冠心病及冠心病等危症患者血浆脂联素、氮端脑利钠肽前体的测定及相关性研究

目的 探讨测定血浆脂联素(adiponectin,APN)与氮端脑利钠肽前体(N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide,NT-proBNP)浓度在反映动脉粥样硬化范围和冠状动脉狭窄程度的临床意义.方法 将符合入选标准的140例患者根据检查结果 分为4组:冠状动脉性心脏病(冠心病)合并等危症组(39例)、单纯冠心病组(42例),冠心病等危症组(24例)以及对照组(35例).采用定量的酶联免疫测定法(ELISA法)测定血浆APN浓度,采用RocheElecsys 1010自动分析仪测定血浆NT-proBNP浓度,所得结果 进行统计学分析.结果 冠心病等危症组、冠心病组和冠心病合并等危症组与对照组比较,血浆APN浓度依次逐步降低,差异有统计学意义[(9.34±0.58)mg/L, (6.59±0.15)mg/L, (3.01±0.22)mg/L比(13.51±0.93)mg/L;F=3.625,P<0.05).冠心病等危症组、冠心病组和冠心病合并等危症组与对照组比较,血浆NT-proBNP浓度显著升高,差异有统计学意义[(331.93±106.76)pg/mL, (320.82±78.85)pg/mL,(438.58±106.01)pg/mL比(65.60±12.03)pg/mL;F=74.082,P<0.01).直线相关分析显示,血浆APN浓度与血浆NT-proBNP浓度负相关(r=-0.217,P=0.01);Gensini积分与血浆APN浓度呈负相关(r=-0.522,P<0.001),与血浆NT-proBNP浓度呈正相关(r=0.257,P=0.002).结论 同时测定血浆APN浓度和血浆NT-proBNP浓度有助于更好地预测动脉粥样硬化的范围和反映冠状动脉狭窄的程度.     

射血分数正常的心力衰竭患者全血N-末端脑钠肽前体浓度变化

目的评估射血分数正常的心力衰竭（心衰）患者全血N-末端脑钠肽前体（N—terminalpro—brainnatriureticpeptide,NT—pro—BNP）浓度的变化。方法入选78例心脏病患者分为3组：心功能正常组22例,射血分数正常心衰（heartfailurewithpreservedejectionfrction,HFPEF）组33例,射血分数减低心衰（heartfailurewithreducedejectionfraction．HFREF）组23例。测定患者的全血NT—pro．BNP浓度并进行超声心动图检查。结果HFPEF组患者全血NT．proBNP浓度高于心功能正常组[（1424±996）pg／mL vS．（167±117）pg／mL,P〈0．01],低于HFREF组[（1424±996）mg／Lvs（5910±2828）mg／L,P〈0．01],差异有统计学意义。心衰患者全血NT—proBNP浓度与射血分数呈负相关（r=-0．72,P〈0．01）,与左心房内径（r=0．34,P〈0．05）、左心室舒张末内径（r=O．61,P〈0．05）及左心室收缩末内径（r=0．62,P〈0．05）、E／A比值（r=0．40,P〈0．05）呈正相关。结论HFPEF患者全血NT—pro—BNP浓度升高．但升高幅度不如HFREF患者明显。     

高血压病左室肥厚及舒张功能不全患者血浆NT-proBNP的变化

目的：观察高血压病左室肥厚及舒张性心功能不全患者血浆N末端脑利钠肽前体（NT-proBNP）含量变化。方法：利用酶联免疫法,对经多普勒超声心动图检查证实的68例高血压病伴左室肥厚及舒张功能不全患者及66例高血压病无左室肥厚患者的血浆NT—proBNP浓度进行测定。结果：高血压病伴左室肥厚及舒张功能不全患者组的血浆NT—proBNP浓度明显高于高血压非左室肥厚组[（308．35±74．04）pg／ml：（211．50±73．58）pg／ml,P〈0．01]。NT—proBNP与左室质量指数（LVMI）呈正相关（r=0．863,P〈0．001）,与E／A呈负相关（r=-0．758,P〈0．001）。结论：高血压病伴左室肥厚及舒张功能不全患者的血浆NT—proBNP浓度明显升高,且与应用超声心动图技术评价的高血压伴左室肥厚及舒张功能不全有较好的相关性。     

