Aging atherosclerosis

Sokoloff B, Hori M, Saelhof CC, Wrzolek T, Imai T. Aging, atherosclerosis and ascorbic acid metabolism. J AmGerSoc 1966 14 1239-1260. 

An encyclopedic review of scientific knowledge about the vascular wall has been recently presented by Somlyo and Somlyo (1968). These workers have elegantly surveyed the morphology, biochemistry, and pathobiochemistry of aging, atherosclerosis, and a number of other relevant disorders of the artery. There are many other reviews of the biochemistry of the arterial wall which are more comprehensive than mine. My limited objective was to focus only on fatty acid synthesis and indicate areas of investigation which I believe to be pertinent to our understanding of atherogenesis. 

Reduction in semm Hpids can contribute significantly to prevention of atherosclerosis. In 1985 a consensus report indicating that for every 1% reduction in semm cholesterol there is a 2% reduction in adverse effects of coronary heart disease was issued (145). Recommended semm cholesterol concentration was 200 mg/dL for individuals under 30 years of age, and individuals having concentration 240 mg/dL and LDL-cholesterol over 160 mg/dL should undertake dietary modification and possibly pharmacotherapy (146). Whereas the initial step in reducing semm cholesterol is through reduction of dietary cholesterol intake, a number of dmgs are available that can affect semm Hpid profile (see Fat substitutes). The pathway to cholesterol synthesis is shown in Figure 2. 

Other drugs such as the neuroleptic, haloperidol, inhibit the induction of hsp70 mRNA in rodent neurons (Sharp et al.. 1992). Although this observation needs to be confirmed in the human population, it raises the possibility that an age-dependent defect in the production of HS proteins is exacerbated by a drug which is commonly used in demented elderly patients. The potential for certain pharmacologic agents to inhibit the HS response could increase the risk for untoward effects of atherosclerosis and hypoxia. A similar concern may be raised with certain calcium channel blockers which also have been found to reduce the synthesis of HS proteins in cardiac myocytes (Low-Friedrich and Schoeppe, 1991). 

Bonithon-Kopp, C. et al.. Combined effects of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status on carotid atherosclerosis in a population aged 59-71 years The EVA (Etude sur le Vieillisement Arteriel) study. Am. J. Clin. Nutr, 65, 121, 1997. 

Cyanidin is the most common anthocyanin in foods. In addition, anthocyanins are stabilized by the formation of complexes with other flavonoids (co-pigmentation). In the United States, the daily anthocyanin consumption is estimated at about 200 mg. Several promising studies have reported that consumption of anthocyanin-rich foods is associated with reductions of the risks of cancers - and atherosclerosis and with preventive effects against age-related neuronal and behavioral declines. These beneficial effects of anthocyanins might be related to their reported biological actions such as modulators of immune response and as antioxidants. Knowledge of anthocyanin bioavailability and metabolism is thus essential to better understand their positive health effects. 

M. Nordstrom and T. Kjellstrom, Age dependency of cystathione beta-synthase activity in human fibroblasts in homocysteinemia and atherosclerotic vascular disease. Atherosclerosis 94, 213-221 (1992). 

Antioxidizability and its control are relevant for various areas in medicine and industry. Atherosclerosis, cardiac infarction, malignant growth, and aging are consequences of uncontrolled oxidation. Currently, oxidizability and antioxidants are also actual problems for alternative and complementary therapies like phyto-, helio-, and aero-ion therapy. 

The formation of atherosclerotic plaques is the underlying cause of coronary artery disease (CAD) and ACS in most patients. Endothelial dysfunction leads to the formation of fatty streaks in the coronary arteries and eventually to atherosclerotic plaques. Factors responsible for development of atherosclerosis include hypertension, age, male gender, tobacco use, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and dyslipidemia. 

In another study, when the age range was limited to 30 to 60 years, the difference in serum Lp(a) concentrations between controls and patients with cerebrovascular disease was highly significant, perhaps indicating that Lp(a) plays an important role in the development of premature cerebrovascular atherosclerosis (J7). 

Aging (skin and other tissues), myocardial infarct or stroke, inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, pulmonary disorders (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases), radiation injury, organ transplant rejection, psoriasis, hypertension, AIDS, multiple types of cancer, neuro-degenerative diseases (Parkinson s), diabetes, muscular dystrophy... 

Accumulation of homocystine in blood is associated with cardiovascular disease deep vein thrombosis, thromboembolism, and stroke dislocation of the lens (ectopic lens) and mental retardation. Homocystinemia caused by an enzyme deficiency is a rare, but severe, condition in which atherosclerosis in childhood is a prominent finding. These children often have myocardial infarctions before 20 years of age. Ail patients excrete high levels of homocystine in the urine. Treatment includes a diet low in methionine. The two major enzyme deficiencies producing homocystinemia are ... 

Even during the first or second decade of life, small deposits of lipid, fatty streaks, are often detectable in arterial walls. In a study by R. Ross over half of the children (age 10-14) examined at autopsy had fatty streaks in their arteries. These are the first indications of the entry of fat and cholesterol into macrophages in the subendothelial space of an artery. This initiates a sequence of processes that eventually produces a plaque. A prerequisite for the development of fatty streaks, and hence atherosclerosis, is injury to the endothelial cells fining the arterial wall. Many factors are suspected of causing this, including pollutants. 

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