A prospective study of fibrinogen and risk of myocardial infarction in the Physicians' Health Study

Inflammation biomarkers are associated with the incidence of cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis

Background

Inflammation is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and particular inflammatory parameters can be used to predict the incidence of CVD. The aim of this study was to assess the association between fibrinogen (FIB), interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and galectin-3 (Gal-3) and the risk of cardiovascular disease using meta-analysis.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched with the appropriate strategies to identify observational studies relevant to this meta-analysis. A random-effects model was used to combine inflammation factor-associated outcomes and cardiovascular disease outcomes, except in the case of galectin-3, where a fixed-effects model was used because of less heterogeneity. Location, age, type of cardiovascular disease, and sample size factors were used to explore heterogeneity in stratification and metaregression for subgroup analysis. A case-by-case literature exclusion approach was used for sensitivity analysis. The funnel plot and Begg's test were combined to assess publication bias.

Results

Thirty-three papers out of 11,456 were screened for inclusion in the analysis. Four inflammation biomarkers were significantly associated with the development of CVD: FIB (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.15-1.27, P < 0.001; HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.07, P < 0.05), IL-6 (HR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.10-1.22, P < 0.001), CRP (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.15-1.35, P < 0.001; HR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.14-1.25, P < 0.001) and Gal-3 (HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05-1.14, P < 0.001). Location factors help explain the source of heterogeneity, and there is publication bias in the Gal-3 related literature.

Conclusion

Taken together, the current research evidence suggests that high levels of fibrinogen, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and galectin-3 are risk factors for cardiovascular disease and can be used as biomarkers to predict the development of cardiovascular disease to some extent.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier: CRD42023391844.

Targeted Blood Plasma Proteomics and Hemostasis Assessment of Post COVID-19 Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

The molecular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular complications after the SARS-CoV-2 infection remain unknown. The goal of our study was to analyze the features of blood coagulation, platelet aggregation, and plasma proteomics in COVID-19 convalescents with AMI. The study included 66 AMI patients and 58 healthy volunteers. The groups were divided according to the anti-N IgG levels (AMI post-COVID (n = 44), AMI control (n = 22), control post-COVID (n = 31), and control (n = 27)). All participants underwent rotational thromboelastometry, thrombodynamics, impedance aggregometry, and blood plasma proteomics analysis. Both AMI groups of patients demonstrated higher values of clot growth rates, thrombus size and density, as well as the elevated levels of components of the complement system, proteins modifying the state of endothelium, acute-phase and procoagulant proteins. In comparison with AMI control, AMI post-COVID patients demonstrated decreased levels of proteins connected to inflammation and hemostasis (lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, C4b-binding protein alpha-chain, plasma protease C1 inhibitor, fibrinogen beta-chain, vitamin K-dependent protein S), and altered correlations between inflammation and fibrinolysis. A new finding is that AMI post-COVID patients opposite the AMI control group, are characterized by a less noticeable growth of acute-phase proteins and hemostatic markers that could be explained by prolonged immune system alteration after COVID-19.

A Hidden Organism, Chlamydia in the Age of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. It is still the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the world. Inflammation in the vessels plays the most important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Many studies have been emphasized that Chlamydia pneumoniae triggers inflammation in the vessels and associated with atherosclerosis. It is stated that most of the chlamydial infections are asymptomatic and around 40% of adult individuals are infected. Chlamydia has different subgroups. It was thought to be a virus due to its intracellular pathogenicity, but it was included in the bacteria genus because it contains DNA and RNA chromosomes and has enzymatic activity. Chlamidya can easily be transmitted through the respiratory tract and sexual transmission. Seroepidemiological and pathological studies of atherosclerotic plaques showed the presence of Chlamydia in the plaque. This section will provide relationship between Chlamydia and atherosclerosis on the recent researces and current information will be discussed.

Association Between Preoperative Fibrinogen-to-Albumin Ratio and All-Cause Mortality After Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Retrospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

The fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio (FAR) is a recently introduced prognostic marker for patients with coronary artery disease. The present study investigated whether the FAR is associated with clinical outcome after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 1759 patients who underwent OPCAB (median duration of follow-up, 46 months). To evaluate the association between FAR and mortality in OPCAB patients, time-dependent coefficient Cox regression analyses were used to assess the association between FAR and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

In multivariable time-dependent coefficient Cox regression analyses, preoperative FAR was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality after OPCAB (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.051; 95% confidence interval, 1.021-1.082). In the restricted cubic spline function curve of the multivariable-adjusted relationship between the preoperative FARs, a linear increase in the relative hazard for all-cause mortality was observed as the FAR increased (P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

A higher FAR is associated with increased all-cause mortality after OPCAB. The preoperative FAR could be a prognostic factor for predicting higher mortality after OPCAB.

Fibrinogen and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases-Review of the Literature and Clinical Studies

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVD), including coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral arterial disease, represent a significant cause of premature death worldwide. Biomarkers, the evaluation of which would allow the detection of ASCVD at the earliest stage of development, are intensively sought. Moreover, from a clinical point of view, a valuable biomarker should also enable the assessment of the patient’s prognosis. It has been known for many years that the concentration of fibrinogen in plasma increases, inter alia, in patients with ASCVD. On the one hand, an increased plasma fibrinogen concentration may be the cause of the development of atherosclerotic lesions (increased risk of atherothrombosis); on the other hand, it may be a biomarker of ASCVD, as it is an acute phase protein. In addition, a number of genetic polymorphisms and post-translational modifications of fibrinogen were demonstrated that may contribute to the risk of ASCVD. This review summarizes the current data on the importance of fibrinogen as a biomarker of ASCVD, and also presents the relationship between molecular modifications of this protein in the context of ASCVD.

Elevated Serum Inflammatory Markers in Subacute Stroke Are Associated With Clinical Outcome but Not Modified by Aerobic Fitness Training: Results of the Randomized Controlled PHYS-STROKE Trial

Background: Inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive Protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and fibrinogen, are upregulated following acute stroke. Studies have shown associations of these biomarkers with increased mortality, recurrent vascular risk, and poor functional outcome. It is suggested that physical fitness training may play a role in decreasing long-term inflammatory activity and supports tissue recovery.

Aim: We investigated the dynamics of selected inflammatory markers in the subacute phase following stroke and determined if fluctuations are associated with functional recovery up to 6 months. Further, we examined whether exposure to aerobic physical fitness training in the subacute phase influenced serum inflammatory markers over time.

Methods: This is an exploratory analysis of patients enrolled in the multicenter randomized-controlled PHYS-STROKE trial. Patients within 45 days of stroke onset were randomized to receive either four weeks of aerobic physical fitness training or relaxation sessions. Generalized estimating equation models were used to investigate the dynamics of inflammatory markers and the associations of exposure to fitness training with serum inflammatory markers over time. Multiple logistic regression models were used to explore associations between inflammatory marker levels at baseline and three months after stroke and outcome at 3- or 6-months.

Results: Irrespective of the intervention group, high sensitive CRP (hs-CRP), IL-6, and fibrinogen (but not TNF-alpha) were significantly lower at follow-up visits when compared to baseline (p all ≤ 0.01). In our cohort, exposure to aerobic physical fitness training did not influence levels of inflammatory markers over time. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, increased baseline IL-6 and fibrinogen levels were inversely associated with worse outcome at 3 and 6 months. Increased levels of hs-CRP at 3 months after stroke were associated with impaired outcome at 6 months. We found no independent associations of TNF-alpha levels with investigated outcome parameters.

Conclusion: Serum markers of inflammation were elevated after stroke and decreased within 6 months. In our cohort, exposure to aerobic physical fitness training did not modify the dynamics of inflammatory markers over time. Elevated IL-6 and fibrinogen levels in early subacute stroke were associated with worse outcome up to 6-months after stroke.

Clinical Trial Registration:ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01953549.

