Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0042373 (vascular disease)
 17,070 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Erectile dysfunction (ED) may be an early sign or symptom of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined the relation of traditional and emerging risk factors for CVD to the severity of penile vascular disease in men with ED and without clinical coronary artery disease (CAD). In total, 137 men with ED were evaluated for penile vascular disease severity by penile Doppler ultrasound. These men were divided into the following groups based on ultrasound results: normal, cavernous venous occlusive disease, mild arterial insufficiency, and severe arterial insufficiency. Traditional (fasting lipid panel, fasting glucose, age, BMI, smoking, Framingham coronary artery disease risk score) and emerging (C-reactive protein, Lp(a), homocysteine) risk factors for CVD were correlated to severity of penile vascular disease in men with ED and without clinical CAD. Using univariate analysis, penile Doppler groups showed significant positive correlation to CRP (r=0.21; < or = 0.05) and age (r=0.30; < or = 0.01). For CRP, this correlation remained significant even when adjusted for age (< or = 0.05). Men displaying evidence of penile arterial disease (mild and severe arterial insufficiency) were characterized by elevated CRP levels (0.17 mg/dl) compared to men with no evidence of arterial abnormalities in the penis (0.04 mg/dl). CRP levels correlate significantly with increasing severity of penile vascular disease as measured by penile Doppler.
 ...
PMID:Relation of C-reactive protein and other cardiovascular risk factors to penile vascular disease in men with erectile dysfunction. 1293 49

Estrogen agonists/antagonists, when administered orally, exert a range of effects on hepatic function, some of which are potentially protective. These effects include reduced synthesis of IGF-I and apolipoprotein(a), and increased synthesis of IGFBP-1--shifts which arguably could decrease risk for vascular disease and certain cancers. These effects are diametrically opposite to those of growth hormone (GH), which boosts hepatic production of IGF-I and apolipoprotein(a), while suppressing that of IGFBP-1. Thus, a parsimonious explanation of these phenomena is that oral estrogen blunts the efficiency of GH signaling in the liver. Oral androgenic progestins may have the reverse effect. It may be of particular value to determine whether certain estrogen agonists/antagonists can exert relatively 'hepatospecific' activity when administered orally--thus enabling down-regulation of systemic IGF-I activity and of lipoprotein(a), without however inducing a significant increase in systemic estrogen activity. Preliminary evidence suggests that flax lignans and perhaps other phytoestrogens may have potential in this regard.
 ...
PMID:Estrogen agonists/antagonists may down-regulate growth hormone signaling in hepatocytes--an explanation for their impact on IGF-I, IGFBP-1, and lipoprotein(a). 1294 1

The authors evaluated the frequency and type of lipid disorders associated with subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) in older women referred to their university vascular disease prevention clinic. They also assessed the results of thyroid replacement therapy. Fasting serum lipid profiles and thyroid function tests were measured in 333 apparently healthy women (mean age: 71.8 +/- 7 years). These women were divided into 3 groups: group I: 60-69 years old (n = 132); group II: 70-79 years old (n = 153); group III: 80-89 years old (n = 48). SH was defined as a serum thyrotropin concentration higher than 3.20 mlU/mL with a normal free thyroxine concentration. The prevalence of SH was 7.5%. Thyrotropin was higher than 3.20 mU/mL in 25 women; 7 (5.3%), 14 (9.2%), and 4 (8.3%) in groups I, II, and III, respectively. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations were higher in the women with SH (p = 0.037). The mean values of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), TC/HDL-C ratio, lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]), apolipoprotein A-I (apo AI) apolipoprotein B100 (apo B) and apo B/apo A ratio were higher and triglycerides (TG) were lower, compared with those with normal levels of thyrotropin. However, none of these differences reached significance. Restoration of euthyroid status (thyroxine: 50-100 microg/day) in 17 SH women significantly improved TC (p = 0.017), LDL-C (p = 0.014), TC/HDL-C (p = 0.05), LDL-C/HDL-C (p = 0.03), apo B (p = 0.013), and Lp(a) (p = 0.0005) values. SH is relatively common in older women attending a vascular disease prevention clinic. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy significantly improved serum lipids. In particular, the reduction in LDL-C and Lp(a) concentrations may be of clinical benefit.
 ...
PMID:Subclinical hypothyroidism and lipid abnormalities in older women attending a vascular disease prevention clinic: effect of thyroid replacement therapy. 1456 32

