S-Methyl Cysteine Sulfoxide Does Not Ameliorate Weight Gain or Hyperlipidemia in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Scope: Higher intake of cruciferous and allium vegetables is associated with lower cardiometabolic risk. Little research has investigated the cardiometabolic effects of S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO), found abundant in these vegetables. This study hypothesizes that SMCSO will blunt development of metabolic syndrome features in mice fed high-fat feed.

An Analysis of the Gut Microbiota and Related Metabolites following PCSK9 Inhibition in Statin-Treated Patients with Elevated Levels of Lipoprotein(a).

Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a leading cause of global mortality, often associated with high blood levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-c). Medications like statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, are used to manage LDL-c levels and reduce ASCVD risk. Recent findings connect the gut microbiota and its metabolites to ASCVD development.

Cascade testing of children and adolescents for elevated Lp(a) in pedigrees with familial hypercholesterolaemia.

Elevated plasma lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a common, inherited condition independently causing cardiovascular disease. Recent expert recommendations suggest opportunistically testing for elevated Lp(a) during cascade testing for familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH). We investigated the effectiveness of detecting elevated Lp(a) in 103 children and adolescents who were first-degree relatives of 66 adult index FH cases as part of an established FH cascade screening program.

Gut microbiota and metabolomics profiles in patients with chronic stable angina and acute coronary syndrome.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. The gut microbiota and its associated metabolites may be involved in the development and progression of CVD, although the mechanisms and impact on clinical outcomes are not fully understood. This study investigated the gut microbiome profile and associated metabolites in patients with chronic stable angina (CSA) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared with healthy controls.

Insights into the associations between the gut microbiome, its metabolites, and heart failure.

Heart failure (HF) is the end stage of most cardiovascular diseases and remains a significant health problem globally. We aimed to assess whether patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤45% had alterations in both the gut microbiome profile and production of associated metabolites when compared with a healthy cohort. We also examined the associated inflammatory, metabolomic, and lipidomic profiles of patients with HF.

Improved arterial inflammation with high dose omega-3 fatty acids in patients with elevated lipoprotein(a): Selective effect of eicosapentaenoic acid?

Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, there are no approved and effective treatments for lowering Lp(a) and the associated cardiovascular risks. Omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3FAs), primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have both triglyceride-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties.

A sex-based analysis of 5-year outcomes following stenting for the treatment of aorto-iliac occlusive disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of sex on mid-term outcomes following stenting for aorto-iliac occlusive disease (AIOD).

Methods: The Covered versus Balloon Expandable Stent Trial (COBEST) compared the safety and efficacy of the covered stent (CS) with those of the bare metal stent (BMS) in the treatment of hemodynamically significant AIOD. It was identified that CS provided a significant benefit.

Update on advanced interventional neuromodulatory approaches to lower blood pressure.

Herein, we review interventional peripheral neuromodulatory approaches to reduce blood pressure (BP), specifically focusing on catheter-based renal denervation (RDN), as well as the latest data from recent clinical trials underpinning its clinical use. Given the apparent failure of established lifestyle measures and pharmacologic BP-lowering approaches to improve hypertension (HTN) control rates, the past decade has seen remarkable scientific efforts to explore the utility of interventional strategies for BP management. Experimental studies and human clinical trials have demonstrated the crucial role of the sympathetic nervous system in the development and mainenance of HTN - consequently, most recent interventional technologies aimed primarily at modulating neural pathways.

Gut Microbiome and Associated Metabolites Following Bariatric Surgery and Comparison to Healthy Controls.

The gut microbiome plays a significant role in regulating the host's ability to store fat, which impacts the development of obesity. This observational cohort study recruited obese adult men and women scheduled to undergo sleeve gastrectomy and followed up with them 6 months post-surgery to analyse their microbial taxonomic profiles and associated metabolites in comparison to a healthy control group. There were no significant differences in the gut bacterial diversity between the bariatric patients at baseline and at follow-up or between the bariatric patients and the cohort of healthy controls.

Long-term dietary nitrate supplementation slows the progression of established atherosclerosis in ApoE mice fed a high fat diet.

Background And Aims: Atherosclerosis is associated with a reduction in the bioavailability and/or bioactivity of endogenous nitric oxide (NO). Dietary nitrate has been proposed as an alternate source when endogenous NO production is reduced. Our previous study demonstrated a protective effect of dietary nitrate on the development of atherosclerosis in the apoE mouse model.

Anti-inflammatory effect of biologic therapy in patients with psoriatic disease: A prospective cohort FDG PET study.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes in central vascular inflammation measured by FDG PET and myocardial blood flow reserve (MFR) determined by Rb PET following therapy with biologic agents for 6 months in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and/or cutaneous psoriasis (PsO) (group 1) and compare with PsO subjects receiving non-biologic therapy (group 2) and controls (group 3).

Methods And Results: Target-to-background ratio (TBR) by FDG PET in the most diseased segment of the ascending aorta (TBR) was measured to assess vascular inflammation. Rb PET studies were used to assess changes in left ventricular MFR.

