Predictive markers of asymptomatic atherosclerosis in end-stage renal disease patients

Objective: Uremia is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Cardiac injury markers, such as myoglobin, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), or troponins, frequently used to recognize acute coronary events, may be falsely elevated in this patient group. In this study, our aim was to (i) test serum levels of myoglobin, CK-MB, and troponin I (cTnI) in ESRD patients without coronary artery disease (CAD) and compare the results with healthy controls and (ii) to investigate the association between these markers and carotid artery intima–media thickness (CA–IMT), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and serum uric acid (SUA) levels in ESRD patients. Materials and methods: Fifty-two ESRD patients (25 hemodialysis and 27 peritoneal dialysis) and 17 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum levels of myoglobin, CK-MB, and cTnI were measured and ultrasonographic CA–IMT was determined in all participants. SUA and hs-CRP levels were only measured in the ESRD group. Results: Serum myoglobin, CK-MB levels, and the mean CA–IMT were significantly higher in ESRD group (p < 0.01), whereas cTnI levels were not different compared to healthy controls (p = 0.70). There was also a positive correlation between CA–IMT and cTnI levels (p = 0.003, r = 0.35) and CA–IMT and hs-CRP (p = 0.03, r = 0.30) or SUA levels (p = 0.003, r = 0.43). Conclusion: cTnI may serve as a more sensitive marker in detecting cardiovascular events in patients with renal failure. Besides the traditional risk factors of atherosclerosis, cTnI, hs-CRP, and SUA may have a predictive role in recognizing premature atherosclerosis in ESRD patients.     

氨氯地平联合阿托伐他汀钙对高血压颈动脉内膜中层厚度的影响

目的研究苯磺酸左旋氨氯地平联合应用阿托伐他汀钙对高血压患者颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)的影响。方法将原发性高血压患者168例,随机分为实验组(84例)和对照组(84例),对照组使用苯磺酸左旋氨氯地平2.5mg,1次/d,2周后,血压未降至140/90mmHg(1mmHg=0.133kPa)以下者,增加剂量至5mg(2.5mg/次,2次/d),实验组在对照组基础上,加用阿托伐他汀钙10mg,1次/晚,治疗12个月,比较两组IMT、血压、空服血糖及血脂水平。结果实验组治疗12个月后,颈动脉IMT、收缩压、舒张压、TG、TC、LDL-C均显著降低,治疗后的IMT(0.76±0.07)mm,与治疗前(0.95±0.07)mm及对照组治疗前后的(0.97±0.05)mm、(0.84±0.06)mm比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组间血糖、心率比较差异无统计学意义。结论高血压患者苯磺酸左旋氨氯地平联合阿托伐他汀钙治疗能更好的延缓颈动脉IMT进展。     

重组人粒细胞集落刺激因子对兔颈动脉粥样硬化球囊损伤后再内皮化和内膜增生的影响

Objeelive To investigate the effect of rhG-CSF on mobilizing bone marrow-MSCs, reendothelialization and intima hyperplasia in carotid artery of rabbits post balloon catheter injury, nethods Rabbits were treated with rhG-CSF (25 μkg, twice daily, i. p, n =35) or saline (n =32) for 5 days, then, carotid arteries of rabbits were injured by balloon catheter. The number of peripheral MSCs was detected with FACS. The morphology of injuried artery was examined with hematoxylin and eosin stain, PCNA was determined with immunohistochemistry. Results (1) Number of peripheral MSCs was similar at baseline and significantly increased at 24 hours and peaked at 7 days and remained increased till 14 days post rhG-CSF. (2) Significant endothelial cell deletion was evidenced in the control group, while scatter endothelial cells was observed in the rhG-CSF group at 1 week post injury. Two weeks after injury, new endothelial area was significantly higher in rhG-CSF group compared to control group. At 4 weeks post injury, endothelial connection was evidenced and regularly displayed in rhG-CSF treated group. (3) PCNA-positive cells in the tunica intima were significantly lower in rhG-CSF treated rabbits at 7, 14 and 28 days compared that in control rabbits (all P ＜ 0.01). Conclusion rhG-CSF could mobilize the bone marrow-MSCs and promote re-endothelialization and attenuate intima hyperplasia post balloon catheter injury in carotid arteries of rabbits.     

