The influence of statin monotherapy and statin-ezetimibe combined therapy on FoxP3 and IL 10 mRNA expression in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: FoxP3 is a marker of human T regulatory cells (Tregs), which are supposed to play an important role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a cytokine with pleiotropic, immunoregulatory properties, produced mostly by Tregs and B regulatory cells. Due to their anti-inflammatory action, both Tregs and IL-10 are believed to inhibit plaque development and decrease atherosclerosis progression.

Comparison of the effects of rosuvastatin monotherapy and atorvastatin-ezetimibe combined therapy on the structure of erythrocyte membranes in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Abnormalities in the physical properties of the red blood cells (RBCs) membranes may underlie the defects that are strongly linked to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The aim of the study was to compare the effects of two therapies of equal hipolipemic efficacy on the erythrocyte membrane fluidity, concentration of membrane cholesterol, lipids peroxidation and RBCs distribution witdh in patients with CVD.

Methods: The study included 44 patients with angiographic evidence of CVD, who despite previous 6-month hypolipemic therapy, did not achieve the concentration of LDL-C <70mg/dl.

The Effect of Combined Ezetimibe/Atorvastatin Therapy vs. Atorvastatin Monotherapy on the Erythrocyte Membrane Structure in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Pilot Study.

Background: Erythrocytes play an important role in atherogenesis. An excessive accumulation of cholesterol in erythrocyte membranes leads to disruption of the erythrocytes.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of two different hypolipidemic therapies on the structure of erythrocyte membranes.

Intensive statin therapy, used alone or in combination with ezetimibe, improves homocysteine level and lipid peroxidation to a similar degree in patients with coronary artery diseases.

Background: Increase in the concentration of homocysteine is one of the risks of cardiovascular diseases. Coronary artery disease accompanied the increase of LDL cholesterol level and hipolipemic drugs are used in such treatments. Also these drugs have pleiotropic effects, which are not greatly known.

Comprehensive insight into immune regulatory mechanisms and vascular wall determinants of atherogenesis - emerging perspectives of immunomodulation.

For many years atherosclerosis was believed to be the passive accumulation of cholesterol in vessel walls. Today the picture is more complex, as immune processes occur in atherogenesis. Considerable attention is focused on the particular role of adaptive immune responses orchestrated by T cell subsets.

Disorders of erythrocyte structure and function in hypertensive patients.

Background: The prevalence of hypertension is growing at an alarming rate. Increasing attention is being focussed on the oxidative stress accompanying this disease. In this study we examined the impact of this disease on some parameters of erythrocytes and human blood plasma.