Endothelial biomarkers (Von willebrand factor, BDCA3, urokinase) as predictors of mortality in COVID-19 patients: cohort study.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 is a systemic disease that affects endothelial function and leads to coagulation disorders, increasing the risk of mortality. Blood levels of endothelial biomarkers such as Von Willebrand Factor (VWF), Thrombomodulin or Blood Dendritic Cell Antigen-3 (BDCA3), and uUokinase (uPA) increase in patients with severe disease and can be prognostic indicators for mortality. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of VWF, BDCA3, and uPA levels on mortality. METHODS: From May 2020 to January 2021, we studied a prospective cohort of hospitalized adult patients with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 with a SaO2 ≤ 93% and a PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 300. In-hospital survival was evaluated from admission to death or to a maximum of 60 days of follow-up with Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazard models as independent predictor measures of endothelial dysfunction. RESULTS: We recruited a total of 165 subjects (73% men) with a median age of 57.3 ± 12.9 years. The most common comorbidities were obesity (39.7%), hypertension (35.4%) and diabetes (30.3%). Endothelial biomarkers were increased in non-survivors compared to survivors. According to the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, those with an elevated VWF concentration ≥ 4870 pg/ml had a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.06 (95% CI: 1.32-12.5) compared to those with a lower VWF concentration adjusted for age, cerebrovascular events, enoxaparin dose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, and bilirubin level. uPA and BDCA3 also increased mortality in patients with levels ≥ 460 pg/ml and ≥ 3600 pg/ml, respectively. CONCLUSION: The risk of mortality in those with elevated levels of endothelial biomarkers was observable in this study.

Association between muscle quality index and pulmonary function in post-COVID-19 subjects.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV2 pandemic impacted many critically ill patients, causing sequelae, affecting lung function, and involving the musculoskeletal system. We evaluated the association between lung function and muscle quality index in severely ill post-COVID-19 patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a post-COVID-19 cohort at a third-level center. The study included patients who had experienced severe-to-critical COVID-19. Anthropometric measurements, such as body mass index (BMI) and handgrip strength, were obtained to calculate the muscle quality index (MQI). Additionally, spirometry, measurements of expiratory and inspiratory pressure, and an assessment of DLCO in the lungs were performed. The MQI was categorized into two groups: low-MQI (below the 50th percentile) and high-MQI (above the 50th percentile), based on sex. Group differences were analyzed, and a multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association between respiratory function and MQI. RESULTS: Among the 748 patients analyzed, 61.96% required mechanical ventilation, and the median hospital stay was 17 days. In patients with a low MQI, it was observed that both mechanical respiratory function and DLCO were lower. The multivariate analysis revealed significantly lower findings in mechanical respiratory function among patients with a low MQI. CONCLUSION: The Low-MQI is an independent predictor associated with pulmonary function parameters in subjects with Post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Induced Relaxation Enhances the Cardiorespiratory Dynamics in COVID-19 Survivors.

Most COVID-19 survivors report experiencing at least one persistent symptom after recovery, including sympathovagal imbalance. Relaxation techniques based on slow-paced breathing have proven to be beneficial for cardiovascular and respiratory dynamics in healthy subjects and patients with various diseases. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the cardiorespiratory dynamics by linear and nonlinear analysis of photoplethysmographic and respiratory time series on COVID-19 survivors under a psychophysiological assessment that includes slow-paced breathing. We analyzed photoplethysmographic and respiratory signals of 49 COVID-19 survivors to assess breathing rate variability (BRV), pulse rate variability (PRV), and pulse-respiration quotient (PRQ) during a psychophysiological assessment. Additionally, a comorbidity-based analysis was conducted to evaluate group changes. Our results indicate that all BRV indices significantly differed when performing slow-paced breathing. Nonlinear parameters of PRV were more appropriate for identifying changes in breathing patterns than linear indices. Furthermore, the mean and standard deviation of PRQ exhibited a significant increase while sample and fuzzy entropies decreased during diaphragmatic breathing. Thus, our findings suggest that slow-paced breathing may improve the cardiorespiratory dynamics of COVID-19 survivors in the short term by enhancing cardiorespiratory coupling via increased vagal activity.

Body composition and risk factors associated with sarcopenia in post-COVID patients after moderate or severe COVID-19 infections.

