[Subclinical atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with low cardiovascular risk].

AIM: To evaluate the detection rate of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with low cardiovascular risk (CVR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 182 RA patients with low CVR (mSCORE<1%) and no established cardiovascular diseases and a control group comprising 100 people. Atherosclerotic lesion of the carotid arteries was assessed using Doppler ultrasound of the carotid arteries and was determined by the detection of atherosclerotic plaque (ASP) - the local increase in the thickness of the intima-media complex (IMT) >1.5 mm. RESULTS: Carotid ASP were observed more frequently in RA patients with low CVR than in the control group (17% versus 8%; p=0.02). The frequency of ASP in RA patients with low CVR did not depend on the disease's stage or activity and ongoing therapy. In RA, the detection of subclinical atherosclerosis was associated with traditional risk factors: carotid ASP were detected 4 times more often in men than in women (48% versus 12%, p<0.01); carotid IMT correlated with age (R=0.46), body mass index (R=0.17), LDL-C level (R=0.20), systolic blood pressure (R=0.17); p<0.05 in all cases. According to a multivariate model, in RA, the risk of developing ASP increased in the presence of dyslipidemia (odds ratio - OR 2.97; 95% confidence interval - CI 1.36-6.49; p=0.006) and arterial hypertension (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.03-4.54; p=0.04). In RA patients with carotid ASP, sCD40L level was associated with carotid IMT (R=0.32; p=0.04) and cholesterol concentration (R=0.39; p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Subclinical atherosclerotic lesions of the carotid arteries were observed in 24% of RA patients with low cardiovascular risk and were detected almost 2 times more often than in the control group. In RA patients with low CVR, the risk of developing carotid ASP increased by 2-3 times with concomitant hypertension and dyslipidemia. The carotid IMT was associated with traditional risk factors - age, gender, lipid levels and blood pressure indicators, in cases of detection of ASP - with an immunoinflammatory marker - sCD40L.

[Potential complications of patient positioning in spine surgery]. / Vozmozhnye oslozhneniya pozitsionirovaniya neirokhirurgicheskikh patsientov pri operatsiyakh na pozvonochnike.

Patient position on the operating table during spine surgery is important for optimal intraoperative manipulations. However, this position is far from physiological one. An unnatural position, surgery time and sometimes necessary intraoperative change in body position can lead to certain neurological and somatic complications. Most of these events can significantly reduce the patient's working capacity and quality of life and even result disability. Medical staff placing the patient on operating table, neurosurgeons and anesthesiologists should be aware of risk factors of similar complications and their prevention. The authors describe the most serious and difficult for correction conditions, such as peripheral neuropathy, damage to visual analyzer, as well as optimal method of patient positioning.

