Plasma levels of soluble VEGF receptor isoforms, circulating pterins and VEGF system SNPs as prognostic biomarkers in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Development of collateral circulation in coronary artery disease is cardio-protective. A key process in forming new blood vessels is attraction to occluded arteries of monocytes with their subsequent activation as macrophages. In patients from a prospectively recruited post-acute coronary syndromes cohort we investigated the prognostic performance of three products of activated macrophages, soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors (sFlt-1 and sKDR) and pterins, alongside genetic variants in VEGF receptor genes, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2. METHODS: Baseline levels of sFlt-1 (VEGFR1), sKDR (VEGFR2) and pterins were measured in plasma samples from subgroups (n = 513; 211; 144, respectively) of the Coronary Disease Cohort Study (CDCS, n = 2067). DNA samples from the cohort were genotyped for polymorphisms from the VEGFR-1 gene SNPs (rs748252 n = 2027, rs9513070 n = 2048) and VEGFR-2 gene SNPs (rs2071559 n = 2050, rs2305948 n = 2066, rs1870377 n = 2042). RESULTS: At baseline, levels of sFlt-1 were significantly correlated with age, alcohol consumption, NTproBNP, BNP and other covariates relevant to cardiovascular pathophysiology. Total neopterin levels were associated with alcohol consumption at baseline. 7,8 dihydroneopterin was associated with BMI. The A allele of VEGFR-2 variant rs1870377 was associated with higher plasma sFlt-1 and lower levels of sKDR at baseline. Baseline plasma sFlt-1 was univariately associated with all cause mortality with (p < 0.001) and in a Cox's proportional hazards regression model sFlt-1 and pterins were both associated with mortality independent of established predictors (p < 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: sFlt-1 and pterins may have potential as prognostic biomarkers in acute coronary syndromes patients. Genetic markers from VEGF system genes warrant further investigation as markers of levels of VEGF system components in these patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. ACTRN12605000431628 . 16 September 2005, Retrospectively registered.

Plasma soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, placental growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor system gene variants as predictors of survival in heart failure.

AIMS: Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF), components of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system, play key roles in angiogenesis. Reports of elevated plasma levels of sFlt-1 and PlGF in coronary heart disease and heart failure (HF) led us to investigate their utility, and VEGF system gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as prognostic biomarkers in HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: ELISA assays for sFlt-1, PlGF and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were performed on baseline plasma samples from the PEOPLE cohort (n = 890), a study of outcomes among patients after an episode of acute decompensated HF. Eight SNPs potentially associated with sFlt-1 or PlGF levels were genotyped. sFlt-1 and PlGF were assayed in 201 subjects from the Canterbury Healthy Volunteers Study (CHVS) matched to PEOPLE participants. All-cause death was the major endpoint for clinical outcome considered. In PEOPLE participants, mean plasma levels for both sFlt-1 (125 ± 2.01 pg/ml) and PlGF (17.5 ± 0.21 pg/ml) were higher (both p < 0.044) than in the CHVS cohort (81.2 ± 1.31 pg/ml and 15.5 ± 0.32 pg/ml, respectively). sFlt-1 was higher in HF with reduced ejection fraction compared to HF with preserved ejection fraction (p = 0.005). The PGF gene SNP rs2268616 was univariately associated with death (p = 0.016), and was also associated with PlGF levels, as was rs2268614 genotype. Cox proportional hazards modelling (n = 695, 246 deaths) showed plasma sFlt-1, but not PlGF, predicted survival (hazard ratio 6.44, 95% confidence interval 2.57-16.1; p < 0.001) in PEOPLE, independent of age, NT-proBNP, ischaemic aetiology, diabetic status and beta-blocker therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma sFlt-1 concentrations have potential as an independent predictor of survival and may be complementary to established prognostic biomarkers in HF.

Co-Selection of Bacterial Metal and Antibiotic Resistance in Soil Laboratory Microcosms.

Accumulation of heavy metals (HMs) in agricultural soil following the application of superphosphate fertilisers seems to induce resistance of soil bacteria to HMs and appears to co-select for resistance to antibiotics (Ab). This study aimed to investigate the selection of co-resistance of soil bacteria to HMs and Ab in uncontaminated soil incubated for 6 weeks at 25 °C in laboratory microcosms spiked with ranges of concentrations of cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and mercury (Hg). Co-selection of HM and Ab resistance was assessed using plate culture on media with a range of HM and Ab concentrations, and pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT) assays. Bacterial diversity was profiled via terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) assay and 16S rDNA sequencing of genomic DNA isolated from selected microcosms. Based on sequence data, the microbial communities exposed to HMs were found to differ significantly compared to control microcosms with no added HM across a range of taxonomic levels.

KCNE5 polymorphism rs697829 is associated with QT interval and survival in acute coronary syndromes patients.

INTRODUCTION: The KCNE family is a group of small transmembrane channel proteins involved in potassium ion (K(+)) conductance. The X-linked KCNE5 gene encodes a regulator of the K(+) current mediated by the potassium channel KCNQ1. Polymorphisms in KCNE5 have been associated with altered cardiac electrophysiological properties in human studies. We investigated associations of the common rs697829 polymorphism from KCNE5 with baseline characteristics, baseline electrocardiographic (ECG) measurements, and patient survival in a cohort of post-acute coronary syndromes (ACS) patients (the Coronary Disease Cohort Study cohort). METHODS AND RESULTS: DNA samples (n = 1,740) were genotyped for rs697829 using a TaqMan assay. Baseline ECG data revealed corrected QT (QTc) interval was associated with rs697829 in male, but not female, patients, being extended in the G genotype group (A 416 ± 1.71; G 431 ± 4.25 ms, P = 0.002). Covariate-adjusted survival was poorest in G genotype patients in Cox proportional hazard modeling of mortality data of males (P(overall) = 0.020). Male patients with G genotype had a hazard ratio of 1.44 (1.11-2.33) for death when compared to the A genotype male patients (P = 0.048) after adjustment for age, baseline log-transformed N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), ß-blocker and insulin treatment, QTc interval, history of myocardial infarction, and physical activity score. CONCLUSION: This study suggests an association between rs697829, a common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) from KCNE5, and ECG measurements and survival in postacute ACS patients. Prolonged subclinical QT interval may be a marker of adverse outcome in this group of patients.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-A promoter polymorphisms, circulating VEGF-A and survival in acute coronary syndromes.

BACKGROUND: Development of a competent collateral circulation in established coronary artery disease is cardio-protective. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system plays a key role in this process. We investigated the prognostic performance of circulating VEGF-A and three genetic variants in the VEGFA gene in a clinical coronary cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Coronary Disease Cohort Study (CDCS) recruited 2,140 patients, with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), after admission to Christchurch or Auckland City Hospitals between July 2002 and January 2009. We present data for 1927 patients from the cohort genotyped for three SNPs in the VEGF-A gene, rs699947 (C-2578A), rs2010963 (C405G) and rs3025039 (C936T). Plasma VEGF-A concentrations were assayed in a subgroup (n = 550) of CDCS patients (geometric mean 36.6 [34.7-38.5] pg/ml). VEGF-A levels correlated with patient heart rate at baseline (p = 0.034). None of rs699947, rs3025039, nor rs2010963 genotypes were significantly associated with VEGF-A levels, but rs3025039 genotype was positively associated with collateral vessels perfusion according to the Rentrop classification (p = 0.01) and baseline natriuretic peptide levels (p<0.05). Survival in the CDCS cohort was independently associated with baseline VEGF-A levels and (in males) with rs699947 genotype. CONCLUSIONS: This study is strongly suggestive that VEGF-A levels have value as a prognostic biomarker in coronary heart disease patients and SNPs in VEGF-A deserve further investigation as prognostic markers and indicators of angiogenic potential influencing the formation of collateral circulation.

Effects of whey protein on skeletal muscle microvascular and mitochondrial plasticity following 10 weeks of exercise training in men with type 2 diabetes.

Skeletal muscle microvascular dysfunction and mitochondrial rarefaction feature in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) linked to low tissue glucose disposal rate (GDR). Exercise training and milk protein supplementation independently promote microvascular and metabolic plasticity in muscle associated with improved nutrient delivery, but combined effects are unknown. In a randomised-controlled trial, 24 men (55.6 y, SD 5.7) with T2DM ingested whey protein drinks (protein/carbohydrate/fat: 20/10/3 g; WHEY) or placebo (carbohydrate/fat: 30/3 g; CON) before/after 45 mixed-mode intense exercise sessions over 10 weeks, to study effects on insulin-stimulated (hyperinsulinemic clamp) skeletal-muscle microvascular blood flow (mBF) and perfusion (near-infrared spectroscopy), and histological, genetic, and biochemical markers (biopsy) of microvascular and mitochondrial plasticity. WHEY enhanced insulin-stimulated perfusion (WHEY-CON 5.6%; 90% CI -0.1, 11.3), while mBF was not altered (3.5%; -17.5, 24.5); perfusion, but not mBF, associated (regression) with increased GDR. Exercise training increased mitochondrial (range of means: 40%-90%) and lipid density (20%-30%), enzyme activity (20%-70%), capillary:fibre ratio (∼25%), and lowered systolic (∼4%) and diastolic (4%-5%) blood pressure, but without WHEY effects. WHEY dampened PGC1α -2.9% (90% compatibility interval: -5.7, -0.2) and NOS3 -6.4% (-1.4, -0.2) expression, but other messenger RNA (mRNA) were unclear. Skeletal muscle microvascular and mitochondrial exercise adaptations were not accentuated by whey protein ingestion in men with T2DM. ANZCTR Registration Number: ACTRN12614001197628. Novelty: Chronic whey ingestion in T2DM with exercise altered expression of several mitochondrial and angiogenic mRNA. Whey added no additional benefit to muscle microvascular or mitochondrial adaptations to exercise. Insulin-stimulated perfusion increased with whey but was without impact on glucose disposal.

CYP1A1 MSPI (T6235C) gene polymorphism is associated with mortality in acute coronary syndrome patients.

1. The CYP1A1 T6235C polymorphism (rs4646903) gene polymorphism has been linked to the development of coronary heart disease and cigarette smoking-related lung cancer. The present study investigated associations between survival in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), smoking and the CYP1A1 T6235C polymorphism. 2. Patients with ACS (n = 1251) were genotyped for the CYP1A1 T6235C polymorphism. Patients had a mean age of 67.0 years, 69.8% were male and follow up occurred over a median of 1.9 years. 3. Overall genotype frequencies were CC 2.2%, TC 21.7% and TT 76.1%. The CC genotype was associated with baseline characteristics of a higher incidence of Type 2 diabetes (P = 0.017), elevated body mass index (P = 0.001) and younger age (P = 0.045). Patients with the CC genotype had significantly worse survival than TT/TC patients (P = 0.014), independent of ethnicity and established clinical risk factors. When survival was stratified by smoking history, the T6235C genotype was particularly associated with mortality in past or current smokers (mortality 23.5 vs 9.4% in CC and TT/TC patients, respectively; P = 0.019) compared with those who had never smoked (mortality 11.1 vs 11.5% in CC and TT/TC patients, respectively; P = 0.853). 4. The results indicate that the homozygous CYP1A1 6235C genotype is associated with greater mortality following the onset of ACS, independent of ethnicity and clinical risk factors, but related to smoking history.

The Effects of Anticipation and Visual and Sensory Performance on Concussion Risk in Sport: A Review.

Sports-related concussions pose a significant public health concern, and preventative measures are needed to help reduce risk in sport. Vision training could be a suitable prevention strategy for sports-related concussion to help improve athletes' abilities to scan the visual field for oncoming objects or opponents and thus anticipate head impacts. By accurately anticipating impacts, athletes can prepare for impact or attempt to avoid the collision altogether. The purpose of this review is to explore the relationships between anticipation, visual and sensorimotor performance and head accelerations, as well as to examine the efficacy of vision training programmes in reducing concussion risk in sport. Anticipation of head impacts has been shown to help reduce linear and rotational head accelerations, particularly for mild-to-moderate severity head impacts, but less so for severe head impacts. There is conflicting evidence regarding the influences visual and sensorimotor performance and oculomotor behaviour have on concussion risk. However, preliminary research indicates vision training may help reduce concussion rates in collegiate American Football players. Therefore, this promising area of research warrants further investigation, particularly the role of anticipation and visual and sensory performance on reducing concussion risk in non-helmeted contact sports.

