Aorta

Four groups of 25 rabbits each, were studied to determine the effect of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Amla (Emblica officinalis) and Bahira (Terminalia belerica) on cholesterol-induced hypercholesteolaemia and atherosclerosis. The control group was fed with cholesterol alone; the Haritaki group received Haritaki and cholesterol; the Bahira group received Bahira and cholesterol; and the Amla group received Amla and cholesterol for 16 weeks.

Children conceived by assisted reproductive technologies (ART) display a level of vascular dysfunction similar to that seen in children of mothers with preeclamspia. The long-term consequences of ART-associated vascular disorders are unknown and difficult to investigate in healthy children. Here, we found that vasculature from mice generated by ART display endothelial dysfunction and increased stiffness, which translated into arterial hypertension in vivo. Progeny of male ART mice also exhibited vascular dysfunction, suggesting underlying epigenetic modifications.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of aromatherapy on blood pressure, heart rate variability, aortic pulse wave velocity and the aortic augmentation index of essential hypertensive patients. METHODS: Using a coin toss, 22 participants were assigned to the experimental group and 20 to the control. The experimental group was given a blend of oils of lemon (Citrus limonum), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), and ylang ylang (Cananga odorata) which were prepared in the ratio of 2:2:1, respectively.

Four groups of 25 rabbits each, were studied to determine the effect of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Amla (Emblica officinalis) and Bahira (Terminalia belerica) on cholesterol-induced hypercholesteolaemia and atherosclerosis. The control group was fed with cholesterol alone; the Haritaki group received Haritaki and cholesterol; the Bahira group received Bahira and cholesterol; and the Amla group received Amla and cholesterol for 16 weeks.

1. The effects of Coccinia indica, an indigenous plant used in Ayurvedic medicine in India, on aortic collagen content and its characteristics were assessed in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. 2. Rats were made diabetic with a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (45 mg/kg). Blood glucose, hydroxyproline, collagen, extent of glycation, collagen-linked fluorescence, soluble pattern of pepsin-soluble collagen, shrinkage temperature, alpha/beta ratio of type I collagen and type I/type III collagen ratio were determined in rats treated with C.

OBJECTIVES: Inula racemosa Hook. f. is indicated for precordial chest pain in Ayurveda. In this study, the effects of a hexane (IrH) and an alcohol extract (IrA) of Inula racemosa on atherosclerosis induced by a high-fat diet in guinea-pigs were investigated. METHODS: After 30 days on a high-fat diet (guinea-pig pellet diet + 0.2% w/w cholesterol) six animals were killed and evaluated for the onset of early atherosclerotic changes in coronary artery, aorta and major organs.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Terminalia arjuna - stem bark extract is traditionally used as cardiotonic in Ayurvedic medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was aimed to evaluate the molecular basis for cardioprotective potential of Terminalia arjuna (TA) stem bark, using cell cultures of human monocytic (THP-1) and human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs).

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP), the prototypic marker of inflammation, has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) deficiency is a pivotal event in atherogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We tested the effect of CRP on eNOS expression and bioactivity in cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). CRP decreased eNOS mRNA, protein abundance, and enzyme activity in HAECs. Furthermore, eNOS bioactivity assayed by cyclic GMP levels was significantly reduced by CRP.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a pivotal role in atherosclerosis. In addition to being a risk marker for cardiovascular disease, much recent data suggest that C-reactive protein (CRP) promotes atherogenesis via effects on monocytes and endothelial cells. The metabolic syndrome is associated with significantly elevated levels of CRP. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), a marker of atherothrombosis, is also elevated in the metabolic syndrome and in diabetes, and endothelial cells are the major source of PAI-1.

BACKGROUND: In addition to being a risk marker for cardiovascular disease, much recent data suggest that C-reactive protein (CRP) promotes atherogenesis. Decreased endothelial NO and prostacyclin (PGI2) contribute to a proatherogenic and prothrombotic state. We have shown that CRP decreases endothelial NO synthase expression and bioactivity in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). PGI2 is a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation. Hence, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of CRP on PGI2 release from HAECs and human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs).