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)

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) ligands are medications used to treat hyperlipidaemia and atherosclerosis. Increasing evidence suggests that these agents are immunosuppressive. In the following studies we demonstrate that WY14,643, a PPARalpha ligand, attenuates expression of anti-glomerular basement membrane disease (AGBMD). C57BL/6 mice were fed 0.05% WY14,643 or control food and immunized with the non-collagenous domain of the alpha3 chain of Type IV collagen [alpha3(IV) NC1] in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). WY14,643 reduced proteinuria and greatly improved glomerular and tubulo-interstitial lesions. However, the PPARalpha ligand did not alter the extent of IgG-binding to the GBM. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that the prominent tubulo-interstitial infiltrates in the control-fed mice consisted predominately of F4/80(+) macrophages and WY14,643-feeding decreased significantly the number of renal macrophages. The synthetic PPARalpha ligand also reduced significantly expression of the chemokine, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1/CCL2. Sera from mice immunized with AGBMD were also evaluated for antigen-specific IgGs. There was a significant increase in the IgG1 : IgG2c ratio and a decline in the intrarenal and splenocyte interferon (IFN)-gamma mRNA expression in the WY14,643-fed mice, suggesting that the PPARalpha ligand could skew the immune response to a less inflammatory T helper 2-type of response. These studies suggest that PPARalpha ligands may be a novel treatment for inflammatory renal disease.
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PMID:WY14,643, a PPARalpha ligand, attenuates expression of anti-glomerular basement membrane disease. 1788 25

Lyst(beige) mice crossed with hyperlipidemic low density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice (BgLDLr(-/-)) display increased lesion area and a more stable lesion morphology. To verify that the beige phenotype is not unique to LDLr(-/-) mice, we examined atherosclerosis in beige, apolipoprotein E-deficient mutant mice (BgApoE(-/-)). Severe diet-induced hyperlipidemia in BgApoE(-/-) mice resulted in increased aortic sinus lesion areas compared with controls. Minimal aortic lesions were observed in both genotypes on a chow diet. Nevertheless, BgApoE(-/-) mice displayed drastically reduced aortic sinus lesion growth. Reconstitution with bone marrow (BM) from green fluorescent protein mice created chimeric animals that allowed for the identification of donor-derived cells within lesions. Expressing the beige mutation exclusively in BM-derived cells had no impact on plaque development, yet the beige mutation in all cells except the BM-derived cells led to significantly larger aortic sinus lesion areas. Both mRNA and secreted protein levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 were altered in quiescent and phorbol ester-stimulated cultured macrophages, vascular smooth muscle cells, and aortic endothelial cells isolated from BgApoE(-/-) mice. Thus, expression of the beige mutation in all cell types involved in lesion development contributed to atheroprotection in chow-fed ApoE(-/-) mice.
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PMID:Expression of the Lyst(beige) mutation is atheroprotective in chow-fed apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. 1798 37

In Western culture, excess visceral fat accumulation or obesity has reached epidemic proportions, resulting in metabolic syndrome. However, more than 10 years of research has shown that adipocytes also function as endocrine cells that release various bioactive substances, so called "adipocytokines or adipokines", that play a major role in the regulation of food intake, insulin sensitivity, energy metabolism, and the vascular microenvironment. Adiponectin, an adipocytokine, is considered to improve insulin sensitivity. Recently, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 has been reported to be a novel adipocytokine involved in the development of obesity-associated insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Nuclear receptors, especially peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR alpha) and PPAR gamma are ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate the metabolism of glucose and lipids. PPAR gamma is strongly expressed in adipocytes and plays a significant role in the transcriptional activation of adipocytokines including adiponectin. PPAR alpha, another PPAR isoform, is involved in the control of lipid metabolism in the liver and skeletal muscle. PPAR alpha activation causes lipid clearance via beta-oxidation enhancement. We showed that various dietary terpenoids and other natural ingredients regulate the transcription of PPAR target genes, induces the expression and secretion of adiponectin, and inhibits those of MCP-1 in adipocytes and beta-oxidation in liver. These findings indicate that dietary factor acts as an agonist of PPARs and is a valuable medical and food component for the gradual improvement of metabolic syndrome.
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PMID:Dietary regulation of nuclear receptors in obesity-related metabolic syndrome. 1829 19

