Cardiac Vascular Remodeling And Functional Interaction

Cardiac performance is regulated not only by cardiac muscle properties but also by several other factors, including those associated with the neurohumoral system and the mechanical characteristics of the peripheral circulation. New information con cerning these regulatory factors has furthered our understanding of the pathophysi ology of cardiac dysfunction. However, controversy remains, along with a need to integrate these multidisciplinary findings. It was with this in mind, together with my continuing interest in the response of the normal and diseased heart to variations in loading conditions, that the satellite symposium entitled "Interactions Between Car diac Function and Vascular Dynamics" was organized and dedicated to my mentor, Dr. T. Takishima. The symposium was held in Fukushima, Japan, in 1992 following the Tenth Inter national Conference of the Cardiovascular Systems Dynamics Society in Kobe, Japan, which was organized by the then president of the society, Dr. Masatsugu Hori. The Fukushima symposium and the Kobe conference were stimulating and informative. To commemorate these events, Dr. Hori, Dr. Janicki, and I decided to publish this book. It covers topics that were presented then as well as pertinent new material. As a result, the book includes not only updated reviews but also up-to-date findings that were not considered at the two scientific sessions. The high level attained in this book is due to the outstanding contributions from internationally renowned scientists. This final product of their efforts should prove to be a valuable source of information to the reader.

The endothelium, a monolayer of endothelial cells, constitutes the inner cellular lining of the blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) and the lymphatic system, and therefore is in direct contact with the blood/lymph and the circulating cells. The endothelium is a major player in the control of blood fluidity, platelet aggregation and vascular tone, a major actor in the regulation of immunology, inflammation and angiogenesis, and an important metabolizing and an endocrine organ. Endothelial cells controls vascular tone, and thereby blood flow, by synthesizing and releasing relaxing and contracting factors such as nitric oxide, metabolites of arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and cytochrome P450 pathways, various peptides (endothelin, urotensin, CNP, adrenomedullin, etc.), adenosine, purines, reactive oxygen species and so on. Additionally, endothelial ectoenzymes are required steps in the generation of vasoactive hormones such as angiotensin II. An endothelial dysfunction linked to an imbalance in the synthesis and/or the release of these various endothelial factors may explain the initiation of cardiovascular pathologies (from hypertension to atherosclerosis) or their development and perpetuation. Table of Contents: Introduction / Multiple Functions of the Endothelial Cells / Calcium Signaling in Vascular Cells and Cell-to-Cell Communications / Endothelium-Dependent Regulation of Vascular Tone / Conclusion / References

New updated edition first published with Cambridge University Press. This new edition includes 29 chapters on topics as diverse as pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, vascular haemodynamics, haemostasis, thrombophilia and post-amputation pain syndromes.

The Protective Arm of the Renin Angiotensin System: Functional Aspects and Therapeutic Implications is the first comprehensive publication to signal the protective role of a distinct part of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), providing readers with early insight into a complex system which will become of major medical importance in the near future. Focusing on recent research, The Protective Arm of the Renin Angiotensin System presents a host of new experimental studies on specific components of the RAS, namely angiotensin AT2 receptors (AT2R), the angiotensin (1–7) peptide with its receptor Mas, and the enzyme ACE 2, which exert significant beneficial, health-promoting actions by counterbalancing the well-known harmful arm of the RAS with its classical angiotensin AT1 receptor. This innovative concept of the protective arm of the RAS, examined in this reference, represents an indispensable background and will be a strong support for biomedical students, researchers, cardiologists, surgeons, nephrologists, diabetologists, and endocrinologists, as well as any other physician or researcher concerned with RAS physiology, pathophysiology and clinical implications. Provides a complete understanding of the protective side of the Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) involving angiotensin AT2 receptor, ACE2, and Ang(1-7)/Mas receptor Combines the knowledge of editors who pioneered research on the protective renin angiotensin system including; Dr. Thomas Unger, one of the founders of AT2 receptor research; Dr. Ulrike M. Steckelings, who contributed significantly to first preclinical studies with a novel specific AT2-agonist, and Dr. Robson Santos who pioneered research on angiotensin-(1-7) and its receptor Mas. Shows that the protective RAS axes are able to ameliorate the course of several cardiovascular, renal, metabolic and neurological diseases Provides the basis for the understanding of a novel therapeutic approach to stimulate components of the protective arm of the RAS.