Relationship of QT interval duration with carotid intima media thickness in a clinically healthy population undergoing cardiovascular risk screening

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between cardiac repolarization (QT interval duration) and intima media thickness (IMT) of the carotid arteries as surrogate measures of subclinical atherosclerosis. DESIGN: Prospective study with consecutive subjects enrolled in the SAPHIR program (Salzburg Atherosclerosis Prevention Program in Subjects at High Individual Risk). SETTING: The analysis of the material was performed at the departments of medicine and neurology of a university hospital. SUBJECTS: The study cohort comprises a population-based sample of 1199 clinically healthy subjects (851 men and 348 women; age 39-66 years). Exclusion criteria were cardiovascular disease, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, bundle branch block and use of medication affecting QT interval duration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: IMT of common (CCA) and internal carotid arteries (ICA) was measured by B-mode ultrasound. QT interval duration was determined in the resting 12-lead electrocardiogram by an automatic analysis program. The QT intervals were corrected for heart rate with five standard equations (QTc-Bazett, -Fridericia, -Framingham, -Hodges and -Rautaharju) and tested for their relationship with carotid IMT after adjustment for clinical and metabolic variables. Results. Females had higher heart rates than males (64 +/- 10 b min(-1) vs. 60 +/- 9 b min(-1), P <0.0005), with longer mean QT (410 +/- 28 ms vs. 404 +/- 28 ms, P=0.003) and QTc intervals in all correction formulae (P <0.0005). Significant correlations between QT/QTc and ICA IMT (r=0.14-0.16) were found in males. In the general linear model the association between QTc (except for Bazett) and ICA IMT remained significant after adjusting for age, BMI and further cardiovascular risk factors. In females the crude correlations between QT/QTc and ICA IMT were lower than those with CCA IMT. Only the correlation between uncorrected QT and CCA IMT (r=0.15, P=0.006) remained significant after adjustment for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study demonstrate that QT and QTc prolongation are in part associated with IMT of carotid arteries, which is an established risk marker of subclinical atherosclerosis. In men the data support the hypothesis of an association between QTc and ICA IMT. In women a statistically significant relationship was found between the uncorrected QT interval and CCA IMT. These findings suggest that differences in carotid IMT and ventricular repolarization between genders might be related to hormonal and nonhormonal effects.     

代谢综合征患者颈动脉内膜-中层厚度变化及与动脉粥样硬化程度的关系

目的探讨代谢综合征(MS)患者颈动脉内膜-中层厚度(CAMT)的改变,及其与各种危险因素的关系。方法51例代谢综合征患者,按其血糖水平分为糖耐量减低(MS-IGT)组27例和2型糖尿病(MS-DM)组24例;另选25例健康者为对照组。均行超声检查,测定CAMT,并做血脂、血糖等检查。结果代谢综合征组CAMT高于对照组(P<0.01)。CAMT与年龄、收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、体重指数(BMI)、空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2h血糖(2hPG)、空腹胰岛素(FINS)、2h胰岛素(2hINS)、血总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、载脂蛋白-B(Apo-B)呈正相关(P<0.01)。多元逐步回归分析,年龄、SBP、DBP、BMI、FPG、2hPG、2hINS、TC、LDL-C与CAMT关系较为密切。结论代谢综合征患者可加速动脉粥样硬化的进展。CAMT能在早期反映高血压、高血糖和高血脂对动脉粥样硬化的促进作用。     

Intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in highway toll collectors

PURPOSE: To assess the effects of exposure to exhaust particles on intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery in highway toll collectors. METHODS: Sixty-one highway toll collectors (HTCs) between 24 and 56 years of age (mean, 36.2 +/- 7.3) and 48 controls between 24 and 64 years of age (mean, 42.6 +/- 10.6) were evaluated with gray-scale sonography to measure intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA). Subgroups were categorized according to duration of exhaust exposure and further divided according to tobacco use. RESULTS: CCA IMT was higher (0.8 +/- 0.2 mm) in HTCs than in the control group (0.6 +/- 0.1 mm; p < 0.001) and remained higher when subgroups with similar smoking habits were compared. In HTCs, IMT was greater when the number of years working in tollbooths was greater (p = 0.023). IMT was lower in HTCs with an exposure duration of < 10 years compared with a duration of 10-20 years (p = 0.017) or > 20 years (p value not significant). CONCLUSION: Air pollution has a widely acknowledged negative effect on humans. This study confirms that exposure to exhaust particles might cause wall thickening of carotid arteries.     