Factors of Progression and Occurrence of Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Aim      To determine in a prospective study factors of progressive atherosclerotic lesion of blood vessels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Material and methods  This prospective study included 124 patients with RA and suspected ischemic heart disease (IHD) and 30 patients with IHD (comparison group) aged 58 [52; 63] years. On enrollment to the study and at 3 years of follow-up, all patients underwent clinical and instrumental examination according to European and Russian guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of stable IHD (2013), including coronography as indicated. For all RA patients of the comparison group, risk factors (RF) were evaluated, including arterial hypertension, smoking, excessive body weight, family history of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia. The following laboratory data were evaluated: blood count; biochemistry, including total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), rheumatoid factor (RhF), cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α), were measured in RA patients once, at 3 years of follow-up.Results Incidence of FRs for CVD was similar in RA patients and in the comparison group. Median RA duration before inclusion into the study was 11 years, and median DAS28 index score was 3.8. Incidence of dyslipidemia due to increased TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C was higher for RA patients at baseline. The LDL-C goal (<1.8 mmol/l) was achieved only in 3 (10 %) patients of the comparison group and 10 (8 %) RA patients. RA patients had higher levels of the inflammation indexes, hsCRP (0.75 mg/dl vs. 0.16 mg/dl; p<0.05) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (15 mm/h vs. 11.5 mm/h; p<0.05). In the RA group at baseline, atherosclerotic plaques with carotid artery (CTA) stenosis of 20% or more were found in 94 (77 %) patients; in 3 of them, CA stenosis was >50%. Patients with RA frequently had unchanged or slightly changed coronary arteries (CA) (47% of patients), and less frequently they had hemodynamically significant multi-arterial coronary atherosclerotic lesions (7 % vs. 57 % of patients in comparison group). At 37.5 months, 21 (23 %) of 94 RA patients had progressive atherosclerosis in CA and/or CTA; 12 (13 %) RA patients had only progressive CA atherosclerosis; 7 (8 %) had only progressive CTA atherosclerosis; and 2 (2 %) had simultaneous progression of CA and CTA atherosclerosis. Two groups of RA patients were formed, with the progression of atherosclerosis (n=21) and without the progression of atherosclerosis (n=69). RFs for the development/progression of atherosclerosis in RA patients included smoking, family history of CVD, and duration of the disease. Levels of lipids did not differ. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α) were higher in RA patients with progressive atherosclerosis. No effects of the anti-rheumatic therapy on the progression of atherosclerosis were observed.Conclusion      Progression of atherosclerosis in RA remains in disease with low and moderate activity during the anti-rheumatic and hypolipidemic treatment. The development of atherosclerosis in RA is determined by lipid, inflammatory, and immune disorders.

[Application of cardiovascular risk scales to identify carotid atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

AIM: To evaluate the cardiovascular risk (CVR) and analyze its relationship with detection of early carotid artery atherosclerotic lesion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and nine RA patients aged 45 to 60 without established cardiovascular diseases (CVD) were included in the study. The median age was 52 [48; 54] years, duration of RA was 120 [36; 204] months, DAS28 was 4.7 [3.5; 5.6] points. CVD risk was calculated with mSCORE, Reynolds Risk Score (RRS), ASSIGN, QRISK3, ERS-RA scales and Carotid Artery Doppler Ultrasound Exam was performed for all patients. RESULTS: High risk was found in 5, 5, 14, 6, and 38% of patients according to mSCORE, RRS, ASSIGN, QRISK3, ERS-RA scales, respectively. Atherosclerotic plaques of carotid arteries were found in 30% of patients. It was found that carotid intima-media thickness is correlated to all CVR calculators, age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, interleukin-6 levels. The sensitivity and specificity of the CVR algorithms in prognostication of atherosclerotic carotid artery lesions were 73 and 67% for mSCORE, 64 and 63% for RRS, 64 and 56% for ASSIGN, 73 and 49% for QRISK3, respectively, p0.05 in all cases, 67 and 50% for ERS-RA, p=0.06. CONCLUSION: RRS, mSCORE, ASSIGN, QRISK3 calculators equally predict atherosclerotic carotid artery damage in RA patients. The optimal ratio of specificity and sensitivity is shown for the mSCORE scale. Stratification of CVR in RA patients should include assessment of the carotid intima-media thickness. To identify CVR in RA patients, the most informative methods are mSCORE calculation and carotid intima-media thickness determination.

[Level of N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptide progenitor and atherosclerotic damage of brachocephalic arteries in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with inefficiency and/or injurability of basic anti - inflammatory treatment].

