Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor of hypertension, coronary artery disease and stroke. OSA is also considered a cause of accelerated atherogenesis. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) are among the biochemical indicators of higher risk of atherogenesis as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. 20 men suffering from OSA were examined using night polygraphy, t...

Suppression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2)-derived prostacyclin (PGI(2)) is sufficient to explain most elements of the cardiovascular hazard from nonsteroidal antinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, randomized trials are consistent with the emergence of cardiovascular risk during chronic dosing with NSAIDs. Although deletion of the PGI(2) receptor fosters atherogenesis, the importance of COX-2 du...

The commonly-accepted “oxidized LDL hypothesis of atherogenesis” is based on a large number of indirect evidence that shows that oxidatively-modified LDL plays a role in atherogenesis. Yet, the exact role is not clear. Some researchers think that oxidatively modified biomolecules initiate atherogenesis; others believe that they “only” promote this multifactorial process. Regardless of the exact...

BACKGROUND Members of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, potently promote atherogenesis in mice and humans. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are cytoplasmic adaptor proteins for this group of cytokines. METHODS AND RESULTS This study tested the hypothesis that TRAF1 modulates atherogenesis in vivo. TRAF1(-/-)/LDLR(-/-) mice tha...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Potential effects of regular alcohol consumption on atherogenesis are still controversial mainly due to the lack of prospective population-based studies. METHODS The Bruneck Study is a prospective population-based survey of atherosclerosis and its risk factors. The study population comprises a sex- and age-stratified random sample of men and women aged 40 to 79 years. P...

BACKGROUND Apolipoprotein E (apoE) has long been known to play an important role in the clearance of plasma lipoproteins. More recently, a direct role for apoE in delaying atherogenesis has been proposed. Macrophage production of apoE in the artery wall has been demonstrated to provide protection against atherosclerotic lesion development independently from its role in lipoprotein clearance. Ho...

BACKGROUND Experimental studies have suggested both atherogenic and thrombogenic properties of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], depending on Lp(a) plasma concentrations and varying antifibrinolytic capacity of apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] isoforms. Epidemiological studies may contribute to assessment of the relevance of these findings in the general population. METHODS AND RESULTS This study prospective...

Although considerable evidence implicates the cytokine interferon (IFN)-gamma in atherogenesis, the proximal inducers and the range of sources of its expression remain unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that interleukin (IL)-18 regulates IFN-gamma expression during atherogenesis. Indeed, human atheroma in situ expressed IL-18 and elevated levels of its receptor subunits, IL-18Ralpha/beta...

Macrophage low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) mediates internalization of remnant lipoproteins, and it is generally thought that blocking lipoprotein internalization will reduce foam cell formation and atherogenesis. Therefore, our study examined the function of macrophage LRP in atherogenesis. We generated transgenic mice that specifically lack macrophage LRP through Cre/lo...

Inflammation drives asthma and atherosclerosis. Clinical studies suggest that asthmatic patients have a high risk of atherosclerosis. Yet this hypothesis remains uncertain, given that Th2 imbalance causes asthma whereas Th1 immunity promotes atherosclerosis. In this study, chronic allergic lung inflammation (ALI) was induced in mice by ovalbumin sensitization and challenge. Acute ALI was induce...