Anti-inflammatory effect cardiovascular effects

Fat is a key component in the human diet. Research shows that excessive consumption of saturated fat negatively impacts several biomarkers of health while monounsaturated and n-3 PUFAs are beneficial to human health. Moreover, research shows that imbalanced dietary ratios of n-6 n-3 may lead to various health complications as well as disease progression while increased n-3 levels impart prevention and health promoting effects (Burghardt et al., 2010 Goodstine et al., 2003 Simopoulos, 2002 Wan et al., 2010). The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish meals at least twice a week due to their promising health and especially cardiovascular benefits. Here, we review some of the health benefits of n-3 PUFAs, due in part to their anti-inflammatory effects in cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), obesity, and other metabolic disorders. 

It is important to note that an elevated and/or altered plasma lipid level is only one of a wide range of risk factors that contribute to the clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease in humans (Lusis, 2000). Consequently, in some studies, the reduced incidence of atherosclerosis in animals fed CLA was not accompanied by an improvement in the plasma lipid profile during the CLA feeding phase (Wilson et al, 2000). Reasons for these effects are not understood fully. However, atherosclerosis can also be considered as a chronic inflammatory disease (Libby, 2002) and several important anti-inflammatory effects have been associated with the use of RA these include a reduction in the expression of COX-2, PGE2, reduced release of nitric oxide, a decreased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and PPARy activation (Urquhart et al, 2002 Yu et al, 2002 Toomey et al, 2003). 

Aspirin produces an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effect primarily by irreversibly inhibiting cyclooxygenase (thus having similar effects to NSAIDs). It possesses an antiplatelet effect that may have additive effect with other drugs with a similar effect (e.g, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and those which affect other aspects of blood clotting. The risk of interactions and adverse effects are reduced by using a lower dose (e.g. 75 mg) fortunately, a full antiplatelet effect is seen at this dose. This is considered in Part 1, Cardiovascular Drugs. 

Given the phytochemical complexity of figs, this fruit is a treasure trove for basic research. Currently, there are potential applications for figs and its extracts against cancer, microbial and viral infections, pain, skin diseases, sun exposure, cardiovascular and digestive disorders, metabolic syndrome, and nutritional deficiencies, to cite only a partial list. As many of these diseases could have a common origin from inflammatory mechanisms, recent research on the potential health properties of figs has focused on their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. 

Clinically significant gender effects have been reported with CNS, anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular drugs. It is suggested that women continue to be enrolled into most drug study programs,... 

Low-grade inflammation is closely associated with the metabolic syndrome and is an accepted new cardiovascular risk factor. Reductions in postprandial glucose excursion by treatment with acarbose in patients with type 2 diabetes have shown to reduce the activity (p = 0.045) and nuclear localization (p = 0.02) of the proinflammatory transcription factor NFkB, suggesting a mechanism by which the anti-inflammatory effects of acarbose may be mediated [8]. This mechanism would be consistent with reductions in the level of coagulation factors seen with acarbose treatment. For example, acarbose has been shown to reduce the level of fibrinogen in patients with type 2 diabetes (p = 0.013 vs. placebo) [42] and serum C-reactive protein levels in individuals with IGT (p < 0.01 vs. placebo) [43]. We found a significant reduction in postprandial leukocyte excursion another indicator... 

It is well established that inflammatory processes play an important role in the causation of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Inflammatory mediators play an important role in the initiation, progression and rupture of atherosclerotic plaque. Therefore, lipid-lowering medication with anti-inflammatory effects may provide better reduction in the incidence of CVD than those with only lipid-lowering effect. 

For decades, research on the health-promoting effects of Mediterranean diet has revealed that olive oil consumption is a key factor in the cardiovascular protection found in Mediterranean countries [139]. It is well established that the healthful properties of olive oil depend mostly on its high oleic acid content. However, many arguments demonstrate that in olive oil there are minor bioactive components, other than oleic acid, responsible for its cardiovascular protective properties among them, the phenolic fraction of olive oil, and in particular OL and HT, has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-platelet aggregation, vasodilatatory, and anti-inflammatory effects, all involved in this health beneficial action [7,108-110]. 

In addition to its analgesic effect capsaicin has many other beneficial effects including a nasal decongestant effect, a topical anti-inflammatory effect and even an effect on cancer cell growth and death, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and bacterial infections. 

Oil from the soft parts of sea buckthorn berry is already used as a raw material for functional foods and cosmetics in China, Russia, Europe, and North America. Animal experiments and clinical trials have shown protective, tissue-regenerative, and anti-inflammatory effects of the oil on skin and mucosa (Yang, 2001). There is evidence that the oil may regulate immune function, inhibit oxidation, suppress the growth of cancer cells, and reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The physiological effects of sea buckthorn oils have recently been reviewed (Yang, 2001). 

Melanocortin peptides are potent anti-inflammatory agents displaying beneficial effects in diseases ranging from cardiovascular to arthritis to obesity to name a few. Within an inflammatory context, they have the ability to switch off early production of cytokines and at later stages they increase levels of anti-inflammatory proteins that lead to the resolution of the host inflammatory response potentially restoring homeostasis to the tissue. They could eventually be viewed as an alternative to glucocorticoids, as their mode of action often resembles that seen... 

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