The American journal of the medical sciences
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Plasma levels of C1q/TNF-related protein 1 and interleukin 6 in patients with acute coronary syndrome or stable angina pectoris.
C1q/TNF-related protein 1 (CTRP-1), a novel adipocyte factor, may participate in the mechanisms of metabolism and inflammation. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a proinflammatory cytokine that is correlated with the severity of coronary heart disease (CHD). In this study, we focused on the levels of CTRP-1 and IL-6 in patients with CHD. ⋯ The variation of plasma CTRP-1 and IL-6 concentrations may play an important role in reflecting the degree of inflammation in CHD and the severity of coronary arterial atherosclerosis. This potential suggests that evaluating CTRP-1 and IL-6 in combination may aid in predicting the occurrence of CHD.
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Morbidities related to atherosclerosis, such as acute coronary syndrome (ACS), remain the leading cause of mortality. Axl is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is expressed in mammalian vascular and immune cells. Axl signaling is involved in the regulation of the inflammatory response. A considerable amount of evidence indicates that inflammation is responsible for the development of atherosclerosis in patients with ACS. ⋯ Serum levels of sAxl correlate to inflammatory biochemical markers. These findings demonstrate for the first time that sAxl does have a role in ACS, presumably connected to the inflammation.
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Reports on adherence among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Egypt and the Middle East region are lacking. This study aimed to measure adherence to treatment among a sample of patients with RA at Ain Shams University Rheumatology outpatient clinic and to assess factors affecting it. ⋯ Higher adherence was associated with more positive beliefs on medication, greater satisfaction with health care and less disease activity.