Australian Atherosclerosis Society Position Statement on Lipoprotein(a): Clinical and Implementation Recommendations.

This position statement provides guidance to cardiologists and related specialists on the management of adult patients with elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. Elevated Lp(a) is an independent and causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). While circulating Lp(a) levels are largely determined by ancestry, they are also influenced by ethnicity, hormones, renal function, and acute inflammatory events, such that measurement should be done after accounting for these factors.

Risk stratification and lipid evaluation in mexican patients, evidence of lipid and cardiovascular analysis in REMECAR. The mexican registry of cardiovascular diseases (REMECAR group).

Background And Aims: Dyslipidaemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the Mexican population. This analysis aimed to describe the baseline LDL-c levels of patients presenting to cardiovascular clinics and evaluate the proportion who achieved their risk-based LDL-c goals as recommended by 2021 ESC prevention guidelines.

Methods: The REMECAR registry is an observational study of patients attending a specialized cardiovascular clinic for their first visit.

Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol lowering effect of a nutraceutical regimen with or without ezetimibe in hypercholesterolaemic patients with statin intolerance.

Background: Statins are the most widely prescribed medication to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). However, a significant portion of patients are unable to tolerate them due to side effects, most commonly muscle related. Nutraceuticals, natural plant derivatives with lipid-lowering properties, may provide an alternative to lower LDL-c in these patients.

New Horizons: Revival of Lipoprotein (a) as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease.

The status of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] as a cardiovascular risk factor has been resurrected by advances in genetics. Mendelian randomization studies show a causal link of Lp(a) with coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS). The genetics of Lp(a) is complex and extends beyond the kringle-IV type 2, as it is also dependent on ancestry.

Circulating short-chain fatty acids in hypertension: a reflection of various hypertensive phenotypes.

Background: Hypertension is the most common chronic condition globally, contributing to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death. Despite advances in treatment options, approximately 10% of patients have resistant hypertension, characterized by elevated blood pressure that does not respond to treatment. The gut microbiome is now increasingly recognized to play a role in the development and pathogenesis of several diseases, including hypertension, although the exact mechanisms remain unclear.

Lipoprotein (a) and diabetes mellitus.

Lp(a) and diabetes are both known and established risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. However, studies trying to link both risk factors find an inverse association between Lp(a) and risk of prevalent and incident diabetes. It is not yet clear though whether this association is causal and whether this possible causal link is due to Lp(a) concentration itself, to length of the apo(a) isoforms, or both.

A Tale of Two New Targets for Hypertriglyceridaemia: Which Choice of Therapy?

Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) and apolipoprotein C-III (apoC-III) are novel metabolic targets for correcting hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG). As a background to their potential clinical use, we review the metabolic aetiology of HTG, particular abnormalities in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs) and their role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and acute pancreatitis. Molecular and cardiometabolic aspects of ANGPTL3 and apoC-III, as well as inhibition of these targets with monoclonal antibody and nucleic acid therapies, are summarized as background information to descriptions and analyses of recent clinical trials.

Circulating Memory B Cells in Early Multiple Sclerosis Exhibit Increased IgA Cells, Globally Decreased BAFF-R Expression and an EBV-Related IgM Cell Signature.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that results in demyelination of axons, inefficient signal transmission and reduced muscular mobility. Recent findings suggest that B cells play a significant role in disease development and pathology. To further explore this, B cell profiles in peripheral blood from 28 treatment-naive patients with early MS were assessed using flow cytometry and compared to 17 healthy controls.

Lipoprotein (a) and Hypertension.

Purpose Of Review: To provide an overview of the associations between elevated blood pressure and lipoprotein (a) and possible causal links, as well as data on the prevalence of elevated lipoprotein (a) in a cohort of hypertensive patients.

Recent Findings: Elevated lipoprotein (a) is now considered to be an independent and causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and calcific aortic valve disease. Despite this, there are limited data demonstrating an association between elevated lipoprotein (a) and hypertension.

Anti-inflammatory effect of rosuvastatin in patients with HIV infection: An FDG-PET pilot study.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate markers of systemic as well as imaging markers of inflammation in the ascending aorta, bone marrow, and spleen measured by 18F-FDG PET/CT, in HIV+ patients at baseline and following therapy with rosuvastatin.

Methods And Results: Of the 35 HIV+ patients enrolled, 17 were randomized to treatment with 10 mg/day rosuvastatin and 18 to usual care for 6 months. An HIV- control cohort was selected for baseline comparison of serum inflammatory markers and monocyte markers of inflammation.

Renal denervation alters ambulatory blood pressure-derived salt sensitivity index in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

Background: Renal denervation (RDN) has been proven in multiple sham-controlled trials to lower blood pressure (BP) in various forms of hypertension. RDN-mediated interruption of sympathetic signaling through its effects on renal blood flow, salt retention, and renin release are likely contributors to the BP-lowering effects. However, the impact of RDN on salt sensitivity in humans has not yet been explored.