肺血栓栓塞症患者血浆N-末端脑钠肽前体浓度的变化及临床意义

目的探讨肺血栓栓塞症（PTE）患者血浆N-末端脑钠肽前体（NT—proBNP）浓度的变化及临床意义。方法选择2007年1月至2008年5月在我院诊治的28例肺血栓栓塞症患者为观察组（其中3例随访）,同期选择年龄、性别相匹配的健康者30名为对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测血浆NT—proBNP浓度。结果观察组血浆NT—proBNP为12964-799ng／L,对照组为350±240ng／L,两组相比差异有显著性（P〈0．01）,其中3例有效治疗后血浆NT—proBNP分别由3142ng／L、1049ng／L和1472ng／L降至1554ng／L、435ng／L和662ng／L。结论肺血栓栓塞症患者血浆NT-proBNP浓度升高,有效治疗后其浓度可能下降。观察血浆NT—proBNP浓度变化可能有助于PTE的诊断和疗效评估。     

床边检测N-末端脑利钠肽前体对心力衰竭的诊断价值

目的：探讨床边即时检测血浆N-末端脑利钠肽前体（NT—proBNP）浓度对充血性心力衰竭患者的诊断价值。方法：入选60例充血性心力衰竭（心衰组）及20例非心力衰竭患者（非心衰组）。根据NYHA心功能分级,心衰组又分为心功能Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ级组;按左室射血分数（LVEF）将心衰组分为LVEF〈40％组和≥40％组。测定所有研究对象的血浆NT—proBNP水平,LVEF和左室舒张末内径（LVEDd）。结果：（1）心衰组患者血浆NT-proBNP水平明显高于非心衰组患者[（2365±86）ng／L比（46±7）ng／L,P〈0．01],心功能Ⅲ、Ⅳ级组NT-proBNP水平明显高于Ⅱ级组[（3069±96）ng／L、（3850±75）ng／L比（1056±82）ng／L,P〈0．013;（2）LVEF〈40％组的NT-proBNP显著高于≥40％组[（3456±71）ng／L比（585±35）ng／L,P〈0．01];（3）如以400ng／L为正常参考值,NT—proBNP诊断心衰的敏感性为91．8％,特异性为93．6％;（4）心衰患者NT—proBNP水平与LVEDd呈正相关（r=0．736,P〈0．01）,与LVEF呈负相关（r=-0．68,P〈0．05）。结论：床边即时检测血浆N-末端脑利钠肽前体对诊断心衰敏感而且特异,可作为心衰诊断的一个客观指标。     

心绞痛患者N-末端脑钠肽前体与肌钙蛋白I的相关性研究

目的：探讨在心功能正常情况下不稳定心绞痛（UAP）与稳定型心绞痛（SAP）患者血浆N-末端脑钠肽前体（NT—proBNP）浓度的差异,UAP患者血浆NT—proBNP浓度与肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）的相关性。方法：选择住院冠心病心绞痛患者116例,其中SAP54例．UAP组62例（cTnI阳性者32例,阴性者30例）,正常对照组35例,测定血浆NT—proBNP、cTnI浓度,比较不同组NT—proBNP浓度,及分析UAP患者NT—proBNP与cTnI的关系。结果：UAP患者血浆NT—proBNP浓度[146．55（53．65,772．55）ngP／L]高于SAP组[47．50（19．23,87．35）ngP／L]和对照组[33．38（14．07,66．60）ngP／L]（P〈0．01）。SAP组血浆NT—proBNP浓度与对照组比较无显著差异（Z值-1．20,P〉0．05）,且UAP中cTnI阳性组血浆NT—proBNP浓度[646．86（127．85,1181．63）ngP／L]高于cTnI阴性组[91．50（26．54,145．83）ngP／L]（Z值-3．96,P〈0．01）,UAP血浆NT—proBNP浓度与cTnI浓度呈正相关（r=0．57,P〈0．05）。结论：UAP血浆NT—proBNP浓度增高,并与cTnI浓度呈正相关;其测定有利于发现心功能正常,但处于高风险的患者。     

