Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in the inflammatory profile of young (<or=40 years) systemically healthy periodontal patients comparing chronic (CP) versus aggressive periodontitis (AP) in terms of cytokines, chemokines and C-reactive protein levels.
Abstract: The aim of the present explorative cross-sectional study was to evaluate the potential role of some periodontal variables in predicting sub-clinical atherosclerosis and systemic inflammation in young adults (<or=40 years) with severe periodontitis compared with healthy individuals without periodontitis.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between severe periodontitis and sub-clinical atherosclerosis in young (< or =40 years) systemically healthy individuals.
Abstract: The clinical usefulness of noninvasive measurement of carotid intima media thickness and plaque visualization in the general population is still uncertain.
Abstract: Increased evidence suggests an accelerated macrovascular disease in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) are two indicators of subclinic cardiovascular disease and are frequently used as surrogate measures of subclinic atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate macrovascular involvement in SSc. We studied 35 SSc patients (6 males and 29 females; 11 with diffuse and 24 with limited disease) and 20 healthy controls. Brachial artery FMD was assessed by method described by Celermajer in all patients and 13 control subjects. IMT was measured using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography in patients and controls. Traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis (hypertension, dyslipidemia, and smoke) were also assessed. FMD was significantly impaired (3.41% +/- 4.56% versus 7.66% +/- 4.24%; P < 0.037) and IMT was significantly elevated compared with healthy controls (0.93 +/- 0.29 mm versus 0.77 +/- 0.13 mm; P < 0.005). FMD was not significantly different in SSc with increased IMT compared with those with normal IMT). No correlation was found between risk factors for atherosclerosis and the impairment of FMD or IMT in SSc patients. The impairment of endothelial function and structural changes of large vessels are evident in SSc, but do not seem associated with traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis. Prospective studies including also clinical outcomes are needed to assess the features and significance of macrovacular involvement in SSc.
Abstract: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by microvascular and macrovascular alterations. The D allele of the ACE I/D polymorphism is known to be associated with an increased incidence of atherosclerosis and has been recently proposed as associated with increased risk of SSc. This study evaluates the relationship between intima-media thickness (IMT), ankle-brachial pressure measurements (ABPI) and ACE I/D polymorphism in SSc patients.
Abstract: Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), including Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine-protein adducts (CML) are involved in micro/macrovascular changes and are co-localized with adhesion molecules in inflamed tissues. Serum levels of CML were investigated in systemic sclerosis (SSc) characterized by microvascular modifications and correlated with indices of micro/macrovascular damage.
Abstract: Consumption of alcoholic beverages reduces the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), and epidemiological studies have shown that ethanol per se is protective. However, the mechanism by which ethanol exerts protection is not fully known. Ethanol can stimulate neuropeptide-containing primary sensory neurons via the activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Here, we have studied whether ethanol-mediated TRPV1 activation causes the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) that, via dilatation of coronary arteries and other mechanisms, may protect the heart from CAD.
Abstract: The authors describe the design and the general, ultrasonographic, neuropsychological methodology of an observational epidemiological population survey, named REMEMBER (Registry Evaluation Memory in Buttrio e Remanzacco) conducted in the northeast of Italy in a randomized stratified sample of 1,026 subjects (554 F and 472 M) aged 55-98 years. The study was planned as cross-sectional and longitudinal survey of cognitive impairment, cardiovascular risk factors, carotid atherosclerosis in a midlife and older Italian population sample. The objectives of the first phase are to assess the prevalence of the different types of dementia, the cognitive impairment non-dementia, the cardiovascular risk factors, the carotid intima-media thickness and arterial distensibility, and of depression. The conclusions of this study will make it possible to organize preventive and interventional strategies for these epidemic conditions.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the cerebrovascular adaptability to 2 sequential pressor stimuli in elderly patients with isolated systolic hypertension. Ten healthy elderly normotensive subjects (68 to 82 years), 10 elderly subjects with isolated systolic hypertension (63 to 82 years), and 10 young normotensive subjects (24 to 40 years) took part in the study. A pressor reaction, using sequential cold pressor and handgrip stimulation, was induced. The cerebrovascular response to the pressor stimulation was measured by transcranial Doppler determination of the mean flow velocity in the middle cerebral arteries. In all of the subjects, blood pressure increased during handgrip (+12 mm Hg, P<0.001 in the young; +18 mm Hg, P<0.01 in the elderly normotensive subjects; +19 mm Hg, P<0.001 in the hypertensive patients versus baseline). In the hypertensive subjects, the pressure increase persisted well into the recovery period. The pressure increase caused a significant increase in mean flow velocity in the middle cerebral arteries only in the elderly subjects. Cold pressor test increased blood pressure in all of the subjects during stimulation and the first 2 minutes of the recovery period (at whole-curve ANOVA: F=22.03, P<0.001 in the young participants; F=18.3, P<0.001 in the normotensive elderly; and F=13.04, P<0.001 in the hypertensive elderly). Mean flow velocity in the middle cerebral arteries significantly increased only in the hypertensive subjects. In the elderly hypertensive patients, the cerebrovascular reaction to adrenergic stimuli was more impaired than in the elderly normotensive subjects. This event can amplify the pressure insult on cerebral hemodynamics and increase the predisposition to cerebral damage, such as vascular cognitive impairment or stroke.
