Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0038454 (stroke)
147,016 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Understanding the tissue distribution of erythropoietin receptors and cellular actions of erythropoietic agents may facilitate the development of wider applications for these compounds. Erythropoietin receptors have been identified in the central nervous system (CNS), retina, heart, vascular endothelium, kidney, lung, liver, gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts, and erythroid bone marrow precursors. Potential benefits of erythropoietic agents in several therapeutic areas may result from actions other than hematopoiesis stimulation. Their hematopoietic effects may also have broader applications in treating anemia of the elderly and non-chemotherapy (CT)-related anemia in patients with cancer. Furthermore, because hypoxic tumor cells tend to be more resistant to radiation therapy (RT) and some forms of CT, and more aggressive than normoxic cells, increased oxygenation resulting from anemia correction may increase RT and CT sensitivity, possibly impacting treatment outcomes. However, clinical studies addressing this hypothesis have conflicting results. Preliminary evidence suggests erythropoietin has CNS neuroprotective effects, including potential clinical benefits in ischemic stroke. In addition, data suggest that erythropoietin (epoetin alfa) may attenuate declines in cognitive function during CT for early-stage breast cancer. Erythropoietin may have benefits in retinal disease, peripheral neuropathy, and myocardial ischemia. Thus, accumulating evidence suggests that erythropoietic agents may have clinical utility outside CT-related anemia.
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PMID:Preclinical and clinical studies: a preview of potential future applications of erythropoietic agents. 1576 75

Exciting advances have been made recently in genetic studies of coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), and ischemic stroke. One disease-causing gene for CAD and MI has been identified as MEF2A, which is located on chromosome 15q26.3 and encodes a transcriptional factor with a high level of expression in coronary endothelium. Approximately 1% to 2% of CAD patients may carry an MEF2A mutation. Four new susceptibility genes have been identified using genome-wide association studies or genome-wide linkage studies: LTA (encoding cytokine lymphotoxin-alpha) on 6p21.3 for MI; LGALS2 (encoding galectin-2, an LTA-interacting protein) on 22q12-q13 for MI; ALOX5AP (encoding 5-lipoxygenase activating protein involved in synthesizing potent pro-inflammatory leukotrienes) on 13q12-13 for MI and stroke; and PDE4D (encoding phosphodiesterase 4D) on 5q12 for ischemic stroke. These studies identify a new mechanism, the myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) signaling pathway of vascular endothelium, for the pathogenesis of CAD, and also confirm the role of inflammation in the disease process.
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PMID:Advances in the genetic basis of coronary artery disease. 1581 Dec 59

Chronic pain in the elderly is frequently a result of arthritic disorders, particularly osteoarthritis. The cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors are as effective as standard NSAIDs for the relief of pain and for improving function in elderly patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. COX-2 inhibitors increase the risk of serious gastroduodenal adverse reactions but there is evidence that they carry a lower risk for these adverse effects than standard NSAIDs, except when there is concurrent aspirin use. Since gastroduodenal disorders are the most frequently reported serious adverse effects of NSAIDs and these disorders occur more frequently in the elderly, COX-2 inhibitors offer an alternative to standard NSAIDs in this age group. However, they are not appropriate for many patients with cardiovascular and renal disease. The adverse reaction profile of the COX-2 inhibitors has confirmed the role of the COX-2 enzyme in renal function, salt and water homeostasis and the vascular endothelium. Thus, like standard NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitors can cause renal failure, hypertension and exacerbation of cardiac failure. Of note is that these disorders are dose related. Thus, there are good reasons to avoid high doses of COX-2 inhibitors in the elderly. Clinical trials indicate that daily doses of rofecoxib 12.5 mg, celecoxib 100-200 mg, valdecoxib 10mg and etoricoxib 60 mg are the minimum effective doses of these agents. Data from the New Zealand Intensive Medicines Monitoring Programme indicate that celecoxib 200 mg/day and rofecoxib 25 mg/day are/were the most commonly prescribed doses and that 6% of patients had taken rofecoxib 50 mg/day for longer than recommended. Recent research indicates that COX-2 inhibitors have a thrombotic potential, especially in high doses and when use is prolonged, and this further limits the extent to which they can be used in the elderly. Important interactions with COX-2 inhibitors in the elderly include those with warfarin, which can result in loss of control of anticoagulation, and those with ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists and diuretics, which can result in loss of control of blood pressure and cardiac failure and, in hypovolaemic conditions, renal failure. The clinical significance of an interaction between celecoxib and aspirin to reduce the antiplatelet effect of the latter drug is unknown. Preliminary information from spontaneous reporting systems indicates that there may be differences in the risk of cardiac failure and hypertension between standard NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors and between rofecoxib and celecoxib. More formal studies using equivalent doses are needed to test this observation. Use of COX-2 inhibitors may be considered in the elderly to reduce the risk of gastroduodenal complications associated with standard NSAIDs but only when consideration has first been given to use of less toxic medicines as alternatives or supplements, the appropriate dose of the COX-2 inhibitor or standard NSAID, the presence and possible impact of co-morbidities, and the implications of taking COX-2 inhibitors with any concomitant medications. Equally important is regular monitoring of the patient taking a COX-2 inhibitor for efficacy and adverse effects, and ensuring that the patient has a continuing need to keep taking the drug. Close attention also needs to be paid to intercurrent illnesses and new prescriptions that may reduce the safety of the COX-2 inhibitor. A standard NSAID plus a proton pump inhibitor may be equally effective as a COX-2 inhibitor in reducing the risk of gastroduodenal toxicity and if used the same prescribing advice applies. Current knowledge concerning the thrombotic potential of COX-2 inhibitors suggests that this combination, if tolerated, may be preferable to a COX-2 inhibitor, particularly where prolonged use is required. This knowledge also indicates that for patients with or at high risk of ischaemic heart disease or stroke, COX-2 inhibitors are contraindicated.
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PMID:Cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors: when should they be used in the elderly? 1581 52

