High cholesterol, hypertension, stress, excess weight, smoking
and lack of exercise—scientists know all these risk factors
play important roles in the development of heart disease. But what
actually happens inside blood vessels at the very beginning of atherosclerosis
(the buildup of fatty plaques within arteries that can partially
or completely block blood flow, leading to heart attack and stroke)?
Emory Heart Center researchers are conducting the MOST (Markers
of Oxidative Stress) study to help find out. Cardiologists David
Harrison, principal investigator of the study, and co-investigator
William Weintraub believe markers of oxidative stress and inflammation
could hold the key to understanding early vascular changes linked
to atherosclerosis. Oxidative stress is a condition where blood
vessels begin to make too many free radicals, overcoming the natural
protective factors in our cells.
“In recent years, we have recognized that oxidative stress
is an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis and
heart disease,” Harrison said. “Oxidation leads to depletion
of important nutrients in our blood vessels, leading to atherosclerotic
plaque formation. Oxidation reactions cause blood levels of certain
substances to be elevated. The MOST study will help us identify
how those substances correlate with artherosclerosis that isn’t
yet clinically evident.”
Some of the markers being studied include blood levels of glutathione,
antibodies against oxidized LDL, cholesterol and homocysteine, as
well as levels of C-reactive protein. Results to date suggest that
levels of these markers may be used to indicate oxidative stress
and inflammation are taking place in the body.
This information will be correlated along with information on study
participants’ activity levels, diets, stress levels and body
fat percentage. Then the data will be compared to ultrasound measurements
of the volunteers’ carotid and brachial arteries which will
show signs of thickening if early atherosclerotic plaques are present.
“The MOST study can help us understand the most basic causes
of atherosclerosis and, most importantly, it could eventually allow
us to start treatment before any disease is clinically evident,”
Harrison said.
Physicians who have patients interested in participating as research
subjects in the study
can call research coordinator Steven Rhodes at 404-712-8832 for
more information.
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