Implications for MicroRNA involvement in the prognosis and treatment of atherosclerosis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important molecules which implicated in various processes, such as differentiation, development, cell survival, cell apoptosis and also cell metabolism. Investigations over decades have revealed that various genes and signaling pathways are implicated in beginning and development of atherosclerosis, several miRNAs being involved in these dysregulated genes and pathways. miRNAs have provided new molecular vision in the context of atherosclerosis. miRNAs are considered as important regulators of cellular migration, differentiation, proliferation, lipid uptake and efflux, as well as cytokine production. Application of miRNAs as a biomarker in diagnosis, prognosis and even therapy is quiet exciting. Although animal researches showed promising results, still some practical difficulties and technical challenges need to be addressed before translation from researches into clinical practices. In this review, we present important data about three critical cells endothelial cell (EC), vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC), and monocyte/macrophage and regulation of these cells through miRNAs. Furthermore, we discuss about the potential of miRNAs as a prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers, therapeutic opportunities and challenges, and also future perspective.

DNA methylation abnormalities in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a complex disease with involvement of intermediate-, large-sized arteries. Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of vascular lipids, immune system activation, inflammation, oxidative stress and oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), endothelial cell (EC) activation, arterial smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, macrophage activation and foam cell formation that cause endothelial dysfunction. DNA methylation is one of important epigenetic mechanisms which changes gene expression. It has been evident that this mechanism plays an important role in the initiation and propagation of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, DNA methylation is a crucial and distinct mechanism that modulates genes governing cell proliferation, thereby connecting environmental insults with gene expression. This study represents many atherosclerosis-related genes which are regulated through DNA methylation mechanism. Although the role of epigenetics in atherosclerosis is at their infancy. Nevertheless, various studies demonstrated that DNA methylation involvement in this disease is undeniable. DNA methyltransferases are the main player of the smooth muscle cell proliferation, endothelial cell integrity, as well as arteriosclerosis formation. In this review, we focus on recent achievements in the functional and description interpretation of the DNA methylation pattern of cells and tissues implicated in atherosclerosis. Besides, we discuss the association of DNA methylation with oxidative stress, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), ageing, and inflammation in the development and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Cardiovascular complications and related risk factors underlying opium consumption.

Opium is considered as the second most abused addictive compound in worldwide. It seems that one of the causes for common consumption of opium in many countries is a traditional belief, even among medical personnel, through which opium might have advantageous influences on cardiovascular events and be beneficial in controlling hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. According to several investigations, it is thought that opium not only has no beneficial effects on cardiovascular events, but it might have deleterious influences on these settings. As a result, people need to be trained with regard to the adverse effects of opium on cardiovascular events. In this review, we try to go through the understanding of the effects of opium cardiovascular disorders and related complications such as blood pressure, blood sugar, lipid circumstances, and finally atherosclerosis.