Peripheral blood mononuclear cells expression of miR-200c, miR-125b, miR-27b, miR-203, and miR-155 in patients with significant or insignificant coronary artery stenosis.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the principal causes of death worldwide. Among several predisposing factors, inflammation and inflammatory genes play a significant role in disease pathogenesis. Inflammatory microRNAs, small noncoding RNAs involved in regulating inflammation, are promising candidates for understanding pathogenesis of CAD and developing diagnostic biomarkers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the alteration of miR-200c, miR-125b, miR-27b, miR-203 and, miR-155 in patients suffering from coronary artery stenosis and insignificant coronary artery stenosis compared to healthy subjects. In this study we compared expressions of five inflammatory miRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 72 patients suffering significant coronary artery stenosis (CAD), 74 individuals without coronary artery disease and 30 individuals with insignificant coronary artery stenosis (ICAD). After blood collection, PBMCs were isolated and RNA was extracted. Gene expression levels were assessed by SYBR green based real-time PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using R program. Expression levels of miR-200c, miR-203, and miR-155 were lower in subjects with ICAD than that in CAD patients and subjects of the control group. MiR-125b was downregulated in CAD and ICAD groups compared to the control group. PBMC miR-27b was upregulated in the CAD group as compared to the ICAD and control groups. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis verified potential of three miRNAs in separating subjects with ICAD from CAD patients and healthy individuals. In conclusion, this original investigation suggested that altered expression of these five miRNAs may serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker discriminating clinical presentations of coronary artery diseases.

Association of Age With the Diagnostic Value of Coronary Artery Calcium Score for Ruling Out Coronary Stenosis in Symptomatic Patients.

Importance: The diagnostic value is unclear of a 0 coronary artery calcium (CAC) score to rule out obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and near-term clinical events across different age groups. Objective: To assess the diagnostic value of a CAC score of 0 for reducing the likelihood of obstructive CAD and to assess the implications of such a CAC score and obstructive CAD across different age groups. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study obtained data from the Western Denmark Heart Registry and had a median follow-up time of 4.3 years. Included patients were aged 18 years or older who underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2017, because of symptoms that were suggestive of CAD. Data analysis was performed from April 5 to July 7, 2021. Exposures: Obstructive CAD, which was defined as 50% or more luminal stenosis. Main Outcomes and Measures: Proportion of individuals with obstructive CAD who had a CAC score of 0. Risk-adjusted diagnostic likelihood ratios were used to assess the diagnostic value of a CAC score of 0 for reducing the likelihood of obstructive CAD beyond clinical variables. Risk factors associated with myocardial infarction and death were estimated. Results: A total of 23 759 symptomatic patients, of whom 12 771 (54%) had a CAC score of 0, were included. This cohort had a median (IQR) age of 58 (49-65) years and was primarily composed of women (13 160 [55%]). Overall, the prevalence of obstructive CAD was relatively low across all age groups, ranging from 3% (39 of 1278 patients) in those who were younger than 40 years to 8% (52 of 619) among those who were 70 years or older. In patients with obstructive CAD, 14% (725 of 5043) had a CAC score of 0, and the prevalence varied across age groups from 58% (39 of 68) among those who were younger than 40 years, 34% (192 of 562) among those aged 40 to 49 years, 18% (268 of 1486) among those aged 50 to 59 years, 9% (174 of 1963) among those aged 60 to 69 years, to 5% (52 of 964) among those who were 70 years or older. The added diagnostic value of a CAC score of 0 decreased at a younger age, with a risk factor-adjusted diagnostic likelihood ratio of a CAC score of 0 ranging from 0.68 (approximately 32% lower likelihood of obstructive CAD than expected) in those who were younger than 40 years to 0.18 (approximately 82% lower likelihood than expected) in those who were 70 years or older. The presence of obstructive vs nonobstructive CAD among those with a CAC score of 0 was associated with a multivariable adjusted hazard ratio of 1.51 (95% CI, 0.98-2.33) for myocardial infarction and all-cause death; however, this hazard ratio varied from 1.80 (95% CI, 1.02-3.19) in those who were younger than 60 years to 1.24 (95% CI, 0.64-2.39) in those who were 60 years or older. Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study found that the diagnostic value of a CAC score of 0 to rule out obstructive CAD beyond clinical variables was dependent on age, with the added diagnostic value being smaller for younger patients. In symptomatic patients who were younger than 60 years, a sizable proportion of obstructive CAD occurred among those without CAC and was associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction and all-cause death.

