One-year atorvastatin treatment in hypercholesterolemic patients with or without carotid artery disease.

Aim: Statins are the drugs of choice in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), which has a high risk of premature cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction, stroke, and surgical revascularization.

Methods: A 1-year open-label study was conducted to test the efficacy and tolerability of Atorvastatin titrated to the target, in proven FH patients and to evaluate certain inflammatory parameters. One hundred and two FH patients (44 men and 58 women; mean age 58.

Effects of moderate Sicilian red wine consumption on inflammatory biomarkers of atherosclerosis.

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of moderate Sicilian red wine consumption on cardiovascular risk factors and, in particular, on some inflammatory biomarkers.

Methods: A total of 48 subjects of both sexes who were nondrinkers or rare drinkers of moderate red wine were selected and randomly subdivided into two groups assigned to receive with a crossover design a Sicilian red wine (Nero d'Avola or Etna Torrepalino) during meals: Group A (n = 24), in whom the diet was supplemented for 4 weeks with 250 ml/day of red wine, followed by 4 weeks when they returned to their usual wine intake; and Group B (n = 24), in whom the usual wine intake was maintained for 4 weeks, followed by 4 weeks when the diet was supplemented with 250 ml/day of red wine. The following were values measured in all tests: blood glucose, total and HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, LDL/HDL ratio, apolipoproteins A1 and B, Lp(a), plasma C-reactive protein, TGFbeta1, D-Dimer, Factor VII , PAl Ag, t-PA Ag, fibrinogen, oxidized LDL Ab, total plasma antioxidant capacity.

[Effects of two Sicilian red wines on some cardiovascular risk factors].

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Sicilian red wine consumption is associated with a lower cardiovascular risk.

Methods: Forty-eight subjects of both sexes (age range 35-65 years) nondrinkers or rarely drinkers of moderate red wine intake were selected. Subjects were divided into two groups (group A and group B), assigned to receive with a crossover design 250 ml/die (during the meals) of one of two types of Sicilian red wines (Nero d'Avola and Etna Torrepalino respectively).

[Evaluation of resistance to activated protein C in myocardial infarction patients].

Background: It is known that resistance to activated protein C (APCR), often associated with a single point mutation (Arg506-->Gln) in the coagulation factor V gene (factor V Leiden), is the most frequent inherited abnormality of blood coagulation. It plays a key role as pathogenetic factor of venous thromboembolism, but its association with an increased risk of arterial thrombosis is uncertain. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of APCR in men, who suffered myocardial infarction more than 6 months earlier and without cardiovascular risk factors (hypercholesterolemia, smoking, diabetes, obesity and hypertension).

Non lipid, dose-dependent effects of pravastatin treatment on hemostatic system and inflammatory response.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of pravastatin treatment on lipid, inflammation, and coagulation parameters in patients suffering from myocardial infarction with or without carotid atherosclerotic lesions (groups 1 and 2, respectively).

Methods: In the first phase of the study, a cross-sectional comparison of lipid, inflammation, and coagulation parameters was performed between the patients and the control group (group 3). Highly significant differences in these parameters were observed, especially in group 1.