Methylation status of LDLR, PCSK9 and LDLRAP1 is associated with cardiovascular events in familial hypercholesterolemia.

Aim: Methylation of LDLR, PCSK9 and LDLRAP1 CpG sites was assessed in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). Methods: DNA methylation of was analyzed by pyrosequencing in 131 FH patients and 23 normolipidemic (NL) subjects. Results: LDLR, PCSK9 and LDLRP1 methylation was similar between FH patients positive (MD) and negative (non-MD) for pathogenic variants in FH-related genes. LDLR and PCSK9 methylation was higher in MD and non-MD groups than NL subjects (p < 0.05). LDLR, PCSK9 and LDLRAP1 methylation profiles were associated with clinical manifestations and cardiovascular events in FH patients (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Differential methylation of LDLR, PCSK9 and LDLRAP1 is associated with hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular events. This methylation profile maybe useful as a biomarker and contribute to the management of FH.

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Influence of polymorphisms in IRS1, IRS2, MC3R, and MC4R on metabolic and inflammatory status and food intake in Brazilian adults: An exploratory pilot study.

Polymorphisms in genes of leptin-melanocortin and insulin pathways have been associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in IRS1, IRS2, MC3R, and MC4R influence metabolic and inflammatory markers and food intake composition in Brazilian subjects. This exploratory pilot study included 358 adult subjects. Clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory data were obtained through interview and access to medical records. The variants IRS1 rs2943634 A˃C, IRS2 rs1865434 C>T, MC3R rs3746619 C>A, and MC4R rs17782313 T>C were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Food intake composition was assessed in a group of subjects with obesity (n = 84) before and after a short-term nutritional counseling program (9 weeks). MC4R rs17782313 was associated with increased risk of obesity (P = .034). Multivariate linear regression analysis adjusted by covariates indicated associations of IRS2 rs1865434 with reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and resistin, MC3R rs3746619 with high glycated hemoglobin, and IRS1 rs2943634 and MC4R rs17782313 with increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (P < .05). Energy intake and carbohydrate and total fat intakes were reduced after the diet-oriented program (P < .05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed associations of IRS2 rs1865434 with high basal fiber intake, IRS1 rs2943634 with low postprogram carbohydrate intake, and MC4R rs17782313 with low postprogram total fat and saturated fatty acid intakes (P < .05). Although significant associations did not survive correction for multiple comparisons using the Benjamini-Hochberg method in this exploratory study, polymorphisms in IRS1, IRS2, MC3R, and MC4R influence metabolic and inflammatory status in Brazilian adults. IRS1 and MC4R variants may influence carbohydrate, total fat, and saturated fatty acid intakes in response to a diet-oriented program in subjects with obesity.

Identification of pathogenic variants in the Brazilian cohort with Familial hypercholesterolemia using exon-targeted gene sequencing.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a monogenic disease characterized by high plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels and increased risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Mutations in FH-related genes account for 40% of FH cases worldwide. In this study, we aimed to assess the pathogenic variants in FH-related genes in the Brazilian FH cohort FHBGEP using exon-targeted gene sequencing (ETGS) strategy. FH patients (n = 210) were enrolled at five clinical sites and peripheral blood samples were obtained for laboratory testing and genomic DNA extraction. ETGS was performed using MiSeq platform (Illumina). To identify deleterious variants in LDLR, APOB, PCSK9, and LDLRAP1, the long-reads were subjected to Burrows-Wheeler Aligner (BWA) for alignment and mapping, followed by variant calling using Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK) and ANNOVAR for variant annotation. The variants were further filtered using in-house custom scripts and classified according to the American College Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. A total of 174 variants were identified including 85 missense, 3 stop-gain, 9 splice-site, 6 InDel, and 71 in regulatory regions (3'UTR and 5'UTR). Fifty-two patients (24.7%) had 30 known pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in FH-related genes according to the American College Medical and Genetics and Genomics guidelines. Fifty-three known variants were classified as benign, or likely benign and 87 known variants have shown uncertain significance. Four novel variants were discovered and classified as such due to their absence in existing databases. In conclusion, ETGS and in silico prediction studies are useful tools for screening deleterious variants and identification of novel variants in FH-related genes, they also contribute to the molecular diagnosis in the FHBGEP cohort.