Correlations between vitronectin, miR-520, and miR-34 in patients with stenosis of coronary arteries.

BACKGROUND: In-stent restenosis usually occurs by platelet activation, neointima formation, VSMC migration, and proliferation in the position of the vessel stent. The monocytes have a magnificent role in neointimal hyperplasia since these cells recruit to the site of vessel injury through chemokines and other secretion proteins. This study is focused on the investigation of vitronectin, miR-193, miR-34, and miR-520 expression levels in PBMCs isolated from stenosed patients. METHODS: A total of sixty subjects undergoing coronary artery angiography containing patients with stent no restenosis (n = 20), in-stent restenosis (n = 20), and healthy participants (n = 20) participated in the study. The vitronectin, miR-193, miR-34, and miR-520 expression levels were measured by the RT-qPCR technique. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. RESULTS: The vitronectin, miR-34, and miR-520 expression levels changed significantly in patients with vessel in-stent restenosis (p = 0.02, p = 0.02, and p = 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, there were inverse correlations between the expression levels of vitronectin gene and miR-34 (r = - 0.44, p = 0.04) as well as miR-520 (r = - 0.5, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The molecular events in the vessel stenosis may be affected by targeting vitronectin with miR-520 and miR-34.

Increased expression of IL-20 is associated with ischemic cardiomyopathy and acute myocardial infarction.

Background: The expression and clinical significance of IL-20 in coronary artery diseases needs to be analyzed. Methods: IL-20 and its receptors were analyzed in coronary artery tissues. In a separate study, plasma IL-20 was also evaluated. Results: IL-20 and its receptors were significantly higher in coronary artery stenosis tissues from ischemic cardiomyopathy patients than that from controls. T lymphocytes and macrophages were the main source of IL-20 and expressed its receptors abundantly. Plasma IL-20 was significantly higher in acute myocardial infarction patients than that in controls. Conclusion: IL-20 was closely associated with the presence of acute myocardial infarction. IL-20 may participate in the progression of coronary artery stenosis and plaque vulnerability via regulating T lymphocytes and macrophages.

Reduction in GLP-1 secretory capacity may be a novel independent risk factor of coronary artery stenosis.

Multiple factors regulate glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion, but a group of apparently healthy subjects showed blunted responses of GLP-1 secretion in our previous study. In this study, we examined whether the reduction in GLP-1 secretory capacity is associated with increased extent of coronary artery stenosis in non-diabetic patients. Non-diabetic patients who were admitted for coronary angiography without a history of coronary interventions were enrolled. Coronary artery stenosis was quantified by Gensini score (GS), and GS ≥ 10 was used as an outcome variable based on its predictive value for cardiovascular events. The patients (mean age, 66.5 ± 8.8 years; 71% males, n = 173) underwent oral 75 g-glucose tolerant tests for determination of glucose, insulin and active GLP-1 levels. The area under the curve of plasma active GLP-1 (AUC-GLP-1) was determined as an index of GLP-1 secretory capacity. AUC-GLP-1 was not correlated with fasting glucose, AUC-glucose, serum lipids or indices of insulin sensitivity. In multivariate logistic regression analysis for GS ≥ 10, AUC-GLP-1 < median, age and hypertension were selected as explanatory variables, though fasting GLP-1 level was not selected. The findings suggest that reduction in GLP-1 secretory capacity is a novel independent risk factor of coronary stenosis.

Non-mercaptalbumin is significantly associated with the coronary plaque burden and the severity of coronary artery disease.

Human non-mercaptalbumin (HNA), oxidized form of serum albumin, has been reported as a useful marker in oxidative stress-related diseases; however, few reports have examined the association between HNA and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). The present study evaluated whether the HNA fraction is correlated with coronary artery stenosis in 140 patients considered to have a high risk of CAD or who were suspected of having acute coronary syndrome. The severity of CAD was defined by the number of stenotic coronary vessels and a severity score system (the Gensini score). HNA measurements were performed using our newly established high-performance liquid chromatography methodology. The results had shown that HNA was significantly increased in patients with three-vessel disease, compared with those without CAD or with single-vessel disease (p = 0.025), and was positively correlated with the Gensini score (ρ = 0.421, p < 0.001). A multivariate analysis showed that the number of stenotic vessels was an independent and significant factor associated with HNA (ρ = 1.246, p = 0.012). A logistic regression analysis showed that HNA was a strong predictor of multivessel CAD (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.020-1.229; p = 0.017). These findings indicate that the measurement of HNA could be clinically practical for predicting the severity of coronary artery stenosis.

