This thesis aimed to present new molecular and genetic findings in the pathology and diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Furthermore, a special focus was granted on the current invasive... Show moreThis thesis aimed to present new molecular and genetic findings in the pathology and diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Furthermore, a special focus was granted on the current invasive treatment of myocardial infarction. Here, new aspects were investigated in relation to a) the role of IVUS in preventing late stent thrombosis, and b) differences in coronary plaque composition, as assessed with IVUS __ Virtual Histology, after drug-eluting versus bare-metal stent implantation. Finally, the influence of the stent type as well as the patient__s genetic profile were investigated in relation to the occurrence of post-stenting complications. Show less
In this thesis we aimed to expand our knowledge on the pathophysiological aspects of the metabolic syndrome in transgenic mice. The metabolic syndrome involves multiple aspects and has a major... Show moreIn this thesis we aimed to expand our knowledge on the pathophysiological aspects of the metabolic syndrome in transgenic mice. The metabolic syndrome involves multiple aspects and has a major impact on cardiovascular diseases. In the first part of thesis the role of PAI-1 in the development of insulin resistance will addressed. This part will also focus on the mechanism of plasma PAI-1 clearance. In the second part of this thesis, the roles of LRP in atherosclerosis and LPL activity in lipid metabolism are addressed. In this thesis we showed the PAI-1 catabolism is facilitated by a RAP-sensitive mechanism other than LRP, LDLR and VLDLR. The increased plasma PAI-1 levels observed in insulin resistance and obesity is not explained by impaired clearance of PAI-1. The increased plasma PAI-1 levels might be an epiphenomenon of the chronic inflammatory state of insulin resistance or obesity. Furthermore, alternative pathways other than the traditional lipoprotein receptors are involved in the regulation of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The development of atherosclerosis is multi-factorial in which the balance between the antiand pro-inflammatory processes plays a central role. Macrophage LRP might be one of the features that control this balance. Inflammation not only promotes to the development of atherosclerosis, but might also be involved in the processes that restore the damaged vascular wall. Show less
The role of the multifunctional cytokine Transforming Growth Factor-beta 1 in cervical carcinoma on the formation of tumor stroma, tumor infiltrate, PAI-1 and alpha v beta 6 is investigated.
