Active clinical trials for "Atherosclerosis"

Rationale: Statins form a class of drugs that is widely prescribed for hypercholesterolaemia, specifically to reduce the risk on atherosclerosis by lowering LDL-cholesterol. Next to the effect for which the drug was originally developed, it became obvious that statins have several other beneficial effects. Such pleiotropic effects include the activation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase which can increase endogenous adenosine production (by dephosphorylation adenosine monophosphate into adenosine) and subsequently cause vasodilation. A recent study of Meijer et al (not yet published) showed that rosuvastatin significantly augments vasodilation after a brief period of ischemia (post occlusive reactive hyperaemia). However, it is not yet verified whether this increase in post occlusive reactive hyperaemia is truly caused by a rise of extracellular adenosine and subsequent adenosine receptor stimulation. In this study, the mechanism by which rosuvastatin augments post occlusive reactive hyperaemia will be investigated by blocking adenosine receptors with caffeine, a competitive A1 and A2 adenosine receptor antagonist. Caffeine is a substance that can be safely used in normal concentrations to block the adenosine receptor. Hypothesis: The augmenting effect of rosuvastatin on PORH is caused by an increase of extracellular adenosine formation and this effect can be diminished by blocking the adenosine receptor using caffeine. Objective: To study the influence of caffeine on post occlusive reactive hyperaemia before and after 7 days treatment with rosuvastatin. Study design: Open label cross-over design Study population: Healthy volunteers, 18-50 years of age Intervention: Eight volunteers will receive a 7 day treatment with rosuvastatin 20 mg daily before and after rosuvastatin treatment caffeine will be administrated intra-arterially. Main study parameters/endpoints: Forearm blood flow (FBF) will be measured as an indicator for post occlusive reactive hyperaemia (PORH).

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stent implantation in patients with symptomatic extra- and intracranial artery stenosis and to determine its role in secondary prevention of ischemic stroke.

HIV infection is associated with systemic inflammation that is involved in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Treatment of HIV infection may cause lipid profile disturbance and consequently, atherosclerosis progression. In general, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has beneficial effect on atherosclerosis markers. Our goals are to examine the effect of EVOO on atherosclerosis markers in HIV-treated patients. A controlled randomized cross-over study will be performed on 40 participants. They will consume EVOO and ROO (refined olive oil) during two 20 days intervention periods, interrupted with 14 days wash-out period. Before the trial and after both intervention periods we will analyze participants' blood for: ESR, white blood cell count, hsCRP, interleukin-6, oxidized LDL, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, fibrinogen, factor VII and von Willebrand factor. We expect an improvement of these parameters after three weeks of EVOO consumption.

This study is to determine the effect of adalimumab on inflammation of blood vessels that could lead to heart attack in patients with psoriasis. Changes to the carotid artery and ascending aorta will be evaluated in patients treated with adalimumab (systemic treatment) and compared against patients treated with a topical treatment that does not affect the entire body.

Rupture of unstable atherosclerotic plaques is the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism of acute coronary syndromes and thus also of perioperative myocardial ischemia. Lipid lowering drugs such as statins and fibrates have been shown to improve the outcomes of patients with atherosclerosis. This is not only mediated through their therapeutic actions on lipid metabolism, but relies on a multitude of pleiotropic effects of these substances. One of the most interesting of these effects is the stabilisation of atherosclerotic plaques. To investigate these effects in a perioperative setting, patients scheduled for thromboendarterectomy of the carotid artery will be recruited. They will be randomised to receive either atorvastatin 10mg/d, gemfibrozil 1200mg/d or placebo for two weeks preoperatively. Specimens of carotid plaques will be obtained intraoperatively. After microscopic characterisation of plaques, DNA-microarray analyses will be done to gain insights into the transcriptional regulation and expression profiles of various types of atherosclerotic plaques under different pharmacological circumstances (stable or unstable with statin/fibrate/placebo).

The purpose of this study is to determine if folic acid supplementation can slow down atherosclerotic progression, age-related cognitive decline and age-related hearing loss.

The purpose of this study is to prevent major cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death) in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus using intensive glycemic control, intensive blood pressure control, and multiple lipid management.

To conduct a pilot study to determine whether lowering elevated serum cholesterol levels with 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors reduced mortality due to the sequelae of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in older men and women.

The purpose of this study is to test the effect of lifestyle intervention on subclinical cardiovascular disease measures in women taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of interrupting prolong sedentary behavior with interval exercise on postprandial metabolism following a high fat glucose tolerance test.