Correlation between mesenteric fat thickness and serum apolipoproteins in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease

BACKGROUND: Visceral fat possesses the most detrimental potential for cardiovascular morbidity through the release of adipokines, as well as metabolic and proinflammatory mediators, which adversely affect metabolic and vascular homeostasis. Among the different types of visceral adipose tissue, mesenteric fat is considered particularly detrimental, due to its close proximity to the portal circulation, affecting directly the liver, which is the main regulator of body metabolic homeostasis. Mesenteric fat can be reliably estimated using abdominal ultrasonography, the only available imaging method able to depict individual mesenteric leaves. Aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation of mesenteric fat thickness (MFT) with serum apolipoprotein levels in patients undergoing digital subtraction angiography in a single center. METHODS: 35 male patients with peripheral arterial disease were examined. After careful examination of the periumbilical area, the mesenteric leaves were identified. The maximal distance between each pair of sequential leaves was measured, and the mean value of the three thickest leaves was determined as the mesenteric fat thickness. Six apolipoprotein fasting serum concentrations were measured using a Luminex proteomics platform (xMAP Multiplex immunoassay): apolipoprotein A-I (apoAI), apolipoprotein A-II (apoAII), apolipoprotein B (apoB), apolipoprotein C-II (apoCII), apolipoprotein C-III (apoCIII) and apolipoprotein E (apoE). RESULTS: MFT correlated with apoAII and apoB serum concentrations. The correlations with apoAII and apoB remained significant following correction for BMI. No correlations were noted between MFT and serum apoAI, apoCII, apoCIII or apoE levels before or after adjustment for BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that MFT is significantly correlated with the concentration of atherogenic low density lipoproteins particles, as well as with apoAII, a determinant of free fatty acids levels. No correlation was observed between mesenteric fat thickness and very low density lipoprotein or chylomicron particles concentration

mRECIST criteria and contrast-enhanced US for the assessment of the response of hepatocellular carcinoma to transarterial chemoembolization

PURPOSEWe aimed to evaluate the combination of the modified Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (mRECIST) and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) as a tool for the assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial chemoembolization. MATERIALS AND METHODSForty-seven hepatocellular carcinoma patients (80 target tumors suitable for mRECIST measurements) were studied. They were treated with scheduled transarterial chemoembolization with doxorubicin-eluting microspheres every 5–7 weeks. Imaging follow-up (performed one month after each transarterial chemoembolization) included a standard, contrast-enhanced modality (computed tomography [CT] in 12 patients or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] in 35 patients) and CEUS. The study focused on response evaluation after the third transarterial chemoembolization. CEUS required a bolus injection of an echo-enhancer and imaging with a dedicated, low mechanical index technique. The longest diameters of the enhancing target tumors were measured on the CEUS or CT/MRI, and mRECIST criteria were applied. Radiologic responses were correlated with overall survival and time to progression. RESULTSThe measurements of longest diameters of the enhancing target tumors were easily performed in all patients. According to mRECIST-CEUS and mRECIST-CT/MRI, complete response was recorded in five and six patients, partial response in 22 and 21 patients, stable disease in 16 and 14 patients, and progressive disease in four and six patients, respectively. There was a high degree of concordance between CEUS and CT/MRI (kappa coefficient=0.84, P < 0.001). Responders (complete+partial response) according to mRECIST-CEUS had a significantly longer mean overall survival and time to progression compared to nonresponders (37.1 vs. 11.0 months, P < 0.001 and 24.6 vs. 10.9 months, P = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSIONThe mRECIST-CEUS combination is feasible and has prognostic value in the assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma following transarterial chemoembolization

Correlation between mesenteric fat thickness and serum apolipoproteins in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease

Abstract Background Visceral fat possesses the most detrimental potential for cardiovascular morbidity through the release of adipokines, as well as metabolic and proinflammatory mediators, which adversely affect metabolic and vascular homeostasis. Among the different types of visceral adipose tissue, mesenteric fat is considered particularly detrimental, due to its close proximity to the portal circulation, affecting directly the liver, which is the main regulator of body metabolic homeostasis. Mesenteric fat can be reliably estimated using abdominal ultrasonography, the only available imaging method able to depict individual mesenteric leaves. Aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation of mesenteric fat thickness (MFT) with serum apolipoprotein levels in patients undergoing digital subtraction angiography in a single center. Methods 35 male patients with peripheral arterial disease were examined. After careful examination of the periumbilical area, the mesenteric leaves were identified. The maximal distance between each pair of sequential leaves was measured, and the mean value of the three thickest leaves was determined as the mesenteric fat thickness. Six apolipoprotein fasting serum concentrations were measured using a Luminex proteomics platform (xMAP Multiplex immunoassay): apolipoprotein A-I (apoAI), apolipoprotein A-II (apoAII), apolipoprotein B (apoB), apolipoprotein C-II (apoCII), apolipoprotein C-III (apoCIII) and apolipoprotein E (apoE). Results MFT correlated with apoAII and apoB serum concentrations. The correlations with apoAII and apoB remained significant following correction for BMI. No correlations were noted between MFT and serum apoAI, apoCII, apoCIII or apoE levels before or after adjustment for BMI. Conclusions Our study indicates that MFT is significantly correlated with the concentration of atherogenic low density lipoproteins particles, as well as with apoAII, a determinant of free fatty acids levels. No correlation was observed between mesenteric fat thickness and very low density lipoprotein or chylomicron particles concentration.</p

Endothelial progenitor cells as a cardiometabolic risk factor marker in prediabetes

OBJECTIVE: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have recently been considered as a potential novel marker of vascular integrity, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. This study was performed to investigate the main determinants of EPC levels in individuals with prediabetes. DESIGN: Thirty-nine participants with newly diagnosed prediabetes were enrolled. Flow cytometric analysis was used to quantify EPCs (CD34+CD133+VEGFR-2+). Traditional risk factors, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and anthropometric parameters, including ultrasonographic-determined visceral and subcutaneous fat, were recorded. RESULTS : In univariate analysis, EPC levels significantly correlated with waist circumference (p = 0.017), mean arterial pressure (p = 0.009), total cholesterol (p = 0.003), hs-CRP (p = 0.006), HOMA-IR (p = 0.031) and visceral fat (p = 0.040). However, in stepwise multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis, only visceral fat retained its statistical significance (OR = 0.79, 95% Cl: 0.64-0.98, p = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS : Visceral fat seems to be the main determinant of EPC levels in individuals with prediabetes and to form a plausible link between mild metabolic abnormalities, cardiovascular risk and vascular homeostasis process

Correlation between mesenteric fat thickness and serum apolipoproteins in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease

Background: Visceral fat possesses the most detrimental potential for cardiovascular morbidity through the release of adipokines, as well as metabolic and proinflammatory mediators, which adversely affect metabolic and vascular homeostasis. Among the different types of visceral adipose tissue, mesenteric fat is considered particularly detrimental, due to its close proximity to the portal circulation, affecting directly the liver, which is the main regulator of body metabolic homeostasis. Mesenteric fat can be reliably estimated using abdominal ultrasonography, the only available imaging method able to depict individual mesenteric leaves. Aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation of mesenteric fat thickness (MFT) with serum apolipoprotein levels in patients undergoing digital subtraction angiography in a single center. Methods: 35 male patients with peripheral arterial disease were examined. After careful examination of the periumbilical area, the mesenteric leaves were identified. The maximal distance between each pair of sequential leaves was measured, and the mean value of the three thickest leaves was determined as the mesenteric fat thickness. Six apolipoprotein fasting serum concentrations were measured using a Luminex proteomics platform (xMAP Multiplex immunoassay): apolipoprotein A-I (apoAI), apolipoprotein A-II (apoAII), apolipoprotein B (apoB), apolipoprotein C-II (apoCII), apolipoprotein C-III (apoCIII) and apolipoprotein E (apoE). Results: MFT correlated with apoAII and apoB serum concentrations. The correlations with apoAII and apoB remained significant following correction for BMI. No correlations were noted between MFT and serum apoAI, apoCII, apoCIII or apoE levels before or after adjustment for BMI. Conclusions: Our study indicates that MFT is significantly correlated with the concentration of atherogenic low density lipoproteins particles, as well as with apoAII, a determinant of free fatty acids levels. No correlation was observed between mesenteric fat thickness and very low density lipoprotein or chylomicron particles concentration