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Basiak M, Hachula M, Kosowski M, Machnik G, Maliglowka M, Dziubinska-Basiak M, Krysiak R, Okopien B. The Effect of PCSK9 Inhibition on the Stabilization of Atherosclerotic Plaque Determined by Biochemical and Diagnostic Imaging Methods. Molecules 2023; 28:5928. [PMID: 37570897 PMCID: PMC10421011 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial, progressive, chronic inflammatory disease. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are the most accurate predictors of atherosclerotic plaque instability (MRI). Cytokines such as osteopontin, osteoprotegerin, and metalloproteinase 9 could be used as the most recent markers to identify and track the efficacy of anti-atherosclerotic therapy. Patients with USG and MRI-verified unstable atherosclerotic plaque were included in the study. Biomarker concentrations were measured and compared before and after PCSK9 inhibitor therapy. Additionally, concentrations prior to treatment were correlated with MRI images of the carotid artery. After treatment with alirocumab, the concentrations of MMP-9 (p < 0.01) and OPN, OPG (p < 0.05) decreased significantly. Furthermore, the results of OPN, OPG, and MMP 9 varied significantly depending on the type of atherosclerotic plaque in the MRI assay. In stable atherosclerotic plaques, the concentrations of OPN and OPG were greater (p < 0.01), whereas the concentration of MMP9 correlated with the instability of the plaque (p < 0.05). We demonstrated, probably for the first time, that alirocumab therapy significantly decreased the serum concentration of atherosclerotic plaque markers. In addition, we demonstrated the relationship between the type of atherosclerotic plaque as determined by carotid MRI and the concentration of these markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Basiak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Marcin Hachula
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Michal Kosowski
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Machnik
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Mateusz Maliglowka
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | | | - Robert Krysiak
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Boguslaw Okopien
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Silesia, Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
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Choi E, Byun E, Kwon SU, Kim N, Suh CH, Kwon H, Han Y, Kwon TW, Cho YP. Carotid Plaque Composition Assessed by CT Predicts Subsequent Cardiovascular Events among Subjects with Carotid Stenosis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2021; 42:2199-2206. [PMID: 34711554 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the characteristics of carotid plaques are considered important factors for identifying subjects at high risk of stroke. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that carotid plaque composition assessed by CTA is associated with an increased risk of future major adverse cardiovascular events among asymptomatic subjects with moderate-to-severe carotid artery stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS This single-center, retrospective cohort study included 194 carotid plaques from 176 asymptomatic subjects with moderate-to-severe carotid artery stenosis. The association of CTA-determined plaque composition with the risk of subsequent adverse cardiovascular events was analyzed. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 41 months, the adverse cardiovascular event incidence among 194 carotid plaques was 19.6%. There were significant differences in plaque Hounsfield units (P < .001) and spotty calcium presence (P < .001) between carotid plaques from subjects with and without subsequent adverse cardiovascular events. Multivariable analysis revealed carotid plaque Hounsfield unit density (P < .001) and spotty calcium (P < .001) as independent predictors of subsequent adverse cardiovascular events. In association with moderate carotid artery stenosis, the plaque Hounsfield unit values were significantly lower among carotid plaques from subjects who experienced subsequent adverse cardiovascular events (P = .002), strokes (P = .01), and cardiovascular deaths (P = .04); the presence of spotty calcium was significantly associated with the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events (P = .001), acute coronary syndrome (P = .01), and cardiovascular death (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS Carotid plaque Hounsfield unit density and spotty calcium were independent predictors of a greater risk of adverse cardiovascular event occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Choi
- From the Departments of Surgery (E.C., E.B., H.K., Y.H., T.-W.K., Y.-P.C.)
| | - E Byun
- From the Departments of Surgery (E.C., E.B., H.K., Y.H., T.-W.K., Y.-P.C.)
| | | | - N Kim
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (N.K.)
| | - C H Suh
- Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology (C.H.S.), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - H Kwon
- From the Departments of Surgery (E.C., E.B., H.K., Y.H., T.-W.K., Y.-P.C.)
| | - Y Han
- From the Departments of Surgery (E.C., E.B., H.K., Y.H., T.-W.K., Y.-P.C.)
| | - T-W Kwon
- From the Departments of Surgery (E.C., E.B., H.K., Y.H., T.-W.K., Y.-P.C.)
| | - Y-P Cho
- From the Departments of Surgery (E.C., E.B., H.K., Y.H., T.-W.K., Y.-P.C.)
