Effects of phytosterol supplementation on lipoprotein subfractions and LDL particle quality.

Phytosterols are natural components of plant-based foods used as supplements because of their known cholesterol-lowering effect. However, their effects on lipoprotein subfractions and the quality of the LDL particle have not been studied in greater detail. We aimed to evaluate the effects of phytosterols supplements on lipids, lipoproteins subfractions, and on the quality of LDL.

Adequacy of Fatty Acids Consumption Among Individuals in Secondary Cardiovascular Prevention.

Background: Adhering to a diet adequate in macronutrients is crucial for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of adherence to recommendations for the consumption of dietary fatty acids for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and to estimate whether the presence of certain cardiovascular risk factors would be associated with adherence.

Methods: Cross-sectional study using baseline data from 2,358 participants included in the "Brazilian Cardioprotective Nutritional Program Trial".

Modulation of monocyte subtypes in diabetes after non-surgical periodontal treatment.

Objectives: The current study aims to evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on the modulation of monocyte phenotype, in the presence or absence of diabetes.

Materials And Methods: The identification, quantification, and phenotypic characterization of monocyte subtypes (classical, intermediate, and non-classical) were performed by flow cytometry, at baseline and 1 month after the end of non-surgical periodontal treatment, in patients with periodontitis, associated or not with diabetes.

Results: There was an increase in non-classical monocytes after treatment and a reduction in intermediate monocytes, without differences for the classical subtype, regardless of the diabetes status.

Association between Morning Surge and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Obese Hypertensive Patients.

Background: Weight gain can trigger mechanisms that increase blood pressure. Nevertheless, obesity causes structural changes in the myocardium, including increased ventricular mass, atrial dilatation, and diastolic and systolic dysfunction. Additionally, blood pressure variations, like morning surge (MS) in obese hypertensive patients may have clinical relevance in cardiovascular events.

Immunometabolic and Vascular Health Responses among High Endurance Trained Subjects.

In this study, we aimed to examine the impact of high endurance training on vascular health parameters and immune-endocrine responses against modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles. This observational, cross-sectional study included high endurance-trained and healthy non-trained subjects. Vascular ultrasound was used to assess vascular health parameters based on carotid intima-media thickness and endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation).

Factors associated with diet quality among Brazilian individuals with cardiovascular diseases.

Background: An individual's dietary pattern contributes in different ways to the prevention and control of recurrent cardiovascular events. However, the quality of the diet is influenced by several factors. The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of the diet of individuals with cardiovascular diseases and determine whether there is an association between sociodemographic and lifestyle factors.

Atherosclerosis severity in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia: The role of T and B lymphocytes.

Background And Aims: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is characterized by lifelong exposure to high LDL-c concentrations and premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; nevertheless, disease severity can be heterogeneous.We aimed at evaluating if the immune-inflammatory system could modulate atherosclerosis burden in FH.

Methods: From a cohort of subjects with confirmed FH (Dutch Lipid Clinic Network and genotype), 92 patients receiving high-intensity lipid-lowering therapy (statin ± ezetimibe) were included.

Pharmacoinvasive Strategy in Elderly Up to 75 Years or Non-Elderly: Analysis of Biochemical and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Parameters.

Background: Pharmacoinvasive strategy is an alternative when primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not feasible.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of early pharmacoinvasive strategy on the infarct size and left ventricular ejection fraction in elderly and non-elderly patients. The role of inflammatory markers was also examined.

Pharmaco-invasive Strategy in Myocardial Infarction: Descriptive Analysis, Presentation of Ischemic Symptoms and Mortality Predictors.

Background: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is defined by symptoms accompanied by typical electrocardiogram changes. However, the characterization of ischemic symptoms is unclear, especially in subgroups such as women and the elderly.

Objectives: To analyze the typification of ischemic symptoms, temporal metrics and observe the occurrence of in-hospital outcomes, in the analysis of predictive scores, in patients with STEMI, in a drug-invasive strategy.

Role of Inflammation in Cardiac Remodeling After Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Atherosclerosis is defined as an inflammatory disease. Low-grade inflammation is present in all phases of the cardiovascular , since the establishment of cardiovascular risk factors and ischemic heart disease until cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, heart failure and death. Not all inflammatory pathways are linked to cardiovascular outcomes, and thus, not all anti-inflammatory approaches decrease cardiovascular events.

