The labile iron pool in monocytes reflects the activity of the atherosclerotic process in men with chronic cardiovascular disease.

The study investigates the relationship between the labile iron pool (LIP) in circulating monocytes and markers of iron metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and arterial elasticity in patients with chronic cardiovascular disease and in healthy volunteers. The patients with a history of CVEs had significantly higher LIP values than did the control group (1.94+/-0.46 microM vs. 1.62+/-0.49 microM, p=0.02). Except for the leukocyte number (WBCs), the groups did not differ in other inflammatory markers (CRPus, CD 163, MPO, MMP-1). Similarly, there were no differences in the markers of endothelial dysfunction (ICAM, VCAM, E-selectin, vWF). The CVE group had higher pulse pressures, levels of markers of impaired arterial elasticity (AI, Young´s modulus, pulsatility, stiffness index), IMT values and ABI values. The LIP concentration was significantly correlated with the transferrin receptor/ferritin ratio, hepcidin levels, VFT content and the ABI and ET values. Patients with a history of CVE have significantly higher concentrations of iron in their intracellular LIP in circulating monocytes than do healthy controls. The independent and significant correlation of LIP with markers of the progression of atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness suggests LIP as a possible novel marker of atherosclerotic activity.

Markers of Chlamydia pneumoniae and human cytomegalovirus infection in patients with chronic peripheral vascular disease and their relation to inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and changes in lipid metabolism.

Our aim was to detect markers of Chlamydia pneumoniae (CPN) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in patients with peripheral vascular occlusive disease and to follow markers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and lipid metabolism alteration in patients with active infection. CPN genome was detected in 9 (47.4 %) patients by at least one PCR method. Serological markers of acute CPN infection were found in 5 (26.3 %) subjects; each of them showed also positivity in at least one of the PCR methods. HCMV DNA were detected in 2 (10.5 %) patients; HCMV-specific antibodies were detected in 14 (73.7 %) subjects, however only in IgG subclass. Subjects with HCMV PCR positivity thus showed no serological markers of active HCMV infection. Laboratory findings of acute CPN infection were associated with increased plasma levels of Lp(a), triacylglycerols, atherogenic index of plasma and E-selectin (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in the other markers, including plasma levels of total cholesterol, ferritin, homocysteine, oxidized LDL, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, TNF-alpha, soluble forms of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, von Willebrand factor, C-reactive protein, and plasma nitrites & nitrates. Frequent presence of chlamydial DNA in atheromatous plaques from patients with peripheral vascular disease was confirmed. HCMV DNA was detected only sporadically and with positivity in anamnestic anti-HCMV antibodies (IgG) only, indicating a rare presence of latent virus rather than active replication. Patients with laboratory markers of acute CPN infection exhibited more pronounced alterations in lipid metabolism and endothelial dysfunction.