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous NOS inhibitor, is also an important inflammatory factor contributing to the development of atherosclerosis (AS). The present study was to test the effect of ADMA on angiotensin (Ang) II-induced monocytic adhesion. Human monocytoid cells (THP-1) or isolated peripheral blood monocyte cells (PBMCs) were incubated with Ang II (10(-6)M) or exogenous ADMA (30 microM) for 4 or 24h in the absence or presence of losartan or antioxidant PDTC. In cultured THP-1 cells, Ang II (10(-6)M) for 24h elevated the level of ADMA in the medium, upregulated the protein expression of protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) and decreased the activity of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH). Both of Ang II and ADMA increased monocytic adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), elevated the levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and upregulated CCR(2) and CXCR(2) mRNA expression, concomitantly with increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB. Pretreatment with losartan (10 microM) or PDTC (10 microM) abolished the effects mediated by Ang II or ADMA. In isolated PBMCs from healthy individuals, ADMA upregulated the expression of CXCR(2) mRNA, which was attenuated by losartan (10 microM), however, ADMA had no effect on surface protein expression of CCR(2). The present results suggest that ADMA may be involved in monocytic adhesion induced by Ang II via activation of chemokine receptors by ROS/NF-kappaB pathway.
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PMID:ADMA induces monocyte adhesion via activation of chemokine receptors in cultured THP-1 cells. 1861 18

Among the adverse effects attributed to antiretroviral therapy, one of the most striking is probably the appearance of the lipodystrophy syndrome and its associated metabolic derangements, given its potential long-term effect as a cardiovascular risk factor. Since not all patients who receive antiretroviral drugs experience these adverse effects, a host genetic predisposition has been postulated. However, currently available data on this issue is inconclusive and preliminary. It has been consistently demonstrated that polymorphisms in the genes that encode for apolipoproteins A5, C3 and E, for the cholesterol ester transporter proteins (CETP), and in the ATP binding cassette type A1 (ABCA1) influence the development of dyslipidemia in patients treated with antiretroviral drugs, particularly if the therapeutic regimen includes protease inhibitors. Data on the effect of polymorphisms in the sterol regulatory ester binding protein type 1 (SREBP1) are inconsistent. The effect of mitochondrial DNA mutations on the risk of lipodystrophy has been assessed, with inconclusive data. No polymorphisms in the lamin A gene have been detected. Investigations have assessed the effect of diverse polymorphisms in the genes that encode for several proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1-beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The results show inconsistent data in the case of TNF-alpha, no association in the case of IL-6, and preliminary positive associations in IL-1beta. In contrast, polymorphisms in the genes encoding for stromal derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and for monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) have been shown to influence the development of subclinical atherosclerosis in HIV-1-infected patients treated with antiretroviral drugs.
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PMID:[Toxicogenetics of antiretroviral treatment (1): lipodystrophy, metabolic perturbations and atherosclerosis]. 1868 Jun 92

Recent researches have shown that adipocytokines secreted by adipose tissue play an important role in inflammation which is considered to be a crucial step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Leptin, one of the earlier adipocytokines, is known to play a major role in cardiovascular disease and recent observations suggest that leptin is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. Resistin, another recently discovered adipocytokine, has been related to risk factors of atherosclerosis, and in diabetic individuals serum resistin levels correlate well with inflammatory markers and are predictive for the development of cardiovascular disease. Adiponectin, another adipocytokine of interest in recent years, seems to be the most promising one studied to date. In contrast to leptin and resistin, adiponectin seems to be beneficial for health and it is a protective factor and decreased in obesity. However, many other factors derived from adipose tissue have also been discovered, such as interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, apelin, visfatin and probably others awaiting discovery in the near future. In this paper, we discussed the role of adipocytokines in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
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PMID:A new frame in thromboembolic cardiovascular disease: Adipocytokine. 1837 21

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors proved to be effective in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Clinical effectiveness of this group of agents may largely depend on their pleiotropic effects. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of plasma- and tissue-type angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on blood pressure and on systemic inflammation, hemostasis and oxidative functions in normotensive patients with stable coronary artery disease. Ninety patients with stable coronary artery disease enrolled into the study were randomly divided into three different groups, simultaneously treated with enalapril (20 mg/d, n = 30), perindopril (4 mg/d, n = 30) or placebo (n = 30). Plasma lipid profile and the levels of oxidized low density lipoproteins (LDLs), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, interleukin-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 were determined at the beginning of the study and after 30 and 90 days of treatment. Seventy-six patients completed the trial. Neither enalapril nor perindopril affected blood pressure or plasma lipids. Perindopril significantly reduced plasma levels of oxidized LDLs, CRP, MCP-1, fibrinogen and PAI-1, and increased interleukin-10. The effect of enalapril on these markers of systemic inflammation, hemostasis and oxidative functions was much less pronounced. The results showed that enalapril and perindopril were devoid of a blood pressure-lowering effect in normotensive patients with stable coronary artery disease. Perindopril was superior to enalapril in exhibiting antioxidant, antithrombotic and profibrinolytic activities. The treatment-induced changes in the balance between pro- and antiinflammatory cytokines and in hemostasis may contribute to the clinical effectiveness of tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in the therapy of atherosclerosis-related disorders.
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PMID:Pleiotropic effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in normotensive patients with coronary artery disease. 1879 20

