Relationship of High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein with Cardiovascular, Diabetic, and Hepatic Biomarkers

Biomarkers are early predictors of various disorders, circulating level of C-reactive protein is a sensitive biomarker of systemic inflammation and may also be associated with the development of diabetic, hepatic, and cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between circulating levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and various biomarkers for hepatic, diabetic, and cardiovascular health. The retrospective analysis included 438 individuals who were tested for these panels simultaneously at Vibrant America Clinical Laboratory. The study population included free-living individuals without any preexisting clinical conditions. Among the cardiovascular markers, a positive correlation and significant association was found between high levels of hs-CRP and serum levels of triglycerides (r = 0.0964, p −0.1423, p −0.1216, p < 0.0105) with circulating levels of hs-CRP. Among all the diabetic markers, glucose (r = 0.1547, p < 0.0011) and glycated serum protein (r = 0.1725, p < 0.0003) were positively correlated with circulating hs-CRP. In the hepatic panel, AST, a transaminase that plays a vital role in amino acid metabolism, was found to have a strong positive correlation with hs-CRP (r = 0.2139, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, the results clearly show the association of hs-CRP with diabetic, hepatic, and cardiovascular risk factors indicating its central value as a key marker for several lifestyle-associated disorders.

High sensitivity C-reactive protein and cardfiac resynchronization therapy in patients with advanced heart failure

Background The data on the prognostic values of high sensitivity C-reactive protein （hsCRP） levels in patients with advanced symp-tomatic heart failure （HF） receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy （CRT） are scarce. The aim of present study was to investigate the association of serum hsCRP levels with left ventricle reverse remodeling after six months of CRT as well as long-term outcome. Methods A total of 232 CRT patients were included. The assessment of hsCRP values, clinical status and echocardiographic data were performed at baseline and after six months of CRT. Long-term follow-up included all-cause mortality and hospitalizations for HF. Results During the mean follow-up periods of 31.3 ± 31.5 months, elevated hsCRP （〉3 mg/L） prior to CRT was associated with a significant 2.39-fold increase （P=0.006） in the risk of death or HF hospitalizations. At 6-month follow-up, patients who responded to CRT showed significant reductions or maintained low in hsCRP levels （–0.5 ± 4.1 mg/L reduction） compared with non-responders （1.7 ± 6.1 mg/L increase, P=0.018）. Com-pared with patients in whom 6-month hsCRP levels were reduced or remained low, patients in whom 6-month hsCRP levels were increased or maintained high experienced a significantly higher risk of subsequent death or HF hospitalizations （Log-rank P〈0.001）. The echocardio-graphic improvement was also better among patients in whom 6-month hsCRP levels were reduced or remained low compared to those in whom 6-month hsCRP levels were raised or maintained high. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated that measurement of baseline and follow-up hsCRP levels may be useful as prognostic markers for timely potential risk stratification and subsequent appropriate treatment strategies in patients with advanced HF undergoing CRT.

The prognostic role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with acute myocardial infarction

1 Introduction Inflammation is one of the main mechanisms in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis,and the interest to the evaluation of inflammatory biomarkers in coronary artery disease(CAD)has been increasing over the last decade.[1,2]Destabilization of chronic artery plaques,which leads to acute coronary syndromes,has been associated with inflammatory status.[1,3]。

Relationship between high sensitivity C-reactive protein and angiographic severity of coronary artery disease

