Rho kinase (ROCK) has been implicated in mediating diverse biological functions of various cells. Accumulating evidencehas suggested that abnormal activation of ROCK contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease. Theelevation of endothelin-1, the most potent endogenous vasoconstrictor, is also known to be associated with numerouscardiovascular disorders. Recent reports suggest that the constriction of the coronary microvasculature to endothelin-1is mediated by the activation of ROCK signaling. In this article, we provide an overview on the ROCK and endothelin-1vascular biology in relation to the control of vasomotor activity and speculate on their contributions to local myocardialischemia and cardiac syndrome X. Although the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in exertingendothelin-1/ROCK regulation of coronary microvascular function remain elusive, the development of specific and selectiveROCK inhibitors appears to have therapeutic potential in cardiovascular disease treatment.

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Patients suffering from Thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) have endothelial cell dysfunction and the severity of the disease lies in the need for amputation in more than a quarter of all sufferers.Methods and Findings: We report the safety and feasibility of autologous implantation of circulating mononuclear cells for patients suffering from Buerger’s disease following bone-marrow mobilization with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (5 mg/kg/day for 5-7 days). Six patients participated in this study. Mononuclear cells were separated by Cobas Spectra cell separator. MNCs, CD34+ and CD133+ cells were enumerated prior to intramuscular injection into the affected foot/limb muscles at multiple sites on the collection day. Stem cell injection prevented disease progression in all six patients. In this small cohort of patients with critical limb ischemia, quality of life improved significantly over a two year period. Also, pain-free walking distance in all patients showed significant improvement.

Ultimate health and maximal life span require metabolic harmony and nutrient abundance. Evidence suggests that metabolic damage occurs at intake levels between the level causing micronutrient deficiency diseases and the recommended dietary allowances (RDA). This may result in an increase in DNA damage, neuronal or mitochondrial decay that could lead to accelerated aging, cancers, and degenerative diseases. The optimum amount of vitamins and minerals that are truly required is the amount that minimizes DNA damage and maximizes a healthy life span, which is higher than the amount to prevent acute disease. Maintaining healthy vitamin and mineral stores prevent disease and limit morbidity from them.

Obesity is a serious public health challenge. In recent years various strategies for treatment of obesity are researched. Because oflimitations of drugs currently available, new preparations for treatment are searched (especially safe natural products). PinnoThin™,Korean pine nut oil with high content of pinolenic acid, was subjected to two studies, which evaluated its influence on satiety hormonescholecystokinin and glucagon like peptide 1. The results of the studies confirmed, that pine nut oil is capable of increase ofsatiety hormones release and therefore it suppresses appetite. It does not have any effect on hunger inducing factor ghrelin. Thestudy of toxicity showed that pine nut oil is not toxic and so it is safe for obesity treatment.