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Medicina
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Markers of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis
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Markers of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2021) | Viewed by 15902

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Dorota Formanowicz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 8, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
Interests: chronic disorder; chronic kidney disease; obesity; cardiovascular disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite the unquestionable progress in understanding the mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis, we still know too little to be able to fully prevent it, and even less to fully successfully treat patients suffering from atherosclerosis-related diseases. Although in the last few decades, lifestyle changes, the use of modern drugs, and implementation of new standards of behavior have significantly improved the global epidemiological situation in terms of the morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases, these issues are still a challenge for modern medicine.

In 1993, in an article published in Nature, Ross described atherosclerosis as a consequence of the increased inflammatory and proliferative response of the vascular endothelium and the response of vascular smooth muscle cells to various damaging factors. In addition, he emphasized the complexity of the atherosclerosis process, in which, he noted, many growth factors, cytokines, and molecules that regulate the arterial wall tone are involved. After six years, Ross was the first who officially declared that atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Today, in most cases, researchers agree that the first stage of atherosclerosis is immuno-inflammatory vascular endothelial dysfunction, which is a sequence of reaction in response to endothelial damage, caused by a number of mechanical, chemical, and biological factors.

In this Special Issue, particular attention will be given to various aspects of inflammation that underline atherosclerosis, with special emphasis on new predictive markers. I welcome preliminary studies, original research papers, and systematic reviews. Interdisciplinary research, e.g., in the fields of systems biology and systems medicine, will also be appreciated. I look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Dorota Formanowicz
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Macrophages differentiation
  • Predictive markers
  • Cytokines
  • Immunology
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Systems biology and medicine