Inflammation of vascular cell wall is the key problem and proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines play a great role in it. These molecules, togheter with C-reactive protein (CRP) can predict risk of coronary events. It is questionable to what extend are CRP and pro-inflammatory cytokines purely acute phase markers and to what extend are they active inflammatory participants. Besides inflammation, other prominent mechanism in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis--underlying causes of coronary events, is genetics. Gene polymorphisms including polymorphisms of inflammatory markers are studied and one of them, polymorphism of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1/CCL2) and its receptor CCR2 (key components of atherosclerosis) belong to most studied one. MCP-1/CCL2 and CCR2 polymorphisms have been implicated as susceptibility factors for chronic stable angina pectoris and myocardial infarction by several independent investigators. It seems that CCL2/CCR2 axis plays an important role both in post-ischemic and post-reperfusion inflammation and could become a new therapeutic goal in selected cardiovascular diseases as well as in stroke in future. Inhibition of this axis disrupts ischemic-reperfusion injury by decreasing edema, leucocyte infiltration and expression of inflammatory mediators. One can suppose that identifying genes influencing inflammatory biomarkers might improve understanding of genetic determinants of cardiovascular disease our management and prevention (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 105). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.
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PMID:C-reactive protein, cytokines and inflammation in cardiovascular diseases. 1883 39

Macrophages are the main source of cytokines in atherosclerotic plaques. Modified low-density lipoproteins may stimulate macrophages to produce large quantities of proinflammatory cytokines that promote atherosclerosis. Berberine is the main component of the traditional Chinese medicine umbellatine, which has a widespread effect and was used to treat many diseases clinically. Our previous study found that berberine could increase adipophilin expression in macrophages, which is a target gene of PPARgamma. PPARgamma agonist could decrease proinflammatory cytokines in macrophage. In this study, we investigated the effects and the mechanism of action of berberine on the expression and secretion of TNFalpha, MCP-1, and IL-6 in vitro to identify new pharmacological actions of berberine. The results of RT-PCR and ELISA shows that berberine may inhibit the expression and secretion of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in macrophages stimulated by acetylated low-density lipoprotein (AcLDL), whereas the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) inhibitor GW9662 could attenuate this effect of berberine. This study demonstrates that berberine may inhibit the expression and production of TNF-alpha, MCP-1, and IL-6 in AcLDL-stimulated macrophages. This effect might be partially mediated through PPARgamma activity.
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PMID:Berberine inhibits the expression of TNFalpha, MCP-1, and IL-6 in AcLDL-stimulated macrophages through PPARgamma pathway. 1903 3

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is associated with atherosclerosis and transplant vascular sclerosis. The aim of this study was to explore the hypothesis that active CMV infection in the vessel wall could be associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We examined the prevalence of CMV in AAA specimens from 22 patients undergoing surgery and, in five cases, characterized the function of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from the aneurysm in vitro. Twenty-one (95%) of the 22 AAA specimens were CMV positive by a polymerase chain reaction assay, in situ hybridization, or a highly sensitive immunohistochemical staining technique. No positive cells were found in aortas from three CMV-seronegative organ donor cadavers. CMV immediate-early and late antigens were expressed in SMCs in the lesions and were associated with 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) expression. CMV-positive intimal SMCs migrated 6.6 +/- 1.5 times more efficiently than CMV-negative medial SMCs (p < 0.05). In vitro CMV infection of medial SMCs resulted in a 3.2 +/- 1.2 times increase in migration (p < 0.05). The intimal migration was significantly inhibited by antibodies against basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF; p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent fashion. Antibodies against platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB, insulin-like growth factor 1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), RANTES, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha, or interleukin-1beta did not significantly affect intimal SMC migration. However, intimal and medial SMCs secreted similar amounts of bFGF, MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, RANTES, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, epidermal growth factor, and VEGF. CMV infection in vitro of intimal and medial cells did not result in significant changes of bFGF or MCP-1 secretion. Since CMV infection can affect several functional parameters in SMCs, including several key factors in infected SMCs, our findings provide support for the hypothesis that CMV contributes to the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
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PMID:Active cytomegalovirus infection in aortic smooth muscle cells from patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm. 1908 94


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