Impaired NO-dependent vasodilation of resistance vessels is an early marker of an increased risk of atherosclerosis; utility of the examination of microcirculation, however, is far less established. We have therefore tested the hypothesis that hypercholesterolemia is associated with an impaired microvascular reactivity and that this defect is at least partially reversible by lipid-lowering treatment. Twenty-seven otherwise healthy patients with severe hypercholesterolemia (HLP) were examined at rest and then after 10 weeks of atorvastatin treatment (20 mg/day). Skin microvascular reactivity (MVR) was examined by laser-Doppler flowmetry. Baseline MVR values of the studied group were compared to healthy control subjects, HLP patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetic patients with and without diabetic retinopathy. MVR was normal in HLP subjects without CAD. On the contrary, MVR was impaired in HLP patients with CAD. There was no effect of atorvastatin on MVR, despite the profound reduction of serum lipids. MVR values did not correlate with cholesterol levels. In diabetic subjects, the MVR was substantially impaired only in patients with retinopathy. In the subjects without retinopathy, MVR was either normal (type I diabetes) or moderately impaired (type II diabetes). MVR was thus normal in HLP patients without manifest vascular disease and was not influenced by lipid lowering therapy. Impairment in the MVR was only evident in subjects with HLP and severe CAD. These results suggest that microcirculation is not involved in the early vascular dysfunction induced by HLP and that MVR rather reflects changes which appear later in the course of the atherosclerotic disease., T. Štulc, Z. Kasalová, M. Prázný, M. Vrablík, J. Škrha, R. Češka., and Obsahuje bibliografii
This review concerns the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of different models of experimental hypertension (NO-deficient, genetic, salt-dependent), which are characterized by a wide range of etiology. Although the contribution of NO may vary between different models of hypertension, a unifying characteristic of these models is the presence of oxidative stress that participates in the maintenance of elevated arterial pressure and seems to be a common denominator underlying endothelial dysfunction in various forms of experimental hypertension. Besides the imbalance between the endothelial production of vasorelaxing and vasoconstricting compounds as well as the relative insufficiency of vasodilator systems to compensate augmented vasoconstrictor systems, there were found numerous structural and functional abnormalities in blood vessels and heart of hypertensive animals. The administration of antihypertensive drugs, antioxidants and NO donors is capable to attenuate blood pressure elevation and to improve morphological and functional changes of cardiovascular system in some but not all hypertensive models. The failure to correct spontaneous hypertension by NO donor administration reflects the fact that sympathetic overactivity plays a key role in this form of hypertension, while NO production in spontaneously hypertensive rats might be enhanced to compensate increased blood pressure. A special attention should be paid to the modulation of sympathetic nervous activity in central and peripheral nervous system. These results extend our knowledge on the control of the balance between NO and reactive oxygen species production and are likely to be a basis for the development of new approaches to the therapy of diseases associated with NO deficiency., J. Török., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and its treatment are associated with endothelial dysfunction (ED) and increased cardiovascular risk in adulthood. There are no data on ED in children after successful treatment of ALL. We aimed to assess new ED in these children using the plethysmographic reactive hyperemia index (RHI) and biomarkers that are known to be related to ED. In all, 22 children (mean 15.6 years), after successful treatment of ALL, and 18 healthy subjects were included in this prospective study. RHI, plasma concentrations of asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), high-sensitive CRP (hsCRP) and E-selectin were measured in all children. RHI values were significantly lower in ALL patients when compared with healthy controls (p<0.05). hsCRP was significantly increased in ALL patients compared with the control group (p<0.001). E-selectin plasma levels were higher in ALL patients as compared to healthy controls (p=0.05). This is the first study that combines both plethysmographic and biochemical methods to assess ED in ALL survivors. Significantly decreased RHI with elevated plasma concentrations of biochemical markers imply a possible association with premature ED in ALL patients. The combined diagnostic approach seems to be a valuable tool for more accurate detection of ED and preventive cardiovascular management in these patients.