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Strobescu-Ciobanu C, Giuşcă SE, Căruntu ID, Amălinei C, Rusu A, Cojocaru E, Popa RF, Lupaşcu CD. Osteopontin and osteoprotegerin in atherosclerotic plaque - are they significant markers of plaque vulnerability? ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY 2021; 61:793-801. [PMID: 33817720 PMCID: PMC8112796 DOI: 10.47162/rjme.61.3.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis (ATS) is still considered as a major, global health problem. For a deeper understanding of its pathogenesis, in the last years the research was translated from tissue visible events to molecular mechanisms. Osteopontin (OPN) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) are two molecules that have been associated with the initiation and progression of ATS lesions. The aim of our study was to assess the OPN and OPG expression in advanced stages of carotid ATS, to analyze the correlation between these markers and the ultrasonographic plaque properties, pointing out the identification of possible patterns that can predict plaque vulnerability and risks of restenosis. The study group comprised 49 consecutive patients (38 males and 11 females) diagnosed with carotid stenotic lesions by using ultrasonography. The carotid endarterectomy specimens were standardly processed for histopathological and immunohistochemical exams. The OPN and OPG expression was semi-quantitatively assessed. Our results sustained the relationship between histological American Heart Association (AHA) type and ultrasonographic classification (echogenic versus echolucent) (p<0.001). The semi-quantitative analysis showed that in most cases (31 plaques) OPG and OPN had opposite expressions, whereas in the remaining cases (18 plaques) the expression was similar. There were no correlations between low versus high expression of intra-plaque OPN and OPG (p=0.335). We found significant correlation for OPN and plaque echogenicity (p=0.011), but not for OPG (p=0.079). OPN expression (low versus high) was correlated with plaque type (stable versus unstable) (p=0.036), plaque ulceration (p=0.009) and inflammation (p<0.001). OPG expression (low versus high) did not reveal statistically significant differences with plaque type (stable versus unstable) and vulnerability plaque parameters, respectively. OPG and OPN co-exist in carotid atherosclerotic plaque demonstrating a modulatory role in inflammatory and calcification processes. OPG is strongly expressed in stable, calcified plaques, while OPN is poorly expressed in calcified plaques and in plaques without hemorrhage, ulceration, inflammation, or necrosis. Starting from the molecular mechanisms, further studies of biomarkers are important to identify new therapeutic resources meant to prevent and treat vascular calcification.
