Sex-Related Differences in Oxidative, Platelet, and Vascular Function in Chronic Users of Heat-not-Burn vs. Traditional Combustion Cigarettes.

Smoking is still a major cardiovascular risk factor, despite many public awareness campaigns and dedicated interventions. Recently, modified risk products (MRP), e.g.

Impact of chronic use of heat-not-burn cigarettes on oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and platelet activation: the SUR-VAPES Chronic Study.

Tobacco habit still represents the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Heat-not-burn cigarettes (HNBCs) are considered as an alternative to traditional combustion cigarettes (TCCs) due to the lack of combustion and the absence of combustion-related specific toxicants. The aim of this observational study was to assess the effect of HNBC on endothelial function, oxidative stress and platelet activation in chronic adult TCC smokers and HNBC users.

Oxidative stress and gut-derived lipopolysaccharides in children affected by paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections.

Background: Paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections syndrome (PANDAS) identifies patients with acute onset of obsessive-compulsive and tic disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate serum NOX2 levels, as well as 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of PANDAS patients.

Methods: In this study we wanted to compare serum levels of soluble NOX2-dp (sNOX-2-dp), iso-PGF2α and LPS in 60 consecutive subjects, including 30 children affected by PANDAS and 30 controls (CT) matched for age and gender.

Enhanced NOX-2 derived oxidative stress in offspring of patients with early myocardial infarction.

Background: Offspring of patients with early myocardial infarction have a higher risk to develop cardiovascular events; the underlying physiopathology is still unclear. Several lines of evidence support a role for oxidative stress in atherogenesis and NADPH oxidase-2 (NOX-2) is considered a major source of O2 in human. Furthermore, oxidative stress regulates arachidonic acid metabolism via activation of platelet phospholipase-A2.

Low Rate of Intrahospital Deep Venous Thrombosis in Acutely Ill Medical Patients: Results From the AURELIO Study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of hospitalization on deep venous thrombosis (DVT) rate by the cumulative incidence of DVT in the proximal venous tract of the lower limbs at admission and discharge.

Methods: The AURELIO (rAte of venoUs thRombosis in acutEly iLl patIents hOspitalized in internal medicine wards) multicenter observational study was carried out in hospital-university internal medicine wards including consecutive acutely ill medical patients. Patients underwent compression ultrasonography (CUS) of proximal lower limb veins at admission and discharge.

Hazelnut and cocoa spread improves flow-mediated dilatation in smokers.

Hazelnut and cocoa spread is an Italian product containing cocoa and hazelnut. Several epidemiological studies suggest that cocoa and hazelnuts cocoa exert beneficial cardiovascular effects. To investigate whether in smokers, hazelnut and cocoa spread elicits artery dilatation via down-regulation of oxidative stress.

Role of NADPH oxidase-2 and oxidative stress in children exposed to passive smoking.

This study explored oxidative stress, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-2 (Nox2) activity and endothelial function in children exposed or not to passive smoking. Compared with controls (n=57), Nox2 activity and isoprostanes were higher in children exposed to passive smoking (n=57); conversely, nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and flow-mediated dilation were lower in children exposed to passive smoking. A bivariate analysis showed that Nox2 activity correlated with flow-mediated dilation, NO bioavailability and isoprostanes.

Does Regular Physical Exercise Preserve Artery Dilation by Lowering Nox2-Related Oxidative Stress?

Habitual physical activity has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk reduction by improving vascular function but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. To address this issue, we performed a cross-sectional study comparing 50 physically active (PA) adults with 50 sedentary controls matched for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors. PA subjects had significantly higher flow-mediated dilation (FMD) than controls and higher serum levels of nitrite/nitrate, a marker of nitric oxide generation.

Impaired flow-mediated dilation in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is complicated by cardiovascular events as myocardial infarction and stroke but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. We hypothesized that endothelial dysfunction may be implicated and that endotoxemia may have a role.

Methods: Fifty patients with CAP and 50 controls were enrolled.