Interest in the ability of myocardium to adapt to ischaemic stress has continued to grow since the discovery of ischaemic preconditioning in 1986. In 1993, two reports heralded the recognition of a delayed preconditioning response in the heart, now commonly known as the `second window' of protection. Since then, a number of studies have described the ability of delayed preconditioning and related adaptive phenomena to protect against a variety of pathologies in the ischaemic and reperfused myocardium. Our understanding of the cellular mechanisms of sub-acute adaptive cardioprotection has advanced considerably during this period. This compilation of state-of-the-art reviews by those who have made significant contributions to this field provides detailed and critical analysis of this research, from molecular basis to potential clinical relevance. The book aims to provide an authoritative, comprehensive and thoroughly up-to-date overview for scientists and clinicians engaged in, or observing, this rapidly-developing area of heart research. It will also be of interest to those engaged in research on other tissues where ischaemia-reperfusion pathology is of major concern.

Cellular and Molecular Pathobiology of Cardiovascular Disease focuses on the pathophysiology of common cardiovascular disease in the context of its underlying mechanisms and molecular biology. This book has been developed from the editors' experiences teaching an advanced cardiovascular pathology course for PhD trainees in the biomedical sciences, and trainees in cardiology, pathology, public health, and veterinary medicine. No other single text-reference combines clinical cardiology and cardiovascular pathology with enough molecular content for graduate students in both biomedical research and clinical departments. The text is complemented and supported by a rich variety of photomicrographs, diagrams of molecular relationships, and tables. It is uniquely useful to a wide audience of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in areas from pathology to physiology, genetics, pharmacology, and more, as well as medical residents in pathology, laboratory medicine, internal medicine, cardiovascular surgery, and cardiology. Explains how to identify cardiovascular pathologies and compare with normal physiology to aid research Gives concise explanations of key issues and background reading suggestions Covers molecular bases of diseases for better understanding of molecular events that precede or accompany the development of pathology

In this second edition of Post-Genomic Cardiology, developing and new technologies such as translational genomics, next generation sequencing (NGS), bioinformatics, and systems biology in molecular cardiology are assessed in light of their therapeutic potential. As new methods of mutation screening emerge, both for the genome and for the “epigenome,” comprehensive understanding of the many mutations that underlie cardiovascular diseases and adverse drug reactions is within our reach. This book, written by respected cardiologist José Marín-García, features discussion on the Hap-Map: the largest international effort to date aiming to define the differences between our individual genomes. This unique reference further reviews and investigates genome sequences from our evolutionary relatives that could help us decipher the signals of genes, and offers a comprehensive and critical evaluation of regulatory elements from the complicated network of the background DNA. Offers updated discussion of cutting-edge molecular techniques including new genomic sequencing / NGS / Hap-Map / bioinformatics / systems biology approaches Analyzes mitochondria dynamics and their role in cardiac dysfunction, up-to-date analysis of cardio-protection, and cardio-metabolic syndrome Presents recent translational studies, gene therapy, transplantation of stem cells, and pharmacological treatments in CVDs

This volume focuses on the etiology and morphogenesis of congenital heart diseases. It reviews in detail the early development and differentiation of the heart, and later morphologic events of the cardiovascular system, covering a wide range of topics such as gene functions, growth factors, transcription factors and cellular interactions that are implicated in cardiac morphogenesis and congenital heart disease. This book also presents recent advances in stem cell and cell sheet tissue engineering technologies which have the potential to provide novel in vitro disease models and to generate regenerative paradigms for cardiac repair and regeneration. This is the ideal resource for physician scientists and investigators looking for updates on recent investigations on the origins of congenital heart disease and potential future therapies.