Highlighted Articles
By Sarah Leigh (Editorial Assistant) and Steve Humphries (Editor–in-Chief)
In their paper Bot et al studied the expression pattern of the forkhead box transcription factor (FoxP1) in atherosclerotic tissue. They found that not only is FoxP1 expressed by different cell types, but that it is associated with more stable plaque characteristics and intraplaque TGF-βsignaling. In light of these findings Nakagami & Morishita in their invited commentary, question whether FoxP1 could potentially be a novel therapeutic target for atherosclerosis, as it appears to be a modulator of immunogenic response in vessels.
Using apoE2-KI mice Baron et al identify microparticles (MPs) as preclinical biomarkers present in atherosclerotic lesions and the liver, whose concentration increases during atherosclerotic and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis progression. Baron et al also report that activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha modulates MP levels in atherosclerotic lesions but not in the liver. In their invited commentary Menghini & Federici welcome these findings and highlight further lines of investigation to ascertain whether MPs in atherosclerosis are “guilty or innocent by-standers”.
Using magnetic resonance imaging in the superficial femoral artery, West et al reported in their study that ezetimibe has no effect on plaque regression in patients who were already on statin therapy, despite contributing to further reduction of LDL cholesterol levels. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that questions the efficacy of ezetimibe in the treatment of atherosclerosis as outlined in the invited commentary by Allen Taylor.
Review Articles
In their review article "A systematic review of randomized controlled trials: Walking versus alternative exercise prescription as treatment for intermittent claudication" Parmenter et al conclude that aerobic exercise other than walking appears to be beneficial for claudication, and that additional work is required in mobility-restricted older adults to define dose–response relationships. Parmenter et al confirm that the benefits of walking are still clear, however, they suggest that guidelines should be reviewed in order to recognize the role of non-walking exercise interventions.
In a review of 25 prospective studies Rosenson et al address the question “Does microvascular disease predict macrovascular events in type 2 diabetes?”. They reach the following conclusions: • Microvascular complications of diabetes are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes patients. • Coronary microangiopathy, abnormal coronary flow reserve in the absence of documented flow-limiting coronary artery stenosis, is an independent prognostic indicator of cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetes patients. • In randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, clinical trials, treatment with fenofibrate prevents microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes.
Imaging Papers
A pattern of disperse plaque microcalcifications identifies a subset of plaques with high inflammatory burden in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Li et al. The association between disperse plaque microcalcifications and intraplaque inflammatory markers (macrophages, C-reactive protein, osteopontin and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2) has led Li et al propose that it may be possible to use microcalcification detected by various imaging techniques as a surrogate marker for plaque vulnerability.
Skin autofluorescence is inversely related to HDL anti-oxidative capacity in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mulder et al. This study raises the possibility of using skin autofluorescence as a non-invasive marker of tissue advanced glycation endproducts to identify diabetic complications in type 2 diabetes patients.
Papers in this issue include:
Vascular Biology, Hemostasis & Oxidative Stress
- FOXP1 as a downstream target of TFG beta induces collagen synthesis & correlates with a more stable plaque phenotype.
- Anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative & anti-atherosclerotic effects of quercetin in human in vitro & in vivo models.
Metabolism: Lipids, Lipoproteins, Carbohydrates, Homocysteine & Cholesterol
- PPARalpha activation differently affects microparticle content in atherosclerotic lesions & liver of a mouse model of atherosclerosis & NASH.
- Thyroid Hormone Enhances the Ability of Serum to Accept Cellular Cholesterol via the ABCA1 Transporter.
Imaging and Measurement of Vessel Health
- A pattern of disperse plaque microcalcifications identifies a subset of plaques with high inflammatory burden in patients with acute MI.
- Skin autofluorescence is inversely related to HDL anti-oxidative capacity in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Genetics
- Variants of 11 Telomere-Pathway Gene Loci & the Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Women's Genome Health Study.
- Novel association analysis between 9 STR loci polymorphisms & CHD based on a cross-validation design.
Intervention
- The Effect of Ezetimibe on Peripheral Arterial Atherosclerosis Depends Upon Statin Use at Baseline.
- Predictive value of remnant lipoprotein for cardiovascular events in patients with CAD after achievement of LDL-cholesterol goals.
Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Nutrition
- Circulating levels of Bisphenol A & Phthalates are related to Carotid Atherosclerosis in the Elderly.
- Circulating Dickkopf-1 in acute ischemic stroke & clinically stable cerebrovascular disease.