Psoriatic disease is associated with systemic inflammation, endothelial activation, and altered haemostatic function

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease, affecting approximately 2% of the general population, which can be accompanied by psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The condition has been associated with an increased cardiovascular burden. Hypercoagulability is a potential underlying mechanism that may contribute to the increased risk of major cardiovascular events in psoriatic individuals. Whole blood samples were collected from 20 PsA patients and 20 healthy individuals. The concentrations of inflammatory molecules (C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and soluble P-selectin) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. In addition, clotting efficiency was evaluated by thromboelastography. The fibrin network architecture was also assessed by scanning electron microscopy. Elevated levels of circulating inflammatory molecules were significantly associated with the presence of psoriatic disease. Furthermore, an increased tendency towards thrombus formation was significantly predictive of disease presence. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that fibrin clots were denser in psoriatic individuals, compared to healthy controls, with an increased fibrin fibre diameter associated with psoriatic disease. Our results add to the accumulating evidence of the systemic nature of psoriasis and the subsequent risk of cardiovascular comorbidities, potentially due to an acquired hypercoagulability. We suggest that haemostatic function should be monitored carefully in psoriatic patients that present with severe disease, due to the pre-eminent risk of developing thrombotic complications.

Immunohistochemistry in the Detection of Early Myocardial Infarction: Systematic Review and Analysis of Limitations Because of Autolysis and Putrefaction

The postmortem diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction is one of the main problems in forensic practice, especially in cases in which death occurs soon after (from minutes to a few hours) the onset of the ischemic damage. Several authors have highlighted the possibility to overcome the limits of conventional histology in this diagnosis by utilizing immunohistochemistry. In the present research, we examined over 30 scientific studies and picked out over 20 main immunohistochemical antigens analyzed with a view to enabling the rapid diagnosis of early myocardial infarction. The aim of our review was to examine and summarize all the principal markers studied to date and also to consider their limitations, including protein alteration because of cadaveric autolysis and putrefaction.

Mendelian randomization evaluation of causal effects of fibrinogen on incident coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

Fibrinogen is an essential hemostatic factor and cardiovascular disease risk factor. Early attempts at evaluating the causal effect of fibrinogen on coronary heart disease (CHD) and myocardial infraction (MI) using Mendelian randomization (MR) used single variant approaches, and did not take advantage of recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) or multi-variant, pleiotropy robust MR methodologies.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We evaluated evidence for a causal effect of fibrinogen on both CHD and MI using MR. We used both an allele score approach and pleiotropy robust MR models. The allele score was composed of 38 fibrinogen-associated variants from recent GWAS. Initial analyses using the allele score used a meta-analysis of 11 European-ancestry prospective cohorts, free of CHD and MI at baseline, to examine incidence CHD and MI. We also applied 2 sample MR methods with data from a prevalent CHD and MI GWAS. Results are given in terms of the hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR), depending on the study design, and associated 95% confidence interval (CI). In single variant analyses no causal effect of fibrinogen on CHD or MI was observed. In multi-variant analyses using incidence CHD cases and the allele score approach, the estimated causal effect (HR) of a 1 g/L higher fibrinogen concentration was 1.62 (CI = 1.12, 2.36) when using incident cases and the allele score approach. In 2 sample MR analyses that accounted for pleiotropy, the causal estimate (OR) was reduced to 1.18 (CI = 0.98, 1.42) and 1.09 (CI = 0.89, 1.33) in the 2 most precise (smallest CI) models, out of 4 models evaluated. In the 2 sample MR analyses for MI, there was only very weak evidence of a causal effect in only 1 out of 4 models.

CONCLUSIONS

A small causal effect of fibrinogen on CHD is observed using multi-variant MR approaches which account for pleiotropy, but not single variant MR approaches. Taken together, results indicate that even with large sample sizes and multi-variant approaches MR analyses still cannot exclude the null when estimating the causal effect of fibrinogen on CHD, but that any potential causal effect is likely to be much smaller than observed in epidemiological studies.

Pleiotropic effects of niacin: Current possibilities for its clinical use

Niacin was the first hypolipidemic drug to significantly reduce both major cardiovascular events and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. Niacin favorably influences all lipoprotein classes, including lipoprotein[a],and belongs to the most potent hypolipidemic drugs for increasing HDL-C. Moreover, niacin causes favorable changes to the qualitative composition of lipoprotein HDL. In addition to its pronounced hypolipidemic action, niacin exerts many other, non-hypolipidemic effects (e.g., antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic), which favorably influence the development and progression of atherosclerosis. These effects are dependent on activation of the specific receptor HCA2. Recent results published by the two large clinical studies, AIM-HIGH and HPS2-THRIVE, have led to the impugnation of niacin's role in future clinical practice. However, due to several methodological flaws in the AIM-HIGH and HPS2-THRIVE studies, the pleiotropic effects of niacin now deserve thorough evaluation. This review summarizes the present and possible future use of niacin in clinical practice in light of its newly recognized pleiotropic effects.

Comparison of hemorheological changes in patients after acute coronary events, intervention and ambulatory rehabilitation

During the past decades, our group have investigated the hemorheological parameters (HPs) of more than 1,000 patients with various forms of ischemic heart disease (IHD). Our data indicate that HPs are altered in patients with IHD and the extent of the alterations is in good correlation with the clinical severity of the disease. Our findings have also proven that HPs play a critical role in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia.The lack of regular exercise is an important cardiovascular risk factor. Regular physical activity - as part of the cardiovascular rehabilitation training program (CRP) - is recommended for the treatment of IHD and the prevention of first or further cardiovascular events. To estimate the beneficial hemorheological effects of CRP, compared to patients after a coronary event or intervention and not participating in CRP, the data of four of our prospective studies (three non-CRP and one CRP-participating) were evaluated.Hematocrit (Hct), plasma and whole blood viscosity (WBV), Hct/WBV ratio significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the non-CRP groups during the 6-12 months follow-up, while in the CRP group they significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Red blood cell aggregation decreased in a much greater manner in the CRP group.Our results indicate that CRP has beneficial hemorheological effects and is able to reverse the deterioration of HPs after coronary events or intervention.

The Relationship Between Circulating Fibrinogen and Lipoprotein (a) Levels in Patients With Primary Dyslipidemia

The correlation between 2 predictors of vascular events, plasma fibrinogen and serum lipoprotein (a), was evaluated in patients referred to a specialist clinic because of primary hyperlipidemia. A significant correlation existed between fibrinogen and lipoprotein (a) in nonsmokers but not in smokers. Plasma fibrinogen concentration correlated positively and significantly with serum lipoprotein (a) levels in men nonsmokers without cardiovascular disease and in women nonsmokers with cardiovascular disease. Nonsmoker women without cardiovascular disease had significantly higher plasma fibrinogen (3.63 g/L versus 3.07 g/L, P < .0001) than the corresponding men. Nonsmoker women with and without cardiovascular disease had significantly higher lipoprotein (a) levels than the corresponding groups of men (0.36 versus 0.18 g/L; P = .0015 and 0.40 versus 0.26 g/L; P = .008), respectively. The relationship between fibrinogen and lipoprotein (a) levels alters markedly depending on the population selected. This relationship is influenced by gender, the presence of cardiovascular disease and smoking status.

