View clinical trials related to Atherosclerosis.
Filter by:This study investigates the influence of an increased physical activity and sports workload in formerly nonsporting healthy individuals on current promising biomarkers of atherosclerosis research.
The reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) pathway, which involves the centripetal movement of free cholesterol from peripheral tissues, including the vessel wall, to the liver represent the primary mechanism by which HDL protects against atherosclerosis and by which it may induce plaque regression. Recent data reveal that the capacity of HDL to efflux cholesterol from macrophages, a metric of HDL function reflecting the initial step of the RCT, is clinically relevant, displaying a strong inverse association with both carotid intima-media thickness and the severity of angiographic CAD; such observations were independent of HDL-C levels. In human, the Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP), represents a key protein of the RCT pathway and mediates redistribution of neutral lipids between lipoproteins, has been identified as a potential therapeutic target against atherosclerosis. It is known that CETP activity correlates with HDL-C levels and represents a key modulator of the ability of whole plasma to mediate free cholesterol efflux from human macrophages. Recent studies showed that 23% of endogenous plasma CETP activity variability is explained by plasma LDL-C (12.0%), HDL-C (6.4%) and TG (4.4%) whereas sex and BMI accounted together for only 0.7% of its variability. Scoring patients for cardiovascular risk on the basis of their plasma lipid levels (TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C), revealed that patients with high cardiovascular risk (score ≥3) displayed a mean endogenous plasma CETP activity above 34%. Therefore plasma CETP activity represents a potent indicator of cardiovascular risk in patients with metabolic disorders since it integrates major independent risk factors. The objective of this study is to decipher the relationship between CETP, HDL efflux capacity and the development of atherosclerosis in humans in order to identify CETP as a potent biomarker of atherosclerosis distribution.
The potential for nattokinase to "thin" blood and to reduce blood clotting by positive antithrombotic and fibrinolytic effects presents a unique opportunity to safely study such effects on cardiovascular disease and cognition. Unfortunately, such studies of antithrombotic and fibrinolytic pathways of prevention have been limited due to lack of safe compounds and the adverse reactions associated with current agents such as Coumadin. Nattokinase, an over-the-counter supplement used for cardiovascular health, is the most active functional constituent of natto, a fermented soy product. Natto has been consumed primarily by the Japanese for over 1000 years, a population with one of the lowest risks for cardiovascular disease and dementia. Cardiovascular disease and dementia remain the most challenging age-related health risks of the 21st century for Americans necessitating development of further effective preemptive strategies. Whether reducing the propensity for thrombus formation and/or increasing fibrinolytic activity can prevent the progression of atherosclerosis and cognitive decline has not yet been determined. Using nattokinase under primary prevention conditions, the investigators propose to conduct a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to determine whether decreasing atherothrombotic risk can reduce the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis and cognitive decline. The investigators propose to randomize 240 healthy non-demented women and men to nattokinase supplementation or to placebo for three years. The primary trial endpoints will be measurement of carotid arterial wall thickness and arterial stiffness, early changes of atherosclerosis that can be measured safely by non-invasive imaging techniques. The secondary trial endpoint will be ascertained through change in cognition measured by a neuropsychological battery. In addition, biochemical blood measurements and in vitro studies will be conducted to compare the effects of nattokinase relative to placebo on blood coagulation and thrombus break-down capabilities, blood flow properties, inflammation and inflammatory activation of endothelial cells that line blood vessels.
The incidence of stroke has increased by 100% in the last four decades in developing countries like Pakistan. Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is the most frequent causative subtype of ischemic stroke in the world including Pakistan. ICAD is progressive narrowing of the arteries at the base of the brain due to atherosclerosis. After a stroke from ICAD, recurrence rate is highest in any sub-type of stroke, up to 28% with limited therapeutic options. Therefore, it is imperative to delineate the determinants of asymptomatic ICAD prior to stroke. Investigators hypothesized that there is at least a 20% difference in the proportion of clinical, life-style (dietary, physical activity, obesity, smoking and stress/depression), and socio-economic predictors of asymptomatic ICAD than those with no ICAD.
The CRONOS-ADM (Coronary CT angiography evaluation for clinical outcomes in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus) registry is a large, prospective observational registry of demographic, clinical and laboratory data with long-term clinical outcome of asymptomatic diabetic patients without history of CAD or angina or angina-equivalent symptoms at two affiliated hospitals of The Catholic University of Korea.
The purpose of this study is to determine the health benefits of cranberry extract in people who are at risk for diabetes and heart problems.
The metabolic syndrome may be defined as the constellation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors that comprises obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Lack of habitual physical activity and certain dietary patterns, including high-saturated fatty acids (SFA) intake, contribute to increase the risk of CVD, whereas the greatest risk reduction is related with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), mainly from olive oil, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Vitamin B3, as a major substrate for nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), has also emerged as a nutritional intervention strategy for prevention of CVD. NAMPT has been shown to exert activities of central importance to cellular energetics and innate immunity. Within the cell, NAMPT is the rate-limiting step in a salvage pathway of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) biosynthesis. By virtue of this role, it can regulate cellular levels of NAD+ and thereby NAD+-consuming enzymes. NAMPT is also released by a variety of cells, and elevated levels can be found in the systemic circulation of subjects with a range of inflammatory disorders. Recent evidences suggest that, primarily due to its high MUFA content, olive oil is useful as an optimal fat for the modulation of CVD risk factors in the postprandial state. In addition, NAMPT has been shown to correlate with triglycerides in the fasting plasma, and a potential regulatory role for fatty acids on NAMPT expression has been proposed. The global aim of the project is to assess whether olive oil (MUFA), compared to other dietary fatty acids (SFA and omega-3 PUFA) and in association with vitamin B3 could have benefits on NAMPT-related inflammation and atherosclerosis. We hope to provide important novel insights on the relationship among dietary fatty acids, NAD+ metabolism, and metabolic syndrome. This aim is expected to be achieved in one principal objective: To elucidate the influence of olive oil (MUFA), butter (SFA) or fish oil (omega-3 PUFA) meals supplemented by vitamin B3 on postprandial NAMPT modulation and its involvement on leukocyte inflammatory response in subjects with metabolic syndrome.
This will be an exploratory, open-label, single sequence, two part study (Part A and an optional Part B). The aim of this study will be to assess whether systemic inhibition of Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) in humans, effected by 11 days of once daily dosing to steady state with 160 milligrams (mg) of enteric coated (EC) darapladib, will specifically reduce the number of macrophages and/or result in a higher proportion of M2 macrophages in skin blisters induced by cantharidin (a chemical agent that causes blisters). In Part A of the study, a cohort of 8 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus will be recruited. In Part B of the study, a cohort of 8 additional healthy subjects with matching age (+/- 24 months) and gender to Part A may be recruited.
The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the rate of stroke and/or death in patients treated with the Wingspan Stent System, according to the Indications for Use, within 72 hours post procedure.
The purpose of this study is to enhance medical knowledge of the causes of future coronary problems. Many studies in patients who have already experienced a coronary problem point to the danger associated with plaques that are rich in cholesterol. This study determines if the near-infrared method of detection of these fatty plaques can predict future events. If dangerous plaques can be identified, there are many treatments already available that could be tested for their ability to prevent coronary events.