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

Blood supply through collateral arteries is of critical importance in occlusive arterial diseases such as coronary atherosclerosis. Induction of angiogenic growth factor within either the narrowing arteries or jeopardized myocardium may promote angiogenesis in vivo, leading to salvage of ischemic myocardium. We constructed a replication-defective adenovirus (AdCAsFGF-2) coding for human basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 that is modified, so that its secretion will be facilitated, by tagging a signal sequence derived from FGF-4. A large quantity of FGF-2 was detected in both the cell lysate and culture medium of COS cells infected with AdCAsFGF-2, indicating that FGF-2 was secreted at least partly from the infected cells. The conditioned medium from the infected COS cells stimulated DNA synthesis in and induced cellular proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells. These effects were eliminated by adenovirus-mediated overexpression of a dominant-negative truncated FGF-receptor type 1. Implantation of a gel of basement membrane proteins containing fibroblasts infected with AdCAsFGF-2 into the ventral subcutaneous space of mice induced extensive cellular proliferation and the formation of functional arterioles. Cells surrounding the vessels were positively immunostained with antibodies recognizing either smooth muscle-specific alpha-actin or factor VIII antigen as a marker for endothelium. These results suggest that AdCAsFGF-2 may be useful for delivering functional FGF-2 into tissues and may lead to therapeutic angiogenesis in vivo.
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PMID:Adenovirus-mediated expression of the secreted form of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) induces cellular proliferation and angiogenesis in vivo. 940 15

Strong evidence from large observational epidemiological studies links haemostatic variables to the future risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. Recent data provide further evidence for an early involvement of haemostatic parameters in atherosclerosis. So far, a variety of markers of a procoagulatory tendency e.g. elevated fibrinogen, coagulation factor VII, factor VIII and von Willebrand factor, platelet hyperaggregation, increased plasma levels of D-dimer, and decreased fibrinolytic capacity, e.g. characterized by increased levels of PAI-1 activity and decreased t-PA concentrations have been identified prospectively. Thus, a complex disturbed haemostatic system plays an important role in the development of atherothrombotic events in several vascular beds. This review discusses the epidemiologic evidence of the association between the haemostatic system and cardiovascular disease.
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PMID:Haemostatic risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. 959 24

The role of hemostatic variables (which promote hemostatic plugs and thrombi) and rheological variables (which affect blood flow) in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases (ischemic heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease) is reviewed, with emphasis on epidemiological studies. Rheological variables are consistently associated with both prevalent and incident cardiovascular disease. These associations are only partly explained by conventional risk factors. The predictive value of plasma viscosity for cardiovascular events is partly explained by fibrinogen, and partly by lipoproteins. The associations of whole blood viscosity with cardiovascular disease are partly explained by plasma viscosity and partly by hematocrit. White cell count, but not platelet count, predicts ischemic heart disease events. Cigarette smokers have higher levels of rheological variables than non-smokers, these increases are partly or wholly reversible in ex-smokers. Lipoprotein reduction by pravastatin lowers plasma and whole-blood viscosity, which may be one mechanism through which lipid lowering produces an early reduction in cardiovascular events. Data from the Edinburgh Artery Study suggest that viscosity is related both to the extent of atherosclerosis, and to ischemia in the presence of a given degree of atherosclerotic stenoses. Among hemostatic variables, fibrinogen, factor VIII: vWF complex, tpA antigen, and fibrin D-dimer are associated with both prevalent and incident cardiovascular disease. Again, these associations are only partly explained by conventional risk factors They suggest that endothelial disturbance and increased fibrin turnover may play roles in cardiovascular disease. Hemostatic and rheological variables are therefore associated with both prevalent and incident cardiovascular disease, and may be mechanisms through which risk factors such as smoking, hyperlipidemia and infections (including oral infections) promote vascular events.
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PMID:Etiopathogenesis of cardiovascular disease: hemostasis, thrombosis, and vascular medicine. 972 96

