The prognostic role of galectin-3 and endothelial function in patients with heart failure.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is nowadays classified as HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), HF with mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF), and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF). Endothelial dysfunction (assessed by flow-mediated dilatation [FMD]), increased arterial stiffness (assessed by carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity [PWV]), and galectin-3, a biomarker of myocardial fibrosis, have been linked to major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with ischemic HF.

Methods: In this study we prospectively enrolled 340 patients with stable ischemic HF.

Differential Expression of microRNAs in Acute and Chronic Heart Failure.

Background: MicroRNAs modify protein expression at the post-transcriptional level, and their circulating levels may help identify the underlying molecular pathways.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the differential expression of microRNAs related to myocardial cell energy substrate, autophagy, and ischaemia in chronic and acute heart failure (HF).

Methods: In this case-control study, we studied 19 patients with acute HF (AHF) and 19 patients with chronic HF (CHF).

The association of T786C and G894T polymorphisms of eNOS gene with diabetic retinopathy in Greece.

Purpose: To investigate whether eNOS T786C (rs2070744) and G894T (rs1799983) gene polymorphisms are associated with diabetic retinopathy in Greek diabetic patients.

Materials: 271 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus participated in our study; 130 suffered from diabetic retinopathy and 141 not. All the patients underwent a complete ophthalmological examination, while clinical and demographic data were assessed.

Association of Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenesis-2 (ST2) with Endothelial Function in Patients with Ischemic Heart Failure.

Soluble suppression of tumorigenesis-2 (sST2) has been introduced as a marker associated with heart failure (HF) pathophysiology and status. Endothelial dysfunction is a component underlying HF pathophysiology. Therefore, we examined the association of arterial wall properties with sST2 levels in patients with HF of ischemic etiology.

The association among biomarkers of renal and heart function in patients with heart failure: the role of NGAL.

Aim: The NGAL is a biomarker of renal injury associated with the progression of heart failure (HF). We examine the association of NGAL with galectin-3 in patients with chronic HF.

Methods: We consecutively enrolled 115 subjects with stable ischemic HF of reduced ejection fraction.

Galectin-3 and Arterial Stiffness in Patients with Heart Failure: A Pilot Study.

Background: Cardiac performance depends on optimum ventriculoarterial coupling which is impaired in patients with heart failure (HF). Galectin-3 is a mediator of myocardial fibrosis and remodeling, and is associated with clinical status in patients with chronic HF. We examined the association of arterial stiffness with galectin-3 levels in patients with HF of ischemic etiology.

The Acute Impact of Different Types of Aerobic Exercise on Arterial Wave Reflections and Inflammation.

Objectives: Whilst physical activity is linked to cardiovascular health, it has lately been recognized that different types of exercise exert diverse effects on the cardiovascular system. Therefore, we investigated the acute effects of continuous moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (CAE) and high-intensity interval aerobic exercise (hIAE) on arterial function and inflammation.

Methods: Twenty healthy men (mean age 22.

Effects of CYP2C19 Polymorphism on Endothelial Function, Arterial Stiffness and Inflammation in Coronary Artery Disease Patients Under Clopidogrel Treatment.

Background: Clopidogrel's ability to inhibit platelet function determined its clinical usefulness. The role of CYP2C19*2 genotype on antiplatelet treatment is recently under question. Arterial wall properties and inflammation are key players in atherosclerosis development.

The Role of Endothelial Dysfunction in Aortic Aneurysms.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a vascular disease which, despite the fact that it shares common risk factors with atherosclerosis, develops in parallel but as a partly independent process, through different pathogenic mechanisms. The pathogenic mechanisms involve metalloproteinase and collagenase activation, median and adventitial degradation, elastin lysis, vascular smooth cells transformation and apoptosis, collagen production and lysis imbalance combined with excessive inflammatory infiltration. Endothelial cells respond to a number of stimulating factors, including smoking, hypertension and AT1 receptor stimulation and non-uniform distribution of wall stress.

Novel Inflammatory Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Therapeutics.

Inflammation has been established as an important determinant of cardiovascular disease progression. Currently, clinical examination, laboratory and imaging tests are invaluable for the diagnosis, prognosis and disease monitoring. Novel inflammatory biomarkers are also used to better restratify patients in risk groups but their potential to guide treatment decisions and management of patients has not been extensively evaluated.