The role of hemorheological factors in cardiovascular medicine

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the most frequent cause of death throughout the world. The coronary vessel system is a special part of the circulation since there is a continuous change in blood flow, perfusion pressure and shear rate during each cardiac cycle. It is also the place of the narrowest capillaries in the human body, therefore the role of rheological alterations may be of greater importance than in the other parts of the circulatory system. During the past decades, our group has investigated hemorheological parameters (HP) in over 1,000 patients diagnosed with various forms of ischemic heart disease (IHD). In one prospective study, we measured the HP of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). On admission, all examined variables were significantly worse than those of control subjects. During the hospital phase, some of the HP showed further deterioration, and HP remained in the pathologic range during the follow-up period. In another study, we showed that HP are in close correlation with the severity of coronary artery disease. In patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention, changes in HP were very similar to those observed in subjects with ACS. In a recent study, we analyzed HP in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Our data suggest a hemorheological advantage of off-pump surgery. In another study low Hct/WBV ratio can be regarded as a risk factor of cardiac death in IHD. Our data indicate that rheological parameters are significantly altered in patients with IHD: the extent of the alterations is in excellent correlation with the clinical severity of the disease. Our findings prove that HP play a critical role in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia. In recent in vitro and in vivo studies we have investigated the effects of red wine on hemorheological parameters. Our results show that moderate red wine consumption has beneficial effects on hemorheological parameters which may contribute to the French paradox.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: coagulation anomalies and treatment with continuous positive airway pressure

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a highly prevalent sleep disorder associated with severe cardiovascular events, morbidity and mortality. Recent evidence has highlighted OSAS as an independent risk factor for an excessive platelet activation and arterial thrombosis, but the underlying mechanisms have not yet been determined. Studies in cell culture and animal models have significantly increased our understanding of the mechanisms of inflammation in OSAS. Hypoxia is a critical pathophysiological element that leads to an intense sympathetic activity, in association with systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and procoagulant activity. While platelet dysfunction and/or hypercoagulability play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular disease, there are limited studies on the potential role of blood viscosity in the development of vascular disease in OSAS.

CONCLUSION

Further studies are required to determine the precise role of hypercoagulability in the cardiovascular pathogenesis of OSAS, particularly its interaction with oxidative stress, thrombotic tendency and endothelial dysfunction. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP), the gold standard treatment for OSAS, not only significantly reduced apnea-hypopnoea indices but also markers of hypercoagulability, thus representing a potential mechanisms by which CPAP reduces the rate of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in OSAS patients.

Reduced plasminogen binding and delayed activation render γ'-fibrin more resistant to lysis than γA-fibrin

Fibrin (Fn) clots formed from γ'-fibrinogen (γ'-Fg), a variant with an elongated γ-chain, are resistant to lysis when compared with clots formed from the predominant γA-Fg, a finding previously attributed to differences in clot structure due to delayed thrombin-mediated fibrinopeptide (FP) B release or impaired cross-linking by factor XIIIa. We investigated whether slower lysis of γ'-Fn reflects delayed plasminogen (Pg) binding and/or activation by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), reduced plasmin-mediated proteolysis of γ'-Fn, and/or altered cross-linking. Clots formed from γ'-Fg lysed more slowly than those formed from γA-Fg when lysis was initiated with tPA/Pg when FPA and FPB were both released, but not when lysis was initiated with plasmin, or when only FPA was released. Pg bound to γ'-Fn with an association rate constant 22% lower than that to γA-Fn, and the lag time for initiation of Pg activation by tPA was longer with γ'-Fn than with γA-Fn. Once initiated, however, Pg activation kinetics were similar. Factor XIIIa had similar effects on clots formed from both Fg isoforms. Therefore, slower lysis of γ'-Fn clots reflects delayed FPB release, which results in delayed binding and activation of Pg. When clots were formed from Fg mixtures containing more than 20% γ'-Fg, the upper limit of the normal level, the delay in lysis was magnified. These data suggest that circulating levels of γ'-Fg modulate the susceptibility of clots to lysis by slowing Pg activation by tPA and provide another example of the intimate connections between coagulation and fibrinolysis.

Structural effects of methionine oxidation on isolated subdomains of human fibrin D and αC regions

Oxidation of key methionine residues on fibrin leads to altered fibrin polymerization producing severely altered fibrin gel structure and function. This is important because fibrinogen and its modification by oxidative stress have been implicated as key contributors to both pathological thrombotic and hemorrhagic diseases ranging from cardiovascular thrombosis to the acute coagulopathy of trauma. However, how oxidation leads to altered fibrin polymerization remains poorly understood at the molecular level. We have applied a powerful and novel well-tempered ensemble parallel tempering (PT-WTE) technique along with conventional molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to investigate the molecular-level consequences of selective methionine oxidation of fibrinogen. We offer new insights into molecular mechanisms of oxidation-induced changes in fibrin polymerization, while focusing on the D region knob ‘B’ and hole ‘b’ interaction and αC-domain interactions, both of which are hypothesized to contribute to the lateral aggregation mechanism of fibrin fibrils. Methionine oxidation did not alter the native state or the stability of a bound knob ‘B’ surrogate when interacting with hole ‘b’ in the D region. However, applying PT-WTE simulation to a human homology model of the bovine N-terminal subdomain fragment from the αC-domain revealed that methionine oxidation altered the conformation of the hairpin-linking region to favor open rather than closed hairpin structures. We attribute this alteration to the disruption of the hairpin-linking region's conformation, with oxidation increasing the radius of gyration for this segment. This result is in agreement with experimental data demonstrating decreased fibrin protofibril lateral aggregation when methionine oxidation is present in the same αC-domain fragment. Therefore, single methionine oxidation within the αC-domain is a likely molecular mechanism.

Influence of the β-fibrinogen-455G/A polymorphism on development of ischemic stroke and coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

Ischemic stroke (IS) and coronary heart disease (CHD) are two vascular disorders that are a common cause of death worldwide. Several studies have assessed the association of the β-fibrinogen-455G/A (FGB-455G/A) polymorphism and risk of IS and CHD, but the results are still inconsistent. Our study aimed to investigate whether the FGB-455G/A polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to IS and CHD by using meta-analysis.

METHODS

Relevant studies were identified from PubMed, Embase and four Chinese database up to July 2013.Data were analyzed and processed by Stata 11.2. A pooled OR with 95% CI was calculated to estimate the strength of the genetic association. Cumulative meta-analysis was performed to assess the tendency of pooled OR over time.

RESULTS

45 studies based on a total of 7238 cases and 7395 controls were included in our meta-analysis. The results indicated that the FGB-455G/A polymorphism is associated with the risk of IS when compared with the dominant model (OR=1.518, 95%CI=1.279-1.802 for AA+GA vs. GG). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significantly elevated risks were associated with the A allele in Asians (OR=1.700, 95%CI=1.417-2.040), but not in Caucasians (OR=0.942, 95%CI=0.813-1.091). Both the hypertension and non-hypertension subgroups reached significant results, but no significance was found when stratified according to sex or subtype of IS. Results indicate that the FGB-455G/A polymorphism is associated with CHD (OR=1.802, 95%CI=1.445-2.246).

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis suggests that the FGB-455G/A polymorphism contributes to susceptibility to IS and CHD.

Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation (300 mg/day) on antioxidation and anti-inflammation in coronary artery disease patients during statins therapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Background

High oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Coenzyme Q10 is an endogenous lipid-soluble antioxidant. Statins therapy can reduce the biosynthesis of coenzyme Q10. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a coenzyme Q10 supplement (300 mg/d; 150 mg/b.i.d) on antioxidation and anti-inflammation in patients who have CAD during statins therapy.

Methods

Patients who were identified by cardiac catheterization as having at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery and who were treated with statins for at least one month were enrolled in this study. The subjects (n = 51) were randomly assigned to the placebo (n = 24) and coenzyme Q10 groups (Q10-300 group, n = 27). The intervention was administered for 12 weeks. The concentrations of coenzyme Q10, vitamin E, antioxidant enzymes activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase), and inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] were measured in the 42 subjects (placebo, n = 19; Q10-300, n = 23) who completed the study.

Results

The levels of the plasma coenzyme Q10 (P < 0.001) and antioxidant enzymes activities (P < 0.05) were significantly higher after coenzyme Q10 supplementation. The levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, P = 0.039) were significantly lower after coenzyme Q10 supplementation. The subjects in the Q10-300 group had significantly higher vitamin E (P = 0.043) and the antioxidant enzymes activities (P < 0.05) than the placebo group at week 12. The level of plasma coenzyme Q10 was significantly positively correlated with vitamin E (P = 0.008) and antioxidant enzymes activities (P < 0.05) and was negatively correlated with TNF-α (P = 0.034) and IL-6 (P = 0.027) after coenzyme Q10 supplementation.