Sandwich-like electrochemical aptasensing of heat shock protein 70 kDa (HSP70): Application in diagnosis/prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In this research, by using aptamer-conjugated gold nanoparticles (aptamer-AuNPs) and a modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and Acropora-like gold (ALG) nanostructure, a sandwich-like system provided for sensitive detection of heat shock protein 70 kDa (HSP70), which applied as a functional biomarker in diagnosis/prognosis of COVID-19. Initially, the surface of the GCE was improved with rGO and ALG nanostructures, respectively. Then, an aptamer sequence as the first part of the bioreceptor was covalently bound on the surface of the GCE/rGO/ALG nanostructures. After adding the analyte, the second part of the bioreceptor (aptamer-AuNPs) was immobilized on the electrode surface to improve the diagnostic performance. The designed aptasensor detected HSP70 in a wide linear range, from 5 pg mL-1 to 75 ng mL-1, with a limit of detection (LOD) of ∼2 pg mL-1. The aptasensor was stable for 3 weeks and applicable in detecting 40 real plasma samples of COVID-19 patients. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 90% and 85%, respectively, compared with the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.

Epigenetic regulation of transcription factor binding motifs promotes Th1 response in Chagas disease cardiomyopathy.

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, is an endemic parasitic disease of Latin America, affecting 7 million people. Although most patients are asymptomatic, 30% develop complications, including the often-fatal Chronic Chagasic Cardiomyopathy (CCC). Although previous studies have demonstrated some genetic deregulations associated with CCCs, the causes of their deregulations remain poorly described. Based on bulk RNA-seq and whole genome DNA methylation data, we investigated the genetic and epigenetic deregulations present in the moderate and severe stages of CCC. Analysis of heart tissue gene expression profile allowed us to identify 1407 differentially expressed transcripts (DEGs) specific from CCC patients. A tissue DNA methylation analysis done on the same tissue has permitted the identification of 92 regulatory Differentially Methylated Regions (DMR) localized in the promoter of DEGs. An in-depth study of the transcription factors binding sites (TFBS) in the DMRs corroborated the importance of TFBS's DNA methylation for gene expression in CCC myocardium. TBX21, RUNX3 and EBF1 are the transcription factors whose binding motif appears to be affected by DNA methylation in the largest number of genes. By combining both transcriptomic and methylomic analysis on heart tissue, and methylomic analysis on blood, 4 biological processes affected by severe CCC have been identified, including immune response, ion transport, cardiac muscle processes and nervous system. An additional study on blood methylation of moderate CCC samples put forward the importance of ion transport and nervous system in the development of the disease.