Background Coronary artery disease(CAD)remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality.Cytokines play a potential role in atherosclerosis pathogenesis and progression.We investigated the association between high sensitive C-reactive protein(hs CRP)and severity of CAD.Methods CAD patients were stratified according to hs CRP cut-off value into high levels hs CRP group(≥8.4 mg/L)and low levels hs CRP group(<8.4 mg/L).Severity of CAD was assessed according to artery stenosis degree and the number of vessel involved.Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences(SPSS,version 23.0).Results The mean age was 60.3±11.0 years.The level of hs CRP was increased and ranged from 0.2 to 1020.0 mg/L.Biochemical risk factors and severity of CAD didn’t show significant differences between the two groups.In multivariate linear analysis,cardiac troponin I(c Tn I)and serum amyloid A(SAA)were predictors of hs CRP.As shown in receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis performed in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)and compared to myonecrosis biomarkers,hs CRP(area under the curve(AUC):0.905;95%CI:0.844-0.966;P<0.001)could be a powerful predictor marker in evaluating the infarct size after myocardial infarction but not better than c Tn I.Conclusions Hs CRP levels were not associated with the severity of CAD but could be useful in the evaluation of myocardial necrosis in patients with STEMI.

Correlation of Enhancement Degree on Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound with Histopathology of Carotid Plaques and Serum High Sensitive C-Reactive Protein Levels in Patients Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy

This study was undertaken to investigate the correlation of the enhancement degree on contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) with the histopathology of carotid plaques and the serum high sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) levels in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy(CEA). Carotid CEUS was performed preoperatively in 115 patients who would undergo CEA, and the enhancement degree of the carotid plaques was evaluated by both the visual semiquantitative analysis and the quantitative time-intensity curve analysis. Serum hs-CRP levels were detected using the particle-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay also before the operation. Additionally, the carotid plaque samples were subjected to histopathological examination postoperatively. The density of neovessels and the number of macrophages in the plaques were assessed by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that among the 115 patients, grade 0 plaque contrast enhancement was noted in 35 patients, grade 1 in 48 patients and grade 2 in 32 patients. The degree of plaque enhancement, the density of neovessels, the number of macrophages, and the hs-CRP levels were highest in the grade 2 patients. Correlation analysis showed that the enhancement degree of the carotid plaques was closely related to the immunohistochemical parameters of the plaques and the serum hs-CRP levels. It was suggested that the carotid plaque enhancement on CEUS can be used to evaluate the vulnerability of carotid plaques.

Myeloperoxidase and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein for Predicting Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Background: Research has shown that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a major inflammatory marker for prediction of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Myeloperoxidase (MPO) also plays an important role in atherosclerosis initiation and development. In present study, the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) were investigated. Methods: MPO, hs-CRP and ACS-related risk factors from 201 ACS (78 AMI and 123 UAP) and 210 non-ACS (84 SAP and 126 non-CHD) patients confirmed by coronary angiography were detected, and the data were analyzed with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Spearman’s correlation coefficients. MACEs of 285 CHD patients were investigated during the 4-year period follow-up from March 2010 to May 2014. Results: The areas under ROC curve for diagnosing ACS were 0.888 (95% CI 0.843 - 0.933) for MPO, and 0.862 (95% CI 0.815-0.910) for hs-CRP, respectively. There were significantly correlations between MPO and hs-CRP in both ACS and non-ACS groups. Regarding to ACS patients, both MPO and hs-CRP were positively correlated with BMI, TC, TG, LDL-C and Hcy. Prospective study demonstrated that the incidences of MACEs associated significantly with elevated MPO baseline level (yes vs no, OR 7.383, 95% CI 4.095 - 13.309) and high hs-CRP baseline level (yes vs no, OR 4.186, 95% CI 2.469 - 7.097) in CHD patients. Conclusions: The present study provides the epidemiological evidence that elevated baseline MPO and hs-CRP levels are both valuable predictors of MACEs in CHD patients. MPO and hs-CRP would prompt the progression of atherosclerosis and development from SAP to ACS.

