Circulation
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Comparative Study Controlled Clinical Trial
C-terminal provasopressin (copeptin) as a novel and prognostic marker in acute myocardial infarction: Leicester Acute Myocardial Infarction Peptide (LAMP) study.
The role of the vasopressin system after acute myocardial infarction is unclear. Copeptin, the C-terminal part of the vasopressin prohormone, is secreted stoichiometrically with vasopressin. We compared the prognostic value of copeptin and an established marker, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP), after acute myocardial infarction. ⋯ The vasopressin system is activated after acute myocardial infarction. Copeptin may predict adverse outcome, especially in those with an elevated NTproBNP (more than approximately 900 pmol/L).
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A 2-day forum was convened to discuss the current status and future implications of reducing trans fatty acids without increasing saturated fats in the food supply while maintaining functionality and consumer acceptance of packaged, processed, and prepared foods. Attendees represented the agriculture and oilseed industry and oil processing, food manufacturing, food service, government, food technology, and health and nutrition disciplines. Presentations included food science behind fatty acid technology, the health science of dietary fatty acids, alternatives to trans fatty acids, and the use of alternatives in food manufacturing and food service. ⋯ Many different options of alternative oils and fats to replace trans fatty acids are available or in development. Decisions on the use of these alternatives need to consider availability, health effects, research and development investments, reformulated food quality and taste, supply-chain management, operational modifications, consumer acceptance, and cost. The conference demonstrated the value of collaboration between the food industry and health and nutrition professionals, and this conference model should be used to address other food development, processing, and/or technology issues.
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Recent clinical studies have suggested a major protective role for the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx1) in diabetes-associated atherosclerosis. We induced diabetes in mice deficient for both GPx1 and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) to determine whether this is merely an association or whether GPx1 has a direct effect on diabetes-associated atherosclerosis. ⋯ Lack of functional GPx1 accelerates diabetes-associated atherosclerosis via upregulation of proinflammatory and profibrotic pathways in ApoE-/- mice. Our study provides evidence of a protective role for GPx1 and establishes GPx1 as an important antiatherogenic therapeutic target in patients with or at risk of diabetic macrovascular disease.
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Mechanisms purported to contribute to the pathophysiology of heart failure with normal ejection fraction (HFnlEF) include diastolic dysfunction, vascular and left ventricular systolic stiffening, and volume expansion. We characterized left ventricular volume, effective arterial elastance, left ventricular end-systolic elastance, and left ventricular diastolic elastance and relaxation noninvasively in consecutive HFnlEF patients and appropriate controls in the community. ⋯ From these cross-sectional observations, we speculate that the progression of diastolic dysfunction plays a key role in the development of heart failure symptoms in persons with hypertensive heart disease.