心功能不全患者血浆N-末端脑钠肽前体及血清尿酸浓度的相关性

目的：探讨慢性充血性心力衰竭（CHF）患者血浆N-末端脑钠肽前体（NT—proBNP）浓度及血清尿酸（UA）浓度变化及其相关性。方法：65例心功能不全患者,按左室射血分数（LVEF）分两组,即LVEF〉40％组（32例）,LVEF≤40％组（33例）;30例健康体检者作为正常对照组。所有入选者人院后常规检查NT—proBNP,UA,超声心动图测定LVEF。结果：LVEF≤40％组NT—proBNP[1102．3（276．34,1483．3）pg／ml]和UAE478．0（351．5．576．7）μmol／L]水平较LVEF〉40％组[91．5（22．07。165．6）pg／ml;344．7（264．6,424．6）μmol／L]和正常对照组[14．6（5．4,54．1）pg／ml;289．7（214．6,326．3）μmol／L]显著升高．P均〈0．01;LVEF〉40％组NT～proBNP水平显著高于正常对照组（P〈0．01）,UA水平差异无显著性（P〉0．05）;心功能不全患者NT—proBNP与UA呈正相关（r为0．46,P％0．01）;LVEF与NT—proBNP和uA均呈负相关（r=-0．63、-0．42,P均〈0．01）。结论：慢性充血性心力衰竭患者血NT—proBNP浓度和UA浓度升高,且两者呈正相关。测定NT—proBNP和UA浓度有助于判断病情,早期治疗,改善预后。     

心房颤动对不同心功能分级的患者血浆脑钠肽水平的影响

目的探讨心房颤动（房颤）对不同心功能分级患者血浆氨基末端脑钠素前体（NT—proBNP）水平的影响。方法入选191例心力衰竭患者,按心功能情况分为两组：轻度心力衰竭组（NY—HA分级Ⅰ、Ⅱ级）及重度心力衰竭组（NYHA分级Ⅲ、Ⅳ级）。另选84例非心力衰竭患者为对照组。测定患者NT-proBNP的水平,并将之对数转化。分析房颤对三组患者NT-proBNP水平的影响情况,以及房颤、左心室射血分数（LVEF）、NT—proBNP水平之间的关系;同时,运用多元回归寻找三组患者NT—proBNP水平的独立影响因素。结果非心力衰竭组中,房颤亚组的NT-proBNP水平比窦性心律亚组高[（2．95±0．41）ng／L vs（2．21±0．44）ng／L,P〈0．01],年龄、房颤和左心房内径（LAD）是NT—proBNP水平的独立影响因素（P〈0．001）。轻度心力衰竭组中,房颤亚组的NT—proBNP水平比窦性心律亚组高[（3．26±0．40）ng／LVS（2．98±0．54）ng／L,P〈0．05],房颤、LAD、左心室收缩末内径（LVESD）和LVEF是NT—proBNP水平的独立影响因素（P〈0．05）。重度心力衰竭组中,房颤亚组的NT—proBNP水平与窦性心律亚组差异无统计学意义（（3．59±0．52）ng／L vs（3．56±0．55）ng／L,P=0．73],年龄和LVEF是NT-proBNP水平的独立影响因素（P〈0．05）。当LVEF〈0．40时,房颤组与窦性心律组NT—proBNP水平差异无统计学意义[（3．70±0．60）ng／LVS（3．46±0．56）ng／L,P〉0．103;当LVEFt〉0．4,房颤组的NT-proBNP水平比窦性心律组高[（3．08±0．57）ng／LVS（2．67±0．73）ng／L,P〈0．001]。结论房颤对不同心功能分级的患者血浆NT-proBNP水平的影响是不同的：对于心功能良好的患者或轻度异常的患者（NYHA分级Ⅰ、Ⅱ级或LVEF〉0．40）,房颤可使患者的NT-proBNP水平上升,而对于心功能重度异常患者（NYHA分级Ⅲ、Ⅳ级或LVEF≤0．40）,     

