The role of ferritin and adiponectin as predictors of cartilage damage assessed by arthroscopy in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether circulating serum ferritin and adiponectin (ADP) in the serum and synovial fluid correlate with cartilage damage severity assessed by arthroscopy in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The 40 subjects with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis were divided into four groups according to arthroscopy assessed cartilage damage, using Outerbridge (OB) grading. Group I included minor damage while Group IV included severe damage.

Insulin Treatment Is Associated With Improved Fetal Placental Vascular Circulation in Obese and Non-obese Women With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

The present study was designed to investigate the impact of carbohydrate restriction and insulin treatment on placental maternal and fetal vascular circulation in obese and non-obese women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). One Hundred Ninety-One women with GDM who gave birth and underwent a placental histopathological examination at Wolfson Medical Center, Israel, were included in the study: 122 women who were treated with carbohydrate/calorie restriction diet (Group 1) and 69 women who were treated with diet plus insulin (Group 2). Additionally, each group was divided into two subgroups according to pre-pregnancy BMI: non-obese and obese.

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Markers of Vascular Function: A Systematic Review and Individual Participant Meta-Analysis.

Background: Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, but the effect of vitamin D supplementation on markers of vascular function associated with major adverse cardiovascular events is unclear.

Methods And Results: We conducted a systematic review and individual participant meta-analysis to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery, pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, central blood pressure, microvascular function, and reactive hyperemia index. MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and http://www.

The relationship between hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and placental maternal and fetal vascular circulation.

We examined the impact of chronic hypertension (HTN), gestational HTN, and preeclampsia on placental maternal and fetal vascular circulation. Of the 1047 women who gave birth and underwent a placental histopathologic examination between 2007 and 2013 at Wolfson Medical Center, 140 women were included in the present study: 34 women with preeclampsia, 25 women with chronic HTN, 28 women with gestational HTN, and 53 women without hypertensive disorder, matched by age, gravidity, parity, and mode of delivery.Placental lesions related to maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) differed significantly across groups (P < .

Circulating osteoprotegerin in postmenopausal osteoporotic women: marker of impaired glucose regulation or impaired bone metabolism.

Objective: Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is closely related to insulin resistance and bone remodeling. However, no studies have examined the role of OPG in postmenopausal women with coexistent impaired glucose and bone regulation. The present study investigated the relationship of OPG to glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in postmenopausal osteoporotic women with different types of glucose tolerance.

Does a First-Degree Family History of Diabetes Impact Placental Maternal and Fetal Vascular Circulation and Inflammatory Response?

Context: Heritability of diabetes is associated with hyperinsulinemia, impaired endothelial function, and inflammatory up-regulation. However, no studies have examined whether a family history of diabetes (FHD) effects placental vascular circulation.

Objective: The current study was designed to investigate the impact of a first-degree FHD on placental vascular circulation and inflammatory lesions.

Placental maternal and fetal vascular circulation in healthy non-obese and metabolically healthy obese pregnant women.

Background And Aims: We investigated placental histopathology for lesions that are associated with maternal and fetal circulation abnormalities in obese pregnant women with and without metabolic alterations.

Methods: 332 pregnant women were divided into three groups: Group 1 included 163 non-obese metabolically healthy (NOMH), Group 2 106 obese metabolically healthy (OMH), and Group 3 63 obese metabolically abnormal (OMA) subjects, respectively.

Results: Fetal vascular supply (FVS) abnormalities and Willous maturation defect (WMD) rate were higher in obese subjects without metabolic abnormalities, compared to NOMH subjects (p < 0.

Effect of metformin treatment on circulating osteoprotegerin in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Purpose/introduction: Growing evidence suggests complex interplay between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and bone health. The present study's aim was to examine the impact of metformin treatment on circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG) in patients with NAFLD, a population in which this relationship has not yet been studied.

Methods: In a randomized, placebo-controlled study, 63 patients with NAFLD were assigned to one of two groups: Group 1 received daily metformin; Group 2 received a placebo.

Effects of long-term risedronate treatment on serum ferritin levels in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: the impact of cardiovascular risk factor load.

Objective: Although ferritin has been considered as a possible link between accelerated bone loss and atherosclerosis, the long-term impact of therapeutic agents widely used to treat osteoporosis, such as bisphosphonates, on ferritin levels has not been investigated. The present study investigated the effects of risedronate on serum ferritin levels in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Methods: In an open-label, prospective, uncontrolled study, 68 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were evaluated.

Vascular Impact of Metabolic Syndrome in Subjects with Normal Weight, Overweight, or Obesity: Is Normal Weight Sufficient for Vascular Health?

Objective: Obesity appears to be one of the major risk factors for metabolic complications. However, no direct relationship between body weight and metabolic abnormalities exists. The present study was designed to investigate the impact of body mass index (BMI) and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) on early vascular atherosclerotic changes, as determined by augmentation index (AI) and pulse wave velocity (PWV).

Role of RAAS and adipokines in cardiovascular protection: effect of different doses of angiotensin II receptor blocker on adipokines level in hypertensive patients.

The present study was designed to determine the effect of different doses of the angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), candesartan, on circulating adiponectin and leptin levels as well as leptin adiponectin ratio (LAR) in hypertensive patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.Sixty-nine hypertensive patients were randomized to three groups: group 1 included patients treated with high doses of Candesartan (32 mg); group 2 included patients treated with conventional doses of Candesartan (16 mg); and group 3 included patients that received antihypertensive treatment other than ARBs or angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors. Patients were evaluated for lipid profile, HbA1C, insulin, C-peptide, c-reactive protein, aldosterone, renin, Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, leptin, adiponectin and LAR.

