 |
|
Atherosclerosis studied at the cellular level
December 02, 2005A McMaster University study on atherosclerosis will be featured on the cover of the December issue of the high impact American Heart Association scientific journal, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.
Richard Austin, PhD, and a team of researchers are studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms that accelerate the development and progression of atherosclerosis, the underlying cause of cardiovascular disease and stroke. These studies have provided important clues as to how changes in cell function contribute to this progressive and life threatening disease.
Dr. Austin, a professor in the department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine and a Career Investigator of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, said the study found that nitric oxide, normally considered a "good player" in protection against atherosclerosis, could sometimes be converted into a toxic byproduct with a detrimental impact on cell viability and function.
"The results from our study show that under the right cellular conditions, such as the increased production of cellular oxidants, nitric oxide can be converted into a very "bad player", namely peroxynitrite," said Dr. Austin, a Staff Scientist who works at the Henderson Research Centre.
"Although previous reports have demonstrated that the generation of peroxynitrite in the vessel wall accelerates atherosclerosis, the cellular mechanism responsible for this effect was relatively unknown. Our study shows that the production of peroxynitrite causes cell dysfunction and death by activating or 'turning on' a cellular stress pathway, termed the ER stress response pathway.
Although activation of this pathway is considered to be protective, prolonged or severe ER stress induced by peroxynitrite can lead to devastating cytotoxic effects. In addition to these findings, we have reported previously that activation of this cellular stress pathway causes changes in lipid metabolism and inflammation, conditions that also accelerate atherosclerosis."
Based on these findings, Dr. Austin and his research team are now developing novel strategies to block this cellular stress pathway in the hopes of inhibiting cell dysfunction and death, which can ultimately lead to the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Austin also presented this work at a recent international meeting in Japan in which he was the only Canadian researcher to be invited to speak.
McMaster University
"The results from our study show that under the right cellular conditions, such as the increased production of cellular oxidants, nitric oxide can be converted into a very "bad player", namely peroxynitrite," said Dr. Austin, a Staff Scientist who works at the Henderson Research Centre.
"Although previous reports have demonstrated that the generation of peroxynitrite in the vessel wall accelerates atherosclerosis, the cellular mechanism responsible for this effect was relatively unknown. Our study shows that the production of peroxynitrite causes cell dysfunction and death by activating or 'turning on' a cellular stress pathway, termed the ER stress response pathway.
Although activation of this pathway is considered to be protective, prolonged or severe ER stress induced by peroxynitrite can lead to devastating cytotoxic effects. In addition to these findings, we have reported previously that activation of this cellular stress pathway causes changes in lipid metabolism and inflammation, conditions that also accelerate atherosclerosis."
Based on these findings, Dr. Austin and his research team are now developing novel strategies to block this cellular stress pathway in the hopes of inhibiting cell dysfunction and death, which can ultimately lead to the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Austin also presented this work at a recent international meeting in Japan in which he was the only Canadian researcher to be invited to speak.
McMaster University
Atherosclerosis Current Events and Atherosclerosis News RSSNew guidelines aim to prevent unnecessary death from thoracic aortic disease
When actor John Ritter died suddenly in 2003 from a tear in his thoracic aorta-the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body-that tragedy brought attention to a rare but deadly condition that takes the lives of an estimated 10,000 Americans each year.
Device advances interventional radiology treatment to clear blocked carotid arteries, prevent stroke
An important interventional radiology advancement-the use of a new cerebral protection device in combination with FDA-approved carotid stents in high-surgical-risk patients-provides a minimally invasive, safe and effective way to prevent stroke from occurring during treatment to clear blocked carotid arteries.
Vitamin D levels have different effects on atherosclerosis in blacks and whites
Vitamin D is quickly becoming the "go-to" remedy for treating a wide range of illnesses, from osteoporosis to atherosclerosis. However, new evidence from a Wake Forest University School of Medicine study suggests that supplementing vitamin D in those with low levels may have different effects based on patient race and, in black individuals, the supplement could actually do harm.
Transcendental Meditation activates default mode network, the brain's natural ground state
A new EEG study conducted on college students at American University found they could more highly activate the default mode network, a suggested natural "ground state" of the brain, during their practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique.
Weight loss diets significantly reverse arterial clogging -- Ben-Gurion University study
A two-year study led by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) found that healthy, long-term weight loss diets can significantly reverse carotid (main brain artery) atherosclerosis, a direct risk factor for strokes and heart attacks.
Extremes in sleep duration are related to increases in abdominal fat in minority young adults
A study in the March 1 issue of the journal SLEEP shows that African-American and Hispanic young adults with short or long sleep durations had greater increases in belly fat over a five-year period compared with those who reported sleeping six to seven hours a night.
UCLA study reveals how genes interact with their environment to cause disease
A UCLA study reveals how human genes interact with their environment to boost disease risk.