急性冠状动脉综合征病人治疗前后血浆脑钠肽N末端前体水平

目的观察急性冠状动脉综合征病人血浆脑钠肽N末端前体（N-terminal pro—brain natrluretic peptide,NT—proBNP）水平变化,评价该指标在急性冠状动脉综合征病人治疗中的临床意义。方法急性冠状动脉综合征病人60例（冠心病急性心肌梗死29例,不稳定型心绞痛31例）,稳定性心绞痛33例,正常对照28例。采用电化学发光双抗体夹心免疫法分析检测血浆NT—proBNP水平,以超声心动图评价心功能．同时对急性心肌梗死25例经皮冠状动脉介入术前后上述指标进行分析。结果急性冠状动脉综合征组病人血浆NT-proBNP水平为3630ng／L（95％可信区间1412～9332）,明显高于对照组75．8ng／L（95％可信区间40～144）（P〈0．001）,而稳定性心绞痛组与对照组之间差异无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。且25例急性冠状动脉综合征病人在经皮冠状动脉介人术后12～24小时内血浆NT—proBNP水平从术前4732ng／L（95％可信区间为1828～12246）降至344ng／L（95％可信区间为192～616）,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论急性冠状动脉综合征病人血浆NT-proBNP含量明显升高,提示NT—proBNP可作为早期评估急性冠状动脉综合征病人的心功能情况。治疗后含量明显降低,可作为观察疗效的一个指标。     

N前端脑钠肽对急性心肌梗死后急性肾损伤的评价意义

目的研究N前端脑钠肽（N—terminal pro—brain natriuretic peptide,NT—proBNP）在评价急性心肌梗死（acute myocardial infarction．AMI）后急性肾损伤（acute kidney injury,AKI）的临床价值。方法分析262例因AMI入院行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗患者的临床资料,着重分析NT—proBNP和Killip分级及AKI分级的关系。采用AKI网络标准诊断AKI并分级。结果NT—proBNP质量浓度和就诊时KiHip分级正相关（F0．645,P=0．033）。单变量模型中．NT—proBNP每升高200pg／mL,AMI后AKI发生增加1．22倍（0R=2．22,95％CI：1．28～3．12）;经年龄、急诊介入治疗、糖尿病、C-反应蛋白和心肌型肌酸激酶同工酶峰值校正后,NT—proBNP每升高200pg／mL,AKI发生风险增加3．07倍（OR=4．07,95％CI：3．11—5．25）。NT-proBNP质量浓度和AKI分级相关（rs=0．826,P=0．002）。     

Direct comparison of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-BNP secretion and extent of coronary artery stenosis in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether coronary artery stenosis affects the secretion of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) from the heart independent of ventricular dysfunction. Therefore, this study evaluated the relationship between BNP and NT-proBNP secretion, plasma levels and the severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Plasma levels of BNP and NT-proBNP in the aortic root (AO) and coronary sinus (CS) in 251 consecutive patients with stable CAD were measured. The transcardiac increase of NT-proBNP was significantly increased with the severity of coronary artery stenosis (p=0.012), but that of BNP was not (p=0.116). The molar ratio of the (CS-AO) NT-pro-BNP/(CS-AO) BNP increased with the severity of coronary artery stenosis (p=0.019) and decreased after coronary revascularization (p=0.018, n=36). Step-wise multivariate linear regression analyses were used to detect independent predictors of the (CS-AO) NT-proBNP among 10 variables including hemodynamic parameters and the Gensini score, which is a measure of the extent and severity of CAD. Among these variables, left ventricular ejection fraction (p<0.0001), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (p=0.003) and log Gensini score (p=0.008) were significant independent predictors. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the transcardiac increase of NT-proBNP from the heart increases with the severity of coronary artery stenosis independent of hemodynamic overload, and plasma NT-proBNP may be superior to BNP to assess disease severity in CAD patients.     