The high prognostic significance of the concentration of the N-terminal - pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) was identified for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and general populations. AIM: to investigate the significance of NT-proBNP level in patients (pts) with RA with the ineffectiveness and/or intolerance of basic anti - inflammatory therapy; compare the level of NT-proBNP with atherosclerotic lesion of the brachiocephalic arteries (BCA), traditional risk factors and inflammatory markers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The investigation enrolled 28 pts (24women/4men) with the lack of efficacy/resistance and/or intolerance of basic anti - inflammatory drugs (DMARDs); median age was 55 [46; 61] years, median disease duration 114 [60; 168] month; DAS28 6,2 [5.1; 7.0]; SDAI 35.0[23.9; 51.0], CDAI 30.0[21.0; 42.0], serum positivity for rheumatoid factor (RF) (100%)/anti - cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACCP) (86%). The study did not include RA pts with congestive heart failure. High incidence of traditional risk factors was found in RA pts: arterial hypertension - in 75%, dyslipidemia - 61%, smoking - 17%, overweight - 61%, family history of cardiovascular diseases - 36%, hypodynamia - 68%. Coronary artery disease was diagnosed in 11% RA pts. Lack of efficacy of 3 or more DMARDs was found in 46% of pts, intolerance to previous therapy with DMARDs - in 54% pts. 47% were receiving methotrexate (20 [18; 25] mg/week), 11% - leflunomide, 7% - sulfasalazine, 46% - glucocorticoids, 75% - non - steroidal anti - inflammatory drugs. The control group consisted of 20 healthy donors, comparable to pts by age and sex. Serum levels of of NT-proBNP were measured using electrochemiluminescence method Elecsys proBNP II (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland). The determination of the intima - media thickness (IMT) BCA were assessed from duplex scanning. Atherosclerotic lesion of BCA was assessed by the presence of atherosclerotic plaque (IMT ≥1.2 mm). RESULTS: NT-proBNP concentrations in RA pts proved to be higher (78.7 [41.4; 101.3] pg/ml) than those in the control group (55.3 [36.6; 67.3] pg/ml, p100 pg/ml - 1 group (n=6) and ≤100 pg/ml - 2 group (n=22). Groups of RA pts did not differ in gender, age, activity of RA, frequency of detection of traditional risk factors. Atherosclerotic lesion of the BCA was detected in 3 (50%) pts of the 1 group and in 8 (36%) pts of the 2 group (p>0.05). In RA pts the level of NT-proBNP correlated with age (r=0.39; p.

Polyprenyl Phosphates Induce a High Humoral and Cellular Response to Immunization with Recombinant Proteins of the Replicative Complex of the Hepatitis C Virus.

The search for new adjuvants remains the critical task for the creation of hepatitis C vaccines due to the weak immunogenicity of biotechnological products. When immunizing mice with the recombinant proteins NS3 and NS5B of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), the adjuvant activity of three immunomodulators was compared. Phosprenyl® on the basis of polyprenyl phosphate (PPP), chemically synthesized analogue of the bacterial cell wall glucosaminyl muramyl dipeptide (GMDP), and IFN-α recombinant protein were tested. GMDP increased the activity of IgG1 antibodies 4-6 times but did not stimulate the production of IFN-γ; IFN-α has not shown any adjuvant properties. The introduction of recombinant HCV proteins together with PPP in low doses increased the activity of IgG2a isotype antibodies 4-7 times and increased IFN-γ secretion 3 times. Thus, it was first shown that PPP polarizes the immune response to Th1-type and is a promising adjuvant for the development of a vaccine against hepatitis C.

[Cardiovascular diseases in patients with rheumatoid arthritis during long-term methotrexate therapy].

AIM: To compare the prevalence of risk factors, clinical and subclinical manifestations of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and their complications in methotrexate (MT)-treated and untreated patients with rheumatoid arthritis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The investigation enrolled 193 patients (168 women and 25 men) less than 60 years of age (mean age 49 [44; 53] years) with RA. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 1) 69 patients who received MT in a dose of 15.1 [10.2; 21] mg/week for at least 12 months (mean disease duration 25 [18; 48] months); 2) 124 patients who did not take MT. The patient groups were matched for age, gender, disease duration, RA activity, and the rate of rheumatoid factor (RF) seropositivity and extraarticular manifestations. RESULTS: Dyslipidemia was significantly less frequently identified in MT-treated patients (35/69 or 51%) than in MT-untreated ones (85/124 or 69%; p = 0.01). The serum from the patients treated with MT exhibited higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations ((1.8 [0.9; 2.0] mmol/l) than in those untreated with MT (1.2 [1.0; 1.6] mmol/l; p = 0,047). In Group 1, hypertension (49%) and diabetes mellitus (3%) were slightly rare than in Group 2 (62 and 13%, respectively; p > 0.05). Carotid atherosclerotic plaques were found in 19 and 16% and intima-media thickness (IMT) enlargement was seen in 53 and 56% of the patients in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Silent myocardial ischemia was diagnosed in every 10 patients; heart disease (exertional angina, myocardial infarction) was in every 5 patients in both groups. Aortocoronary bypass surgery was performed in 2 (3%) patients from those who received MT and had experienced MI and in one (1.6%) patient from the MT-untreated group. CONCLUSION: Long-term MT therapy was associated with the lower rate of dyslipidemia, but it failed to affect the incidence of CVD in patients with RA.

