Correlation Between Cystatin C and the Severity of Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients with Systolic Heart Failure.

Introduction: To investigate the relationship between cystatin C and cardiac dysfunction severity in patients with systolic heart failure. Methods: We recruited 100 hospitalized patients with systolic heart failure and 100 age-gender-matched controls. The clinical information of each patient was collected. Blood pressure, heart rate, height, and weight were measured, as were serum concentrations of cholesterol, renal function indices, cystatin C, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP). Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on each patient. Results: Cystatin C and other indices of renal function, such as urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid, were significantly elevated in the serum of patients with heart failure and those with more severe cardiac dysfunction. The stepwise regression analyses showed that cystatin C was positively associated with BNP (ß = 0.18, P = 0.04, 95% CI: 21.1 ~ 1420.4) and left atrial diameter (LAD) (ß = 0.19, P = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.03 ~ 9.21) and was negatively associated with ejection fraction (ß = -0.22, P = 0.023, 95% CI: -12.4 ~ -0.93), while creatinine was only positively correlated with BNP (ß = 0.23, P = 0.03, 95% CI: 1.11 ~ 20.7). The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated significantly more severe cardiac dysfunction (NYHA III/IV) in patients with cystatin C ≥ 0.895mg/L (sensitivity was 83.0%, specificity was 80.9%, AUC = 0.893) and creatinine ≥ 91.5µmol/L (sensitivity was 71.7%, specificity was 70.2%, AUC = 0.764). Conclusion: Cystatin C was significantly correlated with cardiac structure and function in patients with systolic heart failure, and it was more valuable than creatinine to evaluate the severity of heart failure.

LINC00346 regulates NLRP1-mediated pyroptosis and autophagy via binding to microRNA-637 in vascular endothelium injury.

Endothelial injury and dysfunction contributes to atherosclerosis. LINC00346 plays a key role in vascular endothelial cell injury, however, the specific mechanism remains unclear. This study intends to further explore the relationship between LINC00346 and vascular endothelial injury. Circulating LINC00346 was significantly elevated in patients with coronary artery disease and had high diagnostic value for coronary artery disease. In cell experiments, we found that LINC00346 expression was significantly increased in the oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) intervention group, and LINC00346 knockdown delayed ox-LDL induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In addition, knockdown of LINC00346 mitigated ox-LDL-induced NOD-like receptor protein 1 (NLRP1)-mediated inflammasome formation and pyroptosis, but had no significant effect on NLRP3. By observing the number of autophagosome and detecting intracellular autophagic flux, we found that LINC00346 knockdown inhibited the ox-LDL-induced increase in intracellular autophagy level. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay, and RNA-pull down assay were performed to confirm the inter-molecular interaction. LINC00346 acted as microRNA-637 sponge to up-regulate the expression of NLRP1. Up-regulation of microRNA-637 alleviated NLRP1-mediated pyroptosis in HUVEC and reduced intracellular autophagosome and autolysosome formation. Finally, we explored whether pyropotosis and autophagy interact with each other. We found that inhibition of intracellular autophagy could alleviate NLRP1-mediated pyroptosis. In conclusion, LINC00346 inhibited the activation of NLRP1-mediated pyroptosis and autophagy via binding to microRNA-637, therefore mitigating vascular endothelial injury.

KLF5/LINC00346/miR­148a­3p axis regulates inflammation and endothelial cell injury in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases, which are related to high morbidity and mortality rates. The present study aimed to investigate the role of the Krüppel­like factor 5 (KLF5)/LINC00346/miR­148a­3p loop in AS. The expression levels of KLF5 in serum and of KLF5/LINC00346/miR­148a­3p in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were detected by RT­qPCR analysis. The protein expression levels of KLF5, phosphorylated (p­)endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and eNOS in HUVECs were analyzed by western blot analysis. Changes in the levels of TNF­α, IL­1ß, IL­6 and nitric oxide (NO) were determined in the supernatant through the application of available commercial kits. The binding of KLF5 to the promoter region of LINC00346 was verified by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)­PCR assay. The combinatory interaction between KLF5 and LINC00346, LINC00346 and miR­148a­3p, and miR­148a­3p and KLF5 was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. The results revealed that KLF5 expression was increased in the serum of patients with AS and also in oxidized low­density lipoprotein (OX­LDL)­stimulated HUVECs. The transcription factor KLF5 promoted the transcription of LINC00346. KLF5 interference or LINC00346 interference inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors and functional injury in OX­LDL­stimulated HUVECs. LINC00346 functioned as a sponge of miR­148a­3p. miR­148a­3p overexpression inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors and functional injury in OX­LDL­stimulated HUVECs and miR­148a­3p targeted KLF5 expression. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that KLF5 interference induces the downregulation of LINC00346 and also inhibits inflammation and functional injury in OX OX­LDL­stimulated HUVECs by upregulating miR­148a­3p expression.