Sir John Vane named vascular endothelium 'the maestro of blood circulation'. Recently, 'the maestro' has become a target for pharmacotherapy of atherothrombotic and diabetic vasculopathies with well known cardio-vascular drugs belonging to the families of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors, HMG CoA reductase inhibitors or beta1-Adrenoceptor antagonists. These drugs became upgraded to a position of the pleiotropic endothelial drugs. It is not a simple verbal change in the nomenclature. It means that these drugs apart from their well defined mechanisms of action, as indicated in their regular names, in addition they act in an unknown mechanism at the level of vascular endothelium preventing angina, myocardial infarction and stroke. Many biochemical events take place in endothelial cells. I chose for a closer inspection the nitric oxide/prostacyclin defensive system to explain the endothelial pleiotropism of the drugs in question. I tried to examine the validity of this conception according to the general rule: in vitro cognitio sed in vivo veritas.
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PMID:Pharmacology of vascular endothelium. Delivered on 27 June 2004 at the 29th FEBS Congress in Warsaw. 1595 56

Vascular dysfunction is a hallmark of many diseases, including coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. The underlying mechanisms of these disorders are intimately associated with an increase in oxidative stress and excess generation of reactive oxygen species. Here, we report that the anionic free radical, superoxide (O2*- ), directly affects the function of ion channels in vascular endothelial cells. Vascular endothelial cells were exposed to O2*- under physiological, symmetrical chloride and chloride-free conditions. Superoxide was generated from the reaction of xanthine (0.2 mM) and xanthine oxidase (0.1, 1, and 10 mU/ml) while its effects were determined with the whole cell mode of the patch-clamp technique. Inhibitors of K+ and Cl- channels were used to determine the role of these ion channels in mediating the electrophysiological effects of superoxide. The addition of O2*- caused a dose-dependent depolarization of endothelial cells and activation of the whole cell current. Activation of superoxide-dependent current was observed in the presence of inhibitors of K+ channels, Ba2+ (100 microM) or iberiotoxin (100 nM), and was not affected by inhibitors of nonselective cation channels, La3+, or by inhibition of the Cl-/HCO3- transporter by bumetanide. The inhibitors of the Cl- channel, NPPB (0.1 mM) or DIDS (100 microM), partially prevented activation of superoxide-dependent current but were unable to reverse it. The effects of superoxide on the amplitude of whole cell current were prevented and reversed by superoxide dismutase. Taken together, these results suggest that superoxide directly affects the function of ion channels in vascular endothelium but the mechanisms of its modulatory effects remain unresolved.
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PMID:Electrophysiological effects of O2*- on the plasma membrane in vascular endothelial cells. 1596 27

The Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitor, tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), is the only endogenous inhibitor of the tissue factor (TF)-mediated coagulation pathway that plays a dominant role in normal haemostasis. TFPI exerts its action by binding to factor Xa (FXa) forming a TFPI-FXa complex that then, in a second step, binds and effectively inhibits the TF-factor VIIa (FVIIa) complex. Both full-length TFPI and chemically modified forms (e.g., truncated, glycosylated or phosphorylated TFPI variants) exert various pharmacological effects. The anticoagulant and antiplatelet actions of TFPI, its potency in inhibiting thrombin and FXa generation, as well as its favourable antithrombotic effectiveness seen in different animal models of venous and arterial thrombosis make this inhibitor a promising agent that could be potentially useful in several clinical indications. The inhibitory action of TFPI is accelerated by heparin. Heparin, as well as low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) derivatives, release TFPI from the vascular endothelium, an effect which seems to contribute mainly to the antithrombotic effectiveness of these drugs. The clinical relevance of TFPI is still undefined. Based on the beneficial actions in animal studies, as well as on the results obtained in first clinical investigations, TFPI is expected to be effective in the treatment of various diseases, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation, sepsis, coronary syndromes, stroke and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARD). Further clinical trials should clarify the role of TFPI and more importantly define its potential usefulness as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent.
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PMID:Recombinant TFPI and variants: potential implications in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. 1599 20

