E-selectin gene haplotypes are associated with the risk of myocardial infarction

Evaluation of Plasma E-Selectin Concentration as a Risk Marker for Atherosclerotic Vascular Damage in Patients with Early CAD

BACKGROUND

Inflammation markers in the blood may indicate a higher risk of unstable atherosclerosis. Selectins, a group of transmembrane glycoproteins, contribute to inflammation by helping certain blood cells bind to the endothelium.

METHODS

The study included 100 patients with stable early-onset coronary artery disease (CAD), 75 men (aged 50-54) and 25 women (aged 55-64). Tests performed included biochemical analysis, ultrasound, and Doppler imaging of arteries and peripheral vessels. A biochemical control group of 50 cases without CAD (74% men, average age 48 ± 3.20 years) was also studied.

RESULTS

Higher triglyceride levels were strongly linked to elevated plasma E-selectin levels. However, no significant relationship was found between plasma E-selectin levels and biochemical, clinical, radiographic, or echographic measures.

CONCLUSION

Plasma E-selectin levels are not a reliable marker for detecting atherosclerotic plaques or related problems in individuals with stable, well-managed CAD. While E-selectin levels can be measured in clinical labs using immunoassays, they cannot replace standard cardiological and vascular imaging tests for diagnosing cardiac or vascular conditions.

Effects of ivabradine on ventricular electrophysiological remodeling after myocardial infarction in rats

Introduction

This study aims to investigate the effects of ivabradine (IVA) on ventricular electrophysiological remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats.

Material and methods

A total of 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: an MI group, an IVA group, a metoprolol (MET) group, an IVA + MET group, and a sham group. After a four-week intervention, the ventricular electrophysiological parameters were detected by multichannel electrophysiological polygraph. Then, the morphological characteristics were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson's staining, and the expression of phosphorylated connexin 43 (p-Cx43) in the left ventricular wall was detected through immunohistochemistry and the Western blot test.

Results

The electrophysiological examination revealed that the induction rate and fatality rate of ventricular tachycardia (VT)/ventricular fibrillation (VF) were lower in both the IVA and the MET group, compared with the MI group (6/12, 6/12 vs. 10/11; and 1/12, 1/12 vs. 5/11; all p < 0.05), as well as the IVA + MET group (1/11 vs. 10/11, p < 0.01; and 1/11 vs. 5/11, p < 0.05). The induction rate of VT/VF was lower in the IVA + MET group, compared to the MET group (1/11 vs. 6/12, p < 0.05). H&E and Masson's staining revealed that compared with the MI group, the left ventricular infarction area was lower in the IVA, MET, and IVA + MET groups (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, and p < 0.01, respectively), while collagen volume fraction (CVF) also was lower in the other groups (all p < 0.01). The left ventricular infarction area and CVF both were lower in the IVA + MET group, compared to the MET group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The immunohistochemistry and Western blot revealed that p-Cx43 expression was higher in the treatment groups, compared with the MI group (all p < 0.01).

Conclusions

IVA can reduce the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia after MI in male rats by improving both structural and electrical remodeling, and the combination of IVA and MET is even more effective.