BACKGROUND: Post-COVID-19 syndrome is characterized by diverse symptoms and abnormalities that persist beyond 12 weeks from the onset of acute COVID-19. Severity disease has been associated with more musculoskeletal alterations such as muscle weakness, dyspnea, and distance walking. The aim was to evaluate the impact of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) on body composition and investigate risk factors associated with sarcopenia in post-COVID-19 patients three months after moderate or severe COVID-19 infections. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. 530 patients with PCR-confirmed diagnoses of moderate to severe COVID-19, > 18 years old, oxygen saturation ≤ 93%, PaO2/FiO2 ratio < 300, who required hospitalization and were discharged were included. We excluded those who died before the follow-up visit, declined to participate, or could not be contacted. RESULTS: The mean age was 53.79 ± 12.90 years. IMV subjects had lower phase angle and handgrip strength and higher impedance index, frequency of low muscle mass, and low muscle strength than those without IMV. The risk factors of sarcopenia were > 60 years of age, diabetes, obesity, IMV, and prolonged hospital stay. The multivariate model showed that age > 60 years (OR: 4.91, 95% CI: 2.26-10.63), obesity (OR: 3.73, 95% CI: 1.21-11.54), and interaction between prolonged length of hospital stay and IMV (OR: 2.92; 95% CI: 1.21-7.02) were related to a higher risk of sarcopenia. CONCLUSION: Obesity and the interaction between prolonged length of hospital stay and IMV are associated with a higher risk of sarcopenia at 3 months after severe or moderate COVID-19 infection.

Association between body composition, sarcopenia and pulmonary function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive and irreversible airflow limitation. Different factors that modify pulmonary function include age, sex, muscular strength, and a history of exposure to toxic agents. However, the impact of body composition compartments and sarcopenia on pulmonary function is not well-established. This study aimed to evaluate how body composition compartments and sarcopenia affect pulmonary function in COPD patients. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD, > 40 years old, and forced expiratory volume in the first second /forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC) < 0.70 post-bronchodilator were included. Patients with cancer, HIV, and asthma were excluded. Body composition was measured with bioelectrical impedance. Sarcopenia was defined according to EWGSOP2, and pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry. RESULTS: 185 patients were studied. The mean age was 72.20 ± 8.39 years; 55.14% were men. A linear regression adjusted model showed associations between body mass index, fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass index, appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, and phase angle (PhA), and sarcopenia with FEV1 (%). As regards FVC (%), PhA and exercise tolerance had positive associations. CONCLUSION: Body composition, especially PhA, SMMI, ASMMI, and sarcopenia, has a significant impact on pulmonary function. Early detection of disturbances of these indexes enables the early application of such therapeutic strategies in COPD patients.

Clinical and cardiovascular characteristics from subjects with in COVID-19 and viral outbreaks.

Introduction: Lower respiratory tract infections remain the deadliest communicable disease worldwide. The relationship between cardiovascular diseases and viral infections is well known; for example, during the AH1N1 influenza pandemic, many patients developed acute cardiovascular disease. In the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, cardiovascular health has again become a challenge, with early reports showing cardiac damage in these patients. Objective: The study aims to describe the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients with an emphasis on cardiovascular compromises, compared with past outbreaks of influenza AH1N1, to identify prognostic factors of severity. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 72 subjects with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 was conducted. Subjects were evaluated in two groups: 38 hospitalized patients and 34 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Data from different outbreaks of influenza AH1N1 were then compared with this group. Results: The 34 subjects in the ICU had higher levels of high sensible troponin, D dimer, creatinine, and leukocytes compared with the 38 hospitalized subjects. The lymphocytes count was diminished in 85.29% of ICU subjects. When compared with AH1N1 patients, it was found that SARS-CoV2 patients were 10 years older on average. The proportion of overweight and obese SARS-CoV2 patients was double that in the influenza outbreaks. In addition, it was observed that a high number of SARS-CoV2 subjects presented with diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: There were various clinical and severity differences between each of these outbreaks. However, viral respiratory infection diseases such as SARS-CoV2 are a significant risk factor for acute ischemic, functional, and structural cardiovascular complications. The only way to combat this risk is a prevention approach, specifically through vaccines, but also through measures that force drastic changes in health policies to reduce perhaps the worst of pandemics, obesity, and its metabolic consequences.

