Evaluation of serum platelet-derived growth factor receptor-ß and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in microvascular angina.

OBJECTIVE: Microvascular angina (MVA) is a coronary microcirculation disease. Research on microcirculatory dysfunction has revealed several biomarkers involved in the etiopathogenesis of MVA. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor ß (PDGFR-ß) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are 2 biomarkers associated with microcirculation, particularly pericytes function. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PDGFR-ß and BDNF in MVA. METHODS: Ninety-one patients (median age, 56 y; age range, 40-79 y; 36 men) with MVA and 61 control group subjects (median age, 52 y; age range, 38-76 y; 29 men) were included in the study. Serum concentrations of PDGFR-ß and BDNF were measured with commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS: PDGFR-ß [2.82 ng/ml; interquartile range (IQR), 0.57-7.79 ng/ml vs. 2.27 ng/ml; IQR, 0.41-7.16 ng/ml; p<0.0005] and BDNF (2.41 ng/ml; IQR, 0.97-7.97 ng/ml vs. 1.92 ng/ml; IQR, 1.07-6.67 ng/ml; p=0.023) concentrations were significantly higher in patients with MVA compared with the controls. PDGFR-ß correlated positively with age (r=0.26, p=0.001), low-density lipoprotein (r=0.18; p=0.02), and BDNF (r=0.47; p<0.001), and BDNF showed a significant positive correlation with age (r=0.20; p=0.01). In binary logistic regression analysis, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, uric acid, and PDGFR-ß values were found to be independent predictors of MVA. CONCLUSION: MVA is associated with higher PDGFR-ß and BDNF levels. This association may indicate an abnormality in microvascular function. Future studies are required to determine the role of these biomarkers in the pathogenesis of MVA.

Diagnostic value of CD4+, CD8+ and CD103+ lymphocytes in mediastinal lymph node specimens obtained via endobronchial ultrasonography for sarcoidosis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study is to investigate the diagnostic value of the CD4+, CD8+ and CD103+ lymphocyte sub-groups in mediastinal lymph nodes, as an adjunctive marker in sarcoidosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is a single-center, prospective cohort study designed in a reference center for chest diseases. Forty-six patients who underwent endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided mediastinal lymph node sampling with a preliminary diagnosis of sarcoidosis were enrolled. The different lymphocyte subgroups were counted by flow cytomeytry in lymph node biopsy samples. Based on the final diagnosis, subjects were divided into two groups: sarcoidosis and non-sarcoidosis. Lymphocyte subset analysis were compared between the groups. RESULT: The final diagnoses were sarcoidosis in 31 (67%) and non-sarcoidosis in 15 patients (33%). The total cell counts, lymphocyte ratios, CD8+ T lymphocyte ratios and CD4/CD8 ratios were similar in both groups (p> 0.05). CD4+ T lymphocyte rates were higher in patients with sarcoidosis (p= 0.017). CD103 subset analysis revealed significantly lower CD103+CD4+, CD103+CD8+ lymphocytes and CD103+CD4+/CD4+ ratios in sarcoidosis (p= 0.008, p= 0.048, p= 0.014, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Cytological examination of EBUS-guided lymph node samples may provide substantial findings in differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Patients with sarcoidosis have higher CD4+ lymphocytes, lower CD103+CD4+ lymphocytes and CD103+CD4+/CD4+ and CD103+CD8+ lymphocyte ratios. These subsets of lymphocytes in lymph node biopsies may be novel predictors of sarcoidosis diagnosis.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of abdominal wall fat index, carotid intima-media thickness and plaque score in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

AIMS: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is strongly related with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases andvisceral obesity. Abdominal wall fat index (AFI) is an indicator of visceral fat accumulation determined by ultrasonography(US). Carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) and carotid plaque score (C-PS) are the indicators of cardiovascular risk. Theaim of this study was to investigate the relation between OSAS and AFI, C-IMT or C-PS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred and four subjects (31 females, 73 males) between 23-73year-old, candidate for polysomnography (PSG) with suspect of OSAS and without other atherosclerotic risk factor, were evaluated by US. AFI, C-IMTmean and C-PS values were determined and the subjects were grouped according to their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) values as follows: no OSAS (<5), mild OSAS (5-15), moderate OSAS (15-30) and severe OSAS (>30). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant correlation between AFI and AHI (p=0.019). The C-IMTmean values of subjects with OSAS (AHI >5) were significantly higher than those without OSAS (AHI <5) (p=0.035). C-PS was not correlated with AHI (p=0.345) and also there was not a statistically significant difference between OSAS groups in terms of C-PS (p=0.775). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that AFI correlates with AHI and C-IMT increases in OSAS. The two parameters could be used as indicators of risk of metabolic disorders and atheroscleroticdiseases in subjects with sleep apnea in the future.

