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Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important public health problem worldwide. Therefore, it is important to identify the molecular mechanisms and the candidate gene polymorphisms involved in the development of CAD. In this study, we focused on 2 polymorphisms of the atherosclerosis-related genes, ESR1 and CYP19A1.Unselected 339 individuals who underwent coronary angiography were divided into 2 groups: those with normal coronary arteries (≤30% stenosis) and those with critical disease (≥50% stenosis). Individuals were genotyped for CYP19A1 rs10046 C/T and ESR1 rs2175898 A/G polymorphisms using hybridization probes in real-time PCR. In addition, Gensini and SYNTAX scores were assessed.ESR1 polymorphism was significantly associated with CAD in men (p=0.036) via G allele carriage. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that ESR1 rare allele carriage was associated with CAD presence (Odds ratio=2.12, 95% confidence interval 1.01-4.1, p=0.025), adjusted for age, HDL-C, LDL-C and smoking status in the male group. CYP19A1 rs10046 T allele carriers had a 2.84-fold increased risk for complex CAD in multiple logistic regression analysis (p=0.016). Furthermore, the univariate analysis of variance indicated that T allele carriage of rs10046 polymorphism was associated with increased SYNTAX and Gensini scores (p0.05). Female patients who were ESR1 G allele carriers with CAD had higher adiponectin levels (p=0.005), whereas HbA1c levels were associated with T allele of CYP19A1 in the CAD group (p=0.004) and male CAD group (p=0.018).The CYP19A1 and ESR1 polymorphisms were associated with the presence and severity of CAD. These gene polymorphisms warrant further studies for the elucidation of their contribution to CAD development.

Objective: The relationship between oxidative stress and acute myocardial infarction has been shown in studies. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) reflect the oxidative balance. The risk factors, clinical features, and prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in young patients differ from older counterparts. This study aims to determine the oxidative stress in the young acute AMI patients and its' correlation with cardiac markers within 48 hours by the quantitative measurement of TAS, TOS, and OSI. Material and Method: In this prospective, controlled study, we included 50 patients who were 45 years old or younger and diagnosed with AMI, as well as 20 healthy individuals as the control group. TOS and TAS were measured from venous blood samples via the spectrophotometric method. The oxidative stress index was obtained from these parameters. Results: Forty-five of totally 50 patients were male, and the mean age was (36±6.8). TOS and OSI values were found significantly higher than in the control group (p=0.002, p=0.005, respectively). TAS values were found not to be different from the control group (p=0.46). A significant correlation was found between CK 0. hour (h.), and TOS 0. h., CK-MB 0. h., and TOS 0. h., CK 48. h. and OSI 48. h., CK-MB 48. h. and OSI 48. h., respectively (r=0.36, p=0.008), (r=0.46, p=0.001), (r=0.32, p=0.03), (r=0.36, p

Background: Most of the institutions accept the Transradial Access (TRA) as the first approach for patients undergoing Coronary Angiography (CAG) and Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI). Several studies clearly revealed endothelial injury of coronary arteries triggers inflammatory response. In this study, we aimed to evaluate inflammatory respond to CAG and to compare the inflammatory response of TRA and Transfemoral Access (TFA). Methods: In this single-center prospective study 140 consecutive patients presenting with (Chronical Coronary Syndrome) CCS and underwent transradial or transfemoral CAG between December 2017 and December 2018 were included. After exclusions, left 92 patients were divided into two equal groups as TRA and TFA. The primary endpoints were 2nd hour Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFα), 48th hour high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), complication rates, amount of contrast medium, procedure time and fluoroscopy time. Results: Basal characteristics of TRA and TFA groups were similar. A comparison of variables demonstrated that there was no statistical significance in increase in inflammatory markers (TNFα, hs-CRP), complication rates, amount of contrast media and procedure time. In contrast, TRA was associated longer fluoroscopy time and higher X-ray dosage, although statistically insignificant. CAG caused a similar increase in hs-CRP in both groups, insignificantly. Conclusion: In contrast to previous studies reporting a higher inflammatory response with TRA, this study demonstrates that inflammatory response caused by CAG is unrelated to access site and similar in TRA and TFA. Longer fluoroscopy time, higher X-ray dosage and longer procedure time in the TRA group indicate the importance of carefully selecting the angiographic route especially in patients with chronic heart failure, chronic renal impairment and malignancy risk. Also, these parameters place importance for physicians own health and woman planning pregnancy.

Objective: Oxidative stress has been considered to be one of the main causes for the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) via leading alteration of pulmonary vasomotor tone induced by hypoxia. The aim of this study is to determine the serum paraoxonase-1 enzyme (PON-1) activity, arylesterase activity, the antioxidant-oxidant status in patients with PH and to compare with healthy controls. Material and Methods: Thirty five healthy ındividuals (mean age 45.7±5.9 years) as a control group and thirty eight patients (mean age 46.5±12.6 years) with a diagnosis of PH wereincluded in thestudy. Serum PON-1 and arylesterase activity, the total antioxidative capacity of plasma (TAC) and total oxidantstatus (TOS) were measured by using colorimetric methods. The Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) wascalculated as TOS/ TACX100. Results: Serum PON1 activity is significantly lower in PH patients when compared with healthy controls (p=0.001). The serum arylesterase activity and TAC, TOS and OSI status were similarin bothgroups. There is inverse correlation between serum PON1 activityand NYHA functionalcapacity (r:-0.649 p=0.001). Furthermore, PON1 activity of study patients are similarin the PH subgroups. Serum activity of PON1 wasfoundto bethe only independent parameter for the presence of PH in binary logistic regression analysis (OR 0.984, 95 % CI 0.977-0.992, p=0.001). Eight patients died follow up period (27.6±14.5 months) and none of theparametersincluding PON1 were associated with mortality. Conclusion: Serum PON1 activity of PH patients is lowerthanhealthypopulation, but does not predictmortality. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.19(4) 2020 p.652-658

