fibrates

Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting arterial blood vessels (as well as veins that have been surgically moved to function as arteries). Athēra is porridge in Greek, as the plaque changes have a foamy appearance under high-power light microscopy. Sclerosis denotes hardening; calcification within the oldest, outermost portion of atheroma increase wall stiffness. Some sources draw a distinction between "Arteriosclerosis," "Atherosclerosis," and "Arteriolosclerosis". In these contexts, "Atherosclerosis" is used whe ...

Including:

• Atherosclerosis - Symptoms
• Atherosclerosis - Atherogenesis
• Atherosclerosis - Cellular
• Atherosclerosis - Calcification and lipids
• Atherosclerosis - Visible features
• Atherosclerosis - Stenosis and rupture
• Atherosclerosis - Diagnosis of plaque-related disease
• Atherosclerosis - Risk factors
• Atherosclerosis - Treatment
• Atherosclerosis - Recent research
• Atherosclerosis - Related topics

Read more here: » Atherosclerosis: Encyclopedia - Atherosclerosis

In pharmacology, bile acid sequestrants are a group of medications used for binding bile in the gastrointestinal tract, used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and the prevention of pruritus (itch) in patients with chronic liver disease or diarrhea. Two drugs are members of this class; both are synthetic resins: Cholestyramine (Questran®) Colestipol (Colestid®) Use of these agents has decreased markedly since the introduction of statins. They are occasionally used as an adjunctive to ...

Read more here: » Bile acid sequestrant: Encyclopedia - Bile acid sequestrant

Depending on the cause it is broadly classified as Primary, when no underlying cause is found; usually presents as nephrotic syndrome Secondary, when an underlying cause is identified; usually presents with kidney failure and proteinuria. This is actually a heterogenous group including a myriad causes such as Infections such as HIV Toxins and drugs such as heroin and pamidronate Familial forms Secondary to nephron loss and hyperfiltration, such as with chronic pyelonephritis and reflux, morbid obesity, diabetes mellitus < ...

See also:

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis - Symptoms & Signs, Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis - Classification, Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis - Diagnosis, Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis - Differential Diagnosis, Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis - Treatment

Read more here: » Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: Encyclopedia II - Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis - Classification

Statin - Groups. Two groups of statins exist: Fermentation-derived: lovastatin, simvastatin and pravastatin Synthetic: fluvastatin, atorvastatin, cerivastatin and rosuvastatin Fermentation-derived statins appear more effective in reducing LDL, but no clear explanation has accounted for this phenomenon. Statin - Mode of action. Statins act by competitively inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme of the HMG-CoA reductase pathway, the body's metabolic pa ...

See also:

Statin, Statin - Members, Statin - Uses, Statin - Pharmacology, Statin - Groups, Statin - Mode of action, Statin - Non-cholesterol related actions, Statin - Safety, Statin - History

Read more here: » Statin: Encyclopedia II - Statin - Pharmacology

Atherogenesis is the developmental process of atheromatous plaques. It is characterized by a remodeling of arteries involving the concomitant accumulation of cells (most notably leukocytes such as monocyte derived macrophages) and modified lipoproteins. The ensuing inflammation leads to formation of atheromatous plaques in the arterial intima, a region of the vessel wall located between the endothelium and the media and adventitia. The bulk of these lesions is comprised of excess fat, cells, collagen, and elastin. The plaques initially grow without producing any narrowing, s ...

See also:

Atherosclerosis, Atherosclerosis - Symptoms, Atherosclerosis - Atherogenesis, Atherosclerosis - Cellular, Atherosclerosis - Calcification and lipids, Atherosclerosis - Visible features, Atherosclerosis - Stenosis and rupture, Atherosclerosis - Diagnosis of plaque-related disease, Atherosclerosis - Risk factors, Atherosclerosis - Treatment, Atherosclerosis - Recent research

Read more here: » Atherosclerosis: Encyclopedia II - Atherosclerosis - Atherogenesis

Three types of PPARs have been identified: alpha, gamma and delta (beta). α (alpha) - expressed in kidney, heart, muscle, adipose tissue, and others. γ (gamma) - although transcribed by the same gene, this PPAR exists in three forms: γ1 - expressed in virtually all tissues, including heart, muscle, colon, kidney, pancreas and spleen. γ2 - expressed mainly in adipose tissue (30 aminoacids longer) γ3 - expressed in macrophages, large intestine, white adipose tissue. δ (delta) - expre ...

