Publications by authors named "Loukia Pliouta"

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-7 (ADAMTS-7) belongs to the family of metalloproteinases that contributes to tissue homeostasis during morphogenesis and reproduction. These metalloproteinases regulate various cell functions such as cell proliferation, are important regulators in tissue regeneration, and play a role in vascular remodelling, which is involved in atherosclerosis development. Despite the well-established association between ADAMTS-7 and atherosclerotic disease, data regarding the metalloproteinase's association with LV function remain scarce.

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: The association between diabetic nephropathy and arterial elasticity and endothelial function is well established. In this study, we compared the effect of the combination of dulaglutide and dapagliflozin versus DPP-4 inhibitors on the endothelial glycocalyx, arterial stiffness, myocardial function, and albuminuria. : Overall, 60 patients were randomized to combined dulaglutide and dapagliflozin treatment (n = 30) or DPP-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i, n = 30) (ClinicalTrials.

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Background/objectives: To investigate the potential association between the endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness with retinal changes observed through optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-angiography (OCT-A) in patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO).

Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional study were 28 patients with RVO. The demographic and clinical characteristics of all participants were recorded.

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Article Synopsis
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a widespread endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, marked by symptoms like excess androgens, irregular ovulation, and cystic ovaries.
  • PCOS not only impacts reproductive health but also poses long-term risks for heart and metabolic issues, leading to conditions like arterial stiffness and potential cardiovascular disease.
  • The review explores the causes of PCOS, its connection to insulin resistance and cardiovascular health, along with diagnostic challenges and treatment options, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to manage both reproductive and cardiometabolic health.
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Introduction: Wearable Activity Trackers (WATs) offer real-time feedback on activity levels. We assessed the impact of WAT usage on physicians' exercise habits.

Methods: Physicians from the Athens Medical Association, Greece (n = 742) responded to a self-administered questionnaire evaluating usage of WAT, demographic characteristics, specialty, and physical exercise habits.

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Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a prevalent disease in the general population and also a well-established risk factor for the development of ischemic stroke. Patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes have a 20% higher risk for developing ischemic stroke in comparison to non-diabetic individuals. The aim of the current systematic review is to provide the latest evidence regarding the association between antidiabetic treatment and the prevention of ischemic stroke.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to explore the relationship between endothelial glycocalyx damage and arterial stiffness with retinal changes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) using advanced imaging techniques like OCT and OCT-A.
  • Involving 65 patients with DM and 42 control participants, a variety of clinical examinations were conducted, including measuring microvessel characteristics and assessing arterial stiffness.
  • Key findings indicate that patients with DM had increased endothelial glycocalyx damage and arterial stiffness, which were linked to significant changes in retinal structures, including increased foveal avascular zone and diabetic macular edema.
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Backround: Metabolic-dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this Randomized Double-blind clinical Trial was to evaluate the effects of coenzyme-Q10 supplementation in patients with MASLD in terms of endothelial, vascular and myocardial function.

Methods: Sixty patients with MASLD were randomized to receive daily 240 mg of coenzyme-Q10 or placebo.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to evaluate how semaglutide affects vascular and liver function in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients.
  • A total of 75 subjects participated, with 50 receiving semaglutide and 25 receiving a different treatment; assessments were made at 4 and 12 months post-treatment.
  • Results showed that semaglutide significantly improved liver health and vascular markers compared to the control, indicating beneficial effects in managing both arterial stiffness and liver fibrosis in these patients.
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The effect of different diet patterns on psoriasis (PSO) and psoriatic arthritis (PSA) is unknown. Τhe aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a Mediterranean diet (MD) and Ketogenic diet (KD), in patients with PSO and PSA. Twenty-six patients were randomly assigned to start either with MD or KD for a period of 8 weeks.

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Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes. We investigated oxidative stress and nitrite/nitrate concentrations at baseline and during postprandial hyperglycaemia in 40 first-degree relatives (FDRs) of diabetic patients with normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results, 40 subjects with abnormal OGTT results (dysglycaemic) and 20 subjects with normal OGTT results (normoglycaemic). Malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls (PCs), nitrite/nitrate plasma levels, the perfused boundary region (PBR—Glycocheck) of the sublingual microvessels, a marker of glycocalyx integrity, coronary flow reserve (CFR) and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) were assessed at 0 and 120 min of the OGTT.

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: The effects of gender differences on cardiac parameters have been well-established. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the possible associations of plasma levels of different sex hormones with premature atrial or ventricular contractions in premenopausal women. : We conducted a prospective study which included women in late reproductive age who presented with palpitations during an eight-month period.

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