Evaluation of serum sST2 and sCD40L values in patients with microvascular angina.

OBJECTIVES: Coronary microvascular dysfunction plays a major role in the pathogenesis of microvascular angina (MVA). Along with endothelial dysfunction, microvascular atherosclerosis and inflammation seem to contribute to the development of coronary microvascular dysfunction. Serum soluble ST2 (sST2) and serum soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) are two biomarkers associated with inflammation and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of these biomarkers in the pathogenesis of MVA and determine their possible association with coronary microvascular dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 152 patients were included in the study. Ninety-one patients with MVA {median age 56 years (40-79), of which 55 are women} and sixty-one controls {median age 52 (38-76), of which 29 are women} were included in the study. Serum concentration of sST2 and sCD40L were measured with a commercially available ELISA kit. RESULTS: Serum sST2 (median 13.6 ng/ml; interquartile range (IQR), 3.5-63.8 ng/ml vs median 10.6 ng/ml; IQR, 2.9-34.2 ng/ml, p < 0.0005) and sCD40L (median 5.3 ng/ml; IQR, 0.5-20.6 ng/ml vs median 2.2 ng/ml; IQR, 0.7-10.8 ng/ml, p < 0.0005) were significantly higher in patients with MVA compared to controls. Analysis of the associations between these biomarkers and potential contributors of MVA revealed that serum sST2 showed a positive correlation with LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.19, p = 0.016) and serum sCD40L concentrations correlated positively with hs-CRP (r = 0.22, p = 0.005). In logistic regression analysis, sCD40L and hs-CRP but not sST2 were found to be significantly associated with MVA. CONCLUSION: Higher serum concentrations of sST2 and sCD40L in MVA patients may be associated with inflammatory activation and coronary microvascular dysfunction. Larger studies are required for understanding their role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and possibly fibrotic process in MVA patients.

Evaluation of the ovarian reserve function in patients with metabolic syndrome in relation to healthy controls and different age groups.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ovarian reserve function in female patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: This study evaluated 136 subjects, 67 with MetS and 69 controls. Subjects were divided into three age groups. Group I included 49 subjects aged 20-29 years, 22 with MetS and 27 controls; group II included 45 subjects aged 30-39 years, 22 with MetS and 23 controls; and group III included 42 subjects aged 40-49 years, 23 with MetS and 19 controls. Demographic characteristics, anthropometrics, blood biochemistry, and gonadotrophic hormones were compared as total ovarian volume and antral follicle count on ovarian transvaginal ultrasonography. RESULTS: Serum levels of FSH, LH, E2 and progesterone were similar in the MetS and control groups, while testosterone levels were significantly higher in MetS patients than controls, both in the overall population (p = 0.024) and in those aged 20-29 years (p = 0.018). Total ovarian volume was significantly lower in MetS patients than controls, in both the overall population (p = 0.003) and those aged 20-29 years (p = 0.018), while antral follicle counts were similar. Ovarian volume correlated positively with antral follicle count (AFC) (r = 0.37; p < 0.001) and negatively with age (r = 0.34; p < 0.001) and FSH concentration (r = 0.21; p = 0.013). AFC was negatively correlated with age (r = 0.36; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ovarian reserve function is significantly lower in MetS patients than in healthy control subjects, particularly in women aged 20-29 years.

Is obesity a risk factor for psychopathology among adolescents?

BACKGROUND: Although several studies have documented the existence of psychopathology in obese adolescents, disagreement remains regarding the extent and nature of this psychopathology. The aim of the present study was to explore the type and frequency of psychopathology in a clinical as well as a non-clinical sample of obese adolescents, and in a normal weight control group. METHODS: The study sample consisted of a clinical study group of 30 obese adolescents, a non-clinical obese group of 30 obese adolescents, and a control group of 30 normal weight adolescents. Psychological assessment was performed using a non-structured psychiatric interview, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), Children Depression Inventory (CDI), Rosenberg Self-esteem scale (SES) and the Eating Attitude Test (EAT). RESULTS: More than half of the clinical obese adolescents (16/30) had a DSM-IV diagnosis, often involving major depressive disorder (n = 10). The mean scores of anxiety-depression, social problems, social withdrawal and total problem in the CBCL scale of the clinical obese group were significantly higher than the non-clinical obese group and the normal weight control group. The mean total scores of the SES and the CDI of the clinical obese group were higher than the normal weight control group. The mean total score of EAT of the clinical obese group was significantly higher than the normal weight control group, and the mean score of EAT of the non-clinical obese group was significantly higher than the normal weight control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results support previously published reports which show a higher ratio of psychopathology (depression, behavioral problems, low-esteem) among clinical obese adolescents than among non-clinical obese adolescents. Findings provided evidence for a psychosocial at-risk population in a subgroup of obese adolescents.