Gamma oscillations in the somatosensory cortex of newborn rats.

Here we addressed a question of whether gamma oscillations previously described in the whisker-related barrel cortex are a universal pattern of activity in the somatosensory cortex of newborn rats. Intracortical recording of local field potentials and action potentials in neurons using multisite silicon electrodes in 2-7-day-old rats showed that mechanical stimulation of single fingers or specific areas on the plantar or back side of the foot evoked early gamma oscillations followed by spindle-burst oscillations in the corresponding regions of the somatosensory cortex. Early gamma oscillations had maximum amplitude in layer IV of the somatosensory cortex and effectively synchronized action potentials in layer IV neurons. It was concluded that early gamma oscillations evoked by activation of the topographic sensory input are a universal activity pattern of the entire somatosensory cortex of newborn rats.

Role of ryanodine receptors in the effects of hydrogen sulfide on transmitter release from the frog motor nerve ending.

We studied the role of ryanodine receptors in the effects of hydrogen sulfide on transmitter release from frog motor nerve ending. Sodium hydrosulfide (300 µM), a donor of hydrogen sulfide, reversibly increased the frequency of miniature endplate current without changes in its amplitude-time parameters. These effects were associated with reversible increase in endplate current amplitude, which was abolished by activation of ryanodine receptors of intracellular Ca(2+)stores with caffeine (3 mM) and ryanodine (0.5 µM). Under conditions of ryanodine receptors blockade with ryanodine (10 µM), sodium hydrosulfide had no effect on induced transmitter release, but its effects remained unchanged during ryanodine receptors blockade with dantrolene (25 µM). We concluded that an enhanced acetylcholine release induced by hydrogen sulfide is related to an increase of intracellular Ca(2+)concentration due to activation of ryanodine receptors for intracellular Ca(2+)-pool.

[Ten-year risk of cardiovascular complications in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

AIM: To compare 10-year risk of cardiovascular complications (CVC) assessed by Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) and Reynolds Risk Score (RRS); to specify contribution of C-reactive protein (CRP) to development of CVC in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The trial included 116 RA patients (100 females and 16 males) and 85 healthy subjects (63 females and 22 males) under 55 years of age free of clinical symptoms of cardiovascular diseases. RA duration and activity were the same in men and women. The patients and controls were matched by age, incidence of standard risk factors (RF). The 10-year risk of CVC development was estimated by two scales--ATP III and RRS. Total cholesterin, HDLP cholesterin were measured with standard enzyme tests, concentration of CRP was assessed by highly sensitive immune nephelometry. RESULTS: The 10-year risk of CVC was higher in RA patients both by ATP III (1.8 - 1;10%) and RRS (2.6 - 2; 7)% compared to the controls (1 - 1;3)% and (1.2 - 1;4)% (p < 0.05). In male RA patients RRS is higher than in females - 7 (3.5; 12)% and 2 (1;2)%, respectively (p < 0.001). Re-calculation from the scale ATP III to RRS has changed the risk in 17 (17%) females and 7 (44%) males with RA. As a result, the number of RA patients with a low CVC risk decreased, with a moderate risk rose 2 times, with a high risk was the same. RRS dependence on the disease duration, RA activity (DAS28) was not registered. RA patients showed a positive correlation of RRS with thickness of the intima-media complex of the carotid arteries (r = 0.44; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Introduction of a new prognostic scale RRS allows isolation of groups of patients with moderate and high CVC risk and timely medication of such patients.