Cooling Inflammation for Healthier Arteries
Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-funded scientists have reported new reasons for choosing "heart-healthy" oats at the grocery store.
Test could predict which idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients will become severely ill
A simple blood test could predict which patients with the lung-scarring disease known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) are soon to get far worse, an indicator that could one day influence their treatment, according to researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Research reveals how blood flow force protects blood vessels
It is second nature for most of us that exercise protects against heart attack and stroke, but researchers have spent 30 years unraveling the biochemistry behind the idea.
More Atherosclerosis Current Events and Atherosclerosis News Articles
 |
Dyslipidemia and Atherosclerosis Essentials 2009 by Christie M. Ballantyne (Author), James H. O'Keefe (Author), Antonio M. Gotto (Author) The World's Leading Experts Provide all the 'Essentials' Needed to Manage Patients in the Office, on the Ward, and in the Intensive Care Unit! Written by key opinion leaders in the field of cardiology, Dyslipidemia Essentials integrates the latest clinical guidelines and trials into a practical step-by-step guide to the management of dyslipidemia. Important clinical trials, common management pitfalls, and other cardiovascular risk reduction measures are also emphasized. Topics include: Step-by-step guide to intensive LDL lowering; NCEP ATP III and AHA/ACC guideline Updates; Treatment of low HDL cholesterol and elevated triglyceride; 73 dyslipidemia trials and 17 drug summaries |
|
Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis by Japan Publications Trading Co | |
 |
Unclog Your Arteries : How I Beat Atherosclerosis by Gene McDougall (Author) Heart attack or bypass surgery? - or even if not- if you are overweight, have high blood pressure, high blood sugar, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, or a family history of any, read this and then keep it for reference. |
 |
Glucose-Balance - Sale! Dr. Kang's formula for use in treating diabetes mellitus and prevents damage of heart;liver;kidney and atherosclerosis from diabetes. Limited time offer. by Trilight,Inc. From the Western scientific perspective, diabetes mellitus is an inherited endocrine disorder characterized by a variable degree of carbohydrate intolerance and specific vascular lesions (i.e., thickening of the capillary basement membrane.) The endocrine aspect of this disease is the lack of sufficient pancreatic insulin to take up nutrients from the blood, in particular, glucose. The short term danger would then be a sort of tissue starvation leading to rapid fat metabolism leading to ketoacidosis and ultimately to metabolic acidosis, shock and death. The long term dangers involve vascular lesions beginning in the lower extremities and fundus of the eye leading to tissue death, loss of sight and limb amputation. In the short term, immediate symptoms include thirst, hunger and frequent... |
 |
Transeophageal Echo Aorta with Heavy Atherosclerosis Photographic Poster Print, 12x16 by AllPosters.com Transeophageal Echo Aorta with Heavy Atherosclerosis is digitally printed on archival photographic paper resulting in vivid, pure color and exceptional detail that is suitable for any museum or gallery display. Finding that perfect piece to match your interest and style is easy and within your budget! |
 |
Nature Made Selenium Supplement Tablets, 200 mcg, 100-Count Bottles (Pack of 3) by Nature Made An antioxidant that complements Vitamin E to help protect cells from free radicals thought to be responsible for cellular damage. |
 |
Biochemistry of Atherosclerosis (Advances in Biochemistry in Health and Disease) by Sukhinder C. Kaur (Editor) At its present rate of growth, atherosclerosis will be the major cause of death from disease by the year 2020. Atherosclerosis is an extremely complex, biochemical, multifactorial process. This book will cover many aspects of atherogenesis, with particular emphasis on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. We will cover all aspects of the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis and the importance of each pathway. This book will explore the role of nuclear hormone receptors on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and their complex roles in atherogenesis. Finally, how the use of genetic studies can help sort out the immense complexities that mediate these aspects of atherogenesis will be discussed. |
 |
Women, Stroke and the Red Dress: Cerebrovascular Disease in Women In most age groups, more men than women will have a stroke in a given year. However, more than half of total stroke deaths occur in women. At all ages, more women than men die of stroke. This talk will discuss the reasons for these disparities throughout a women's lifetime. |
|
Domyaku Koka = Journal of Japan Atherosclerosis Society by Japan Publications Trading Co | |
 |
Atherosclerosis: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms by Sarah Jane George (Editor), Jason Johnson (Editor) Covering the most devastating disease in the Western world, this handbook and ready reference provides a comprehensive account of the different stages and factors in the development of the atherosclerotic plaque. Each chapter is written by experts in the field and highlights the role of specific mediators of atherosclerotic plaque development, as well as potential therapeutic targets. A large amount of this up-to-date information is conveyed by way of tables and schematic figures, in a readily comprehensible manner. A must-have for master and PhD students, researchers, MDs and lecturers in vascular biology and cardiology, as well as for academics and scientists in the pharmaceutical industry. |
| © 2010 BrightSurf.com |