Conclusion

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation at 300 mg/d significantly enhances antioxidant enzymes activities and lowers inflammation in patients who have CAD during statins therapy.

Trial registration

Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT01424761.

The prognostic value of plasma fibrinogen concentrations of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction and treated by primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a cautionary message

BACKGROUND

Fibrinogen elevation is associated with a worse prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of the present study was to assess the prognostic value of increased fibrinogen concentrations in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

A total of 428 STEMI patients treated with primary PCI were retrospectively selected (median age: 62 years; 82.5% males) from a continuous case series of 832 ACS patients. Plasma fibrinogen concentrations were measured before PCI and after 24, 48, and 72 hours. In the 4-year follow-up, one major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) occurred in 111 patients (40%): 17 re-STEMI (7%), 64 re-PCI (22%), 22 cardiac deaths (7%), and eight non ST-elevated acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS, 4%).

RESULTS

According to the reference change value, fibrinogen concentrations increased in 25% of patients at 24 h, 64% at 48 h and 19% at 72 h. Only fibrinogen concentrations at 48 h showed a mild association with overall MACEs (p = 0.036): the risk increased, starting from a concentration of 4 g/L. However a further multivariate model did not confirm any prognostic value. No association with specific MACEs emerged.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to NSTEACS patients, fibrinogen concentrations increased slightly in STEMI patients after primary PCI, however, they were not as prognostic as for MACEs.

Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in healthy participants and patients with various diseases

BACKGROUND

Our systematic review has demonstrated that antioxidant supplements may increase mortality. We have now updated this review.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in adults.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, the Science Citation Index Expanded, and Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science to February 2011. We scanned bibliographies of relevant publications and asked pharmaceutical companies for additional trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all primary and secondary prevention randomised clinical trials on antioxidant supplements (beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium) versus placebo or no intervention.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Three authors extracted data. Random-effects and fixed-effect model meta-analyses were conducted. Risk of bias was considered in order to minimise the risk of systematic errors. Trial sequential analyses were conducted to minimise the risk of random errors. Random-effects model meta-regression analyses were performed to assess sources of intertrial heterogeneity.

MAIN RESULTS

Seventy-eight randomised trials with 296,707 participants were included. Fifty-six trials including 244,056 participants had low risk of bias. Twenty-six trials included 215,900 healthy participants. Fifty-two trials included 80,807 participants with various diseases in a stable phase. The mean age was 63 years (range 18 to 103 years). The mean proportion of women was 46%. Of the 78 trials, 46 used the parallel-group design, 30 the factorial design, and 2 the cross-over design. All antioxidants were administered orally, either alone or in combination with vitamins, minerals, or other interventions. The duration of supplementation varied from 28 days to 12 years (mean duration 3 years; median duration 2 years). Overall, the antioxidant supplements had no significant effect on mortality in a random-effects model meta-analysis (21,484 dead/183,749 (11.7%) versus 11,479 dead/112,958 (10.2%); 78 trials, relative risk (RR) 1.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98 to 1.05) but significantly increased mortality in a fixed-effect model (RR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.05). Heterogeneity was low with an I(2)- of 12%. In meta-regression analysis, the risk of bias and type of antioxidant supplement were the only significant predictors of intertrial heterogeneity. Meta-regression analysis did not find a significant difference in the estimated intervention effect in the primary prevention and the secondary prevention trials. In the 56 trials with a low risk of bias, the antioxidant supplements significantly increased mortality (18,833 dead/146,320 (12.9%) versus 10,320 dead/97,736 (10.6%); RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07). This effect was confirmed by trial sequential analysis. Excluding factorial trials with potential confounding showed that 38 trials with low risk of bias demonstrated a significant increase in mortality (2822 dead/26,903 (10.5%) versus 2473 dead/26,052 (9.5%); RR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.15). In trials with low risk of bias, beta-carotene (13,202 dead/96,003 (13.8%) versus 8556 dead/77,003 (11.1%); 26 trials, RR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.09) and vitamin E (11,689 dead/97,523 (12.0%) versus 7561 dead/73,721 (10.3%); 46 trials, RR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.05) significantly increased mortality, whereas vitamin A (3444 dead/24,596 (14.0%) versus 2249 dead/16,548 (13.6%); 12 trials, RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.18), vitamin C (3637 dead/36,659 (9.9%) versus 2717 dead/29,283 (9.3%); 29 trials, RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.07), and selenium (2670 dead/39,779 (6.7%) versus 1468 dead/22,961 (6.4%); 17 trials, RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.03) did not significantly affect mortality. In univariate meta-regression analysis, the dose of vitamin A was significantly associated with increased mortality (RR 1.0006, 95% CI 1.0002 to 1.001, P = 0.002).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements for primary or secondary prevention. Beta-carotene and vitamin E seem to increase mortality, and so may higher doses of vitamin A. Antioxidant supplements need to be considered as medicinal products and should undergo sufficient evaluation before marketing.

Detailed evaluation of a newly attained fungal pigment from Monascus purpureus in meat burgers

Beef burgers with red pigment extracted from Monascus purpureus, used as a natural colouring agent, were examined for chemical compositions, physical properties, microbiological aspects and organoleptic evaluation. Beef burgers with Monascus pigment showed higher nutritional values compared with control samples. Nutritional values were proportionally enhanced by increasing pigment concentration. Synthetic dye samples had the lowest values of nutrients. Cooking loss percentage and water holding capacity were lower in all treatments compared with control samples, and vice versa for plasticity. The initial total bacterial count, Staphylococcus aureus count and coliform count were determined. Extending storage period up to 90 days severely reduced all tested microorganisms. By increasing the M. pigment concentration, the colour was significantly increased. Insignificant differences in colours were noticed among various treatments. Flavour and body and texture scores were insignificantly different. Microbial inhibition percentage of beef burger samples was increased by increasing the Monascus pigment concentration up to 0.8 g/kg.

Environmental and occupational exposure to lead as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease

We have evaluated current knowledge on relations between environmental and occupational exposure to lead with a strong emphasis on cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as the influence of lead compounds on lipid disturbances and arterial blood pressure. In addition, "novel" biochemical and vascular risk factors for cardiovascular diseases were discussed, as well as the combination of lead exposure and genetic predisposition to cardiovascular diseases. Occupationally and educationally, awareness of the unfavourable effects of lead on cardiovascular diseases risk factors should be emphasised. Indeed, accurate identification of the various mechanisms that might account for the effects of lead on the cardiovascular system should be of the highest priority in this field of research.

Smoking and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: Part I: atherosclerotic disease process

The normal endothelium inhibits platelet and leukocyte adhesion to the vascular surface maintaining a balance of profibrinolytic and prothrombotic activity. Endothelial function is assessed largely as endothelium-dependent vasomotion, partly based on the assumption that impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation reflects the alteration of important endothelial functions. Atherosclerotic risk factors, such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes and smoking, are associated with endothelial dysfunction. In the diseased endothelium, the balance between pro- and antithrombotic, pro- and anti-inflammatory, pro- and antiadhesive or pro- and antioxidant effects shifts towards a proinflammatory, prothrombotic, pro-oxidative and proadhesive phenotype of the endothelium. A common mechanism underlying endothelial dysfunction is related to the increased vascular production of reactive oxygen species. Recent studies suggest that inflammation per se, and C-reactive protein in particular, may contribute directly to endothelial dysfunction. The loss of endothelial integrity is a hallmark of atherosclerosis and the causal possible link between each individual risk factor, the development of atherosclerosis and the subsequent clinical events, such as myocardial infarction or stroke.

