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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A study on the relationship between changes in serum hs-CRP levels and Chinese ischemic stroke subclassification

Objective: To study the relationship between changes in serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and Chinese ischemic stroke subclassification (CISS), and explore the action mechanism of hs-CRP in the pathogenetic process of ischemic stroke. Methods: The serum hs-CRP level was measured in all subjects (including the healthy). As to 177 ischemic stroke patients, they were subclassified based on causes and pathogenesis to explore the relationship between the serum hs-CRP level and CISS. Results: The serum hs-CRP level in the ischemic stroke group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < .05). The difference of the serum hs-CRP levels in different Chinese ischemic stroke subtypes was of statistical significance (p < .05). Conclusions: The level of serum hs-CRP is closely associated with the incidence of the ischemic stroke, and the difference of the serum hs-CRP levels in different Chinese ischemic stroke subtypes is of statistical significance.

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.

Changes of hs-CRP, S100B and NSE levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of children with epilepsy and their correlation with the nerve cell apoptosis

Objective:To study the changes of hs-CRP, S100B and NSE levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of children with epilepsy and their correlation with the nerve cell apoptosis.Methods:The children who were diagnosed with epilepsy in this hospital between March 2015 and February 2017 were selected as epilepsy group, and the children who underwent operation due to hernia during the same period were selected as control group. The cerebrospinal fluid was collected to determine the contents of hs-CRP, S100B and NSE, and the serum was collected to detect the contents of hs-CRP, S100B, NSE, apoptosis molecules and Sirtuins family molecules.Results: hs-CRP, S100B and NSE levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of epilepsy group were significantly higher than those of control group, Bim, Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-4 and Caspase-9 levels in cerebrospinal fluid were significantly higher than those of control group, and XIAP, Bcl-2, SIRT1, SIRT2, SIRT3, SIRT4, SIRT5, SIRT6 and SIRT7 levels in cerebrospinal fluid were significantly lower than those of control group;hs-CRP, S100B and NSE levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of children with epilepsy were positively correlated with Bim, Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-4 and Caspase-9 levels in cerebrospinal fluid, and negatively correlated with XIAP, Bcl-2, SIRT1, SIRT2, SIRT3, SIRT4, SIRT5, SIRT6 and SIRT7 levels in cerebrospinal fluid.Conclusion: The abnormally elevated hs-CRP, S100B and NSE in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of children with epilepsy are closely related to the excessive apoptosis of nerve cells.

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.

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.

Effects of resistance training on cardiovascular health in non-obese active adolescents

AIM:To determine the benefits of a 10-wk resistance training programme on cardiovascular health in nonobese and active adolescents.METHODS:This is a pragmatic randomised controlled intervention.The study was carried out in a Hong Kong Government secondary school.Thirty-eight lean and active boys and girls were randomised to either the resistance training group or the control group.Students in the resistance training group received in-school 10-wk supervised resistance training twice per week,with each session lasting 70 min.Main outcome measures taken before and after training included brachial endothelial dependent flow-mediated dilation,body composition,fasting serum lipids,fasting glucose and insulin,high sensitive C-reactive protein,24-h ambulatory blood pressure and aerobic fitness.RESULTS:The only training related change was in endothelial dependent flow-mediated dilation which increased from 8.5%to 9.8%.A main effect of time and an interaction(P<0.005) indicated that this improvement was a result of the 10-wk resistance training.Main effects for time(P<0.05) in a number of anthropometric,metabolic and vascular variables were noted;however,there were no significant interactions indicating the change was more likely an outcome of normal growth and development as opposed to a training effect.CONCLUSION:Ten weeks of resistance training in school appears to have some vascular benefit in active,lean children.

Study on the relationship between syndrome characteristics degree and inflammatory factor and negative emotional scale in"double heart disease"patients with Qi stagnation blood stasis and heart gallbladder heat stagnation

Objective:To Discuss the correlation between Hypersensitivity C-reactive Protein(Hs-CRP),Total Cholesterol(TC),Triglyceride(TG),negative emotion scale and TCM syndrome scores in“Double Heart Disease”patients with Qi stagnation blood stasis and heart gallbladder heat stagnation.Method:Fifty-two patients in Western Medicine Diagnosis of Double Heart Disease,in TCM syndrome identified as Qi stagnation blood stasis Heart gallbladder heat stagnation syndrome,detects it Hs-CRP,TC,TG levels by ELISA,use TCM Syndromes Scale to evaluate TCM Syndrome,use the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)and Self-rating symptom scale(SCL-90)to assess anxiety and sleep levels,analyze the correlation between TCM syndrome scores and Hs-CRP,TC,TG level,PSQI index,SCL-90 index.Result:There was a significant positive correlation between Hs-CRP,TG level and TCM Syndrome scores(P<0.05);TC level was postively correlated with TCM Syndrome scores,but there was no statistical significance(P>0.05);There was a significant positive correlation between PSQI index,SCL-90 index and TCM Syndrome scores(P<0.05).Conclusion:In“Double Heart Disease”patients with Qi stagnation blood stasis and heart gallbladder heat stagnation,there have characteristic syndrome changes in terms of inflammatory factor level,blood lipid level and negative emotion score;Which the above indexes can reflect the severity of TCM syndromes to a certain extent and provide the basis for the effective intervention treatment of TCM.