Aspirin is increasingly being used for long-term prophylaxis of myocardial infarction and stroke, but its use is limited by toxicity in the gastrointestinal tract. Even very low doses of aspirin can markedly increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration. While proven effective in prophylaxis of stroke and myocardial infarction, the efficacy of aspirin is limited. Addition of a nitric oxide-releasing moiety to several non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs results in a profound reduction in their toxicity in the gastrointestinal tract and kidney. A similar derivatization of aspirin has recently been shown to result in a more potent, gastrointestinal-sparing antithrombotic drug. Two such compounds (NCX-4215 and NCX-4016; NicOx SA) have undergone detailed evaluation thus far. In each case, the NO-aspirin has shown improved anti-aggregatory activity while not inducing detectable gastric damage. The compounds have also been shown to exert protective effects in the gastrointestinal tract exposed to other injurious agents. The NO-aspirin derivatives significantly inhibit leukocyte adherence to the vascular endothelium, which may contribute to their anti-thrombotic activity. NO-releasing derivatives of aspirin and naproxen also exhibit beneficial effects in experimental hypertension, which would also contribute to improved anti-thrombotic activity. NO-releasing derivatives of NSAIDs offer great potential as gastrointestinal-sparing anti-thrombotic drugs.
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PMID:Nitric oxide-releasing NSAIDs: GI-safe antithrombotics. 1615 51

Increasing evidence suggests that polyphenols from fruits, vegetables and beverages such as wine and tea may exert protective effects on the cardiovascular system. Indeed, research in the field of polyphenols points out their antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties, leading to lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and platelet aggregation. These compounds are also able to modulate the generation of nitric oxide (NO) from vascular endothelium and to interfere with the mechanisms leading to inflammation and endothelial apoptosis, contributing to the prevention of the endothelial dysfunction, known to play a central role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. This article reviews the potential targets of polyphenols involved in the complex pathophysiological events occurring in cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis and stroke.
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PMID:Polyphenols as potential therapeutical agents against cardiovascular diseases. 1641 90

Sickle-cell anaemia is the most common cause of stroke in children, and stroke is one of the most devastating complications of sickle-cell disease. Overt strokes are typically due to large-artery vasculopathy affecting the intracranial internal carotid arteries and proximal middle cerebral arteries, whereas silent strokes typically occur in the territory of penetrating arteries. The sickled red blood cell can contribute to the pathogenesis of stroke via abnormal adherence to the vascular endothelium and by haemolysis, which results in endothelial cell activation, a hypercoaguable state, and alterations in vasomotor tone. Red-blood-cell transfusion, the most common preventive measure for stroke in sickle-cell disease, is associated with iron overload in chronic disease. Therefore, interventions directed towards the potential mechanisms that promote vasculopathy and occlusion in sickle-cell anaemia should be investigated. Here we review the epidemiology, clinical spectrum, and pathophysiology of stroke in sickle-cell disease to identify potential therapeutic targets.
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PMID:Pathophysiology and treatment of stroke in sickle-cell disease: present and future. 1671 22

Sickle cell disease represents a spectrum of inherited hemoglobin disorders. The pathophysiology involves abnormalities not just in red blood cells but also vascular endothelium, white blood cell function, coagulation, and inflammatory response. Known sequelae of sickle cell disease include invasive infections, painful episodes, acute chest syndrome, strokes, and chronic pulmonary hypertension. Preventive strategies that decrease the risk of infection are the routine use of daily antibiotics until five years of age, immunization of children with the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in addition to the 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine, annual influenza vaccination after six months of age, and meningococcal vaccination after two years of age. A significant advance in stroke prevention is the use of transcranial Doppler ultrasonography to identify asymptomatic, at-risk children who should be considered for chronic blood transfusions. Chronic transfusion therapy for primary or secondary stroke prevention requires careful surveillance for iron overload and chelation therapy. Patients with chest pain, fever, or respiratory symptoms and new pulmonary infiltrates require aggressive medical management for acute chest syndrome. Pain management still represents an important area for aggressive treatment using sickle cell disease-specific guidelines. Newer treatments include hydroxyurea therapy to decrease the frequency of painful episodes and associated comorbidities, and hematopoietic cell transplantation for a limited subset of patients. Family physicians play a crucial role in instituting evidence-based preventive care strategies, initiating timely treatment of acute illness, recognizing life-threatening episodes, and providing a medical home for multidisciplinary management.
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PMID:Opportunities to improve outcomes in sickle cell disease. 1688 29


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