Antioxidant supplements for preventing gastrointestinal cancers

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress may cause gastrointestinal cancers. The evidence on whether antioxidant supplements are effective in preventing gastrointestinal cancers is contradictory.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the beneficial and harmful effects of antioxidant supplements in preventing gastrointestinal cancers.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We identified trials through the trials registers of the four Cochrane Review Groups on gastrointestinal diseases, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2007), MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, SCI-EXPANDED, and The Chinese Biomedical Database from inception to October 2007. We scanned reference lists and contacted pharmaceutical companies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised trials comparing antioxidant supplements to placebo/no intervention examining occurrence of gastrointestinal cancers.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors (GB and DN) independently selected trials for inclusion and extracted data. Outcome measures were gastrointestinal cancers, overall mortality, and adverse effects. Outcomes were reported as relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) based on random-effects and fixed-effect model meta-analysis. Meta-regression assessed the effect of covariates across the trials.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 20 randomised trials (211,818 participants), assessing beta-carotene (12 trials), vitamin A (4 trials), vitamin C (8 trials), vitamin E (10 trials), and selenium (9 trials). Trials quality was generally high. Heterogeneity was low to moderate. Antioxidant supplements were without significant effects on gastrointestinal cancers (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.06). However, there was significant heterogeneity (I(2) = 54.0%, P = 0.003). The heterogeneity may have been explained by bias risk (low-bias risk trials RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.13 compared to high-bias risk trials RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.80; test of interaction P < 0.0005), and type of antioxidant supplement (beta-carotene potentially increasing and selenium potentially decreasing cancer risk). The antioxidant supplements had no significant effects on mortality in a random-effects model meta-analysis (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.07, I(2) = 53.5%), but significantly increased mortality in a fixed-effect model meta-analysis (RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.07). Beta-carotene in combination with vitamin A (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.23) and vitamin E (RR 1.06, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.11) significantly increased mortality. Increased yellowing of the skin and belching were non-serious adverse effects of beta-carotene. In five trials (four with high risk of bias), selenium seemed to show significant beneficial effect on gastrointestinal cancer occurrence (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.75, I(2) = 0%).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We could not find convincing evidence that antioxidant supplements prevent gastrointestinal cancers. On the contrary, antioxidant supplements seem to increase overall mortality. The potential cancer preventive effect of selenium should be tested in adequately conducted randomised trials.

A Comparison of Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Patients Treated for Three Months with Etoricoxib, Celecoxib, Ibuprofen, and Placebo

OBJECTIVES: Selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors are effective analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents with improved gastrointestinal safety and tolerability compared with traditional NSAIDs. However, data from long-term, placebo-controlled studies have shown an increased risk of thrombotic cardiovascular (CV) events for COX-2 inhibitors. Changes in levels of CV biomarkers are potentially useful surrogate measures of pathologic changes associated with CV risk. METHODS: We randomized 433 patients with osteoarthritis to etoricoxib 90 mg once daily, celecoxib 200 mg twice daily, ibuprofen 800 mg three times daily, or placebo for 12 weeks. The hypothesis was that etoricoxib would be non-inferior or superior to placebo in effect on C-reactive protein (CRP), LDL-cholesterol, homocysteine, and fibrinogen. RESULTS: Relative to placebo, etoricoxib was noninferior for effect on CRP (decreased 7.8% vs. placebo; 97.5% CI of the difference: -30.5, 22.4), LDL-C (-4.0% vs. placebo; 97.5% CI: -10.6, 3.2), homocysteine (-3.9% vs. placebo; 97.5% CI: -11.6, 4.6), and fibrinogen (-3.7% vs. placebo; 97.5% CI: -9.4, 2.3). Etoricoxib was not different from placebo, celecoxib, or ibuprofen for any biomarker. CONCLUSION: Etoricoxib was comparable to placebo, celecoxib, and ibuprofen for effects on the CV risk markers measured.

Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in healthy participants and patients with various diseases

BACKGROUND

Animal and physiological research as well as observational studies suggest that antioxidant supplements may improve survival.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of antioxidant supplements on mortality in primary or secondary prevention randomised clinical trials.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to October 2005), EMBASE (1985 to October 2005), and the Science Citation Index Expanded (1945 to October 2005). We scanned bibliographies of relevant publications and wrote to pharmaceutical companies for additional trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all primary and secondary prevention randomised clinical trials on antioxidant supplements (beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium) versus placebo or no intervention. Included participants were either healthy (primary prevention trials) or had any disease (secondary prevention trials).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Three authors extracted data. Trials with adequate randomisation, blinding, and follow-up were classified as having a low risk of bias. Random-effects and fixed-effect meta-analyses were performed. Random-effects meta-regression analyses were performed to assess sources of intertrial heterogeneity.

MAIN RESULTS

Sixty-seven randomised trials with 232,550 participants were included. Forty-seven trials including 180,938 participants had low risk of bias. Twenty-one trials included 164,439 healthy participants. Forty-six trials included 68111 participants with various diseases (gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neurological, ocular, dermatological, rheumatoid, renal, endocrinological, or unspecified). Overall, the antioxidant supplements had no significant effect on mortality in a random-effects meta-analysis (relative risk [RR] 1.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99 to 1.06), but significantly increased mortality in a fixed-effect model (RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.06). In meta-regression analysis, the risk of bias and type of antioxidant supplement were the only significant predictors of intertrial heterogeneity. In the trials with a low risk of bias, the antioxidant supplements significantly increased mortality (RR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.08). When the different antioxidants were assessed separately, analyses including trials with a low risk of bias and excluding selenium trials found significantly increased mortality by vitamin A (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.24), beta-carotene (RR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.11), and vitamin E (RR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.07), but no significant detrimental effect of vitamin C (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.20). Low-bias risk trials on selenium found no significant effect on mortality (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.09).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found no evidence to support antioxidant supplements for primary or secondary prevention. Vitamin A, beta-carotene, and vitamin E may increase mortality. Future randomised trials could evaluate the potential effects of vitamin C and selenium for primary and secondary prevention. Such trials should be closely monitored for potential harmful effects. Antioxidant supplements need to be considered medicinal products and should undergo sufficient evaluation before marketing.

Inflammation in atherosclerosis: from vascular biology to biomarker discovery and risk prediction

Recent investigations of atherosclerosis have focused on inflammation, providing new insight into mechanisms of disease. Inflammatory cytokines involved in vascular inflammation stimulate the generation of endothelial adhesion molecules, proteases, and other mediators, which may enter the circulation in soluble form. These primary cytokines also induce production of the messenger cytokine interleukin-6, which stimulates the liver to increase production of acute-phase reactants such as C-reactive protein. In addition, platelets and adipose tissue can generate inflammatory mediators relevant to atherothrombosis. Despite the irreplaceable utility of plasma lipid profiles in assessment of atherosclerotic risk, these profiles provide an incomplete picture. Indeed, many cardiovascular events occur in individuals with plasma cholesterol concentrations below the National Cholesterol Education Program thresholds of 200 mg/dL for total cholesterol and 130 mg/dL for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The concept of the involvement of inflammation in atherosclerosis has spurred the discovery and adoption of inflammatory biomarkers for cardiovascular risk prediction. C-reactive protein is currently the best validated inflammatory biomarker; in addition, soluble CD40 ligand, adiponectin, interleukin 18, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 may provide additional information for cardiovascular risk stratification and prediction. This review retraces the biology of atherothrombosis and the evidence supporting the role of inflammatory biomarkers in predicting primary cardiovascular events in this biologic context.

Fibrinogen and high-sensitive C-reactive protein as serologic predictors for perioperative cerebral microembolic lesions after carotid endarterectomy

BACKGROUND

Neurologic deficit caused by cerebral ischemia defines the outcome of carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Although few patients have clinically evident neurologic deficit, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) presents a number of cases with ischemic brain lesions. This study should elucidate preoperative risk factors for perioperative microemboli that cause brain infarction.

METHODS

We studied 183 patients (58 women, 69.2 +/-12.7 years; 125 men, 69.3 +/- 8.9 years) with high-degree carotid artery stenosis. DWI was performed before and after CEA to analyze new cerebral ischemia. Blood samples were obtained before operation to measure fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP), and preoperative high-sensitive CRP (hsCRP) was analyzed in 30 consecutive patients.