EFFECTS OF SIMVASTAIN COMBINED WITH OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS ON HIGH SENSITIVE C-REACTIVE PROTEIN, LIPIDEMIA, ANDFIBRINOLYSIS IN PATIENTS WITH MIXED DYSLIPIDEMIA

Objective To evaluate the effects of simvastatin combined with omega-3 fatty acids on high sensitive C-reactive protein(HsCRP), lipidemia, and fibrinolysis in coronary heart disease (CHD) and CHD risk equivalent patients with mixed dyslipi-demia. Methods A randomized, double-blind placebo controlled and parallel group trial was conducted. Patients with CHD and CHD risk equivalents with mixed dyslipidemia were treated with 10 or 20 mg simvastatin for 6-12 weeks. Following with the treatment of patients whose low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-ch) reaching goal level (< 100 mg/dL) or close to the goal (< 130 mg/dL), while triglyceride (TG) ≥200 mg/dL and < 500 mg/dL, was combined with omega-3 fatty acids (3 g/d) or a placebo for 2 months. The effects of the treatment on HsCRP, total cholesterol (TC), LDL-ch, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-ch), TG, lipoprotein (a) [LP (a)], apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), apolipoprotein B (apoB), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) were investigated. Forty patients finished the study with each group consisting of twenty patients. Results (1) There were significant reductions of HsCRP, TG, TC, and TC/HDL-ch, which decreased by 2.16 ±2.77 mg/L (38.5%), 94.0 ±65.4 mg/dL (31.1%), 13.3 ±22.3 mg/dL (6.3%), 0.78 ±1.60 respectively in the omega-3 fatty acids group (P< 0.01, < 0.001, < 0.05, < 0.05) compared to the baseline. HsCRP and triglyceride reduction were more significant in omega-3 fatty acids group compared to the placebo group (P=0.021 and 0.011 respectively). (2) In the omega-3 fatty acids group, the values and percentage of TG reduction had a significantly positive relation with HsCRP reduction (r=0.51 and 0.45, P=0.021 and 0.047 respectively). Conclusion In CHD and CHD risk equivalent patients with mixed dyslipidemia, dyslipidemia’s therapeutic effect using simvastatin and omega-3 fatty acids may result from not only the combination of lipid adjustment, but also enhancement of their own nonlipid influences.

Combined effects of serum C-reactive protein and A Body Shape Index(ABSI)on ischemic stroke incidence among Inner Mongolians in China

Objective We aimed to evaluate the combined effect of high serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and high A Body Shape Index (ABSI) on ischemic stroke incidence in an Inner Mongolian population in China.Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted among 2,589 participants from June 2002 to July 2012 in Inner Mongolia, China.

ASSOCIATION OF INSULIN RESISTANCE AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IN PATIENTS WITH NORMAL GLUCOSE TOLERANCE

Objective To examine insulin resistance and high sensitivity C-reactive protein （hsCRP） association with clinical and angiographic severity of coronary artery disease （CAD） in patients with normal glucose tolerance. Methods In 638 consecutive patients with normal glucose tolerance, 221 had atypical chest pain and normal coronary artery （control group）, 279 had stable angina and CAD （SAP group ）, and 138 suffered acute myocardial infarction （ MI group）. The degree of CAD was further divided into borderline lesion （ lumen diameter narrowing 50% - 69% ）, significant 1-, 2- or 3-vessel disease （ luminal diameter narrowing 〉I 70% ）. Fasting serum glucose, insulin and hsCRP levels and lipid profiles were measured, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance （ HOMA-IR ） was calculated. Multivariate analysis was performed to assess risk factors for 3-vessel disease or acute MI. Results Serum hsCRP, lipoprotein （a） levels, and insulin resistance index （IRI） were higher in AMI group than those in SAP and control groups. Serum hsCRP level and IRI were also higher in 3-vessel disease than those in other groups. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that insulin resistance, cigarette smoking, serum hsCRP, and lipoprotein （a） levels were independent risk factors for acute MI. Lipoprotein （ a ） elevation was an independent risk factor for 3-vessel disease. Conclusion Insulin resistance and high serum hsCRP level were associated with occurrence of acute MI and angiographic severity of coronary disease in patients with normal glucose tolerance.

