In their trial of lycopene supplementation on markers of oxidative stress and endothelial function, Kim et al report that lycopene has beneficial effects on biomarkers of oxidative stress, as evidenced by decreased oxidative DNA damage and increased plasma SOD activity. The potential value of this study is applauded in a commentary by Gian Paolo Fadini; however, he suggests that larger randomized controlled studies will be required to establish precisely the role of nutraceutical antioxidant intervention on defined vascular end points.
In an attempt to reveal the basis for the beneficial effect of ivabradine treatment, Skalidis et al show for the first time in stable CAD patients, that ivabradine significantly improves hyperaemic coronary flow velocity and flow reserve. They hypothesize that the continuation of this effect after heart rate correction may be due improved microvascular function. Commenting on this piece of translational research, Wellnhofer & Agewall emphasize the significance of Skalidis et al’s findings for the design of further experimental and clinical studies with ivabradine.
Review Articles
The pleiotropic effects of different statins are examined in a review article by
Koh et al. In light of the observation that pravastatin tends to reduce risk of new onset of diabetes, while atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin significantly increases the risk, Koh et al suggest that further clinical and experimental studies are required to reveal the mechanisms underlying these effects.
Napoli et al review the innovative use of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in therapeutic regenerative angiogenesis. They conclude that although EPC therapy is still in the early stages of development it may have the potential for standard clinical use, furthermore, they comment on the use of embryonic stem cells in this field.
In their review article Gupta & Thompson have examined the interaction between vitamin D and statins, with a view to possibly revealing the role of vitamin D deficiency in statin myopathy. Although they find some evidence to support the view that vitamin D deficiency is associated with statin-associated myopathies, they state that the given the quality and paucity of such studies, further work is required to confirm this observation and that as yet it would be premature to recommend vitamin D supplementation as a treatment for statin associated muscle complaints.
Papers in this issue include:
Vascular Biology, Hemostasis & Oxidative Stress
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In vivo Knockdown of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor-α1 Diminishes Aortic Atherosclerosis.
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Porphyromonas gingivalis Accelerates Inflammatory Atherosclerosis in the Innominate Artery of ApoE Deficient Mice.
Metabolism: Lipids, Lipoproteins, Carbohydrates, Homocysteine & Cholesterol
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Involvement of Cholesterol-enriched Microdomains in Class A Scavenger Receptor-mediated Responses in Human Macrophages.
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Macrophages exposed to hypoxia secrete proteoglycans for which LDL has higher affinity.
Imaging and Measurement of Vessel Health
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A new non-invasive method for detection of local inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques: Experimental application of microwave radiometry.
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Detection of Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaques with Superficial Proteoglycans & Foam Cells using Real-Time Intrinsic Fluorescence Spectroscopy.
Genetics
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High circulating level of large splice variants of tenascin-C is associated with mortality and cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease patients.
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Association of a BTN2A1 polymorphism with MI in East Asian populations.
Intervention
Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Nutrition
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Effects of lycopene supplementation on oxidative stress and markers of endothelial function in healthy men.
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Socioeconomic and ethnic differences in use of lipid-lowering drugs after deregulation of simvastatin in the UK: the Whitehall II prospective cohort study