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1306 KiB  
Article
Histology and Immunohistochemistry of Radial Arteries Are Suggestive of an Interaction between Calcification and Early Atherosclerotic Lesions in Chronic Kidney Disease
by Aikaterini Lysitska, Nikiforos Galanis, Ioannis Skandalos, Christina Nikolaidou, Sophia Briza, Asimina Fylaktou, George Lioulios, Zoi Mitsoglou, Dorothea Papadopoulou, Nikolaos Antoniadis, Aikaterini Papagianni and Maria Stangou
Medicina 2021, 57(11), 1156; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina57111156 - 24 Oct 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1839
Abstract
Background and Objectives: recent studies suggest an implication of immune mechanisms in atherosclerotic disease. In this paper, the interaction between inflammation, calcification, and atherosclerosis on the vessel walls of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is described and evaluated. Materials and Methods [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: recent studies suggest an implication of immune mechanisms in atherosclerotic disease. In this paper, the interaction between inflammation, calcification, and atherosclerosis on the vessel walls of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is described and evaluated. Materials and Methods: patients with stage V CKD, either on pre-dialysis (group A) or on hemodialysis (HD) for at least 2 years (group B), in whom a radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (RCAVF) was created, were included in the study. The control group included healthy volunteers who received radial artery surgery after an accident. The expressions of inflammatory cells, myofibroblasts, and vascular calcification regulators on the vascular wall were estimated, and, moreover, morphometric analysis was performed. Results: the expressions of CD68(+) cells, matrix carboxyglutamic acid proteins (MGPs), the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB (RANK) and RANK ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG), were significantly increased in CKD patients compared to the controls p = 0.02; p = 0.006; p = 0.01; and p = 0.006, respectively. In morphometric analysis, the I/M and L/I ratios had significant differences between CKD patients and the controls 0.3534 ± 0.20 vs. 0.1520 ± 0.865, p = 0.003, and 2.1709 ± 1.568 vs. 4.9958 ± 3.2975, p = 0.03, respectively. The independent variables correlated with the degree of vascular calcification were the intensity of CD34(+), aSMA(+) cells, and OPG, R2 = 0.76, p < 0.0001, and, with intima-media thickness (IMT), the severity of RANKL expression R2 = 0.3, p < 0.0001. Conclusion: atherosclerosis and vascular calcification in CKD seem to be strongly regulated by an immunological and inflammatory activation on the vascular wall. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Markers of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis)
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15 pages, 2153 KiB  
Article
The Relationship between Advanced Oxidation Protein Products, Vascular Calcifications and Arterial Stiffness in Predialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
by Ion-Vlad Vinereanu, Ileana Peride, Andrei Niculae, Andreea Taisia Tiron, Andra Caragheorgheopol, Dana Manda and Ionel Alexandru Checherita
Medicina 2021, 57(5), 452; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina57050452 - 06 May 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1625
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are increased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is likely that the accumulation of uremic toxins resulting in increased oxidative stress (OS) is a major contributing factor, but no clear link has been [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular morbidity and mortality are increased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is likely that the accumulation of uremic toxins resulting in increased oxidative stress (OS) is a major contributing factor, but no clear link has been identified. The purpose of this research is to establish if advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) levels in the serum of predialysis patients are a contributing factor to vascular calcification and increased arterial stiffness. Materials and Methods: After obtaining the informed consent, 46 predialysis patients (CKD stages G3–G5) were included in the study. In order to identify vascular calcifications, hand and pelvic radiographs were performed. Valvular calcifications were identified using cardiac ultrasound. AOPP were measured using a commercially available ELISA kit. The relationships between serum AOPP values and biochemical parameters relevant in the evaluation of CKD patients were analyzed. In addition to identifying the differences in AOPP levels between patients with/without vascular or valvular calcifications, the research focused on describing the relationship between OS and arterial stiffness assessed by oscillometric pulse-wave velocity (PWV) measurement. Results: No significant relationship between serum AOPP and vascular or valvular calcifications was highlighted, but significant correlations of AOPP with C-reactive protein (p = 0.025), HDL-cholesterol levels (p = 0.04), HbA1c (p = 0.05) and PWV values (p = 0.02) were identified. Conclusions: The usefulness of (OS) measurement in clinical practice remains debatable; however, the relationship between AOPP and arterial stiffness could be valuable in improving cardiovascular risk assessment of patients with CKD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Markers of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis)
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10 pages, 772 KiB  
Article
Hypolipemiant Actions and Possible Cardioprotective Effects of Valine and Leucine: An Experimental Study
by Elena Cojocaru, Maria Magdalena Leon-Constantin, Carmen Ungureanu, Mioara Florentina Trandafirescu, Alexandra Maștaleru, Laura Mihaela Trandafir, Florin Dumitru Petrariu, Oana Viola Bădulescu and Nina Filip
Medicina 2021, 57(3), 239; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina57030239 - 05 Mar 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2301
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Considering atherosclerosis as one of the more challenging threats to healthcare worldwide, any novel therapy that counteracts the risks for developing it, provides new opportunities for the management of this process. Material and methods: We performed an experimental research in [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Considering atherosclerosis as one of the more challenging threats to healthcare worldwide, any novel therapy that counteracts the risks for developing it, provides new opportunities for the management of this process. Material and methods: We performed an experimental research in which we induced a hypercholesterolemia via a cholesterol-rich diet. Our aim was to demonstrate the antiatherogenic potential of two essential amino acids (valine and leucine). The experimental study was carried out over a period of 60 days. Male Wistar rats weighing between 250–280 g were used and divided into 4 groups, each group including 8 animals. Group I—control was fed with a standard diet. Group II received cholesterol, group III cholesterol and valine and group IV cholesterol and leucine. Blood samples were collected from the retro-orbital plexus, under anesthesia with 75 mg/kg of intraperitoneal ketamine, in three different moments (R0—1st day, R1—the 30th day, R2—the 60th day) in order to measure the levels of triglycerides. Results: In R0, there were no significant differences between the average levels of triglycerides across all the groups (p < 0.05). Compared to the group I, in R1 and R2, the average levels of triglycerides were significantly higher in all groups (p < 0.001). Also, in R1 and R2, the average triglycerides in group II receiving cholesterol (C) were significantly higher than those in group III receiving valine (C + V) as well as in group IV receiving leucine (C + L) (p < 0.001; p < 0.05). In R2, the average triglycerides in group III were significantly lower than in group IV (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our data provides evidence that valine and leucine have a direct impact on the lipid metabolism parameters by lowering the level of triglycerides. The comparison of the two essential amino acids indicates that valine acts more promptly and rapidly than leucine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Markers of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis)
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7 pages, 274 KiB  
Article
The Relationship Between Contrast Associated Nephropathy and Coronary Collateral Circulation in very Old Patients
by Tarik Yildirim, Birol Ozkan, Gokhan Alici, Seda Elcim Yildirim, Onursal Bugra and Hasan Kadi
Medicina 2020, 56(3), 99; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina56030099 - 27 Feb 2020
Viewed by 1686
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between coronary collateral circulation (CCC) and contrast associated nephropathy (CAN) in very elderly patients. Methods: Patients aged 90 years or older with at least one major occlusion of the [...] Read more.
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between coronary collateral circulation (CCC) and contrast associated nephropathy (CAN) in very elderly patients. Methods: Patients aged 90 years or older with at least one major occlusion of the coronary artery proximal or mid-section were included in the study. CCC was graded according to the Rentrop classification. CAN was defined as an increase in blood creatinine value of 25% or more on the second day after coronary angiography. Results: Thirty-six patients who met the study criteria were included in the study. In the study group, CAN developed in 12 patients (CAN (+) group), 24 patients did not develop CAN (CAN (−) group). The creatinine levels before coronary angiography were 1.05 ± 0.12 in the CAN (−) group and 1.22 ± 0.14 in the CAN (+) group. Baseline creatinine values were significantly higher in the CAN (+) group (p = 0.001). The contrast agent used in the CAN (+) group was significantly higher (p = 0.001). In the CAN (+) group, nine patients (43%) had poor collateral circulation, whereas only three patients (20%) had well-developed collateral circulation. In a logistic regression analysis, the collateral class was not a risk factor for CAN, whereas contrast agent volume and basal creatinine were independent predictors of CAN. Conclusion: We found that CCC grade was not associated with the development of CAN in very old patients, but the amount of contrast agent and pre-procedure creatinine values were independent variables in the development of CAN. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Markers of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis)

