Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 16;283:7-12. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

McGill University Health Center/Royal Victoria Hospital Montréal, Québec, H4A 3J1, Canada. Electronic address:

This debate is designed to review the usefulness of the cholesterol mass within high-density lipoproteins (HDL-C) to predict the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). PRO: There is much current confusion regarding the role of high density lipoproteins (HDLs) in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). While it is an established fact that the concentration of HDL cholesterol is a robust, independent, inverse predictor of the risk of having an ASCVD event, recent studies have questioned whether HDLs actually protect against ASCVD. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 24;283:19-27. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, 200 Western Avenue, Cardiff, CF5 2YB, UK. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, but the mechanisms involved are not completely understood. In obesity, the adipocyte microenvironment is characterised by both hypoxia and inflammation. Therefore, we sought to determine whether extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from adipocytes in this setting might be involved in mediating cardiovascular disease, specifically by promoting leukocyte attachment to vascular endothelial cells. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 24;283:13-18. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chiayi City, Taiwan; Department of Information Management and Institute of Healthcare Information Management, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi County, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Stroke occurrence while on antiplatelet therapy, i.e., a breakthrough stroke, is often conveniently attributed to antiplatelet resistance. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Feb 5. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Electronic address:

Atherosclerosis 2019 Feb 1;283:1-6. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Density and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.

Background And Aims: Oxidized high-density lipoprotein (oxHDL) is characterized by reduced anti-inflammatory properties compared with HDL. However, the role of oxHDL in the pathogenesis of coronary artery calcification (CAC), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, remains unclear. We prospectively investigated the association between the change in oxHDL and progression of CAC in a substudy of a multicenter study. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Medicine and Department of Molecular Pharmacology, The Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, New York, NY, USA; "The Norman Fleischer Institute for Diabetes and Metabolism", Einstein-Sinai Diabetes Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore University Hospital, New York, NY, USA; Department of Biomedical Advanced Sciences, "Federico II" University, Naples, Italy. Electronic address:

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 29;282:154-161. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

1(st) Cardiology Clinic, 'Hippokration' General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece.

Background And Aims: Sedentary lifestyle, unlike leisure time physical activity (PA), is associated with atherosclerosis progression. Regarding the interrelationship between television watching, as a sedentary behavior pattern, and cardiovascular disease burden, few data exist.

Methods: In this cross-sectional epidemiological study based on 2043 inhabitants of the Corinthia region, in Greece, ultrasonography was used to measure carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in both carotid arteries. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Houston Methodist Debaky Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address:

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 28;282:148-153. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Sperimentali, Clinica Medica, University of Sassari, Italy; Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, USA.

Background And Aims: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Studies in animal models and humans suggested that glucose‒6‒phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, a genetically inherited condition causing haemolytic anemia, may be a risk factor for CVD. This hypothesis was tested in a large cohort from Northern Sardinia, where the population prevalence of G6PD deficiency is the highest in the Mediterranean area. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 29;282:143-147. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Lipid Unit, Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, IIS Aragon, CIBERCV, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.

Background And Aims: The aim of this work was to compared the effect of lipid lowering drugs among familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) subjects with a functional mutation in LDLR (LDLR FH) and FH with the p.(Leu167del) mutation in APOE.

Methods: We retrospectively selected all adults with the p. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 24;282:137-142. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHeath) at Houston School of Public Health in Austin, 1616 Guadalupe St, Suite 6.300, Austin, TX, 78701, USA; Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, 1912 Speedway, Stop D5000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA; Department of Women's Health Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, 1501 Red River Street, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.

Background And Aims: While numerous cross-sectional studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and carotid atherosclerosis in middle age, much less is known about the association of midlife CRF with carotid atherosclerosis in later life.

Methods: We studied 1094 participants, free of cardiovascular disease, who completed a maximal exercise test (GXT) for an objective measure of CRF between ages 40 and 59 and carotid ultrasound after the age of 59, with at least five years between studies. Carotid intima media thickness was measured. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 29;282:132-136. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Oviedo, Spain. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is associated with a high risk of stroke recurrence and occurrence of other vascular events. However, ICAS has been poorly studied from its asymptomatic stage. The objective of our study was to determine if subclinical intracranial atherosclerosis is associated with long-term incident vascular events in Caucasians. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 30;282:121-131. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, however, the underlying mechanisms that link CKD and CVD are not fully understood and limited treatment options exist in this high-risk population. microRNAs (miRNA) are critical regulators of gene expression for many biological processes in atherosclerosis, including endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. We hypothesized that renal injury-induced endothelial miRNAs promote atherosclerosis. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 30;282:110-120. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent and includes a spectrum of abnormalities ranging from steatosis to cirrhosis. In this review, we address recent evidence and limitations of studies that evaluated the association of NAFLD with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. NAFLD is considered an ectopic fat deposit associated with metabolic (insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia), inflammatory, coagulation and blood pressure disturbances. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 29;282:100-109. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high-density lipoprotein binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1) plays a crucial role in triglyceride hydrolysis, and GPIHBP1 deficiency leads to severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). Gpihbp1 knockout (GKO) mice develop mild lesions in the aortic root at the age of 11 months. Herein, we investigated the effect of Gpihbp1 deficiency on atherosclerosis (AS) under diabetic conditions. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 26. Epub 2019 Jan 26.