[Risk factors of gastropathy development in workers exposed to dust].

Systemic leucocyte-induced oxidative stress in prolonged occupational exposure to dust modifies oxidative metabolism of neutrophils and RBC, causes inflammatory and destructive, autoimmune processes in gastric lining and possible subsequent occupational gastropathies. To verify gastropathies caused by technogenic dust aerosols, search of preclinical biologic markers of gastric lining damage is essential. The article presents main steps in occupational gastropathies formation, trigger mechanisms, leading pathogenetic factors of gastric lining damage and of atrophic fundus gastritis. Using the mentioned complex of biomarkers in gastric lining state monitoring among workers at periodic and thorough medical examination is main item in forecasting individual risk of occupational gastropathies and in possible approach to their prevention and treatment.

[Biochemical and hemocoagulation criteria for evaluating the risk of nephropathy development in workers with occupational exposure to dust].

The authors present main mechanisms and leading pathogenetic factors underlying occupationally mediated dust nephropathies. The article covers results of analysis concerning biochemical and hemocoagulation criteria to evaluate the risk of nephropathy in workers exposed to high concentrations of industrial dust aerosols.

[Clinico-laboratory associations of candidial infection persistence in diabetes mellitus].

Population heterogeneity of Candida spp. in feces of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) demonstrated in our earlier studies prompted to focus on the persistence of candidial infection depending on demographic characteristics of the patients and clinical features of DM. We examined 64 patients with DM and 40 practically healthy subjects aged 20-60 yr. The seeding rate (%) of short-lived (emerged on day 0 or 1) and long-lived (emerged on both days 0 and 1) of Candida spp. cultures was determined. The short-lived fraction of microorganisms most frequently occurred in patients below 50 yr without clinico-laboratory signs of DM and the history of candidiasis (coincidence rate 75.0%, p < 0.001). The long-lived fraction was characteristic of patients with the history of candidiasis having DM of less than 5 yr in duration and glycated hemoglobin over 7.8 mmol/l without complications taking oral hypoglycemic agents (80%, p < 0.001). Candida spp. were totally absent in patients with late diabetic complications, duration of disease over 5 yr, glycated hemoglobin level below 7.8%, and candidiasis-free history. It is concluded that clinico-laboratory characteristics and demographic factors determine persistence of Candida spp. in feces of DM patients.

[Candida and Saccharomyces spp. fungal associations in fecal microbiocenosis of diabetes patients and healthy subjects].

The article is devoted to analysis of pathogenic and diagnostic significance of Candida and Saccharomyces co-existence in diabetic patients. These transient fungi are known to be present in fecal microbiocenosis of both healthy subjects and patients with diabetes mellitus. However, their overall occurrence is significantly increased in the disease and the structure of the biocenosis undergoes alteration. These data confirm the role of yeast-like fungi in pathogenesis of diabetes. The diagnostic value of detection of monospecific and mixed populations of Candida and Saccharomyces spp. is not very high, but their presence in feces, especially in women, may be regarded as a sign of disturbed carbohydrate metabolism.

[Substrate phase state and time factor in variability of human fecal microbiota].

Effects of substrate phase state and time factor on variability of human fecal microbiota were studied. It was shown that microecological system of native feces was characterized by marked time-dependent variability. It is unstable and begins to destruct after 24 hours of cultivation. The most sensitive elements of the system were bifidobacteria and Escherichia coli. Change of phase state of biotope eliminated the effect of factor limiting the microecosystem development, which allowed species of obligate and transitory microflora to freely colonize the growth substrate and interact with each other. The mentioned facts demonstrate that fecal microbiota exists in the environment of excess of growth substrate, which colonization is limited by cluster structure of biotope of native feces. It was concluded that phase state of growth substrate and duration of cultivation are important factors determining the population variability of fecal microbiota.

