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A Human Ex Vivo Atherosclerotic Plaque Model to Study Lesion Biology
Published on: May 6, 2014
Inflammation and cardiovascular disease: from pathogenesis to therapeutic target
Enrica Golia1, Giuseppe Limongelli, Francesco Natale
1Division of Cardiology, Cardio-thoracic and Respiratory Sciences Department, Second University of Naples, AO Dei Colli-Monaldi Hospital, 80131, Naples, Italy.
Insights
Atherosclerosis, a key cause of coronary heart disease (CHD), is a chronic inflammatory condition. Anti-inflammatory treatments show promise for reducing cardiovascular risk beyond traditional therapies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Inflammation Biology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of coronary heart disease (CHD).
- It is recognized as a chronic, low-grade inflammatory condition.
- Inflammatory mediators play roles in atherogenesis and plaque instability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the relationship between inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- To explore the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
- To discuss anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies for reducing residual cardiovascular risk.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data linking inflammation biomarkers to cardiovascular risk.
- Analysis of randomized controlled trials on anti-inflammatory effects of cardiovascular drugs.
- Examination of ongoing clinical trials for novel anti-inflammatory agents.
Main Results:
- Biomarkers of inflammation are associated with clinical cardiovascular risk.
- Statins demonstrate efficacy in cardiovascular event prevention via anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
- Several anti-inflammatory drugs are under investigation for residual risk reduction.
Conclusions:
- Targeted anti-inflammatory therapy is a promising strategy for managing residual cardiovascular risk.
- Understanding the link between inflammation and atherosclerosis is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Further research into anti-inflammatory interventions is warranted for cardiovascular disease management.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis represents the most common pathological substrate of coronary heart disease (CHD), and the characterization of the disease as a chronic low-grade inflammatory condition is now largely accepted. A number of mediators of inflammation have been widely studied, both as surrogate biomarkers and as causal agents, in the pathophysiological network of atherogenesis and plaque vulnerability. The epidemiological observation that biomarkers of inflammation are associated with clinical cardiovascular risk supports the theory that targeted anti-inflammatory treatment appears to be a promising strategy in reducing residual cardiovascular risk on the background of traditional medical therapy. A large number of randomized controlled trials have shown that drugs commonly used in cardiovascular disease (CVD), such as statins, may be effective in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events through an anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, several anti-inflammatory drugs are being tested for their potential to reduce residual cardiovascular risk on the background of validated medical therapy for atherosclerotic disease. In this paper, we review relevant evidence with regard to the relationship between inflammation and CVD, from pathogenesis to therapeutic strategies.
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