Divisione Immunologia, Euro Medical Center Srl, Firenze, Italy.

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 26. Epub 2019 Jan 26.

University of Alberta, 11220 83rd Avenue, Suite 5A9-014, Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7, Canada. Electronic address:

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 24;282:91-99. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

The Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: GlycA is a novel composite biomarker of systemic inflammation reflecting posttranslational glycosylation of acute phase reactants. GlycA has been associated with coronary artery calcium, cardiovascular disease (CVD) events and mortality. Vascular calcifications outside of the coronary arteries are risk markers of CVD and mortality. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

University of Central Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Unità Operativa di Interventistica Cardiovascolare, Presidio Ospedaliero Pineta Grande, Castel Volturno, Italy.

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China. Electronic address:

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 26;282:85-90. Epub 2019 Jan 26.

Department of Anesthesiology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Anesthesiology and Health Policy Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Anesthesiology, Shuan Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan; School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: The effects of influenza vaccination (IV) on stroke outcomes are unclear. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes after stroke in elderly individuals who have received an IV.

Methods: We used Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database 2000-2009 claims data to conduct a nested stroke cohort study including 148,909 hospitalized stroke patients aged 66 years and older. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 24;282:80-84. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Imaging, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA.

Background And Aims: Certain novel biomarkers may predict atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events; however, data on their relationship to coronary atherosclerosis and its progression as measured by coronary artery calcium (CAC) scanning is lacking. We evaluated the association between novel biomarkers and presence or progression of CAC.

Methods: The EISNER study was a prospective trial of patients without known ASCVD. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 22;282:75-79. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Second Department of Neurology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Statin pretreatment (SP) is associated with improved outcomes in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Collateral circulation status and final infarct volume (FIV) are independent predictors of functional outcome in AIS.

Methods: We sought to evaluate the association of SP with collateral circulation and FIV in AIS patients. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 14;282:67-74. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Immunoallergy and Proteomics Laboratory, Department of Immunology, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, UAM, Madrid, Spain; REDINREN, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: The predictive value of traditional CV risk calculators is limited. Novel indicators of CVD progression are needed particularly in the young population. The main aim of this study was the identification of a molecular profile with added value to classical CV risk estimation. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 19;282:57-66. Epub 2019 Jan 19.

Clinical Innovation & Research Centre (CIRC), Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Unevenly socioeconomic development and nutrition transition might bring large variations in the epidemiology of dyslipidemia. We aimed to estimate the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of dyslipidemia in different socioeconomic statuses and geographic regions in China, and to assess the associated factors and comorbidities of dyslipidemia.

Methods: We included participants aged 45 years and above from a nationally representative investigation: the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2011. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 30;282:52-56. Epub 2018 Dec 30.

Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Diabetes increases risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Current guidelines do not recommend measuring lipoprotein(a), another ASCVD risk factor, in these individuals. We examined the association of lipoprotein(a) levels with incident ASCVD events in persons with and without diabetes or prediabetes. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 20;282:45-51. Epub 2019 Jan 20.

Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Type I hyperlipoproteinemia is an autosomal recessive disorder of lipoprotein metabolism caused by mutations in the LPL gene, with an estimated prevalence in the general population of 1 in a million. In this work, we studied the molecular mechanism of two known mutations in the LPL gene in ex vivo and in vitro experiments and also the effect of two splice site mutations in ex vivo experiments.

Methods: Two patients with hypertriglyceridemia were selected from the Lipid Clinic in Vienna. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 28;282:37-44. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Mannheim Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Ludolf-Krehl-Straße 7-11, 68167, Mannheim, Germany.

Background And Aims: High concentrations of low density lipoprotein (LDL) triglycerides have been associated with prevalent angiographic coronary artery disease. The present analysis was designed to investigate the association of LDL triglycerides with cardiovascular mortality and to explore possible mechanisms that may link LDL triglycerides to cardiovascular risk.

