Volume 211 | Issue 2 | August 2010
Highlighted Articles
By Sarah Leigh (Editorial Assistant) and Steve Humphries (Editor–in-Chief)
In this issue of Atherosclerosis Wang et al report the association of p-Cresylsulphate (PCS)(a protein-bound uraemic retention solute) with the development and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Massy et al comment that these observations are of particular importance, as they demonstrate that even modest increases in PCS levels, as found in presymptomatic renal disease, are associated with coronary artery disease. Further lines of investigation are suggested by Massy et al, including novel interventions which would either reduce the generation or absorption of these toxins, or increase their removal.
Using a randomized placebo controlled trial Bertrand et al have assessed the effect of Rosiglitazone on atherosclerotic progression in type 2 diabetic subjects. Dandona et al put Bertrand et al’s study into context and comment that the observed trend towards plaque regression may have reached significance with a larger sample size. However, Dandona et al recommend caution when using this group of drugs, as they are also associated with an increased incidence of oedema.
In their paper Pflederer et al attempt to distinguish “culprit lesions” in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) using coronary dual-source CT angiography, their results showed that such lesions are characterized by a greater proportion of non-calcified plaque, large plaque volume, remodeling, and specifically the presence of “spotty” calcification and a “contrast rim”. Blankstein & Ferencik commend this important study and hope that its findings will contribute to enhanced predictive screening which will ultimately result in improved clinical outcomes.
Review Articles
Bruno Vergès reviews abnormal hepatic apo B metabolism in type 2 diabetes, focusing on the role of insulin on hepatic VLDL production and the pathophysiological effects that this has on insulin resistance, de novo lipogenesis and adiponectin.
In their article Fitzgerald et al present a detailed review of the current understanding of how ABC transporters contribute to lipid homeostasis via reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), using Tangier disease and sitosterolemia as models. Although evidence suggests that RCT protects against atherosclerosis, Fitzgerald et al conclude that a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying RCT and the inverse relationship between HDL and atherogenesis are required before these can be the targets of therapeutic strategies.
And finaly, Sheikine & Akram provide a detailed review of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)–PET in the imaging of atherosclerosis, they examine many aspects of this technology including: the mechanisms involved in FDG uptake, correlations between FDG uptake and disease risk, pitfalls of FDG-PET use in atherosclerosis and ask “what is the future role of FDG-PET imaging in atherosclerosis?”.
Papers in this issue include: | 