See also:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Nomenclature, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - History, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - What happened to PPARβ beta?, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Physiological function, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Genetics, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Structure, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Pharmacology, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - PPAR-alpha, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - PPAR-gamma, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Sources

Read more here: » Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor: Encyclopedia II - Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Nomenclature

Atherogenesis is the developmental process of atheromatous plaques. It is characterized by a remodeling of arteries involving an accumulation of macrophage cells forming atheroma or atheromatous plaques, which contain an excess of fatty cellular membranes within the arterial wall. The plaques are always located between the intima lining and muscular portion of the artery wall, typically without producing any narrowing, stenosis, of the artery opening, called the lumen. ...

See also:

Atherosclerosis, Atherosclerosis - Symptoms, Atherosclerosis - Atherogenesis, Atherosclerosis - Cellular, Atherosclerosis - Calcification and lipids, Atherosclerosis - Visible features, Atherosclerosis - Stenosis and rupture, Atherosclerosis - Diagnosis of plaque-related disease, Atherosclerosis - Risk factors, Atherosclerosis - Treatment, Atherosclerosis - Recent research, Atherosclerosis - Related topics

Read more here: » Atherosclerosis: Encyclopedia II - Atherosclerosis - Atherogenesis

Elevated cholesterol does not lead to specific symptoms unless it has been longstanding. Some types of hypercholesterolaemia lead to specific physical findings: xanthoma (thickening of tendons due to accumulation of cholesterol), xanthelasma palpabrum (yellowish patches around the eyelids) and arcus senilis (white discoloration of the peripheral cornea). Longstanding elevated hypercholesterolemia leads to accelerated atherosclerosis; this can express itself in a number of cardiovascular diseases: Angina pectoris, l ...

See also:

Hypercholesterolemia, Hypercholesterolemia - Signs and symptoms, Hypercholesterolemia - Diagnosis, Hypercholesterolemia - Classification, Hypercholesterolemia - Fredrickson classification, Hypercholesterolemia - Secondary causes, Hypercholesterolemia - Treatment, Hypercholesterolemia - Carbohydrates, Hypercholesterolemia - Trans fats, Hypercholesterolemia - Cholesterol questioners, Hypercholesterolemia - Cholesterol and alternative medicine

Read more here: » Hypercholesterolemia: Encyclopedia II - Hypercholesterolemia - Signs and symptoms

Progress on methods to improve HDLipoprotein particle concentrations and function, which in some animal studies largely reverses and remove atheromas, are being developed and researched. The most dramatic demonstrations of potential HDL efficacy to reverse atherosclerosis has been with the rare Apo-A1 Milano human genetic variant of the HDL protein. Ongoing work starting in the 1990s, leading to human clinical trials probably by about 2008, on using either synthesized Apo-A1 Milano HDL directly or gene-transfer methods to pass the ability to synth ...

See also:

Atherosclerosis, Atherosclerosis - Symptoms, Atherosclerosis - Atherogenesis, Atherosclerosis - Cellular, Atherosclerosis - Calcification and lipids, Atherosclerosis - Visible features, Atherosclerosis - Stenosis and rupture, Atherosclerosis - Diagnosis of plaque-related disease, Atherosclerosis - Risk factors, Atherosclerosis - Treatment, Atherosclerosis - Recent research

Read more here: » Atherosclerosis: Encyclopedia II - Atherosclerosis - Recent research

Areas of severe narrowing, stenosis, detectable by angiography, and to a lesser extent "stress testing" have long been the focus of human diagnostic techniques for cardiovascular disease, in general. However, these methods focus on detecting only severe narrowing, not the underlying atherosclerosis disease. As demonstrated by human clinical studies, most severe events occur in locations with heavy plaque, yet little or no lumen narrowing present before debilitating events suddenly occur. Plaque rupture can lead to artery lumen occlusion within seconds t ...

See also:

Atherosclerosis, Atherosclerosis - Symptoms, Atherosclerosis - Atherogenesis, Atherosclerosis - Cellular, Atherosclerosis - Calcification and lipids, Atherosclerosis - Visible features, Atherosclerosis - Stenosis and rupture, Atherosclerosis - Diagnosis of plaque-related disease, Atherosclerosis - Risk factors, Atherosclerosis - Treatment, Atherosclerosis - Recent research

Read more here: » Atherosclerosis: Encyclopedia II - Atherosclerosis - Diagnosis of plaque-related disease

If atherosclerosis leads to symptoms, the symptoms (such as angina pectoris) can be treated. Medicines are usually the first step in treating cardiovascular diseases, and with improvements, have increasingly become the most effective method over the long term. However, medicines are criticized for their expense, patented control and occasional undesired effects. Lipoprotein imbalances, upper normal and especially elevated blood sugar, i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, homocysteine, stopping smoking, taking anticoagulants (anti-clott ...