The clinical role of combined serum C1q and hsCRP in predicting coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: C1q has been shown to be associated with coronary heart disease (CAD) and can co-deposit with C-reactive protein (CRP) in atherosclerotic plaques. However, few studies have been conducted between C1q, CRP parameters and CAD. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between C1q and CRP parameters and assess their clinical significance in CAD. METHODS: 238 total patients who underwent coronary artery angiography were enrolled and divided into control group (n = 65), stable CAD group (n = 47) and unstable angina group (UA group, n = 126). Patients' data were collected from self-administered questionnaires and electrical medical records. The severity of coronary stenosis was presented by Gensini score. The relationship between C1q, CRP parameters and CAD were evaluated by multivariate regression analysis and their predicting performance were assessed by ROC analysis and odds ratio analysis. RESULTS: Compared with control group, C1q was showed significantly lower in stable CAD (P = 0.004) and UA groups (P = 0.008), while hsCRP was higher in UA group (P = 0.024). Serum C1q was weakly positively associated with hsCRP (r = 0.24, P < 0.001) but not correlated with Gensini score. Logistic regression identified C1q (OR: 0.87 per 10 mg/L, 95% CI: 0.79-0.95, P = 0.001) and hsCRP (OR: 1.08 mg/L, 95% CI: 1.01-1.15, P = 0.032) as independent determinants of CAD. Furthermore, combined C1q and hsCRP level showed higher discriminatory accuracy in predicting CAD than C1q (AUC: 0.676 vs 0.585, P = 0.101; NRI: 10.4%, P = 0.049; IDI: 3.9%, P < 0.001) or hsCRP (AUC: 0.676 vs 0.585, P = 0.101; NRI: 16.7%, P = 0.006; IDI: 5.8%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced serum C1q and increased hsCRP are independently associated with CAD and could be potential predictors for CAD diagnosis. Furthermore, combined C1q and hsCRP showed better performance in predicting CAD than using single one.

Adrenomedullin-RAMP2 and -RAMP3 Systems Regulate Cardiac Homeostasis during Cardiovascular Stress.

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a peptide hormone with multiple physiological functions, which are regulated by its receptor activity-modifying proteins, RAMP2 and RAMP3. We previously reported that AM or RAMP2 knockout (KO) (AM-/-, RAMP2-/-) is embryonically lethal in mice, whereas RAMP3-/- mice are apparently normal. AM, RAMP2, and RAMP3 are all highly expressed in the heart; however, their functions there are not fully understood. Here, we analyzed the pathophysiological functions of the AM-RAMP2 and AM-RAMP3 systems in hearts subjected to cardiovascular stress. Cardiomyocyte-specific RAMP2-/- (C-RAMP2-/-) and RAMP3-/- showed no apparent heart failure at base line. After 1 week of transverse aortic constriction (TAC), however, C-RAMP2-/- exhibited significant cardiac hypertrophy, decreased ejection fraction, and increased fibrosis compared with wild-type mice. Both dP/dtmax and dP/dtmin were significantly reduced in C-RAMP2-/-, indicating reduced ventricular contractility and relaxation. Exposing C-RAMP2-/- cardiomyocytes to isoproterenol enhanced their hypertrophy and oxidative stress compared with wild-type cells. C-RAMP2-/- cardiomyocytes also contained fewer viable mitochondria and showed reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and respiratory capacity. RAMP3-/- also showed reduced systolic function and enhanced fibrosis after TAC, but those only became apparent after 4 weeks. A reduction in cardiac lymphatic vessels was the characteristic feature in RAMP3-/-. These observations indicate the AM-RAMP2 system is necessary for early adaptation to cardiovascular stress through regulation of cardiac mitochondria. AM-RAMP3 is necessary for later adaptation through regulation of lymphatic vessels. The AM-RAMP2 and AM-RAMP3 systems thus play separate critical roles in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis against cardiovascular stress.

