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)

Adhesion molecules play an important role in the development and course of coronary atherosclerosis. In this study, soluble forms of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), E-selectin and P-selectin were evaluated in patients with various clinical presentations of coronary atherosclerosis and compared them to those with angiographically documented normal coronary arteries. Venous plasma samples were collected from 43 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 45 with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), 34 with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and 29 subjects with normal coronary arteries (control). The VCAM-1 level was significantly higher in patients with AMI (mean +/- SEM; 799.8 +/- 26.3 ng/ml) than those with UAP (644.2 +/- 26.7 ng/ml) and SAP (526 +/- 32.5 ng/ml) and controls (270 +/- 26.8 ng/ml). In patients with UAP, VCAM-1 was found to be significantly elevated as compared to the SAP group and controls. VCAM-1 level was also higher in SAP group than the controls. Serum levels ICAM-1 were similar among patients with AMI (424.1 +/- 15.2 ng/ml), UAP (403 +/- 12.3 ng/ml) and SAP (381.2 +/- 16.2 ng/ml); however, levels of ICAM-1 was significantly elevated in these groups as compared to the controls (244.3 +/- 11). The mean level of E-selectin was not different in AMI and UAP groups (47.2 +/- 2.2 vs. 42.6 +/- 2.1 ng/ml; respectively). However, it was significantly higher in acute coronary syndrome groups as compared to SAP (33.4 +/- 2.3 ng/ml) and control subjects (30.7 +/- 1.9 ng/ml). Serum levels of E-selectin were similar in SAP group and controls. For P-selectin, no significant difference was observed between AMI and UAP groups (187.5 +/- 7.2 vs. 181.7 +/- 4.7 ng/ml; respectively), however, it was significantly higher in both groups as compared to SAP group (146.1 +/- 7.4 ng/ml) and controls (108 +/- 6.6 ng/ml). Serum level of P-selectin was significantly higher in patients with SAP than the control group. In conclusion, determination of serum VCAM-1, E-selectin and P-selectin levels seems more useful for detecting coronary plaque destabilization.
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PMID:Levels of soluble adhesion molecules in various clinical presentations of coronary atherosclerosis. 1526 39

Adiponectin has antiatherogenic properties and attenuates endothelial inflammatory responses. CD146 is a novel cell adhesion molecule localized at the endothelial junction. In renal failure, endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis are almost universal. We studied possible correlations between adiponectin, CD146, and other markers of endothelial cell injury in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) on conservative treatment and patients with and without diabetic nephropathy maintained on chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We assessed adiponectin, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor, and endothelial function/injury markers: von Willebrand factor, thrombomodulin, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), intercellular adhesion molecule, and CD146. Adiponectin was elevated in patients with CRF and on CAPD. It correlated significantly, with PAI-1, thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor, intercellular adhesion molecule, VCAM, and CD146 in nondiabetics on CAPD. In diabetics, CAPD adiponectin correlated positively with C146 and VCAM and negatively with PAI and TFPI. In multivariate regression analysis, only CD146 remained a positive predictor of adiponectin in all CAPD patients. In CRF, adiponectin correlated with CD146. In healthy volunteers, adiponectin correlated with TFPI and CD146. Elevated adiponectin related to CD146 may be the expression of a counterregulatory response aimed at mitigating the consequences in endothelial damage and increased cardiovascular risk in renal failure.
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PMID:Adiponectin is related to CD146, a novel marker of endothelial cell activation/injury in chronic renal failure and peritoneally dialyzed patients. 1535 72

Benidipine hydrochloride (benidipine) is a dihydropyridine-Ca2+ channel blocker with antioxidant properties. We examined the effects of benidipine on cytokine-induced expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines, which play important roles in the adhesion of monocytes to endothelium. Pretreatment of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) with benidipine (0.3-10 micromol/l) for 24 h significantly suppressed cytokine-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mRNA and protein expression, resulting in reduced adhesion of THP-1 monocytes. Benidipine also suppressed induction of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and interleukin-8. Benidipine inhibited redox-sensitive transcriptional nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway, as determined by Western blotting of inhibitory kappaB (IkappaB) phosphorylation and luciferase reporter assay. Results of analysis using optical isomers of benidipine and antioxidants suggested that these inhibitory effects were dependent on pharmacological effects other than Ca2+ antagonism such as antioxidant effects. Benidipine may thus have anti-inflammatory properties and benefits for in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Effects of benidipine, a dihydropyridine-Ca2+ channel blocker, on expression of cytokine-induced adhesion molecules and chemoattractants in human aortic endothelial cells. 1536 9