See also:

Atherosclerosis, Atherosclerosis - Symptoms, Atherosclerosis - Atherogenesis, Atherosclerosis - Cellular, Atherosclerosis - Calcification and lipids, Atherosclerosis - Visible features, Atherosclerosis - Stenosis and rupture, Atherosclerosis - Diagnosis of plaque-related disease, Atherosclerosis - Risk factors, Atherosclerosis - Treatment, Atherosclerosis - Recent research

Read more here: » Atherosclerosis: Encyclopedia II - Atherosclerosis - Treatment

Statins, the most potent cholesterol-lowering agents, lower LDL-cholesterol (so-called "bad cholesterol") by 30–50%. However, they have less effect than the fibrates or niacin in reducing triglycerides and raising HDL-cholesterol ("good cholesterol"). As up to 50% of all circulating cholesterol originates in the diet, doctors in theory only prescribe statins after dietary intervention has not had the desired effect. In practice, diet changes often have little effect, and many doc ...

See also:

Statin, Statin - Members, Statin - Uses, Statin - Pharmacology, Statin - Groups, Statin - Mode of action, Statin - Non-cholesterol related actions, Statin - Safety, Statin - History

Read more here: » Statin: Encyclopedia II - Statin - Uses

The three main forms are transcribed from different genes: PPARα - chromosome 22q12-13.1 (OMIM 170998). PPARγ - chromosome 3p25 (OMIM 601487). PPARδ - chromosome 6p21.2-21.1 (OMIM 600409). Hereditary disorders of all PPARs have been described, generally leading to a loss in function and concomitant lipodystrophy, insulin resistance and/or acanthosis nigricans. Of PPARγ, a gain-of-function mutation has been described and studied (Pro12Ala) which decreased the risk of insulin resistance; it is q ...

See also:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Nomenclature, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - History, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - What happened to PPARβ beta?, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Physiological function, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Genetics, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Structure, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Pharmacology, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - PPAR-alpha, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - PPAR-gamma, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Sources

Read more here: » Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor: Encyclopedia II - Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Genetics

PPARα and PPARγ are the targets of a number of known medications and are under continuing research for other forms of pharmacological modulation. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - PPAR-alpha. PPAR-alpha is the main target of fibrate drugs, a class of amphipathic carboxylic acids (clofibrate, gemfibrozil and others). They are used in cholesterol disorders (generally as an adjunctive to statins) and disorders that feature high triglycerides.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Nomenclature, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - History, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - What happened to PPARβ beta?, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Physiological function, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Genetics, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Structure, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Pharmacology, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - PPAR-alpha, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - PPAR-gamma, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Sources

Read more here: » Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor: Encyclopedia II - Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Pharmacology

All PPARs dimerize with the retinoid X-receptor (RXR) and bind to specific regions on the DNA, termed PPREs (peroxisome proliferator response elements). The DNA consensus sequence is AGGTCAXAGGTCA with X being a random nucleotide. Generally, this sequence occurs in the promotor region of a gene, and when the PPAR is activated, transcription is increased (a number of genes is, however, suppressed by PPARs). The RXR also forms a heterodimer with ...

See also:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Nomenclature, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - History, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - What happened to PPARβ beta?, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Physiological function, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Genetics, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Structure, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Pharmacology, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - PPAR-alpha, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - PPAR-gamma, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Sources

Read more here: » Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor: Encyclopedia II - Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor - Physiological function

Progress on methods to improve HDLipoprotein particle concentrations and function, which in some animal studies largely reverses and remove atheromas, are being developed and researched. The most dramatic demonstrations of potential HDL efficacy to reverse atherosclerosis has been with the rare Apo-A1 Milano human genetic variant of the HDL protein. Genentic expression and control mechanism research, including (a) the PPAR peroxisome proliferator activated receptors known to be important in blood sugar and variants of lipoprotein production and function and (b) of the multiple variants with the proteins which form t ...