新生血管内皮细胞标志物可溶性CD105与冠心病危险程度的相关性研究

目的:通过比较冠心病患者血浆可溶性CD105浓度,结合急性冠状动脉(冠脉)综合征的心肌梗死溶栓治疗临床试验(TIMI)危险积分,进一步探讨可溶性CD105与冠心病危险程度的相关性.方法:选择2008-05至2009-01在我院心内科住院的疑似冠心病患者124例,均检测血浆可溶性CD105、高敏c反应蛋白(hs-CRP)及氨基末端脑钠肽前体(NT-pro BNP)值.将124例患者根据临床诊断分为对照组11例(已排除冠心病者)、稳定性心绞痛组29例、急性冠脉综合征组84例.再将74例非ST段抬高急性冠脉综合征患者根据TIMI危险积分分为低危亚组10例、中危亚组24例、高危亚组40例.所有入选患者均随访6个月心血管事件.结果:①急性冠脉综合征组可溶性CD105、hs-CRP及NT-pro BNP较对照组及稳定性心绞痛组均明显升高(P<0.01),稳定性心绞痛组与对照组比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).②在低危、中危、高危3亚组问可溶性CD105、hs-CRP、NT-pro BNP水平均呈逐渐升高趋势,除NT-Pro BNP水平高危亚组与中危亚组之间差异无统计学意义外(P>0.05),其他各组间差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05或0.01).③可溶性CD105、hs-CRP、NT-pro BNP均为心血管事件的独立危险因素.结论:可溶性CD105与冠心病的危险程度及预后相关,有可能成为冠心病危险分层的指标之一.     

冠心病合并脑血管狭窄与血浆氧化三甲胺水平的关系

目的:探讨冠心病合并脑血管狭窄与血浆氧化三甲胺(TMAO)的关系。方法:回顾性分析了2013年10月至2016年6月于首都医科大学附属北京天坛医院心内科就诊的158例住院患者。患者均在住院期间接受了冠状动脉造影及全脑血管造影,并依据检查结果分为:对照组(无冠心病及脑血管狭窄病变,n=20)、冠心病组(n=25)、脑血管狭窄组(n=17)和冠心病合并脑血管狭窄组(n=96)。检测并比较各组空腹血浆TMAO及其前体物质左旋肉碱、胆碱、甜菜碱等水平,分别比较冠心病组、冠心病合并脑血管狭窄组Gensini评分与TMAO的相关性。结果:冠心病组与冠心病合并脑血管狭窄组中位TMAO水平分别为7.15(3.77,16.75)μmol、8.13(4.87,17.38)μmol,均明显高于对照组的3.22(2.19,9.00)μmol,P均<0.001;将各组TAMO水平经自然对数转化为正态分布后比较显示,冠心病组与冠心病合并脑血管狭窄组仍高于对照组(P均<0.01),也高于脑血管狭窄组(P均<0.05),不过冠心病组与冠心病合并脑血管狭窄组差异未见统计学意义(P=0.682);脑血管狭窄组与对照组差异未见统计学意义(P=0.582)。各组间左旋肉碱、胆碱、甜菜碱血浆水平差异未见统计学意义(P>0.05)。在冠心病组,TMAO水平与Gensini评分正相关(r=0.569,P=0.009),左旋肉碱水平与Gensini评分负相关(r=-0.700,P=0.001),胆碱、甜菜碱水平与Gensini评分未见明显相关;在冠心病合并脑血管狭窄组,TMAO、左旋肉碱、胆碱、甜菜碱血浆水平均未见与Gensini评分明显相关。结论:冠心病合并脑血管狭窄与血浆TMAO水平升高无关。     