The relation between urinary albumin excretion rate (UAE), transcapillary escape rate of albumin (TERalb), haemostatic factors, ambulatory blood pressure, and metabolic variables was investigated in 45 Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients without overt nephropathy or uncontrolled blood pressure. We enrolled 44 patients in a placebo controlled study to test the effects of 3 week long treatment with low-molecular weight heparin (tinzaparin) on the same variables. BMI, 24 h systolic and diastolic blood pressure, plasma concentrations of triglycerides, fasting glucose, factor VIII, von Willebrand factor (vWf), fibrinogen, alpha-2 macroglobulin, and fibronectin were notably higher in patients with increased albuminuria compared with normoalbuminuric patients, whereas the TERalb was similar in the two groups. TERalb correlated with fasting plasma glucose. UAE correlated more closely than TERalb with 24 h ambulatory blood pressure, vWf, and factor VIII. Urinary albumin excretion rate was unchanged during tinzaparin [28.9+/-5.6 vs 28.1+/-6.0 microg/min (geometric mean (antilog SD)] vs placebo (18.0+/-5.4 vs 17.6+/-5.3 microg/min), and no change was found in TERalb [6.3+/-1.6 vs 6.0+/-1.5%/h (means +/- SD), and 6.3+/-1.5 vs 5.6+/-1.8%/h; tinzaparin versus placebo, respectively]. Only minor changes were observed in blood pressure, lipids, glycaemic control and haemostatic factors. This study shows no correlation between albuminuria and transcapillary escape rate in Type II diabetic patients without overt nephropathy or uncontrolled-blood pressure. UAE is related to markers of atherosclerosis, endothelial injury and dysfunction, and haemostatic factors. Moreover, UAE correlates much more than TERalb with 24 h ambulatory blood pressure, von Willebrand factor, and factor VIII. Finally, short-term treatment with tinzaparin does not change the transvascular or glomerular leakage of albumin. These results indicate that TERalb is not a sensitive marker of microvascular dysfunction in such patients and that factors other than abnormal glycosaminoglycan metabolism may contribute to the vascular damage of these patients.
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PMID:Transcapillary escape rate and albuminuria in Type II diabetes. Effects of short-term treatment with low-molecular weight heparin. 1002 80

The atheroprotective effects of estrogen during the process of atherogenesis is well documented, whereas limited information is available about the effect of estrogen on pre-existing atherosclerotic lesions. After bilateral ovariectomy, 24 New Zealand White rabbits were randomized into three groups of eight animals each and subsequently fed a 0.5% cholesterol diet. In group I, the vessels were excised at day 84, whereas in group II, the cholesterol diet was continued for a total of 168 days. In group III, the animals were first fed with a cholesterol diet for 84 days; in the second phase of the experiment, the cholesterol diet was continued for a further 84 days with a combined estrogen treatment (1 mg estradiol valerate per kg body weight per week intramuscularly). At the end of the experiment, the proximal aortic arch, right carotid artery, thoracical aorta and abdominal aorta of each animal were excised and prepared for histological and immunohistological examination. By day 168, morphometrical analysis displayed a significantly lower plaque development under estrogen therapy in the carotid artery (0.08+/-0.18 mm(2) vs. 0.60+/-0.39 mm(2)), the thoracic aorta (0.56+/-0.94 mm(2) vs. 3.63+/-2.06 mm(2)), and in the abdominal aorta (0.55+/-0.70 mm(2) vs. 1.71+/-1.05 mm(2)) in comparison with the corresponding 168 day control group. However, estrogen treatment has failed to reduce further atherosclerotic plaque development in the aortic arch (9.42+/-1.79 mm(2) vs. 11. 64+/-3.29 mm(2)). Immunohistological detection of the 'anti-human factor VIII related antigen', i.e. the 'von Willebrand factor' (vWF), showed a significantly lower number of luminal cells positive for vWF in the aortic arch in the 84-day cholesterol group, compared with the corresponding controls of normocholesterolemic rabbits (65. 9+/-12.4% vs. 83.1+/-6.2%; P<0.05). Estradiol was able to inhibit the further progression of atherosclerosis when moderate vessel wall alterations were present, whereas pre-existing severe atherosclerosis was associated with a failure of the anti-atherosclerotic estrogen action. As suggested by the in situ detection of vWF as a morphological marker for endothelial cells, an intact endothelial layer might play an important role in mediating the beneficial effect of estrogen in the process of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis 1999 Nov 01
PMID:Effect of 17-beta estradiol on pre-existing atherosclerotic lesions: role of the endothelium. 1052 33