The common G-866A polymorphism of the UCP2 gene and survival in diabetic patients following myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: A variant in the promoter of the human uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene, the G-866A polymorphism, has been associated with future risk of coronary heart disease events, in those devoid of traditional risk factors and in those suffering from diabetes. We thus examined the impact of the G-866A polymorphism on 5-year survival in a cohort of 901 post-myocardial infarction patients, and the impact of type-2 diabetes on this relationship. The association of UCP2 with baseline biochemical and hormonal measurements, including levels of the inflammatory marker myeloperoxidase, was also examined. METHODS: UCP2 G-866A genotypes were determined using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) protocol. Myeloperoxidase levels were measured in plasma samples taken from 419 cohort patients 24-96 hours after admission. RESULTS: Genotypes were obtained for 901 patients with genotype frequencies AA 15.5%, GA 45.5%, and GG 39.0%. Genotype was not associated with survival in the overall cohort (mortality: AA 15.6%, GA 16.8%, GG 19.4%, p = 0.541). However, amongst diabetics, AA and GA genotype groups had significantly worse survival than GG diabetic patients (p < 0.05) with an attributable risk of 23.3% and 18.7% for those of AA and GA genotype respectively. Multivariate analysis using a Cox proportional hazards model confirmed that the interaction of diabetes with genotype was significantly predictive of survival (p = 0.031). In the cohort's diabetic subgroup AA/GA patients had higher myeloperoxidase levels than their GG counterparts (GA/AA, n = 51, 63.9 +/- 5.23; GG, n = 34, 49.1 +/- 3.72 ng/ml, p = 0.041). Further analysis showed that this phenomenon was confined to male patients (GA/AA, n = 36, 64.3 +/- 6.23; GG, n = 29, 44.9 +/- 3.72 ng/ml, p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Diabetic patients in this post-myocardial infarction cohort with UCP2 -866 AA/GA genotype have poorer survival and higher myeloperoxidase levels than their GG counterparts.

Plasma aldosterone levels during hospitalization are predictive of survival post-myocardial infarction.

AIMS: Plasma aldosterone levels have been shown to be associated with adverse clinical outcomes after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We investigated whether aldosterone levels in patients presenting with STEMI or non-STEMI, are predictive of mortality during prolonged follow-up. METHODS AND RESULTS: Aldosterone levels were assayed in plasma taken from 583 patients within 24-96 h following acute myocardial infarction (MI). The median plasma aldosterone level was 108 pmol/L and all values were below the upper limit of the normal range (800 pmol/L) except for five patients (0.9%). Aldosterone tertile was significantly associated with increasing plasma levels of NTproBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide), BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide), epinephrine, and endothelin-1 (P or=25.3% mortality, P >or= 0.026). CONCLUSION: Plasma aldosterone levels post-MI are independent predictors of survival and hospitalization for heart failure over a 5-year-follow-up period.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 A1075G polymorphism is associated with survival in an acute coronary syndromes cohort.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphisms of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene, which is located on the X chromosome, have been associated with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy in previous studies. We tested the hypothesis that the rare allele of an ACE2 gene polymorphism was associated with risk factors for and adverse outcome after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) events. METHODS: Patients (n = 1,042) were recruited after admission for an ACS event and were genotyped for the A1075G polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 gene. This genetic marker was tested for association with baseline measurements, echocardiographic measurements, and clinical outcome, over a median 2.19 years follow-up. As the ACE2 gene is X-linked, analyses were performed separately for males and females. Patients were predominantly of European ethnicity (90.1%). RESULTS: The A1075 allele was significantly associated with covariate-adjusted mortality in male patients (hazard ratio 1.95, 95% CI 1.10-3.46, P = .047) but not unadjusted (hazard ratio 1.14, 95% CI 0.736-1.76, P = .56). The G1075 (P < .035) allele was more frequent in patients of Maori compared to European ancestry. E/E', an echocardiographic index of left ventricular diastolic function and filling pressure, was higher in males in the A1075 group (G allele group 10.5 [95% CI 10.0-11.0], A allele group 11.4 [95% CI 10.8-12.1], P = .024). A1075 genotype was significantly associated with male survival in the absence of (mortality: A 12.8%, n = 39; G 29.2%, n = 48; P = .037) but not in the presence of beta-blocker treatment (mortality: A 13.5% n = 273; G 8.2% n = 304, P = nonsignificant). CONCLUSIONS: The A1075 allele was associated with covariate-adjusted mortality in male patients.