RESULTS

Postoperative DWI revealed new ipsilateral ischemic lesions in 41 patients (22.4%), and eight (4.4%) showed new neurologic deficit. Preoperative fibrinogen levels were higher in patients with new lesions (397.6 mg/dL +/- 104.7 mg/dL) than in those without (324.7 mg/dL +/- 74.2 mg/dL, P < .001). Preoperative levels of hsCRP were also higher in patients with new lesions (7.9 mg/dL +/- 5.2 mg/dL) than in those without (2.8 mg/dL +/- 2.6 mg/dL, P = .004). Significant association was found between fibrinogen and CRP (Spearman rho = 0.402; P < .001) as well as hsCRP (Spearman rho = 0.603, P = .003). No association was found between postoperative lesions and CRP (P = .833).

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrates that preoperative levels of fibrinogen and hsCRP are independent determinants for new periprocedural cerebral ischemic lesions caused by microembolic events. There is still not sufficient evidence to recommend measurement of CRP as a prognostic marker for perioperative cerebral lesion.

The relative kinetics of clotting and lysis provide a biochemical rationale for the correlation between elevated fibrinogen and cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND

Elevated plasma fibrinogen is a well known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The mechanistic rationale for this is not known.

OBJECTIVES

These studies were carried out to determine the fibrinogen concentration dependencies of clotting and lysis times and thereby determine whether these times rationalize the correlation between an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and elevated plasma fibrinogen.

METHODS

The time courses of clot formation and lysis were measured by turbidity in systems comprising a) fibrinogen, thrombin and plasmin, or b) fibrinogen, thrombin, plasminogen and t-PA, or c) plasma, thrombin and t-PA. From the lysis times, k(cat) and K(m) values for plasmin action on fibrin were determined.

RESULTS

The time to clot increased linearly from 2.9 to 5.6 minutes as the fibrinogen concentration increased from 1 to 9 microM and did not increase further as the fibrinogen concentration was raised to 20 microM. In contrast, the clot lysis time increased linearly over the input fibrinogen concentration range of 2 to 20 microM. A similar linear trend was found in the two systems with t-PA and plasminogen. Apparent K(m) and k(cat) values for plasmin were 1.1 +/- 0.6 microM and 28 +/- 2 min(-1), respectively. K(m) values for plasmin in experiments initiated with t-PA and plasminogen were 1.6 +/- 0.2 microM in the purified system and 2.1 +/- 0.9 microM in plasma.

CONCLUSION

As the concentration of fibrinogen increases, especially above physiologic level, the balance between fibrinolysis and clotting shifts toward the latter, providing a rationale for the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with elevated fibrinogen.

Acute phase proteins: C-reactive protein and fibrinogen in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are characterized by several metabolic abnormalities that favor the development of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is possibly a chronic inflammatory process, and the markers of the inflammatory state, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen may be useful to assess the global risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. These proteins might be helpful in finding females with subclinical atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to assess the serum CRP and fibrinogen concentrations in young females with PCOS and to clarify the possible correlations between their levels and selected anthropometric, metabolic and hormonal indices. Study assessed a group of 57 females with PCOS (mean age 28.2+/-6.4 years). That group was further divided into two subgroups: the first with body mass index (BMI)</=25 (21 females of mean age 27.4+/-7.0 years) and second with BMI>25 (36 females of mean age 28.6+/-6.0 years). In the control group there were 22 healthy females (mean age 31.6+/-8.5 years). That group was again divided into two subgroups: the first with BMI</=25 (10 females, mean age 30.2+/-8.4 years) and second with BMI>25 (12 females, mean age 31.7+/-8.7 years). Results demonstrated statistically significantly higher CRP concentration in females with PCOS compared to healthy individuals in both BMI subgroups. PCOS females showed also higher plasma insulin levels. There was, however, no statistically significant difference in fibrinogen concentrations. The hormonal profile of females with PCOS seems to influence the concentration of CRP and fibrinogen in different ways. This was evident in the positive correlation between plasma fibrinogen and androstenedione and in the lack of correlation between CRP and androgens and in the positive correlation between CRP and estradiol and the negative correlation between fibrinogen and estradiol. In conclusion, high CRP concentration in females with PCOS probably speaks for a higher risk for cardiovascular diseases.

Hemostatic factors in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations

Hemostatic processes are important in precipitating myocardial infarction and stroke. Elevated plasma fibrinogen is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but the results of previous studies on the association of plasma factor VIIc activity with CVD and diabetes have been inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to explore the association of plasma fibrinogen and factor VIIc to clinical characteristics and estimated coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Cross-sectional surveys of Australian Aboriginal people (n = 852) and Torres Strait Islanders (n = 276) aged 15 years and older were conducted from 1993 to 1995. Anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure, fasting plasma fibrinogen, factor VIIc, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose were measured. Levels of fibrinogen (mean, 95% confidence interval) for Aboriginal (3.52, 3.44-3.59 g/L) and Torres Strait Islander people (3.62, 3.49-3.75 g/L) were higher compared with previous reports from other populations. Factor VIIc (mean, 95% confidence interval) was especially high in Torres Strait Islanders (116%, 111%-122%) compared with Aboriginal people (99%, 97%-102%). Fibrinogen increased with age in both ethnic groups and sexes. Fibrinogen was independently associated with female sex, body mass index, renal dysfunction, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and diabetes, whereas the independent predictors for factor VIIc were Torres Strait Islander ethnicity, female sex, body mass index, renal dysfunction, and total cholesterol. Average fibrinogen levels were high (>3.5 mg/dL) even for people considered "below average risk of coronary heart disease" according to conventional risk factor levels. For Aboriginal women, levels of fibrinogen and factor VIIc were significantly higher for persons at high risk than those at below average risk. The data suggest that plasma fibrinogen and factor VIIc might be important factors mediating the elevated CVD in Australian Indigenous Peoples. These data may have implications for prevention and treatment of CVD in Australian Indigenous communities.

The Interleukin-6 inflammation pathway from cholesterol to aging--role of statins, bisphosphonates and plant polyphenols in aging and age-related diseases

We describe the inflammation pathway from Cholesterol to Aging. Interleukin 6 mediated inflammation is implicated in age-related disorders including Atherosclerosis, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Coronary Artery Disease, Osteoporosis, Type 2 Diabetes, Dementia and Alzheimer's disease and some forms of Arthritis and Cancer. Statins and Bisphosphonates inhibit Interleukin 6 mediated inflammation indirectly through regulation of endogenous cholesterol synthesis and isoprenoid depletion. Polyphenolic compounds found in plants, fruits and vegetables inhibit Interleukin 6 mediated inflammation by direct inhibition of the signal transduction pathway. Therapeutic targets for the control of all the above diseases should include inhibition of Interleukin-6 mediated inflammation.

Decreased Hemoglobin Levels Are Associated with Higher Plasma Level of Fibrinogen, Irrespective of Age

BACKGROUND

Increased plasma levels of fibrinogen are been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular accident. We aimed at verifying whether the changes of fibrinogen levels are associated with red blood cell (and/or hemoglobin) concentration.

METHODS

A group of 381 carefully selected healthy volunteers (219 male and 162 female), aged from 18 to 101 years, were enrolled in this study. Fasting blood samples were taken and all measurements (fibrinogen plasma level, whole blood viscosity, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value, red blood cell and white blood cell count, platelet count, glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides plasma concentration, and C-reactive protein level) were obtained with standardized methodology using appropriate equipment, procedures, and controls.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

In the male but not in the female group, plasma fibrinogen concentration inversely correlated with hemoglobin (P < 0.0001) and hematocrit value (P < 0.01). In a post hoc analysis, plasma fibrinogen level inversely correlated with hemoglobin in the subgroup of the 93 premenopausal women and directly correlated with age and inversely correlated with platelet count in the subgroup of the 69 postmenopausal women. Results of multiple regression analysis revealed that in all the subjects, except in the postmenopausal women, hemoglobin level is an independent predictor of fibrinogen plasma level. Considering the physiopathologic role of increased plasma fibrinogen concentration and the scarcity of pharmacologic approaches to decrease its level, these findings could be important in designing a preventive therapy of cardiovascular disease.