Vascular brain diseases are ranked the third as the cause of morbidity and mortality, in spite of the progress in diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive procedures. In the majority of cases of vascular brain diseases, it is ischemic brain disease, which is the final and the most severe stage of cerebral arteries atherosclerosis. Etiopathogenesis of atherosclerosis is not closer defined yet, but oxidative hypothesis is distinguished among the numerous theories. Within this theory, main place is attached to oxidative modification of LDL and Lp(a), together with numerous physiopathologic facts with the central role of reactive oxidative matters, where endothelial dysfunction is the main disorder responsible for the onset of numerous impairments, such as changes in coagulation-anticoagulation system. Considering these facts, it was established the hypothesis that in patients with IBD existed changes in hemostatic system, which were in positive correlation with the degree of cerebral atherosclerosis. The study comprised 36 patients with acute IBD and 28 patients with atherosclerotic encephalopathy. Control group was comprised of 30 patients with non-vascular diseases of similar characteristics. We investigated the correlation of the changes in hemostatic system (platelet aggregation, anti-thrombin III, D-dimer, protein C, factor VII, factor VIII, PAI-1) compared to the degree of cerebral atherosclerosis (ultrasonographically) and compared to the observed groups of patients. On the basis of all, the results of this study revealed significant increase of procoagulant factors concentration in patients with IBD, and similar changes were observed in patients with atherosclerotic encephalopathy, but less pronounced. All these changes in the total sample of patients, and particularly in patients with the pronounced cerebral atherosclerosis, are of primary and chronic character.
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PMID:The influence of the degree of cerebral atherosclerosis on the changes in hemostatic system in patients with ischemic brain disease and atherosclerotic encephalopathy. 1064 49

The objective of this study was to describe associations of retinal arteriolar abnormalities with clinical and subclinical manifestations of atherosclerosis and a broad group of risk factors for vascular disease. A biracial population of 8772 adults (aged 48 to 72 years) living in 4 communities was examined from 1993 to 1995 were studied for that purpose. Retinal arteriovenous nicking and focal arteriolar narrowing were determined by light-box grading of a 45 degrees fundus photograph by use of a standardized protocol. Diameters of arterioles and venules were measured in digitized photographs, and a summary arteriolar-to-venular ratio was derived as an index of generalized arteriolar narrowing. Focal arteriolar narrowing was associated only with hypertension. Generalized arteriolar narrowing was associated with carotid plaque but not with any other evidence of atherosclerosis, either clinical (cardiovascular disease or stroke) or subclinical (carotid or popliteal artery thickness or lower limb obstructive disease), or with plasma cholesterol. It was also associated with smoking, with inflammatory markers (white blood cell count, fibrinogen, and reduced albumin), and with the triglyceride and high density lipoprotein cholesterol changes associated with inflammation. Arteriovenous nicking was inconsistently associated with subclinical atherosclerosis. It was not associated with cardiovascular disease, stroke, or plasma cholesterol. Arteriovenous nicking was associated with markers of inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction (von Willebrand factor and factor VIII). Arteriolar narrowing and nicking appear to be related to hypertension and inflammatory factors. Nicking may also be related to endothelial dysfunction. Results suggest that these arteriolar changes are pathologically distinct from atherosclerosis. Including their measurement in population studies may permit evaluation of the independent contribution of arteriolar disease to various ischemic diseases of the heart, brain, and other organs.
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PMID:Are retinal arteriolar abnormalities related to atherosclerosis?: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. 1084 84