Methods: LDL triglycerides were measured in 3140 participants of the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan;280:202-203

University Hospital Zurich, Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Raemistrasse 100, CH 8091 ZURICH, Switzerland. Electronic address:

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 2;282:29-36. Epub 2019 Jan 2.

Institute of Molecular Biology & Translational Medicine, The Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212002, China. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Studies on high ankle-brachial index (ABI) to predict mortality risk have yielded conflicting results. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between abnormally high ABI and risk of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality.

Methods: Pubmed and Embase databases were systematically searched for relevant articles published up to August 15, 2018. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 29;282:19-28. Epub 2018 Dec 29.

Teikyo Academic Research Center, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Real-world data on treatment patterns in Japanese hyperlipidemia patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) or prior atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD) are lacking.

Methods: This is a retrospective, longitudinal cohort analysis of administrative claims data (Japan Medical Data Center [JMDC] and Medical Data Vision [MDV] databases) for patients prescribed a new hyperlipidemia medication between 2014 and 2015. Patients were followed for ≥12 months. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 2;282:11-18. Epub 2019 Jan 2.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Platelets are a major culprit in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Circulating monocyte-platelet aggregates (MPA) represent the crossroads between atherothrombosis and inflammation. However, there is little understanding of the platelets and monocytes that comprise MPA and the prevalence of MPA in different CVD phenotypes. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 5. Epub 2019 Jan 5.

Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Bioclinicum J8:20, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64, Solna, Sweden.

Background And Aims: Calcification is a hallmark of advanced atherosclerosis and an active process akin to bone remodeling. Heparanase (HPSE) is an endo-β-glucuronidase, which cleaves glycosaminoglycan chains of heparan sulfate proteoglycans. The role of HPSE is controversial in osteogenesis and bone remodeling while it is unexplored in vascular calcification. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2019 Jan 12;282:1-10. Epub 2019 Jan 12.

Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: We have previously demonstrated that in response to hypoxia, von Willebrand factor (VWF) expression is upregulated in lung and heart endothelial cells both in vitro and in vivo, but not in kidney endothelial cells. The aim of our current study was to determine whether endothelial cells of different organs employ distinct molecular mechanisms to mediate VWF response to hypoxia.

Methods: We used cultured human primary lung, heart and kidney endothelial cells to determine the activation of endogenous VWF as well as exogenously expressed VWF promoter in response to hypoxia. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 20. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory on Assisted Circulation, Ministry of Health, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a clinical manifestation of extracoronary atherosclerosis. Many risk factors are involved in the process of PAD, but the association between serum magnesium (Mg) and PAD is not clear. Our study aimed to investigate whether serum Mg is associated with PAD incidence. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 22. Epub 2018 Dec 22.

Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Department of Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 7;281:98-106. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Bordeaux PharmacoEpi, University of Bordeaux, INSERM CIC1401, Bordeaux, France; INSERM U1219, 33076, Bordeaux, France. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: We aimed to compare the effectiveness of ticagrelor vs. clopidogrel or prasugrel on recurrence of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in real-life conditions, as requested by regulatory authorities at the time of marketing.

Methods: We performed a cohort study in SNDS, the French national healthcare database. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 23;281:89-97. Epub 2018 Dec 23.

Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada; Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Recent transversal studies have associated insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-2 levels with glucose tolerance and parameters of the lipoprotein-lipid profile. Here, we aimed at determining the longitudinal effects of a one-year lifestyle modification program on IGFBP-2 levels and to identify specific metabolic improvements impacted by the changes in IGFBP-2.

Methods: 99 middle-aged Caucasian men were involved in a lifestyle modification program consisting in personalized healthy eating and physical activity counseling, combined to elicit a daily 500 kcal deficit. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 24;281:78-88. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Department of Cardiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, PR China; Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, PR China. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: The neuropeptide catestatin (CST) is an endogenous nicotinic cholinergic antagonist that acts as pleiotropic cardiac protective hormone. This study investigated the association between CST and coronary artery disease (CAD) and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods And Results: The serum concentration of CST among 224 CAD patients and 204 healthy controls was compared, and its association with atherosclerosis severity in 921 CAD patients was further analyzed. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 23;281:71-77. Epub 2018 Dec 23.

Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Neurology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is a predictable and preventable condition, but existing evidence concerning its risk factors has not been quantitatively assessed. The aim of this meta-analysis is to identify the non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors for ICAS.

Methods: PubMed and EMBASE were searched (1995-May 15, 2018) for cross-sectional and longitudinal studies exploring risk factors for ICAS. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 25;281:62-70. Epub 2018 Dec 25.