It has been estimated that approximately 37% of the US population judged to be at high risk for developing coronary artery disease (CAD), based on the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines, have increased plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], whereas Lp(a) is increased in only 14% of those judged to be at low risk. Therefore, the importance of establishing a better understanding of the relative contribution of Lp(a) to the risk burden for CAD and other forms of vascular disease, as well as the underlying mechanisms, is clearly evident. However, the structural complexity and size heterogeneity of Lp(a) have hindered the development of immunoassays to accurately measure Lp(a) concentrations in plasma. The large intermethod variation in Lp(a) values has made it difficult to compare data from different clinical studies and to achieve a uniform interpretation of clinical data. A workshop was recently convened by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to evaluate our current understanding of Lp(a) as a risk factor for atherosclerotic disorders; to determine how future studies could be designed to more clearly define the extent to which, and mechanisms by which, Lp(a) participates in these processes; and to present the results of the NHLBI-supported program for the evaluation and standardization of Lp(a) immunoassays. This report includes the most recent data presented by the workshop participants and the resulting practical and research recommendations.
 ...
PMID:Report of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Workshop on Lipoprotein(a) and Cardiovascular Disease: recent advances and future directions. 1457 10

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) continues to be a controversial molecule regarding its role in human vascular disease. Although the physiologic role of this molecule is still unclear, novel discoveries within the last few years have suggested numerous mechanisms whereby Lp(a) may contribute to atherosclerosis and its complications in human subjects. These effects may differentially occur in vascular tissue and circulating blood compartments. A complex interplay between tissue-specific effects is probably more relevant to the pathogenicity of this molecule than one single effect alone. This review briefly describes the structure of Lp(a) in relation to its biochemical function, summarizing the current literature on various pathophysiologic mechanisms of Lp(a)-induced vascular disease and the role of cell and tissue-specific effects in promoting atherogenesis and thrombosis.
 ...
PMID:Lipoprotein(a): new insights into mechanisms of atherogenesis and thrombosis. 1518 38

Patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are at high risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular complications, and hypoglycaemia increases this risk. Furthermore, other metabolic parameters exacerbate cardiovascular risk in these patients. The aim of the study was to compare the metabolic effects of glimepiride and metformin in patients with T2DM. We evaluated 164 patients with T2DM (80 males, 84 females) in a multicentre, randomised, controlled, open, parallel group study comparing glimepiride with metformin. Eighty-one patients (aged 56+/-10 yr) received glimepiride (3+/-1 mg/d); 83 patients (aged 58+/-9 yr) received metformin (2500+/-500 mg/d). Patients had been diagnosed for < or = 6 months; they were non-smokers; had no hypertension or coronary heart disease; were not taking hypolipidaemic drugs, diuretics, beta-blockers or thyroxin; and had normal renal function. Metabolic parameters were measured after 6 and 12 months of treatment. Glimepiride significantly lowered lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and homocysteine levels (HCT) at 6 and 12 months. Both glimepiride and metformin lowered plasminogen activator inhibitor Type 1 (PAI-1) at 12 months and significantly improved levels of glycosylated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose and post-prandial plasma glucose after 6 and 12 months. Metformin significantly lowered fasting plasma insulin and postprandial plasma insulin. Glimepiride and metformin also reduced levels of other metabolic parameters in patients with T2DM. In particular, glimepiride significantly reduced HCT, Lp(a), and PAI-1 levels, important metabolic risk factors for atherosclerotic vascular disease. These reductions may be owing to improved glucose metabolism, but it cannot be excluded that these drugs have a direct effect on additional metabolic parameters.
 ...
PMID:Metabolic variations with oral antidiabetic drugs in patients with Type 2 diabetes: comparison between glimepiride and metformin. 1533 91

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by an increased incidence of vascular disease which is only partially explained by traditional risk factors. Previous reports suggested that the level of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], a particle linked to atherothrombotic disorders, is increased in patients with SLE. However, whether there are any differences in the distribution of apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] phenotypes between SLE patients and healthy controls remain to be determined. To address this issue, Lp(a) levels and apo(a) isoform size were analyzed in a total of 54 patients with SLE and in 108 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. SLE patients showed Lp(a) levels [median (interquartile range): 25.3 (6.5-51.0) vs. 9.5 (4.6-25.9) mg/dl, P=0.0109)] and a percentage of subjects with at least one small-sized apo(a) isoform (< or =25 K-IV repeats) significantly higher than controls (44.44% vs. 25.92%, P=0.0277). Multiple regression analysis adjusting for age, gender, disease duration, kidney involvement, the presence of active disease, as well as the carriage of at least one small apo(a) isoform revealed that only small apo(a) phenotypes were significant predictors of Lp(a) levels in SLE patients (P=0.0001). We conclude that genetic factors related to apo(a) size are a major determinant of elevated Lp(a) levels in patients with SLE. As small apo(a) phenotypes have been related to adverse vascular effects, it is feasible that small apo(a) isoforms may be a useful biological marker in the assessment of vascular risk in patients with SLE.
 ...
PMID:Analysis of the apolipoprotein(a) size polymorphism in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. 1575 29