不同冠状动脉病变程度冠心病患者血浆脂联素水平及其相关性研究

目的:了解不同冠状动脉(冠脉)病变程度的冠心病(CHD)患者血浆脂联素(APN)水平及其与胰岛素抵抗(IR)、血糖(FPG)、血脂、血压、肥胖、冠脉病变程度的关系.方法:选取冠脉造影检查者共128例作为研究对象,根据冠脉病变支数,分为单支病变组32例、双支病变组30例、多支病变组32例和冠脉造影正常的对照组34例.测量血压、身高、体重、腰围(WC)和臀围.采空腹静脉血,测定血浆APN、胰岛素(FINS)、FPG、TC、TG、HDL-C、LDL-C、载脂蛋白A1(apo-A1)和载脂蛋白B(apo-B).计算体质指数(BMI)、腰臀比(WHR)、胰岛素敏感指数(ISI)和Gensini积分.结果:CHD各组血浆APN水平低于对照组(P＜0.01).血浆APN水平与收缩压、舒张压、WC、BMI、WHR、TC、LDL-C、FINS、Gensini积分均呈负相关(P＜0.05或0.01),与ISI呈正相关(P＜0.01).均衡年龄、血压、FPG、血脂、肥胖等影响后,APN仍与Gensini积分、FINS、ISI存在相关性(P＜0.01).回归分析显示,ISI、WC和Gensini积分是影响血浆APN水平的独立因素.结论:CHD患者血浆APN水平降低并与冠脉病变程度密切相关,与IR、血脂、血压和肥胖存在一定的相关性.     

Can we predict the severity of coronary artery disease in patients with stable angina using NT-ProBNP?

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the value of N-terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) in combination with tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) to predict the presence of significant coronary artery (CAD) in patients with conventionally normal systolic and diastolic function. METHODS: Plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were measured in 87 patients who had been referred to coronary angiography with stable anginal symptoms, and preserved systolic and diastolic LV function in conventional echocardiography. Regional diastolic function was additionally assessed by TDI in all patients. Patients were then divided into 2 groups according to having normal or abnormal diastolic function with TDI. Group 1 had preserved diastolic function with conventional and TDI methods. Group 2 had conventionally normal function and abnormal regional function with TDI. Groups were divided into 2 subgroups according to the cut-off NT-proBNP value of 100 pg/ml. Coronary artery disease was classified as 0 (absence of >70% diameter stenosis in any coronary artery), 1, 2 or 3 vessel disease (with lesions >70%). RESULTS: The NT-proBNP levels were positively correlated with the number of coronary vessels involved. There was statistically significant difference between 0-2, 0-3, 1-3 vessels involvement, but no significant difference between 0-1, 1-2, 2-3 vessels involvement. In group 1 all patients with plasma NT-proBNP levels >100 pg/ml had severe CAD (p=0.003). But in group 2 only 60% of patients with NT-proBNP>100 pg/ml had severe CAD. CONCLUSION: In patients with stable angina who have normal systolic and diastolic function, NT-proBNP is useful to predict the angiographic severity of CAD. In patients with unimpaired regional diastolic function, NT-proBNP may be valuable to predict the presence of severe CAD in stable angina.     

