The effect of melatonin on plasma markers of inflammation and on expression of nuclear factor-kappa beta in acetic acid-induced colitis in the rat.

Background And Aims: Melatonin may be involved in gastrointestinal tract physiology and could affect inflammation-related gastrointestinal disorders. Rat models of ulcerative colitis imply melatonin is beneficial. To determine potential pathophysiological mechanisms, we assessed colonic nuclear factor-kappa beta expression and measured serum levels of pentraxin-3, lipid peroxides, and total thiols in an acetic acid model of this disease.

Impact of high-dose atorvastatin on endothelial, platelet, and angiogenic indices: effect of ethnicity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

Lipid lowering with statins improves morbidity and mortality, particularly in diabetics, and may have additional nonlipid effects. South Asians (SAs) are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes compared with white Europeans (WEs). We hypothesized that abnormal endothelial (marked by von Willebrand factor), angiogenesis (VEGF, angiopoietins 1 and 2) and platelet function (soluble P selectin, soluble CD40L) improve with statin treatment in diabetics in different ethnic groups.

Preprocedural hemoglobin predicts outcome in peripheral vascular disease patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Background: Anemia is a risk factor for adverse outcome in patients with symptomatic cardiovascular disease. This study assessed the association of preprocedural hemoglobin with adverse outcome in patients with advanced peripheral vascular disease (PVD) undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).

Methods: Consecutive first-time procedures for patients with Rutherford category 4 or 5 PVD who underwent successful nonemergency PTA were analyzed in a retrospective cohort study.

Preprocedural neutrophil count predicts outcome in patients with advanced peripheral vascular disease undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Background: The neutrophil count has been associated with adverse cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention. There are limited data on risk stratification of patients with advanced peripheral vascular disease (PVD) using white blood cell (WBC) subtypes. This study assessed the association of total and differential WBC counts with adverse outcome in patients with advanced PVD undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA).

Indices of angiogenesis, platelet activation, and endothelial damage/dysfunction in relation to ethnicity and coronary artery disease: differences in central versus peripheral levels.

Background: We hypothesized that indices of angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietins (Ang-1 and -2), platelet activation (soluble P-selectin)) and endothelial damage/dysfunction (von Willebrand factor (vWf)) would be more deranged in South Asians than in white Europeans when measured within the coronary sinus or coronary artery per se (that is, intracardiac sampling of blood supplying and draining the heart), as compared to measurements from the peripheral venous system.

Methods: To test this hypothesis, we performed a cross-sectional study of 87 subjects undergoing cardiac catheterization, where 43 were South Asian and 44 were white European.

Results: South Asian participants were younger (P = 0.

Platelet activation in coronary artery disease: intracardiac vs peripheral venous levels and the effects of angioplasty.

Background: Platelet activation and aggregation play a key role in coronary artery disease, with antiplatelet therapies leading to improved clinical outcomes. Limited data exist as to whether peripheral venous blood measurements of platelet physical indexes (eg, platelet count, volume, and granularity) and soluble markers of platelet activation (eg, P-selectin [sP-sel] and CD40 ligand [CD40L]) reflect the local (intracardiac) coronary environment. Furthermore, how percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) affect levels of peripheral/cardiac platelet indexes is unclear.

Systemic and intracardiac vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin-1 and -2 levels in coronary artery disease: effects of angioplasty.

Background: Vascular growth factors are involved in the pathophysiology of human atherosclerotic vascular disease and plaque destabilization. We hypothesized that in stable patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), plasma levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietins 1 and 2 (as indices of angiogenesis) would be no higher in coronary sinus blood when compared to the aortic root, coronary ostium, and peripheral femoral vein. Secondly, we hypothesized that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; angioplasty+/-stenting) would increase intracardiac levels of these indices, perhaps by destabilizing coronary plaques.

Effects of low osmolar contrast (iomeprol) on haemorheology and platelet activation in patients with coronary artery disease.

Background: Non-ionic low osmolar contrast agents are widely used during coronary angiography. As these agents cause activation of thrombotic pathways in vitro, this may have potentially significant clinical impact. However, limited evidence exists as to their in vivo effects from selective coronary cannulation.