P-and E-selectins are adhesion molecules mediating the first step in leukocyte extravasation. Because their function in leukocyte adhesion is overlapping, we hypothesized that there might be a combined effect of these selectins on the development of atherosclerotic lesions. We bred P-and E-selectin-double-deficient mice onto the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-deficient background (LDLR Ϫ / Ϫ P/E Ϫ / Ϫ ) and compared lesion development in these mice to that in mice wild type for both selectins (LDLR Ϫ / Ϫ P/E ϩ / ϩ ). After 8 wk on atherogenic diet, the LDLR Ϫ / Ϫ P/E Ϫ / Ϫ mice developed fatty streaks in the aortic sinus that were five times smaller than those in LDLR Ϫ / Ϫ P/E ϩ / ϩ mice. The density of macrophages in the fatty streaks was comparable between LDLR Ϫ / Ϫ P/E ϩ / ϩ and LDLR Ϫ / Ϫ P/E Ϫ / Ϫ mice. After 22 wk on the diet, the lesions spread throughout the aorta but this process was delayed in LDLR Ϫ / Ϫ P/E Ϫ / Ϫ mice. At 37 wk on diet, the lesions progressed to the fibrous plaque stage in both genotypes. However, the lesions in the aortic sinus in LDLR Ϫ / Ϫ P/E Ϫ / Ϫ mice were 40% smaller and less calcified than those of LDLR Ϫ / Ϫ P/E ϩ / ϩ mice.

The vascular endothelium is the primary site of dysfunction in many diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease. A variety of risk factors, including smoking, hypercholesterolemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, adversely affect endothelial function. Emerging evidence suggests an important role of dietary factors in modulating endothelial function. In particular, n-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins (especially vitamins E and C), folic acid, and L-arginine appear to have beneficial effects on vascular endothelial function, either by decreasing endothelial activation or by improving endothelium-dependent vasodilation in patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease as well as in healthy subjects. These effects may serve as one potential mechanism through which these nutrients reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, as observed in epidemiologic studies and several clinical trials. This article reviews clinical and experimental evidence regarding the role of these nutrients in modulating endothelial function and their potential to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Background-Adhesive interactions between leukocytes and endothelial cells are characteristic of the development of atherosclerotic lesions, but the receptors involved remain to be defined. P-selectin is an adhesion receptor expressed on activated endothelial cells or platelets and was shown to be involved in fatty streak formation in LDL receptor-deficient mice on an atherogenic diet. The main purpose of this study is to examine the role of P-selectin in the spontaneous development of advanced atherosclerosis in apoE-deficient mice. Methods and Results-We intercrossed P-selectin-deficient mice with mice lacking apoE and compared lesion development in apoE-deficient mice with P-selectin (apoE Ϫ/Ϫ P ϩ/ϩ ) and without P-selectin (apoE Ϫ/Ϫ P Ϫ/Ϫ ) that were fed normal mouse chow. At 4 months of age, apoE Ϫ/Ϫ P Ϫ/Ϫ mice had 3.5-fold smaller aortic sinus lesions than apoE Ϫ/Ϫ P

Summary We evaluated the effect of home telehealth on weight maintenance after a group-based weight loss programme. The home telehealth intervention comprised telephone counselling and home Internet-enabled digital video recorders (DVRs) with three channels of video programmes. The video content provided reinforcement and support to promote problem solving, prevent relapse, and sustain motivation. Eighty-eight obese or overweight African-American women were randomized to receive monthly telephone counselling (control) or the home telehealth intervention. The weight change during maintenance was not significant in either group (0.6 kg in the intervention group, 0.0 kg in the control group), and there was no significant difference between them. Changes in diet, physical activity, social support and self-efficacy during the maintenance period did not differ significantly between groups. DVR use was low: during the intervention, the number of valid DVR viewings ranged from zero to 42 per person. DVR use was positively associated with previous attendance at the weight loss classes. Home video-based telehealth is a new method of delivering a weight loss maintenance intervention to African-American women. It had no effect on weight maintenance in the present study.