Challenges in familial chylomicronemia syndrome diagnosis and management across Latin American countries: An expert panel discussion.

Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by extremely high triglyceride levels due to impaired clearance of chylomicrons from plasma. This paper is the result of a panel discussion with Latin American specialists who raised the main issues on diagnosis and management of FCS in their countries. Overall FCS is diagnosed late on the course of the disease, is characterized by heterogeneity on the occurrence of pancreatitis, and remains a long time in care of different specialists until reaching a lipidologist.

Evaluation of two highly effective lipid-lowering therapies in subjects with acute myocardial infarction.

For cardiovascular disease prevention, statins alone or combined with ezetimibe have been recommended to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol targets, but their effects on other lipids are less reported. This study was designed to examine lipid changes in subjects with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) after two highly effective lipid-lowering therapies. Twenty patients with STEMI were randomized to be treated with rosuvastatin 20 mg QD or simvastatin 40 mg combined with ezetimibe 10 mg QD for 30 days.

Phytosterol consumption and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis: Cross-sectional results from ELSA-Brasil.

Background And Aims: Phytosterol (PS) consumption is associated with lower total and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) concentrations, but its impact on cardiovascular risk is unclear. This study assessed the effect of usual intake of PS on markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

Methods And Results: This cross-sectional study included 2560 participants of ELSA-Brasil, aged 48 (43-54) years, with available food frequency questionnaires (FFQ), coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores, carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), at baseline.

HIV-Infected Naïve Patients Exhibit Endothelial Dysfunction Concomitant with Decreased Natural Antibodies Against Defined Apolipoprotein B Autoantigens.

Backgorund: Traditional and HIV-defined risk factors may be associated with an increase in cardiovascular events. Recent studies have suggested that the humoral immune response to modified LDL may be associated with the process of atherosclerosis.

Objectives: To evaluate the presence of anti-oxLDL and apolipoprotein B-derived peptides in the blood, and their association with the endothelial function in HIV-infection.

Role of B lymphocytes in the infarcted mass in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Despite early reperfusion, patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may present large myocardial necrosis and significant impairment of ventricular function. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of subtypes of B lymphocytes and related cytokines in the infarcted mass and left ventricular ejection fraction obtained by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging performed after 30 days of STEMI. This prospective study included 120 subjects with STEMI submitted to pharmacoinvasive strategy.

Early Changes in Circulating Interleukins and Residual Inflammatory Risk After Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Patients with acute myocardial infarction may have a large infarcted area and ventricular dysfunction despite early thrombolysis and revascularization.

Objective: To investigate the behavior of circulating cytokines in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and their relationship with ventricular function.

Methods: In the BATTLE-AMI (B and T Types of Lymphocytes Evaluation in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial, patients with STEMI were treated with a pharmacoinvasive strategy.

Advanced chronic kidney disease is associated with higher serum concentration of monocyte microparticles.

Advanced chronic kidney disease is associated with high rates of cardiovascular disease. Considering the crucial role of capillaries in renal function, our study aimed to evaluate microparticles related to vascular physiology examining the link between stages of chronic kidney disease with circulating endothelial (EMP), platelet (PMP) and monocytic (MMP) microparticles. Cross-sectional study with blinded endpoints included subjects of both sexes, aged 40-75 years (n = 247), with established cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, or peripheral artery disease).

Green-banana biomass consumption by diabetic patients improves plasma low-density lipoprotein particle functionality.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 6-months consumption of green-banana biomass on the LDL particle functionality in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Subjects (n = 39, mean age 65 years old) of both sexes with diabetes (HbA1c ≥ 6·5%) were randomized to receive nutritional support plus green-banana biomass (40 g) (n = 21) or diet alone (n = 18) for 6-months. Non-linear optical responses of LDL solutions from these participants were studied by Z-scan technique.

Absence of Nocturnal Fall in Blood Pressure Detected by Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Acute Chagas Disease Patients with Oral Infection.

Background The involvement of the autonomic nervous system is one of the mechanisms proposed to explain the progression of myocardial lesion in Chagas disease. Evidences have shown changes in sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system since the acute phase of the disease, and studies to clarify the pathophysiological and prognostic value of these changes are needed. Objetives To assess blood pressure profile by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in normotensive patients with acute Chagas disease (ACD) without apparent cardiac damage, and the influence of the infection on nocturnal blood pressure fall.