Atherosclerosis obesity

For many years, there has been concern by medical professionals and nutritionists over the effects of dietary sugar on human health. Sucrose has been imphcated as a cause of juvenile hyperactivity, tooth decay, diabetes meUitus, obesity, atherosclerosis, hypoglycemia, and nutrient deficiencies. 

PPAR5 Ubiquitous Potent TG- and LDL-C-lowering and potent HDL-C-raising increased oxidative disposal of fatty acids in adipose and skeletal muscle thermogenesis weight loss Fatty acids, eicosanoids (fatty acids derived from VLDL particles ) GW501516 currently in Phase II clinical trials Dyslipidemia, obesity atherosclerosis ... 

The three fat fuels and their metabolism are involved directly or indirectly in diseases such as diabetes mellitus, syndrome X, obesity, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, which are discussed in other chapters in this book. This section considers the problems associated with high blood levels of ketone bodies and long-chain fatty acids. 

Thus pregnancy presents a multitude of changes for the expectant mother and places her at risk for several fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base imbalances should any of the body s compensatory mechanisms fail. Additionally, any preexisting conditions, such as obesity, atherosclerosis, or prediabetes, could convert to fully active conditions. 

More and more lines of evidence support a rationale that lipids are associated with many human diseases (e.g., diabetes and obesity, atherosclerosis and stroke, cancer, psychiatric disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and neurological disorders, and infectious diseases) (see Chapter 17). Therefore, the research on lipids has become a unique new discipline called lipidomics nowadays. 

As described in the previous section, bile acids have evolved over the last years from regulators of bile acid homeostasis to general metabolic integrators. It is therefore not too surprizing that a number of bile acid-activated signaling pathways have become attractive targets for the treatment of gallstones and other metabolic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis. 

Undernutrition occuts in two extreme fotms matas-mus in adults and children and kwashiotkot in children. Overnutrition from excess enetgy intake is associated with diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, cancer, and hypertension. 

Factors that predispose an individual to IHD are listed in Table 4—2. Hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cigarette smoking are associated with endothelial dysfunction and potentiate atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. The risk for IHD increases two-fold for every 20 mm Hg increment in systolic blood pressure and up to eight-fold in the presence of diabetes.5,6 Physical inactivity and obesity independently increase the risk for IHD, in addition to predisposing individuals to other cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes). 

The development of CHD is a lifelong process. Except in rare cases of severely elevated serum cholesterol levels, years of poor dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, and life-habit risk factors (e.g., smoking and obesity) contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.3 Unfortunately, many individuals at risk for CHD do not receive lipid-lowering therapy or are not optimally treated. This chapter will help identify individuals at risk, assess treatment goals based on the level of CHD risk, and implement optimal treatment strategies and monitoring plans. 

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. 

As noted above, obesity is a health problem. It is associated with both elevated mortality and morbidity. More specifically, obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke, and for high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, and hyperlipidemia (elevated levels of lipids in the blood, a risk factor for atherosclerosis and its sequelae), and for cancer. 

Geeraert B, Crombe F, Hulsmans M, Benhabiles N, Geuns JM, Holvoet P. (2010) Stevioside inhibits atherosclerosis by improving insulin signaling and antioxidant defense in obese insulin resistant mice. Int J Obes 34 569-577. 

Hyperlipoproteinemias can be caused genetically (primary h.) or can occur in obesity and metabolic disorders (secondary h). Elevated LDL-cho-lesterol serum concentrations are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis, especially when there is a concomitant decline in HDL concentration (increase in LDL HDL quotient). 

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