Amaç: Pulmoner arteriyal hipertansiyon (PAH) hastalarında D vitamini düzeylerinin sağlıklı gönüllülerden oluşan kontrol grubuyla kıyaslanması ve hastalık şiddetiyle D vitamini düzeyi arasındaki ilişkinin araştırılması. Yöntemler: Çalışmamız tek merkezli, kesitsel bir çalışma olup, pulmoner hipertansiyon (PH) polikliniğimizde PAH tanısı ile takip edilen 36 hasta ve yaş-cinsiyet eşleştirilmiş 24 sağlıklı gönüllüden oluşmaktadır. PAH tanısı, güncel Avrupa Kardiyoloji Cemiyeti ve Avrupa Solunum Derneği 2015 PH kılavuzu tanı algoritması önerileri doğrultusunda konuldu. Kontrol grubu olarak, bilinen bir kardiyak veya sistemik-enflamatuvar hastalık öyküsü olmayan, herhangi bir ilaç kullanmayan, tüm sistem fizik muayenesi normal, elektrokardiyografik (EKG) ve ekokardiyografik (Eko) incelemede patoloji saptanmayan sağlıklı gönüllüler seçildi. Tüm hastalarda ve sağlıklı gönüllülerde sabah 8 saat açlık kan örnekleri alınarak, plazma 25-OH vitamin D düzeyleri ölçüldü (Elecsys® Vitamin D Testi). Bulgular: Çalışma popülasyonumuz 36 PAH hastası ve yaş-cinsiyet eşleştirilmiş 24 sağlıklı gönüllüden oluşmaktaydı. Hastaların 24 tanesinde (%67) doğumsal kalp hastalığıyla ilişkili PAH (PAH-DKH), 12 tanesinde (%33) idiyopatik PAH (IPAH) mevcuttu. Tüm çalışma grubunun yaş ortalaması 41.4 ± 14.0 iken PAH hastaları ve kontrol grubunda yaş ortalaması benzerdi (median 42 & 40 yaş). Her iki grupta da kadın cinsiyet baskındı. Sağlıklı gönüllüler ve PAH hastaları arasında vücut kitle indeksi, kreatinin, ürik asit, hematokrit düzeyi açısından bir fark yoktu. Vitamin D düzeyleri ise PAH hastalarında (7.7 ± 6.2 U/L) sağlıklı gönüllülere göre (21.9 ± 14.1 U/L) belirgin olarak düşük saptandı (p

Aim Pentraxin-3, high sensitive CRP (HsCRP) and adropin were investigated in cord blood of infants of mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (IDM) to evaluate the exposure of fetus to inflammation and whether there is any correlation with clinical findings. Methods Forty IDM and forty three infants whose mother did not have diabetes were included in this prospective study. Adropin, pentraxin-3 and HsCRP levels were measured in the cord blood samples. Echocardiographic measurements were performed in the first three days of life. Results Adropin and pentraxine-3 levels were significantly lower and HsCRP levels were significantly higher in IDM group. Echocardiographic measurements of myocardial hypertrophy were negatively correlated with adropin. Conclusion Alterations in these markers in IDM supports the hypothesis of in utero fetal exposure to inflammation caused by gestational diabetes mellitus. Potentially, cord blood adropin might be used as a predictor for complications of diabetes.

Objectives: dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor is the mainstay of antithrombotic therapy after myocardial infarction and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Despite chronic oral antiplatelet therapy, many atherothrombotic events continue to occur. Several reports in the literature have shown possible relationships between residual platelet activity and clinical outcomes, raising the possibility that “resistance” to oral antiplatelet therapy may underlie such adverse events. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of aspirin and clopidogrel resistance, and related factors. We also aimed to identify the predictors of reduced antiplatelet response among patients undergoing elective PCI for stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Materials and methods: we retrospectively included patients who underwent an elective PCI with available aggregation inhibition test results. According to aggregation inhibition test results, patients were divided into two subgroups: 1-aspirin resistant/low responders and responders 2-clopidogrel resistant/low responders and responders. Results: totally 470 patients with aggregation inhibition test results (all 470 for clopidogrel and 464 for aspirin) were included in the study. Three hundred sixty-eight of them were male (78, 3%). The aspirin resistance group’s mean age was 60.8±10.3 years, the clopidogrel resistance group’s mean age was 58.89±10.1 years, and the aspirin + clopidogrel resistance group’s age was 63.25±8.8 years. Overall, there were 164 patients with single (either aspirin or clopidogrel) and 16 (3%) patients with double resistance. Hypertension, statin use, and platelet count were found as independent predictors of aspirin resistance. Hyperlipidemia, gender, and leucocyte count were found as independent predictors of clopidogrel resistance. Conclusion: 8.1% and 26.8% of stable CAD patients undergoing elective PCI showed insufficient aggregation inhibition by aspirin and clopidogrel, respectively, whereas 3% had double resistance., NA