Ile164 variant of beta2-adrenoceptor does not influence outcome in heart failure but may interact with beta blocker treatment.

BACKGROUND: The Ile164 variant of the beta2-adrenoceptor has been shown to alter cardiovascular phenotypes and adversely affect survival in heart failure patients. AIMS: We aimed to replicate this observation by genotyping a cohort of 451 heart failure patients for the Ile164 polymorphism. METHODS: Patient outcome was recorded over a median follow-up period of 3.09 years, and genotypes were derived by multiplex amplification refractory mutation system PCR. RESULTS: Genotypes were obtained for 443 patients, and 3.2% of these (14 patients) were heterozygous for the Ile164 SNP. Demographic data, cardiac function and neurohormonal profiles did not differ between genotype groups. Ile164 genotype did not significantly affect survival in this cohort (Thr164 homozygotes 48.9%, Ile164 heterozygous 42.9%, p=0.66), although multivariate analysis suggested that beta-blocker treatment may negatively impact survival in the heterozygote group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the Ile164 polymorphism of the beta2-adrenoceptor does not have a major impact on outcome in individuals with heart failure, although it's potential interaction with beta-blockers requires further examination.

Evaluation of AMPD1 C34T genotype as a predictor of mortality in heart failure and post-myocardial infarction patients.

BACKGROUND: The AMPD1 gene C34T polymorphism has previously been associated with prolonged survival in small cohorts of heart failure (HF) and coronary artery disease patients. This study aimed to corroborate the association of the AMPD1 C34T polymorphism with survival in larger myocardial infarction (MI) and HF cohorts. METHODS: Genotypes were obtained for 935 post-MI (PMI) and 433 patients with established HF, with median follow-up times of 5.4 and 3.1 years, respectively. At admission, cardiac function was assessed by nuclear ventriculography (PMI) and echocardiography (HF) and plasma cardiac neurohormones were assayed. RESULTS: Differences in mortality by AMPD1 genotype did not achieve significance, either for the overall HF (P = .07) or the overall PMI group (P = .28), but AMPD1 genotype predicted mortality in patients of both cohorts with a history of MI (HxMI). In contrast to previous studies, the mutant T allele was associated with poorer outcome. Mortality in HF HxMI patients was significantly different between genotype groups (n = 144, mortality CC 56.5%, CT/TT 77.8%, P = .027), but not in patients without HxMI. In PMI patients, the association of genotype with survival in the HxMI subgroup trended toward significance (n = 147, mortality CC 29.8%, CT/TT 45.5%, P = .093). Multivariate analysis of combined PMI and HF cohorts showed that HxMI patients with CT/TT genotype were at greater risk than all other groups (P < .001). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that AMPD1 C34T genotype is not a predictor of survival in heart disease patients, except possibly those with HxMI.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism interacts with left ventricular ejection fraction and brain natriuretic peptide levels to predict mortality after myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was the exploration of the associations between the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and post-myocardial infarction (MI) outcomes, especially any interaction with the accepted clinical prognostic markers brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). BACKGROUND: The ACE gene I/D polymorphism has been implicated in the development of MI, hypertension, and left ventricular hypertrophy. We examined the association of ACE I/D and prognosis after acute MI. METHODS: Patients incurring acute MI were genotyped for the ACE I/D polymorphism. Clinical data included assays of neurohormones, radionuclide ventriculography, and mortality over a mean 2.6 years of follow-up. RESULTS: Patients (n = 978) had a mean age of 62.1 years, and 78% were male. Overall genotype frequencies were II 23.2%, ID 49.5%, and DD 27.3%. Chi-square analysis revealed an association between the ACE D allele and death after MI (88 of 103 who died were DD or ID; p < 0.05), with an odds ratio for mortality of 8.03 (95% confidence interval, 2.16 to 29.88). Patients with the DD genotype had higher (p < 0.05) plasma BNP, N-terminal BNP (N-BNP), and endothelin-1 levels within 96 h after MI than grouped ID/II patients. Multivariate analysis indicated ACE genotype, age, and previous MI were independent predictors of death (p < 0.05). Patients with an ACE D allele in combination with either a lower than median LVEF or greater than median BNP had a higher mortality (p < 0.001 and p < 0.025, respectively) than the risk associated with the D allele itself. CONCLUSIONS: Angiotensin-converting enzyme genotyping may provide additional prognostic information in patients after MI in combination with the proven utility of LVEF, plasma BNP, and N-BNP measurements.

