areas of the aorta at least part of this acid was synthesized de novo.
Atherosclerosis 1976 Sep
PMID:Comparative studies on fatty acid synthesis in atherosclerotic and hypoxic human aorta. 18 99

Platelets from most patients with type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia (IIa) aggregate in the presence of lower concentrations of epinephrine and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) than are necessary to aggregate normal platelets. We have observed a comparable functional alteration in human platelets made cholesterol-rich in vitro by incubation in a milieu artificially rich in free cholesterol relative to phospholipid. We therefore examined platelet aggregation and lipid composition of platelets and of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in 19 individuals with IIa (including three homozygotes), seven normolipidemic individuals with symptomatic, angiographically-documented coronary atherosclerosis (atherosclerosis group), and 23 asymptomatic, normolipidemic subjects (control group). More than 99 percent of platelet cholesterol was unesterified. There was a 7 percent increase in the cholesterol content of whole platelets per mole of platelet phospholipid (C/PL) in IIa as compared to normal controls. This resulted from a 22 percent increase in the C/PL of IIa platelet membranes with no change in the C/PL of the soluble or granule fraction. The C/PL of IIa platelets was 6 percent greater than that of platelets from patients with atherosclerosis. As compared to those of normal controls, IIa platelets aggregated in response to a ninefold lower concentration of epinephrine (p less than 0.001) and a twofold lower concentration of ADP (p less than 0.02). The response of atherosclerosis platelets to these agents was comparable to that of controls. In all groups, there was a negative correlation between the log concentration of epinephrine required to produce complete platelet aggregation and the platelet C/PL (r = -0.06; p less than 0.002). The composition of LDL isolated from the plasma of patients with IIa was characterized by a 39 percent increase in the amount of free cholesterol relative to protein and a 35 percent increase in C/PL, as compared with control LDL. These values were increased 23 and 19 percent, respecitvely, when IIa was compared with the atherosclerosis group. In all groups the C/PL of LDL correlated well with the C/PL of platelets (r = =0.61; p less than 0.001). However, a simple cause-and-effect relationship did not appear to exist since (1) erythrocyte membrane C/PL was not affected and (2) normal platelets or erythrocytes underwent no change in C/PL during 18 hours' incubation in IIa plasma. These studies demonstrate that LDL and platelets in IIa contain an increased amount of free cholesterol relative to its principal solubilizer, phospholipid. In platelets this correlates with an increased sensitivity to aggregating agents. Moreover, the similarity between the functional abnormality in IIa platelets and that previously observed in normal platelets made cholesterol-rich in vitro suggests that the lipid composition of platelet membranes may have a direct effect on the function of platelets in man.
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PMID:Abnormalities of cholesterol-phospholipid composition in platelets and low-density lipoproteins of human hyperbetalipoproteinemia. 18 56

ADP plays a key role in platelet aggregation and the enzymatic removal of this nucleotide may be important in the pathogenesis of intravascular thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Aortic intima extracts have ADPase activity and is able to remove small quantities of ADP efficiently. ADPase activity was assayed by measuring the catabolism of 2 micrometer 14C-ADP (final concentration) by the tissue extracts. Extracts prepared from normal, moderately and severely atherosclerotic human aortic initimas showed a significant progressive decrease in ADPase activity with increasing atherosclerosis. ADPase activity of the arch, thoracic and abdominal regions of normal aortas did not vary significantly, and thus did not correlate with the anatomical distribution of atherosclerosis. Vascular ADPase activity seems relevant in thrombogenesis since it may be a link between blood platelets and blood vessel wall interaction.
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PMID:ADPase activity of normal and atherosclerotic human aorta intima. 19 56

Experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits induced by feeding a standard atherogenic diet for 4 months resulted in an increased sensitivity of platelets to the proaggregatory action of collagen and ADP. Treatment with dipyridamole (3 x 10 mg/day i.m.) for 4 weeks normalized platelet loss in atherosclerotic rabbits and abolished the increased sensitivity to proaggregatory collagen, but not to ADP. Dipyridamole treatment lowered basal as well as PGI2-induced cAMP levels below values seen in platelets from normal rabbits, but the stimulation by PGI2 relative to basal cAMP levels was not affected or even increased by dipyridamole treatment. Dipyridamole did not affect the increased sensitivity of platelets from atherosclerotic rabbits to the antiaggregatory action of PGI2, indicating that dipyridamole decreased absolute cAMP levels, probably due to reduction of the adenine nucleotide pool in platelets without affecting the adenylate cyclase function. Dipyridamole enhanced atherosclerotic plaque formation in arterial walls. Basal as well as PGI2-stimulated cAMP content was lower in homogenates from atherosclerotic than from normal aortic tissue. Dipyridamole-treated animals showed a further decrease in basal as well as PGI2-stimulated cAMP content of the aortic tissue, suggesting that this decrease in cAMP content may be linked to the enhanced proliferative activity seen in artherosclerotic plaque formation.
Atherosclerosis 1979 Jul
PMID:Effects of dipyridamole in experimental atherosclerosis. Action on PGI2, platelet aggregation and atherosclerotic plaque formation. 22 6

The activity of phosphofructokinase (PFK, 2.7.1.11) was measured in arteries of very young (5-8 week old) pigeons known to differ in susceptibility to atherosclerosis. The activity of the arterial enzyme was significantly higher in the atherosclerosis-susceptible White Carneau (WC) pigeons than in the resistant Show Racers (SR). The difference was significant whether enzyme activity was calculated on the basis of extract protein, DNA content or fat-free dry weight. In the White Carneau arteries the activity of the enzyme was higher in the female than the male pigeons. PFK is a key regulatory enzyme of glycolysis and is subject to fine control adjustments. A low ATP/ADP ratio and a fall in citrate concentration, as for example, induced by hypoxia, are meditors of a feedback mechanism leading to a rise in PFK activity and enhancement of glycolysis for energy production. This mechanism appears to be the cause of the higher PFK activity in the WC arteries, because related studies indicate impaired Krebs cycle activity in these vessels. It is suggested that the increased dependence of the WC arteries on glycolysis facilitates the development of atherosclerosis in this pigeon strain and that the mechanism is similar to the mechanism by which tissue hypoxia causes lipid accumulation and connective tissue alterations in the arterial wall.
Atherosclerosis
PMID:Elevation of arterial phosphorfuctokinase activity associated with susceptibility to atherosclerosis in pigeons. 23 61

Experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits was associated with increased aggregation of their platelets to arachidonic acid, and with increased generation of thromboxane A2 by their platelet-rich plasma. A heightened susceptibility of platelets to the anti-aggregatory action of prostacyclin against the ADP-induced aggregation was also observed. It is concluded that in advance atherosclerosis the platelet system is hypersensitive to biologically active metabolites of arachidonic acid.
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PMID:Experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits: platelet aggregation, thromboxane A2 generation and anti-aggregatory potency of prostacyclin. 34 Dec 25

Plasma catecholamine concentration and platelet aggregation were studied in 22 patients with uncomplicated primary hypertension and 13 age-matched normotensive, healthy subjects at rest and in some during isometric handgrip exercise. The effect of norepinephrine (NE) infusion upon platelet aggregation was also examined. Plasma catecholamine concentration was slightly higher in the hypertensive than the normotensive group, but the difference was not significant. However, platelet aggregation to ADP was significantly greater in the hypertensive than the normotensive subjects. Exercise increased significantly both catecholamines and aggregation in both groups. Platelet aggregation was correlated with age (r = 0.62, P less than 0.01) and plasma NE (r = -0.34, P less than 0.05 for the total group of subjects). The infusion of NE increased significantly plasma NE and platelet aggregation and there was an inverse correlation between NE increase and threshold decrease (r = -0.69, P less than 0.05). Thus, plasma catecholamines and important determinants of platelet aggregation. However, in our study, uncomplicated primary hypertension was not associated with abnormal plasma catecholamine concentration. It is likely that the observed abnormal platelet aggregability to ADP represents a secondary phenomenon, possibly related to more advanced atherosclerotic vascular changes in hypertensive than normotensive subjects.
Atherosclerosis 1979 Apr
PMID:Platelet aggregation in relationship to plasma catecholamines in patients with hypertension. 46 25