Knockout of the NONO Gene Inhibits Neointima Formation in a Mouse Model of Vascular Injury.

[Figure: see text].

Elevated serum miR-3129-5p contributes to the progression of coronary heart disease via targeting mTOR.

The current study aims to explore the miRNA changes that occur in the serum of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and healthy controls using a microarray technique, thereby exploring the potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of CHD and the underlying mechanism. Clinical data were reviewed, and venous blood samples were collected from 66 cases of CHD and 58 cases of healthy controls. MicroRNA-wide expression profiling identified 16 miRNAs that were aberrantly decreased by ~2-fold in the serum of patients with CHD compared to that of healthy controls. RT-PCR analysis indicated that the expression of miR-3129-5p was increased the most in patients with CHD compared with that of controls. Moreover, serum miR-3129-5p was found to be highest in the severe stenosis group, followed by the moderate stenosis group and mild stenosis group. ROC analysis showed that serum miR-3129-5p could differentiate patients with CHD from controls. Further study showed that mTOR was a target gene of miR-3129-5p. Western blot assays demonstrated that miR-3129-5p significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of S6 but increased LC3II/LC3I and Beclin1 levels. Consistently, GFP-LC3 and TEM assays indicated that miR-3129 increased autophagy puncta in H9C2 cells. More importantly, silencing mTOR significantly decreased the expression of p-S6 but increased LC3II/LC3I and Beclin expression even in H9C2 cells transfected with miR-3129-5p inhibitor, indicating that miR-3129-5p-induced cell autophagy was mediated via mTOR in H9C2 cells. In summary, elevated serum miR-3129-5p contributes to CHD by targeting mTOR signaling and may be a therapeutic target in the treatment of CHD.

Evaluation of the diagnostic value of joint PET myocardial perfusion and metabolic imaging for vascular stenosis in patients with obstructive coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the diagnostic value of joint PET myocardial perfusion and metabolic imaging for vascular stenosis in patients with suspected obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: Eighty-eight patients (53 and 35 applied for training and validation, respectively) with suspected obstructive CAD were referred to 13N-NH3 PET/CT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) and 18F-FDG PET/CT myocardial metabolic imaging (MMI) with available coronary angiography for analysis. One semi-quantitative indicator summed rest score (SRS) and five quantitative indicators, namely, perfusion defect extent (EXT), total perfusion deficit (TPD), myocardial blood flow (MBF), scar degree (SCR), and metabolism-perfusion mismatch (MIS), were extracted from the PET rest MPI and MMI scans. Different combinations of indicators and seven machine learning methods were used to construct diagnostic models. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using the sum of four metrics (noted as sumScore), namely, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, MIS outperformed other individual indicators in terms of sumScore (2.816-3.042 vs 2.138-2.908). In multivariate analysis, support vector machine (SVM) consisting of three indicators (MBF, SCR, and MIS) achieved the best performance (AUC 0.856, accuracy 0.810, sensitivity 0.838, specificity 0.757, and sumScore 3.261). This model consistently achieved significantly higher AUC compared with the SRS method for four specific subgroups (0.897, 0.839, 0.875, and 0.949 vs 0.775, 0.606, 0.713, and 0.744; P = 0.041, 0.005, 0.034 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The joint evaluation of PET rest MPI and MMI could improve the diagnostic performance for obstructive CAD. The multivariate model (MBF, SCR, and MIS) combined with SVM outperformed other methods.

