The Roles of CD137 Signaling in Atherosclerosis

The tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF), which includes CD40, LIGHT, and OX40, plays important roles in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases, involving atherosclerosis. CD137, a member of TNFRSF, is a well-known activation-induced T cell co-stimulatory molecule and has been reported to be expressed in human atherosclerotic plaque lesions, and plays pivotal roles in mediating disease processes. In this review, we focus on and summarize recent advances in mouse studies on the involvement of CD137 signaling in the pathogenesis and plaque stability of atherosclerosis, thereby highlighting a valuable therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.

Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) enhances the anti-atherogenic effect of cilostazol by inhibiting ROS generation

In this study, the synergistic effect of 6-[4-(1-cyclohexyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl) butoxy]-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone (cilostazol) and Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) was examined in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) null mice. Co-treatment with GbE and cilostazol synergistically decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in ApoE null mice fed a high-fat diet. Co-treatment resulted in a significantly decreased atherosclerotic lesion area compared to untreated ApoE mice. The inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules such as monocyte chemoattractant-1 (MCP-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and VCAM-1 which can initiate atherosclerosis were significantly reduced by the co-treatment of cilostazol with GbE. Further, the infiltration of macrophages into the intima was decreased by co-treatment. These results suggest that co-treatment of GbE with cilostazol has a more potent anti-atherosclerotic effect than treatment with cilostazol alone in hyperlipidemic ApoE null mice and could be a valuable therapeutic strategy for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Vascular Anatomy on the Nasal Tip in Koreans / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The blood supply of the nasal tip and columella was examined to determine whether the blood supply to the nasal tip could be damaged from transcolumellar incision during an external rhinoplasty approach in Koreans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The blood vessels that supply the nasal tip were examined by dissecting 51 cadavers, and their corresponding 102 nasal sections were injected with red latex prior to the dissection. The size and distribution of the vessels were measured with unaided eyes to determine the primary supplying vessels. The subdermal layer in which the vessels lie and the course of the vessels were also investigated. RESULTS: The main vessels of the nasal tip proved to be the lateral nasal artery (78%) and the dorsal nasal artery (22%). Columellar branches were narrower in diameter than the lateral nasal and dorsal nasal arteries and varied in their size and appearance, and therefore they appeared insufficient to be main vessels to supply blood. These arteries passed through the musculoaponeurotic layer, but they were also close to the main surgical plane in the dome of the lower lateral cartilage. CONCLUSIONS: We speculate that the blood supply to nasal tip in Koreans is primarily derived from the lateral nasal or dorsal nasal arteries, with variable contribution from the columellar arteries. Therefore, it is the most important to determine the surgical plane below the musculoaponeurotic layer in order to prevent necrosis of skin flap or deformity due to damage of vessels in the case of external rhinoplasty.