Ghrelin and obestatin modulate early atherogenic processes on cells: enhancement of monocyte adhesion and oxidized low-density lipoprotein binding.

Emerging evidence indicates the potential involvement of ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, in low-grade inflammatory diseases such as obesity and atherosclerosis. The goal of the present study was to use cell culture models to investigate the influences of ghrelin and obestatin in processes participating in atherogenesis. We studied monocyte adhesion, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and adhesion molecule expression on endothelial cells as well as binding of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and acetylated LDL to macrophages.

The expression of human resistin in different leucocyte lineages is modulated by LPS and TNFalpha.

Objective: Human resistin has been linked to several inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis. This study aimed to clarify the expression of resistin in different inflammatory cells and its effect on endothelial cells.

Results: In this study, RNA and protein expression of resistin were detected in human primary neutrophils, monocytes, and T cells as well as in human Jurkat T cells, RPMI-8226 B cells, monocytic U937, and myeloblastic HL-60 cell lines.

Estrogen replacement therapy decreases plasma adiponectin but not resistin in postmenopausal women.

The effects of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) to cardiovascular disease risk are still unclear. Low adiponectin and high resistin plasma concentrations are reported to be associated with atherosclerosis. However, it is not known how ERT affects plasma adiponectin and resistin concentrations.

Genetic variants at the resistin locus are associated with the plasma resistin concentration and cardiovascular risk factors.

Objective: To examine the relation of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the resistin gene on the plasma resistin concentration and cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods And Results: Plasma resistin concentrations were measured and SNP -420C>G, +157C>T, and +299G>A genotyped in our Finnish population-based cohort. Association analyses were performed in the control group of the cohort (n=515).

High plasma resistin level is associated with enhanced highly sensitive C-reactive protein and leukocytes.

Objectives: Resistin is a newly described hormone with a suggested role in insulin resistance. In humans, inflammatory cells seem to be the major source of resistin. The aim of this study was to find out whether plasma resistin concentration associates with carotid artery atherosclerosis and the risk factors of atherosclerosis.