Using analyses of the large cohort (n=5732) from the prospective study of pravastatin in the elderly at risk (PROSPER), we tested the hypothesis that Lp(a) concentration is an independent predictor of major vascular events and cognitive impairment in the elderly. Baseline Lp(a) levels were measured on fresh samples from 5732 subjects aged 70-82, who were followed for 3.2 years on average. Lp(a) levels were not significantly different across the age range in PROSPER, but were significantly higher in women (geometric mean 14.8 versus 12.4 mg/dl, P<0.0001). Those with a history of vascular disease had significantly higher Lp(a) levels, which remained after adjustment (P<0.0001). There was no statistically significant association between baseline Lp(a) and the risk of the primary endpoint (CHD death, non-fatal MI and fatal or non-fatal stroke) (hazard ratio 1.05, 95% CI 1.00-1.11, P=0.077), but after adjustment for baseline risk factors this did achieve statistical significance (1.06, 1.005-1.12, P=0.032). Finally, there was no statistically or clinically significant association between any adjusted baseline or dynamic cognition variables and Lp(a), and nor was there any significant association between Lp(a) and indices of disability throughout the study. This is the first study of the association between Lp(a) and a range of cardiovascular endpoints including cognitive and disability indices in the elderly. The main finding is that Lp(a) level, while influenced by a number of baseline characteristics, is not a significant predictor of cognitive function or levels of disability, but is a predictor of combined cardiovascular events over an average 3.2 year follow-up.
 ...
PMID:Plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentrations and cardiovascular events in the elderly: evidence from the prospective study of pravastatin in the elderly at risk (PROSPER). 1591 Aug 66

Although hyperlipidemia is known to contribute to vascular disease and it may play a role in dementia, specific studies for elderly are limited. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between dyslipidemia and dementia. In this study, 1251 patients admitted to the Hacettepe University Division of Geriatric Medicine were enrolled. On the basis of the mini mental state examination (MMSE), the clock drawing test (CDT) scores, the APA DSM-IV and the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria and the Hachinski ischemic score (HIS), the subjects were divided into four groups: Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and normal cognitive status (NCS). The lipoprotein levels were measured, and we analyzed the data using chi2 and the one-way analysis of variance methods. Among the subjects, 14.8% had low high-density lipoproteins (HDL), 58.5% had high triglyceride (TG), 73.6% had high low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and 21.6% had high lipoprotein-a (Lp(a)) of our study population. There was no difference between the dementia subgroups and the NCS group in the lipoprotein levels. The only significant relationship was between high TG levels and the AD, as well as the MCI groups. Low HDL and high LDL are important problems in elderly. Although serum lipid levels, especially of Lp(a), has recently been thought to be related with dementia, our study suggests the absence of such a relationship. The national data regarding the elderly population should be evaluated on the basis of genetic and environmental factors in each country. The present study showing no significant relationship between Lp(a) and the cognitive status adds new information to the available literature.
 ...
PMID:Are serum lipid and lipoprotein levels related to dementia? 1591 Oct 36

The authors evaluated the lipid profile of children with a positive family history of coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease (CVD), or hyperlipidemia and compared them with controls in order to identify risk indicators for atherosclerosis. A group of 315 children (group A) aged more than 2 years old with a positive family history were evaluated for serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), apolipoprotein B100 (ApoB100), apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1), and lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]). These values were compared with the levels of a control group of 214 children of comparable age (group B). The median age of children in groups A and B was 10.6 (range 2.3-16) and 9.8 (range 3-13.7) years of age, respectively. Among these children, 196 (52%), 47 (12.5%), and 72 (19.1%) had a positive family history of CHD (group A1), cerebrovascular disease (CVD) (group A2), and hypercholesterolemia (group A3), respectively. We identified 8 children with genetically determined dyslipidemia: 2 children with homozygous and 6 with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Children in group A3 had significantly higher concentrations of TC, TG, LDL-C, and ApoB100 and lower concentrations of Apo A1 compared with controls, while no significant differences were found in concentrations of lipid variables among children of group A1, A2, and A3. Significant differences were also noted in the concentrations of TC, LDL-C, and Lp(a) between children of group A1 and controls. Screening the progeny of young patients with CHD or familial hypercholesterolemia can identify children at excessive risk for future vascular disease.
 ...
PMID:Lipid profile of children with a family history of coronary heart disease or hyperlipidemia: 9-year experience of an outpatient clinic for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. 1607 21


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next >>