Correlation of NLRP3 with severity and prognosis of coronary atherosclerosis in acute coronary syndrome patients.

We decided to assess the prognostic value of NLRP3 inflammasome level in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and whether it was related to coronary atherosclerotic severity. Study population included one-hundred and twenty-three (123) subjects. Peripheral blood monocyte NLRP3 protein level was correlated with clinical presentation, angiographic characteristics and its scoring systems as well as GRACE and TIMI risk scores. Follow-up for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) was carried out at 180 days. Peripheral blood monocyte NLRP3 was found to be elevated in ACS patients (P < 0.05) and showed positive correlation with GRACE score (r = 0.619), TIMI score (r = 0.580), SYNTAX score (r = 0.550), Clinical SYNTAX score (r = 0.564) and Gensini score (r = 0.516). NLRP3 was also increased with increasing number of vessels, the number of lesions present and the presence bifurcation lesions (P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed NLRP3 to be an independent predictor of MACE (P = 0.043). Kaplan-Meier analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves for NLRP3 showed good predictive value for MACE. There is a positive correlation of NLRP3 level with severity of coronary atherosclerosis. NLRP3 level is a promising prognostic utility and is efficient in event prediction for MACE.

Dysregulated Circulating Apoptosis- and Autophagy-Related lncRNAs as Diagnostic Markers in Coronary Artery Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing evidence emphasizes the implications of dysregulated apoptosis and autophagy cellular processes in coronary artery disease (CAD). Herein, we aimed to explore apoptosis- and autophagy-related long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in peripheral blood of CAD patients. METHODS: The mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. With ∣fold change | >1.5 and adjusted p value < 0.05, differentially expressed apoptosis- and autophagy-related mRNAs were screened between CAD and healthy blood samples. Also, differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified for CAD. Using the psych package, apoptosis- and autophagy-related lncRNAs were defined with Spearson's correlation analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were conducted for the assessment of the diagnosed efficacy of these apoptosis- and autophagy-related lncRNAs. RESULTS: Our results showed that 24 apoptosis- and autophagy-related mRNAs were abnormally expressed in CAD than normal controls. 12 circulating upregulated and 1 downregulated apoptosis- and autophagy-related lncRNAs were identified for CAD. The ROCs confirmed that AC004485.3 (AUC = 0.899), AC004920.3 (AUC = 0.93), AJ006998.2 (AUC = 0.776), H19 (AUC = 0.943), RP5-902P8.10 (AUC = 0.956), RP5-1114G22.2 (AUC = 0.883), RP11-247A12.1 (AUC = 0.885), RP11-288L9.4 (AUC = 0.928), RP11-344B5.2 (AUC = 0.858), RP11-452C8.1 (AUC = 0.929), RP11-565A3.1 (AUC = 0.893), and XXbac-B33L19.4 (AUC = 0.932) exhibited good performance in differentiating CAD from healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our findings proposed that circulating apoptosis- and autophagy-related lncRNAs could become underlying diagnostic markers for CAD in clinical practice.

Association between plasma endothelial microparticles and contrast-induced nephropathy in patients underwent coronary angiography.

ABSTRACT: We aim to investigate the association between plasma endothelial microparticles (EMPs) and contrast-induced nephropathy of patients underwent coronary angiography.The patients were divided into normal renal function group and renal dysfunction group based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Among the 180 cases, 117 received determination of EMP and serum creatinine after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and/or coronary angiography. The patients were divided into contrast-induced-nephropathy (CIN) group and non-CIN group. EMPs collection and determination were performed, together with biochemical analysis and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) analysis.Spearman correlation showed that the expression of EMP was negatively correlated with eGFR (r = -0.201, P < .01). The serum hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), cystatin C (Cys-C), uric acid (UA) were significantly higher in CIN group than that in the non CIN group. Spearman correlation showed that the expression of EMP was positively correlated with serum interleukin-6 (IL-6, r = 0.393, P < .01). The expression of EMP was positively correlated with serum hs-CRP (r = 0.360, P < .01). Logistic regression analysis showed that the levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), eGFR, UA, and Cys-C were correlated with the incidence of contrast induced nephropathy.In patients with contrast-induced-nephropathy, the plasma EMPs were significantly increased after coronary angiography. The expression of plasma EMPs may play a role in the occurrence of contrast-induced-nephropathy.

Sarpogrelate and rosuvastatin synergistically ameliorate aortic damage induced by hyperlipidemia in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

The current study aimed to investigate whether sarpogrelate and rosuvastatin possess anti-arterial injury, and attempted to elucidate the mechanism of action underlying this activity. Sarpogrelate, a 5-hydroxytryptamine type 2A antagonist, is extensively used to prevent arterial thrombosis; however, its effects on atherosclerosis remain unknown. In the present study, sarpogrelate combined with rosuvastatin or rosuvastatin alone were administered to male ApoE-/- mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. Metabolic parameters in the blood samples were analyzed using an automatic analyzer. Aortic tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for morphological analysis. The expression levels of oxidized-low density lipoprotein (LDL) specific scavenging receptors, lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) and cluster of differentiation 68 were detected via immunostaining. mRNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α were determined via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analysis, while protein expression levels of LOX-1 and phosphor(p)-ERK were determined via western blot analysis. The results demonstrated that sarpogrelate combined with rosuvastatin treatment significantly decreased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in the serum, and alleviated intimal hyperplasia and lipid deposition, accompanied by decreased inflammatory cell infiltration and lower expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, compared with rosuvastatin monotherapy or HFD treatment. Furthermore, sarpogrelate combined with rosuvastatin treatment significantly decreased the expression levels of LOX-1 and p-ERK. Taken together, these results suggest that the positive effects of sarpogrelate combined with rosuvastatin treatment on aortic injury may be associated with the regulation of the LOX-1/p-ERK signaling pathway. Sarpogrelate and rosuvastatin synergistically decreased aortic damage in ApoE-/- HFD mice, and thus provide a basis for the treatment of aortic injury caused by hyperlipidemia with sarpogrelate.