Fibrinogen plasma levels modify the association between the factor XIII Val34Leu variant and risk of coronary artery disease: the EPIC-Norfolk prospective population study

BACKGROUND

The factor (F) XIII Val34Leu variant has been implicated in coronary artery disease (CAD). In vitro evidence suggests an interaction between this variant and fibrinogen concentrations in determining thrombus structure.

OBJECTIVES

To test whether this interaction is relevant in influencing coronary risk in apparently healthy individuals.

METHODS

In an 8-year prospective population study of 25 663 men and women, we compared 898 apparently healthy men and women developing incident CAD with 1580 matched controls.

RESULTS

Overall, the FXIII Val34Leu variant was not associated with the risk of future CAD. However, a significant interaction existed between the Val34Leu variant and fibrinogen levels for the risk of future CAD (P = 0.004). Among people in the lowest tertile of fibrinogen concentrations, LeuLeu carriers had an odds ratio (OR) of 2.88 (95% confidence interval; CI 1.24-6.74) compared to wild-type individuals (P for linearity = 0.003). By contrast, among those in the highest fibrinogen tertile, LeuLeu carriers were had a lower risk than wild-type individuals (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.18-1.17, P for linearity = 0.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that a significant gene-covariate interaction exists between the FXIII Val34Leu variant and fibrinogen levels. Relationships between genotype and disease risk may be altered by biological covariates. Simplistic paradigms of gene or biomarker associations are unlikely to fully characterize disease risk in populations.

Inflammatory and Long-term Risk Markers

Evidence indicates that the process of atherosclerosis has an inflammatory component. Markers of inflammation have been explored as a means for assessing (predicting) risk for the disease. Studies that evaluated the usefulness of fibrinogen, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, myeloperoxidase, and soluble CD40 ligand for risk prediction are reviewed. Criteria for identifying a clinically useful test are discussed, along with the use of relative risk as a means for making clinically useful comparisons. It is concluded that clinically useful markers for routine screening and risk stratification have not been established, that prospective studies will be necessary to confirm the usefulness of current markers, and that on the basis of current knowledge, it will be a challenge to show that any of those inflammatory markers discussed herein will meet the needed criteria. Continued research into basic mechanisms by which inflammation acts in atherosclerosis may be necessary to identify useful markers for prediction.

A longitudinal population-based study of prothrombotic factors in elderly subjects with atrial fibrillation: the Rotterdam Study 1990-1999

BACKGROUND

A prothrombotic or hypercoagulable state in atrial fibrillation may contribute to stroke and thromboembolism. Results of longitudinal population-based studies in elderly people with atrial fibrillation are not yet available.

METHODS

In the Rotterdam Study, a population-based prospective cohort study, 162 participants with atrial fibrillation at baseline, aged 55 years and over, were matched for age and gender with 324 people in sinus rhythm. Associations were examined between three coagulation factors and the risk of total and cardiac mortality and stroke. Hazard rate ratios were calculated with 95% confidence intervals using Cox's proportional hazards model, adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Plasma von Willebrand factor was, age- and gender-adjusted, associated with cardiac mortality in the total population (relative risk 1.16; 1.06-1.27, per 10 IU dL(-1) increase), but statistical significance was lost after additional adjustments. A strong association (1.27; 1.08-1.50, per 5-unit increase) was found between soluble P-selectin (sP-sel) and cardiac mortality in atrial fibrillation patients but not in participants in sinus rhythm. Furthermore, the expected association between fibrinogen and cardiac mortality was observed only in those in sinus rhythm (2.60; 1.69-4.01, per unit increase), and not in atrial fibrillation. No associations were found between coagulation factors and stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

In this population-based study, plasma levels of sP-sel predicted clinical adverse outcomes in atrial fibrillation, suggesting a role of platelets in the prothrombotic state associated with atrial fibrillation. Fibrinogen was a risk factor of cardiac and all-cause mortality in sinus rhythm, but not in atrial fibrillation.

Additive value of immunoassay-measured fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels for predicting incident cardiovascular events

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines suggest measuring high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as an aid to coronary risk assessment in adults without cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whether other inflammatory biomarkers, such as fibrinogen, add further prognostic information is uncertain.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a prospective study of 27,742 initially healthy middle-aged women, the associations of baseline immunoassay fibrinogen and hs-CRP measurements with incident CVD were examined over a 10-year follow-up period. Compared with women in the bottom biomarker quintile, age-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for incident CVD for quintiles 2 to 5 of fibrinogen were 1.10 (0.86 to 1.41), 1.30 (1.03 to 1.65), 1.46 (1.16 to 1.85), and 2.43 (1.95 to 3.02); for hs-CRP they were 1.48 (1.06 to 2.05), 1.70 (1.24 to 2.33), 2.20 (1.63 to 2.96), and 3.24 (2.43 to 4.31). After further adjustment for established risk factors, both biomarkers remained associated (P for trend < or = 0.001) with incident CVD (hazard ratio, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.71 for top fibrinogen quintile; and hazard ratio, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.22 to 2.29 for top hs-CRP quintile compared with the bottom quintiles). Further adjustment for the other biomarker resulted in hazard ratios of 1.23 and 1.56 (P for trend = 0.02 and 0.002), respectively. Although fibrinogen correlated positively with hs-CRP (rs = 0.41, P < 0.001), the highest CVD risk was associated with elevated levels of both fibrinogen and hs-CRP: age-adjusted hazard ratio of 3.45 (95% CI, 2.60 to 4.57) for women with fibrinogen > 393 mg/dL and hs-CRP > 3 mg/L compared with < 329 mg/dL and < 1 mg/L, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort of initially healthy women, baseline levels of fibrinogen measured with a high-quality immunoassay provided additive value to hs-CRP and traditional risk factors in predicting incident CVD.

Folic acid, inflammation, and atherosclerosis: False hopes or the need for better trials?

An increasing body of evidence supports the existence of a strong link between inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. However, a cause-effect relationship between these phenomena has not been demonstrated yet. Although some inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein, have been recently shown to improve risk stratification and to strongly predict cardiovascular outcome, it is largely unknown whether modifications of these markers might provide salutary effects and reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The B-vitamin folic acid has recently gained attention because of its potential to provide beneficial effects on surrogate end-points, such as endothelial function, in patients at high cardiovascular risk. However, the role of folic acid in mitigating the pro-inflammatory state associated with atherosclerosis is controversial. Despite the theoretical arguments supporting the potential anti-atherosclerotic and anti-inflammatory effects of folic acid, the current evidence is limited, deriving from small trials on different study populations, using folic acid often in combination with other vitamins and for different treatment periods. This review will consider the current evidence supporting the role of some well-established inflammatory markers in predicting cardiovascular outcomes, the mechanisms by which folic acid might exert anti-inflammatory effects, the epidemiological data relating folic acid concentrations with inflammatory markers, the published interventional studies on the effects of folic acid supplementation on these markers, and the factors that need to be considered in designing future trials.

Soluble CD40L versus myocyte enhancer factor: predicting a prominent marker for cardiovascular disease

Atherosclerosis (ACS) has set off the innovation of molecular markers measured in plasma or serum, and used for the identification of individuals at high risk of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). In an attempt to improve cardiovascular risk prediction, considerable interest is focused on inflammatory biomarkers including Interleukin (IL)-6, Phospholamban (PLB), Myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A), and Soluble CD40 ligand. In this paper, signal-processing techniques predicted the characteristic frequencies of the above-mentioned proteins, and common binding sites. The CD40L characteristic frequency, 0.3555+/-0.0001, is correlated with Protease inhibitors and the second peak, 0.4531+/-0.0009, is closely related to Fgfs. This study also revealed that for MEF2A, the characteristic frequency, 0.0488+/-0.0001, is specific for enhancers DNA regulating sequences. The remaining frequencies, 0.3672 +/-0.0001 and 0.4648+/-0.0002, are characteristic of the Myocyte Protease inhibiting activity and SOS operator function. Furthermore, clinical data suggested that the increased levels of CD40L reliably identify the subgroup of patients with ACS who are at highest risk for cardiac events. It is suggested that CD40L is a most prominent candidate for early detection of cardiac disease.

