View clinical trials related to Endothelial Dysfunction.
Filter by:HIV infected patients treated with abacavir might have a higher risk for the occurrence of cardiovascular events. At time of writing of this protocol the underlying mechanism is not yet elucidated, however some studies find impaired endothelial function and elevated markers of chronic inflammation in these patients,suggesting a higher lever of chronic inflammation. Recently maraviroc (Celsentri®), a CCR5-receptor antagonist, became available for treatment of patients infected with HIV-1. Improvement of endothelial function may be a potential beneficial side effect of treatment with maraviroc, due to the potential reduction of immune activation and chronic inflammation as a result of blocking the CCR5-coreceptor. Moreover, treatment intensification of HAART with maraviroc in patients with suppressed plasma HIV_RNA may decrease plasma HIVRNA below the cut-off of 50 copies/ml as well. The investigators hypothesize that maraviroc intensification therapy in patients on an abacavir-containing regimen will improve endothelial function. The objectives of this study are: First, to assess the effect of addition of maraviroc to an abacavir-containing regimen on endothelial function; second, to assess the effect of this intervention on markers of immune activation and chronic inflammation, and on plasma HIV-RNA below 50 copies/ml.
1. Find the early diagnostic markers of erectile dysfunction; 2. Study the warning role of ED in some diseases.
The investigators are hoping to discover the cause of chest pain in patients with a normal coronary arteriogram. For patients with chest pain coronary angiography is the standard method by which the blood vessels of the heart can be visualized and any narrowing can be assessed. In some cases the investigators find totally normal coronary blood vessels or only minor disease. Such a finding is associated with an excellent long term prognosis. However, as a large proportion of patients with normal coronary arteries or mild coronary narrowings often continue to experience recurrent chest pains the investigators are interested in understanding the mechanisms responsible for this. The investigators hypothesise that in many cases, coronary artery spasms are responsible for the recurrent chest pains. These spasms usually respond to treatment with drugs known as vasodilators. The acetylcholine test (ACH-test) has been recommended by the European Society of Cardiology and the American College of Cardiology as a diagnostic test. This test can reveal whether the coronary blood vessels have a tendency to go into spasm. The investigators plan in this study to carry out the test in patients who have chest pains suggestive of coronary narrowings but are found to have normal or only mildly narrowed coronary arteries on angiography. A positive test -indicating a tendency for spasm- may help guiding therapy with vasodilators, which are often very effective to prevent coronary spasms. The investigators would also like to take blood samples during the test (before and after) from every patient to measure blood markers and see if there is a relation between these markers and the result of the ACH-test.
Cardiovascular events are the most common cause for death in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Male diabetics have a 2 to 3 fold risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) whereas female diabetes patients have a 3 to 7 fold risk for suffering from a CVD. Endothelial dysfunction (ED) plays a central role in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Moreover, ED represents an important diagnostic and prognostic parameter to estimate the cardiovascular risk in an early state. Experimental and clinical studies indicate that T2DM is closely associated with ED, which may be the consequence of a reduced bioactivity of nitric oxide (NO). The success of diabetes therapy is monitored by the long-term parameter HbA1c. However, only two thirds of all patients with T2DM in the USA and Europe find themselves in the recommended HbA1c span (6.5-7.0 %). Consequently, oral anti-diabetic medication needs permanent adjustment and intensification in order to delaying the progress of T2DM. Recently, two peptide hormones with insulinotropic effects were identified. These hormones, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), are secreted by the gastrointestinal tract after exposure to glucose in nutrition. Physiological effects are increased insulin secretion, inhibition of glucagon secretion and reduction of body weight. Furthermore, these incretins are reduced in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Thus, the therapeutic approach lies within the elevation of GLP-1 and GIP by preventing their degradation through the enzyme DPP-4 (dipeptidylpeptidase 4). Thereby, the so-called gliptins inhibit the DPP-4 enzymes. Best results in HbA1c reduction were achieved when gliptins were combined with metformin, glimepiride or pioglitazone. In this study, patients with T2DM, who are taking metformin as first line medication but do not achieve a HbA1c below 7.0 %, will routinely get an add-on therapy with gliptins (Vildagliptin or Sitagliptin) as second line therapy according to the guidelines of the Österreichische Diabetes Gesellschaft (ÖDG) prescribed by a medical doctor not involved in this study. This medication is a ÖDG standard therapy in T2DM, which patients receive anyway despite this study. Therefore, the therapy with gliptins is not a study medication and is not influenced by the study either. Only patients, who will meet the inclusion criteria of the study and voluntarily participate in the study, will be investigated.
The endothelial dysfunction is the early event in atherosclerosis. The investigator previous study showed that impaired endothelial function exist in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. The investigators hypothesize that intensive multifactorial therapy including intensive blood control and intensive hypertension control as well as intensive blood lipids control of 1 year can improve vascular endothelial function. Moreover, the improvement of endothelial function maintains after 5 years or 10 years of intensive multifactorial therapy, called "Metabolic Memorial Effect of improvement of endothelial function".
It has been suggested that cardiovascular risk factors either independently or in cluster (metabolic syndrome) increase the risk of both type 2 diabetes (DM2) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Consumption of citrus fruits is linked to reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hesperidin is a flavanone abundant in citrus fruit with putative vasodilator actions in vitro. While molecular mechanisms of vascular actions of hesperidin begin to be explored, no data on in vivo vascular effect of this flavanone has been ever acquired.