In this randomized, single-center, clinical study we aimed to compare the oxidative stress response in patients undergoing diagnostic transradial or transfemoral elective coronary angiography. Sixty patients with stable angina pectoris undergoing elective coronary angiography to either transradial ( n = 30) or transfemoral ( n = 30) approach were included. The levels of plasma total oxidative status (TOS) were measured and compared just before and immediately after the procedure in both groups. The clinical and laboratory findings were compatible between the two groups. Although the levels of plasma total oxidative status after coronary angiography were increased in both groups (TF pTOS 20. ± :3; 34 ± 3 vs TR pTOS 18 ± 2; 23 ± 4), this was more pronounced in the transfemoral group as compared with the transradial group (ΔpTOS: 11 ± 4 vs 4 ± 3, p

Obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are public health problems and are increasing globally. We assessed the differences in lipid profiles through lipid testing, thrombotic and inflammatory parameters, and oxidative stress indexes between overweight and obese patients with MetS in a Turkish adult population. We included 100 obese (body mass index [BMI] >30 kg/m2) patients with MetS (66 women, 34 men, mean age 54.0 ± 10.1 years) and 15 overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m2) individuals (11 women, 4 men, mean age 50.2 ± 14.5 years) as controls. The group with MetS had significantly higher levels of glycaemia, uric acid, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homocysteine, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, small dense LDL, oxidized LDL, apolipoprotein B (Apo B), lipoprotein (a), small and intermediate high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, oxidative stress index, and significantly lower levels of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), Apo A, and large HDL particles. In conclusion, obesity with MetS increase atherogenic dyslipidemia and thrombotic, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. Furthermore, obesity with MetS decreases protective mechanisms of atherosclerosis. We should at least try to prevent overweight individuals from becoming obese with MetS.

Objective The present study aimed to assess the global oxidant and antioxidant status in infants born to preeclamptic mothers and their correlation with cardiac functions. Study Design We compared 40 infants born to preeclamptic mothers with 40 premature infants born to normotensive mothers. We assessed the relationship between echocardiographic measurements and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) values. Results In the study group, TAC, TOS, and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels were significantly higher in the cord blood (p = 0.03, 0.04, and 0.039, respectively) than in the control group. We did not observe any correlation between echocardiographic measurements and TAC, TOS, and OSI levels in infants born to preeclamptic mothers. Conclusion Compared with the control group, despite higher TAC levels in infants born to preeclamptic mothers, concurrent elevated OSI levels reveal that the oxidant–antioxidant balance is disturbed in favor of oxidants. Furthermore, the findings of this study suggest that echocardiographic parameters are unaffected by the oxidant status.

Aim: The conflicting relationships of serum omentin with inflammation markers and cardiometabolic disorders were investigated. Results & methods: Unselected 864 population-based middle-aged adults were cross-sectionally studied by sex-specific omentin tertiles. Men in the lowest omentin tertile (T1) had lower systolic blood pressure, HbA1c and glucose values and tended in T3 to higher lipoprotein(a) levels. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for four covariates, revealed significant independent associations with the presence of hypertension and diabetes only in men. Sex- and age-adjusted odds ratio in gender combined for T2 & T3 versus T1 was 1.34 (95% CI: 1.00–1.79) for metabolic syndrome. Discussion & conclusion: The elicited adverse relationships of omentin-1 support the notion of oxidative stress-induced proinflammatory conversion of omentin, rendering loss of anti-inflammatory properties.

Resistin is a member of the family of cysteine-rich secretary proteins called resistin-like molecules (RELMs). It is suggested to be involved in inflammatory conditions and atherosclerosis. We have established a significant correlation between serum resistin levels and coronary artery disease (CAD) in a study was performed between 2011 and 2012 in our institute in two hundred fourteen patients (164 CAD patients and 50 controls). Then the CAD patients were followed up to investigate the relationship between increased serum resistin levels and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) between 2012 and 2016. One hundred fifty-five of 164 patients (95%) were followed up and 9 patients lost to follow up. There were 39 MACE (25%) in four years of follow-up. There were 16 in-hospital deaths due to cardiac causes, 8 revascularization procedures, and 15 re-hospitalization due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or heart failure (HF). The patients with MACE had similar serum resistin level (median: 71.37 pg/ml) compared to patients without MACE (median: 80.23 pg/ml) (p > 0.05).

