Bilirubin has traditionally been considered a cytotoxic waste product.However,recent studies have shown bilirubin to have anti-oxidant,anti-inflammatory,vasodilatory,anti-apoptotic and anti-proliferative functions.The...Bilirubin has traditionally been considered a cytotoxic waste product.However,recent studies have shown bilirubin to have anti-oxidant,anti-inflammatory,vasodilatory,anti-apoptotic and anti-proliferative functions.These properties potentially confer bilirubin a new role of protection especially in coronary artery disease(CAD),which is a low grade inflammatory process exacerbated by oxidative stress.In fact,recent literature reports an inverse relationship between serum concentration of bilirubin and the presence of CAD.In this article,we review the current literature exploring the association between levels of bilirubin and risk of CAD.We conclude that current evidence is inconclusive regarding the protective effect of bilirubin on CAD.A causal relationship between low serum bilirubin level and increased risk of CAD is not currently established.展开更多
Objective To investigate the relationship between vascular endothelial dysfunction and serum homocysteine (HCY) level in patients with coronary lesions. Methods Serum HCY, serum nitric oxide (NO), plasma endothelin-1 ...Objective To investigate the relationship between vascular endothelial dysfunction and serum homocysteine (HCY) level in patients with coronary lesions. Methods Serum HCY, serum nitric oxide (NO), plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1), and circulation endothelial cell (CEC) were measured in 76 patients who received coronary angiography. Fifty-four patients with a stenosis of 50% or more at least in one coronary atery were as coronary artery disease (CAD) group. Other 22 cases with no recognizable plaque and/or stenosis were as control group. HCY level was detected using an enzyme immunoassay kit. NO concentration was measured using a nitrate reductase kit. Radio-immunoassay was applied to analyse the ET-1 level, and CEC was measured by flow cytometry. Results The levels of HCY, ET-1, and CEC in patients with coronary lesions were significantly increased in comparison with control group (P < 0.01), while NO level in CAD group was significantly lower compared with that in control (P < 0.01). Using a multivariate stepwise regression analysis, HCY level had a positive correlation with ET-1 level (r = 0.420, P < 0.05) and CECs number (r = 0.423, P < 0.05); and had a negative correlation with NO/ET-1 (r = -0.403, P < 0.05). But there was no significant correlation between HCY and NO levels. Conclusions HCY might lead to endothelial cell injury, which would provide a plausible mechanism for the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and development of coronary artery disease. HCY can be considered as a predictor for preli-minary or active coronary lesion.展开更多
Objective:To study the relationship between plasma adiponectin concentration and the functional activities of circulating endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs) in patients with coronary artery disease(CAD).Methods:Circul...Objective:To study the relationship between plasma adiponectin concentration and the functional activities of circulating endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs) in patients with coronary artery disease(CAD).Methods:Circulating EPCs were enumerated as AC133+/KDR+ cells via flow cytometry and identified by co-staining with DiI-acLDL and fluorescein isothiocy-anate(FITC)-conjugated lectin under a fluorescent microscope.The migratory capacity of EPCs was measured by modified Boyden chamber assay.Adhesion capacity was performed to count adherent cells after replating EPCs on six-well culture dishes coated with fibronectin.Results:The number of circulating EPCs(AC133+/KDR+ cells) decreased significantly in CAD patients,compared with control subjects [(74.2±12.3) vs(83.5±12.9) cells/ml blood,P<0.01].In addition,the number of EPCs also decreased in CAD patients after ex vivo cultivation [(54.4±8.6) vs(71.9±11.6) EPCs/field,P<0.01].Both circulating EPCs and differentiated EPCs were positively correlated with plasma adiponectin concentration.The functional activities of EPCs from CAD patients,such as migratory and adherent capacities,were also impaired,compared with control subjects,and positively correlated with plasma adiponectin concentration.Conclusion:The study demonstrates that the impairment of the number and functional activities of EPCs in CAD patients is correlated with their lower plasma adiponectin concentrations.展开更多
文摘Bilirubin has traditionally been considered a cytotoxic waste product.However,recent studies have shown bilirubin to have anti-oxidant,anti-inflammatory,vasodilatory,anti-apoptotic and anti-proliferative functions.These properties potentially confer bilirubin a new role of protection especially in coronary artery disease(CAD),which is a low grade inflammatory process exacerbated by oxidative stress.In fact,recent literature reports an inverse relationship between serum concentration of bilirubin and the presence of CAD.In this article,we review the current literature exploring the association between levels of bilirubin and risk of CAD.We conclude that current evidence is inconclusive regarding the protective effect of bilirubin on CAD.A causal relationship between low serum bilirubin level and increased risk of CAD is not currently established.
文摘Objective To investigate the relationship between vascular endothelial dysfunction and serum homocysteine (HCY) level in patients with coronary lesions. Methods Serum HCY, serum nitric oxide (NO), plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1), and circulation endothelial cell (CEC) were measured in 76 patients who received coronary angiography. Fifty-four patients with a stenosis of 50% or more at least in one coronary atery were as coronary artery disease (CAD) group. Other 22 cases with no recognizable plaque and/or stenosis were as control group. HCY level was detected using an enzyme immunoassay kit. NO concentration was measured using a nitrate reductase kit. Radio-immunoassay was applied to analyse the ET-1 level, and CEC was measured by flow cytometry. Results The levels of HCY, ET-1, and CEC in patients with coronary lesions were significantly increased in comparison with control group (P < 0.01), while NO level in CAD group was significantly lower compared with that in control (P < 0.01). Using a multivariate stepwise regression analysis, HCY level had a positive correlation with ET-1 level (r = 0.420, P < 0.05) and CECs number (r = 0.423, P < 0.05); and had a negative correlation with NO/ET-1 (r = -0.403, P < 0.05). But there was no significant correlation between HCY and NO levels. Conclusions HCY might lead to endothelial cell injury, which would provide a plausible mechanism for the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and development of coronary artery disease. HCY can be considered as a predictor for preli-minary or active coronary lesion.
文摘Objective:To study the relationship between plasma adiponectin concentration and the functional activities of circulating endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs) in patients with coronary artery disease(CAD).Methods:Circulating EPCs were enumerated as AC133+/KDR+ cells via flow cytometry and identified by co-staining with DiI-acLDL and fluorescein isothiocy-anate(FITC)-conjugated lectin under a fluorescent microscope.The migratory capacity of EPCs was measured by modified Boyden chamber assay.Adhesion capacity was performed to count adherent cells after replating EPCs on six-well culture dishes coated with fibronectin.Results:The number of circulating EPCs(AC133+/KDR+ cells) decreased significantly in CAD patients,compared with control subjects [(74.2±12.3) vs(83.5±12.9) cells/ml blood,P<0.01].In addition,the number of EPCs also decreased in CAD patients after ex vivo cultivation [(54.4±8.6) vs(71.9±11.6) EPCs/field,P<0.01].Both circulating EPCs and differentiated EPCs were positively correlated with plasma adiponectin concentration.The functional activities of EPCs from CAD patients,such as migratory and adherent capacities,were also impaired,compared with control subjects,and positively correlated with plasma adiponectin concentration.Conclusion:The study demonstrates that the impairment of the number and functional activities of EPCs in CAD patients is correlated with their lower plasma adiponectin concentrations.