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Fernandes E Fernandes J, Mendes Pedro L, Gonçalves I. The conundrum of asymptomatic carotid stenosis-determinants of decision and evidence. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2020; 8:1279. [PMID: 33178811 PMCID: PMC7607137 DOI: 10.21037/atm-2020-cass-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Management of asymptomatic carotid disease continues to challenge medical practice and present evidence is often conflicting. Stroke is a significant burden in Public Health and 11% to 15% appear as first neurologic event associated with asymptomatic carotid stenosis. Randomized trials provided support for Guidelines and Recommendations to intervene on asymptomatic stenosis, but at a known cost of a high number of unnecessary operations. Conflicting evidence from natural history studies and the widespread use of proper medical management including risk factors control, lowering-lipid drugs and strict control of arterial hypertension have reduced the incidence of strokes associated to asymptomatic carotid disease challenging established practice. Need to identify vulnerable lesions prone to develop thromboembolic brain events and also vulnerable patients at a higher risk of stroke is necessary and essential to further improve effectiveness of our interventions. After review of published literature on natural history of asymptomatic carotid stenosis, diagnostic methods to identify plaque vulnerability and present-day results of both endarterectomy and stenting, a strategy for management of asymptomatic carotid stenosis is suggested aiming to reduce unnecessary interventions and effectively contribute to stroke prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Fernandes E Fernandes
- Department of Surgery and Vascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.,Santa Maria University Hospital, Lisbon Academic Medical Center, Lisbon, Portugal.,Senior Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Institute/Hospital da Luz Torres de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luis Mendes Pedro
- Senior Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Cardiovascular Institute/Hospital da Luz Torres de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Vascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.,Vascular Surgery Department, Santa Maria University Hospital, Lisbon Academic Medical Center, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Isabel Gonçalves
- Cardiology Department, Skåne University Hospital and Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Sweden
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Takao N, Hagiwara Y, Shimizu T, Soga K, Tsuchihashi Y, Otsubo H, Tatsuno K, Takaishi S, Usuki N, Yoshie T, Takada T, Ueda T, Hasegawa Y, Yamano Y. Preprocedural Carotid Plaque Echolucency as a Predictor of In-Stent Intimal Restenosis after Carotid Artery Stenting. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2020; 29:105339. [PMID: 33032020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In-stent intimal restenosis (ISR) caused by neointimal hyperplasia can develop <24 months after carotid artery stenting (CAS). The utility of plaque imaging by carotid ultrasonography (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been investigated for the prediction of ipsilateral stroke. We aimed to investigate whether these imaging techniques are useful for detecting carotid plaques prone to ISR. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined 133 patients (mean age of 72.1 ± 8.4 years old) that received CAS at a single hospital from 2014 to 2018. A pre-CAS carotid plaque evaluation was performed by carotid angiography, duplex carotid US, and black-blood carotid artery MRI (BB-MRI). The mean stenosis rate was 71.0 ± 12.3% by the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) methods. Follow-up carotid angiography was performed 6 months after CAS in all patients according to a predefined protocol. ISR was defined as in-stent intimal hyperplasia more than 50% stenosed based on the NASCET criteria. The selection of the stent type was at the discretion of the treating physician. Predictors of ISR were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Follow-up angiography demonstrated ISR in 33 patients (24.8%). In 44 patients, more than two stents were deployed. Univariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated echolucent lesion, floating plaque, complete occlusive or pseudo-occlusive lesion, and closed-cell stent use as significantly associated with ISR (>50%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that echolucent lesion (OR 4.667, 95% CI 1.849-11.779) and closed-cell stent use (OR .378, 95% CI .148-.968) were significantly associated with ISR. CONCLUSIONS Preprocedural plaque characterization by carotid US appeared to be useful to predict ISR 6 months after CAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Takao
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 216-8511, Japan
| | - Yuta Hagiwara
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 216-8511, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Shimizu
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 216-8511, Japan
| | - Kaima Soga
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 216-8511, Japan
| | - Yoko Tsuchihashi
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 216-8511, Japan
| | - Haruki Otsubo
- Department of Strokology, Stroke Center, St. Marianna University Toyoko Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Kentaro Tatsuno
- Department of Strokology, Stroke Center, St. Marianna University Toyoko Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Satoshi Takaishi
- Department of Strokology, Stroke Center, St. Marianna University Toyoko Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Noriko Usuki
- Department of Strokology, Stroke Center, St. Marianna University Toyoko Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Tomohide Yoshie
- Department of Strokology, Stroke Center, St. Marianna University Toyoko Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Tatsuro Takada
- Department of Strokology, Stroke Center, St. Marianna University Toyoko Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Ueda
- Department of Strokology, Stroke Center, St. Marianna University Toyoko Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Hasegawa
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 216-8511, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Yamano
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 216-8511, Japan; Department of Rare Diseases Research, Institute of Medical Science, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
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