Hair whitening and obesity are independently related to ascending aorta dilatation in young-middle aged men

OBJECTIVE: Hair whitening (HW) is strongly linked with aging. Ascending aortic dilation (AAD) and HW share common etiologic factors. We investigated the association of HW with ascending aortic diameters. METHODS: Our study included 93 male subjects aged below 50 years. All patients underwent echocardiography to measure ascending aortic diameter, in addition to routine biochemistry tests, physical examination, and thorough medical history. HW score (HWS) was defined according to the percentage of white hair (HWS 1: <25%; HWS 2: 25–50%; HWS 3: 50–75%; and HWS 4: 75–100). RESULTS: Patients with highest HWS were older and had a higher percentage of hypertension (HT) and family history of HW. Moreover, this subgroup had increased ascending aortic diameter, higher serum uric acid, and lower total bilirubin concentrations. Multivariate analyses including age, HT, height, waist circumference, c-reactive protein, and family history of HW identified body weight and HWS as the independent predictors of ascending aortic diameter. CONCLUSION: An independent association between the degree of HW and AAD exists in middle-aged men, which may depend on coexisting factors that enhance both pathologies rather than causality. We think that oxidative stress may be one of these stressors

Epicardial adipose tissue thickness is associated with myocardial infarction and impaired coronary perfusion

Objective: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with the presence, severity and extent of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) in addition to subclinical atherosclerosis. We investigated if EAT thickness is related to acute myocardial infarction in patients with CAD. We also searched for the association between EAT thickness and objective coronary flow and myocardial perfusion parameters such as Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Frame count (TFC) and myocardial blush grade (MBG). Methods: Two-hundred consecutive patients with stable angina pectoris or acute coronary syndrome who were admitted to Ufuk University Faculty of Medicine, Dr Rıdvan Ege Hospital cardiology department were included in this observational, cross-sectional study. EAT thickness was evaluated by conventional transthoracic echocardiography. Coronary angiography was performed to determine the coronary involvement and perfusion. Results: Mean EAT thicknesses were 5.4±1.9 mm, 6.3±1.8 mm, and 8.5±1.4 mm in the stable angina pectoris (SAP), unstable angina pectoris (USAP) and acute myocardial infarction groups, respectively (p<0.001). With increasing EAT thickness, TFC increases whereas mean MBG values decrease (for EAT thickness 7 mm; mean TFC: 21.6±2.2, 25.3±3.3 and 35.2±7.7; and MBG values: 2.98±0.14, 2.83±0.57 and 1.7±1.16, respectively; both p<0.001). Cut-off EAT value to predict AMI was identified as 7.8 mm (ROC analysis AUC:0.876; p<0.001, 95% CI:0.822- 0.927). Sensitivity and specificity of EAT cut-off value 7.8 mm to predict AMI were 81.8% and 82.5% respectively. Conclusion: Increased EAT is associated with AMI and it may prove beneficial for choosing patients who would need more aggressive approach in terms of risk reduction using echocardiography which is a relatively cheap and readily available tool as a follow-up parameter

Increased pulse wave velocity and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with ulcerative colitis

Durakoglugil, Emre/0000-0001-5268-4262WOS: 000322650900024PubMed: 23508984Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized with chronic, progressive inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. the association of UC with cardiovascular disease is still a matter of debate. the aim of this study was to investigate whether carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) as surrogates of atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness are increased in patients with UC. Our study was cross-sectional and observational in design. Baseline characteristics were recorded during interview with the patient. Patients with previous cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic renal failure, and infectious and inflammatory disorders other than UC were excluded. Thirty-seven consecutive patients with UC and 30 control participants underwent cf-PWV assessment and CIMT measurement. the diagnosis of UC was based on clinical, radiologic, endoscopic, and histological findings. CIMT, cf-PWV, and C reactive protein were significantly higher in patients with UC. Although linear regression analyses identified UC as an independent predictor of CIMT (beta +/- A SE, 0.39 +/- A 0.08; p < 0.001), only age independently predicted cf-PWV (beta +/- A SE, 0.08 +/- A 0.03; p = 0.003) in our study population. Moreover, we revealed higher CIMT and PWV values in patients with higher disease activity and more extensive involvement, compared to patients with mild activity and limited disease. We revealed increased pulse wave velocity and CIMT in patients with UC. UC appears to be associated with arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic burden, but the underlying mechanisms require further studies to be identified

Plasma catestatin concentration is independently correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in untreated hypertensive patients