Association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and acute coronary syndrome

Objective: To investigate the association between Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection and the occurrence of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and its associated mechanism in ACS development. Methods: A total of 134 patients with confirmed ACS were selected as the ACS group, and another 102 healthy subjects were enrolled as the control group. Serum triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were detected using immuno-transmission turbidimetry in the ACS and control groups. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect MP-specific IgG antibodies in the serum. Results:The MP infection rate in the ACS group was significantly higher than that in of the healthy control group. Although there were significant differences in the expression of TC, HDL, LDL, and ApoB between the ACS and control groups, there were no significant differences between the MP IgG-positive and negative groups for any the six serum lipid indexes in the ACS patients. The level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) expression in ACS patients was significantly higher in the MP IgG-positive group compared with the negative group. Conclusions: MP infection is associated with ACS and may be a risk factor for ACS. MP infection may not affect blood lipid levels but rather induce the development of ACS by affecting the long-term inflammatory environment.

Change of Hs-CRP level and its clinical features in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome

Background Elevated serum Hs-CRP level may be an independent predictor of metabolic syndrome(MS)in healthy individuals. Many elderly patients have metabolic syndrome. Therefore,we observed the clinical features of serum Hs-CRP level in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome to further understand the relationship between the two. Methods A total of 210 patients were divided into two groups:metabolic syndrome(MS,n=1112)group and non-metabolic syndrome(Non-MS,n=98)group. The serum Hs-CRP level was tested by immunoturbidimetry and the clinical features of Hs-CRP were analyzed. The associations of Hs-CRP with BMI,WHR,FBG,TG,TC,LDL-C,HDL-C,SBP,DBP and Homa-IR were determined. Results Serum HsCRP level was significantly higher in the MS group than in the non-MS group(P<0.05). Besides,with the increase in the number of included factors,the level of Hs-CRP gradually increased significantly(P<0.05).Moreover,serum Hs-CRP was positively correlated with age,BMI,WHR,SBP,DBP,FPG,FIN,TG,TC,Homa-IR(r=0.38,0.49,0.33,0.36,0.31,0.34,0.43,0.37,0.18,0.34,respectively,P<0.05)and negatively correlated with HDL-C(r=-0.37,P<0.001). Conclusion Serum Hs-CRP level is associated with many factors. It is a proactively marker for cardiovascular disease risk assessment of elderly MS patients.

EFFECT OF ASPIRIN PLUS CLOPIDOGREL ON INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN PATIENTS WITH NON-ST-SEGMENT ELEVATION ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

Background Aspirin can inhibit inflammatory reactions and platelet aggregation, but little is known about the effects of the combination of aspirin plus clopidogrel, a new antiplatelet agent, on inflammation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether aspirin plus clopidogrel can further suppress inflammation in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome （NSTEACS）. Methods One hundred and fifteen patients with NSTEACS were randomized into two groups： group A （aspirin alone, n=58） and group B （aspirin plus clopidogrel, n=57）. Patients in group A received a loading dose of 300 mg aspirin, then 100 mg per day. The patients in group B received a loading dose of 300 mg aspirin and 300 mg clopidogrel, then 100 mg aspirin and 75 mg clopidogrel per day. Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α ） were measured in all patients at baseline prior to any drug treatment after admission, and at 7 and 30 days after beginning drug treatment. Thirty healthy volunteers on no medications were enrolled as controls （group C）. Results Baseline levels of hs-CRP and TNF-α in group A and group B were significantly higher than those in group C. Seven days after administration, the levels of hs-CRP in both group A and group B decreased significantly [Group A： （6.15 ± 1.39） mg/L vs （9.18 ± 1.62） rag/L, P 〈0.01; Group B：（4.99 ± 1.62） mg/L vs （10.29 ± 1.47） rag/L, P〈0.01]. Similarly, levels of TNF-α in both groups decreased at 7 days compared to baseline [Group A： （90.99 ± 28.91） pg/ml vs （117.20 ± 37.13） pg/ml, P 〈0.01; Group B： （74.32± 21.83） pg/ml vs （115.27 ± 32.11） pg/ml, P 〈0.01]. Thirty days after administration, the levels of hs-CRP in both group A and group B decreased further to （3.49 ± 1.53） rag/L, and （2.40 ± 1.17） mg/L respectively （P 〈0.01 for both comparisons）. Levels of TNF-α in groups A and B also decreased significantly between 7 and 30 days, to 63.28 ± 29.01 pg/ml （group A） and （43.95 ± 17.10） pg/ml （group B; P 〈0.01 for both comparisons）. Significantly lower levels of hs-CRP and TNF-α were observed in group B compared to Group A at thirty days after initiating drug treatment （P 〈0.05）. Conclusions Aspirin plus clopidogrel treatment reduced levels of serum hs-CRP and TNF-α in patients with NSTEACS significantly more than aspirin alone. Because both aspirin and clopidogrel produce important anti-inflammatory effects, these results suggest the possibility that long-term treatment with aspirin plus clopidogrel may produce greater clinical benefits compared to treatment with aspirin alone.