Soy proteins and isoflavones reduce interleukin-6 but not serum lipids in older women: a randomized controlled trial

Soy foods contain several components, notably, isoflavones and amino acids, that may improve cardiovascular health. We evaluated the long-term effect of soy protein and/or soy isoflavones supplementation on serum lipids and inflammatory markers using a 1-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-control, clinical trial in 131 healthy ambulatory women older than 60 years. We hypothesized that soy protein, in combination with isoflavones, would have the largest positive effect on coronary heart disease risk factors (serum lipids and inflammatory markers) compared with either intervention alone and that, within groups receiving isoflavones, equol producers would have more positive effects on coronary heart disease risk factors than nonequol producers. After a 1-month baseline period, participants were randomized into 1 of 4 intervention groups: soy protein (18 g/d) and isoflavone tablets (105 mg/d isoflavone aglycone equivalents), soy protein and placebo tablets, control protein and isoflavone tablets, or control protein and placebo tablets. T Tests were used to assess differences between equol and nonequol producers. Ninety-seven women completed the trial. Consumption of protein powder and isoflavone tablets did not differ among groups, and compliance with study powder and tablets was 79% and 90%, respectively. After 1 year, in the entire population, there were either no or little effects on serum lipids and inflammatory markers, regardless of treatment group. Equol producers, when analyzed separately, had significant improvements in total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratios (−5.9%, P = .02; −7.2%, P = .04 respectively). Soy protein and isoflavone (either alone or together) did not impact serum lipids or inflammatory markers. Therefore, they should not be considered an effective intervention to prevent cardiovascular disease because of lipid modification in healthy late postmenopausal women lacking the ability to produce equol.     

冠心病介入治疗前后血清白细胞介素18、可溶性CD40L和超敏C反应蛋白变化与早期并发症的关系

目的:通过检测经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)术前、术后血清白细胞介素18(IL-18)、可溶性CD40L(sCD40L)和超敏C反应蛋白( hsCRP)的水平,探讨其与冠心痛PCI术后早期并发症之间的关系.方法:选择经冠状动脉造影确诊的冠心病患者85例,其中不稳定型心绞痛患者44例,急性心肌梗死患者41例;选择40例冠状动脉造影正常者作为对照组.采用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附分析(ELISA)法测定PCI术前术后血清IL-18、CD40L和hsCRP水平,同时通过对PCI术中、术后30 d早期并发症的观察,探讨PCI手术前后血清IL-18及hsCRP水平与PCI早期并发症之间的关系.结果:85例患者PCI术后心脏早期并发症总发生率为9.4％(8/85),其中AMI组14.6％(6/41)显著高于不稳定型心绞痛(UA)组4.5％(2/44)(P＜0.05),术后IL-18、CD40L和hs-CRP水平差值也显著高于无早期并发症患者(P＜0.05),发生早期并发症者术前IL-18、CD40L及hsCRP水平及术后差值均显著高于未发生并发症者(P＜0.05).结论:PCI术可能在短期内触发并加重了冠状动脉炎性反应,IL-18、CD40L和hsCRP有可能作为早期并发症的预测因子.     

血清同型半胱氨酸，高敏C-反应蛋白与冠心病的关系

[目的]探讨血清同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）：高敏C-反应蛋白（hs—CRP）水平与冠心病（CHD）的关系。[方法]选自2010年而2月-2010年12月我院心血管内科住院病人46例并与55例正常对照进行分析。[结果]冠心病组与正常对照组比较血清Hcy及h—CRP水平差异显著（P〈0．01）,胆固醇（CHO）,脂蛋白（a）（Lpa）及纤维蛋白原（Fbg）水平差异显著（P〈0．05）。[结论]高血清Hcy是冠心病独立危险因素,监测血清Hcy,血脂及h—CRP水平对冠心病的诊断治疗有重要意义。     

Detection of cervical cancer recurrence during follow-up: A multivariable comparison of 9 frequently investigated serum biomarkers

Objective

To assess the diagnostic accuracy and model the optimal combination of commonly studied serum biomarkers aimed at identifying recurrence in cervical cancer patients.

