Biomarkers of left atrial overload in obese and nonobese patients with atrial fibrillation qualified for electrical cardioversion.

Background: Biomarkers of left atrial (LA) overload are considered factors affecting the efficacy of atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment. Increasing obesity rates contribute to a growing number of obese patients qualified for electrical cardioversion (CVE).Biomarkers of left atrial (LA) overload are considered as factors influencing efficacy of atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment.

Renal resistive index and long-term outcome in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the application of intra-renal Doppler flow indices for the prediction of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) during 24-month follow-up in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) subject to coronary angiography (CA).

Methods: This prospective study comprised 111 consecutive patients with stable and unstable CAD (68.5% men; median age 65 years), referred for CA.

Circulating vaspin levels and nutritional status and insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the associations between circulating vaspin levels and nutritional status (assessed on tha basis of BMI) as well as insulin resistance in PCOS.

Material And Methods: Eighty-seven PCOS women, 48 obese and 39 normal weight, were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. Seventy-two Non-PCOS women, 41 obese and 31 normal weight, constituted a control group.

Serum Level of D-Lactate in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: Preliminary Data.

D-Lactate is produced by the intestinal biota and later absorbed into circulation. Some patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) develop exocrine pancreatic insufficiency that may disturb the gut microbiome and enhance the production of D-lactate. However, this concept has not been studied yet.

Plasma concentration of Retinol Binding Protein 4 (RBP4) in relation to nutritional status and kidney function in older population of PolSenior Study.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess plasma RBP4 concentration in elderly subjects in relation to nutritional status and kidney function in the population of the PolSenior Study.

Material And Methods: We assessed RBP4, glucose, insulin, albumin, lipid profile, C-reactive protein, (hsCRP) and creatinine concentrations in 2614 PolSenior Study participants (1235 women and 1379 men). The study group was divided based on BMI and HOMA-IR values, and the occurrence of diabetes.

Plasma Level of Retinol-Binding Protein 4, N-Terminal proBNP and Renal Function in Older Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure.

Background/aim: Elevated plasma concentration of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) has recently emerged as a potential new risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension (HT) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Limited data suggest that RBP4 promotes inflammatory damage to cardiomyocytes and participates in the development of heart failure (HF). This study aimed to analyze the relationship between concentrations of plasma RBP4 and serum N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP), a powerful biomarker of left ventricle dysfunction, in the older Polish population.

Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in children with brain tumors.

Background: Angiogenesis is the process of new vessel formation originating from the existing vascular network. It plays an important role in the growth and spread of malignancies, including brain tumors. The process of angiogenesis is characterized by increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and by the release of their soluble forms into circulation.

Prediction of contrast-induced acute kidney injury by early post-procedural analysis of urinary biomarkers and intra-renal Doppler flow indices in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Background: The study was designed to evaluate the applicability of combined assessment of urinary biomarkers and intra-renal Doppler flow indices for the prediction of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) after coronary angiography/percutaneous coronary interventions (CA/PCI).

Methods: This prospective observational study covered 95 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease subject to elective or urgent CA/PCI. Doppler intra-renal flow indices were assessed before and 1 h following CA/PCI.

Increased plasma RBP4 concentration in older hypertensives is related to the decreased kidney function and the number of antihypertensive drugs-results from the PolSenior substudy.

Increased plasma retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), a novel adipokine, has been associated in previous studies with obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension (HT), atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between HT occurrence and its treatment, and plasma RBP4 concentrations in the older polish population. The study sample consisted of 1728 (890 men and 838 women) PolSenior study participants aged 65 years and older with available plasma samples and NT-proBNP values below 2000 pg/mL.

Pre-procedural renal resistive index accurately predicts contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with preserved renal function submitted to coronary angiography.

The study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of ultrasonographic intra-renal blood flow parameters, together with the wide range of different risk factors, for the prediction of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) in patients with preserved renal function, referred for coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary interventions (CA/PCI). This prospective study covered 95 consecutive patients (69.5% men; median age 65 years) subject to elective or urgent CA/PCI.

Urinary renalase concentration in patients with preserved kidney function undergoing coronary angiography.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate urinary renalase concentration before and after coronary angiography/percutaneous coronary interventions (CA/PCI) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and preserved kidney function and verify its potential application as contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) diagnostic marker.

Methods: This prospective study comprised 95 consecutive patients (69.5% men; median age 65 years) with CAD submitted to elective or urgent CA/PCI.

C-Terminal to Intact Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Ratio in Relation to Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in Elderly Population.

Background/aims: An analytical equivalence between intact fibroblasts growth factor(iFGF23) and C-terminal(cFGF23) assays is logically expected, however, numerous studies demonstrate lack of a strong association between them. Previously, we have demonstrated the increase in cFGF23 slightly precedes the increase of iFGF23 with the impairment of kidney excretory function; without actually analyzing the ratio between both assays, which are postulated to be affected by declining kidney function. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the ratio between C and iFGF23 in relation to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in an elderly population.

The relationship between circulating visfatin/nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, obesity, inflammation and lipids profile in elderly population, determined by structural equation modeling.