ACE and UCP2 gene polymorphisms and their association with baseline and exercise-related changes in the functional performance of older adults.

Maintaining high levels of physical function is an important aspect of successful ageing. While muscle mass and strength contribute to functional performance in older adults, little is known about the possible genetic basis for the heterogeneity of physical function in older adults and in how older adults respond to exercise. Two genes that have possible roles in determining levels of muscle mass, strength and function in young and older adults are angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). This study examined whether polymorphisms in these two individual genes were associated with baseline functional performance levels and/or the training-related changes following exercise in previously untrained older adults. Five-eight Caucasian older adults (mean age 69.8 years) with no recent history of resistance training enrolled in a 12 week program of resistance, balance and cardiovascular exercises aimed at improving functional performance. Performance in 6 functional tasks was recorded at baseline and after 12 weeks. Genomic DNA was assayed for the ACE intron 16 insertion/deletion (I/D) and the UCP2 G-866A polymorphism. Baseline differences among genotype groups were tested using analysis of variance. Genotype differences in absolute and relative changes in physical function among the exercisers were tested using a general linear model, adjusting for age and gender. The genotype frequencies for each of the studied polymorphisms conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The ACE I/D genotype was significantly associated with mean baseline measures of handgrip strength (II 30.9 ± 3.01 v. ID 31.7 ± 1.48 v. DD 29.3 ± 2.18 kg, p < 0.001), 8ft Up and Go time (II 6.45 ± 0.48 v. ID/DD 4.41 ± 0.19 s, p < 0.001) and 6 min walk distance (II 458 ± 28.7 v. ID/DD 546 ± 12.1m, p = 0.008). The UCP2 G-866A genotype was also associated with baseline 8ft Up and Go time (GG 5.45 ± 0.35 v. GA 4.47 ± 0.26 v. AA 3.89 ± 0.71 s, p = 0.045). After 12 weeks of training, a significant difference between UCP2 G-886A genotype groups for change in 8ft Up and Go time was detected (GG -0.68 ± 0.17 v. GA -0.10 ± 0.14 v. AA +0.05 ± 0.31 s, p = 0.023). While several interesting and possibly consistent associations with older adults' baseline functional performance were found for the ACE and UCP2 polymorphisms, we found no strong evidence of genetic associations with exercise responses in this study. The relative equivalence of some of these training-response findings to the literature may have reflected the current study's focus on physical function rather than just strength, the relatively high levels of baseline function for some genotype groups as well as the greater statistical power for detecting baseline differences than the training-related changes.