Association of variants in MYH7, MYBPC3 and TNNT2 with sudden cardiac death-related risk factors in Brazilian patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and is one of the major causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD). An exon-targeted gene sequencing strategy was used to investigate the association of functional variants in sarcomeric genes (MYBPC3, MYH7 and TNNT2) with severe LVH and other SCD-related risk factors in Brazilian HCM patients. Clinical data of 55 HCM patients attending a Cardiology Hospital (Sao Paulo city, Brazil) were recorded. Severe LVH, aborted SCD, family history of SCD, syncope, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia and abnormal blood pressure in response to exercise were evaluated as SCD risk factors. Blood samples were obtained for genomic DNA extraction and the exons and untranslated regions of the MYH7, MYBPC3 and TNNT2 were sequenced using Nextera® and MiSEq® reagents. Variants were identified and annotated using in silico tools, and further classified as pathogenic or benign according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. Variants with functional effects were identified in MYBPC3 (n = 9), MYH7 (n = 6) and TNNT2 (n = 4). The benign variants MYBPC3 p.Val158Met and TNNT2 p.Lys263Arg were associated with severe LVH (p < 0.05), and the MYH7 p.Val320Met (pathogenic) was associated with family history of SCD (p = 0.037). Increased risk for severe LVH was found in carriers of MYBPC3 Met158 (c.472 A allele, OR = 13.5, 95% CI = 1.80-101.12, p = 0.011) or combined variants (MYBPC3, MYH7 and TNNT2: OR = 12.39, 95% CI = 2.14-60.39, p = 0.004). Carriers of TNNT2 p.Lys263Arg and combined variants had higher values of septum thickness than non-carriers (p < 0.05). Molecular modeling analysis showed that MYBPC3 158Met reduces the interaction of cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C) RASK domain (amino acids Arg215-Ala216-Ser217-Lys218) with tropomyosin. In conclusion, the variants MYBPC3 p.Val158Met, TNNT2 p.Lys263Arg and MYH7 p.Val320Met individually or combined contribute to the risk of sudden cardiac death and other outcomes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Genomics, epigenomics and pharmacogenomics of familial hypercholesterolemia (FHBGEP): A study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. OBJECTIVES: The study protocol FHBGEP was design to investigate the main genomic, epigenomic, and pharmacogenomic factors associated with FH and polygenic hypercholesterolemia (PH). METHODS: FH patients will be enrolled at six research centers in Brazil. An exon-targeted gene strategy will be used to sequence a panel of 84 genes related to FH, PH, pharmacogenomics and coronary artery disease. Variants in coding and regulatory regions will be identified using a proposed variant discovery pipeline and classified according to the American College Medical Genetics guidelines. Functional effects of variants in FH-related genes will be investigated by in vitro studies using lymphocytes and cell lines (HepG2, HUVEC and HEK293FT), CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, luciferase reporter assay and other technologies. Functional studies in silico, such as molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and conformational analysis, will be used to explore the impact of novel variants on protein structure and function. DNA methylation profile and differential expression of circulating non-coding RNAs (miRNAs and lncRNAs) will be analyzed in FH patients and normolipidemic subjects (control group). The influence of genomic and epigenomic factors on metabolic and inflammatory status will be analyzed in FH patients. Pharmacogenomic studies will be conducted to investigate the influence of genomic and epigenomic factors on response to statins in FH patients. SUMMARY: The FHBGEP protocol has the potential to elucidate the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of FH and PH, particularly in the Brazilian population. This pioneering approach includes genomic, epigenomic and functional studies, which results will contribute to the improvement of the diagnosis, prognosis and personalized therapy of FH patients.

Leptin receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with adiposity and metabolic alterations in Brazilian individuals / Polimorfismos no gene do receptor de leptina são associados com adiposidade e alterações metabólicas em indivíduos brasileiros

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate whether adiposity and metabolic markers, such as leptin, glucose, and lipids, are influenced by leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR) gene polymorphisms in a sample of our population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A group of 326 individuals of Caucasian-European descent, aged 30 to 80 years, 87 men and 239 women, 148 obese and 178 non-obese, was randomly selected at two clinical hospitals in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. All individuals declared their ethnic group as white during the initial interview. Anthropometric measurements, body mass index (BMI), and fat mass were evaluated. Blood samples were drawn for DNA extraction and measurements of leptin, soluble leptin receptor, glucose, and lipids. LEP -2548G>A and LEPR Lys109Arg (c.326A>G), Gln233Arg (c.668A>G) and Lys656Asn (c.1968G>C) polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: Increased leptin and serum lipids, and LEPR Arg223Arg (GG genotype) were associated with higher risk for obesity (p < 0.05), while reduced risk was found in LEPR Arg109Arg (GG genotype) carriers (OR: 0.38, 95%CI: 0.19-0.77, p = 0.007). Multiple linear regression analysis showed a relationship between LEPR 223Arg, increased waist circumference, and leptinemia (p < 0.05), while LEPR 109Arg was associated with high total cholesterol and triglycerides (p < 0.05). LEPR haplotype 3 (AGG: 109Lys/233Arg/656Lys) carriers have increased risk for obesity (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.19-5.49, p = 0.017). Moreover, this haplotype was associated with increased BMI, waist circumference, and leptinemia (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LEPR polymorphisms are associated with obesity, hyperleptinemia, and atherogenic lipid profile, suggesting their potential role for leptin resistance and cardiovascular risk. Moreover, LEPR haplotype 3 confers susceptibility to adiposity and hyperleptinemia in our population.