Suppression of cell adhesion molecule expression and macrophage accumulation by the endothelium is believed to play an important role in preventing the development of atherosclerosis. Earlier, we have shown that in vitro supplementation of human aortic endothelial cells with Vitamin E dose-dependently reduced expression of adhesion molecules and monocyte adhesion. Here, we report the in vivo down-regulation of endothelial cell adhesion molecules expression and macrophage accumulation in the aortas of hypercholesterolemic rabbits supplemented with Vitamin E. To this end, New Zealand White rabbits were fed a semi-purified diet containing 30 (control) or 1000 IU/kg Vitamin E. After 4 weeks, both groups' diets were switched to an atherogenic diet (0.3% cholesterol, 9% hydrogenated coconut oil, and 1% corn oil) containing the respective levels of Vitamin E and fed for 2, 4, and 6 weeks. Vitamin E supplemented rabbits had significantly higher levels of Vitamin E in their plasma and aortas. Frozen aorta sections were fixed and stained by an avidin-biotin complex method using Rb2/3 and Rb1/9 monoclonal antibodies against rabbit ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, respectively, and with RAM-11 for macrophage and von Willebrand factor for endothelial cells, followed by staining with secondary antibodies and counterstaining and evaluation under the microscope. At 6 weeks on atherogenic diet treatment, a trend (P = 0.08) toward a lower score of ICAM-1 expression by endothelial cells was observed in the aorta of Vitamin E treated rabbits compared to the control. However, a decrease in the score of VCAM-1 expression by endothelial cells in Vitamin E treated rabbits did not reach to a statistical significance. At 4 and 6 weeks on atherogenic diet, Vitamin E supplementation also significantly (P = 0.003) inhibited the accumulation of macrophages in the aorta. These results support the concept that down-regulation of adhesion molecule expression and suppression of monocyte/macrophage activation by Vitamin E in vivo is one of the potential mechanisms by which Vitamin E may suppress the development of aortic lesions in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis 2004 Oct
PMID:Vitamin E supplementation suppresses macrophage accumulation and endothelial cell expression of adhesion molecules in the aorta of hypercholesterolemic rabbits. 1538 Apr 48

Inflammatory processes play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and other vascular disorders. We hypothesized that ischemia of the ductus arteriosus might initiate an active inflammatory response that could play a role in ductus remodeling and permanent closure. To test this hypothesis, we studied effects of postnatal ductus construction on inflammatory processes and remodeling in late-gestation fetal and newborn baboons, and preterm newborn baboons. After postnatal ductus constriction, the expression of several genes known to be essential for atherosclerotic remodeling [vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, E-selectin, IL-8, macrophage colony stimulating factor-1, CD154, interferon-gamma, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha] was increased in the ductus wall. We were unable to detect intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, ICAM-2, P-selectin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, or IL-1 by either real-time PCR or immunohistochemistry. VCAM-1, which is newly expressed by luminal cells of the closed ductus, is an important ligand for the mononuclear cell adhesion receptor VLA4. After postnatal constriction, VLA4+ monocytes/macrophages (CD68+ and CD14+) and, to a lesser extent, T-lymphocytes adhered to the ductus wall. Neutrophils and platelets were not observed. The extent of postnatal neointimal remodeling (both endothelial cell layering and subendothelial space thickening) was associated with the degree of mononuclear cell adhesion. Similarly, the extent of vasa vasorum ingrowth correlated with the invasion of CD68+ cells, from the adventitia into the muscle media. Based on these data, we conclude that the inflammatory response following postnatal ductus constriction may be as necessary for ductus remodeling as it is for atherosclerotic remodeling.
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PMID:The role of monocyte-derived cells and inflammation in baboon ductus arteriosus remodeling. 1561 59

There is evidence that dietary fat can modify the cytotoxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and that coplanar PCBs can induce inflammatory processes critical in the pathology of vascular diseases. To test the hypothesis that the interaction of PCBs with dietary fat is dependent on the type of fat, low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient (LDL-R(-/-)) mice were fed diets enriched with either olive oil or corn oil for 4 weeks. Half of the animals from each group were injected with PCB-77. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression in aortic arches was nondetectable in the olive-oil-fed mice but was highly expressed in the presence of PCB-77. PCB treatment increased liver neutral lipids and decreased serum fatty acid levels only in mice fed the corn-oil-enriched diet. PCB treatment increased mRNA expression of genes involved in inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in all mice. Upon PCB treatment, mice in both olive- and corn-oil-diet groups showed induction of genes involved in fatty acid degradation but with up-regulation of different key enzymes. Genes involved in fatty acid synthesis were reduced only upon PCB treatment in corn-oil-fed mice, whereas lipid transport/export genes were altered in olive-oil-fed mice. These data suggest that dietary fat can modify changes in lipid metabolism induced by PCBs in serum and tissues. These findings have implications for understanding the interactions of nutrients with environmental contaminants on the pathology of inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Dietary fat interacts with PCBs to induce changes in lipid metabolism in mice deficient in low-density lipoprotein receptor. 1562 52