Influence of social determinants, diabetes knowledge, health behaviors, and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: an analysis from real-world evidence.

BACKGROUND: Although important achievements have been done in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) treatment and glycemic control, new strategies may take advantage of non-pharmacological approaches and of other potential determinants of health (e.g., socioeconomic status, education, diabetes knowledge, physical activity, and self-care behavior). However, the relationships between these factors are not totally clear and have not been studied in the context of large urban settings. This study aimed to explore the relationship between these determinants of glycemic control (GC) in a low-income urban population from Mexico City, focused in exploring potential the mediation of self-care behaviors in the association between diabetes knowledge and GC. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) from 28 primary care outpatient centers located in Mexico City. Using multivariable-adjusted models, we determined the associations between diabetes knowledge, self-care behaviors, and GC. The mediation analyses to determine the pathways on glycemic control were done using linear regression models, where the significance of indirect effects was calculated with bootstrapping. RESULTS: The population (N = 513) had a mean age of 53.8 years (standard deviation: 11.3 yrs.), and 65.9% were women. Both socioeconomic status and level of education were directly associated with diabetes knowledge. Using multivariable-adjusted linear models, we found that diabetes knowledge was associated with GC (ß: -0.102, 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI] -0.189, - 0.014). Diabetes knowledge was also independently associated with self-care behavior (for physical activity: ß: 0.181, 95% CI 0.088, 0.273), and self-care behavior was associated with GC (for physical activity: ß: -0.112, 95% CI -0.194, - 0.029). The association between diabetes knowledge and GC was not observed after adjustment for self-care behaviors, especially physical activity (ß: -0.084, 95% CI -0.182, 0.014, p-value: 0.062). Finally, the mediation models showed that the effect of diabetes knowledge on GC was 17% independently mediated by physical activity (p-value: 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic and educational gradients influence diabetes knowledge among primary care patients with type 2 diabetes. Self-care activities, particularly physical activity, mediated the effect of diabetes knowledge on GC. Our results indicate that diabetes knowledge should be reinforced in low-income T2D patients, with an emphasis on the benefits physical activity has on improving GC.

Right Heart Failure as a Risk for Stroke in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by complex lesions of the lungs and other organs as well as a progressive obstruction of the airway. In COPD patients, heart failure (HF) is associated with worse conditions such as inflammation, arterial stiffness, and increased risk mortality. However, the association of HF, COPD, and stroke are unclear; the examination of the role of HF, especially right HF, about increased risk of stroke in COPD patients has not been studied. We aimed to determine if right HF is a risk factor for stroke in patients with COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study of patients with COPD was carried out. The cases were defined as COPD patients with ischemic stroke and control COPD patients without stroke. RESULTS: A total of 162 patients with COPD were analyzed: COPD with stroke (n = 35) and COPD alone (n = 127). COPD patients with right HF were at a greater risk of stroke compared with patients without right HF (odds ratio 3.03, 95% confidence interval 1.13-10.12, p = .044) adjusted for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS: Right HF is an independent risk factor for stroke, probably because of cerebrovascular stasis secondary to congestion of the superior vena cava.

The Association between Body Composition Phenotype and Insulin Resistance in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Patients without Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional, Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: The most frequent body composition alterations in post-COVID-19 syndrome include low muscle mass, dynapenia, sarcopenia, and obesity. These conditions share interconnected pathophysiological mechanisms that exacerbate each other. The relationship between body composition phenotypes and metabolic abnormalities in post-COVID-19 syndrome remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between body composition phenotypes and insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic abnormalities in non-diabetic individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome. METHODS: A cross-sectional, single-center study involving 483 subjects with post-COVID-19 syndrome following moderate to severe acute COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. Individuals with diabetes, those who declined to participate, or those who could not be contacted were excluded. Body composition phenotypes were classified as normal weight, dynapenia, sarcopenia, dynapenic obesity, and sarcopenic obesity (SO). RESULTS: The average age was 52.69 ± 14.75 years; of note, 67.08% were male. The prevalence of body composition phenotypes was as follows: 13.25% were of normal weight, 9.52% had dynapenia, 9.94% had sarcopenia, 43.69% had obesity, 18.84% had dynapenic obesity, and 4.76% had SO. Additionally, 58.18% had IR. Obesity (OR: 2.98, CI95%; 1.64-5.41) and dynapenic obesity (OR: 4.98, CI95%; 1.46-6.88) were associated with IR. CONCLUSION: The most common body composition phenotypes were obesity, dynapenic obesity, and dynapenia. Furthermore, obesity and dynapenic obesity were associated with IR in post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Enhancing quality of life in severe post-COVID-19 survivors through multidisciplinary care.