Relationship between coronary atherosclerosis plaque characteristics and high sensitivity C-reactive proteins, interleukin-6

Background The relationship between inflammatory markers and the characteristics of coronary atherosclerosis plaques is uncertain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the characteristics of coronary atherosclerosis plaques and inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive proteins （Hs-CRP） and interleukin-6 （IL-6）. Methods All patients suspected of having coronary heart disease （CHD） underwent Siemens 64-slice CT angiography （64-SCTA） to distinguish the quality of plaque of coronary artery lesions. Blood samples were taken to measure levels of serum Hs-CRP and IL-6 in different plaque groups and the control group and compared with the value of 64-SCTA for detection of coronary artery plaque. Results The sensitivity of detecting coronary artery plaque by 64-SCTA was 87.4%, the specificity was 87.1%, the positive predictive value was 82.2%, and the negative predictive value was 91.0%. Comparing the levels of serum Hs-CRP and IL-6 among plaque groups, the mean levels of serum Hs-CRP and IL-6 in three plaque groups were significantly higher than those in the control group （P 〈0.01）. The mean levels of serum Hs-CRP and IL-6 in the soft plaque group and mixed plaque group were significantly higher than those in hard plaque group （P〈0.01）. Plaque burden in the soft plaque group and mixed plaque group was significantly higher than in the hard plaque group （P 〈0.01）, but there was no statistical difference between the soft plaque group and mixed plaque group （P=-0.246）. There was a negative correlation between the CT scale and Hs-CRP and IL-6 levels in the soft plaque group （r= -0.621, P〈0.01, and r= -0.593, P 〈0.01 respectively）. There was a positive correlation between the plaque burden and Hs-CRP and IL-6 levels in the soft plaque group （r=0.579, P〈0.05 and r=0.429, P〈0.05 respectively）. Conclusions 64-SCTA is an effective way to distinguish the different quality of coronary atherosclerosis plaque. Serum Hs-CRP and IL-6 levels can be considered as the indexes to judge the degree of CHD and may reflect the activity of plaque in CHD patients. Thus it is important for clinical diagnosis and risk evaluation of acute coronary syndrome （ACS） patients.

Comparision of high sensitivity C-reactive protein and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in patients with unstable angina between with and without significant coronary artery plaques

Background Inflammation within vulnerable coronary plaques may cause unstable angina by promoting rupture and erosion. C-reactive protein （CRP） is the most reliable and accessible test method for clinical use for identifying coronary artery disease event. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 （MMP-9） is highly over-expressed in the vulnerable regions of a plaque. Our aim was to evaluate the plasma levels of MMP-9 and hsCRP in subjects with both unstable angina and coronary plaques, as well as in those with unstable angina without coronary plaques.

Elevated high sensitive C-reactive protein and apelin levels after percutaneous coronary intervention and drug-eluting stent implantation

Objective:Percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI) triggers an acute inflammatory response,while sirolimus is known to have anti-inflammatory properties;the inflammatory system response to PCI after sirolimus-eluting stent placement remains unclear.The purpose of this study is to determine the changes in high sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) and apelin after PCI procedure and drug-eluting stent implantation in patients with and without reduced left ventricular systolic function.Methods:Forty-eight consecutive patients undergoing PCI at the Beijing Anzhen Hospital between July and September 2006 were recruited.Sirolimus-eluting stents were employed in all patients.Blood samples were drawn immediately before and 24 h after the procedure.Plasma hs-CRP and apelin levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay.Results:Paired t-test revealed a significant increase in both hs-CRP and apelin post-procedure(P=0.006 and P<0.0001,respectively).Patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) had significantly lower baseline apelin levels compared to those with normal ventricular function [(46.8±10.8) vs.(72.0±8.4) pg/ml,P<0.001].However,apelin increased to a level similar to the level of those with normal left ventricular systolic function 24 h after the PCI procedure [(86.7±11.6) vs.(85.1±6.1) pg/ml,P=0.72].Conclusions:hs-CRP and apelin levels increased after PCI and sirolimus-eluting stent implantation.Patients with impaired left ventricular systolic function had significantly lower baseline apelin levels,which increased significantly after PCI.