Endothelial expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) plays an important role in atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is increased in hyperinsulinemic states, but whether insulin per se is proatherogenic remains unclear. To investigate the effects of hyperinsulinemia on CAM expression, plasma levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin were measured before and after forearm infusion of insulin in healthy subjects. Insulin administration for 2h resulted in significant hyperinsulinemia, whereas no significant change was observed in soluble CAMs (all p > 0.05). Because insulin stimulates endothelial release of both endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO), which may modulate the expression of CAMs, we also investigated the response of CAMs to ET-1 receptor blockade, alone and in combination with NO synthesis inhibition. ET-1 receptor blockade during hyperinsulinemia resulted in a vasodilator response, but did not affect soluble CAMs (all p > 0.05). Superimposition of NO inhibition by L-NMMA reversed the vasodilator effect of ET-1 blockade, without affecting soluble CAMs (all p > 0.05). In conclusion, acute hyperinsulinemia, alone or during ET-1 and NO pathway blockade, does not affect soluble CAMs. These results do not support a direct effect of insulin on endothelial cells to affect leukocyte adhesiveness to the vascular wall.
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PMID:Plasma levels of cell adhesion molecules during hyperinsulinemia and modulation of vasoactive mediators. 1567 82

Purpose of the study was to investigate whether short-term atorvastatin treatment improves endothelial function and affects inflammatory process in patients with heart failure (HF) and normal cholesterol levels. HF is characterized by endothelial dysfunction and increased inflammatory process, while statins restore endothelial function having also anti-inflammatory effects in hypercholesterolemic patients. We investigated the effect of 4-week atorvastatin treatment (10 mg/day) on endothelial function and inflammatory markers in patients with HF and cholesterol levels <220 mg/dl. Patients were randomly allocated into groups and received atorvastatin (n=19) or no statin (n=19). Forearm blood flow was measured using gauge-strain plethysmography. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1) were determined with ELISA. Data are expressed as median [25th-75th percentile]. Forearm vasodilatory response to reactive hyperemia was significantly improved in atorvastatin-treated patients (from 38.1% [32.0-59.1] to 70.0% [61.1-106.3], P<0.01), while it remained unaffected in the control group. Levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha and sVCAM-1 were decreased in atorvastatin-treated group (from 7.8 pg/ml [4.8-9.5], 3.2 pg/ml [2.7-4.8] and 595 ng/ml [440-810] to 5.6 pg/ml [2.5-9.0], 2.8 pg/ml [2.0-3.6] and 289 ng/ml [169-368], respectively, P<0.05 for all) but not in the control group. These findings indicate that atorvastatin may improve forearm vasodilatory response to reactive hyperemia and depress inflammatory process in patients with heart failure and normal baseline cholesterol levels.
Atherosclerosis 2005 Feb
PMID:Effects of atorvastatin on reactive hyperemia and inflammatory process in patients with congestive heart failure. 1569 46

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by repetitive episodes of hypoxia and is associated with an increase in cardiovascular disease. We, therefore, investigated the effect of repetitive hypoxia on two key early events in atherogenesis; lipid loading in foam cells and monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. Human macrophages were loaded with acetylated low-density lipoproteins. During lipid loading, the cells were exposed to 30 min cycles of 2%/21% oxygen or control (room air, 5% CO(2) incubator). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were also exposed to 30 min cycles of repetitive hypoxia or control conditions and monocyte adhesion measured. Cell adhesion molecules E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were measured by ELISA. Repetitive hypoxia increased cholesteryl ester uptake by macrophages (127+/-5% compared to controls; p=0.003). By contrast, monocyte adhesion to HUVECs and cell adhesion molecule expression were unchanged by exposure to repetitive hypoxia, compared to controls (p >0.1). Repetitive hypoxia, at levels relevant to tissues such as the arterial wall, enhances lipid uptake into human macrophages. This may contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis in OSA patients.
Atherosclerosis 2005 Apr
PMID:Repetitive hypoxia increases lipid loading in human macrophages-a potentially atherogenic effect. 1605 32

Extracellular nucleotides bind to type-2 purinergic/pyrimidinergic (P2) receptors that mediate various responses, such as cell activation, proliferation and apoptosis, implicated in inflammatory processes. The role of P2 receptors and their associated signal transduction pathways in endothelial cell responses has not been fully investigated. Here, it is shown that stimulation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with extracellular ATP or UTP increased intracellular free calcium ion concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)), induced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), p130(cas) and paxillin, and caused cytoskeletal rearrangements with consequent cell migration. Furthermore, UTP increased migration of HUVEC in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)-dependent manner. BAPTA or thapsigargin inhibited the extracellular nucleotide-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i), a response crucial for both FAK phosphorylation and cell migration. Furthermore, long-term exposure of HUVEC to ATP and UTP, agonists of the G protein-coupled P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptor subtypes, caused upregulation of alpha(v) integrin expression, a cell adhesion molecule known to directly interact with P2Y2 receptors. Our results suggest that extracellular nucleotides modulate signaling pathways in HUVEC influencing cell functions, such as cytoskeletal changes, cellular adhesion and motility, typically associated with integrin-activation and the action of growth factors. We propose that P2Y2 and possibly P2Y4 receptors mediate those responses that are important in vascular inflammation, atherosclerosis and angiogenesis.
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PMID:Modulation of endothelial cell migration by extracellular nucleotides: involvement of focal adhesion kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-mediated pathways. 1584 22


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