Achievement of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol targets in primary and secondary prevention: Analysis of a large real practice database in Italy.

Background And Aims: Target and intensity of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering therapy should be tailored according to the individual global cardiovascular (CV) risk. We aimed at retrospectively evaluating real-life LDL-C goal attainment and predictive factors for predefined LDL-C therapeutic goals both in primary and secondary prevention.

Methods: We collected data from a large cohort of outpatients aged 40-65 years, followed by general practitioners, cardiologists and diabetologists in Italy.

Southeast Asia Strategic Multilateral Dialogue on Biosecurity.

A strategic multilateral dialogue related to biosecurity risks in Southeast Asia, established in 2014, now includes participants from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and the United States. This dialogue is conducted at the nonministerial level, enabling participants to engage without the constraints of operating in their official capacities. Participants reflect on mechanisms to detect, mitigate, and respond to biosecurity risks and highlight biosecurity issues for national leadership.

Efficacy and Safety of Mipomersen: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Aim: Our aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of mipomersen through a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of the available clinical studies.

Methods: A systematic literature search in SCOPUS, PubMed Medline, ISI Web of Science and Google Scholar databases was conducted up to January 20, 2019, in order to identify clinical trials assessing the effect of mipomersen on lipoproteins, and the safety profile of mipomersen. Effect sizes for lipid changes were expressed as weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Impact of ursodeoxycholic acid on circulating lipid concentrations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials was to examine whether ursodeoxycholic acid treatment is an effective lipid-lowering agent.

Methods: PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were searched in order to find randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on lipid profile. A random-effect model and the generic inverse variance weighting method were used for quantitative data synthesis.

Safety and tolerability of available urate-lowering drugs: a critical review.

Introduction: Urate-lowering therapy (ULT) is the cornerstone of gout management, which is a widespread chronic illness characterized by hyperuricemia, arthropathy, tophus development, and urolithiasis. Since asymptomatic increased serum urate levels are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular, renal and metabolic disorders, a larger use of ULTs in the general population is expected in the near future.

Areas Covered: This review will focus on the safety and tolerability profile of the available urate-lowering drugs: xanthine oxidase inhibitors (XOIs), uricosuric agents and injectable uricases.

Mast cell tryptase - Marker and maker of cardiovascular diseases.

Mast cells are tissue-resident cells, which have been proposed to participate in various inflammatory diseases, among them the cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). For mast cells to be able to contribute to an inflammatory process, they need to be activated to exocytose their cytoplasmic secretory granules. The granules contain a vast array of highly bioactive effector molecules, the neutral protease tryptase being the most abundant protein among them.

Effects of allopurinol and febuxostat on cardiovascular mortality in elderly heart failure patients.

Hyperuricemia is an emerging risk factor for the development of heart failure (HF) and is associated with a worsen prognosis of the disease. The effect of urate lowering drugs (ULT) and, in particular, the xanthine oxidase inhibitor in patients with HF is controversial. The aim of the study is to compare the effects of treatment with two different xanthine oxidase inhibitors (allopurinol or febuxostat) on cardiovascular mortality in elderly patients with chronic HF in a setting of clinical practice.

Safety of red yeast rice supplementation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Recently, concerns regarding the safety of red yeast rice (RYR) have been raised after the publication of some case reports claiming toxicity. Since the previous meta-analyses on the effects of RYR were mainly focused on its efficacy to improve lipid profile and other cardiovascular parameters, we carried out a meta-analysis on safety data derived from the available randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). Primary outcomes were musculoskeletal disorders (MuD).

Emerging drugs for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.

Despite the consolidated role of statins and ezetimibe to treat hypercholesterolemia, often the desirable low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) values are not achieved, with a consequent increase of the residual cardiovascular (CV) risk. Areas covered: In this review, we summarize the main pharmacological characteristics of new lipid-lowering drugs, such as proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitors, ATP citrate lyase inhibitors, antisense oligonucleotides, small interfering RNA, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors type α agonists. The available clinical evidence of efficacy and safety as well as the prospects of application, based on the different mechanisms and targets of action, is critically discussed.