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether triglyceride glucose (TyG) index predicts the development of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for de novo lesions. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective case controlled study and includes 124 patients with a mean age of 57 ± 9.1. Control coronary angiography was performed in all patients enrolled in the study 6–12 months after the PCI. Blood sample triglycerides (TGs) and blood glucose concentrations were collected after at least 8 h of fasting. The TyG index was calculated as follows: log (serum TGs [mg/dL] × plasma glucose [mg/dL]/2). The study cohort was divided into two groups as those with and without restenosis. Angiographically, stent restenosis, defined as the presence of ≥50% diameter narrowing either within the stent or within 5 mm proximally or distally to the stent margin. Results: The median follow-up time was 7.17 months (±2.01). Forty-eight patients (38.7%) had restenosis. Patients with ISR had more diabetes (P < 0.01) and CAD (P = 0.03). These also had higher TyG index (P = 0.04) and less drug-eluting stent implantation (P = 0.04). Diabetes (odds ratio [OR]: 1.927, P = 0.03), stent type (OR: 0.342, P = 0.02), and TyG index (OR: 4.144, P = 0.01) significantly predicted ISR. The receiver operating characteristics curve analysis revealed a cutoff value of TyG index >4.71 predicts the development of ISR. Conclusion: A TyG above 4.71 was found a risk factor for ISR during 1-year follow-up period after index elective PCI.

Introduction: We examined the clinical effectiveness of trimetazidine (TMZ), a metabolic anti-ischemic agent, on lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) levels, which is considered a risk factor for cardiovascular events, and on exercise parameters in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP). Patients and Methods: The study included 30 patients (mean age 62.1 ± 8.3 years; range 47 to 77 years) with SAP and a positive exercise test result. Serum Lp-PLA2 levels were measured at baseline. Exercise testing and Lp-PLA2 measurements were repeated after at least 12 weeks of TMZ treatment. Results: After TMZ treatment, Lp-PLA2 levels decreased significantly (p= 0.006), and workload increased significantly (p= 0.048). Conclusion: Trimetazidine treatment reduces serum Lp-PLA2 levels via shifting cardiac metabolism, resulting in decreased production of free oxygen radicals and inflammation. This finding, together with improvements in exercise test parameters, suggests that TMZ may have a beneficial effect on the prognosis of patients with SAP.

Objective: Acute lower respiratory tract infections are seen as a major public health problem in many developing countries. This study was carried out in order to evaluate plasma and urine malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels which represents the lipid peroxidation and hence of oxidative stress in infants diagnosed with acute bronchopneumonia which is a cause of high mortality and morbidity in children.Material and methods: This case-control study was carried out at the department of Paediatrics, Ministry of Health Bakirkoy Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital in 2005. The patient group comprised of 25 patients who were admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of acute bronchopneumonia. The control group consisted of 10 healthy children of the same age range who had no pathological findings on physical examination. MDA values of urine and plasma samples were compared between both groups as an oxidative stress indicator.Results: The mean serum MDA value of the patient group was 3.91 ± 1.55 micromol/L and that of the control group was measured as 1.03 ± 0.1micromol/L. The difference was significantly higher (p 0.05).Conclusion: The urine MDA values on the first day of follow-up and the plasma MDA values may be used as a parameter in the diagnosis and following-up treatment of oxidative stress in the infants with acute bronchopneumonia.

Objective Pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) is characterized by remodeling of the small pulmonary arteries, leading to a progressive increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricular failure. In this study, we aimed to share our 10 years of experience dealing with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and provide information in real-life settings in terms of demographics, clinical course, PH subgroup distribution, and treatment patterns in patients with PAH in a tertiary center. Methods In this retrospective, single-center, observational study, we screened the patients who applied to PH outpatient clinic of Istanbul University Institute of Cardiology due to the suspicion of PAH between 2008 and 2017. While group 1, 4, and 5 PH patients were included, group 2 and 3 PH patients were excluded from the study. Results Our study group comprised 162 patients (115 females, 71%). The female:male ratio was 2.4. The mean age was 52±16 years. Most (86.4%) of the patients were in group 1 PH (PAH). The rest (13.6%, n=22) of the patients were in group 4 PH (chronic thromboembolic PH). In group 1 PH, 45.7% of patients (n=64) were classified as having idiopathic PAH (IPAH) after excluding the alternative diagnosis using PH diagnostic algorithm. The remaining 54.3% of group 1 PH patients (n=76) had various diseases that caused PAH, which is called associated PAH (APAH); APAH group included PAH associated with congenital heart diseases (n=70), connective tissue disorders (scleroderma, n=4) and portal hypertension (n=2). Conclusion Our data provides important information in real-life settings in terms of demographics, clinical course, PH subgroup distribution, and treatment patterns in patients with PAH in a reference tertiary center in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION Lipoproteins and the apolipoproteins (apo) that they carry are major determinants of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as well as metabolic, renal and inflammatory chronic disorders either directly or through mediation of risk factors. The notion that elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apoB levels are related to the acquisition of CVD and, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and apoA-I indicate protection against CVD has been challenged in the past decade. Advanced age, adiposity, ethnicity or impaired glucose intolerance rendered autoimmune activation in an environment of pro-inflammatory state/oxidative stress and may disrupt the linear risk association between lipoproteins. Areas covered: This review summarizes the modified risk associations of lipoproteins and apolipoprotein by an environment of chronic systemic low-grade inflammation with special emphasis on the non-linear relationship of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], a biomarker of renewed interest in cardiometabolic risk. Expert commentary: It seems that autoimmune activation in an environment of pro-inflammatory state/oxidative stress not only disrupts the linear risk association between lipoproteins, but also may cause interference in immunoassays. Hence, methodological improvement in immunoassays and much further research focusing on population segments susceptible to a pro-inflammatory state is necessary for further advances in knowledge.

Some evidence suggests that serum lipoprotein[Lp](a) may be inversely linked to type-2 diabetes. We aimed to determine in nondiabetic people the relationship of serum [Lp](a) with insulin resistance and new-onset diabetes (NOD).Population-based middle-aged adults (n = 1685) were categorized by fasting glucose and stratified to gender, having excluded prevalent diabetic subjects. NOD (n = 90) occurred over a median 5 years' follow-up.Subjects that subsequently developed NOD, derived both from the normoglycemia and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) groups,were distinguished, among others, primarily by significantly elevated serum gamma glutamyltransferase, reduced Lp(a) (by 31%) and, compared to IFG, by low total cholesterol levels. Partial correlation of Lp(a) with homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) was inverse in normoglycemic men; such correlation, neutral in normoglycemic women, proved inverse in IFG (r = -0.17). Circulating Lp(a) in individuals with paired measures increased significantly (1.55-fold) in the period from baseline up to NOD. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analysis for NOD in combined sexes indicated independent and additive prediction by serum Lp(a), albeit inverse in direction (RR 0.84, [95%CI 0.72; 0.97]).Lp(a) is significantly reduced in the period preceding NOD and is inversely associated with HOMA index, observations consistent with underlying autoimmune activation.

Objective: To assist the management strategy of individuals, we determined an algorithm for predicting the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) death in Turkish adults with a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: The risk of CHD death was estimated in 3054 middle-aged adults, followed over 9.08±4.2 years. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to predict risk. Discrimination was assessed using C-statistics. Results: CHD death was identified in 233 subjects. In multivariable analysis, the serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level was not predictive in men and the non-HDL-C level was not predictive in women. Age, presence of diabetes, systolic blood pressure ≥160 mm Hg, smoking habit, and low physical activity were predictors in both sexes. The exclusion of coronary disease at baseline did not change the risk estimates materially. Using an algorithm of the 7 stated variables, individuals in the highest category of risk score showed a 19- to 50-fold higher spread in the absolute risk of death from CHD than those in the second lowest category. C-index of the model using age alone was as high as 0.774 in men and 0.836 in women (p

The population-based CANHEART (Cardiovascular Health in Ambulatory Care Research Team) “big data” cohort examining the relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and cause-specific mortality rates was of interest in several aspects [(1)][1]. These investigators found that

Aspirin is effective in the secondary prevention and high-risk primary prevention of cardiovascular events. However, clinical and laboratory evidence demonstrates diminished or no response to aspirin in some patients. This study was designed to assess aspirin response in haemodialysis patients.We prospectively enrolled 78 haemodialysis patients (28 female; 58.4 ± 12.6 years old) and 79 patients (29 female; 58.4 ± 10.6 years old) with normal renal function (glomerular filtration rate (GFR)60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). All subjects in both the haemodialysis patient group and the control group were taking aspirin (80-300 mg) for at least 30 days and were not taking other antiplatelet agents. Platelet function was assessed by arachidonic acid-induced aggregometry with a Multiplate analyser (Dynabyte Medical, Munich, Germany). Multiplate electrode aggregometry values below 300 AU were applied as a cut-off for response to aspirin.Aspirin non-response was two-fold more prevalent in haemodialysis patients (42.3%) than in patients with normal renal function (21.5%), and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.005). The two groups were similar in terms of sex, age, tobacco use, the presence of diabetes mellitus, and platelet count.The frequency of aspirin non-response as defined in this study was higher in haemodialysis patients than in patients with normal renal function. However, larger subsets of patients are needed to confirm the present study.

Aim : The aim of this study was to detect any relationship between serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), serum amyloid-associated protein (SAA) and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, and reversible myocardial ischaemia during cardiovascular exercise tests and to determine whether these biomarkers could predict transient myocardial ischaemia. Methods : Ninety-six patients (36 women, 60 men, mean age 57 ± 8.5 years) were included in the study. Venous blood samples were taken from patients before and 15 minutes after exercise testing. SAA and hs-CRP were analysed using immunonephelometric assays (Dade-Behring, BN II, Marburg, Germany). NT-proBNP (pg/ml) was determined using the immulite 1 000 chemiluminescence immunoassay system (Siemens Medical Solution Diagnostics, Deerfiled, USA). Forty-eight patients (18 women, 30 men) with positive exercise tests were allocated to the exercise-positive group and 48 (18 women, 30 men) with negative exercise tests were put in the exercise-negative group. Coronary angiography was performed on all patients in the exercise-positive group. Results : There was no difference between the levels of hs-CRP, SAA and NT-pro-BNP before and after exercise testing in both of the exercise groups. Conclusion : Serum levels of hs-CRP, SAA and NT-proBNP could not predict the occurrence of reversible myocardial ischaemia during exercise. Large-scale clinical studies are needed to clarify the status of hs-CRP, SAA and NT-proBNP with exercise.

Introduction To determine whether elevated N-terminal pro-BNP (NT pro-BNP) predicts pulmonary artery systolic pressure increase on exercise stress echocardiography in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis. Methods and results Forty-one asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis and 21 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all patients to assess the severity of the valve disease and to measure pulmonary artery pressure before and immediately after treadmill exercise. Blood samples for NT pro-BNP were also collected before and immediately after treadmill exercise at the time of echocardiographic examination. The plasma concentrations of NT pro-BNP levels were significantly higher in patients with mitral stenosis than in control subjects before and after exercise (P Conclusion NT pro-BNP levels correlate with functional class and echocardiographic findings in patients with mitral stenosis and indicate exercise induced augmentation of peak PAP > 60 mmHg. (Echocardiography 2011;28:8-14).

Procalcitonin (PCT) is implicated as an inflammatory marker in early atherosclerosis. In order to investigate the clinical consequences of increased PCT levels in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), 77 patients (29 with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [MI], 34 with ST-elevation MI and 14 with unstable angina pectoris) were included and followed up for 6 months. The PCT levels were determined at initial presentation and within 48 h of admission. Five patients died during hospitalization and their PCT levels within 48 h of admission were significantly higher than survivors ( n = 72) (0.588 ± 0.56 versus 0.399 ± 1.33 ng/ml, respectively). The PCT levels within 48 h post-admission in the nine patients who died within 6 months were also significantly higher compared with the survivors (0.451 ± 0.44 versus 0.406 ± 1.37 ng/ml, respectively). It is concluded that higher PCT levels within 48 h post-admission may reflect an inflammatory state that is associated with increased early and 6-month mortality.

To investigate the relationship between anticoagulation treatment and drug resistance in chest pain, levels of factor Xa residual activity were determined in patients seen in intensive care with recurrent chest pain and compared with levels in patients who had no ischaemic events during hospitalization. A total of 122 patients aged 18-75 years who were admitted to hospital with acute coronary syndrome and treated with enoxaparin were included. Of these, 62 patients had recurrent chest pain while hospitalized (group A) and 60 patients had an uneventful follow-up period (group B). Patients requiring primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and/or treatment with glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, and those with renal failure, a high risk of bleeding or receiving anti-inflammatory drugs were excluded from the study. Median levels (± interquartile range) of factor Xa residual activity were significantly higher in group A compared with group B (0.68 ± 0.29 IU/ml versus 0.34 ± 0.33 IU/ml). It is concluded that enoxaparin resistance, resulting in high levels of factor Xa residual activity, should be considered in patients with recurrent ischaemia.

Objective: Heart failure is frequently a serious complication of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin II receptor blockers, β-blockers and aldosterone receptor blockers have been shown to improve outcomes in this setting. This study aimed to determine the effect of spironolactone on the frequency of clinical heart failure, mortality, rehospitalization and left ventricular functions determined by echocardiography. Material and methods: A total of 82 patients with STEMI hospitalized within 6–12 h of debut of symptoms were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned into spironolactone (group A) or placebo (group B) groups after informed consent had been obtained. Results: All patients were followed for 6 months. There were no statistically signifi cant differences between the two groups when demographic criteria were compared. The incidence of post-MI angina pectoris, rhythm and conduction disturbance during hospitalization was signifi cantly higher in Group B than in Group A. Although not statistically signifi cant, the incidence of clinical heart failure was slightly lower in Group A than in Group B (5% versus 11%). Left ventricular end-diastolic volumes were slightly lower in Group A than in Group B, although statistically this was not signifi cant. Conclusions: In concordance with these fi ndings, the ejection fraction was slightly higher in Group A than in Group B, although this was not statistically signifi cant (47% versus 44%). This trend continued during a 6-month follow-up after randomization. Our fi ndings suggest that early administration of aldosterone blockers provides additional benefi ts after AMI, reducing the incidence of post-MI angina pectoris and rhythm and conduction disturbances.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a very common cardiac arrhythmia, and is associated with an increased mortality in patients with hypertension. Whether the best therapeutic approach for these patients is to restore sinus rhythm (SR) or to adequately control the ventricular rate is still controversial. The aim of this study is to compare both strategies in patients with hypertension. Methods and Results Two hundred and twenty-one patients with hypertension and AF of duration >48 h were randomly assigned to either the rhythm (n=155) or rate (n=66) control group. Exercise capacity was improved in the rhythm control group in the 1st year of the study (p

Comparative sex distribution of the proportions in the three adiposity categories is shown. Though men prevail in “normal weight” and overweight categories, women predominate in obesity by over two-fold. (DOCX 15 kb)

This study is designed to evaluate the N-terminal pro-BNP (NTproBNP) levels in patients with mitral stenosis (MS) and its possible correlation with clinical and echocardiographic parameters of the disease. The study group consisted of 29 patients with isolated MS (patients with greater mild regurgitation were excluded) and 20 normal control subjects of similar age and gender distribution. Blood samples for NTproBNP were collected at the time of clinical and echocardiographic examination. NTproBNP levels were elevated in patients with MS compared to controls (325 +/- 249 pg/dL [19.9-890] versus 43 +/- 36 pg/dL [5.76-193.3], P < 0.001). Patients with atrial fibrillation had significantly higher NTproBNP levels compared to those with sinus rhythm (561 +/- 281 pg/dL versus 254 +/- 194 pg/dL, P = 0.044). MS patients with sinus rhythm also had higher NTproBNP levels compared to controls (254 +/- 194 pg/dL versus 43 +/- 36 pg/dL, P = 0.00011). NT pro BNP levels correlated to the LA (R = 0.73, P < 0.0001) and RV (R = 0.41, P = 0.042) diameters, mitral valve area (R =-0.45, P = 0.025), mean mitral gradient (R = 0.57, P = 0.003), peak PAP (R = 0.7, P = 0.03), and NYHA functional class (R = 0.61, P = 0.007). In conclusion, serum NTproBNP levels correlate well with echocardiographic findings and functional class in patients with MS and can be used as a marker of disease severity. Additionally, it may have a potential use as an additional noninvasive and relatively cheap method in monitoring disease progression especially in patients with poor echocardiographic windows.

Hyperlipidemic patients with coronary heart disease were treated with atorvastatin, and its effects on hemostatic and inflammatory parameters were assessed. After 3 months of therapy, the plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor, prothrombin fragment 1+2, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, von Willebrand factor, and fibrinogen were significantly reduced; no significant reductions were observed in lipoprotein(a) and tissue plasminogen activator antigen levels.

Although statins have been shown to prevent contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with acute coronary syndromes, the benefit of statins is not known for patients at high risk for nephropathy who undergo elective coronary angiography. Two hundred twenty consecutive statin-naive patients with chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) who underwent elective coronary or peripheral angiography were randomly assigned to receive rosuvastatin (40 mg on admission, followed by 20 mg/day; n = 110) or no statin treatment (control group, n = 110). Contrast-induced acute kidney injury was defined by an absolute increase in serum creatinine of ≥0.5 mg/dl or a relative increase of ≥25% measured 48 or 72 hours after the procedure. Contrast-induced acute kidney injury occurred in 15 patients (7.2%), 9 (8.5%) in the control group and 6 (5.8%) in the rosuvastatin group (p = 0.44). The incidences of adverse cardiovascular and renal events (death, dialysis, myocardial infarction, stroke, or persistent renal damage) were similar between the two groups at follow-up. In conclusion, rosuvastatin did not reduce the risk for contrast-induced acute kidney injury or other clinically relevant outcomes in at-risk patients who underwent coronary and peripheral vascular angiography.

Recently, oxidative stress was suggested to play a role in maternal and fetal complications of diabetic pregnancies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the global oxidant and antioxidant status in infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) via measurement of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) and to determine their association with the clinical and cardiac manifestations of gestational diabetes on infants. Forty five infants constituted the IDM group, 51 infants born to non diabetic mothers served as the control group. Umbilical cord blood was drawn from IDM and controls for TAC and TOS measurement. Echocardiographic measurements were performed in the first three days of life. Infants of diabetic mother had significantly higher TAC (p=0.024), TOS (p=0.03) and oxidative stress index (OSI, p=0.04) levels compared to controls. Hemoglobin values were correlated to TOS (r=0.310, p=0.03) and OSI (r=0.310, p=0.03). Maternal HbA1c values were also correlated to TOS (r=0.576, p=0.001) and OSI (r=0.606, p

Two highly prevalent diseases, Type-2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease (CHD), share risk factors. Excess levels of LDL-cholesterol have been overemphasized to uniformly encompass the development of CHD, and the origin of insulin resistance underlying Type-2 diabetes has not been fully elucidated. Autoimmune response has been recognized to be responsible only of a small minority of diabetes. The increasing trend in the worldwide prevalence of diabetes and the risk factors for both diseases are reviewed, the independent mediation for CHD of (central) adiposity in both diseases and the 'hypertriglyceridemic waist' phenotype are outlined. Evidence is described that serum lipoprotein (Lp)(a) concentrations, not only in excess, but also in apparently 'reduced' levels, as a result of autoimmune response, underlie both disorders and are closely related to insulin resistance.

Background: A nationwide multicenter study was organized to establish reference intervals (RIs) in the Turkish population for 25 commonly tested biochemical analytes and to explore sources of variation in reference values, including regionality. Methods: Blood samples were collected nationwide in 28 laboratories from the seven regions (?400 samples/region, 3066 in all). The sera were collectively analyzed in Uludag University in Bursa using Abbott reagents and analyzer. Reference materials were used for standardization of test results. After secondary exclusion using the latent abnormal values exclusion method, RIs were derived by a parametric method employing the modified Box-Cox formula and compared with the RIs by the non-parametric method. Three-level nested ANOVA was used to evaluate variations among sexes, ages and regions. Associations between test results and age, body mass index (BMI) and region were determined by multiple regression analysis (MRA). Results: By ANOVA, differences of reference values among seven regions were significant in none of the 25 analytes. Significant sex-related and age-related differences were observed for 10 and seven analytes, respectively. MRA revealed BMI-related changes in results for uric acid, glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, and ?-glutamyltransferase. Their RIs were thus derived by applying stricter criteria excluding individuals with BMI >28 kg/m2. Ranges of RIs by non-parametric method were wider than those by parametric method especially for those analytes affected by BMI. Conclusions: With the lack of regional differences and the well-standardized status of test results, the RIs derived from this nationwide study can be used for the entire Turkish population. © by De Gruyter 2014., Applied Scientific Research Fund: :24256003:2012-2014 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Acknowledgments: This study was supported by Research Fund of Uludag Universty (UAP(T)-2011/48), IFCC C-RIDL, Scientific Research Fund (No:24256003:2012-2014) provided by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Abbott Diagnostics and Becton Dickinson. We had invaluable input from the IFCC C-RIDL and the Turkish National Biochemical Association. We are very grateful to Uludag University Central Laboratory, We are thankful to David Ambruster from Abbott Diagnostics for his kind cooperation to realize this study. The final manuscript was edited with generous support by Prof. A. Myron Johnson.

We determined the effect of 6-month rosuvastatin treatment on blood lipids, oxidative parameters, apolipoproteins, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, lipoprotein(a), homocysteine, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Healthy individuals (men aged >40 years and postmenopausal women) with a body mass index ≥30 (n = 100) who fulfilled the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III diagnostic criteria for MetS were included. Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels decreased ( P < .0001). The change in LDL 1 to 3 subgroups was significant ( P = .0007, P < .0001, and P = .006, respectively). Changes in LDL 4 to 7 subgroups were not significant. There was a beneficial effect on oxidized LDL, fibrinogen, homocysteine, and HbA1c. Rosuvastatin significantly increased high-density lipoprotein levels ( P = .0003). The oxidant/antioxidant status and subclinical inflammatory state were also beneficially changed. Rosuvastatin had a significant beneficial effect on atherogenic dyslipidemia as well as on oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with MetS.

In view of recent evidence that serum creatinine and dysfunctional apolipoprotein (apo)A-I may serve as inflammation mediators in people with enhanced inflammation, we studied whether or not these molecules were interrelated and associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) likelihood even in subjects without metabolic syndrome (MetS) or type-2 diabetes.Among unselected middle-aged Turkish adults with available serum apo A-I, lipoprotein(a) and creatinine measurements, 697 participants (designated as 'healthy') were enrolled, after exclusion of the stated metabolic disorders. CHD was identified in 87 subjects, roughly half during 3.1 years' follow-up.'Healthy' individuals were overweight and had partly impaired fasting glucose but otherwise normal serum creatinine and other biochemical measurements. Being consistent with lacking anti-inflammatory activity, apoA-I was linearly and positively associated with apoB, in women further with creatinine. Logistic regression analyses showed that, beyond age, not non-HDL-cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and smoking status, but serum creatinine in each sex (OR in men 1.63 [95% CI 1.14; 2.31]) and CRP in women were significantly associated with CHD likelihood. The combined highest and lowest creatinine quartiles in women displayed an OR 2.14 (1.02; 4.51) compared with the intermediate quartiles, after similar adjustments.Elevated creatinine levels within normal range, linked to apoA-I dysfunctionality, are independently associated with CHD likelihood even in non-diabetic subjects without MetS. In such women the lowest creatinine quartile is also linked to CHD risk.

Resistin, which is derived from the gene of RSTN, belongs to a family of cysteine-rich secretory proteins called resistin-like molecules (RELMs). Increased serum resistin levels are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and the risk of cardiovascular death. Patients (n = 214) with an initial diagnosis of stable angina pectoris, unstable angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction without ST-segment elevation and referred to catheter laboratory for coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. We aimed to investigate the relationship between increased serum resistin level and CAD. The severity of CAD was calculated by the Gensini scoring system. In conclusion, we established a significant correlation between serum resistin levels and CAD ( P = .010). Also, serum resistin levels correlated with the Gensini score that represents the severity of CAD angiographically ( P = .010).

AIM: To investigate whether impaired fasting glucose (IFG) confers cardiovascular risk. METHODS: A non-diabetic population-based sample representative of middle-aged and elderly Turks was studied at 8.5 years’ follow-up for incident diabetes and coronary heart disease (CHD). Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined by ATP-III criteria modified for male abdominal obesity, and IFG and type 2 diabetes were identified by criteria of the American Diabetes Association. Stratification by presence of MetS was used. Outcomes were predicted providing estimates for hazard ratio (HR) obtained by use of Cox proportional hazards regression analysis in models that controlled for potential confounders. RESULTS: In 3181 adults (aged 52 ± 11.5 years at baseline), analysis stratified by MetS, gender and IFG status distinguished normoglycemic subjects by a “hypertriglyceridemic waist” phenotype consisting of significantly higher waist circumference, fasting triglyceride and lower high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, regardless of gender and MetS. Additionally, lipoprotein (Lp) (a) tended to be lower in (especially female) participants with MetS. Multivariable linear regression in a subset of the sample demonstrated decreased Lp (a) levels to be associated with increased fasting glucose and insulin concentrations, again particularly in women. In Cox regression analysis, compared with normoglycemia, baseline IFG adjusted for major confounders significantly predicted incident diabetes at a 3-fold HR in men and only women with MetS. Cox models for developing CHD in 339 individuals, adjusted for conventional risk factors, revealed that IFG status protected against CHD risk [HR = 0.37 (95%CI: 0.14-0.998)] in subjects free of MetS, a protection that attenuated partly in male and fully in female participants with MetS. CONCLUSION: IFG status in non-diabetic people without MetS displays reduced future CHD risk, yet is modulated by MetS, likely due to autoimmune activation linked to serum Lp (a).