Increased serum galectin-3 level is associated with endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular events in patients with hypertension.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction can lead to various harmful cardiovascular complications. The importance of galectin-3 (Gal-3) has been proposed in some cardiac diseases related to chronic inflammation. However, its role in hypertension-induced endothelial dysfunction remains unclear.

Serum N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Level is Negatively Associated with Vascular Reactivity Index by Digital Thermal Monitoring in Patients with Hypertension.

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) coordinates endothelial homeostasis and remodeling, with endothelial dysfunction associated with cardiovascular mortality in the general population without heart failure. The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) levels and endothelial dysfunction among patients diagnosed with hypertension.

Methods: This cross-sectional, single-center study included 90 patients with hypertension.

Active-site cysteine 215 sulfonation targets protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B for Cullin1 E3 ligase-mediated degradation.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), released as byproducts of mitochondrial metabolism or as products of NADPH oxidases and other processes, can directly oxidize the active-site cysteine (Cys) residue of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in a mammalian cell. Robust degradation of irreversibly oxidized PTPs is essential for preventing accumulation of these permanently inactive enzymes. However, the mechanism underlying the degradation of these proteins was unknown.

Calmodulin: The switch button of calcium signaling.

Calmodulin (CaM), a calcium sensor, decodes the critical calcium-dependent signals and converts them into the driving force to control various important cellular functions, such as ion transport. This small protein has a short central linker to connect two globular lobes and each unit is composed of a pair of homologous domains (HD) which are responsible for calcium binding. The conformation of each HD is sensitive to the levels of the intracellular Ca concentrations while the flexible structure of the central domain enables its interactions with hundreds of cellular proteins.

Eating right for a healthier heart: Food choice contributes to cardiometabolic benefits and reduction of carotid intima-media thickness.

Objectives: Diets may alter an individual's metabolism and inflammation, collectively leading to the modulation of cardiovascular health and disease process. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of diets and diet-associated metabolites on metabolic profiles, inflammatory status, and severity of atherosclerosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 81 healthy adults in Taiwan.

Targeting protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-PEST (PTPN12) for therapeutic intervention in acute myocardial infarction.

Aims: The myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is almost inevitable since reperfusion is the only established treatment for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). To date there is no effective strategy available for reducing the I/R injury. Our aim was to elucidate the mechanisms underlying myocardial I/R injury and to develop a new strategy for attenuating the damage it causes.

Clinical manifestations and basic mechanisms of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a significant, unsolved clinical puzzle. In the disease context of acute myocardial infarction, reperfusion remains the only effective strategy to salvage ischemic myocardium, but it also causes additional damage. Myocardial I/R injury is composed of four types of damage, and these events attenuate the benefits of reperfusion therapy.

High serum adipocyte fatty acid binding protein level as a potential biomarker of aortic arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome.

Background: The adipocyte-fatty-acid-binding protein (A-FABP) has been implicated in arterial stiffness, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the relationship among serum A-FABP concentration, cardiometabolic risk factors, and central arterial stiffness in a hypertensive population.

Methods: Fasting blood samples and baseline characteristics were obtained from 110 hypertensive patients.

Serum resistin as an independent marker of aortic stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Subjects with higher carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) will be at an increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) events in future. Resistin is an inflammatory mediator and a biomarker of CV diseases. We evaluated the association between serum resistin and aortic stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Low serum adiponectin level is associated with metabolic syndrome and is an independent marker of peripheral arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients.

Background: Adiponectin has been implicated in metabolic syndrome (MetS) and arterial stiffness (AS). We aim to determine the relationship between serum adiponectin concentration as well as peripheral AS in hypertensive patients.

Methods: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 101 hypertensive patients.

High serum resistin levels are associated with peripheral artery disease in the hypertensive patients.

Background: Hypertension is a risk factor for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Subjects with PAD are at increased risk of future cardiovascular (CV) events. Resistin is involved in the pathological processes of CV diseases.

Association of serum leptin levels with central arterial stiffness in coronary artery disease patients.

Background: Serum adipokines have roles in the development of arterial stiffness. Our aim was to investigate the relationship of leptin and the surrogate marker carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

Methods: Fasting blood samples were obtained from 105 CAD patients.

Serum osteoprotegerin is associated with arterial stiffness assessed according to the cardio-ankle vascular index in hypertensive patients.

Aim: Arterial stiffness is recognized to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have found that osteoprotegerin (OPG) is associated with increased pulse wave velocity and may reflect endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the serum OPG level and arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients using the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI).

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Unlabelled: Saphenous vein graft (SVG) failure secondary to degeneration can cause significant problems after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Repeat revascularization by percutaneous coronary intervention can be performed after SVG failure but is often associated with less favourable clinical outcome. Treatment for chronic total occlusion (CTO) of native vessels after SVG failure among patients with prior CABG is frequently performed.

Serum osteopontin level correlates with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in geriatric persons.

Osteopontin (OPN) is involved in the regulation of vascular calcification processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between fasting serum OPN concentration and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in geriatric persons. Fasting blood samples were obtained from 93 geriatric persons.

Association of serum osteoprotegerin levels with carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity in hypertensive patients.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) has been implicated in the process of vascular stiffness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between fasting serum OPG concentration and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (c-f PWV) in hypertensive patients. Fasting blood samples were obtained from 184 participants with or without hypertension.