Platelet Proteomics Group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), Universidade Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Platelets play a fundamental role in the increased atherothrombotic risk related to central obesity since they show hyperactivation and lower sensitivity to antiplatelet therapy in obese patients. The main goal of this study was to identify platelet biomarkers related to the risk of atherothrombosis in obese patients, confirm platelet activation levels in these patients, and identify altered activation pathways.

Methods: Platelets were obtained from cohorts of obese patients and age- and sex-matched lean controls. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 23;281:56-61. Epub 2018 Dec 23.

Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Medicine, Endocrinology and Clinical Nutrition, Kuopio University Hospital, Finland.

Background And Aims: Omega-3 fatty acids are known to have several cardioprotective effects. Our aim was to investigate the effects of intakes of fish and Camelina sativa oil (CSO), rich in alpha-linolenic acid, on the atherogenic and anti-atherogenic functions of LDL and HDL particles.

Methods: Altogether, 88 volunteers with impaired glucose metabolism were randomly assigned to CSO (10 g of alpha-linolenic acid/day), fatty fish (4 fish meals/week), lean fish (4 fish meals/week) or control group for 12 weeks. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 30;281:47-55. Epub 2018 Dec 30.

Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Gorlaeus Laboratories, Einsteinweg 55, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands.

Background And Aims: Stabilin-1 (STAB1) is a scavenger receptor expressed on alternatively activated macrophages and sinusoidal endothelial cells. Its ligands include oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and the extracellular matrix glycoprotein SPARC and it is present in both human and murine atherosclerotic lesions. We aimed to investigate the effect of specific deletion of STAB1 in bone marrow-derived cells, including macrophages on atherosclerotic lesion formation in mice. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 19;281:38-46. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Stem Cell Medicine, College of Biomedical Engineering, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China; Stem Cell and Biotherapy Engineering Research Center of Henan, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Endothelium inflammation, which can lead to endothelial activation and dysfunction, is widely accepted as the major event in multiple vascular disorders. The lncRNA HOXA-AS2 was previously reported to be involved in multiple inflammation-linked cancers. However, the role of HOXA-AS2 in endothelium inflammation is poorly understood. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 23;281:137-142. Epub 2018 Dec 23.

Department of Medical Biochemistry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Cholesterol is an essential lipid for cellular function and membrane integrity, and hence its cellular levels and distribution must be tightly regulated. Biosynthesis of cholesterol is ramped when its cellular levels are low. Herein, the ER-resident and rate-limiting enzymes 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) and squalene monooxygenase (SQLE) play a prominent role. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 19;281:128-136. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Medical Cell Biology, Philipps-University of Marburg, 35032, Marburg, Germany. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15)/macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1/GDF15) is associated with cardiovascular disease, inflammation and development of atherosclerosis and is highly expressed in macrophages (MΦ) of atherosclerotic lesions. Thus, we were interested in investigating the influence of GDF-15 in lipid homeostasis and autophagy in human MΦ during foam cell formation.

Methods And Results: Oxidized-low density lipoprotein (50 μg/ml oxLDL), recombinant (r)GDF-15, transiently silenced GDF-15 (siGDF-15 MΦ), as well as with negative siRNA transfected (nsiGDF-15 MΦ) PMA-differentiated human THP-1 MΦ, were used to investigate the effects of GDF-15 on autophagic processes and lipid accumulation. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 19;281:121-127. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark; The Copenhagen General Population Study, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: We aimed to test the hypothesis that levels of total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol are increased after Christmas and that the risk of hypercholesterolemia is increased after the Christmas holidays.

Methods: We conducted an observational study of 25,764 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study, Denmark, aged 20-100 years. Main outcome measures were mean total and LDL cholesterol levels. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 23;281:114-120. Epub 2018 Dec 23.

Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States; Nephrology Section, Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, United States. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Constipation is one of the most frequent symptoms encountered in daily clinical practice and is implicated in the development of atherosclerosis, potentially through altered gut microbiota. However, little is known about its association with incident cardiovascular events.

Methods: In a nationally representative cohort of 3,359,653 US veterans with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥60 mL/min/1. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Dec 23;281:107-113. Epub 2018 Dec 23.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Since clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with multi-vessel vasospastic angina (VSA) are not clear, we investigated the nature and prognosis of multi-vessel VSA in Koreans.

Methods: Among 2960 patients enrolled in the VA-KOREA (Vasospastic Angina in Korea) registry, 104 definite multi-vessel VSA patients, 163 single vessel VSA patients and 737 non-VSA patients were identified using the intracoronary ergonovine provocation test.

Results: Multi-vessel VSA and single vessel VSA groups showed similar baseline characteristics and medical treatment on discharge, but different from the non-VSA group. Read More