Interaction between low-density lipoprotein-cholesterolaemia, serum uric level and incident hypertension: data from the Brisighella Heart Study.

Objective: Previous evidence suggest that high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and serum uric acid (SUA) levels are risk factors for endothelial dysfunction and vascular ageing. The aim of our study was to evaluate the short-term interaction between SUA, LDL-C and incident hypertension in a sample of overall healthy individuals.

Methods: In January 2018, we selected from the general database of the Brisighella Heart Study four groups of age and sex-matched nonhypertensive individuals with different levels of LDL-C and SUA level and examined during the 2008 population survey.

Effects of phytosomal curcumin on anthropometric parameters, insulin resistance, cortisolemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease indices: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Purpose: Curcumin has shown to exert a positive impact on human glucose metabolism, even if its bioavailability is usually very low. The present study aimed to explore the effect of phosphatidylserine- and piperine-containing curcumin phytosomes on a large number of metabolic parameters related to insulin resistance, in the context of a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial involving 80 overweight subjects with suboptimal fasting plasma glucose.

Methods: Subjects were randomized to be treated with indistinguishable tablets (2 per day, to be taken after dinner) containing 800 mg phytosomal curcumin (Curserin®: 200 mg curcumin, 120 mg phosphatidylserine, 480 mg phosphatidylcholine and 8 mg piperine from Piper nigrum L.

Tetracycline Residues in Bovine Muscle and Liver Samples from Sicily (Southern Italy) by LC-MS/MS Method: A Six-Year Study.

We examined a total of 369 bovine liver and muscle samples for the detection of oxytetracycline (OTC), tetracycline (TC), chlortetracycline (CTC), and doxycycline (DOX) residues by implementation and validation of a LC-MS/MS method. The method showed good recovery values between 86% and 92% at three levels of concentrations. The linearity tests revealed r² > 0.

Lipomatrix: A Novel Ascorbyl Palmitate-Based Lipid Matrix to Enhancing Enteric Absorption of Serenoa Repens Oil.

The class of lipophilic compounds coming from vegetal source represents a perspective in the adjuvant treatment of several human diseases, despite their poor bioavailability in humans. These compounds are generally soluble in fats and poorly soluble in water. The major reason for the poor bioavailability of lipophilic natural compounds after oral uptake in humans is related to their reduced solubility in enteric water-based fluids, leading to an ineffective contact with absorbing epithelium.

Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus on glycemic status and on endothelial damage markers in dysglicemic patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a nutraceutical combination containing polyphenols extracted from Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus and chromium picolinate on glyemic status; secondary outcomes were considered the changes on endothelial markers. We randomized 65 dysglycemic patients to placebo or the nutraceutical agent for 6 months. We evaluated fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), HbA , fasting plasma insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and adhesion molecules.

Biological responses of the polychaete Hediste diversicolor (O.F.Müller, 1776) to inorganic mercury exposure: A multimarker approach.

Mercury (Hg) is a global priority pollutant given its relevance in terms of environmental damage and threat to human health. Its ecotoxicity was tested using the benthic keystone species Hediste diversicolor as target species. After 10 days of exposure to different levels of inorganic Hg (10 and 50 μg L), bioaccumulation and a wide range of biological responses were evaluated at different biological levels, including biomarkers of exposure, neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, genotoxicity and cytochemistry.

Nutrients and Nutraceuticals for the Management of High Normal Blood Pressure: An Evidence-Based Consensus Document.

Essential hypertension still represents the most common cardiovascular risk factor, which is responsible for the vast majority of global burden of disease, worldwide. Antihypertensive treatment aimed at lowering blood pressure (BP) levels to the recommended therapeutic targets has demonstrated to reduce risk of developing major cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and renal complications. Despite these evidence, overall rates of BP control are dramatically low in most European and Western countries, as well as in the so called developing countries, thus contributing to the increasingly amount of hypertension-related costs and disabilities.