Methods

From a systematic literature search, nine biomarkers (CA-15.3, CA-125, CEA, CYFRA 21-1, hsCRP, IL-6, SCC-Ag, TNF-α and VEGF) were selected for a serum analysis. Samples were derived from a historical cervical cancer cohort. Subjects with serum samples stored in a biobank were included when quality criteria were met, and one sample preceding and at least one following primary treatment were available. In case of recurrence, two additional post-recurrence samples were analyzed. Biomarker serum levels were quantified by enzyme linked or chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassays. Logistic regression and receiver operating curve analysis were employed for selection, modeling and comparison on the diagnostic accuracy of the tested biomarkers.

Results

205 samples were analyzed from 75 subjects, of whom 19 (25.3%) had a recurrence. The area under the curve (AUC) of CA-15.3, CA-125, CEA, CYFRA 21-1, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF were all < 0.750. Only SCC-Ag and hsCRP were included in the final model with an AUC of 0.822 (95% CI: 0.744–0.900) and 0.831 (95% CI: 0.758–0.905) respectively. Combined AUC was 0.870 (95% CI: 0.805–0.935). Rises in SCC-Ag and hsCRP significantly increased the odds for recurrence. Each ng/ml of SCC-Ag increase, related to an odds ratio (OR) of 1.117 (95% CI: 1.039–1.200). Comparably, the OR for hsCRP (in mg/ml) was 1.025 (95% CI: 1.012–1.038).

Conclusion

Combined testing of SCC-Ag and hsCRP yields the highest detection rate of disease recurrence during cervical cancer follow-up.     

Modified resveratrol Longevinex improves endothelial function in adults with metabolic syndrome receiving standard treatment

Resveratrol is known to improve endothelial function in animals, but little is known about its effect on human subjects. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors underlying endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesized that the modified resveratrol, Longevinex, improves endothelial function in patients with MetS. Thirty-four patients who had been treated for MetS and lifestyle-related disease were randomly assigned to group A, in which Longevinex was administered for 3 months and then discontinued for 3 months, whereas in the time-matched group B, Longevinex was administered between 3 and 6 months. These 2 groups of patients received similar drugs at baseline for diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, or hypertension. Flow-mediated dilatation significantly increased during the administration of Longevinex but decreased to baseline 3 months after the discontinuation of Longevinex in the group A patients. Conversely, in the group B patients, flow-mediated dilatation remained unchanged for the first 3 months without Longevinex but was significantly increased 3 months after the treatment with Longevinex. Longevinex did not significantly affect blood pressure, insulin resistance, the lipid profile or inflammatory markers during 6-month follow-up. These results demonstrate that Longevinex specifically improves endothelial function in subjects with MetS who were receiving standard therapy for lifestyle-related disease.     

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein at different stages of atherosclerosis: results of the INVADE study

Evidence on the role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) at different stages of atherosclerosis is limited. We therefore analyzed the relationship between hsCRP and measures of subclinical and advanced atherosclerosis in a population-based sample of the INVADE study (n = 3,092, >55 years). The parameters of interest were IMT, ABI, and the stage of atherosclerosis. Differences between participants with normal and pathological hsCRP were analyzed by t test for independent samples or Fishers’ exact test. Differences of hsCRP between IMT quartiles, ABI quartiles, and different stages of atherosclerosis were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Adjusted stepwise multiple linear regression analysis (IMT and ABI) and adjusted analysis of variance (stage of atherosclerosis) were performed, including significant baseline parameters as covariates. ANOVA showed significant differences of hsCRP among IMT quartiles, ABI quartiles, and patients with and without atherosclerosis. The adjusted analyses confirmed that the effects of IMT, ABI, and atherosclerosis on hsCRP were independent from other significant baseline parameters, but did not yield a significant difference between subclinical and advanced stages of atherosclerosis. The present analysis indicates an independent relationship between hsCRP and both IMT and ABI as measures of subclinical atherosclerosis. The comparison of subclinical and advanced stages of atherosclerosis yielded no significant difference, indicating that hsCRP is sensitive to identify vascular risk patients, but not suited to monitor progression of the disease.     

Decreased serum esRAGE level is associated with angiographically determined coronary plaque progression in diabetic patients

Objective

This study evaluated the relationship between serum levels of endogenous secretory receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (esRAGE) and coronary plaque progression in diabetic and nondiabetic patients.