Background: COVID-19 survivors who were hospitalised continue to experience long-term multisystemic sequelae and symptoms, impacting their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The complexity of post-COVID-19 conditions underscores the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary, patient-centric approach to ensure ongoing care. This study aims to assess HRQoL and post-COVID symptoms in a cohort of severe COVID-19 survivors depending on their participation in a multidisciplinary programme. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in a post-COVID clinic staffed by a multidisciplinary team (physical rehabilitator, nutritionist, psychologist, including experts in pulmonary rehabilitation, nutrition, psychology and others). Subjects over 18 years old who were hospitalised due to severe COVID-19 during the acute phase and had attended the post-COVID clinic within the first 3 months following discharge were included. Subjects who were unable or unwilling to provide informed consent to participate in the protocol were excluded. Linear mixed-effect models were employed to examine changes in 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) component scores. The resolution of post-COVID symptom clusters was compared using the Cox model. Results: A total of 730 patients were included, with a mean±sd age of 55.78±15.43 years; 60.55% were male and 90.62% required mechanical ventilation during hospitalisation. Programme attendants demonstrated improved SF-12 physical and mental component scores at 3 and 12 months. A reduction in the prevalence of post-COVID symptoms was observed in both groups, with greater reductions in those attending the programme. Conclusion: Our study showed that patients enrolled on the multidisciplinary programme experienced improvements in fatigue, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, neuropsychiatric and respiratory symptoms, along with enhanced SF-12 mental and physical component scores.

Abnormal myocardial perfusion and risk of heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a major risk factor for heart failure (HF), although the pathophysiological processes have not been clarified. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of HF and of abnormal myocardial perfusion in diabetic patients evaluated using technetium (99m) sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted that included patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who underwent echocardiography to diagnose HF and a pharmacological stress test with intravenous dipyridamole to examine cardiac scintigraphic perfusion abnormalities. Clinical and biochemical data were also collected. RESULTS: Of the 160 diabetic patients included, 92 (57.6%) were in HF and 68 (42.5%) were not. When patients were stratified according to the presence of abnormal myocardial perfusion, those with abnormal perfusion had a higher prevalence of HF (93%) than those with normal perfusion (44.4%) (P<0.0001). Patients with HF weighed more (P=0.03), used insulin less frequently (P=0.01), had lower total cholesterol (P=0.05) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (P=0.002), and a greater number of their myocardial segments showed abnormal perfusion (P≤0.001). More HF patients had a history of myocardial infarction (P<0.001) compared with those without HF. In a logistic regression analysis, the number of segments exhibiting abnormal myocardial perfusion was an independent risk factor for HF. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HF in diabetic patients was high and HF predominantly occured in association with myocardial ischemia.

Low albumin levels and high impedance ratio as risk factors for worsening kidney function during hospitalization of decompensated heart failure patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure (DHF) frequently experience worsening of renal function (WRF), leading to volume overload and resistance to diuretics. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether albumin levels and whole-body impedance ratio, as an indicator of water distribution, were associated with WRF in patients with DHF. METHODS: A total of 80 patients hospitalized for DHF were consecutively included in the present longitudinal study. WRF during hospitalization was defined as an increase of ≥0.3 mg/dL (≥26.52 µmol/L) or 25% of baseline serum creatinine. Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were assessed at baseline. Whole-body bioelectrical impedance was measured using tetrapolar and multiple-frequency equipment to obtain the ratio of impedance at 200 kHz to that at 5 kHz. Serum albumin levels were also evaluated. Baseline characteristics were compared between patients with and without deteriorating renal function using a t test or χ(2) test. Subsequently, a logistic regression analysis was performed to obtain the independent variables associated with WRF. RESULTS: The incidence of WRF during hospitalization was 26%. Independent risk factors associated with WRF were low serum albumin (RR=0.11; P=0.04); impedance ratio >0.85 (RR=5.3; P=0.05), systolic blood pressure >160 mmHg (RR=12; P=0.02) and maximum dose of continuous intravenous furosemide required >80 mg/day during hospitalization (RR=5.7, P=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: WRF is frequent in patients with DHF. It results from the inability to effectively regulate volume status because hypoalbuminemia induces water loss from the vascular space (high impedance ratio), and high diuretic doses lower circulatory volumes and reduce renal blood flow, leading to a decline in renal filtration function.