T Cell Proliferative Responses and IgG Antibodies to ß2GPI in Patients with Diabetes and Atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes increases the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) by 2 to 3 folds. Tlymphocytes play a role in atherosclerosis, which is the main pathology behind MI. Cellular immune responses to beta-2 glycoprotein I (ß2GPI) are shown in carotid atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the self-reactive, ß2GPI-specific T-lymphocytes in patients with and without diabetes and atherosclerosis. METHODS: Collectively, 164 subjects with and without diabetes that underwent coronary angiography were divided into four groups based on their diabetes status and coronary stenosis. Group I=Diabetic with ≥50% stenosis: A+D+ (n=66); Group II=Non-diabetic with ≥50% stenosis, A+D- (n=39); Group III=Diabetic with <50% stenosis: A-D+ (n=28); and Group IV=Non-diabetic with <50% stenosis: AD- (n=31). All groups were evaluated for anti-ß2GPI IgG antibody by ELISA method. Then, PBMCs were isolated from 18 subjects and were stimulated with ß2GPI-derived peptides to assess their proliferation in accordance with their HLA-DRB1 alleles. RESULTS: Mean ß2GPI IgG levels were higher in groups with ≥50% stenosis (A+) compared to those with <50% stenosis (A-), (P=0.02). The co-presence of diabetes in A+ individuals increased mean ß2GPI-specific IgG. Auto-reactive ß2GPI-specific T cells were detected in the repertoire of T-lymphocytes in all groups. ß2GPI-peptides showed promiscuous restriction by various HLADRB1. CONCLUSION: ß2GPI is the target of cellular and humoral immune responses in patients with atherosclerosis. Since the T cell responses but not antibodies were detectable in A-D+ and A-D- groups, it is reasonable to assume that cellular responses preceded the humoral responses. Post-translation modifications of ß2GPI under oxidative and glycemic stresses may have increased the IgG levels in patients with diabetes. Finally, identification of antigens that trigger immuno-pathogenesis in atherosclerosis and diabetes may help the development of immunomodulation methods to prevent or treat these debilitating diseases.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis pathway is involved in coronary artery stenosis and restenosis.

The inflammatory events related to prostaglandins may play an important role in the progression of vessel stenosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the monocyte PTGES and 15-PGDH gene expression levels and the serum 13,14-dihyro-15-keto-PGF2α value involved in PGE2 metabolism in patients with coronary artery stenosis and restenosis. Moreover, the effects of miR-520, miR-1297 and miR-34 were studied on the gene expression levels. A total of sixty subjects referred for coronary angiography including healthy controls (stenosis <5%), subjects with stent no restenosis) SNR, stenosis <5%) and subjects in stent restenosis (ISR, restenosis >70%) were participated in the study. The gene expression levels and the serum 13,14-dihyro-15-keto- PGF2α value were measured by RT-qPCR and ELISA techniques, respectively. Moreover, the effects of miRNAs on the gene expression levels were investigated by the monocyte transfection of miR/PEI complexes. The PTGES and 15-PGDH gene expression levels and serum 13,14-dihyro-15-keto- PGF2α value increased significantly (P <0.05). Based on the miR-520 and miR-34 expression levels, the miR/PEI transfection studies were confirmed significantly the gene expression changes. The monocyte PGE2 synthesis pathway is actively considered in the SNR and ISR patients and might be related to miR-34 and miR-520 functions.

18F-Sodium fluoride uptake is associated with severity of atherosclerotic stenosis in stable ischemic heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Increased uptake of 18F-Sodium fluoride (18F-NaF) PET has potential to identify atherosclerotic plaques that are vulnerable to rupture. Whether 18F-NaF PET can evaluate the significance of atherosclerotic plaque in patients with stable coronary artery disease is less clear. We evaluated 18F-NaF PET uptake in coronary arteries in patients without acute coronary artery syndrome to determine the association of 18F-NaF signal uptake with severity of coronary stenosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively identified 114 patients who received both regadenoson stress 82Rb myocardial perfusion PET and 18F-NaF PET study with an average interval of 5 months. Out of this cohort, forty-one patients underwent invasive coronary angiography. In a patient-based analysis, patients with ischemic regadenoson stress 82Rb PET had significantly higher coronary 18F-NaF uptake than patients with normal myocardial perfusion (P < .01). Among the 41 patients who underwent coronary angiography, per-vessel 18F-NaF uptake in both obstructive and nonobstructive coronary arteries was significantly higher than in normal coronary arteries (P < .05) regardless of the severity of coronary calcification. There was poor correlation between calcification and 18F-NaF uptake in coronary arteries (r = 0.41) CONCLUSION: Coronary arterial 18F-NaF uptake is associated with coronary stenosis severity in patients with stable coronary artery disease. 18F-NaF PET studies may be useful for characterizing coronary atherosclerotic plaques.

Expression of Cyclophilin A in Coronary Artery Plaque with Intraplaque Hemorrhage Is More Frequent in Deceased Patients Who Had Impaired Kidney Function.