OBJETIVO: O estudo teve por objetivo investigar a influência de polimorfismos nos genes da leptina (LEP) e do receptor de leptina (LEPR) na adiposidade e em marcadores metabólicos, como leptina, glicose e lipí­deos, em uma amostra de nossa população. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Um grupo de 326 indivíduos com idade de 30 a 80 anos, 87 homens e 239 mulheres, 148 obesos e 178 não obesos, e de etnia branca foi selecionado aleatoriamente em dois hospitais clínicos da cidade de São Paulo, Brasil. Medidas antropométricas, índice de massa corporal (IMC) e gordura corporal foram avaliados. Amostras de sangue foram obtidas para extração de DNA e determinações de leptina, receptor de leptina solúvel, glicose e lipídeos. Os polimorfismos LEP -2548G>A e LEPR Lys109Arg (c.326A>G), Gln233Arg (c.668A>G) e Lys656Asn (c.1968G>C) foram detectados por PCR-RFLP. RESULTADOS: Leptina e lipídeos séricos aumentados e LEPR Arg223Arg (genótipo GG) foram associados com maior risco de obesidade (p < 0,05), enquanto foi encontrado risco reduzido de obesidade, em portadores de LEPR Arg109Arg (genótipo GG) (OR: 0,38, 95%CI: 0,19-0,77, p = 0,007). A análise de regressão linear múltipla mostrou relação entre o alelo LEPR 223Arg e circunferência abdominal e leptinemia aumentadas (p < 0,05), enquanto o alelo LEPR 109Arg foi associado com aumento de colesterol total e triglicerídeos (p < 0,05). Os portadores do haplotipo 3 do LEPR (AGG: 109Lys/233Arg/656Lys) tiveram maior risco aumentado para obesidade (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.19-5.49, p = 0,017). Além disso, esse haplótipo foi associado com IMC, circunferência abdominal e leptinemia aumentados (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÕES: Polimorfismos de LEPR são associados com obesidade, hiperleptinemia e perfil lipídico aterogênico sugerindo seu papel potencial para a resistência à leptina e risco cardiovascular.

CD14 and IL6 polymorphisms are associated with a pro-atherogenic profile in young adults with acute myocardial infarction.

This study investigated the relationship of polymorphisms in genes encoding CD14, IL-6 and TLR4 with metabolic, inflammatory and endothelial markers in young adults with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Glucose, lipids, nitrate and inflammatory markers, flow mediated vasodilatation (FMV) and flow mediated by nitrate (FMN) were evaluated in 102 AMI and 108 non-AMI (control group) young individuals (<45 years). CD14 -260C>T (rs2569190), IL6 -174G>C (rs1800795) and TLR4 c.896A>G (rs4986790) and TLR4 c.1196C>T (rs4986791) polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR-RFLP. Minor allele frequencies of CD14, IL6 and TLR4 polymorphisms were similar between AMI and control groups (p > 0.05). In AMI group, individuals carrying IL6 -174CC genotype had higher serum triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol and glucose compared to the IL6 -174GG/GC genotype carriers (p < 0.05). Multiple logistic analysis showed that IL6 -174CC genotype carriers had increased risk for hyperglycemia (>5.77 mmol/l) [OR: 6.75, 95 % CI: 1.80-24.40, p = 0.004] and hypertriglyceridemia (>2.68 mmol/l) [OR: 3.00, 95 % CI: 1.00-9.00, p = 0.043]. Moreover, CD14 -260TT genotype was associated with reduced serum HDL cholesterol [OR: 3.10, 95 % CI: 1.00-9.01, p = 0.044] and apolipoprotein AI [OR: 3.20, 95 % CI: 1.00-9.70, p = 0.038] in AMI group. Relationship between CD14 and IL6 variants and altered inflammatory and endothelial (nitrate, FMV and FMN) markers was not found in both AMI and control groups. The IL6 -174G>C and CD14 -260C>T polymorphisms are likely to be associated with a pro-atherogenic profile but not with increased inflammatory markers and endothelial dysfunction in young AMI patients.

