In Detail

Role of Oxidized phospholipids in ischemia reperfusion injury:

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. One unifying mechanistic component is the role of inflammation in its initiation and progression. For many years lipids were considered to be only cellular building blocks with very little biological activity. Due to their susceptibility to oxidation they are modified in the presence of reactive oxygen species. Apart from impairment of their structural function, oxidation makes oxidized phospholipids (OxPL) acquire novel biological activities not characteristic of their unoxidized precursors. The effects of OxPLs described in vitro and in vivo suggest their potential relevance in different pathologies, including atherosclerosis, acute inflammation, lung injury, and many other conditions. The actions of OxPL can vary depending upon the specific species of phospholipid being oxidized. Recently, oxidized phosphatidylcholines (OxPC) have been recognized as not only products of oxidative damage but also mediators of its progression. These compounds exert their biological activity through multiple pathways. They have been shown to be potent stimulators of platelet activating factor receptor, prostaglandin receptors and PPAR receptors resulting in platelet aggregation, induction of the coagulation cascade and apoptosis and cell death. Recent advancements in softer methods of ionization, such as electrospray mass spectrometry, has allowed us to identify and quantitate OxPL’s in biological tissues. Our group has over the past decade developed mass spectrometric techniques that can identify and quantitate oxidized lipids within atherosclerotic plaques, oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein (OxLDL), and other biological tissues. As we move forward in trying to better understand the role of OxPL in cardiovascular pathology, it necessitates a detailed understanding of the oxidized lipidome within cardiac tissue such as ischemic myocardium or in plasma from patients with acute coronary syndromes. Using this knowledge as a platform, we are investigating the role of OxPL in cardiovascular pathology and will be able to tailor therapies to prevent OxPL induced injury.

 

1. Ravandi A, Boekholdt SM, Mallat Z, Talmud PJ, Kastelein JJ, Wareham NJ, Miller ER, Benessiano J, Tedgui A, Witztum JL, Khaw KT, Tsimikas S. Relationship of IgG and IgM autoantibodies and immune complexes to oxidized LDL with markers of oxidation and inflammation and cardiovascular events: Results from the Epic-Norfolk study. Journal of Lipid Research. 2011;52:1829-1836.

2. Ravandi A, Penny WF. Percutaneous intervention of an acute left main coronary occlusion due to dissection of the aortic root. JACC. Cardiovascular Interventions. 2011;4:713-715

3. K. Bin Thani, A. Ravandi W.E. Bennett, , S. Tsimikas. Successful treatment of in stent restenosis of a covered stent graft with a paclitaxel eluting stent. Journal Cardiology Cases. 2011; 4:13-1.

4. Prasad A, Ilapakurti M, Ravandi A. Successful retrieval of a frayed coronary stent using the peripheral crossover technique. The Journal of Invasive Cardiology. 2011;23:E69-71

5. Ravandi A, Teo KK. Blocking the renin-angiotensin system: Dual- versus mono-therapy. Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy. 2009;7:667-674

6. Ravandi A, Sun JC, Lamy A, Valettas N. Fluoroscopy of acutely thrombosed aortic valve. Circulation. 2008;118:e705

7. Hartvigsen K, Ravandi A, Harkewicz R, Kamido H, Bukhave K, Holmera G, Kuksis A. 1 -o-alkyl-2-(omega-oxo)acyl-sn-glycerols from shark oil and human milk fat are potential precursors of PAF mimics and ghb. Lipids. 2006;41:679-693

8. Williams DJ, Wharton S, Ravandi A, Achong M. Cutaneous myiasis of the eyelid masquerading as periorbital cellulitis. Emergency Medicine Journal: EMJ. 2006;23:737

9. Ahmed Z, Ravandi A, Kuksis A. Bioactive oxolipids and cardiovascular disease: antiatherogenic effect of High-Density Lipoprotein. Journal of Clinical Ligand Assay 2006; 29: 6-15.

10. Healey JS, Wharton S, Al-Kaabi S, Pai M, Ravandi A, Nair G, Morillo CA, Connolly SJ. Stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation: The diagnosis and management of hypertension by specialists. The Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 2006;22:485-488

11. Kuksis A, Ravandi A, Schneider M. Covalent binding of acetone to aminophospholipids in vitro and in vivo. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2005;1043:417-439

12. Ravandi A, Babaei S, Leung R, Monge JC, Hoppe G, Hoff H, Kamido H, Kuksis A. Phospholipids and oxophospholipids in atherosclerotic plaques at different stages of plaque development. Lipids. 2004;39:97-109

13. Ahmed Z, Ravandi A, Maguire GF, Kuksis A, Connelly PW. Formation of apolipoprotein AI-phosphatidylcholine core aldehyde Schiff base adducts promotes uptake by thp-1 macrophages. Cardiovascular Research. 2003;58:712-720

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2011
Society for Cardiac Angiography and Interventions. C3 Summit Finalist, Baltimore,MD, USA

2009
Gold Medal. Best Research Presentation McMaster University Internal Medicine Research Day.

2008
Chief Cardiology Fellow. McMaster University.

2006
Outstanding Chief Medical Resident. Department of Medicine. McMaster University

2005
Outstanding PGY2. Department of Medicine. McMaster University

2001
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Canada Research Fellowship

2000
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers of Canada Research Fellowship

1999
Stuart Allan Hoffman Award, Best Ph.D. thesis. Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto
Best presentation, AOCS Annual meeting among 1500 presentations, Orlando

1998
Young Investigator Award, Canadian Society for Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology
Ontario Graduate Scholarship

1998
Dutkevich Foundation Award.
University of Toronto Doctoral Open Fellowship

Dr. Ravandi’s laboratory invites applications for Graduate Students. Please forward an application and academic CV to Dr. Amir Ravandi at arvandi@sbrc.ca.