The relationship between elevated serum uric acid and arterial stiffness in a healthy population.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the relationship between serum uric acid and arterial stiffness in a healthy population. METHODS: Among the 979 participants, baPWV was non-invasively measured, the circulating levels of uric acid were tested, and the uric acid polymorphisms (rs2231142 and rs11722228) were genotyped. Then, the Mendelian randomization method was employed to test the relationship between serum uric acid and arterial stiffness in a healthy population. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, gender, antihypertensive medication, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, urea nitrogen, creatinine and diabetic mellitus, there was a significant allelic difference in uric acid levels for each genotype (P < 0.0001 for rs2231142; P = 0.007 for rs11722228). However, there were no differences on the potential confounders between the genotypes of rs2231142 and rs11722228 (P > 0.05). The baPWV was significantly associated with circulating levels of uric acid after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and other potential confounders (P = 0.002). However, neither the single polymorphism, nor the accumulation of culprit alleles was associated with baPWV (P = 0.92 for rs2231142; P = 0.60 for rs11722228; P for trend = 0.77 for the combined analysis of culprit alleles). CONCLUSION: These results do not support the causal role of circulating levels of uric acid in the development of arterial stiffness.

Genetically Elevated Serum Uric Acid and Renal Function in an Apparently Healthy Population.

BACKGROUND: The association between uric acid and kidney disease has been extensively investigated. Numerous studies have reported the association between circulating levels of uric acid and renal function. OBJECTIVES: To test, by the Mendelian randomization method, whether there is a causal association between circulating levels of uric acid and renal function. METHODS: In 989 participants, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated, the circulating level of uric acid was tested, and the uric acid polymorphism (rs11722228) was genotyped. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, gender, smoking history, alcohol intake, antihypertensive medication, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and levels of urea nitrogen and creatinine, a significant allelic difference was found in uric acid levels for each genotype (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the circulating levels of uric acid were negatively associated with eGFR after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and other potential confounders (p < 0.0001). Meanwhile, eGFR was significantly associated with the genotypes of rs11722228 (ß = -0.07; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from the Mendelian randomization approach implied a causal relationship between uric acid and renal function in an apparently healthy population.

ABCA1 variants rs2230806 (R219K), rs4149313 (M8831I), and rs9282541 (R230C) are associated with susceptibility to coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ABCA1 gene and susceptibility to coronary heart disease (CHD) in Chinese Han population. METHODS: A total of 484 CHD patients and 488 controls were included in the study. Three SNPs rs2230806 (R219K), rs4149313 (M8831I), and rs9282541 (R230C) in ABCA1 gene were genotyped by SNaPshot. RESULTS: Single nucleotide polymorphism rs1800977 was associated with susceptibility to CHD (AA vs GG, P = 0.013; A vs G, P = 0.029; recessive model, P = 0.020). Rs4149313 (AA vs GG, P = 0.010; recessive model, P = 0.011) and rs9282541 (T vs C, P = 0.029; dominant model, P = 0.039) were also risk factor for CHD. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that three SNPs rs2230806, rs4149313, and rs9282541 in ABCA1 gene are significantly associated with susceptibility to CHD; further mechanism should be performed to be applied to drug research and development.

