Associations of High-Density Lipoprotein Functionality with Coronary Plaque Characteristics in Diabetic Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: Integrated Backscatter Intravascular Ultrasound Analysis.

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality has been reported to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, little is known about the impact of HDL functionality on coronary atherosclerosis. Thirty-eight type 2 diabetic patients with CAD who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention were examined. Coronary atheroma burden and plaque composition of the culprit lesions were assessed using conventional gray-scale and integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound. HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity (HDL-CEC) and HDL antioxidant capacity, estimated as HDL inflammatory index (HII), were examined. The associations between HDL functionality and coronary plaques were analyzed using multivariate data analysis, including principal components analysis and orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) models. Percent atheroma volume was correlated with HDL-CEC (r = 0.34, p = 0.04) but not with HII (p = 0.65). The OPLS model demonstrated that the percentage lipid volume was significantly associated with HDL functionality [coefficient (95% confidence interval); HDL-CEC: -0.26 (-0.49, -0.04); HII: 0.34 (0.08, 2.60), respectively]. HII exhibited the highest variable importance in projection score, indicating the greatest contribution. HDL functionality was associated with coronary plaque composition, a key component of plaque vulnerability. Our findings highlight the potential importance of HDL functionality for coronary plaque stabilization.

Pressure-Induced Superconductivity in Iron-Based Spin-Ladder Compound BaFe2+δ(S1-xSex)3.

The iron-based superconductors had a significant impact on condensed matter physics. They have a common structural motif of a two-dimensional square iron lattice and exhibit fruitful physical properties as a strongly correlated electron system. During the extensive investigations, quasi-one-dimensional iron-based spin-ladder compounds attracted much attention as a platform for studying the interplay between magnetic and orbital ordering. In these compounds, BaFe2S3 and BaFe2Se3 were found to exhibit superconductivity under high pressure, having a different crystal and magnetic structure at low temperature. We report a brief review of the iron-based spin-ladder compound and recent studies for BaFe2+δ(S1-xSex)3. BaFe2(S0.75 Se0.25)3 is in the vicinity of the boundary of two different magnetic phases and it is intriguing to perform high pressure experiments for studying superconductivity, since effects of large magnetic fluctuations on superconductivity are expected. The effect of iron stoichiometry on the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity is also studied by changing the iron concentration in BaFe2+δSe3.

Correction to: Randomized trial of an increased dose of calcium channel blocker or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker as an add-on intensive depressor therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with uncontrolled essential hypertension: the ACADEMIE Study.

In the Original publication of the article, the legend appearing inside the flow chart has been incorrectly published.

Anti-atherosclerotic effects of an improved apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide.

BACKGROUND: Apolipoprotein (Apo)A-I is a major protein component of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) that causes cholesterol efflux from peripheral cells through ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and the generation of HDL. Furthermore, it has a possible protective function against atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We previously developed a novel ApoA-I mimetic peptide without phospholipids (Fukuoka University ApoA-I Mimetic Peptide, FAMP). According to our previous studies, FAMP had an anti-arteriosclerotic effect. Since the required dose and reaction time of conventional FAMP were relatively large and short, respectively, we newly developed an improved FAMP (i-FAMP). METHODS AND RESULTS: We synthesized four candidate i-FAMPs, i-FAMP-D1, -D2, -D3 and -D4, and examined which i-FAMP has greater cholesterol efflux capacity than FAMP in A172 human glioblastoma cells transiently transfected with human ABCA1 cDNA. Only i-FAMP-D1 showed significantly greater cholesterol efflux capacity than conventional FAMP. i-FAMP-D1 formed stronger α-helical conformations than FAMP as assessed by circular dichroism spectra. Thus, we selected i-FAMP-D1 for further experiments. i-FAMP-D1 had a greater atheroprotective effect than FAMP in ApoE knockout mice. In addition, i-FAMP-D1 activated cholesterol efflux from macrophage to HDL more strongly than FAMP and increased cholesterol excretion from liver to feces. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that i-FAMP-D1 has a stronger anti-atherosclerotic effect than conventional FAMP.

Discontinuation of LDL apheresis with evolocumab in an FH patient with a duplication of exon 2-6 in the LDLR gene.