Genetic polymorphism rs6922269 in the MTHFD1L gene is associated with survival and baseline active vitamin B12 levels in post-acute coronary syndromes patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The methylene-tetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (NADP+ dependent) 1-like (MTHFD1L) gene is involved in mitochondrial tetrahydrofolate metabolism. Polymorphisms in MTHFD1L, including rs6922269, have been implicated in risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated the association between rs6922269 and known metabolic risk factors and survival in two independent cohorts of coronary heart disease patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: DNA and plasma from 1940 patients with acute coronary syndromes were collected a median of 32 days after index hospital admission (Coronary Disease Cohort Study, CDCS). Samples from a validation cohort of 842 patients post-myocardial infarction (PMI) were taken 24-96 hours after hospitalization. DNA samples were genotyped for rs6922269, using a TaqMan assay. Homocysteine and active vitamin B12 were measured by immunoassay in baseline CDCS plasma samples, but not PMI plasma. All cause mortality was documented over follow-up of 4.1 (CDCS) and 8.8 (PMI) years, respectively. rs6922269 genotype frequencies were AA n = 135, 7.0%; GA n = 785, 40.5% and GG n = 1020, 52.5% in the CDCS and similar in the PMI cohort. CDCS patients with AA genotype for rs6922269 had lower levels of co-variate adjusted baseline plasma active vitamin B12 (p = 0.017) and poorer survival than patients with GG or GA genotype (mortality: AA 19.6%, GA 12.0%, GG 11.6%; p = 0.007). In multivariate analysis, rs6922269 genotype predicted survival, independent of established covariate predictors (p = 0.03). However the association between genotype and survival was not validated in the PMI cohort. CONCLUSION: MTHFD1L rs6922269 genotype is associated with active vitamin B12 levels at baseline and may be a marker of prognostic risk in patients with established coronary heart disease.

Inflammatory biomarkers for predicting cardiovascular disease.

The pathology of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is complex; multiple biological pathways have been implicated, including, but not limited to, inflammation and oxidative stress. Biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress may serve to help identify patients at risk for CVD, to monitor the efficacy of treatments, and to develop new pharmacological tools. However, due to the complexities of CVD pathogenesis there is no single biomarker available to estimate absolute risk of future cardiovascular events. Furthermore, not all biomarkers are equal; the functions of many biomarkers overlap, some offer better prognostic information than others, and some are better suited to identify/predict the pathogenesis of particular cardiovascular events. The identification of the most appropriate set of biomarkers can provide a detailed picture of the specific nature of the cardiovascular event. The following review provides an overview of existing and emerging inflammatory biomarkers, pro-inflammatory cytokines, anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, oxidative stress biomarkers, and antioxidant biomarkers. The functions of each biomarker are discussed, and prognostic data are provided where available.

The Combating Obesity in Maori and Pasifika Adolescent School-Children Study: COMPASS Methodology and Study Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle modifications including, physical activity can reduce obesity-related morbidity and subsequent cardiovascular disease in youth. This study will investigate the efficacy of a culturally-sensitive, non-contact, boxing-orientated training program on obesity and related cardio-metabolic conditions in Maori and Pasifika adolescents. Details of the methodological aspects of recruitment, inclusion criteria, randomization, cultural sensitivity, intervention program, assessments, process evaluation, and statistical analyses are described. METHODS: This study will be a community based, New Zealand, randomized control trial (RCT). Male and female obese (body mass index >95(th) percentile) Maori and Pasifika adolescents aged 14-16 years will be recruited and the sample size will be confirmed through a feasibility study. Combating Obesity in Maori and Pasifika Adolescent School-children Study (COMPASS) is a 6-month, theory-based program, conducted 3-times/week in a culturally appropriate setting. Each session includes 40 min boxing-orientated training and 30 min resistance training. Assessments will be made at baseline, 3-months, 6-months, 12-months, and 24-months. Main outcomes include abdominal obesity, endothelial function, and insulin resistance. Other outcomes include arterial stiffness, lipid profile, inflammatory biomarkers, well-being, and aerobic fitness. Control measures include physical activity, sleep behavior, and dietary intake. RESULTS: As a protocol paper there are no specific results to present, our purpose is to share our RCT design with the scientific community. CONCLUSIONS: COMPASS will be used to provide direction for exercise prescription policy in at-risk Maori and Pasifika adolescents.