Dynapenia and Sarcopenia in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome Hospitalized Patients Are Associated with Severe Reduction in Pulmonary Function.

BACKGROUND: After hospital discharge, post-COVID-19 syndrome has been observed to be associated with impaired diffusing capacity, respiratory muscle strength, and lung imaging abnormalities, in addition to loss of muscle mass/strength, sarcopenia, and obesity impact exercise tolerance, pulmonary functions, and overall prognosis. However, the relationship between lung function and the coexistence of obesity with low muscle strength and sarcopenia in post-COVID-19 patients remains poorly investigated. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the association between lung function and the coexistence of obesity with dynapenia and sarcopenia in post-COVID-19 syndrome patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included subjects who were hospitalized due to moderate to severe COVID-19, as confirmed by PCR testing. Subjects who could not be contacted, declined to participate, or died before the follow-up visit were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 711 subjects were evaluated; the mean age was 53.64 ± 13.57 years, 12.4% had normal weight, 12.6% were dynapenic without obesity, 8.3% had sarcopenia, 41.6% had obesity, 21.2% had dynapenic obesity, and 3.8% had sarcopenic obesity. In terms of pulmonary function, the dynapenic subjects showed decreases of -3.45% in FEV1, -12.61 cmH2O in MIP, and -12.85 cmH2O in MEP. On the other hand, the sarcopenic subjects showed decreases of -6.14 cmH2O in MIP and -11.64 cmH2O in MEP. The dynapenic obesity group displayed a reduction of -12.13% in PEF. CONCLUSIONS: In post-COVID-19 syndrome, dynapenia and sarcopenia-both with and without obesity-have been associated with lower lung function.

Impact of Body Composition and Sarcopenia on Mortality in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have alterations in body composition, such as low cell integrity, body cell mass, and disturbances in water distribution evidenced by higher impedance ratio (IR), low phase angle (PhA), as well as low strength, low muscle mass, and sarcopenia. Body composition alterations are associated with adverse outcomes. However, according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2), the impact of these alterations on mortality in COPD patients is not well-established. Our aims were to evaluate whether low strength, low muscle mass, and sarcopenia impacted mortality in COPD patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study performance was conducted with COPD patients. Patients with cancer, and asthma were excluded. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Low strength and muscle mass, and sarcopenia were defined according to EWGSOP2. RESULTS: 240 patients were evaluated, of whom 32% had sarcopenia. The mean age was 72.32 ± 8.24 years. The factors associated with lower risk of mortality were handgrip strength (HR:0.91, CI 95%; 0.85 to 0.96, p = 0.002), PhA (HR:0.59, CI 95%; 0.37 to 0.94, p = 0.026) and exercise tolerance (HR:0.99, CI 95%; 0.992 to 0.999, p = 0.021), while PhA below the 50th percentile (HR:3.47, CI 95%; 1.45 to 8.29, p = 0.005), low muscle strength (HR:3.49, CI 95%; 1.41 to 8.64, p = 0.007) and sarcopenia (HR:2.10, CI 95%; 1.02 to 4.33, p = 0.022) were associated with a higher risk of mortality. CONCLUSION: Low PhA, low muscle strength, and sarcopenia are independently associated with poor prognosis in COPD patients.