Background: The available literature suggests that circulating visfatin/Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) level variability in humans is related to obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, and lipid profile. The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between circulating visfatin/NAMPT, obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, and lipid profile in a large population-based, elderly cohort, applying structural equation modeling.

Materials And Methods: The analysis included 2983 elderly participants of the PolSenior study with assessed total blood count, fasting concentrations of lipids, glucose, insulin, hs-CRP, interleukin-6, and visfatin/NAMPT (by ELISA), and calculated HOMA-IR.

Plasma visfatin/nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (visfatin/NAMPT) concentration in elderly subjects with metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: Visceral adipose tissue is the main source of circulating proinflammatory adipokine, visfatin/nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (visfatin/NAMPT), whose role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome (MS) components such as hypertension and carbohydrate and lipid disturbances is still uncertain, due to commonly used low specific C-terminal immunoassays to determine visfatin/NAMPT levels.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the association between the occurrence of MS components and circulating visfatin/NAMPT levels in elderly popula tion.

Patients And Methods: The analysis included 2174 elderly participants of the PolSenior study without heart failure, severe chronic kidney disease, cancer, and malnutrition.

Inflammation but not obesity or insulin resistance is associated with increased plasma fibroblast growth factor 23 concentration in the elderly.

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a hormone involved in calcium-phosphate homoeostasis. The data of recently published studies suggest that FGF-23 may also play a role in some metabolic processes beyond mineral metabolism, such as insulin resistance or energy homoeostasis. The aim of the study was to attempt the relationships between plasma cFGF-23 (C-terminal) and iFGF-23 (intact) concentrations and the occurrence of obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation in elderly population.

Plasma fibroblast growth factor 23 concentration and iron status. Does the relationship exist in the elderly population?

Objective: Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a phosphaturic agent involved in calcium-phosphate homeostasis. Recent findings show that iron deficiency and inflammation regulate FGF23 release and/or biodegradation. Iron deficiency is frequently observed in the elderly, therefore the aim of this study was to find out if iron deficiency is independent from low grade inflammatory factors affecting both forms of FGF23 that are detectable in circulation in a large population-based study of elderly subjects.

Plasma visfatin/nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase levels in hypertensive elderly - results from the PolSenior substudy.

Visfatin/nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), is a 52 kDa adipokine with proinflammatory properties produced mostly by macrophages and adipocytes from visceral adipose tissue. It seems that visfatin/NAMPT plays a role in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension. As this condition is frequently present in the elderly, the aim of the study was to assess the plasma visfatin/NAMPT levels in normotensive and hypertensive subjects from the Polish elderly population.

Plasma visfatin/nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (visfatin/NAMPT) concentration is not related to kidney function in elderly subjects.

Background: Studies assessing plasma visfatin/nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) concentrations in chronic kidney disease with the ELISA method are restricted mainly to subjects with end-stage kidney disease. Therefore, little is known about to what extent glomerular filtration rate (GFR) affects the plasma levels of visfatin/NAMPT. The aim of this study was to assess the relations between circulating visfatin/NAMPT levels and estimated GFR (eGFR), independently of potential confounders such as inflammation, nutritional status, and insulin resistance in the elderly population.

Relationship between circulating visfatin/NAMPT, nutritional status and insulin resistance in an elderly population - results from the PolSenior substudy.

Background: Circulating visfatin/nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (visfatin/NAMPT) levels according to some studies are related to nutritional status and insulin resistance. These associations have not been studied in large elderly populations. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the relationships between circulating visfatin/NAMPT levels, nutritional status, and insulin resistance in a large population of the elderly.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and early chronic kidney disease in the elderly.

Background: Better biomarkers of CKD reflecting responses to decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are needed. We determined the value of estimated GFR (eGFR) as a threshold for the increase of plasma cFGF23 (C-terminal) and intact fibroblast growth factor-23 (iFGF23) (intact) concentrations in the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and compared this eGFR value with values related to increased serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) or phosphorus concentrations in an elderly population.

Methods: We measured plasma iFGF23, cFGF23, serum phosphorus, calcium, albumin, creatinine, urea, cystatin C, iPTH and vitamin 25-OH-D3 in 3780 population-based study participants aged ≥ 65 years.

Effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapy with statins for secondary prevention of atherosclerosis--guidelines vs. reality.

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapy and therapeutic decisions made by physicians for patients not achieving LDL targets.

Methods: 11,768 patients undergoing therapy with statins for secondary prevention of atherosclerosis participated in a two-visit survey. In subjects not achieving the LDL-target (< 100 mg/dl), further therapeutic decisions made by physicians were recorded.

Are plasma levels of visfatin and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) associated with body mass, metabolic and hormonal disturbances in women with polycystic ovary syndrome?

Objective: To analyze potential interactions of visfatin and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels with body mass, metabolic, and hormonal status in normal weight and obese women with PCOS.

Study Design: Body composition was determined by bioimpedance in 83 women (44 obese) diagnosed with PCOS and in 67 women (36 obese) without PCOS. In addition, serum glucose, lipids, androgens, FSH, LH, SHBG, insulin, visfatin, and RBP4 were measured in a fasting state and the free androgen index (FAI) was calculated, as was insulin resistance using the HOMA-IR assessment.