The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a global health priority. Given that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity around the world and that several trials have reported severe cardiovascular damage in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, a substantial number of COVID-19 patients with underlying cardiovascular diseases need to continue their medications in order to improve myocardial contractility and to prevent the onset of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), including heart failure. Some of the current life-saving medications may actually simultaneously expose patients to a higher risk of severe COVID-19. Angiotensinconverting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a key counter regulator of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), is the main entry gate of SARS-CoV-2 into human host cells and an established drug target to prevent heart failure. In fact, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and mineralocorticoid antagonists may augment ACE2 levels to protect organs from angiotensin II overload. Elevated ACE2 expression on the host cell surface might facilitate viral entrance, at the same time sudden nonadherence to these medications triggers MACEs. Hence, safety issues in the use of RAS inhibitors in COVID-19 patients with cardiac dysfunction remain an unsolved dilemma and need paramount attention. Although ACE2 generally plays an adaptive role in both healthy subjects and patients with systolic and/or diastolic dysfunction, we conducted a literature appraisal on its maladaptive role. Understanding the exact role of ACE2 in COVID-19 patients at risk of heart failure is needed to safely manage RAS inhibitors in frail and non-frail critically ill patients.

The world is in a hard battle against COVID-19. Endothelial cells are among the most critical targets of SARS-CoV-2. Dysfunction of endothelium leads to vascular injury following by coagulopathies and thrombotic conditions in the vital organs increasing the risk of life-threatening events. Growing evidences revealed that endothelial dysfunction and consequent thrombotic conditions are associated with the severity of outcomes. It is not yet fully clear that these devastating sequels originate directly from the virus or a side effect of virus-induced cytokine storm. Due to endothelial dysfunction, plasma levels of some biomarkers are changed and relevant clinical manifestations appear as well. Stabilization of endothelial integrity and supporting its function are among the promising therapeutic strategies. Other than respiratory, COVID-19 could be called a systemic vascular disease and this aspect should be scrutinized in more detail in order to reduce related mortality. In the present investigation, the effects of COVID-19 on endothelial function and thrombosis formation are discussed. In this regard, critical players, laboratory findings, clinical manifestation, and suggestive therapies are presented.

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Background: Intervention and epidemiological studies have shown that nut consumption has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, body mass index, and hyperlipidemia. The aim of this review is to investigate the effects of nut consumption on cardiovascular risk factors and coronary heart diseases. In addition, we investigated possible mediating mechanisms through which nuts act with health protective effects, which could have a preventive effect on cardiovascular risk factors and coronary artery diseases.Method: We collected accredited international investigations, whether original, review, meta-analysis that published data in Google Scholar, PubMed/Medline, Wiley Online Library, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, and Research Gate databases.Result:Some human studies and most animal and laboratory studies reported that favorable effects of nut consumption on cardiovascular risk factors and diseases are through their nutrient profile including polyphenols, unsaturated fatty acid, vitamins, phytosterols, minerals, fibers, and protein. Nut nutrient profile could act through reduction inflammation, inhibition oxidative stress, gut microbiota modification, improvement of endothelial function, modulating gene expression, miRNA, adipokines, insulin secretion, lipid and glucose metabolism, and decreasing cholesterol absorption.Conclusion:Nuts have favorably acted on lipid profile, glucose homeostasis, vascular health, and weight control. Furthermore, human clinical trials are needed to find the exact and most effective pathways by which nuts prevent or reduce cardiovascular risk factors.Keywords: Nut Consumption, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, body mass index, hyperlipidemia

Background. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the existence of pathogens in atherosclerotic plaques of coronary arteries was investigated in coronary arteries diseases (CAD) patients. Methods. This study was designed and implemented up to 31 August 2020. The findings present according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) checklist. Two independent reviewers (I.RJ and S.H) performed a comprehensive search on four different English databases including PubMed, ISI, Scopus, and Embase. In order to assess the quality of the articles, a checklist prepared by The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) was used. Results. Finally, 44 studies were selected. The prevalence of different microorganisms in coronary arteries were as follows: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (46.2%), Campylobacter rectus (43.0%), Chlamydia pneumonia (42.8%), Cytomegalovirus (29.1%), Helicobacter pylori (18.9%), Herpes simplex virus type 1 (5.9%), Porphyromonas gingivalis (42.6%), Prevotella intermedia (47.6%), Tannerella forsythia (43.7%), and Treponema denticola (32.9%). Conclusion. Based on the result of this meta-analysis, Prevotella intermedia and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans are the most common microorganisms in atherosclerotic plaques of coronary arteries and may have an important role in the development of atherosclerosis.