Sodium restriction in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced ejection fraction: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Sodium restriction is recommended for patients with heart failure (HF) despite the lack of solid clinical evidence from randomized controlled trials. Whether or not sodium restrictions provide beneficial cardiac effects is not known. METHODS: The present study is a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of stable HF patients with ejection fraction ≤ 40%. Patients were allocated to sodium restriction (2 g of sodium/day) vs. control (3 g of sodium/day). The primary outcome was change in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) at 20 weeks. Secondary outcomes included quality of life and adverse safety events (HF readmission, blood pressure or electrolyte abnormalities). RESULTS: Seventy patients were enrolled. Median baseline sodium consumption was 3268 (2225-4537) mg/day. Adherence to the intervention based on 24-hour urinary sodium was 32%. NT-proBNP and quality of life did not significantly change between groups (p > 0.05 for both). Adverse safety events were not significantly different between the arms (p > 0.6 for all). In the per protocol analysis, patients who achieved a sodium intake < 2500 mg/day at the intervention conclusion showed improvements in NT-proBNP levels (between-group difference: -55%, 95% confidence interval -27 to -73%; p = 0.002) and quality of life (between-group difference: -11 ± 5 points; p = 0.04). Blood pressure decreased in patients with lower sodium intake (between-group difference: -9 ± 5 mmHg; p = 0.05) without significant differences in symptomatic hypotension or other safety events (p > 0.3 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence assessed by 24-hour natriuresis and by the nutritionist was poor. The group allocated to sodium restriction did not show improvement in NT-proBNP. However, patients who achieved a sodium intake < 2500 mg/day appeared to have improvements in NT-proBNP and quality of life without any adverse safety signals. CLINICALTRIALS: gov Identifier: NCT03351283.

Changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells glutamine synthetase mRNA after exercise in healthy volunteers: exploring an alternative proposal for non hepatic ammonia metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Glutamine synthetase (GS) plays a central role in the inter-organ metabolism of ammonia and hepatic encephalopathy. The main objective of the present work was to disclose the possible effect of exercise on GS mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) within a group of healthy volunteers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PBMC were studied instead of skeletal muscle because of ethical concerns. Characterization of GS in lymphocytes was carried out by indirect immunofluorescence and Western blot. After a pilot trial, expression of GS mRNA in PBMC was assayed by serial measurements in healthy volunteers who had exercised on a treadmill, and on a control group who had not. Muscle mass was estimated by bioimpedance. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic GS had a molecular weight of 44 kDa. Serial measurements of its mRNA demonstrated an increase in the treadmill (n = 29), but not in the control group (n = 13) (p < 0.05). Peak expression occurred at 1 h in males and at 6 h in females. There was a positive correlation between muscle mass and the increase of the enzyme mRNA after exercise. CONCLUSION: Exercise can increase the expression of GS mRNA in PBMC in healthy volunteers. Based on these preliminary results and on well-established physiological concepts, a hypothesis for non-hepatic ammonia metabolism is conceived. In the future could become part of the treatment of low-grade hepatic encephalopathy.

The impact of hydration status and fluid distribution on pulmonary function in COPD patients.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients have alterations in body composition. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) evaluates body composition, hydration status, and fluid distribution. Subjects with fluid disturbances have been found to have lower FEV1, respiratory muscle strength, and poor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the effect of hydration status and fluid distribution on pulmonary function in COPD patients. A cross-sectional study, 180 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COPD were included. Patients with asthma, advanced renal or liver disease, acute HF, exacerbation of COPD, or pacemakers were excluded. Hydration status variables (TBW, ECW, ICW) and disturbance of fluid distribution [impedance ratio (IR) > 0.84 and phase angle (PhA)] were evaluated by BIA. Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry. The mean population age was 71.55 ± 8.94 years; 55% were men. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the IR ≥ 0.84 or < 0.84. The group with higher IR ≥ 0.84 had lower FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, DLCO and, PhA compared to those with IR < 0.84. After adjusting for confounding variables TBW, ECW, IR ≥ 0.84, PhA, and resistance/height increase were associated with decreased FEV1. In the same way, with IR ≥ 0.84, edema index ≥ 0.48, trunk and abdominal IR were negatively associated with FVC, and PhA had a positive association with FVC. Fluid distribution, especially IR and PhA, could be a useful parameter for predicting pulmonary function in COPD patients.

