Atherosclerosis News and Research

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Atherosclerosis is the progressive buildup of plaque - the fatty deposits and other cells - in the inner walls of the arteries. The condition is a consequence of elevated cholesterol and for many it's a silent disease, with no visible signs or symptoms. The disease can begin in early adulthood and continues to progress for the rest of a person's life. Despite the serious nature of atherosclerosis, many people do not understand how it develops and progresses.

Study determines surfactant protein-D as 'a good predictor' of cardiovascular disease

A blood protein known as surfactant protein-D (SP-D), which is mainly synthesised in the lungs, has been described as "a good predictor" of cardiovascular disease following a large study in North America.

8 Jun 2011

Low phosphate intake can reduce heart disease

Lowering phosphate intake in humans can reduce heart disease, according to research by experts at the University of Sheffield.

8 Jun 2011

FDA grants Pathway marketing clearance for JETSTREAM Navitus revascularization catheter for PVD

Pathway Medical Technologies, Inc, an innovator of endovascular treatments for peripheral vascular disease (PVD), announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the company 510(k) clearance to market JETSTREAM Navitus, an enhanced revascularization catheter for the treatment of PVD.

6 Jun 2011

Amylin's metreleptin clinical study data on partial lipodystrophy presented at ENDO 2011

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced results from a study that showed treatment with metreleptin, an investigational treatment that is an analog of the human hormone leptin, improved diabetes and lipid control in patients with partial lipodystrophy.

6 Jun 2011

Dendritic cells secrete signal molecule that contributes to pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease, and results from chronic inflammation of arterial vessel walls. An international collaboration led by Professor Christian Weber of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in Munich and Privatdozentin Alma Zernecke of Würzburg University now shows that dendritic cells stimulate this process by derailing a mechanism that normally acts as a brake on immune reactions.

4 Jun 2011

Research in progress for novel protein kinase inhibitors: GEN

Biotech scientists are working on novel protein kinase inhibitors that are targeting a host of conditions ranging from atherosclerosis to neurodegenerative diseases, reports Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News.

4 Jun 2011

Preclinical study: Combination therapy of SPX-106 and D-tagatose reduces triglycerides and cholesterol

Spherix Incorporated, an innovator in biotechnology for therapy in diabetes, metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis, and providers of technical and regulatory consulting services to food, supplement, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, today announced that its drug candidate, SPX-106, achieved statistically significant reductions in triglycerides and cholesterol when administered in combination with D-tagatose for nine weeks to genetically engineered mice prone to dyslipidemia.

3 Jun 2011

Removal of tonsils and appendix heightens risk of heart attack: Study

According to a new study surgical removal of tonsils and the appendix before the age of 20 is likely to elevate the risk of a premature heart attack. The researchers found that tonsillectomy (removal of tonsils) increased the risk by 44 per cent and removal of the appendix by 33 per cent. The risk increases were even higher when both the tonsils and appendix were removed.

2 Jun 2011

Appendix and tonsil surgeries before age 20 can increase risk of premature heart attack

The surgical removal of the appendix and tonsils before the age of 20 was associated with an increased risk of premature heart attack in a large population study performed in Sweden. Tonsillectomy increased the risk by 44% (hazard ratio 1.44) and appendectomy by 33% (HR 1.33).

1 Jun 2011

Lipidomic profiling can lead to better and earlier prediction of major diseases

Studying the genetic make-up of different varieties of lipids in the blood plasma of an individual can lead to a better and earlier prediction of diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, and heart disease, two researchers will tell the annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics today.

30 May 2011

Ultra bad cholesterol

Bad cholesterol, known as LDL is known to be sticky but this ultra –bad called MGmin-LDL is found to be stickier meaning it's more likely to attach to arterial walls. This is more dangerous because when LDL attaches to artery walls it forms fatty plaques that cause coronary heart disease (CHD). As fatty plaques grow, they narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow and also may trigger a stroke or heart attack. CHD is the most common type of heart disease and kills almost 450,000 Americans each year.

29 May 2011

NHLBI stops AIM-HIGH combination clinical trial in high blood cholesterol

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health has stopped a clinical trial studying a blood lipid treatment 18 months earlier than planned. The trial found that adding high dose, extended-release niacin to statin treatment in people with heart and vascular disease, did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and stroke.

27 May 2011

Leukemia, psoriasis drugs may treat vascular diseases

A drug that has been on the market for decades to treat leukemia and skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis may be a possible therapy for vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and hypertension, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.

27 May 2011

Asymptomatic patients do not benefit from CT angiography screening

Coronary computed tomographic angiography, which can detect plaque buildup in heart vessels, is sometimes used as a screening tool to assess the risk for a heart attack. However, the usefulness of the test on low-risk patients who do not have coronary symptoms, such as chest pain, has been unclear.

24 May 2011

New study raises doubts about benefits of ezetimibe in patients suffering from high LDL cholesterol

More than 42 million Americans suffer from high cholesterol, and 63 million more have borderline high cholesterol. Over time, high levels of LDL cholesterol, often called "bad cholesterol," build up along the walls of arteries and blood vessels, a process called atherosclerosis, which can lead to a high risk of heart disease, stroke and heart attack.

21 May 2011

Bitter cumin contains high levels of antioxidants and protects against DNA damage

Bitter cumin is used extensively in traditional medicine to treat a range of diseases from vitiligo to hyperglycemia. It is considered to be antiparasitic and antimicrobial and science has backed up claims of its use to reduce fever or as a painkiller. New research published in BioMedCentral's open access journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine shows that this humble spice also contains high levels of antioxidants.

20 May 2011

Study explores link between specific temperament traits and clinical events after heart attack

This study explores for the first time the potential predictive power of Cloninger's temperament traits on prognosis in patients after an acute coronary syndrome admission.

19 May 2011

Clinical data of Medtronic's Resolute drug-eluting stent in diabetes presented at EuroPCR meeting

For patients with both heart disease and diabetes who took part in a pooled series of rigorous clinical trials, the Resolute drug-eluting stent from Medtronic, Inc., provided remarkably safe and effective outcomes, according to the results of several studies presented today at EuroPCR, a major international meeting for cardiac and vascular specialists.

From Medtronic 18 May 2011

Medtronic to present clinical trial data of IN.PACT drug-eluting balloon technology at EuroPCR meeting

A global leader in advancing the treatment of cardiovascular disease through innovative medical technology, Medtronic, Inc. today announced recent milestones in its clinical program for the IN.PACT drug-eluting balloon technology.

From Medtronic 17 May 2011

Roche initiates TB-403 Phase Ib/II study in glioblastoma multiforme

ThromboGenics and co-development partner BioInvent International announce today that their partner Roche has dosed the first patient in a Phase Ib/II study with the novel antibody anti-cancer agent TB-403 (RG7334).

16 May 2011