Matrix γ-carboxyglutamate protein and Fetuin-A, in wet type age-related macular degeneration

AIM: To evaluate the high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs CRP), Fetuin-A and matrix γ-carboxyglutamate protein(MGP) as the main factors for vascular calcification and inflammation in serum of patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration(ARMD) in comparison to healthy controls. METHODS: The subjects were 40 patients with choroidal neovascularization(CNV) having a mean age of70.9 ±9.1y and a matched group of 49 apparently healthy control subjects. The ARMD was diagnosed using a slitlamp with superfield lens, fundus photography and fluorescein angiography. Measurement of hs CRP was done by nephelometry method. Levels of Fetuin-A and MGP were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) technique.RESULTS: hs CRP [0.45(0.07-2.63) mg/L vs 0.25(0.03-1.2) mg/L, P =0.02)] and Fetuin-A levels(50.27 ±5.04 vs44.99±10.28 ng/m L, P =0.009) were higher in the patients than in the control groups. We could not find significant difference in MGP level between two groups(P =0.08).There was not a significant correlation between MGP with Fetuin-A and hs CRP among the patients(P =0.7, P =0.9respectively). A significant negative correlation of hs CRP with Fetuin-A was observed in both case and control groups(P =0.004, r =-0.33 and P =0.001, r =-0.54,respectively).CONCLUSION: Although our study shows that serum hs CRP and Fetuin-A is increased in CNV patients as well as negatively correlated with both study groups, their direct role on pathogenesis of ARMD required future studies.

Role of plasma C-reactive protein in predicting in-stent restenosis in patients with stable angina after coronary stenting

Background The role of plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP） in in-stent restenosis （ISR） remains controversial. We investigated plasma hs-CRP level at both admission and follow-up in patients with stable angina （SA）after successful coronary stenting in order to clarify the predictive value of hs-CRP for ISR.Methods We summarized 303 consecutive chronic SA patients with coronary drug-eluting stent （DES） implantation.The ISR was analyzed by quantitative coronary analysis （QCA） at a mean follow-up of 8 months, and the patients were divided into two groups according to the detected ISR as ISR group （n=48） and non-ISR group （n=255）. Plasma hs-CRP was examined at both admission and 8-month follow-up in all patients, standard medication continued throughout the investigation period.Results QCA presented that 48 patients （15.8%） suffered from ISR at follow-up. The basic clinical characteristics were similar between the two groups, while plasma hs-CRP was higher in ISR group than that in non-ISR group at both admission and follow-up, P 〈0.001 respectively. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that plasma hs-CRP level at either admission or follow-up could independently predict ISR occurrence （OR=5.581, 95% Cl 2.532-12.302, P〈0.001and OR=6.299, 95% CI 2.722-14.577, P 〈0.001, respectively）.Conclusions Our data indicate that plasma hs-CRP level may independently predict ISR at both admission and follow-up in SA patients with coronary DES implantation, which implies that a chronic, sustained systemic inflammatory response might be involved in ISR pathogenesis.

Improving Cardiovascular Risk Assessment to Optimize Therapy

Background: Quantifying ten-year cardiovascular risk can be challenging. Different online risk calculators provide different risk estimates and online risk calculators use only one point in time. However, risk factors occur over the lifetime of the individual. Purpose: This manuscript provides three solutions to improving ten-year cardiovascular risk assessment in individuals at intermediate risk. Methods: Measuring Lipoprotein(a)—Lp(a) is recommended for assessing cardiovascular risk in all individuals who are in the intermediate risk category by standard online risk calculators. Lp(a) is primarily determined by genetic inheritance. It has the undesirable properties of being proatherosclerotic, proinflammatory, and prothrombotic. Measuring apolipoprotein B (apo B) provides a good index of the number of atherosclerotic particles present. Studies have demonstrated that small, dense LDL cholesterol particles are more atherogenic than larger, less dense LDL cholesterol particles. Measuring high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) provides a good estimation of the degree of inflammation in the vascular system. Inflammation is a critical component of heart attacks and strokes. It is increased in diabetes and obesity. Treatment to reduce inflammation results in a reduction of cardiovascular events, independent of lipid values. Results: The above three risk factors should be measured in all patients with an intermediate risk score. Routine assays are readily available at a reasonable cost. They are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Their recommendation is based on the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Successful therapy will result in the decrease of each of these risk factors. Conclusion: The recommended approach will improve the assessment of cardiovascular risk and guide the physician and patient to the correct treatment recommendations.