Changes in hand grip strength and body weight after a dynamic exercise program and Mediterranean diet in women with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) exercise improves muscle strength and decreases fat mass, whereas the consumption of a Mediterranean diet (MD) also has been associated with higher grip strength. Therefore, it is important to explore the combined effects of these interventions on hand grip strength and weight in RA. OBJECTIVE: To determine the combined effect of an MD and a dynamic exercise program (DEP) on hand grip strength in women with RA. METHOD: In a randomized clinical trial, 106 women with RA were included and assigned to the DEP-MD, DEP and MD groups. Weight, body circumferences, Disease Activity Score-28, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index [HAQ-DI], and hand grip strength were measured at baseline and 24 weeks after the interventions. RESULTS: After 24 weeks, hand grip strength showed a significant increase in the DEP group (median 2 kg) compared with DEP-MD (median 0.5 kg) and MD (median -0.5 kg) groups (p = 0.03). In the MD group weight and waist circumference showed a significant decrease (-2.2 kg and -4.3 cm) compared with DEP-MD (0.85 kg and 1.9 cm) and DEP (0.35 kg and 0.5 cm) groups (p < 0.01). Finally, a significant decrease was observed in the HAQ-DI after treatment in the DEP-MD group of -0.5 and the DEP group of -0.25 compared with the MD group with no change (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: In women with RA, in addition to pharmacological treatment, DEP increases hand grip strength and an MD decreases weight and waist circumferences, while the combination of DEP and MD improves disability.

Bioimpedance vector analysis in stable chronic heart failure patients: Level of agreement between single and multiple frequency devices.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The accuracy of estimating body composition compartments is critical in the clinical setting. Currently, there are different bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) devices available for obtaining raw BIA parameters. The aim of this study was to determine the level of agreement between multiple frequency (MF)-BIA and single frequency (SF)-BIA devices in obtaining raw BIA measurements (resistance (R), reactance (Xc), and phase angle (PhA)), as well as the agreement on the classification of hydration status and body cell mass by the bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) method. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 406 outpatients with stable chronic heart failure (HF). The raw BIA measurements at 50 kHz obtained by tetrapolar MF-BIA (Bodystat QuadScan 4000) were compared with those obtained by tetrapolar SF-BIA (RJL Quantum X). In addition, the patients were classified by their hydration status and body cell mass according to the BIVA method. RESULTS: Strong and significant correlations were observed between the two methods in all raw BIA variables (r ≥ 0.90). Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) values were almost perfect for R (CCC = 0.99; 95% CI 0.997 to 0.998), moderate for Xc (CCC = 0.93; 95% CI 0.92 to 0.94), and poor for PhA (CCC = 0.88; 95% CI 0.85 to 0.90). The agreement obtained in the two classifications (quadrants and hydration status) was >0.81. CONCLUSIONS: MF-BIA and SF-BIA demonstrated good agreement for measurement of the R parameter; however, the Xc and PhA parameters must be used carefully due to the previously reported variability. Likewise, the agreement in all classifications by the BIVA method was almost perfect.

Clinical Markers of Chronic Hypoxemia in Respiratory Patients Residing at Moderate Altitude.

Supplemental oxygen (SO) increases survival in hypoxemic patients. In hypoxia, mammals respond by modulating O2-sensitive transducers that stabilize the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1-alpha (HIF-1α), which transactivates the genes that govern angiogenesis and metabolic pathways. Residing at high altitudes exposes millions of people to hypoxemia with potential adverse consequences on their health. We aimed to identify markers of hypoxemia that can be used in the evaluation of patients in addition to pulse oximetry and arterial blood gases, especially those that could respond after 1 month of oxygen use. We performed a prospective pilot study at 2240 m above sea level, with repeated measurements before and after (b/a) 1-month home oxygen therapy in 70 patients with lung diseases, of which 24/20 have COPD, 41/39 obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and 5/2 with interstitial lung diseases (ILD), all of them having chronic hypoxemia, as well as 70 healthy subjects as controls. Proteins evaluated included HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and erythropoietin (EPO). Among the main results, we found that hypoxemic patients had normal levels of HIF-1α but increased EPO compared with healthy controls. VEGF levels were heterogeneous in the sample studied, similar to the control group in COPD, slightly increased in OSA, and decreased in fibrosis. With oxygen treatment, the HIF-1α and EPO decreased in COPD and OSA but not in fibrosis, and VEGF remained constant over time. In conclusion, erythropoietin and HIF-1α identified hypoxemia initially and responded to oxygen. In pulmonary fibrosis, HIF-1α, EPO, and VEGF increased with oxygen therapy, which is likely linked to the disease's pathogenesis and clinical course rather than hypoxemia.