Review

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30 pages, 891 KiB  
Review
Recognized and Potentially New Biomarkers—Their Role in Diagnosis and Prognosis of Cardiovascular Disease
by Weronika Bargieł, Katarzyna Cierpiszewska, Klara Maruszczak, Anna Pakuła, Dominika Szwankowska, Aleksandra Wrzesińska, Łukasz Gutowski and Dorota Formanowicz
Medicina 2021, 57(7), 701; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina57070701 - 08 Jul 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3893
Abstract
Atherosclerosis and its consequences are the leading cause of mortality in the world. For this reason, we have reviewed atherosclerosis biomarkers and selected the most promising ones for review. We focused mainly on biomarkers related to inflammation and oxidative stress, such as the [...] Read more.
Atherosclerosis and its consequences are the leading cause of mortality in the world. For this reason, we have reviewed atherosclerosis biomarkers and selected the most promising ones for review. We focused mainly on biomarkers related to inflammation and oxidative stress, such as the highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2). The microRNA (miRNA) and the usefulness of the bone mineralization, glucose, and lipid metabolism marker osteocalcin (OC) were also reviewed. The last biomarker we considered was angiogenin (ANG). Our review shows that due to the multifactorial nature of atherosclerosis, no single marker is known so far, the determination of which would unambiguously assess the severity of atherosclerosis and help without any doubt in the prognosis of cardiovascular risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Markers of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis)
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23 pages, 1300 KiB  
Review
Adipokines and Arterial Stiffness in Obesity
by Ioana Para, Adriana Albu and Mihai D. Porojan
Medicina 2021, 57(7), 653; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/medicina57070653 - 25 Jun 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3680
Abstract
Adipokines are active molecules with pleiotropic effects produced by adipose tissue and involved in obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Arterial stiffness, which is a consequence of arteriosclerosis, has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of [...] Read more.
Adipokines are active molecules with pleiotropic effects produced by adipose tissue and involved in obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Arterial stiffness, which is a consequence of arteriosclerosis, has been shown to be an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of arterial stiffness is complex but incompletely understood. Adipokines dysregulation may induce, by various mechanisms, vascular inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular remodeling, leading to increased arterial stiffness. This article summarizes literature data regarding adipokine-related pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the development of arterial stiffness, particularly in obesity, as well as the results of clinical and epidemiological studies which investigated the relationship between adipokines and arterial stiffness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Markers of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis)
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