NF-κB inhibitor on Toll-like receptor 4 signal-induced expression of angiotensinogen and AT1a receptor in neonatal rat left ventricular myocytes.

Effects of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway on expression of angiotensinogen and AT1a receptor were investigated, to explore the role of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in cardiovascular disease. Neonatal rat left ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) were cultured and cardiomyocytes were identified by immunocytochemical staining of sarcomeric α-actin. NRVMs were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a dose of 10, 100 and 1,000 ng/ml, and RT-PCR was performed 24 h later to detect the expression of TLR4, angiotensinogen (ATG) and AT1a at mRNA level. NRVMs were cultured and pretreated with caffeic acid phenethylester (CAPE) for 30 min. Then NRVMs were stimulated with LPS (1,000 ng/ml) for 24 h. Nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 was detected by immunocytochemistry. Expression of TLR4, angiotensinogen and AT1a receptor after CAPE stimulation was detected by RT-PCR. TLR4 mRNA was highly expressed in in vitro cultured NRVMs, and the expression level was significantly increased by LPS (10-1,000 ng/ml) stimulation in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). LPS stimulation also significantly increased the expression levels of angiotensinogen and AT1a receptor in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). NF-κB was activated and nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 occurred after stimulation with LPS (1,000 ng/ml) for 24 h, while CAPE (20 µg/ml) inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 and inhibited LPS-induced expression of angiotensinogen and AT1a receptor. With LPS stimulation, TLR4 signaling positively regulates the expression of TLR4 and upregulates the expression of angiotensinogen and AT1a receptor in NRVMs. CAPE, an inhibitor of NF-κB, inhibited NF-κB p65 activation and inhibited the upregulation of TLR4, angiotensinogen and AT1a receptors induced by LPS. These results suggest that NF-κB plays a key regulatory role in the above-mentioned effects induced by LPS. Intervention with TLR4/NF-κB signaling may become a new target for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Angina in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: A case report.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) often causes small blood vessel lesions in multiple organs, with less impact on large vessels. We report a case involving not only large blood vessels, but also angina. The computed tomographic angiography of large vessels and vascular ultrasonography of the extremity also suggested great arteries of the body were involved. Further cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody tests, pathological examination and dynamic chest computed tomography scan confirmed the diagnosis of GPA. Anti-inflammatory therapy and coronary secondary prevention were given after diagnosis by pathological examination and laboratory evaluation. The symptoms of angina pectoris were relieved. This rare case report reminds us that among the well-known risk factors of atherosclerotic diseases, GPA is also an important risk factor for acute coronary syndrome. Early foresight for this rare risk factor can improve the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease, which will improve the prognosis of the patients.

NLRP3 inflammasome in peripheral blood monocytes of acute coronary syndrome patients and its relationship with statins.

OBJECTIVES: Despite recent advances in the understanding of the role of NLRP3 inflammasomes in coronary atherosclerosis, further work on their activation and clinical implications remains to be performed. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of the dose of rosuvastatin on NLRP3 and cathepsin-B expression in peripheral blood monocytes in patients with acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: A total of 123 participants were enrolled in this study; these included acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients (n=53), unstable angina patients (UA, n=40), and normal controls (n=30). AMI and UA patients were divided into high-dose rosuvastatin (20 mg) and low-dose rosuvastatin (5 mg) groups. NLRP3, cathepsin-B, and downstream cytokine expressions were appropriately evaluated using real-time PCR, flow cytometry, western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The concentrations of serum inflammatory markers were also evaluated for correlation with NLRP3 levels. RESULTS: AMI and UA patients had higher NLRP3, cathepsin-B, interleukin-18 (IL-18), pro-IL-18, IL-1ß, and pro-IL-1ß expressions as compared with the control group (P<0.05). This corresponded with higher levels of serum total cholesterol, serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein in UA and AMI patients (P<0.05). Rosuvastatin at a concentration of 20 mg led to a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the expressions of NLRP3, cathepsin-B, and their downstream cytokines as compared with 5 mg rosuvastatin (P>0.05) from baseline to 4 weeks. This study also showed a positive correlation between NLRP3, cathepsin-B, and downstream inflammatory mediators. CONCLUSION: NLRP3 is involved in inflammation that leads to atherosclerosis. A high dose of rosuvastatin can modulate the inflammatory process of atherosclerosis by downregulating the expression of NLRP3, cathepsin-B, and their downstream mediators. These findings provide insight into the pathogenesis and management of acute coronary syndrome, with NLRP3 as the potential target.