Ricerc@Sapienza

Purpose: To assess the potential role of computed tomography (CT) texture analysis (CTTA) in identifying vulnerable patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis. Methods: In this case-control pilot study, 12 patients with carotid atherosclerosis and a subsequent history of transient ischemic attack or stroke were age and sex matched with 12 control cases with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis (follow-up time 103.58 ± 9.2 months). CTTA was performed using a commercially available research software package (TexRAD) by an operator blinded to clinical data.

Serum concentrations of lathosterol, the plant sterols campesterol and sitosterol and the cholesterol metabolite 5α-cholestanol are widely used as surrogate markers of cholesterol synthesis and absorption, respectively. Increasing numbers of laboratories utilize a broad spectrum of well-established and recently developed methods for the determination of cholesterol and non-cholesterol sterols (NCS). In order to evaluate the quality of these measurements and to identify possible sources of analytical errors our group initiated the first international survey for cholesterol and NCS.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

Atherosclerosis has major morbidity and mortality implications globally. While it has often been considered an irreversible degenerative process, recent evidence provides compelling proof that atherosclerosis can be reversed. Plaque regression is however difficult to appraise and quantify, with competing diagnostic methods available. Given the potential of evidence synthesis to provide clinical guidance, we aimed to review recent meta-analyses on diagnostic methods for atherosclerotic plaque regression.

RECENT FINDINGS:

Here, we aimed to determine the therapeutic effect of longevity-associated variant (LAV)-BPIFB4 gene therapy on atherosclerosis. ApoE knockout mice (ApoE-/-) fed a high-fat diet were randomly allocated to receive LAV-BPIFB4, wild-type (WT)-BPIFB4, or empty vector via adeno-associated viral vector injection. The primary endpoints of the study were to assess (i) vascular reactivity and (ii) atherosclerotic disease severity, by Echo-Doppler imaging, histology and ultrastructural analysis.

Previous studies reported an inverse association between healthy dietary patterns (such as Mediterranean diet) and the incidence of cardiovascular events. As the mechanism accounting for cardiovascular disease is prevalently due to the atherothrombosis, where a pivotal role is played by platelet activation, it would be arguable that diets with protective effects against cardiovascular disease exert an anti-atherothrombotic effect via inhibition of platelet activation.

Chronic mesenteric ischaemia is a severe and incapacitating disease, causing complaints of post-prandial pain, fear of eating and weight loss. Even though chronic mesenteric ischaemia may progress to acute mesenteric ischaemia, chronic mesenteric ischaemia remains an underappreciated and undertreated disease entity. Probable explanations are the lack of knowledge and awareness among physicians and the lack of a gold standard diagnostic test.

Atherosclerosis (ATS) is a multifactorial inflammatory disease representing the major cause of cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Among ASCVD, carotid artery stenosis (CS) represent a serious health problem worldwide causing =10% of strokes. Immune response underlying ATS is complex and is characterized by the activation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. In this review article has been revised the contribution of the main cell populations and mediators involved in ATS.

Background: ST2 represents an interesting biomarker associated with the progression of atherosclerotic disease. Methods: This study aims to detect different ST2 serum concentrations, and intraplaque ST2 expression, in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. Results: The analysis of ST2 expression in the atheromatous plaque did not show any significant difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (39.61 ± 35.97 vs. 38.49 ± 35.26; P = ns).

Macrophage activation and polarization play a central role in atherosclerotic plaque fate. The M1/M2 activation phenotypes represent two profiles of the macrophage polarization state. During atherosclerosis regression or stabilization, macrophages switch from M1 proinflammatory phenotype to M2 anti-inflammatory reparative one.