Patients with impaired kidney function have a high frequency of intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) in their coronary arteries. Levels of cyclophilin A (CyPA), an indirect matrix metalloproteinase inducer, are increased in deceased patients who had impaired kidney function. In this study, we have examined the relationship between IPH and CyPA.We examined 47 samples of coronary plaque from 27 cadavers with coronary stenosis. These sections, all with > 50% coronary stenosis, were stained with an antibody against CyPA and the expression of CyPA was semi-quantified. Cadavers and plaques were classified into one of two groups depending on the presence or absence of IPH. IPH was defined as the presence of red blood cells stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) indicative of overt acute hemorrhage.In an individual analysis, estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the IPH group was significantly lower than that in the non-IPH group (P = 0.002). In a histological analysis, the percentage of stained area of CyPA in the IPH group was significantly higher than that in the non-IPH group (P < 0.0001).IPH was associated with a significantly higher expression of CyPA in this study. In addition, patients with IPH in their coronary arteries had significantly impaired kidney function.

Systemic immune-inflammation index is a novel marker to predict functionally significant coronary artery stenosis.

Aim: The study aimed to investigate and compare the predictive capacity of a systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) to determine a hemodynamically significant coronary artery stenosis assessed by fractional flow reserve (FFR). Patients & methods: A total of 207 chronic coronary syndrome patients with FFR measurement were enrolled in the study. NLR, PLR and SII levels were calculated. Results: The cut-off value of the SII (620) was associated with 78.4% sensitivity and 64.0% specificity to predict a hemodynamically significant stenosis. SII level independently predicted FFR ≤0.80. Conclusion: SII is an independent predictor of functionally significant coronary stenosis detected by FFR in chronic coronary syndrome patients. SII levels can predict hemodynamically severe obstruction better than NLR and PLR.

Homocysteine is not a risk factor for subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic individuals.

BACKGROUND: Homocysteine has been known as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study sought to evaluate the influence of homocysteine on the risk of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic individuals. METHODS: We reviewed 3,186 asymptomatic individuals (mean age 53.8 ± 8.0 years, 2,202 men [69.1%]) with no prior history of coronary artery disease who voluntarily underwent coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) and laboratory tests as part of a general health examination. The subjects were stratified into tertiles according to their homocysteine levels. The degree and extent of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis were assessed by CCTA. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between homocysteine levels and subclinical coronary atherosclerosis. RESULTS: The prevalence of significant coronary artery stenosis, any atherosclerotic, calcified, mixed, and non-calcified plaques increased with homocysteine tertiles (all p < 0.05). However, after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors, there were no statistically significant differences in the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for any atherosclerotic plaque (OR 1.06; 95% CI [confidence interval] 0.85-1.32; p = 0.610), calcified plaques (OR 1.17; 95% CI 0.92-1.48; p = 0.199), non-calcified plaques (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.61-1.04; p = 0.089), and mixed plaques (OR 1.42; 95% CI 0.96-2.11; p = 0.077) between the third and first homocysteine tertiles. In addition, the adjusted OR for significant coronary artery stenosis (OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.63-1.36; p = 0.687) did not differ between the first and third tertiles. CONCLUSIONS: In asymptomatic individuals, homocysteine is not associated with an increased risk of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis.

Inflammasome activation by NLRP1 and NLRC4 in patients with coronary stenosis.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: We performed an experimental, analytical and prospective study to evaluate the systemic activation of inflammasome in atherosclerosis' patients, in order to shed light into responsible mechanisms for plaque formation. SUBJECTS: We included sixty individuals distributed into 3 groups: 2 groups based on the report from the angiography (severe lesions - SL and primary lesions - PL) and 1 group enclosing healthy individuals (HC). METHODS: The expression assays of inflammasome genes NLRP1, NLRC4, CASP-1 and IL-1ß were performed using Real Time qPCR, with specific Taqman Assays. IL-1ß serum levels were analysed by commercial kit. Were applied the Shapiro-Wilk and Student's T-test as statistical tests. Statistical significance was set to p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Upregulation of NLRP1 (+3.47 FC, p = 0.0001), NLRC4 (+7.06 FC, p = 6.792 × 10-09) and IL-1ß (+2.43 FC, p = 0.005) was observed in all atherosclerosis patients when compared to HC. According to stenosis severity, patients with primary lesions showed upregulation of inflammasome genes NLRP1 (+2.87 FC, p = 0.0008), NLRC4 (+6.34 FC, p = 4.134 × 10-07) and IL-1ß (+3.39 FC, p = 0.0012) with respect to the HC group. No statistical difference was found in IL-1ß serum levels according the assessed groups. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammasome activation in atherosclerosis's patients can be systemic altered and may be triggered by NLRP1 and NLRC4 receptors. IL-1ß gene expression was identified in our study as an important systemic detectable marker of plaque severity.