Ischemic optic neuropathy and retinal arterial occlusion are 2 forms of arterial occlusive disease affecting the eye. Reports in the literature suggest platelet hyperactivity in acute arterial occlusive diseases affecting other organ systems. Therefore, 14 patients with ischemic optic neuropathy and 17 patients with central or branch retinal artery occlusion were studied to determine whether platelets have a role in the pathogenesis of these vascular occlusive disorders. The results of the following investigations were no different in these patients compared with those in 18 control patients with non-vascular eye diseases: prothrombin times, partial thromboplastin times, plasma fibrinogen, factor V, factor VIII, platelet counts and threshold concentrations of ADP, epinephrine and collagen resulting in secondary platelet aggregation and serotonin release. In contrast, platelet coagulant activities concerned with the early stages of intrinsic coagulation were significantly increased in patients with retinal artery occlusion without hypertension or type IV hyperlipoproteinemia, but generally normal in patients with ischemic optic neuropathy and in patients with retinal artery occlusion associated with hypertension, type IV hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes mellitus and generalized atherosclerosis. These results are consistent with a platelet contribution to retinal arterial occlusive disease in patients without other known contributing factors such as hypertension, serum lipid abnormalities, diabetes mellitus and generalized atherosclerosis and may have implications regarding prophylaxis.
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PMID:Platelet coagulant activities in arterial occlusive disease of the eye. 50 1

Individuals with familial hyperbetalipoproteinemia are at increased risk of premature atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Although there is controversy whether platelet survival is shortened or normal in this disease, several in vitro tests of platelet function are abnormal including a decreased threshold concentration for stimulation of aggregation by ADP, epinephrine and collagen and increased release of nucleotides to the same agents. These functional changes are accompanied by an increase of cholesterol to phospholipid ratio in the platelet membrane and in low density lipoprotein in individuals with type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia. Clofibrate and halofenate reverse some of the abnormalities in vitro and the former drug, when administered for 6 weeks to patients with type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia decreases platelet sensitivity to ADP and epinephrine. The platelet hypersensitivity to aggregating agents can be reproduced in vitro by increasing the cholesterol to phospholipid rather in normal platelets. These artificially hypersensitive platelets can be returned to normal by halofenate in vitro. Incorporation of cholesterol into platelet membranes increases the basal level of the membrane associated enzyme adenylate cyclase. However, the enzyme no longer responds to stimulation by prostaglandin E1, and this is associated with relative resistance of the platelet to inhibition by this pharmacologic agent. These functional alterations produced by cholesterol enrichment of platelet membranes occur is parallel with an increase in platelet membrane microviscosity suggesting that the more rigid membrane can alter the behavior of membrane associated enzymes and receptors. A correlation appears to exist between the ability of certain drugs to induce phase separation in model membranes and the potency in inhibitory platelet aggregation.
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PMID:Platelet function in hyperbetalipoproteinemia. 58 Sep 82

Platelet aggregation has been studied in 28 control subjects and 46 patients with peripheral vascular disease. The platelets from the patients with peripheral vascular disease were significantly more sensitive to the aggregating effects of adenosine diphosphate and adrenaline than those from the control group (P less than 0.001). In addition, spontaneous platelet aggregation was observed in vitro in several of the vascular patients; this response was not apparent in the control group. Increased platelet aggregation could add to the vascular impairment in the unoperated subject and might also play a part in premature graft failure. Platelet function studies should perhaps be included as a routine in the assessment of patients with peripheral vascular disease.
Atherosclerosis 1978 Jan
PMID:Platelet aggregation in patients with peripheral vascular disease. 62 26


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