Normal weight diabetic patients versus obese diabetics: relation of overall and abdominal adiposity to vascular health.

Objective: The present study investigated the impact of overall obesity defined by BMI and abdominal obesity defined by WC on vascular atherosclerotic changes in obese and normal weight diabetic subjects.

Design And Methods: 285 subjects were divided according to presence diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity: Group 1 included 144 nonobese subjects without DM; Group 2 consisted of 141 type 2 diabetic patients. Then diabetic patients were divided into two groups according to presence of overall obesity, defined by BMI and furthermore, abdominal obesity, defined by waist circumference (WC).

Adiponectin is better predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis than liver function tests in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Adiponectin has recently been considered as a possible link between liver dysfunction and atherosclerosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The present study was designed to evaluate the relation between circulating adiponectin and arterial stiffness parameters, such as pulse wave velocity (PWV) and aortic augmentation index (AI), in patients with hepatic steatosis. The study group consisted of 52 subjects with NAFLD.

Adiponectin as an independent predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy in nondiabetic patients with hypertension.

We evaluated novel and traditional biomarkers as well as hemodynamic parameters associated with the development of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in nondiabetic patients with hypertension. Nondiabetic patients with hypertension (n = 86) were evaluated for lipids, glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), adiponectin, aldosterone, renin, matrix metalloproteinase 2, and endothelin. Arterial elasticity was evaluated using pulse wave contour.

Determinants of left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertensive patients: identification of high-risk patients by metabolic, vascular, and inflammatory risk factors.

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is recognized as an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients. Thus, it is critical to understand the mechanisms underlying the development of LVH for formulation screening and treatment strategies. This study was designed to determine the association between echographically determined LVH measures and markers of inflammation, neurohormonal activity, glomerular function, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and vascular endothelial function.

Relation between augmentation index and adiponectin during one-year metformin treatment for nonalcoholic steatohepatosis: effects beyond glucose lowering?

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is the major driving force behind development and progression of atherosclerosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, correction of IR is a relevant therapeutic target.We performed the current trial to evaluate whether 12- month metformin therapy improves vascular stiffness in patients with NAFLD and to assess if this improvement is associated with change in glucose control, insulin resistance or circulating adiponectin.

Treatment with insulin sensitizer metformin improves arterial properties, metabolic parameters, and liver function in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Insulin resistance has an important role in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and is involved in both pathological processes: hepatic steatosis and atherosclerosis. Therefore, treatment of NAFLD with insulin sensitizers is likely to have a favorable effect toward hepatic steatosis and cardiovascular outcomes. The present study investigated the effect of metformin on arterial properties, metabolic parameters, and liver function in patients with NAFLD.

Effect of long-term treatment with antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and selenium) on arterial compliance, humoral factors and inflammatory markers in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

Background: Antioxidant supplementations have the potential to alleviate the atherosclerotic damage caused by excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The present study evaluated the effects of prolonged antioxidant treatment on arterial elasticity, inflammatory and metabolic measures in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: Study participants were randomly assigned to two groups.

Effect of Long-Term L-Arginine Supplementation on Arterial Compliance and Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Multiple Cardiovascular risk Factors: Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES:: This study was designed to determine the effect of long-term L-arginine supplementation on arterial compliance, inflammatory and metabolic parameters in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS:: In this randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 90 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 received daily oral L-arginine, Group 2 received matching placebo capsules. Patients were evaluated for lipid profile, glucose, HbA1C, insulin, hs-CRP, renin and aldosterone .

Arterial elasticity in cardiovascular disease: focus on hypertension, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

Arterial stiffness is an independent risk factor for premature cardiovascular morbidity and mortality that can be evaluated by noninvasive methods and can be reduced by good clinical management. The present chapter examines the association between arterial stiffness and cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, advanced renal failure, hypercholesterolemia and obesity. The mechanisms responsible for the structural and functional modifications of the arterial wall are also described.

Relation of haptoglobin phenotype to early vascular changes in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Haptoglobin (Hp) is an antioxidant protein and the major susceptibility gene for atherosclerosis in diabetic patients. The effect of Hp phenotype on arterial compliance and metabolic and inflammatory parameters was investigated. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to Hp phenotype of Hp 2-2, Hp 2-1, and Hp 1-1.

Vascular elasticity of systemic lupus erythematosus patients is associated with steroids and hydroxychloroquine treatment.

We studied the large and small artery elasticity (AE) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients according to treatment profile. Forty-one SLE patients (90% female, mean age 48.7 +/- 2.

Treatment of hypertension with thiazides: benefit or damage-effect of low- and high-dose thiazide diuretics on arterial elasticity and metabolic parameters in hypertensive patients with and without glucose intolerance.

Thiazide diuretics may cause multiple metabolic abnormalities. The authors investigated the effects of varying doses of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) on arterial elasticity and metabolic parameters in patients with hypertension (HTN), HTN and impaired fasting glucose (HTN+IFG), and HTN and type 2 diabetes mellitus (HTN+DM). The patients received low and high doses of HCTZ.

Determination of arterial compliance using blood pressure waveform analysis with the CR-2000 system: Reliability, repeatability, and establishment of normal values for healthy European population--the seven European sites study (SESS).

Background: We determined the reliability and repeatability of measurements of arterial compliance (AC) and gender- and age-specific normal ranges for a healthy European population.

Methods: Three hundred eight healthy volunteers from seven sites were evaluated. Two measurements were taken during the first visit, repeated on a second visit 1 to 4 weeks later.