Decreased plasma urotensin Ⅱ levels inversely correlate with extent and severity of coronary artery disease

Objective To determine the plasma urolensin Ⅱ(UII) levels in various types of coronary heart disease and to clarify how the plasma UII levels correlate with the clinical presentation, extent and severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis (CAD). Methods: One hundred and three aged patients undergoing elective diagnostic coronary angiography for proven or clinical suspected coronary heart disease were enrolled in this study. The extent and severity of coronary artery disease were evaluated by vessel score and Gensini score, respectively. Plasma UII levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: The plasma UII levels in the patients with modest to severe coronary stenosis (3.03±0.34 pg/ml, 1.83±0.67 pg/ml) were significantly lower than that in subjects with normal coronary artery (4.80±1.11 pg/ml, P<0.001). The plasma UII levels in patients with coronary heart disease were also significantly lower than that in patients with insignificant coronary stenosis (P < 0. 001). Compared to patients with stable angina pectoris, plasma UII levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome were significantly decreased (1.89±0.51 pg/ml vs 2.42±0.77 pg/ml, P < 0.001). Plasma UII levels were found to be negatively correlated with the severity of coronary artery stenosis (r = -0.488, P<0.001), as well as the vessel score (r = -0.408, P<0.05) in the patients with CAD. Conclusion: Significant inverse correlations exist between the plasma UII levels, and the extent and severity of coronary artery stenosis. These findings suggest that plasma UII contribute to the development and progression of coronary artery stenosis, and may be a novel marker to predict clinical types, as well as the extent and severity of coronary artery disease in the patients.     

Decreased plasma urotensin Ⅱ levels inversely correlate with extent and severity of coronary artery disease

Objective To determine the plasma urolensin Ⅱ(UⅡ) levels in various types of coronary heart disease and to clarify how the plasma UⅡ levels correlate with the clinical presentation, extent and severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis (CAD). Methods: One hundred and three aged patients undergoing elective diagnostic coronary angiography for proven or clinical suspected coronary heart disease were enrolled in this study. The extent and severity of coronary artery disease were evaluated by vessel score and Gensini score, respectively. Plasma UⅡ levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: The plasma UⅡ levels in the patients with modest to severe coronary stenosis (3.03±0.34 pg/ml, 1.83±0.67 pg/ml) were significantly lower than that in subjects with normal coronary artery (4.80±1.11 pg/ml, P＜0.001). The plasma UⅡ levels in patients with coronary heart disease were also significantly lower than that in patients with insignificant coronary stenosis (P ＜ 0.001). Compared to patients with stable angina pectoris, plasma UⅡ levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome were significantly decreased (1.89±0.51 pg/ml vs 2.42±0.77 pg/ml, P＜ 0.001). Plasma UⅡ levels were found to be negatively correlated with the severity of coronary artery stenosis (r = -0.488, P＜0.001), as well as the vessel score (r = -0.408, P＜0.05) in the patients with CAD. Conclusion: Significant inverse correlations exist between the plasma UⅡ levels, and the extent and severity of coronary artery stenosis. These findings suggest that plasma UⅡ contribute to the development and progression of coronary artery stenosis, and may be a novel marker to predict clinical types, as well as the extent and severity of coronary artery disease in the patients.     

N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level is depressed in patients with significant coronary artery disease who have high body mass index

The aim of this study was to determine how body mass index (BMI) influences the N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level in patients with significant coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 348 patients (61.5 +/- 9.2 years, male 67.5%) who had normal left ventricular systolic function were enrolled. All patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention. We excluded patients with acute myocardial infarction, chronic heart failure, or renal dysfunction. Baseline NT-proBNP level was measured on admission. All underwent follow-up (F-U) coronary angiography (CAG) and the F-U NT-proBNP level was measured before F-U CAG. The patients were divided into two groups: an NT-proBNP < 100 pg/mL group (group I, n = 228) and an NT-proBNP > 200 pg/mL group (group II, n = 120). BMI was significantly higher in group I than that in group II (26.5 +/- 2.2 versus 22.9 +/- 2.5 kg/m 2, P < 0.001). The level of NT-proBNP was negatively correlated with BMI and the levels of hemoglobin and apolipoprotein A1, and positively correlated with age, lipoprotein (a), and the Gensini score. In multivariate analysis, BMI was significantly related to a low NT-proBNP level in patients with CAD (odds ratio, 6.83; 95% confidence interval, 2.67-17.47; P < 0.001). The NT-proBNP level was not elevated in patients with a high BMI despite having significant CAD, and BMI was significantly related to a low NT-proBNP level in patients with significant CAD.     

