The MCP-1 Gene A-2518G Polymorphism Confers an Increased Risk of Vascular Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the correlation of the monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) A-2518G polymorphism with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and vascular complications in T2DM, to aid in understanding its role in pathogenesis. METHODS: A total of 150 T2DM patients and 50 healthy controls (group A) were enrolled. The T2DM patients were divided into three groups based on the absence of complications (group B) presence of microvascular disease (group C) or macrovascular disease (group D). DNA of all enrolled subjects was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for the MCP-1 A-2518G polymorphism. Serum MCP-1 levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Participants in group D had increased serum MCP-1 levels relative to group B, group C, and group A (all p<0.01). Compared with group A, the frequencies of the MCP-1 A-2518G G/G genotype and G allele were significantly higher in group C and group D (all p<0.05). In contrast to group B, group C had higher frequencies of the G/G genotype and G allele, while group D had higher G allele frequencies (all p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that lower body-mass index (BMI) and free cholesterol (FC), as well as higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels may be the protective factors for T2DM, while higher levels of triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and G/G genotype frequency were independent risk factors for T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicates a correlation between the MCP-1 A-2518G polymorphism with macrovascular complications in T2DM patients; lower BMI and FC, as well as higher HDL-C levels may be the protective factors for T2DM, while higher levels of TG, LDL-C, and G/G genotype frequency were independent risk factors for T2DM.

Azygous anterior cerebral artery and associated aneurysms: detection and identification using 3-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography.

AIM: The azygous anterior cerebral artery (Az) is a rarely observed anomaly of the anterior cerebral artery, and its associated aneurysm is even rarer. Our aim was to evaluate 3-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (3-D-TOF MRA) in the diagnosis of Az and associated aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three thousand five hundred seventy-two consecutive patients underwent 3-D-TOF MRA at 3.0 T. Postprocessing techniques, including volume rendering (VR) and single artery highlighting, were performed by a 3-D specialist. All MRA data and clinical information were recorded and stored in a database for further analysis. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (.39%) were identified as having an Az. Among these cases, 3 males (21.43%) had an aneurysm located at the distal bifurcation of the Az, with a mean size of 9.43 ± 3.33 mm. In MRA, the common trunk of the Az was slightly larger in diameter than the A1 segment (2.62 ± .35 mm vs. 2.54 ± .35 mm; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: With the VR technique, 3-D-TOF MRA is feasible and valuable in detecting an Az and associated aneurysm. Our MRA-based study has proved that the Az is a rare anomaly but has a relatively high incidence of associated aneurysms.

Application of dual Willis covered stents in the management of large fusiform carotid aneurysms in a canine model.

This study evaluates the efficacy of dual Willis covered stents for the treatment of large fusiform carotid aneurysms in a canine model. Carotid fusiform aneurysms >10 mm long were surgically created in 10 dogs and were then repaired using either single or dual covered stents. Clinical results were assessed by scheduled angiography and histological features by light and electron microscopy. Angiography immediately post-op and 6 months after surgery revealed aneurysm isolation rates of 60 and 20% for the single stent technique and 60 and 100% for the dual stent technique, respectively. The rate of complete obliteration of the aneurysm sac differed significantly between treatments (P = 0.048). The dual stent technique also resulted in greater endothelialization. For large carotid fusiform aneurysms in a canine model, endovascular repair using dual Willis covered stents is technically feasible and more effectively obliterates the aneurysm sac than the use of a single stent.