European journal of clinical investigation
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Apr 2014
Ischaemic heart disease in first-degree relatives to coeliac patients.
Coeliac disease (CD) has been linked to an increased risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). We examined the risk of IHD in first-degree relatives and spouses to coeliac patients to ascertain the genetic contribution to IHD excess risk. ⋯ First-degree relatives to coeliac patients seem to be at an increased risk of IHD but the excess risk is so small that it has little clinical relevance.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2014
Observational StudyHomoarginine and mortality in an older population: the Hoorn study.
Homoarginine is an amino acid that may be involved in nitric oxide and energy metabolism. Previous studies in patient populations showed that low homoarginine levels indicate an increased risk of mortality and cardiovascular disease. We evaluated whether low plasma levels of homoarginine are associated with elevated, overall and cause-specific mortality. ⋯ Low plasma concentrations of homoarginine are a risk marker for overall mortality and especially for cardiovascular mortality in the older general population. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Feb 2014
Irisin as a predictor of glucose metabolism in children: sexually dimorphic effects.
Irisin, a novel myokine, increases energy expenditure and glucose tolerance and, thus, improves carbohydrate homeostasis in humans. This hormone has potential therapeutic applications for weight loss and improvement in insulin resistance in subjects with obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM). In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to associate circulating levels of irisin and several anthropometric and metabolic parameters among Arab children. ⋯ Serum irisin levels were higher in girls than in boys and correlated negatively with HOMA-IR. They were also independently associated with FBG predominantly in girls, suggesting that this hormone may play a crucial role in glucose metabolism from an early age.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jan 2014
Kidney function crucially affects B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal proBNP and their relationship.
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) are useful biomarkers in the management of heart failure. Both peptides are secreted into the circulation after cleavage of their precursor proBNP and excreted from the kidney in the active form or as metabolites. We investigated effects of kidney function on the levels and association of these peptides. ⋯ Although circulating levels of both BNP and NT-proBNP increased with deteriorating kidney function, the impact of kidney function on NT-proBNP was much more pronounced than that on BNP. Kidney function should be taken into account when interpreting data on BNP, NT-proBNP and their relationship.
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Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jan 2014
Mycophenolic acid attenuates the tumour necrosis factor-α-mediated proinflammatory response in endothelial cells by blocking the MAPK/NF-κB and ROS pathways.
Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has beneficial effects in cardiac transplant patients beyond the suppression of tissue rejection. Moreover, mycophenolic acid (MPA), its active metabolite, has been associated with positive effects on atherosclerosis in animal models. The attachment of leukocytes to the vascular endothelium and the subsequent migration of these cells into the vessel wall are early events in inflammation and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of MPA on tumour necrosis-α (TNF-α)-induced, endothelial cell proinflammatory responses and the underlying mechanisms. ⋯ These results suggest that, in addition to the prevention of rejection, MPA may be a promising approach for the treatment of inflammatory vascular disease.