Probiotic intervention has strain-specific anti-inflammatory effects in healthy adults

AIM： To evaluate the effects of three potentially anti-inflammatory probiotic bacteria from three different genera on immune variables in setting based on previous in cytokine responses. healthy adults in a clinical vitro characterization of METHODS： A total of 62 volunteers participated in this randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled parallel group intervention study. The volunteers were randomized to receive a milk-based drink containing either Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG （LGG）, Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bb12 （Bb12）, or Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS （PJS） or a placebo drink for 3 wk. Venous blood and saliva samples were taken at baseline and on d 1, 7 and 21. Fecal samples were collected at baseline and at the end of intervention. RESULTS： The serum hsCRP expressed as the median AUC0-21 （minus baseline） was 0.018 mg/L in the placebo group, -0.240 mg/L in the LGG group, 0.090 mg/L in the Bb12 group and -0.085 mg/L in the PJS group （P = 0.014）. In vitro production of TNF-α from in vitro cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells （PBMC） was significantly lower in subjects receiving LGG vs placebo. IL-2 production from PBMC in the Bb12 group was significantly lower compared with the other groups. CONCLUSION： In conclusion, probiotic bacteria have strain-specific anti-inflammatory effects in healthy adults.

髓过氧化物酶与超敏C反应蛋白在预警急性冠脉综合征中的价值比较（英文）

Background:High-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)is a major factor for predicting acute coronary syndrome(ACS).Myeloperoxidase(MPO)also plays an important role in atherosclerosis initiation and development.In the present work,a detail comparison between MPO and hs-CRP for early warning ACS is discussed.Objective:To compare the values between MPO and hs-CRP for early warning ACS and predicting major adverse cardiovascular events(MACEs)in CHD patients.Methods:MPO,hs-CRP and ACS-related risk factors from 201 ACS and 210 non-ACS patients were tested,and data were analyzed with SPSS software.Major adverse cardiovascular events(MACEs)were investigated during the 4-year period follow-up in 285 coronary heart disease(CHD)patients.Results:The areas under receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve for diagnosing ACS were 0.888(95%CI 0.843-0.933)for MPO,and 0.862(95%CI 0.815-0.910)for hs-CRP,respectively.Compared to hs-CRP,MPO had more correlations strongly with ACS-related risk factors of TG,HDL-C and LDL-C in ACS patients(p<0.05).Prospective study demonstrated that the incidences of MACEs associated significantly with elevated MPO baseline level(yes vs no,OR 7.383,95%CI 4.095-13.309)and high hs-CRP baseline level(yes vs no,OR 4.186,95%CI 2.469-7.097).Conclusions:MPO as inflammatory marker for early warning ACS has some advantages compared to hsCRP.Elevated baseline MPO and hs-CRP levels are both valuable predictors of MACEs in CHD patients.

