Role of ezetimibe in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: absence of evidence.

Ezetimibe is a lipid-lowering agent that inhibits intestinal absorption of dietary cholesterol. It substantially lowers low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels when used alone or in combination with statins. Although there is a growing push for the continued use of ezetimibe for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, ezetimibe studies available so far are inconsistent, without allowing use of the drug with confidence.

Explaining sex difference in coronary heart disease: is it time to shift from the oestrogen hypothesis to the iron hypothesis?

We suggest that lower body iron stores, and not the loss of ovarian function, explain the differences between men and women, and between fertile and menopausal women in the development of coronary heart disease.

Is the beneficial antioxidant effect of olive oil mediated by interaction of its phenolic constituents and iron?

We suggest that the beneficial antioxidant action of olive oil is mediated by interactions of olive oil-derived polyphenols and iron. A plausible mechanism for this interaction is related to a reduction of iron absorption induced by polyphenols.

Why statin therapy may increase the risk for posttransplantation squamous cell carcinoma.

We suggest that surveillance for squamous cell cancer might be particularly useful for transplant patients receiving statin therapy. We recommend that development of non melanoma skin cancer should be specified as a secondary endpoint in future large endpoint statin trials, and suggest that in transplant patients the adverse effects of statin drugs may outweigh benefits, especially in women and the elderly, a subset of population in which even individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease have shown no trend to net benefit from statins.

[Vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular diseases].

The increasing worldwide displacement from the natural outdoor environment of human beings to an indoor sedentary lifestyle, along with the recommendation to avoid any direct sun exposure because of the risk of skin cancer, has resulted in a global pandemic of vitamin D insufficiency. Traditionally, vitamin D has been associated primarily with bone health. However, it has become evident that adequate vitamin D status is important for optimal function of many organs and tissues throughout the body, including the cardiovascular system.

The epidemic of nonmelanoma skin cancer and the widespread use of statins: Is there a connection?

We hypothesize that some of the mechanisms involved in the "epidemic" of nonmelanoma skin cancer might also be due to widespread use of cholesterol lowering statin drugs.