Hyperhomocysteinemia is associated with human coronary atherosclerosis through the reduction of the ratio of endothelium-bound to basal extracellular superoxide dismutase.

BACKGROUND: Homocysteine is involved in coronary atherosclerosis through oxidative stress, so the present study investigated the association between plasma concentrations of homocysteine and extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) in coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: The study group comprised 154 consecutive male patients with suspected CAD who had undergone angiography. Plasma concentrations of homocysteine and EC-SOD, which was determined before (basal) and after heparin therapy, were measured and the difference was designated as endothelium-bound EC-SOD. The EC-SOD ratio (endothelium-bound/basal EC-SOD) was also evaluated as an index of binding capacity. The plasma homocysteine concentration in the stenosis (+) group (n=97, 12.0+/-4.6 micromol/L) was significantly higher than that of the stenosis (-) group (n=57, 10.2+/-3.0 micromol/L, p=0.004). Plasma homocysteine correlated positively with the basal EC-SOD (r=0.377, p<0.001) and negatively with the EC-SOD ratio (r=-0.199, p=0.014). When the group was subdivided according to either homocysteine or the EC-SOD ratio, there were 2 groups with high homocysteine concentration and of these atherosclerosis was reduced in the group with a high EC-SOD ratio. CONCLUSIONS: In CAD patients, homocysteine is involved in the significant release of EC-SOD from the endothelium. Furthermore, the higher EC-SOD binding capacity, even at high concentrations of homocysteine, suggested that homocysteine-induced atherosclerosis was suppressed.     

Usefulness of combined high-sensitive C-reactive protein and N-terminal-probrain natriuretic peptide for predicting cardiovascular events in patients with suspected coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE: We examined whether the combined use of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and N-terminal-probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) could increase the predictive value for future cardiovascular events. BACKGROUND: hsCRP and NT-proBNP both have been shown to be strong predictors of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. Few data are, however, available to assess whether combined use of these two distinct biomarkers improves the risk stratification in predicting cardiovascular events. METHODS: A total of 205 participants with suspected coronary artery disease referred for coronary angiography were enrolled in the study. Plasma levels of hsCRP and NT-proBNP were measured before coronary angiography. Cox regression analyses were conducted for the 205 participants, with cardiovascular events being defined as nonfatal myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass grafting, and ischemic stroke. RESULTS: All patients were divided into four groups by using median values of hsCRP (1.1 mg/l) and NT-proBNP (472.6 fmol/ml): group 1, low hsCRP/low NT-proBNP (n=60); group 2, high hsCRP/low NT-proBNP (n=42); group 3, low hsCRP/high NT-proBNP (n=42); and group 4, high hsCRP/high NT-proBNP (n=61). During a median follow-up of 4 years, there were 84 cardiovascular events (41%): 11 events (18%) in group 1, 13 events (31%) in group 2, 20 events (48%) in group 3, and 40 events (66%) in group 4 (P<0.001). Patients with cardiovascular event had significantly attenuated flow-mediated vasodilation (3.6+/-3.4 vs. 5.3+/-3.5%, P=0.001) and increased plasma levels of NT-proBNP (627+/-330 vs. 458+/-196 fmol/ml, P<0.001). Simple linear regression analysis on all studied participants demonstrated significant associations between levels of hsCRP and NT-proBNP (hsCRP vs. NT-proBNP: r=0.354, P<0.001). Cox regression hazards model showed that combined use of NT-proBNP and hsCRP significantly increased predictive value for future cardiovascular events [hazard ratio (HR) 4.922, 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.519-9.617; P<0.0001 for high hsCRP/high NT-proBNP vs. low hsCRP/low NT-proBNP]. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated that a simple combination of distinct biomarkers of hsCRP and NT-proBNP might provide additional information for predicting cardiovascular events.