[A study of human fecal microbiocenosis by experimental in vitro modeling of constipation].

A study of human fecal microbiocenosis using experimental in vitro modeling of constipation was carried out. The study revealed certain dynamics of the incidence, proportion and ratio of microorganisms isolated from the feces at various stages of cultivation. The character of the changes of these parameters depended on the type of the microorganism. According to the results of the experiment, transitory flora (staphylococci; candidas) begins to disappear within the first day of cultivation. If intestinal evacuation is retarded for more than 2 or 3 days, distortion of the microbiological characteristics of the residential microflora, bifidobacteria and escherichiae, is possible. These processes may lead to a false positive result of dysbiosis analysis. The authors conclude that dysbiotic changes in constipation are caused by fecal retention. That is why correct diagnostics of dysbiosis is possible only after regular everyday stool is reestablished.

[The condition of peripheral arteries in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus]. / Sostoianie perifericheskikh arterii u bol'nykh sistemnoi krasnoi volchankoi.

To evaluate the condition of peripheral arteries and its correlations with blood lipid spectrum and intake of glucocorticoids (GC), 53 female patients with SLE entered the study. Of them, 20 patients were GC untreated (group 1) while 33 ones took GC for a long time (group 2). Nine of 20 (45%) patients and 9 of 33 (27%) patients of group 1 and 2, respectively, had antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Ultrasonography examined common carotid arteries (CCA), brachial arteries (BA), femoral arteries (FA) with measurement of the thickness of the intima-media complex (IMC). Lipid spectrum was examined with standard enzyme assay using kits by Boehringer Mannheim GmbH (Germany). Atherosclerotic plaques of carotid arteries were detected only in group 2. CCA IMC thickness reached 0.78 +/- 0.17 and 0.75 +/- 0.16 mm in groups 1 and 2, respectively. This thickness was significantly greater in SLE patients with APS than free of APS (0.89 +/- 0.18 and 0.87 +/- 0.18 mm in groups 1 and 2, respectively; 0.72 mm on the average in both groups, p = 0.02). Patients of group 1 with dyslipidemia showed a significant increase in CCA IMC (0.84 +/- 0.18 mm) vs patients with normolipidemia (0.70 +/- 0.13 mm, p = 0.042). Significantly increased levels of cholesterol, LDLP cholesterol and triglycerides were recorded in SLE patients of group 1 with CCA IMC > 0.8 mm. In group 1 there were significant positive correlations between CCA IMC and levels of total cholesterol, LDLP cholesterol, triglycerides (r = 0.78, 0.76 and 0.66 respectively, p < 0.05). Thus, atherosclerotic affection of the peripheral arteries in SLE is associated with long-term course of the disease, APS, dyslipidemia and intake of GC.

[Atherogenic cholesterol-containing circulating immune complexes--one of the components of the serum in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus]. / Aterogennye kholesterinsoderzhashchie tsirkuliruiushchie immunnye kompleksy--odin iz komponentov syvorotki krovi bol'nykh sistemnoi krasnoi volchankoi.

To estimate concentrations of cholesterol (CS) and immune complexes (IC) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we examined 20 new SLE cases (all women, mean age 30.2 +/- 6.6 years, duration of the disease 2.6 +/- 1.5 years) with no history of corticosteroids treatment. The control group of 20 healthy patients was matched by age, body mass index and absence of risk factors. CS in IC precipitates was estimated by enzyme assays (kits by Boehrinnger Mannheim GmbH, Germany). The level of CS-containing IC (CS-IC) was significantly higher in SLE patients (11.9 +/- 2.7 mcg/ml) versus controls (6.0 +/- 2.2 mcg/ml, p < 0.05). The lipid spectrum was similar in the patients and controls. A significant positive correlation was registered between LDP CS and CS-IC levels (r = 0.774; p = 0.041). Association with other indices of blood lipid spectrum (total CS, triglycerides, HDP CS) was not observed. Thus, elevated level of CS-IC and association with LDP CS may be involved in atherogenesis of SLE patients.