Morbidity and mortality in a population of patients affected by heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an observational study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) often coexist. Moreover, elderly patients suffering from HF have a higher incidence of COPD, which further complicates their clinical condition. Indacaterol/glycopirronium has shown benefits in the treatment of COPD, with few cardiologic adverse effects.

Metabolic effect of berberine-silymarin association: A meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials.

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of a combination of berberine and silymarin on serum lipids and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) through a systematic review of literature and meta-analysis of the available randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials (RCTs). A systematic literature search in SCOPUS, PubMed-Medline, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases was conducted up to October 2, 2018, in order to identify RCTs assessing changes in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and FPG during treatment with berberine and silymarin in combination. Two review authors independently extracted data on study characteristics, methods, and outcomes.

Short-Term Effects of Dry Extracts of Artichokeand Berberis in Hypercholesterolemic Patients Without Cardiovascular Disease.

Hypercholesterolemia represents one of the main reversible cardiovascular risk factors. In this pilot clinical trial, we have tested the short-term efficacy and safety of a new combined cholesterol-lowering nutraceutical containing artichoke dry extract and berberine at enhanced bioavailability in subjects with moderate polygenic hypercholesterolemia in primary prevention for cardiovascular disease. After 2 months of treatment, the tested nutraceutical induced a significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol (-19%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-16%), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-19%) and triglyceride levels (-15%), in association with a standardized control diet.

Canrenone on cardiovascular mortality in congestive heart failure: CanrenOne eFFects on cardiovascular mortality in patiEnts with congEstIve hearT failure: The COFFEE-IT study.

Aim: To evaluate canrenone effects compared to other therapies on cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and preserved systolic function after 10 years of evaluation.

Methods: We enrolled 532 patients with CHF and preserved systolic function. Patients were followed with a mean follow-up of 10 years: 166 patients were in therapy with canrenone, while 336 patients were in conventional therapy.

Is it Possible to Significantly Modify Blood Pressure with a Combined Nutraceutical on Top of a Healthy Diet? The Results of a Pilot Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Beyond the well-known effects on blood pressure (BP) of the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) and the Mediterranean diets associated to a correct lifestyle, often a lifestyle change is not simple and can show only long-time results: in this sense, a possible support might be derived from the use of some anti-hypertensive supplements or nutraceuticals, which may provide a significant reduction in blood pressure.

Aim: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in a group of 36 pre-hypertensive and first-degree hypertensive patients.

Methods: The treatment period with a mix of bioactive substances (BPLN, containing a donor of nitric oxide, magnesium, and vitamins) or placebo was 16-week long and was preceded by 4 weeks of diet stabilization.

A Critical Review of Nebivolol and its Fixed-Dose Combinations in the Treatment of Hypertension.

β-Adrenergic receptor blockers (β-blockers) are well-known useful and cost-effective drugs for managing hypertensive patients with coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. However, it is often difficult to use β-blockers for patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Moreover, most β-blockers negatively influence glucose or lipid metabolism.

Short-Term Hemodynamic Effects of Modern Wheat Products Substitution in Diet with Ancient Wheat Products: A Cross-Over, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Recent evidence suggests that bioactive compounds isolated from cereals and legumes could exert some metabolic and vascular effects in humans. Due to the recent identification of a non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP2) in wheat with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, we aimed to comparatively test the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of ancient wheat foodstuffs (made of organic KAMUT khorasan wheat) or modern wheat ones, made of a mixture of organic modern commercial durum () varieties and soft wheat (), with different nsLTP2 content. Thus, we carried out a randomized, cross-over clinical trial on 63 non-diabetic healthy volunteers (aged 40⁻70 years) with systolic blood pressure (SBP) 130⁻139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 85⁻90 mmHg (pre-hypertensive/borderline high pressure subjects).