: Objective of our study is to determine whether decreased fibrinolytic activity or plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 4G/5G polymorphism influence the risk of venous thrombosis.Our case-control study included 100 patients with venous thrombosis, and 100 random controls. When patients were compared with random controls, unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Decreased fibrinolytic activity yielded a 2.7-fold increase in risk for venous thrombosis than physiological fibrinolytic activity (OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.22-5.98), when comparing patients with random controls. Adjustment for several putative confounders did not change the estimate (OR 3.02; 95% CI 1.26-7.22). Analysis of venous thrombotic risk influenced by PAI-1 genotype, showed no influence of PAI-1 4G/5G gene variant in comparison with 5G/5G genotype (OR 0.57 95% CI; 0.27-1.20).Decreased fibrinolytic activity increased, whereas PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism did not influence venous thrombosis risk in this study.

Aim:We hypothesized that, in stable angina patients, atorvastatin therapy lowers the cathepsin S (CTSS) concentrations, as assessed non-invasively according to a plasma analysis. In addition, the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) size and subclasses in the plasma were analysed to establish the association between CTSS and lipoprotein metabolism and determine whether this association is atorvastatin-sensitive. Methods: A total of 43 patients with stable angina received atorvastatin therapy (20 mg/day, 10 weeks). The plasma CTSS mRNA levels, CTSS protein concentrations and CTSS activity, as well as LDL and HDL size and subclasses, were analysed before and after treatment. Results: Atorvastatin treatment did not change the plasma CTSS mRNA levels, although it lowered the plasma CTSS concentrations and activity. An increased plasma CTSS concentration and activity were found to be associated with a more atherogenic LDL subclass profile (a decreased dominant LDL size and increased percentage of small, dense LDL particles). The atorvastatin-induced CTSSlowering effect was concomitant with an improvement in the LDL subclass profile, and the changes were found to be interrelated. Concomitant, interrelated changes in the CTSS levels and LDL subclass profiles were found in the LDL phenotype B patients only (a dominant LDL diameter of ≤ 25.5 nm at the start of the study). In this subgroup, lowering of the plasma CTSS mRNA level also correlated with lowering of the proportion of small, dense LDL particles. Conclusions: Atorvastatin-induced CTSS-lowering and LDL subclass profile improvements in the plasma of LDL phenotype B patients with stable angina are concomitant and interrelated. J Atheroscler Thromb, 2014; 21:868-877.

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Among lipid parameters and indices, AIP and TG/HDL-C ratio are most suitable for evaluation of lipid disturbances in different stages of CRF. In addition to, non-HDL-/HDL-C, and apoB/A-I ratios, apo A-I, HDL-C and TG are important markers in HD patients. Non-HDL-C is not a suitable marker. LTI and LPI need to be further investigated.

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High sensitive CRP screening is useful in early detection and prevention of cardiovascular diseases

Lipids play a pivotal role in the atherogenesis, starting from initial changes. Their predictive value in coronary heart disease and development of novel therapeutic strategies is an increasingly addressed issue nowadays. LDL particles are fundamental, because reduction of LDL-cholesterol was proven to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with atherosclerosis. Besides the regulation of LDL-receptor expression, significant clinical importance is assigned to oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) and small dense LDL (sdLDL) that are generated through intravascular remodelling of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, while the exact role of anti-oxLDL antibodies in atherosclerosis propagation and their clinical significance still remain unclear. In recent years, however, better understanding of the basic mechanisms involved in atherosclerosis development, as well as in the metabolic fate of lipids and lipoproteins, emphasizes the crucial role of other lipoprotein particles not only in the propagation, but also in the initiation of atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis.

It is of utmost importance to take steps to improve lifestyle habits of our population.