Relationship between C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio and the extent of coronary artery disease in patients with non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of the newly defined C-reactive protein (CRP)-toalbumin ratio (CAR) in determining the extent and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in comparison with the other inflammatory markers such as neutrophil-tolymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), in patients with non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is retrospectively designed and includes 205 patients with NSTEMI with a mean age of 56.6± 11.4 years. The study cohort was subdivided into two groups according to Synergy Between Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with Taxus and cardiac surgery score (SS) as low (<23) and intermediate-high (≥23). Complete blood counts, serum CRP, and serum albumin were obtained at admission. The CAR, NLR, and PLR values of all patients were calculated. Then, we evaluated the relationship of CAR, NLR, and PLR with the CAD extent and severity. RESULTS: CAR and NLR were moderately correlated with SS (r = 0.517, P < 0.001; r = 0.222, P = 0.001, respectively), whereas PLR showed weak correlation with SS (r = 0.191, P = 0.006). According to multivariate analysis models, CAR, NLR, and left ventricular ejection fraction were found to be independent predictors of CAD severity (P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) for CAR (AUC: 0.829; 95% confidence interval: 0.770-0.878) was significantly greater than the AUC of NLR (AUC: 0.657; 95% confidence interval: 0.588-0.722), with P value of 0.002. A CAR more than 17 predicted an intermediate-high SS with 86% sensitivity and 76% specificity. CONCLUSION: Novel inflammatory marker CAR can be used as a reliable marker in prediction of CAD severity in patients with NSTEMI.

Ranolazine may exert its beneficial effects by increasing myocardial adenosine levels.

We hypothesized that ranolazine-induced adenosine release is responsible for its beneficial effects in ischemic heart disease. Sixteen open-chest anesthetized dogs with noncritical coronary stenosis were studied at rest, during dobutamine stress, and during dobutamine stress with ranolazine. Six additional dogs without stenosis were studied only at rest. Regional myocardial function and perfusion were assessed. Coronary venous blood was drawn. Murine endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes were incubated with ranolazine and adenosine metabolic enzyme inhibitors, and adenosine levels were measured. Cardiomyocytes were also exposed to dobutamine and dobutamine with ranolazine. Modeling was employed to determine whether ranolazine can bind to an enzyme that alters adenosine stores. Ranolazine was associated with increased adenosine levels in the absence (21.7 ± 3.0 vs. 9.4 ± 2.1 ng/mL, P < 0.05) and presence of ischemia (43.1 ± 13.2 vs. 23.4 ± 5.3 ng/mL, P < 0.05). Left ventricular end-systolic wall stress decreased (49.85 ± 4.68 vs. 57.42 ± 3.73 dyn/cm2, P < 0.05) and endocardial-to-epicardial myocardial blood flow ratio tended to normalize (0.89 ± 0.08 vs. 0.76 ± 0.10, P = nonsignificant). Adenosine levels increased in cardiac endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes when incubated with ranolazine that was reversed when cytosolic-5'-nucleotidase (cN-II) was inhibited. Point mutation of cN-II aborted an increase in its specific activity by ranolazine. Similarly, adenosine levels did not increase when cardiomyocytes were incubated with dobutamine. Modeling demonstrated plausible binding of ranolazine to cN-II with a docking energy of -11.7 kcal/mol. We conclude that the anti-adrenergic and cardioprotective effects of ranolazine-induced increase in tissue adenosine levels, likely mediated by increasing cN-II activity, may contribute to its beneficial effects in ischemic heart disease.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ranolazine is a drug used for treatment of angina pectoris in patients with ischemic heart disease. We discovered a novel mechanism by which this drug may exhibit its beneficial effects. It increases coronary venous levels of adenosine both at rest and during dobutamine-induced myocardial ischemia. Ranolazine also increases adenosine levels in endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes in vitro, by principally increasing activity of the enzyme cytosolic-5'-nucleotidase. Adenosine has well-known myocardial protective and anti-adrenergic properties that may explain, in part, ranolazine's beneficial effect in ischemic heart disease.