Enjoying hobbies is related to desirable cardiovascular effects.

An unhealthy lifestyle can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the mechanism by which lifestyle influences the development of cardiovascular disease remains unclear. Since coronary endothelial function is a predictor of cardiovascular prognosis, the goal of this study was to characterize the effect of enjoying hobbies on coronary endothelial function and cardiovascular outcomes.

Comparison of effect between nitrates and calcium channel antagonist on vascular function in patients with normal or mildly diseased coronary arteries.

The comparative long-term antianginal efficacy of long-acting nitrates versus calcium channel antagonists remains unclear. The goal of the present study was to compare the coronary endothelial cell function and coronary artery vasoconstriction between patients with normal or mildly diseased coronary arteries treated with long-acting nitrates or calcium channel antagonists. Forty-two patients suspected to have angina pectoris and with normal or mildly diseased coronary arteries underwent Doppler flow study of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

Adiponectin is a better predictor of endothelial function of the coronary artery than HOMA-R, body mass index, immunoreactive insulin, or triglycerides.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that decreased levels of circulating adiponectin correlate with endothelial dysfunction in peripheral arteries. However, the relationship between adiponectin levels and endothelial function in coronary arteries remains unclear. The goal of the present study was to determine whether circulating adiponectin concentrations are a useful predictor of coronary endothelial function.

Association between Toll-like receptors and the extent and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with stable angina.

Objectives: Toll-like receptors mediate the innate immune response triggered by pathogen-associated molecular patterns, and atherosclerosis can be considered a state of chronic inflammation whereby immune system cells accumulate within the intima of the arterial wall. The goal of this study was to determine the relation of Toll-like receptors to the extent and severity of coronary artery disease.

Methods: Angiographic vessel score and Gensini score were used to evaluate the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis.

Elevated levels of brain natriuretic peptide as a predictor of impaired coronary endothelial function in patients with left ventricular remodeling.

Background: Plasma levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) correlate with left ventricular remodeling, but the relationship between BNP induction and coronary function remains unclear.

Objectives: The present study assessed BNP production in response to left ventricular enlargement and investigated the relationship between BNP production and coronary vasodilating function in patients with left ventricular remodeling.

Methods: Patients (n = 63) with normal or mildly diseased coronary arteries underwent Doppler flow study of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

Association of coronary shear stress with endothelial function and vascular remodeling in patients with normal or mildly diseased coronary arteries.

Background: The relationship between coronary remodeling, shear stress and endothelial function remains unclear.

Objective: The present study investigated the effects of mechanical factors on structure and function of epicardial coronary arteries.

Methods: Patients (group 1: %area stenosis<40%, n=55; or group 2: %area stenosis>or=40%, n=17) with a discrete mildly stenotic lesion (%diameter stenosis<30%) underwent intravascular ultrasound examination of the left anterior descending coronary artery for determination of vessel area, lumen area, plaque area, cross-sectional areas at reference segments, and remodeling index (the ratio of vessel area at the culprit lesion to vessel area at the proximal reference site).

Contribution of increased minimal coronary resistance and attenuated vascular adaptive remodeling to myocardial ischemia in patients with systemic hypertension and ventricular hypertrophy.

This study assessed the impact of coronary vascular adaptive remodeling and coronary vascular reactivity on myocardial ischemia in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Myocardial ischemia is associated with impaired endothelium-independent vasodilation of resistance coronary arteries and increased minimal coronary resistance. These changes may occur in association with lumen reduction caused by attenuated adaptive remodeling in response to plaque accumulation.