Design and methods

Serum esRAGE level was measured and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) was performed in 265 consecutive patients at baseline and 1-year follow-up.

Results

Comparing to baseline, serum esRAGE level was significantly increased during follow-up in nondiabetic patients without plaque progression (p = 0.014), unchanged in nondiabetic patients with plaque progression and diabetic patients without plaque progression, and decreased in diabetic patients with plaque progression (p = 0.011). Moreover, change of esRAGE levels correlated with change of QCA measurements. Multivariable regression analyses revealed that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 0.214, p = 0.037), hypertension (OR = 2.755, p = 0.011), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (OR = 1.083, p < 0.001) and change of esRAGE (OR = 23.477, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for plaque progression in diabetic patients.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated an association of decreased serum esRAGE level with coronary plaque progression in patients with diabetes.     

Neopterin and hsCRP are not correlated in gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective: To determine serum neopterin and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in patients with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods: Neopterin and hsCRP levels were quantified in 28 women with GDM and 20 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Postpartum neopterin and hsCRP levels were measured in a follow-up study.

Results: Neopterin levels were significantly higher in women with GDM than in women with NGT (15.89?±?8.19?nmol/L versus 10.4?±?3.8?nmol/L, p?p?hsCRP levels were not different between women with and without GDM (5.74?±?3.91 versus 5.73?±?3.34, p?=?0.9, respectively). In contrast, hsCRP levels decreased after delivery in patients with GDM (5.74?±?3.91 versus 3.78?±?2.78, p?r?=?0.3, p?=?0.02) and fasting glucose (r?=?0.4, p?=?0.004), postprandial glucose (r?=?0.3, p?=?0.01), HbA1c (r?=?0.3, p?=?0.02), whereas hsCRP levels were correlated with pre-pregnancy (r?=?0.3, p?=?0.04) and pregnancy body mass index (r?=?0.4, p?=?0.008). No correlation between serum neopterin and hsCRP levels was found (p?=?0.9).

Conclusion: Neopterin levels increased in patients with GDM; hence, it may be related to inflammation. However, the lack of correlation between neopterin and hsCRP suggests the role of different attitudes of these two parameters in the course of pregnancy and GDM.     

尿酸、NT-proBNP及hsCRP在慢性心力衰竭诊断中的临床价值

目的：探讨血尿酸、hsCRP及NT-proBNP在慢性心力衰竭（心衰）诊断方面的临床价值。方法选取41例慢性心衰患者及31例健康对照组,检测外周血尿酸、hsCRP及NT-proBNP的浓度,分析其与NYHA（纽约心脏病协会）心功能分级、LVEF（左室射血分数）及 LVEDD（左室舒张末期内径）的相关性。结果慢性心衰患者血尿酸、hsCRP 及 NT-proBNP 较对照组显著升高（ P ＜0.05）,不同心功能分级之间的血尿酸及NT-proBNP亦有统计学差异（P＜0.05）。尿酸及NT-proBNP与心功能分级及LVEDD呈正相关（r＝0.67,P＜0.05;r＝0.52,P＜0.05;r＝0.54,P＜0.05;r＝0.53,P＜0.05）,与LVEF呈负相关（r＝－0.61,P＜0.05;r＝－0.57,P＜0.05）。尿酸与NT-proBNP两者之间亦有一定的相关性（r＝0.46,P＜0.05）。结论慢性心衰患者血尿酸及NT-proBNP与疾病严重程度相关,是心功能评价的较好指标,而hsCRP在心衰诊断的临床价值不如尿酸及NT-proBNP。     

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein in stroke patients – The importance in consideration of influence of multiple factors in the predictability for disease severity and death

High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) has been evaluated as a biomarker in stroke and relevant pathological diseases. While its predictive values in several pathological phenotypes have been confirmed, controversy exists among different studies. This review summarizes reports of the predictive values of hsCRP for the diagnosis, etiology, prognosis and mortality of stroke diseases. The current literature suggests that CRP expression is influenced by multiple factors, such as polymorphisms, the genomic backgrounds and gender. However, few reported studies analyzed data based on all these multiple factors. Future studies should focus on comprehensive analysis based on multiple factors.