Inflammation and dyslipidaemia: a possible interplay between established risk factors in North Indian males with coronary artery disease

Objectives

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the developed world and is rapidly assuming epidemic proportions in developing countries, including India. This has led to extensive research to determine the risk factors and the pathways that may predispose to the elevated risk of this disease. Important among them include lipoproteins, homocysteine, lipoprotein (a), pro-inflammatory cytokines and others. The following study was undertaken to determine a possible inter-relationship between inflammation and dyslipidaemia, which are important risk factors for CAD in the atherosclerosis-prone North Indian male population.

Methods

The study groups comprised 150 clinically assessed North Indian male patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), diagnosed on electrocardiographic and biochemical criteria, and 150 healthy controls. Apolipoprotein-AI (Apo-AI), apolipoprotein-B (Apo-B) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were estimated using kits based on the immunoturbidimetric assay from Randox, UK. Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and lipoprotein (a) were assayed using commercially available ELISA kits from Diaclone Research, Belgium and Innogenetics, Belgium, respectively.

Results

The patients with AMI showed highly significant elevations in the levels of total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, Apo-B and a significant decline in HDL cholesterol, compared with healthy controls. Significantly elevated serum levels of inflammatory markers, TNF-α and CRP were seen in patients with AMI, compared to the control subjects. A significantly positive correlation of TNF-α was observed with lipoprotein (a) in patients with CAD.

Conclusion

The data clearly underlines a possible interplay between inflammation and dyslipidaemia in the pathogenesis of CAD in the Indian context. This insight into the aetiopathogenesis of CAD will prove highly beneficial for devising better preventive measures and pharmacological interventions for CAD.     

Involvement of MT1‐MMP and TIMP‐2 in human periodontal disease

Oral Diseases (2010) 16 , 388–395 Objectives: Periodontal disease is characterized by an increased collagen metabolism. Although membrane type‐1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1‐MMP) plays a critical role in collagen degradation, its involvement in human periodontitis remains to be determined. Methods: MT1‐MMP and TIMP‐2 expression and distribution were evaluated in gingival tissue samples derived from 10 healthy and 12 periodontitis‐affected human subjects. MT1‐MMP and TIMP‐2 expression were assessed through Western‐blot of tissue homogenates. The main cell types involved in MT1‐MMP and TIMP‐2 production were evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry. Results: Both MT1‐MMP and TIMP‐2 were significantly increased in periodontitis‐affected gingival tissues when compared to healthy gingiva. Moreover, the balance between MT1‐MMP and its inhibitor TIMP‐2 was altered in periodontitis‐affected tissues, suggesting an imbalance in this proteolytic axis. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the expression of MT1‐MMP in fibroblasts and macrophages in gingival tissues. MT1‐MMP was detected in cells in close association with the gingival collagen matrix. TIMP‐2 expression was identified in fibroblasts, macrophages and epithelial cells. Conclusions: Our observations show an increased expression of MT1‐MMP and TIMP‐2 in periodontitis‐affected gingival tissues. The altered balance between these two molecular mediators of collagen remodeling suggests their involvement in human periodontal disease.     

Evaluation and comparison of different versions of the Body Shape Questionnaire

The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) is a widely used scale to assess body dissatisfaction. Several short forms of the BSQ have been introduced. In the present study, the full-length 34-item version of the BSQ and seven derivations were evaluated. Factorial validity was analyzed by confirmatory factor analyses in a representative sample of German females (n=1080). Treatment sensitivity was evaluated in a sample of 43 women with bulimia nervosa who completed the BSQ before and after cognitive-behavioral therapy. While fit indices of the full-length version of the BSQ were poor, three of the derivations had reasonable fit. If treatment sensitivity is considered, one of the short forms performed best. This derivation is one of the eight-item versions of the BSQ (suggested abbreviation: BSQ-8C). In conclusion, the present study presents the empirical background for choosing between eight different versions of the BSQ. Thus, it is no longer necessary for researchers and clinicians to make their choice based on subjective criteria. Nevertheless, research on the derivations of the BSQ as stand-alone questionnaires is needed.