Lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) is a cornerstone of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention. Although LLT might lead to different reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in women and men, LLT diminishes cardiovascular risk equally effectively in both sexes. Despite similar LLT efficacy, the use of high-intensity statins, ezetimibe, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors is lower in women compared to men. Women achieve the guideline-recommended LDL-C levels less often than men. Greater cholesterol burden is particularly prominent in women with familial hypercholesterolemia. In clinical practice, women and men with dyslipidemia present with different cardiovascular risk profiles and disease manifestations. The concentrations of LDL-C, lipoprotein(a), and other blood lipids differ between women and men over a lifetime. Dissimilar levels of LLT target molecules partially result from sex-specific hormonal and genetic determinants of lipoprotein metabolism. Hence, to evaluate a potential need for sex-specific LLT, this comprehensive review (i) describes the impact of sex on lipoprotein metabolism and lipid profile, (ii) highlights sex differences in cardiovascular risk among patients with dyslipidemia, (iii) presents recent, up-to-date clinical trial and real-world data on LLT efficacy and safety in women, and (iv) discusses the diverse medical needs of women and men with dyslipidemia and increased cardiovascular risk.

In this article, we discuss the topic of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary disease (CTEPD) and the growing role of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) in its treatment. We present the pathophysiology of CTEPD which arises from an incomplete resolution of thrombi in the pulmonary arteries and leads to stenosis and occlusion of the vessels. The article focuses mainly on the chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) subpopulation for which prognosis is very poor when left untreated. We describe a multimodal approach to treating CTEPH, including pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA), BPA, and pharmacological therapies. Additionally, the benefits of pharmacological pre-treatment before BPA and the technical aspects of the procedure itself are outlined. It is emphasized that BPA does not replace PEA but serves as a complementary treatment option for eligible patients. We summarized efficacy and treatment goals including an improvement in functional and biochemical parameters before and after BPA. Patients who received pre-treatment with riociguat prior to BPA exhibited a notable reduction in the occurrence of less severe complications. However, elderly patients are still perceived as an especially vulnerable group. It is shown that the prognosis of patients undergoing BPA is similar to PEA in the first years after the procedure but the long-term prognosis of BPA still remains unclear. The 2022 ESC/ERS guidelines highlight the significant role of BPA in the multimodal treatment of CTEPH, emphasizing its effectiveness and recommending its consideration as a therapeutic option for patients with CTEPD, both with and without pulmonary hypertension. This review summarizes the available evidence for BPA, patient selection, procedural details, and prognosis and discusses the potential future role of BPA in the management of CTEPH.

Lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) is a cornerstone of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention. Although LLT might lead to different reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in women and men, LLT diminishes cardiovascular risk equally effectively in both sexes. Despite similar LLT efficacy, the use of high-intensity statin, ezetimibe, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors is lower in women compared to men. Women achieve the guideline-recommended LDL-C levels less often than men. Greater cholesterol burden is particularly prominent in women with familial hypercholesterolemia. In clinical practice, women and men with dyslipidemia present with different cardiovascular risk profiles and disease manifestations. The concentrations of LDL-C, lipoprotein(a) and other blood lipids differ between women and men over a lifetime. Dissimilar levels of LLT’s target molecules partially result from sex-specific hormonal and genetic determinants of lipoprotein metabolism. Hence, to evaluate a potential need for sex-specific LLT, this comprehensive review (i) describes the impact of sex on lipoprotein metabolism and lipid profile, (ii) highlights sex differences in cardiovascular risk among patients with dyslipidemia, (iii) presents recent, up-to-date clinical trial and real-world data on LLT efficacy and safety in women, and (iv) discusses diverse medical needs of women and men with dyslipidemia and increased cardiovascular risk.

UVA radiation affects communication between the cells that create the human skin. To prevent UVA-induced damage, there is a constant search for compounds protecting all skin cells and homeostasis in their communication. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 24 h incubation with 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid (EAA; 150 µM) on the intracellular proteome of co-cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts after UVA irradiation (total dose 15 J/cm²), and on the protein profiles released into the medium by both cell types. A proteomic approach (nanoHPLC/QOrbiTrap) allowed the identification of proteins significantly modified by UVA and EAA. In keratinocytes, UVA radiation enhanced expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-proliferative/keratinizing proteins and decreased expression of antiapoptotic and antioxidant proteins, while in fibroblasts, UVA radiation induced expression mainly of pro-inflammatory proteins, simultaneously decreasing levels of proteins involved in the antioxidant response and growth factors. Increased pro-inflammatory protein and decreased growth factor levels were also observed in the medium. EAA restored the levels of these proteins compared to control cultures. The results of this study show that EAA may protect epidermal and dermal cells by reducing levels of pro-inflammatory proteins, increasing antioxidant system activity in skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and normalizing intercellular signaling.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of concomitant use of cannabigerol (CBG) and 3-O-ethylascorbic acid (EAA) on changes in the proteome of UVA-irradiated skin melanocytes, with particular emphasis on adduct formation between lipid peroxidation products and metabolically important proteins. Proteomic analysis allowed the identification of 1248 proteins with statistically significantly changed expression following melanocytes irradiation and/or incubation with CBG/EAA. The top 25 proteins with the most strongly differentially abundant expression included proteins involved in cell protection/antioxidant response, as well as pro-inflammatory and proapoptotic signalization. Moreover, in melanocytes irradiated with UVA, the levels of lipid peroxidation product, 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and its protein adducts were increased, as well as significant changes in the profile of proteins modified by 4-HNE were observed. CBG and EAA, especially when used together, largely reverse these effects. This study for the first time demonstrated the combined effect of CBG and EAA on the proteome of melanocytes after their exposure to UVA radiation, which applies to both changes in protein expression and intracellular signaling based on proteins modified by 4-HNE. It can be suggested that CBG and EAA may provide melanocytes with effective protection against the effects of oxidative stress and perhaps even protect the skin from carcinogenesis.