Fibulin-1 is associated with cardiovascular risk in non-obese, non-diabetic individuals

Background. Fibulin-1 (FBLN1) is an extracellular matrix protein that appears in blood vessels. Recentstudies have confirmed its role in atherogenesis, vascular complications and cardiovascular disease inchronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association betweenserum fibulin-1 and biochemical indicators of cardiovascular risk: lipid profile, apolipoproteins B, AI, vitamin25(OH)D and high sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT) in non-diabetic subjects.Materials and methods. The study consisted of 120 normoglycaemic, non-smoking, non-obese Caucasiansubjects aged 25–40 (66 women and 54 men). Serum FBLN1 and plasma fasting glucose, lipid profile, C-reactive protein, insulin, glycated haemoglobin, apolipoproteins B100 and AI, total 25(OH)D, and hs-cTnT measurements were performed. Anthropometric parameters, HOMA-IR and atherogenic index (apoB:apoAI) were calculated. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured using an ultrasoundmethod. Subjects were divided by FBLN1 tertiles.Results. FBLN1 was significantly higher in women than in men (1.06 vs. 0.96; p < 0.05). FBLN1 positively correlated,when adjusted for age, BMI and blood pressure, with lipid profile, atherogenic index, apolipoprotein B (R = 0.28;p < 0.016), and hs-cTnT (R=0.39; p < 0.003) and negatively with 25(OH)D. ApoB and hscTnT were significantly associatedwith fibulin-1 concentration and, together with 25(OH)D, explained 19% of its variation. FBLN1 ≥1.0 ng/mLpredicted atherogenic risk with OR = 3.11 and 4.26 for having elevated apolipoprotein B and hs-TnT.Conclusions. Fibulin-1 might be a promissing risk factor for cardiovascular risk in young, non-obese,non-diabetic individuals, but this requires further investigation.Background. Fibulin-1 (FBLN1) is an extracellular matrix protein that appears in blood vessels. Recentstudies have confirmed its role in atherogenesis, vascular complications and cardiovascular disease inchronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association betweenserum fibulin-1 and biochemical indicators of cardiovascular risk: lipid profile, apolipoproteins B, AI, vitamin25(OH)D and high sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT) in non-diabetic subjects.Materials and methods. The study consisted of 120 normoglycaemic, non-smoking, non-obese Caucasiansubjects aged 25–40 (66 women and 54 men). Serum FBLN1 and plasma fasting glucose, lipid profile, C-reactive protein, insulin, glycated haemoglobin, apolipoproteins B100 and AI, total 25(OH)D, andhs-cTnT measurements were performed. Anthropometric parameters, HOMA-IR and atherogenic index (apoB:apoAI) were calculated. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured using an ultrasoundmethod. Subjects were divided by FBLN1 tertiles.Results. FBLN1 was significantly higher in women than in men (1.06 vs. 0.96; p < 0.05). FBLN1 positively correlated,when adjusted for age, BMI and blood pressure, with lipid profile, atherogenic index, apolipoprotein B (R = 0.28;p < 0.016), and hs-cTnT (R=0.39; p < 0.003) and negatively with 25(OH)D. ApoB and hscTnT were significantly associatedwith fibulin-1 concentration and, together with 25(OH)D, explained 19% of its variation. FBLN1 ≥1.0 ng/mLpredicted atherogenic risk with OR = 3.11 and 4.26 for having elevated apolipoprotein B and hs-TnT.Conclusions. Fibulin-1 might be a promissing risk factor for cardiovascular risk in young, non-obese,non-diabetic individuals, but this requires further investigation

Biomarkers of bone cell activity in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed, untreated acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Introduction. Controversial data on disturbances in mineral homeostasis and bone mass were reported in children with diagnosed untreated acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Early detection of bone metabolism abnormalities is important for monitoring the effect of therapy on the skeleton. The purpose of this study was to evaluate bone metabolism in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia by assessing biomarkers of bone cell activity. Materials and methods. Propeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP) and osteocalcin (OC) as bone formation markers and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX) and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRAP 5b) as resorption markers were determined in 22 Caucasian children and adolescents (12 boys 4–21 years, 10 girls 4–16 years) with newly diagnosed, untreated ALL and in 22 age- and gender-matched controls. Results. Bone formation, in particular, and bone resorption were significantly reduced in ALL children and adolescents compared with controls (Me P1NP 51.9 vs. 433.4 μg/L and OC 16.1 vs. 80.5 μg/L; p < 0.0001; Me CTX 0.454 vs. 1.225 μg/L and TRAP 5b 2.8 vs. 5.6 U/L; p < 0.001). P1NP positively correlated with OC (r = 0.56; p = 0.01) and CTX correlated with TRAP 5b (r = 0.54; p = 0.02) in children and adolescents with ALL. Median P1NP and OC concentrations in ALL children (4–9 years) were dramatically reduced compared with the healthy ones (10-fold and 9-fold respectively), whereas in adolescents with ALL (10–21 years) both bone formation markers were reduced in a lesser degree in comparison with the healthy adolescents. Conclusions. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia influences bone metabolism which is strongly related to the age of onset. More significant disturbances in bone turnover, particularly in bone formation (suppression of collagen synthesis), are observed in children with untreated ALL in comparison with adolescents with ALL.

Chosen Vascular Risk Markers in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome: An Age-Related Disorder

Purpose. To evaluate lipids and C-reactive protein serum levels in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) in the Polish population. Methods. 96 patients were studied with PEX and 79 control subjects. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and CRP serum levels, and TG/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C indexes were assessed. Results. There were no significant differences in concentration of lipids and values of TC/HDL-C, TG/HDL-C, and non-HDL-C between PEX and control groups. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein was not increased in patients with PEX. Conclusions. Our results cast doubt on the opinion on the possible PEX and vascular diseases relation. Further studies on this subject are mandatory

The Differences in the Level of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies after mRNA Vaccine between Convalescent and Non-Previously Infected People Disappear after the Second Dose—Study in Healthcare Workers Group in Poland

(1) Background: In many infections, antibodies play a crucial role in controlling infection. In COVID-19, the dynamics of the immune system response to SARS-CoV-2 is not fully understood. (2) Methods: The study was conducted on 120 healthcare workers from Dr. Antoni Jurasz University Hospital No. 1 in Bydgoszcz, between June and December 2020. In all participants, IgA and IgG antibody serum concentrations were measured using the semi-quantitative Anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA test (Euroimmun). After vaccination, in January and February 2021, antibody levels were examined using the quantitative IgG Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Quantivac ELISA test (Euroimmun). (3) Results: During the whole study period, the SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in 29 (24.2%) participants. In all infected participants, IgA and IgG antibodies were detectable after infection by semi-quantitative serological tests. Levels of antibodies were higher one month after the first dose in the convalescents than in the non-previously infected participants. In this second group, the level of antibodies increased significantly after the second dose of vaccines compared to the first dose. (4) Conclusions: The level of antibodies after the first dose of vaccine in the convalescents’ group is higher than in the SARS-CoV-2 non-infected group, but the differences disappear after the second vaccination