The influence of thyroid failure on haemostasis is controversial, both hypocoagulable and hypercoagulable states have been reported. Since both subclinical and overt hypothyroidism have been associated with atherosclerosis, a hypercoagulable state in addition might represent a risk factor for thromboembolic disease. We investigated various haemostatic variables in 42 women with subclinical hypothyroidism and compared them to 66 euthyroid controls. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, factor VII activity (FVII:C), factor VII antigen (FVII:Ag), factor VIII activity, von Willebrand factor (vWF), antithrombin III, heparin cofactor II, protein C, protein S, plasminogen, antiplasmin, plasminogen activator inhibitor and tissue plasminogen activator, as well as common lipid variables, were measured. Factor VII:C (P < 0.02) and the ratio FVII:C/FVII:Ag (P < 0.01) were significantly increased in subclinical hypothyroid patients compared to the control group. Both parameters remained higher in hypothyroid patients after exclusion of 18 women on oestrogen replacement therapy. No differences were found between the groups with respect to vWF or the other haemostatic and lipid variables tested. Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism had significantly higher levels of FVII:C. The greater increase in FVII:C compared to that of FVII:Ag, as shown by the increase in their ratio, might reflect the presence of activated FVIIa. This might mean a hypercoagulable state, which could contribute to the increased prevalence of coronary heart disease reported in such patients. A hypercoagulable state might be another argument in favour of thyroxine replacement treatment in subclinical hypothyroidism, especially in patients with additional risk factors for vascular disease.
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PMID:Haemostatic profile in hypothyroidism as potential risk factor for vascular or thrombotic disease. 1116 51

Overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) has been related to increased cardiovascular morbidity. Historical reports suggest hastening of blood coagulation following intravenous administration of epinephrine. Given the important role of the hemostatic system in atherosclerosis and thrombosis, it is surprising that short-term adrenergic effects on blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and platelet activity have not been scrutinized closely. To elucidate such effects in vivo, this paper reviews human studies in which alpha- and beta-sympathomimetic agents had been infused. The literature suggests a dose-dependent stimulation of factor VIII clotting activity, von Willebrand factor antigen, tissue-type plasminogen activator, and platelets within a 15- to 40-min infusion of epinephrine. Precise mechanisms underlying hemostatic changes with sympathetic activation remain to some extent speculative. However, there is evidence from adrenoreceptor blockade studies that coagulation and fibrinolysis molecules are released into circulation by stimulation of vascular endothelial beta-adrenoreceptors (most likely beta2-receptors). Combined alpha2- and beta2-adrenoreceptor-related mechanism(s) are responsible for platelet activation. Short-term activation of the SNS effects regular hemostatic activity. While in healthy individuals the hemostatic balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis may be preserved, catecholamine surge may trigger a hypercoagulable state and enhance the odds of overt thrombosis in patients with atherosclerotic disease.
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PMID:Effects of sympathetic activation by adrenergic infusions on hemostasis in vivo. 1116 93

Homocysteine, inflammatory markers (e.g. CRP), hemostatic factors (fibrinogen, PAI-1, factor VII and factor VIII) and lipoprotein (a) are independent risk factors for atherosclerotic disease. Although the association between these factors and atherosclerosis is clear, it is uncertain whether this signals a causal relationship, or whether the parameters simply represent markers of atherosclerosis. Currently, there are no reports on interventional studies demonstrating a benefit from correcting these risk factors. The determination of homocysteine, fibrinogen and lipoprotein should therefore be restricted to certain situations, such as atherosclerosis or a family history of the disease without classical risk factors, or uncertainty about the need for primary pharmacological prevention. An increase in these parameters should prompt the early use of lipid-lowering drugs or aspirin. In exceptional cases only (homocysteine), correction of the risk factors should be considered.
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PMID:[Homocysteine--CRP--lipoprotein (a). When do you evaluate the "new" risk factors]. 1121 76


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