1.
Modulation of inflammation by nutritional interventions.
Visioli, F, Poli, A, Richard, D, Paoletti, R
Current atherosclerosis reports. 2008;(6):451-3
2.
Metabolic syndrome, inflammation and atherosclerosis.
Paoletti, R, Bolego, C, Poli, A, Cignarella, A
Vascular health and risk management. 2006;(2):145-52
Abstract
The inflammatory component of atherogenesis has been increasingly recognized over the last decade. Inflammation participates in all stages of atherosclerosis, not only during initiation and during evolution of lesions, but also with precipitation of acute thrombotic complications. The metabolic syndrome is associated with increased risk for development of both cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes in humans. Central obesity and insulin resistance are thought to represent common underlying factors of the syndrome, which features a chronic low-grade inflammatory state. Diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome occurs using defined threshold values for waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose and dyslipidemia. The metabolic syndrome appears to affect a significant proportion of the population. Therapeutic approaches that reduce the levels of proinflammatory biomarkers and address traditional risk factors are particularly important in preventing cardiovascular disease and, potentially, diabetes. The primary management of metabolic syndrome involves healthy lifestyle promotion through moderate calorie restriction, moderate increase in physical activity and change in dietary composition. Treatment of individual components aims to control atherogenic dyslipidemia using fibrates and statins, elevated blood pressure, and hyperglycemia. While no single treatment for the metabolic syndrome as a whole yet exists, emerging therapies offer potential as future therapeutic approaches.
3.
The emerging link between nutrition, inflammation and atherosclerosis.
Paoletti, R, Poli, A, Cignarella, A
Expert review of cardiovascular therapy. 2006;(3):385-93
Abstract
A number of dietary components modulate the inflammatory response in humans, thereby affecting cardiovascular risk. As basic research provides a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of vascular function regulation by nutrients, clinical investigation and outcome studies demonstrate the relevance of dietary factors to the prevention and treatment of vascular disease. Benefits of dietary interventions may be attributable to weight loss or to more specialized mechanisms in which inflammation is targeted directly. Available evidence indicates that dietary intervention should be an integral part of therapeutic approaches for treating conditions such as the metabolic syndrome and, ultimately, for the prevention of cardiovascular disease.