A short review on the role of endothelium and nitric oxide (NO) in experimental hypertension is presented in the light of the literature and our own recent findings. Based on these data, it is concluded that even though there is a lot of evidence in favor of the primary and causal association of endothelial dysfunction and NO in experimental hypertension, it seems still more plausible that they are causative in some types of hypertension only. Our own experience rather speaks for a secondary but still an important participation of endothelium in the maintenance and further elevation of high blood pressure. Endothelium plays a key role in the development of organ damages in hypertension., H. Vapaatalo, E. Mervaala, M.-L. Nurminen., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Calcium cycling is a major determinant of cardiac function. S100A1 is the most abundant member of the calcium-binding S100 protein family in myocardial tissue. S100A1 interacts with a variety of calcium regulatory proteins such as SERCA2a, ryanodine receptors, L-type calcium channels and Na+/Ca2+ exchangers, thus enhancing calcium cycling. Aside from this major function, S100A1 has an important role in energy balance, myofilament sliding, myofilament calcium sensibility, titin-actin interaction, apoptosis and cardiac remodeling. Apart from its properties regarding cardiomyocytes, S100A1 is also important in vessel relaxation and angiogenesis. S100A1 potentiates cardiac function thus increasing the cardiomyocytes’ functional reserve; this is an important feature in heart failure. In fact, S100A1 seems to normalize cardiac function after myocardial infarction. Also, S100A1 is essential in the acute response to adrenergic stimulation. Gene therapy experiments show promising results, although further studies are still needed to reach clinical practice. In this review, we aim to describe the molecular basis and regulatory function of S100A1, exploring its interactions with a myriad of target proteins. We also explore its functional effects on systolic and diastolic function as well as its acute actions. Finally, we discuss S100A1 gene therapy and its progression so far., S. Duarte-Costa, R. Castro-Ferreira, J. S. Neves, A. F. Leite-Moreira., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Diabetes mellitus is associated with many complications including retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and angiopathy. Increased cardiovascular risk is accompanied with diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction. Pharmacological agents with endothelium-protective effects may decrease cardiovascular complications. In present study sulodexide (glycosaminoglycans composed from heparin-like and dermatan fractions) was chosen to evaluate its protective properties on endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. Effect of sulodexide treatment (SLX, 100 UI/kg/day, i.p.) in 5 and 10 weeks lasting streptozotocin-induced diabetes (30 mg/kg/day, i.p. administered for three consecutive days) was investigated. Animals were divided into four groups: control (injected with saline solution), control-treated with sulodexide (SLX), diabetic (DM) and diabetic-treated with sulodexide (DM+SLX). The pre-prandial and postprandial plasma glucose levels, number of circulating endothelial cells (EC) and acetylcholine-induced relaxation of isolated aorta and mesenteric artery were evaluated. Streptozotocin elicited hyperglycemia irrespective of SLX treatment. Streptozotocin-induced diabetes enhanced the number of circulating endothelial cells compared to controls. SLX treatment decreased the number of EC in 10-week diabetes. Acetylcholine-induced relaxation of mesenteric arteries was significantly impaired in 5 and 10-week diabetes. SLX administration improved relaxation to acetylcholine in 5 and 10-week diabetes. Diabetes impaired acetylcholine-induced relaxation of rat aorta irrespective of SLX treatment. Our results demonstrate that SLX treatment lowers the number of circulating endothelial cells and improves endothelium-dependent relaxation in small arteries. These findings suggest endothelium-protective effect of sulodexide in streptozotocin-induced diabetes., V. Kristová, S. Líšková, R. Sotníková, R. Vojtko, A. Kurtanský., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Several authors have reported the association of postprandial hypertriglyceridemia with oxidative stress, systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Our aim was to investigate the effect of high-calorie meal on blood markers of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction and the association of APOA5-1131T/C and -250G/A hepatic lipase (HL) polymorphisms with postprandial triglyceride response. This study included 102 healthy male volunteers. All participants consumed a high-calorie meal (823 calories, 50 g fat, 28 g protein, 60 g carbohydrates). Total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, hsCRP, TAS and ICAM-1 were measured at fasting state and postprandially. APOA5-1131T/C and -250G/A HL polymorphisms were also determined. Postprandial triglycerides were significantly increased (1.4 (1.1-2.1) vs. 2.4 (1.9-3.3) mmol/l, P<0.001). Average triglyceride increase was 1.0±0.7 mmol/l (65 %). Concentration of triglycerides, HDL- cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, TAS and ICAM-1 differed significantly between the fasting state and postprandial measurements (P<0.001). However, those differences were within the limits of analytical imprecision. Other parameters did not change 3 h after the meal. Triglycerides response did not differ respective to the APOA5 and HL polymorphisms. Family history of hypertension and acut e myocardial infarction were associated with higher postprandial triglyceride concentrations. Postprandial hypertriglyceridemia is not associated with increased concentrations of hsCRP, TAS and ICAM-1. Furthermore, APOA5-1131T/C and -250G/A HL polymorp hisms are not associated with different postprandial triglyceride response., S. Kackov ... [et al.]., and Obsahuje bibliografii a bibliografické odkazy
Endothelial dysfunction may be considered as the interstage between risk factors and cardiovascular pathology. An imbalance between the production of vasorelaxing and vasoconstricting factors plays a decisive role in the development of hypertension, atherosclerosis and target organ damage. Except vasorelaxing and antiproliferative properties per se, nitric oxide participates in antagonizing vasoconstrictive and growth promoting effects of angiotensin II, endothelins and reactive oxygen species. Angiotensin II is a potent activator of NAD(P)H oxidase contributing to the production of reactive oxygen species. Numerous signaling pathways activated in response to angiotensin II and endothelin-1 are mediated through the increased level of oxidative stress, which seems to be in casual relation to a number of cardiovascular disturbances including hypertension. With respect to the oxidative stress, the NO molecule seems to be of ambivalent nature. On the one hand, NO is able to reduce generation of reactive oxygen species by inhibiting association of NAD(P)H oxidase subunits. On the other hand, when excessively produced, NO reacts with superoxides resulting in the formation of peroxynitrite, which is a free radical deteriorating endothelial function. The balance between vasorelaxing and vasoconstricting substances appears to be the principal issue for the physiological functioning of the vascular bed., O. Pecháňová, F. Šimko., and Obsahuje bibliografii