Prospective randomized clinical trial evaluating the impact of vinegar on lipids in non-diabetics

Background: Heart disease is now considered an inflammatory process targeted primarily by medical therapy on lipid levels. Complementary and alternative medicine searches for novel non-pharmacologic therapy, including pursuing various diets. Animal studies and consumer literature suggest benefits of vinegar on lipid levels and diabetes mellitus. Our nonrandomized pilot study from our group suggested a benefit in raising high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Based on this data, we conducted a randomized placebo controlled clinical trial to determine the effects of apple cider vinegar intake in those without diabetes mellitus on total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, HDL-C, Hemoglobin A1C(Hgb-A1C) and measurement of inflammation with high sensitivity CRP levels (HS-CRP). Methods: A prospective randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial consisting of 114 participants was conducted. Participants consumed 30 mL of either apple cider vinegar or placebo for two months. Measurements were collected at baseline, eight and sixteen weeks. The primary endpoint was the change in HDL-C from baseline to eight weeks between the vinegar and placebo groups. Secondary endpoints were change from baseline to eight weeks in TC, LDL-C, triglycerides, Hgb-A1cand HS-CRP. Results: Change in serum HDL-C concentration was not significantly different between the vinegar and control groups after eight weeks of supplementation. Secondary endpoints including TC, LDL-C, Hgb-A1cand HS-CRP were not statistically different at the Bonferroni corrected significance level of 0.01. No significant difference was found regardless of baseline HDL-C levels. Conclusions: We found no significant difference in HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, total cholesterol, or HS-CRP levels with use of vinegar but a trend down of Hgb-A1cin this group of non-diabetic participants. Further investigation is required to define the impact of vinegar in those with diabetes mellitus.

The changes of Hs-CRP and WBC count after percutaneous coronary intervention in different types of coronary heart diseases

Objective： To investigate the regulation of High sensitive C-reactive protein（Hs-CRP） and WBC count in patients with coronary heart disease（CHD） by percutaneous transluminal intervention（PCI） and to discuss the mechanism of inflammatory reaction after coronary stenting. Methods：127 patients who received successful percutaneous transluminal coronary stenting, were divided into groups of stable angina（SAP）, unstable angina（UAP）, and acute myocardial infarction（AMI） according to their clinical types. Another 41 stable angina patients with more than 70% of coronary artery tenosis who did not receive PCI served as control. Serum Hs-CRP levels and WBC count were determined before intervention, 3 days and 7 days post PCI and the data were analyzed statistically by t-test. Results： There showed no difference in clinical baseline characteristics between groups. The serum Hs-CRP level and WBC count was gradually raised in the UAP and AMI group（how about SAP group, andhad no difference in CAG group and SAP group）. After PCI serum HsCRP levels and WBC counts were significantly higher in the SAP group than in the coronary angiography group（CAG） at 3 days and had no difference at 7 days. In the UAP and AMI group, the serum Hs-CRP level at 3 days and 7 days declined obviously, however serum WBC count did not decrease apparently. Conclusion： The serum Hs-CRP level and WBC count elevate transiently after PCI. There are different inflammatory reactions in different types of coronary heart diseases after coronary stenting procedure.

颈动脉斑块形态学与血浆炎症介质的关系研究

目的从颈动脉粥样硬化斑块的形态学改变,结合测定血浆炎症介质水平综合评价斑块的易损性。方法对68例首次发病的脑梗死患者(A组)、62例无症状颈动脉硬化患者(B组)和56例健康对照者(C组)进行研究,超声检查颈动脉内膜中层厚度(IMT)及斑块类型,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血浆高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、基质金属蛋白酶(MMP,包括MMP-2、MMP-9)、CD40配体(CD40L)水平,并A组患者行神经功能缺损程度评分。结果 A组IMT高于B组(P<0.05)。与无斑块和稳定斑块患者相比较,易损斑块患者在血浆hs-CRP、MMP-2、MMP-9、CD40L水平较高(P<0.05)。A组患者血浆hs-CRP、MMP-2、MMP-9、CD40L水平均高于B组(P<0.05)。易损斑块者血浆hs-CRP水平与MMP-2、MMP-9呈正相关;MMP-2水平与MMP-9、CD40L呈正相关;MMP-9与CD40L呈正相关。A组患者血浆hs-CRP、MMP-2、MMP-9、CD40L与神经功能缺损程度评分均呈正相关。结论超声检查结合检测血浆炎症介质水平有助于判断颈动脉硬化斑块的易损性。