桡动脉中膜内膜厚度比值在监测慢性肾脏病5期患者血管钙化中的意义

目的本研究探讨桡动脉内膜中膜厚度（IMT）、内膜厚度（IT）、中膜厚度（MT）以及中膜内膜厚度比值（MITR）与慢性肾脏病5期（CKD5期）患者桡动脉钙化的关系。方法40例CKD5期患者为试验组,于行首次动静脉内瘘术时取桡动脉的修剪为试验组标本;38例单纯性外伤性脾破裂患者为对照组,取其脾小梁动脉为对照组标本。用钙盐特异性染色法（von Kossa法）对动脉进行钙化染色;应用计算机病理图像分析系统（IPP6．0）对组织切片进行半定量化图像分析;采用SPSS19．0统计分析软件进行数据处理。结果试验组40例患者有12例（30％）有明显钙盐染色阳性,位于中膜的平滑肌细胞层,而对照组无明显钙盐染色。试验组MITR与钙盐染色程度呈正相关,试验组IT与钙盐染色程度呈负相关。试验组MT、IMT与钙盐染色程度无统计学相关性。结论MITR可以作为慢性肾脏病患者中型动脉钙化的早期标志,而IMT不能准确反应动脉的钙化程度。     

家兔阴道黏膜刺激实验及注意事项

目的对某公司妇科消毒产品进行阴道黏膜刺激反应试验。方法以家兔阴道注入2 ml/只受试液,受试液为中药洗剂,同时设立对照组,观察对阴道的刺激反应,按《消毒技术规范》进行实验,然后取完整阴道用10%甲醛固定,24 h后分别取前中后3段脱水,石蜡包埋,常规制片,阅片按相关标准进行评分。结果操作和受试物以及对照用生理盐水的选取对试验结果影响较大。结论阴道黏膜刺激性试验影响因素多,有必要加强对实验细节的规范。     

The Relation between the Color M‐Mode Propagation Velocity of the Descending Aorta and Coronary and Carotid Atherosclerosis and Flow‐Mediated Dilatation

Background: To improve clinical outcomes, noninvasive imaging modalities have been proposed to measure and monitor atherosclerosis. Common carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT) and brachial artery flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) have correlated with coronary atherosclerosis. Recently, the color M‐mode‐derived propagation velocity of descending thoracic aorta (AVP) was shown to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: CIMT, FMD, and AVP were measured in 92 patients with CAD and 70 patients having normal coronary arteries (NCA) detected by coronary angiography. Patients with acute myocardial infarction, renal failure or hepatic failure, aneurysm of aorta, severe valvular heart disease, left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, atrial fibrillation, frequent premature beats, left bundle branch block, and inadequate echocardiographic image quality were excluded. Results: Compared to patients with normal coronary arteries, patients having CAD had significantly lower AVP (29.9 ± 8.1 vs. 47.5 ± 16.8 cm/sec, P < 0.001) and FMD (5.3 ± 1.9 vs. 11.4 ± 5.8%, P < 0.001) and higher CIMT (0.94 ± 0.05 vs. 0.83 ± 0.14 mm, P < 0.001) measurements. There were significant correlations between AVP and CIMT (r =−0.691, P < 0.001), AVP and FMD (r = 0.514, P < 0.001) and FMD and CIMT (r =−0.530, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The transthoracic echocardiographic determination of the color M‐mode propagation velocity of the descending aorta is a simple practical method and correlates well with the presence of carotid and coronary atherosclerosis and brachial endothelial function. (Echocardiography 2010;27:300‐305)