Leptin receptor gene polymorphisms are associated with adiposity and metabolic alterations in Brazilian individuals.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate whether adiposity and metabolic markers, such as leptin, glucose, and lipids, are influenced by leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR) gene polymorphisms in a sample of our population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A group of 326 individuals of Caucasian-European descent, aged 30 to 80 years, 87 men and 239 women, 148 obese and 178 non-obese, was randomly selected at two clinical hospitals in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. All individuals declared their ethnic group as white during the initial interview. Anthropometric measurements, body mass index (BMI), and fat mass were evaluated. Blood samples were drawn for DNA extraction and measurements of leptin, soluble leptin receptor, glucose, and lipids. LEP -2548G>A and LEPR Lys109Arg (c.326A>G), Gln233Arg (c.668A>G) and Lys656Asn (c.1968G>C) polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: Increased leptin and serum lipids, and LEPR Arg223Arg (GG genotype) were associated with higher risk for obesity (p < 0.05), while reduced risk was found in LEPR Arg109Arg (GG genotype) carriers (OR: 0.38, 95%CI: 0.19-0.77, p = 0.007). Multiple linear regression analysis showed a relationship between LEPR 223Arg, increased waist circumference, and leptinemia (p < 0.05), while LEPR 109Arg was associated with high total cholesterol and triglycerides (p < 0.05). LEPR haplotype 3 (AGG: 109Lys/233Arg/656Lys) carriers have increased risk for obesity (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.19-5.49, p = 0.017). Moreover, this haplotype was associated with increased BMI, waist circumference, and leptinemia (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LEPR polymorphisms are associated with obesity, hyperleptinemia, and atherogenic lipid profile, suggesting their potential role for leptin resistance and cardiovascular risk. Moreover, LEPR haplotype 3 confers susceptibility to adiposity and hyperleptinemia in our population.

Time course proteomic profiling of human myocardial infarction plasma samples: an approach to new biomarker discovery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify novel candidate biomarker proteins differentially expressed in the plasma of patients with early stage acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using SELDI-TOF-MS as a high throughput screening technology. METHODS: Ten individuals with recent acute ischemic-type chest pain (<12 h duration) and ST-segment elevation AMI (1STEMI) and after a second AMI (2STEMI) were selected. Blood samples were drawn at six times after STEMI diagnosis. The first stage (T0) was in Emergency Unit before receiving any medication, the second was just after primary angioplasty (T2), and the next four stages occurred at 12 h intervals after T0. Individuals (n=7) with similar risk factors for cardiovascular disease and normal ergometric test were selected as a control group (CG). Plasma proteomic profiling analysis was performed using the top-down (i.e. intact proteins) SELDI-TOF-MS, after processing in a Multiple Affinity Removal Spin Cartridge System (Agilent). RESULTS: Compared with the CG, the 1STEMI group exhibited 510 differentially expressed protein peaks in the first 48 h after the AMI (p<0.05). The 2STEMI group, had ~85% fewer differently expressed protein peaks than those without previous history of AMI (76, p<0.05). Among the 16 differentially-regulated protein peaks common to both STEMI cohorts (compared with the CG at T0), 6 peaks were persistently down-regulated at more than one time-stage, and also were inversed correlated with serum protein markers (cTnI, CK and CKMB) during 48 h-period after IAM. CONCLUSIONS: Proteomic analysis by SELDI-TOF-MS technology combined with bioinformatics tools demonstrated differential expression during a 48 h time course suggests a potential role of some of these proteins as biomarkers for the very early stages of AMI, as well as for monitoring early cardiac ischemic recovery.