29th Turkish Cardiology Congress of the Turkish-Society-of-Cardiology (TSC) with International Participation -- OCT 26-29, 2013 -- Antalya, TURKEYCetin, Mustafa/0000-0001-6342-436X; Durakoglugil, Emre/0000-0001-5268-4262WOS: 000329858400426Purpose Catestatin (CST), a novel peptide derived from Chromogranin A, has diverse cardiovascular actions in addition to diminished sympathoadrenal flow. We intended to investigate metabolic and vascular associations of CST.Turkish Soc Cardio

The relationship of plasma catestatin concentrations with metabolic and vascular parameters in untreated hypertensive patients: Influence on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

Objective: Catestatin has several cardiovascular actions, in addition to diminished sympatho-adrenal flow. Decreased plasma catestatin levels may reflect a predisposition for the development of hypertension and metabolic disorders. We planned to investigate the possible roles of catestatin in untreated hypertensive patients. As a secondary objective, we compared catestatin concentrations of healthy subjects with those of hypertensive patients in order to understand whether catestatin is increased reactively or diminished at onset. Methods: Our study was cross-sectional and observational. The patient group, comprising 109 consecutive untreated hypertensive patients without additional systemic or coronary heart disease, underwent evaluations of plasma catestatin, waist circumference, lipid parameters, left ventricular mass, carotid intima-media thickness, and flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery. Additionally, we measured catestatin con- centrations of 38 apparently healthy subjects without any disease using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: We documented increased catestatin concentrations in previously untreated hypertensive patients compared to healthy controls (2.27±0.83 vs. 1.92±0.49 ng/mL, p=0.004). However, this association became insignificant after adjustments for age, gender, height, and weight. Within the patient group, catestatin levels were significantly higher in females. Among all study parameters, age, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) corre- lated positively to plasma catestatin, whereas triglycerides, hemoglobin, and left ventricular mass correlated negatively to plasma catestatin. We could not detect an association between vascular parameters and catestatin. Catestatin levels were significantly elevated with increasing HDL-C (1.91±0.37, 2.26±0.79, and 3.1±1.23 ng/mL in patients with HDL-C 60 mg/dL, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed age (beta: 0.201, p=0.041) and HDL-C (beta: 0.390, p<0.001) as independent correlates of plasma catestatin concentration. Additionally, male gender (beta:-0.330, p=0.001) and plasma catestatin (beta: 0.299, p=0.002) were significantly associated with HDL-C concentrations. Conclusion: We documented that plasma catestatin is an independent predictor of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition to antihy- pertensive effects, catestatin appears to be related to improved lipid and metabolic profiles. Coexistence of low catestatin levels with low HDL-C may provide a probable mechanism for the predictive value of low HDL-C for increased hypertension and cardiovascular events

The effect of irritable bowel syndrome on carotid intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity, and heart rate variability

Objective: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a subgroup of functional somatic disorders, may be associated with autonomic dysfunction (AD). Heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic dysfunction, may predict survival. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of IBS on HRV parameters, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) as surrogates of AD, subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness, respectively. Methods: Our study was cross-sectional and observational. Thirty consecutive patients with IBS and 30 control participants underwent 24-hour Holter monitoring, cf-PWV assessment and CIMT measurement. The diagnosis of IBS was based on Rome III criteria. There were 24 patients with IBS-Constipation (80%), 4 patients with IBS-Diarrhea (13.3%), and 2 patients with IBS-Mixed (6.7%) in IBS group. Student t-test and &#967;2 test were utilized in order to compare continuous and categorical variables between two groups, respectively. Results: Biochemical parameters did not differ between groups except for slightly increased creatinine in patients with IBS. cf-PWV and CIMT values were similar between groups. SDNN index and RMSSD were significantly impaired in patients with IBS compared to controls. Frequency analyses revealed lower LF, HF, and VLF in subjects with IBS. Conclusion: We demonstrated decreased parasympathetic modulation in patients with constipation predominant IBS. However, we could not demonstrate any changes in vascular structure and functions measured by carotid intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity. Our results do not support accelerated atherosclerosis in IBS population (Anadol

