We conclude that apparently healthy middle-aged subjects already had endothelial dysfunction. We confirmed that a short (30 days) low-dose therapy with fluvastatin (10 mg) improved endothelial-dependent vasodilation of the brachial artery and also diminished the stiffness of common carotid artery. It is therefore obvious that the early functional and morphological properties of arterial wall are in the early phase still reversible. The results of the present study therefore represent a new, original approach to early prevention of cardiovascular disease.
E.01 National awards
COBISS.SI-ID: 3349780The beneficial pleiotropic effects of low-dose statins and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors on cardiovascular system were studied in preclinical and clinical studies.
F.21 Development of new health/diagnostic methods/procedures
COBISS.SI-ID: 265164288The incidence and prevalence of cardiovascular diseases exponentially increase with age. Functional changes in the vascular system include deterioration of the responsiveness of the vascular endothelium – endothelial dysfunction. This is followed by morphological changes, increased vessel wall stiffness and increased intima-media thickness. Assuming that age is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events, researching possible ways to slow the aging process of the vascular system and affecting reversible changes to blood vessels is becoming a challenge.
E.01 National awards
In the study the preventive cardiovascular effects of combination of statin (fluvastatin 10 mg daily) and angiotensin receptor blocker (valsartan 20 mg daily) at sub-therapeutic doses in middle aged healthy volunteers were examined. The flow mediated dilation of brachial artery, the stiffness of carotid artery, pulse wave velocity and total antioxidative status improved after 30 days of intervention. The described results confirmed our hypothesis of improvement of vascular function after 30 days of therapy of subtherapeuthic doses of selected drugs.
F.21 Development of new health/diagnostic methods/procedures
COBISS.SI-ID: 26553305Scientific comitee for Medical Sciences has recognized the results of the research project as an exceptional achievement of Slovenian scientists in 2011.
F.21 Development of new health/diagnostic methods/procedures