Correlação clínico-fisiopatológica na insuficiencia coronariana crônica / Clinical and Physiopathological correlation in chronic coronary artery disease

O entendimento do funcionamento da circulação coronariana, desde as artérias de condutância até a microcirculação é abordado nesse artigo. Aprofunda-se no entendimento biovascular com ênfase na importância do óxido nítrico para o correto funcionamento da musculatura lisa arterial, a partir de um endotélio íntegro. As consequências da perda dessa regulação, principalmente pela aterosclerose, são avaliadas e os consequêntes quadros clínicos são definidos. A partir da isquemia decorrente da obstrução do leito vascular coronariano, aspectos de fisiopatologia embasam o entendimento da clínica.

AMI is associated with polymorphisms in the NOS3 and FGB but not in PAI-1 genes in young adults.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the relationship between NOS3, FGB and PAI-1 polymorphisms and endothelial dysfunction and risk factors for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in young adults. METHODS: Endothelial function was measured by response to flow mediated vasodilation (FMV) and induced by nitrate (FMN). Biochemical parameters were measured by standard enzymatic methods and plasma total nitrate was analyzed by the NOA system. NOS3 (T-786C, G894T and intron 4A/B STR), FGB (C-148T and G-455A) and PAI-1 (4G/5G) polymorphisms were determined by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: Concentrations of total and LDL cholesterol, apo B, triglycerides, nitrate, PAI-1 and fibrinogen were higher and apo AI, HDL cholesterol and FMV were lower in AMI patients than in controls (p<0.001). PAI-1 (p<0.001) but not nitrate was higher in AMI patients with low response to FMV. NOS3 T-786C and FGB C-148T polymorphisms were associated with AMI (p<0.050). NOS3 T-786C was also related to hypertension (p=0.049). NOS3 intron 4A/B STR was associated with increased concentrations of total cholesterol and apo B. NOS3-786TT/894GT haplotype was associated with increased FMV (p=0.018) than the other haplotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest NOS3 and FGB polymorphisms are associated with AMI. NOS3 is also related to hypertension, endothelial dysfunction and variation on serum cholesterol in young adults with AMI.

Função endotelial em adultos jovens com infarto do miocárdio: influências ambientais e genéticas / Endothelium function in young adults with myocardial infarction: environomental and genetic influences

A disfunção endotelial atua tanto na aterogênese como na precipitação das síndromes coronárias agudas. A redução da biodisponibilidade do óxido nítrico é expressão de endotélio disfuncional. O mecanismo desta redução não está elucidado. A presença de disfunção endotelial foi correlacionada com fatores de risco (FR), nitrato sanguíneo e fatores genéticos (polimorfismo do óxido nítrico sintase endotelial / The endothelial dysfunction plays an important roll in the atherogenesis and precipitation of acute coronary syndromes. The reduction of bioavailability of the nitric oxide is the expression of endothelial dysfunction. The exact mechanism of this reduction is not yet well explained. In order to evaluate the presence of endothelial dysfunction and correlation with risk factors (FR), nitrate blood levels and genetic factors (endothelial nitric oxide syntethase polymorphism, fibrinogen and PAI-1) a 128 myocardial infarction patients group with age ≤ 40 year was studied, and underwent a brachial artery ultra-sound. The results were compared with a group of young health individuals...

Terapêutica na cardiologia pós-genoma / Therapeutics in after genoma cardiology

As doenças cardiovasculares são a principal causa de morte nos países desnvolvidos e em desenvolvimento. Por suas elevadas incidência, prevalência e morbimortalidade e opções terapêuticas insuficientes ou, até mesmo, inficazes, tem sido crescente a busca por novos métodos terapêuticos, a fim de melhorar o prognóstico destes pacientes. A terapia genética e celular insere-se neste contexto com impacto favorável. Desde o conhecimento da estrutura do DNA por Watson e Crick, em meados do século anterior, as pesquisas em genética têm avançado muito, especialmente nos últimos anos, com o desenvolvimento de técnicas mais específicas e apuradas em biologia molecular. Foi possível, por exemplo, o advento da clonagem de animais e a conclusão do Projeto Genoma...