Serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-2 and interleukin-10 activation in stable angina and acute coronary syndromes.

Background: Dynamic instability of coronary atherosclerotic plaque results in the development of both unstable angina and myocardial infarction. The aim of the study was to investigate the dynamics of serum concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-2 in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and unstable angina (UA) as compared to stable angina (SA) patients and healthy volunteers.

Methods: A total of 189 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied: 100 patients with SA (class II/III according to CCS), 57 patients with UA (Braunwald class IIIB; determinations at 6, 24, and 48 h after chest pain), and 32 patients with MI (determinations at admission, on the 7th and 30th days after MI).

Tilt table testing in obesity.

Introduction: An imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems has been indicated in obesity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the results of tilt table testing (TT) in obese patients.

Methods: 59 patients with simple obesity (F/M: 50/9; BMI: 36.

[QT dispersion and characteristics of left ventricular hypertrophy in primary hypertension].

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to evaluate the QT dispersion and the severity of arrhythmias in hypertensive patients according to the asymmetry of the left ventricular hypertrophy. The study group consisted of 47 hypertensive patients. In 24 of them the left ventricular hypertrophy was symmetrical (group I) and in 23--asymmetrical (group II).

Serum levels of selected adhesion molecules in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Adhesion molecules have been suggested as mediators of atherosclerotic inflammatory process. They may contribute to the pathogenesis of stable and unstable angina.

Methods: The study group consisted of 59 patients with coronary artery disease: 27 patients with stable exertional angina (group A), 32 patients with unstable angina (group B).

[Left and right ventricular function in acromegalic patients].

Recent studies have proved close relations between cardiovascular and endocrinic systems. This relation has been observed in acromegaly, the disease connected with unrestrained secretion of growth hormone. The aim of the study was to assess Holter monitoring and echocardiography of acromegalic patients.

Selected cytokines and soluble forms of cytokine receptors in coronary artery disease.

Background: Cytokines may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We examined serum concentrations of selected pro- (TNFalpha, IL-2) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines, and soluble forms of TNF receptors (sTNFR 1 and sTNFR 2) by ELISA in 45 patients with stable exertional angina (group 1), 32 patients with unstable angina (group 2), and 20 healthy subjects (group C). Results: Serum concentrations of both TNFalpha (group 1, 18.

Is there a relationship between left ventricular systolic function and serum cytokines level in patients with coronary artery disease?

Background: There is growing evidence that cytokines play a pathogenic role in both heart failure and atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to assess serum levels of selected cytokines and soluble forms of receptors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and the relation between these concentrations and left ventricular (LV) systolic function.

Material/methods: We measured serum levels of TNFalpha, sTNFR 1 and 2, IL-2, and IL-10 in 100 patients with CAD: 70 patients with LV regional wall motion disturbances (group A); and 30 patients with normal LV function (group B).

[Tumor necrosis factor alpha and its soluble receptors in serum of patients with coronary artery disease].

TNF-alpha as a pleiotropic, proinflammatory cytokine seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). TNF-alpha is binding to two cell surface receptors and its serum activity is modified by soluble forms of these receptors: sTNF-R I and sTNF-R II. The aim of this study was to assess serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, sTNF-R I and sTNF-R II in patients (pts) with CAD.

[The selected pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the patients with coronary heart disease: preliminary communication].

Recent findings suggest that inflammation and cytokines regulation may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. The aim of this study was to assess serum concentrations of selected pro- (TNF alpha) and antiinflammatory (IL-10) cytokines in patients with coronary heart disease. We studied 29 patients with coronary heart disease: 14 with stable angina (group I) and 15 with unstable angina (group II).

[A test for evaluating specificity and course of tilt table testing based on two groups of healthy volunteers (adolescent athletic swimmers and controls)].

The aim of this study was to estimate the results of tilt table testing in two groups of healthy adolescents--swimmers and control. Cardio-vascular reactions on tilting were determined by the measurements of heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The study was carried out in accordance with the Polish Cardiac Society procedure.

[The QT interval dispersion and ventricular late potential in obese women].

Unlabelled: Obesity is known to be a risk factor of cardiac death, that is associated first of all with cardiac arrhythmias. Increased QT dispersion (QTd) and ventricular late potentials (LP) are measurable indices of ventricular arrhythmias risk. The aim of this study is to asses QTd and LP in women with obesity.

[QT interval dispersion and the type of obesity in women].

Unlabelled: The risk of sudden cardiac death is higher in patients with obesity, particularly in the upper body obesity. The most common cause of cardiac events are serious ventricular arrhythmias. Delayed cardiac repolarization leading to the prolongation of the QT interval is a well characterised precursor of arrhythmias.

[The role of cytokines in pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders].

Cytokines are hormone-like proteins playing very important role in the cellular interactions. They are produced by the immunological as well as the cardiovascular system structural cells. Cytokines are pathogenic factors in many disorders, where inflammation etiology is suspected such as heart failure and atherosclerosis.