Smoking dose modifies the association between C242T polymorphism and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: The C242T polymorphism of the CYBA gene that encodes p22phox, a component of NADPH oxidase, has been found to modulate superoxide production. Oxidase is a major source of the superoxide anion that contributes to individual components of metabolic syndrome. We examined the relationship of the C242T polymorphism with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a Chinese population, taking account of consumed cigarette amounts. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In 870 participants, we collected biomarkers related to metabolic syndrome and detailed history of smoking and genotyped the C242T polymorphisms. After adjustment for covariates, the CT/TT genotypes were associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome (P = 0.0008). The odds of having metabolic syndrome in the CT/TT participants were 0.439 (95%CI: 0.265, 0.726), while for CC participants the odds were 1.110 (95%CI: 0.904, 1.362). There was significant (P = 0.014) interaction between the C242T polymorphism and smoking status in relation to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. For smokers who smoke no less than 25 pack-years, those with CT/TT genotypes had lower risk of metabolic syndrome as compared with CC polymorphism carriers (P = 0.015). In the multiple regression analysis, the CT/TT genotypes were significantly associated with lower serum concentration of triglycerides both in all subjects and smokers; furthermore, the CT/TT genotypes were also related to smaller waist circumference in smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the C242T gene polymorphism is indeed related to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and smoking dose might modify this association.

Diagnostic accuracy of a questionnaire and simple home monitoring device in detecting obstructive sleep apnoea in a Chinese population at high cardiovascular risk.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: OSA is a common condition associated with cardiovascular (CV) morbidity. It remains underdiagnosed globally in part due to the limited availability and technical requirements of polysomnography (PSG). The aim of this study was to test the accuracy of two simple methods for diagnosing OSA. METHODS: Consecutive subjects identified from a community register with high CV risk were invited to complete the Berlin Sleep Questionnaire and undergo simultaneous, home, overnight PSG and ApneaLink device oximetry and nasal pressure recordings. The relative accuracies of the Berlin Questionnaire, oximetry and nasal pressure results in diagnosing PSG-defined moderate-severe OSA were assessed. RESULTS: Of 257 eligible high CV risk subjects enrolled, 190 completed sleep studies and 143 subjects' studies were of sufficient quality to include in final analyses. Moderate-severe OSA was confirmed in 43% of subjects. The Berlin Questionnaire had low overall diagnostic accuracy in this population. However, ApneaLink recordings of oximetry and nasal pressure areas had high diagnostic utility with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.933 and 0.933, respectively. At optimal diagnostic thresholds, oximetry and nasal pressure measurements had similar sensitivity (84% vs 86%) and specificity (84% vs 85%). Technical failure was lower for oximetry than nasal pressure (5.8% vs 18.9% of tests). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with high CV risk overnight single-channel oximetry and nasal pressure measurements may provide high diagnostic accuracy and offer an accessible alternative to full PSG.

Elasticity indices of large and small arteries in relation to the metabolic syndrome in Chinese.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the elasticity of large and small arteries in relation to the components of the metabolic syndrome in a Chinese population. METHODS: Arterial elasticity indices were derived from pulse wave analysis based on a modified Windkessel model in 688 subjects, aged 33-65 years, who volunteered to participate in our study. RESULTS: The study population included 420 (61.0%) men and 433 (62.9%) hypertensive patients, of whom 197 (28.6%) took antihypertensive medication. Overall, the presence of the metabolic syndrome was 20.5%. In univariate analysis, both large artery elasticity index (C1) and small artery elasticity index (C2) were higher in men than in women (P < or = 0.008) and were inversely (P < or = 0.05) correlated with age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure, pulse rate, and plasma glucose concentration, and positively (P < 0.0001) correlated with body height and body weight. In men, smokers, compared with nonsmokers, had significantly lower C2 (P = 0.007), but they had similar C1 (P = 0.33). In adjusted analysis, patients with the metabolic syndrome, compared with those without, had significantly (P < 0.01) lower C1 and C2. In continuous adjusted analysis, both C1 and C2 were significantly (P < 0.0001) associated with systolic and diastolic BP, whereas in addition, C1 was also significantly associated with plasma glucose concentration (P = 0.007), and C2 with serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The metabolic syndrome is indeed a risk factor for reduced arterial elasticity.