Endothelial function in patients with familial Mediterranean fever-related amyloidosis and association with cardiovascular events

Objectives. Secondary amyloidosis is the most important complication of FMF and endothelial function is more severely impaired. Elevated asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) may mediate the excess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk of this group. We aimed to compare endothelial function characteristics, including ADMA, in patients with FMF-related amyloidosis and primary glomerulopathies and to define risk factors for a CVD event. Methods. We undertook a cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up including consecutive patients with FMF-related amyloidosis (n = 98) or other non-diabetic glomerulopathies (n = 102). All patients had nephrotic-range proteinuria and normal glomerular filtration rate. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was assessedand ADMA levels, CRP and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) were determined. Patients were followed for cardiovascular events. Results. Amyloidosis patients secondary to FMF showed higher levels of ADMA, CRP and PTX3 and lower FMD as compared with patients with other glomerulopathies. Cardiovascular events (n = 54) were registered during 3 years of follow-up. Increased ADMA levels and lower FMD were observed in patients with cardiovascular risk in both groups, but especially in individuals with amyloidosis.Conclusion. Patients with FMF-related amyloidosis have increased CVD event risk, probably related to the high ADMA levels, elevated inflammatory markers and decreased FMD measures observed in these patients

The association of profilin-1 levels with survival in chronic kidney disease

WOS: 000416334100002PubMed ID: 28981140BackgroundProfilin-1 is a ubiquitous, actin-binding protein that plays an important role in the regulation of actin polymerization and cytoskeleton remodelling and contributes to vascular dysfunction. We conducted this study to investigate the association of serum profilin-1 levels with fatal and nonfatal CVE in a cohort of patients with stage 1-5 CKD. Materials and methodsSerum concentrations of profilin-1 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation (flow-mediated dilatation [FMD]) and endothelium-independent vasodilatation (nitroglycerine-mediated dilatation [NMD]) of the brachial artery were assessed noninvasively, using high-resolution ultrasound. ResultsBoth fatal and nonfatal CVE were significantly higher in patients with high profilin-1 levels. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that patients with profilin-1 below the median value (114pg/mL) had higher cumulative survival compared with patients who had profilin-1 levels above the median value (log-rank test, P<.001). ConclusionsThis is the first study that demonstrates the serum profilin-1 is independently associated with endothelial dysfunction, cardiovascular events and survival in patients with CKD

The association of profilin-1 levels with survival in chronic kidney disease

BackgroundProfilin-1 is a ubiquitous, actin-binding protein that plays an important role in the regulation of actin polymerization and cytoskeleton remodelling and contributes to vascular dysfunction. We conducted this study to investigate the association of serum profilin-1 levels with fatal and nonfatal CVE in a cohort of patients with stage 1-5 CKD

Endothelial Function In Patients With Familial Mediterranean Fever-Related Amyloidosis And Association With Cardiovascular Events

Objectives. Secondary amyloidosis is the most important complication of FMF and endothelial function is more severely impaired. Elevated asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) may mediate the excess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk of this group. We aimed to compare endothelial function characteristics, including ADMA, in patients with FMF-related amyloidosis and primary glomerulopathies and to define risk factors for a CVD event. Methods. We undertook a cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up including consecutive patients with FMF-related amyloidosis (n = 98) or other non-diabetic glomerulopathies (n = 102). All patients had nephrotic-range proteinuria and normal glomerular filtration rate. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was assessed and ADMA levels, CRP and pentraxin 3 (PTX3) were determined. Patients were followed for cardiovascular events. Results. Amyloidosis patients secondary to FMF showed higher levels of ADMA, CRP and PTX3 and lower FMD as compared with patients with other glomerulopathies. Cardiovascular events (n = 54) were registered during 3 years of follow-up. Increased ADMA levels and lower FMD were observed in patients with cardiovascular risk in both groups, but especially in individuals with amyloidosis. Conclusion. Patients with FMF-related amyloidosis have increased CVD event risk, probably related to the high ADMA levels, elevated inflammatory markers and decreased FMD measures observed in these patients