ijms-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Molecular Advances in the Diagnosis and Drug Therapies of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases (ASCVD)

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the western world. Atherosclerotic narrowing of coronary and/or peripheral arteries is related to acute, potentially lethal cardiovascular events (e.g., acute myocardial infarction and stroke) and non-acute chronic disorders (e.g., stable angina). An early detection of ASCVDs and their prompt therapy may alleviate the morbidity and mortality rates. However, multiple and complex pathophysiologic mechanisms are involved in atherosclerosis progression. There is still an increasing need to develop and apply more effective diagnostic tests and therapeutic regimen for ASCVDs.

In the context of molecular advances for the diagnosis and therapy of ASCVDs, the objectives of the present Special Issue are the following: (1) Novel biomarkers and/or gene expression for risk stratification of either the general population or patients with already-established ASCVDs. Potential candidates could be adipokines, cytokines, vascular calcification mediators, Lp(a) and other lipid-related molecules. (2) Novel therapeutic approaches tailoring primary and secondary prevention. As well as the established therapies (e.g., statins), novel, especially gene-oriented, lipid-lowering agents have been developed over the last decade yielding greater benefits for high-risk groups, like those with familial hypercholesterolemia. (3) New drug candidates may be substances used in other, non-cardiovascular diseases, with the potential expansion of their indications to ASCVDs, like immunomodulators used in auto-immune diseases. (4) Medicinal chemistry has introduced technological and conceptual innovations with a wide potential application in ASCVDs. Liver-directed gene transfer of the LDLR or vaccines targeting key proteins are some of them. Overall, there is an increasing need for diagnostic tests and drugs that could serve effectively in the primary and secondary prevention of ASCVDs in order to improve the survival and the quality of life of patients.

Dr. Nikolaos Kadoglou
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases
  • gene expression
  • gene therapy
  • biomarkers
  • lipid lowering
  • hypercholesterolemia
  • PCSK9
  • immunomodulators
  • anti-inflammatory drugs

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 7894 KiB  
Article
The Anti-Atherosclerotic Effects of Endothelin Receptor Antagonist, Bosentan, in Combination with Atorvastatin—An Experimental Study
by Marianna Stasinopoulou, Nikolaos Kostomitsopoulos and Nikolaos P. E. Kadoglou
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(12), 6614; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126614 - 16 Jun 2024
Viewed by 3934
Abstract
Bosentan, an endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA), has potential anti-atherosclerotic properties. We investigated the complementary effects of bosentan and atorvastatin on the progression and composition of the atherosclerotic lesions in diabetic mice. Forty-eight male ApoE/ mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD) [...] Read more.
Bosentan, an endothelin receptor antagonist (ERA), has potential anti-atherosclerotic properties. We investigated the complementary effects of bosentan and atorvastatin on the progression and composition of the atherosclerotic lesions in diabetic mice. Forty-eight male ApoE/ mice were fed high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks. At week 8, diabetes was induced with streptozotocin, and mice were randomized into four groups: (1) control/COG: no intervention; (2) ΒOG: bosentan 100 mg/kg/day per os; (3) ATG: atorvastatin 20 mg/kg/day per os; and (4) BO + ATG: combined administration of bosentan and atorvastatin. The intra-plaque contents of collagen, elastin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, -3, -9), and TIMP-1 were determined. The percentage of lumen stenosis was significantly lower across all treated groups: BOG: 19.5 ± 2.2%, ATG: 12.8 ± 4.8%, and BO + ATG: 9.1 ± 2.7% compared to controls (24.6 ± 4.8%, p < 0.001). The administration of both atorvastatin and bosentan resulted in significantly higher collagen content and thicker fibrous cap versus COG (p < 0.01). All intervention groups showed lower relative intra-plaque concentrations of MCP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 and a higher TIMP-1concentration compared to COG (p < 0.001). Importantly, latter parameters presented lower levels when bosentan was combined with atorvastatin compared to COG (p < 0.05). Bosentan treatment in diabetic, atherosclerotic ApoE/ mice delayed the atherosclerosis progression and enhanced plaques’ stability, showing modest but additive effects with atorvastatin, which are promising in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

27 pages, 1670 KiB  
Review
Broader Perspective on Atherosclerosis—Selected Risk Factors, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Approach
by Piotr Fularski, Witold Czarnik, Bartłomiej Dąbek, Wiktoria Lisińska, Ewa Radzioch, Alicja Witkowska, Ewelina Młynarska, Jacek Rysz and Beata Franczyk
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5212; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105212 - 10 May 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3617
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) stands as the leading cause of mortality worldwide. At its core lies a progressive process of atherosclerosis, influenced by multiple factors. Among them, lifestyle-related factors are highlighted, with inadequate diet being one of the foremost, alongside factors such as [...] Read more.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) stands as the leading cause of mortality worldwide. At its core lies a progressive process of atherosclerosis, influenced by multiple factors. Among them, lifestyle-related factors are highlighted, with inadequate diet being one of the foremost, alongside factors such as cigarette smoking, low physical activity, and sleep deprivation. Another substantial group of risk factors comprises comorbidities. Amongst others, conditions such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD), or familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) are included here. Extremely significant in the context of halting progression is counteracting the mentioned risk factors, including through treatment of the underlying disease. What is more, in recent years, there has been increasing attention paid to perceiving atherosclerosis as an inflammation-related disease. Consequently, efforts are directed towards exploring new anti-inflammatory medications to limit ASCVD progression. Simultaneously, research is underway to identify biomarkers capable of providing insights into the ongoing process of atherosclerotic plaque formation. The aim of this study is to provide a broader perspective on ASCVD, particularly focusing on its characteristics, traditional and novel treatment methods, and biomarkers that can facilitate its early detection. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop