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This study was conducted to investigate the effects of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) consumption on myocardium and coronary arteries, in rats subjected to regular and intense exercise. Eight-week old, 30 male rats were randomly divided into experimental- and controlgroups. For a total of 8 weeks, every other day, both groups were subjected to a ladder-climbing exercise on a 1.5 m long ladder, with 2.5 cm steps interval, at 70 degrees angle. The experimental group, besides the standard diet, was additionally fed BCAA-supplement at a dose of 1.5 mg/g/day. This study showed that, the experimental group had more frequent atherosclerotic lesions compared to the control group (61.5% vs. 21.4%; p=0.034). Although creatine kinase was similar between the groups, creatine kinase - myocardial band isoform (CK-MB) was significantly higher in the experimental group compared both to control and baseline levels. This is the first study that examines the effects of consuming BCAA supplements on myocardium and coronary arteries in rats subjected to prolonged exercise. We demonstrated that continuous and long-term consumption of BCAA supplement in endurance exercises was associated with coronary atherosclerotic process and myocardial injury.

Abstract Although hypertension is considered high intravascular pressure, impairing circadian blood pressure (BP) has been shown to potentially contribute to poor clinical outcomes. Systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII), based on platelet, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, has been established as a strong prognostic marker in cardiovascular disease. The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of hypertension is a well‐known issue and inflammatory markers are associated with BP variability. We aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between circadian BP changes and SII in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. The study population consisted of 196 newly diagnosed hypertensive patients without LVH. In total, 76 (38%) patients had a dipper BP pattern, 60 (31%) patients had a non‐dipper BP pattern, and 60 (31%) patients had a reverse‐dipper BP pattern. SII was calculated according to Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed SII and HDL‐C as an independent predictors of reverse‐dipper circadian pattern in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. The cut‐off value of the SII for reverse‐dipper hypertension in a ROC curve analysis was >639.73 with 63.3% sensitivity and 84.2% specificity. Our study showed that the SII level was higher in the reverse‐dipper hypertension patient group than in the dipper and non‐dipper hypertension groups. Furthermore, SII was an independent predictor of newly diagnosed reverse‐dipper hypertensive patients. The high SII value in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients can be used as an early warning parameter to identify reverse‐dipper hypertension patients.

Objective: The currently available cardiac biomarkers are not sufficient to differentiate between myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) without the use of coronary angiography. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity as a potential marker for the differential diagnosis of MINOCA and ACS. Method: The study population comprised 734 consecutive patients who presented to our hospital with chest pain between July 2022 and January 2023. Leftover plasma samples collected in EDTA vials were sent for troponin T estimation within 24 hours of the onset of chest pain. Patients’ blood samples were collected into tubes for malondialdehyde (MDA), iNOS, and total sialic acid (TSA) measurements and centrifuged at 4000 g, 4 °C for 10 min, and the sera obtained as a result were kept at -25 °C until the analyses were performed. Results: The mean age of the study population, which consisted of 648 patients [421 (65.6%) males, was 62±12] years. There were no significant difference between the MINOCA and ACS patients in MDA and homocysteine levels. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed significant correlations between gender, age, diabetes mellitus (DM), glucose, urea, iNOS, smoking, hemoglobin, platelets, lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, creatine, and TSA as significant predictors of MINOCA. Further analysis of these variables using multivariate logistic regression revealed that sex, age, presence of DM, glucose and urea levels, and iNOS were independent predictors of MINOCA. The iNOS level was significantly higher in patients with MINOCA than in those with ACS. The optimal iNOS cut-off value of >1372.9 pg/mL predicted MINOCA with 99.4% sensitivity and 93.7% specificity (area under the curve: 0.99, 95% confidence interval: 0.979-0.996, p

Background: In this study, we sought to examine the statistical association of plasma osmolarity with noreflow development in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). Methods: In this retrospective study, we included data from 1294 consecutive STEMI patients who have undergone pPCI. For each patient, we measured the plasma osmolarity using the following equation: 2 × sodium+0.9 glucose+0.93 × urea × 0.5. Results: Occurrence of angiographic no-reflow was 21.7% (n=281) in the study. The mean plasma osmolarity level was significantly higher in patients with no-reflow compared to those without no-reflow (300.6 ± 9.4 mOsmol/L versus 292.8 ± 10.5 mOsmol/L, P < .001, respectively). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, plasma osmolarity was found to be independently related to no-reflow development (odds ratio: 1.061; 95% CI, 1.045-1.076; P < .001). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, a plasma osmolarity level greater than 290.2 mOsmol/L was identified as the optimal value for predicting the occurrence of no-reflow. This cutof demonstrated a sensitivity of 91.8% and a specificity of 45.8%. Conclusion: This is the first study to establish an independent relationship between higher plasma osmolarity and the development of no-reflow in patients with STEMI who have undergone pPCI. This finding suggests that plasma osmolarity may be a useful marker for the prediction of no-reflow in STEMI patients who have undergone pPCI.