ENDOTELYAL PROGENİTÖR HÜCRELER VE MONOSİTLERİN ATEROSKLEROZ VE KORONER KOLLATERAL GELİŞİM İLE İLİŞKİSİ

Endotelyal progenitör hücreler (EPC) vasküler sistemde onarıcı bir role sahiptir. Bu çalışmanın amacı kandaki inflamatuvar hücreler ve EPC hücrelerin, kardiyovasküler risk faktörleri ile birlikte ateroskleroz varlığı ve yaygınlığı ile ilişkisinin araştırılması ve koroner kollateral gelişim üzerine olan etkilerinin incelenmesidir. Çalışmaya koroner arter hastalığı ön tanısı ile koroner anjiyografisi yapılan toplam 119 hasta alındı (ortalama yaş: 59,2 ± 9,3 yıl). Hastalarda inflamatuvar hücreler ve EPC (CD34+KDR+ olarak tanımlanan) hücrelerinin ateroskleroz varlığı, ciddiyeti, yaygınlığı ve kollateral gelişimi üzerine olan etkileri araştırıldı. Hastaların %25&#8217;inde (n=30, 55 ± 9 yıl) normal koroner arterler (NKA), %69&#8217;unda koroner arter hastalığı (n=82, 61 ± 8 yıl) ve %8&#8217;inde iskemik olmayan kardiyomiyopati (n=7, 63 ± 12 yıl) saptandı. Çalışmada koroner arter hastalığı saptanan hastaların %15&#8217;ininin koroner arterinde (n=12) <%50 lezyon, %42,5&#8217;inin (n=35) %50&#8211;90 arası lezyon ve %42,5&#8217;inin (n=35) &#8805;%90 lezyon saptandı. Koroner arter hastalığı olan hastaların periferik dolaşımında daha yüksek inflamatuvar hücre olduğu saptandı (Lökosit, 7150 ± 1599 vs 8163 ± 1588 mm&#8211;3, p=0.001; Nötrofil, 4239 ± 1280 vs 4827 ± 1273 mm&#8211;3, p=0.021; Monosit, 512 ± 111 vs 636 ± 192 mm&#8211;3, p=0.001). Koroner arter hastalığı olan hastaların daha düşük periferik kan EPC hücresine (%0.27±0.15 vs %0.17±0.14, p<0.001 ve 21±15 vs 13±12 mm&#8211;3, p=0.004) sahip olduğu saptandı. Kollateral gelişim için değerlendirildiğinde ise iyi kollateral gelişim gurubunda anlamlı olarak daha yüksek EPC (%0.10±0.05 vs %0.22±0.17, p=0.009; 7±3 vs 18±15 mm&#8211;3, p=0.003) saptandı. Çalışma bulgularımız EPC&#8217;lerin iskemi varlığında yaygın aterosklerozu olan hastalarda bile kemik iliğinden yeterli miktarlarda mobilize olabileceğini göstermektedir. Bu bulgu diğer inflamatuvar hücreleri kemik iliğinden mobilize etmeden spesifik olarak EPC&#8217;lerin mobilizasyonunu uyaracak molekülün bulunması için bir dayanak olabilir.Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) have a regenerative role in the vascular system. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of EPC and inflammatory cells on the presence and extend of coronary artery disease (CAD), and the coronary collateral growth in patients who are suspected of having CAD. We enrolled 119 eligible patients who underwent coronary angiography consecutively (mean age: 59,2 ± 9,3 years). The association of circulating inflammatory cells and EPC (defined by CD34+KDR+) with the presence, severity and extend of CAD and the collateral growth were investigated. Thirty of 119 patients had normal coronary artery (NCA, %25, 55 ± 9 years), 82 had CAD (%69, 61 ± 8 years) and 7 had nonischemic cardiomyopathy (%8, 63 ± 12 years). Among the patients with CAD, the percent degree of luminal stenosis was <50% in 12 patients; 50-90% in 35 patients; and &#8805;90% in the other 35 patients. Circulating inflammatory cells were higher (leukocytes, 7150 ± 1599 vs 8163 ± 1588 mm&#8211;3, p=0.001; neutrophils, 4239 ± 1280 vs 4827 ± 1273 mm&#8211;3, p=0.021; monocytes, 512 ± 111 vs 636 ± 192 mm&#8211;3, p=0.001) and EPCs were lower in CAD group than NCA group (0.27±0.15% vs 0.17±0.14%, p<0.001 ve 21±15 vs 13±12 mm&#8211;3, p=0.004). When we investigated the collateral growth, we found that patients with good collateral growth had significantly higher EPC in comparison to patients with poor collateral growth (0.10±0.05% vs 0.22±0.17%, p=0.009; 7±3 vs 18±15 mm&#8211;3, p=0.003). Endothelial progenitor cells can be mobilised from bone marrow to induce the coronary collateral growth in case of myocardial ischemia even in presence of the vascular risk factors and extensive atherosclerosis. This finding may be supportive to investigate the molecules which can specifically mobilise EPC without inflammatory cells

Arterial stiffness evaluation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: role of antihypertensive drugs and statins reply

Durakoglugil, Emre/0000-0001-5268-4262WOS: 000361689900021...