Does Treating Subclinical Hypothyroidism Improve Markers of Cardiovascular Risk?

Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as an elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level in the face of normal free thyroid hormone values. The overall prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is 4-10% in the general population and up to 20% in women aged >60 years. The potential benefits and risks of therapy for subclinical hypothyroidism have been debated for 2 decades, and a consensus is still lacking. Besides avoiding the progression to overt hypothyroidism, the decision to treat patients with subclinical hypothyroidism relies mainly on the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular alterations. Subclinical hypothyroidism causes changes in cardiovascular function similar to, but less marked than, those occurring in patients with overt hypothyroidism. Diastolic dysfunction both at rest and upon effort is the most consistent cardiac abnormality in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, and also in those with slightly elevated TSH levels (>6 mIU/L). Moreover, mild thyroid failure may increase diastolic blood pressure as a result of increased systemic vascular resistance. Restoration of euthyroidism by levothyroxine replacement is generally able to improve all these abnormalities. Early clinical and autopsy studies had suggested an association between subclinical hypothyroidism and coronary heart disease, which has been subsequently confirmed by some, but not all, large cross-sectional and prospective studies. Altered coagulation parameters, elevated lipoprotein (a) levels, and low-grade chronic inflammation are regarded to coalesce with the hypercholesterolemia of untreated patients with subclinical hypothyroidism to enhance the ischemic cardiovascular risk. Although a consensus is still lacking, the strongest evidence for a beneficial effect of levothyroxine replacement on markers of cardiovascular risk is the substantial demonstration that restoration of euthyroidism can lower both total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels in most patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. However, the actual effectiveness of thyroid hormone substitution in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events remains to be elucidated. In conclusion, the multiplicity and the possible reversibility of subclinical hypothyroidism-associated cardiovascular abnormalities suggest that the decision to treat a patient should depend on the presence of risk factors, rather than on a TSH threshold. On the other hand, levothyroxine replacement therapy can always be discontinued if there is no apparent benefit. Levothyroxine replacement therapy is usually safe providing that excessive administration is avoided by monitoring serum TSH levels. However, the possibility that restoring euthyroidism may be harmful in the oldest of the elderly population of hypothyroid patients has been recently raised, and should be taken into account in making the decision to treat patients with subclinical hypothyroidism who are aged >85 years.

Aspirin Resistance

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have described the incidence (approximately one in eight high-risk patients will experience a further atherothrombotic event over a 2-year period) of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) resistance and its possible background. The aim of this study was to compare the characteristics (risk profile, previous diseases, medications and haemorrheological variables) of patients in whom aspirin provided effective platelet inhibition with those in whom aspirin was not effective in providing platelet inhibition.

METHODS

599 patients with chronic cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases (355 men, mean age 64 +/- 11 years; 244 women, mean age 63 +/- 10 years) taking aspirin 100-325 mg/day were included in the study. Blood was collected between 8:00am and 9:00am from these patients after an overnight fast. The cardiovascular risk profiles, history of previous diseases, medication history and haemorrheological parameters of patients who responded to aspirin and those who did not were compared. Platelet and red blood cell (RBC) aggregation were measured by aggregometry, haematocrit by a microhaematocrit centrifuge, and plasma fibrinogen by Clauss' method. Plasma and whole blood viscosities were measured using a capillary viscosimeter.

RESULTS

Compared with aspirin-resistant patients, patients who demonstrated effective aspirin inhibition had a significantly lower plasma fibrinogen level (3.3 g/L vs 3.8 g/L; p < 0.05) and significantly lower RBC aggregation values (24.3 vs 28.2; p < 0.01). In addition, significantly more patients with effective aspirin inhibition were hypertensive (80% vs 62%; p < 0.05). Patients who had effective platelet aggregation were significantly more likely to be taking beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (75% vs 55%; p < 0.05) and ACE inhibitors (70% vs 50%; p < 0.05), whereas patients with ineffective platelet aggregation were significantly more likely to be taking HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) [52% vs 38%; p < 0.05]. Use of statins remained an independent predictor of aspirin resistance even after adjustment for risk factors and medication use (odds ratio 5.92; 95% CI 1.83, 16.9; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanisms underlying aspirin resistance are multifactorial. Higher fibrinogen concentrations increase RBC aggregation and can also result in increased platelet aggregation. The higher rate of hypertension in patients with effective platelet aggregation on aspirin could explain the differences in beta-adrenoceptor antagonist and ACE inhibitor use between these patients and aspirin-resistant patients. Furthermore, an additive effect of these drugs may contribute to effective antiplatelet therapy. It is also possible that drug interactions with statins might reduce aspirin bioavailability and/or activity, thereby reducing platelet inhibition in aspirin-resistant patients.

Rheumatoid disease and ischaemic heart disease: Insights from pathophysiology and vascular biology

Rheumatoid disease (RD) is a multisystem inflammatory disorder, which is associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality, thought to be due to ischaemic heart disease (IHD). The precise mechanisms causing increased IHD in RD are unclear. However, there is increasing recognition that atherosclerosis is another chronic inflammatory condition, which shares several pathophysiological features with RD. For example, endothelial damage/dysfunction, platelet activation, hypercoagulability and angiogenesis are well-recognised in both disease processes. Furthermore, RD may influence traditional risk factors such as dyslipidaemia. Although the exact reasons for the increased ischaemic burden are unclear, physicians should place a high priority upon reducing cardiovascular risk in sufferers of RD. This review summarises factors that might contribute to the pathogenesis of IHD in RD. Discussion will focus upon features shared by atherosclerotic and rheumatoid processes, as well as possible interactions between RD and conventional IHD risk factors.

Short term changes in lung function, leukocytosis in blood, and lachrymal fluid among bacterial single cell protein workers after an episode with high exposure to endotoxins

AIMS

To study possible effects of endotoxin exposure among bacterial single cell protein workers on pulmonary function, blood parameters, and lachrymal fluid before and after a work shift.

METHODS

The study included 23 men and five women who were examined at the start and at the end of a work shift. Most workers performed a task with unusually high exposure levels. Twelve of the workers were re-examined the day after. The workers were divided into three exposure groups: production workers with the highest assumed exposure levels (n = 18), engineers (n = 5), and clerks (n = 2). The median endotoxin level during a work shift was 34000 EU/m3 in the high exposure group (range 3300-89000 EU/m3 ), 11000 EU/m3 (range 350-27000 EU/m3) among the engineers, and 180 EU/m3 (range 60-300 EU/m3) for the clerks. The workers answered a questionnaire about work related symptoms. Assessment of lung function included dynamic lung volumes and flows. The blood analysis included cell count of leukocytes and mediators of inflammation, fibrinogen, interleukin-6 (IL-6), D-dimer, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Cells in lachrymal fluid were counted with a microscope.

RESULTS

The forced vital capacity (FVC) changed significantly (p<0.05) from 5.34 l (SD 0.9) to 5.25 l (SD 0.9) and forced expired volume in one second (FEV1) from 4.15 l (SD 0.7) to 4.07 l (SD 0.7) during the work shift. The leukocytes increased significantly (p<0.05) from 6.9 10(9)/l (SD 1.2) to 7.7 10(9)/l (SD 1.5) and IL-6 from 1.5 ng/l (SD 0.6) to 3.31 ng/l (SD 2.7). Except for fibrinogen, which had a borderline increase and PEF that decreased, the parameters were normalised the day after. Four of the workers had an increase of neutrofile granulocytes in the lachrymal fluid during the shift. There was a significant association between the endotoxin concentration and decrease of FEV1 despite the use of powered respirators.

CONCLUSIONS

During a work shift with unusual high levels of endotoxins at a plant manufacturing bacterial single cell protein the results show that FVC and FEV1 were reduced. Mediators of inflammation increased along with leucocytosis in blood and lachrymal fluid among the workers.