Roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, induces phagocytic activity in Greek COPD patients.

Background: A new approach to the treatment of COPD includes controlling inflammation because of its important role in exacerbation of the disease. Recently, roflumilast has been added as a therapeutic option for COPD. Roflumilast is an oral phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor that targets inflammatory cells involved in triggering exacerbations of COPD.

Serum Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients: Effect of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment.

Background And Aim: Hypoxia, a major feature of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), modifies Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels, which contribute to atherogenesis and occurrence of cardiovascular (CV) events. We assessed and compared serum levels of VEGF and IGFBP-3 in newly diagnosed OSA patients and controls, to explore associations with anthropometric and sleep parameters and to study the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on these levels.

Materials And Methods: Serum levels of VEGF and IGFBP-3 were measured in 65 OSA patients and 31 age- and body mass index- matched controls.

Inflammatory markers in middle-aged obese subjects: does obstructive sleep apnea syndrome play a role?

Background: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) is associated with inflammation, but obesity may be a confounding factor. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore differences in serum levels of inflammation markers between obese individuals with or without OSAS.

Methods: Healthy individuals (n = 61) from an outpatient obesity clinic were examined by polysomnography and blood analysis, for measurement of TNF-alpha, IL-6, CRP, and fibrinogen levels.

Reduction of serum retinol-binding protein-4 levels in nondiabetic obstructive sleep apnea patients under continuous positive airway pressure treatment.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with impaired glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. Retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) is an adipokine, hypothesized to induce insulin resistance.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore the association between serum RBP-4 levels and OSAS severity in nondiabetic, adherent to therapy OSAS patients and to investigate the role of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in the alteration of RBP-4 levels.

Long-term effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on inflammation markers of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Study Objectives: Several lines of evidence suggest immune system derangement in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. However, no data exist on the long-term effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on systemic immunity. Hence, we sought to evaluate this effect on various immunological parameters in OSAS patients.

Endothelial function markers in parkinsonian patients with hyperhomocysteinemia.

Hyperhomocysteinemia is considered a risk factor for vascular disease causing endothelial damage and consequently atherogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of elevated homocysteine on certain biochemical markers of endothelial function in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). Blood homocysteine levels were assessed in 57 PD patients and 40 matched normal controls.