Toll-like receptor 4 expressions on peripheral blood monocytes were enhanced in coronary artery disease even in patients with low C-reactive protein.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. On the other hand, serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is known as an independent coronary risk factor, but cardiovascular events do occur even in low hsCRP levels. We investigated whether the TLR4 expression levels on human peripheral blood monocytes were associated with serum hsCRP levels or the occurrence of coronary artery diseases (CAD).

[Repeated percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation leads to reduction of left ventricular outflow-tract pressure gradient in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: a case report].

A 61-year-old man with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy was treated twice with percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA). The first procedure improved the left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient (LVOTG) from 148 to 48 mmHg and the New York Heart Association (NYHA) class from III to II in a week. However, the LVOTG increased to 197 mmHg and the NYHA class worsened to III within 3 months.

Soluble CD40 ligand and interleukin-6 in the coronary circulation after acute myocardial infarction.

Background: Inflammation, operated by blood, vascular and immune cells interaction, is implicated in plaque disruption and CD40 ligand (CD40L) was identified on activated T cells and platelets. We sought to investigate the roles of local inflammation in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Coronary sinus (CS) and arterial (A) levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and soluble CD40L (sCD40L) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity in serial blood samples obtained until 48 h after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were determined.

[Impact of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus on cardiovascular events in coronary artery disease without ischemia on stress thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography after percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objectives: The metabolic syndrome defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) is a predictor of cardiovascular events. However, the significance of metabolic syndrome for cardiovascular events has been not clarified in Japan. The impact of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus on cardiovascular events was investigated, especially in the high risk group after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Possible role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease.

Background: The neurotrophin (NT) family, including nerve growth factor NT-3 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), has a critical role in the survival, growth, maintenance, and death of central and peripheral neurons. NTs and their receptors are expressed in atherosclerotic lesions; however, their significance in cardiovascular disease remains unclear.

Methods And Results: To clarify the role of NTs in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease, NT plasma levels in the aorta, coronary sinus, and peripheral veins of patients with unstable angina (n=38), stable effort angina (n=45), and non-coronary artery disease (n=24) were examined.

Functional expression of sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter 2 in human endothelial cells.

Since oxidative stress plays an important role in dysregulation of the microcirculation as well as the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, therapeutic intervention with antioxidants has been speculated to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Ascorbic acid (AA) has been reported to improve endothelial function; however, its intracellular metabolic pathway has not been fully determined. Sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter (SVCT) types 1 and 2 were recently cloned.

Expression of Toll-like receptors on human platelets.

Introduction: Platelets play a crucial role in arterial thrombosis, which is the main cause of acute coronary syndrome. Some mycobacteriums, such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, were associated with progression of atherosclerosis and they are interacted with Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which have been defined as pathogen-associated molecular pattern recognition molecules in innate immunity. In the present study, we examined whether human platelets express TLRs.

Oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of thoracic aortic aneurysm: protective role of statin and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker.

Objective: The pathogenesis of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) is still unclear. A recent investigation indicated that angiotensin II, a potent activator of NADH/NADPH oxidase, plays an important role in aneurysmal formation. We investigated the potential role of p22phox-based NADH/NADPH oxidase in the pathogenesis of TAA.

Interaction of oxidative stress and inflammatory response in coronary plaque instability: important role of C-reactive protein.

Objective: C-reactive protein (CRP), a predictor of cardiovascular events, localizes in atherosclerotic arteries and exerts proinflammatory effects on vascular cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in atherogenesis and plaque instability.

Methods And Results: Expressional pattern of CRP in directional coronary atherectomy specimens from 39 patients was examined.

Expression of G2A, a receptor for lysophosphatidylcholine, by macrophages in murine, rabbit, and human atherosclerotic plaques.

Objective: Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), a major phospholipid component of oxidized low density lipoprotein, has been demonstrated to induce multiple functional alterations of vasculature that are potentially involved in atherosclerosis. Recently, an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor, G2A, has been identified as a high-affinity receptor for LPC. Although it has been demonstrated that G2A is expressed predominantly in lymphoid tissues and lymphocytes, there are no reports to determine whether G2A is expressed in atherosclerotic lesions and cardiovascular cells.