We report here a familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patient with a rare mutation, exon 2-6 duplication in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene, who had received LDL apheresis with drug treatment for 15 years. We added evolocumab (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor) 140 mg bi-weekly to the treatment, and checked lipid profiles [LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein(a), malondialdehyde-modified LDL, etc.] for 34 weeks. Evolocumab enabled the patient to discontinue LDL apheresis and decrease the dose of statin. We demonstrate that evolocumab contributed to the management of atherogenic lipoproteins in an FH patient with exon 2-6 duplication as an alternative to LDL apheresis. .

Influence of chronic kidney disease on coronary plaque components in coronary artery disease patients with both diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is well known to be associated with an increased incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD). Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN), both of which are traditional risk factors for CAD, are the two most common causes of CKD. However, the influence of CKD on coronary atherosclerosis in CAD patients who have both DM and HTN remains uncertain. In these patients, we examined the relationship between CKD and coronary plaque using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB IVUS). Two hundred two CAD patients with both DM and HTN who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention using IB IVUS were included. The patients were divided into two groups: CKD group (n = 106) and non-CKD group (n = 96). Gray-scale and IB IVUS examinations were conducted for the non-culprit segment of a coronary artery. As a result, although there was no significant difference in the percentage of plaque volume, the percentage of lipid volume was significantly higher in the CKD group than in the non-CKD group [median (IQR): 56.7% (45.4-67.0%) vs. 52.0% (38.3-60.2%), p = 0.03]. In all of the patients, estimated glomerular filtration rate levels were negatively correlated with the percentage of lipid volume (r = - 0.15, p = 0.03) and positively correlated with the percentage of fibrosis volume (r = 0.15, p = 0.04). A multivariate regression analysis showed that CKD was an independent predictor associated with the increased lipid volume (ß = 0.15, p = 0.047) and decreased fibrosis volume (ß = - 0.16, p = 0.03) in coronary plaques. In conclusion, among CAD patients who had both DM and HTN, CKD was associated with lipid-rich coronary plaques. CKD may contribute to the vulnerability of coronary plaque in these very high-risk patients.

Correction to: Association between discordance of LDL-C and non-HDL-C and clinical outcomes in patients with stent implantation: from the FU-Registry.

Unfortunately, the Fig. 1 was published incorrectly in the original publication of the article. The correct figure is as below.

Randomized trial of an increased dose of calcium channel blocker or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker as an add-on intensive depressor therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with uncontrolled essential hypertension: the ACADEMIE Study.

There is a lack of data on how to treat hypertensive patients with diabetes when treatment with medium doses of calcium channel blocker and angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) is insufficient to achieve the target blood pressure (BP). A total of 121 participants with type 2 diabetes and uncontrolled essential hypertension, who were receiving medium doses of amlodipine (5 mg/day) and ARB, were enrolled. Participants were randomized to receive either a high dose of amlodipine (10 mg/day) plus a medium dose of ARB (high-AML) or a medium dose of amlodipine (5 mg/day) plus a high dose of ARB (high-ARB). The depressor effects of these two regimens were monitored using a telemonitoring home BP-measuring system. Fifty-four patients were excluded after an observation period, and the remaining 67 eligible participants were randomized into the two groups; 42 which had a record of their home BP for analysis. The change in morning home systolic and diastolic BP was greater in the high-AML than in the high-ARB (systolic BP; - 7.9 mmHg vs. + 2.7 mmHg; p = 0.0002, diastolic BP; - 3.9 mmHg vs. + 0.6 mmHg; p = 0.0007). In addition, the home systolic and diastolic BP before going to bed and office systolic BP were significantly reduced from week 0 only in the high-AML. An increased dose of amlodipine, but not ARB, reduced home morning BP in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes who were already receiving combination therapy with medium doses of amlodipine and ARB.

Impact of cigarette smoking cessation on plasma α-klotho levels.