Resumo Fundamento: A isquemia com artéria coronária não obstrutiva (INOCA) é uma doença cardíaca isquêmica que inclui principalmente disfunção microvascular coronariana e/ou vasoespasmo coronariano epicárdico devido à disfunção vascular coronariana subjacente e pode ser observada mais comumente em pacientes do sexo feminino. O índice de inflamação imunológica sistêmica (SII, relação plaquetas × neutrófilos/linfócitos) é um novo marcador que prediz resultados clínicos adversos na doença arterial coronariana (DAC). Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo investigar a relação entre INOCA e SII, um novo marcador associado à inflamação. Métodos: Um total de 424 pacientes (212 pacientes com INOCA e 212 controles normais) foram incluídos no estudo. Amostras de sangue venoso periférico foram recebidas de toda a população do estudo antes da angiografia coronária para medir o SII e outros parâmetros hematológicos. Em nosso estudo o valor de p

Background and Aim:The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has been identified as a novel prognostic marker in various illnesses. We investigated the relationship between SII and mortality in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). In addition, we planned to examine how SII correlated with SYNTAX II and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk scores in this population.Materials and Methods:This retrospective observational study included patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction who underwent pPCI. The endpoint was 1 year all-cause mortality. SII [(neutrophil x platelet)/lymphocyte] was calculated from admission blood samples. Besides clinical and laboratory findings, SII, Syntax II and TIMI risk scores were compared between survivors and non-survivors. The correlation between SII and Syntax II and TIMI risk scores was also evaluated.Results:The study included 334 patients (82.3% male). In the 1 year follow-up, 18 patients (5.4%) died. The SII, Syntax II, and TIMI risk scores were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors [mean (standard deviation: SD), 2423 (2005) vs 1686 (998), P = 0.005; median (interquartile range) 43 (35-53) vs 30 (25-37), P < 0.001; and 4 (2-5) vs 2 (1-3), P = 0.005, respectively]. Furthermore, the Syntax II score, TIMI risk score, and SII was independent predictors of 1 year all-cause mortality. SII showed a significant correlation with Syntax II and TIMI risk scores (R2 = 0.28, P = 0.001 and R2 = 0.37, P < 0.001, respectively).Conclusion:SII might provide additional prognostic data alongside Syntax II and TIMI risk scores in patients undergoing pPCI.

Introduction: Stent restenosis remains a clinical challenge for patients with ischemic heart disease, since it is associated with repeated coronary interventions as well as higher hospitalization rates and medical costs. Inflammation plays a significant role. Although an association between stent restenosis, increased C-reactive protein (CRP) and decreased albumin levels has been previously reported, no studies have investigated the ability of the CRP/albumin ratio to predict stent restenosis. Methods: This retrospective study included 448 patients who had previously undergone primary percutaneous coronary intervention and who were referred for subsequent reintervention due to recurrence of anginal symptoms. The study population was divided into two groups based on whether the patient had developed stent restenosis. They were then stratified into three groups according to their CRP/albumin ratio. Results: Out of 448 patients, stent restenosis was observed in 24.5% (n=110), as determined by coronary angiography. Patients with stent restenosis had a higher CRP/albumin ratio, greater platelet distribution width (PDW), higher CRP levels, and lower levels of both high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and serum albumin. The CRP/albumin ratio (OR: 2.289, 95% CI: 1.056-4.959; p=0.036), stent diameter, PDW and HDL cholesterol levels were found to be independent predictors of stent restenosis. A ROC curve comparison demonstrated that the CRP/albumin ratio was a better predictor of restenosis than either albumin and CRP individually, but it was not better than PDW and HDL cholesterol. Conclusion: As a novel inflammation-based risk score, the CRP/albumin ratio may be an easily accessible marker for assessment of stent restenosis risk. Resumo: Objetivo: A reestenose de stent permanece como um desafio clínico em doentes com cardiopatia isquémica. A reestenose de stent está associada a intervenções coronárias recorrentes bem como a aumento de internamentos e de custos médicos. A inflamação tem um papel significativo. Embora a associação entre reestenose de stent e o aumento dos níveis de proteína C-reativa (PCR) e a diminuição dos níveis de albumina tenham sido previamente registados, nenhum estudo pesquisou a possibilidade da PCR/albumina prever um diagnóstico de reestenose de stent. Métodos: Este estudo retrospetivo incluiu 448 doentes que tinham sido previamente submetidos a intervenção coronária percutânea primária e que foram referidos para reintervenção posterior devido a ressurgimento dos sintomas de angina. A população do estudo foi dividida em dois grupos com base no facto do doente ter desenvolvido reestenose de stent. Posteriormente, foram estratificados em três grupos de acordo com as relações PCR/albumina. Resultados: De um grupo de 448 doentes, a reestenose de stent foi observada em 24,5% (n = 110), conforme determinado por avaliação através de angiografia coronária. Os doentes com reestenose de stent apresentaram uma relação PCR/albumina mais elevada, variação maior do diâmetro das plaquetas (DP), níveis mais elevados de PCR e níveis mais baixos de colesterol de lipoproteínas de alta densidade (HDL) e de albumina sérica. Os níveis da relação PCR/albumina (OR: 2,289, IC 95%:1,056 – 4,959; p = 0,036), o diâmetro do stent, a variação maior do DP e o colesterol HDL foram considerados fatores preditores independentes da restenose de stent. A comparação das curvas ROC demonstrou que a relação PCR/albumina constituiu um fator preditor melhor do que a albumina e a PCR, isoladamente, não sendo, no entanto, melhor do que o DP e o colesterol HDL. Conclusão: Como novo score de risco baseado em inflamação, a relação PCR/albumina pode ser um marcador facilmente acessível para a avaliação do risco de reestenose de stent. Keywords: Stent restenosis, C-reactive protein/albumin ratio, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, Inflammation, Palavras chave: Reestenose de stent, Proteína C reativa/albumina, Enfarte do miocárdio com elevação do segmento ST, Inflamação