-174G>C interleukin-6 gene polymorphism in Tunisian patients with coronary artery disease

<b>Background and Objectives :</b> A state of low-grade inflammation accompanies the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic events. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine that modulates the development of acute coronary syndromes (ACSs), partly by destabilizing coronary atherosclerotic plaques. We have examined the contribution of the -174G&gt;C IL-6 promoter variant on the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) among Tunisians. <b>Patients and Methods :</b> Study subjects included 418 CAD patients and 406 age- and sex-matched controls. IL-6 genotyping was done by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. <b>Results</b> : The frequency of the -174C allele (mutant) was lower in Tunisians than in Europeans, and the distribution of -174 G&gt;C genotypes was similar between CAD patients and control subjects. Moreover, compared to GG genotype carriers, -174C allele carriage did not increase the CAD relative risk (odds ratio and 95&#x0025; confidence interval=1.09 and 0.80-1.49), which remained nonsignificant after adjusting for traditional risk factors for CAD (age, smoking, hypertension, diabetes and obesity). <b>Conclusion</b> : The -174G&gt;C IL-6 promoter variant is not associated with an increased risk of CAD among Tunisians

Effects of Ramadan fasting on aspirin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients

<div><p>Aims</p><p>Ramadan fasting (RF) may affect aspirin resistance. We conducted this study in patients with cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors to assess the effect of RF on aspirin resistance and explore whether type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) would influence this effect.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A total of 177 stable patients with ≥2 CVR factors were recruited. All patients observed RF and were taking aspirin. Physical exam and standard biological tests including glycaemia and serum lipids data were performed before Ramadan (Pre-R), at the last week of Ramadan (R) and four weeks after the end of Ramadan (Post-R). In the same visits caloric intake was calculated and platelet reactivity to aspirin was assessed using Verify Now point-of-care assay.</p><p>Results</p><p>In the overall population, there was no significant change in absolute aspirin reaction unit (ARU) values and in metabolic parameters. In DM patients (n = 127), ARU change from Pre-R values was+19.7 (p = 0.01) and +14.4 (p = 0.02) respectively at R and Post-R. During Ramadan, glycaemia, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels increased significantly and returned to Pre-R values thereafter. These changes were not observed in non-DM patients.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>During RF aspirin resistance increased only in DM patients. This effect persisted one month after Ramadan. Simultaneous alteration of glycemic control and increase of serum lipids levels could potentially be a favorable factor.</p><p>Study registration</p><p>The protocol was registered at clinicaltrials.gov under: <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02720133" target="_blank">NCT02720133</a>.</p></div

Baseline characteristics.

<p>Baseline characteristics.</p

Clinical and caloric intake changes during the three protocol periods.

<p>Clinical and caloric intake changes during the three protocol periods.</p

Mean absolute ARU change from baseline during and after Ramadan.

<p>*p<0.05 between Ramadan and Post-Ramadan.</p