Smoking cessation reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and improves clinical outcomes. We studied the effect of smoking cessation on plasma levels of α-klotho, which is an antiaging protein. We treated 28 smokers (male:female = 23:5, 46 ±â€Š12 years) with varenicline (n = 14) or a transdermal nicotine patch (n = 14) as part of a 12-week smoking cessation program (the VN-SEESAW Study). Pulse rate, blood pressure, plasma levels of α-klotho, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-19, FGF-21, hemoglobin (Hb), and expiratory carbon monoxide (CO) concentration were measured before and after the antismoking intervention. Smoking cessation significantly decreased pulse rate, α-klotho, Hb, and CO concentration, but not FGF-19 or FGF-21 in all subjects. On the contrary, body mass index significantly increased after the intervention. Changes in α-klotho levels (values at week 12 - values at week 0) were negatively associated with α-klotho levels at week 0 and positively associated with changes in Hb levels. In addition, the successful smoking cessation group (n = 21) showed significant reductions in pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, α-klotho, Hb, and CO concentration. In conclusion, smoking cessation significantly decreased serum levels of the antiaging molecule α-klotho. Our results are consistent with a previous report that an increase in α-klotho might be a compensatory response to smoking stress.

Impact of the triglyceride level on coronary plaque components in female patients with coronary artery disease treated with statins.

Several studies have reported that elevated triglyceride (TG) levels may be more strongly associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in females than in males. We examined gender differences in the relationship between TG levels and coronary atherosclerosis using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB IVUS) in CAD patients treated with statins. Three hundred seventy-eight CAD patients (105 females and 273 males) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention using IB IVUS, and who were already receiving statin treatment, were included. Gray-scale and IB IVUS examinations were performed for the non-culprit segment of a coronary artery and fasting serum TG concentrations were measured. We found that TG levels were significantly correlated with increased lipid (r = 0.40, p < 0.001) and decreased fibrous (r = - 0.37, p < 0.001) plaque components in females, but not in males. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were not related to either the gray-scale or IB IVUS parameters in both genders. After adjustment for conventional coronary risk factors by a multivariate stepwise regression analysis, higher TG levels in females were independently associated with increased lipid (ß = 0.31, p< 0.001) contents in coronary plaques. In conclusion, among CAD patients treated with statins, TG levels were associated with lipid-rich coronary plaques in females, but not in males. TG levels may be more important indicators of residual risk after statin treatment in females than in males.

Impact of von Willebrand factor on coronary plaque burden in coronary artery disease patients treated with statins.

High von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels have been reported to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. However, the relationship between VWF levels and coronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) who have already received stain treatment is still unclear. We examined the association between VWF levels and coronary plaque as assessed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in CAD patients treated with statins. Ninety-one CAD patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention under IVUS guidance, and who were already receiving statin treatment based on Japanese guidelines, were included. An IVUS examination was performed for the culprit lesion, and plasma VWF antigen levels were measured using enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay. In all of the patients, the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels just before the IVUS examination were low (86 ± 26 mg/dL). The VWF levels were positively correlated with the plaque burden expressed as percent atheroma volume (PAV) (r = 0.39, P = .001), while there was no significant association between VWF and plaque composition. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that higher VWF levels were independently associated with increased PAV (ß=0.26, P = .01). In CAD patients who had already been treated with statins, higher VWF levels were associated with a higher coronary plaque burden, suggesting that a high VWF level may be a marker of the residual cardiovascular risk after statin treatment.

Association between discordance of LDL-C and non-HDL-C and clinical outcomes in patients with stent implantation: from the FU-Registry.

It is not yet clear whether the discordance of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) predicts the follow-up clinical outcome (major adverse cardiovascular events: MACEs) in patients with coronary stent implantation. Among 2015 patients with coronary stent implantation (Fukuoka University [FU]-Registry), excluding those with acute coronary syndrome or hemodialysis, we selected 801 patients who had undergone successful stent implantation with a follow-up until 18 months, and classified them into 3 groups according to baseline LDL-C and non-HDL-C levels [percentile(P)non-HDL-C more than (P)LDL-C, (P)non-HDL-C equal to (P)LDL-C, and (P)non-HDL-C less than (P) LDL-C]. We found that the discordance of (P)LDL-C and (P)non-HDL-C was not a significant predictor of MACEs. Higher LDL-C level was consistently and independently associated with higher incidences of MACEs after controlling for conventional risk factors and the type of stent used by multivariate Cox regression analyses. In conclusion, LDL-C levels are more important than non-HDL-C levels and the discordance of LDL-C and non-HDL-C levels as predictors of MACEs in patients with stable angina after stent implantation.