See also:

Atherosclerosis, Atherosclerosis - Symptoms, Atherosclerosis - Atherogenesis, Atherosclerosis - Cellular, Atherosclerosis - Calcification and lipids, Atherosclerosis - Visible features, Atherosclerosis - Stenosis and rupture, Atherosclerosis - Diagnosis of plaque-related disease, Atherosclerosis - Risk factors, Atherosclerosis - Treatment, Atherosclerosis - Recent research

Read more here: » Atherosclerosis: Encyclopedia II - Atherosclerosis - Recent research

While many patients develop muscle cramps and gastrointestinal upset on statin therapy, these usually resolve on temporarily lowering the dose. Liver enzyme derangements may occur, which generally return to normal after briefly discontinuing the drug. Some report headaches. Other side-effects occur rarely. A main safety concern, rhabdomyolysis (the pathological breakdown of skeletal muscle) may lead to acute renal failure when muscle breakdown products damage the kidney. A 2004 study (Graham et al) found that of 10,000 patients ...

See also:

Statin, Statin - Members, Statin - Uses, Statin - Pharmacology, Statin - Groups, Statin - Mode of action, Statin - Non-cholesterol related actions, Statin - Safety, Statin - History

Read more here: » Statin: Encyclopedia II - Statin - Safety

When measuring cholesterol, it is important to measure its subfractions before drawing a conclusion on the cause of the problem. The subfractions are LDL, HDL and VLDL. In the past, LDL and VLDL levels were rarely measured directly due to cost concerns. VLDL levels are reflected in the levels of triglycerides (generally about 45% of triglycerides is composed of VLDL). LDL was usually estimated as a calculated value from the other fractions (total cholesterol minus HDL and VLDL); this method is called the Friedewald calculation; specifically: LDL ~ ...

See also:

Hypercholesterolemia, Hypercholesterolemia - Signs and symptoms, Hypercholesterolemia - Diagnosis, Hypercholesterolemia - Classification, Hypercholesterolemia - Fredrickson classification, Hypercholesterolemia - Secondary causes, Hypercholesterolemia - Treatment, Hypercholesterolemia - Carbohydrates, Hypercholesterolemia - Trans fats, Hypercholesterolemia - Cholesterol questioners, Hypercholesterolemia - Cholesterol and alternative medicine

Read more here: » Hypercholesterolemia: Encyclopedia II - Hypercholesterolemia - Diagnosis

Progress on methods to improve HDLipoprotein particle concentrations and function, which in some animal studies largely reverses and remove atheromas, are being developed and researched. The most dramatic demonstrations of potential HDL efficacy to reverse atherosclerosis has been with the rare Apo-A1 Milano human genetic variant of the HDL protein. Genentic expression and control mechanism research, including (a) the PPAR peroxisome proliferator activated receptors known to be important in blood sugar and variants of lipoprotein production and function and (b) of the multiple variants with the proteins which form t ...

See also:

Atherosclerosis, Atherosclerosis - Symptoms, Atherosclerosis - Atherogenesis, Atherosclerosis - Cellular, Atherosclerosis - Calcification and lipids, Atherosclerosis - Visible features, Atherosclerosis - Stenosis and rupture, Atherosclerosis - Diagnosis of plaque-related disease, Atherosclerosis - Risk factors, Atherosclerosis - Treatment, Atherosclerosis - Recent research, Atherosclerosis - Related topics

Read more here: » Atherosclerosis: Encyclopedia II - Atherosclerosis - Recent research

If atherosclerosis leads to symptoms, the symptoms (such as angina pectoris) can be treated. Medicines are usually the first step in treating cardiovascular diseases, and with improvements, have increasingly become the most effective method over the long term. However, medicines are criticized for their expense, patented control and occasional undesired effects. Lipoprotein imbalances, upper normal and especially elevated blood sugar, i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, homocysteine, stopping smoking, taking anticoagulants (anti-clott ...

See also:

Atherosclerosis, Atherosclerosis - Symptoms, Atherosclerosis - Atherogenesis, Atherosclerosis - Cellular, Atherosclerosis - Calcification and lipids, Atherosclerosis - Visible features, Atherosclerosis - Stenosis and rupture, Atherosclerosis - Diagnosis of plaque-related disease, Atherosclerosis - Risk factors, Atherosclerosis - Treatment, Atherosclerosis - Recent research, Atherosclerosis - Related topics

Read more here: » Atherosclerosis: Encyclopedia II - Atherosclerosis - Treatment