Title : Molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-atherogenic actions of natural products
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the vasculature, is the leading cause of myocardial infarction and stroke, and remains the foremost cause of death worldwide. While lifestyle changes and pharmaceutical interventions have reduced its burden in recent years, the global rise in risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and diabetes threatens to reverse this trend. Current therapies, though beneficial, leave a substantial residual cardiovascular risk and are often limited by side effects. Moreover, many promising pharmaceutical agents have failed in clinical trials, underscoring the need for deeper mechanistic understanding and novel therapeutic strategies.
Our laboratory focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective, anti-atherogenic effects of natural products. Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo models, alongside biochemical, molecular, and immunological techniques, we have uncovered novel insights into how specific nutraceuticals modulate lipid metabolism and inflammation. This presentation will explore the molecular basis of atherosclerosis, limitations of current treatments, and emerging therapies targeting key pathogenic pathways. Special emphasis will be placed on the potential of probiotic bacteria as both preventative and therapeutic agents in cardiovascular disease.