The Change in Body Weight During Hospitalization Predicts Mortality in Patients With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: In our experience, the change in body weight (BW) during hospitalization varies greatly in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (HF). Since the clinical significance of a change in BW is not clear, we investigated whether a change in BW could predict mortality. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 130 patients (72 males; aged 68 ± 10 years) who were hospitalized due to acute decompensated HF and followed for 2 years after discharge. The change in the BW index during hospitalization (ΔBWI) was calculated as (BW at hospital admission minus BW at hospital discharge)/body surface area at hospital discharge. RESULTS: The patients were divided into quartiles according to ΔBWI, and the 2-year mortality rates in the quartiles with the lowest, second, third and highest ΔBWI were 18.8%, 12.1%, 3.1% and 9.1%, respectively. In a multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis after adjusting for variables with a P value less than 0.05, ΔBWI was independently associated with 2-year mortality (P = 0.0002), and the quartile with the lowest ΔBWI had a higher relative risk (RR) for 2-year mortality than the quartile with the highest ΔBWI (RR: 7.46, 95% confidence interval: 1.03 - 53.99, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, ΔBWI was significantly associated with 2-year mortality after discharge, which indicates that ΔBWI might be a simple predictor of prognosis in acute decompensated HF.

Evaluation of the antithrombotic abilities of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants using the Total Thrombus-formation Analysis System®.

The Total Thrombus-formation Analysis System (T-TAS®) is a novel automated microchip flow-chamber system for the quantitative evaluation of thrombus formation under blood flow conditions. T-TAS® uses two types of microchip to evaluate thrombus formation: the AR-chip quantifies white thrombus formation and the PL-chip quantifies platelet thrombus formation. We assessed the antithrombotic abilities of various non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) using T-TAS®. One hundred and three consecutive patients who were hospitalized with cardiovascular diseases were enrolled. We divided the patients into 2 groups; a control group that did not receive an anticoagulant (non-AC group) and an anticoagulant group (AC group). The AC group was further divided into warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban groups. We performed common coagulation tests and evaluated the area under the flow pressure curve (AR-AUC and PL-AUC) to quantify antithrombotic ability using T-TAS® at the trough. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics between the non-AC and AC groups. Only 55.1 % of patients in the AC group achieved the target blood pressure (BP) of less than 130/80 mmHg. Compared with the non-AC group, AR-AUC was significantly decreased in the AC, warfarin, dabigatran and apixaban groups. Only the rivaroxaban group did not show a significant decrease in AR-AUC. NOACs showed a significant decrease in PL-AUC compared with the non-AC group. In conclusion, T-TAS® was a useful tool for evaluating anticoagulation activity. NOACs was significantly effective as an antiplatelet agent. BP control should be a higher priority than the selection of an anticoagulant drug, especially NOACs.

Significance of the percentage of cholesterol efflux capacity and total cholesterol efflux capacity in patients with or without coronary artery disease.

We hypothesized that cholesterol efflux capacity is more useful than the lipid profile as a marker of the presence and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, we investigated the associations between the presence and the severity of CAD and both the percentage of cholesterol efflux capacity and total cholesterol efflux capacity and the lipid profile including the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level in patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). The subjects consisted of 204 patients who were clinically suspected to have CAD and underwent CTA. We isolated HDL from plasma by ultracentrifugation and measured the percentage of cholesterol efflux capacity using 3H-cholesterol-labeled J774 macrophage cells and calculated total cholesterol efflux capacity as follows: the percentage of cholesterol efflux capacity/100× HDL-C levels. While the percentage of cholesterol efflux capacity was not associated with the presence or the severity of CAD, total cholesterol efflux capacity and HDL-C in patients with CAD were significantly lower than those in patients without CAD. In addition, total cholesterol efflux capacity and HDL-C, but not the percentage of cholesterol efflux capacity, significantly decreased as the number of coronary arteries with significant stenosis increased. Total cholesterol efflux capacity was positively correlated with HDL-C, whereas the percentage of cholesterol efflux capacity showed only weak association. In a logistic regression analysis, the presence of CAD was independently associated with total cholesterol efflux capacity, in addition to age and gender. Finally, a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the areas under the curves for total cholesterol efflux capacity and HDL-C were similar. In conclusion, the percentage of cholesterol efflux capacity using the fixed amount of isolated HDL was not associated with CAD. On the other hand, the calculated total cholesterol efflux capacity that was dependent of HDL-C levels had a significant correlation with the presence of CAD.

Advanced glycation of high-density lipoprotein and the functionality of aldosterone release in type 2 diabetes.

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) exhibit modification of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is likely to have an important role in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Excess production of aldosterone (Ald) results in hypertension as well as ASCVD. However, the biological activity of modified HDL in steroidogenesis is not clear. We measured the accumulation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARSs) and Nɛ-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) levels (markers of oxidation and glycoxidation, respectively) in isolated HDL from 41 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM group) and 41 age- and gender-matched patients in a non-DM group. We quantified angiotensin II-sensitized and -nonsensitized Ald release using a validated living adrenocortical cell assay. TBARS levels in isolated HDL were similar between patients in the DM and non-DM groups, whereas the CML content of HDL in the DM group was lower than that in the non-DM group, irrespective of higher blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels. There was no difference in the HDL-induced ex vivo Ald release between the groups. Although sustained hyperglycemia was not a determinant of HDL-induced Ald release, the degree of HDL glycoxidation was inversely associated with HDL-induced Ald release (r=-0.40, P<0.001). In conclusion, in vivo advanced glycoxidation of HDL had an inverse effect on HDL-induced Ald release, independent of the prevalence of type 2 DM.

Improved 68 Ga-labeling method using ethanol addition: Application to the α-helical peptide DOTA-FAMP.

We examined the 68 Ga labeling of the α-helical peptide, DOTA-FAMP, and evaluated conformational changes during radiolabeling. 68 Ga-DOTA-FAMP is a positron emission tomography probe candidate for atherosclerotic plaques. The labeling yield achieved by Zhernosekov's method (using acetone for 68 Ga purification) was compared with that achieved by the original and 2 modified Mueller's methods (using NaCl solution). Modified method I involves desalting the 68 Ga prior to labeling, and modified method II involves the inclusion of ethanol in the labeling solution. The labeling yield using Zhernosekov's method was 62% ± 5.4%. In comparison, Mueller's original method gave 8.9% ± 1.7%. Modified method I gave a slight improvement of 32% ± 2.1%. Modified method II further increased the yield to 66% ± 3.4%. Conformational changes were determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy, revealing that these differences could be attributed to conformational changes. Heat treatment affects peptide conformation, which leads to aggregation and decreases the labeling yield. Mueller's method is simpler, but harsh conditions preclude its application to biomolecules. To suppress aggregation, we included a desalting process and added ethanol in the labeling solution. These changes significantly improved the labeling yield. Before use for imaging, conformational changes of biomolecules during radiolabeling should be evaluated by circular dichroism spectroscopy to ensure the homogeneity of the labeled product.

Stabilization of high-risk plaques.

The prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs) is increasing globally and they have become the leading cause of death in most countries. Numerous experimental and clinical studies have been conducted to identify major risk factors and effective control strategies for ASCVDs. The development of imaging modalities with the ability to determine the plaque composition enables us to further identify high-risk plaque and evaluate the effectiveness of different treatment strategies. While intensive lipid-lowering by statins can stabilize or even regress plaque by various mechanisms, such as the reduction of lipid accumulation in a necrotic lipid core, the reduction of inflammation, and improvement of endothelial function, there are still considerable residual risks that need to be understood. We reviewed important findings regarding plaque vulnerability and some encouraging emerging approaches for plaque stabilization.

Frequent Premature Ventricular Complexes Originating from the Left Ventricular Summit Successfully Ablated from the Proximal Great Cardiac Vein Using an Impedance-based Electroanatomical Mapping System.

We herein report a 58-year-old woman with frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) originating from the left ventricular summit. The earliest ventricular activation of spontaneous PVCs was recorded in the proximal site of the great cardiac vein, which was simultaneously mapped and conducted using an impedance-based electroanatomical mapping system. Irrigated radiofrequency with a starting power output of 20 W and maximal temperature set at 40°C was applied with 10 Ω impedance fall, resulting in total disappearance of the frequent PVCs. The patient has remained free from PVCs for 18 months without requiring antiarrhythmic drug therapy.