0000000000099468
AUTHOR
M. Ciaccio
ACE insertion/deletion polymorfism and longevity
The implication of MBL deficient haplotypes in acute coronary syndrome
Vitamin D increases the production of IL-10 by regulatory T cells in patients with systemic sclerosis
OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D status influences the risk to develop autoimmune diseases affecting the percentage and/or functions of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Since low levels of 25 (OH) D have been decreased in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), we aimed to study the effect of Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation on Tregs frequencies and functions. METHODS: Peripheral blood and sera samples were obtained from 45 SSc patients and controls (HC). A number of eighteen SSc patients had consumed Cholecalciferol (orally) at the dose of 25.000 UI/month for 6 months at the time of enrollment. 25(OH)D serum levels were measured and VDR polymorphisms, were genotyped by polymerase chain reactio…
All-trans to 11-cis conversion of endogenous retinoids in nuclear membrane preparations from bovine retinal pigment epithelium
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B-type natriuretic peptides and thyroid disease
Association between homocysteinemia and metabolic syndrome in patients with cardiovascular disease
Abstract BACKGROUND: This is an observational study undertaken in aim to evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and high homocysteinemia (HHcy) in relation with cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: The study involved 126 subjects with angiographically documented CVD and 65 healthy subjects. MS has been diagnosed according to the ATP III criteria and plasma homocysteine concentration has been evaluated. RESULTS: In patients with CVD the prevalence of MS and HHcy is 17.4% and 25.4% respectively; MS coexists with HHcy in 67.2% of patients; analogous results can be observed among men and women. HHcy and MS are associated with CVD (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.95-12.43 and OR 5.74, 95% …
Effect of vitamin supplementation on hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiovascular risk reduction
Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing aminoacid produced during methionine metabolism. Since 1969 the relationship between altered homocysteine metabolism and both coronary and peripheral atherotrombosis has been known; in recent years, experimental evidence has shown that elevated plasma concentrations of homocysteine are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular ischemic events. Several mechanisms by which elevated homocysteine concentrations impair vascular function have been proposed, including impairment of endothelial function, production of reactive oxygen species and consequent oxidation of low-density lipoproteins. Folate and B vitamins, required for rem…
Elevated cerebrospinal fluid and plasma homocysteine levels in ALS
Background: Numerous recent evidence suggests that homocysteine (HC), a putative risk factor for stroke and coronary artery disease [1,2], could play a role in the physiopathology of several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s diseases and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) [3,4,5]. HC, an aminoacid involved in the methionine metabolism, acts as a neurotoxin through several mechanisms, including free radicals and cytosolic accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunctions, activation of apoptotic pathways, and excitotoxic aminoacid-mediated damage [5]. A recent report showed that plasma HC levels were significantly elevated in ALS, and in particular in those patients with a…
Authors’ reply
No abstract available.
Documento di consenso ANMCO/ELAS/SIBioC: Raccomandazioni sull'impiego dei biomarcatori cardiaci nello scompenso cardiaco
Biomarkers have dramatically impacted the way heart failure (HF) patients are evaluated and managed. A biomarker is a characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biological or pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention. Natriuretic peptides (B-type natriuretic peptide [BNP] and N-terminal proBNP) are the gold standard biomarkers in determining the diagnosis and prognosis of HF, and a natriuretic peptide-guided HF management looks promising. In the last few years, an array of additional biomarkers has emerged, each reflecting different pathophysiological processes in the development and progression of HF: myocardia…
Vitamin D and immunomodulation: Is it time to change the reference values?
The term "vitamin D" refers to two chemical compounds - ergosterol, or vitamin D2, and cholecalciferol, or vitamin D3. Active vitamin D3 is correctly regarded as a neurohormone due to its pleiotropic biological activities. Although the relation between vitamin D and calcium-phosphorus metabolism has never been discussed, the knowledge on many other roles vitamin D plays is growing fast. Briefly, vitamin D immunomodulation includes attenuation and stimulation of Th1 and Th2 cell proliferation, respectively. Similarly, vitamin D can induce or inhibit the synthesis, secretion, and release of anti- inflammatory (IL- 4 and IL-10) and pro-inflammatory (IL-1, TNF-α, IFN-γ) cytokines, respectivel…
Colesterolo e rischio cardiovascolare: Percorso diagnostico-terapeutico in Italia
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease still represents the leading cause of death in western countries. A wealth of scientific evidence demonstrates that increased blood cholesterol levels have a major impact on the outbreak and progression of atherosclerotic plaques. Moreover, several cholesterol-lowering pharmacological agents, including statins and ezetimibe, have proven effective in improving clinical outcomes. This document is focused on the clinical management of hypercholesterolemia and has been conceived by 16 Italian medical associations with the support of the Italian National Institute of Health. The authors have considered with particular attention the role of hypercholesterole…
Aminoacid profile and oxidative status in children affected by Down syndrome before and after supplementary nutritional treatment
Down syndrome is the most common autosomal aberration among liveborns, characterised by several clinical features and metabolic disturbances. Aminoacid pathways abnormalities and defective oxidative balance are the most common metabolic problems in Down Syndrome. To evaluate the biochemical responses of children with Down Syndrome to a nutritional regimen supplemented with aminoacids, vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids, we submitted 86 subjects divided in two groups (0-6 and 6-12 years) to the dosage of plasma levels of aminoacids, antioxidant enzymes activities and reactive oxygen species, before and after 12 months of such nutritional supplementation and in relation to normal contro…
A risk score derived from the analysis of a cluster of 27 serum inflammatory cytokines to predict long term outcome in patients with acute myocardial infarction: A pilot study
Objective. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical utility and prognostic significance of a cluster of 27 serum cytokines for risk stratification after myocardial infarction. Materials and Methods. We enrolled 33 consecutive patients admitted to our institution for acute myocardial infarction and prospectively followed. We evaluated traditional cardiovascular risk factors and assayed, during the acute phase, 27 serum cytokines (IL-1, IL-1ra, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL -7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, IL-17, EOTAXIN, FGF, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, IP-10, MCP-1, MIP-1α, MIP-1ß, PDGF, RANTES, TNF-α, VEGF) potentially associated with cardiovascular risk. Patients were divided i…
Serum Fetuin A concentration in patients on Hemodialysis
Monocyte to lymphocyte blood ratio in tuberculosis and HIV patients: Comparative analysis, preliminary data
Recent data confirmed the hypothesis suggested by historical studies that the ratio of peripheral blood monocytes to lymphocytes (M/L) is associated with the risk of tuberculosis (TB) disease. We retrospectively analyzed the electronic health records of tuberculosis and HIV-positive patients who had followed day-care programs at the AIDS Center of the University of Palermo, Italy. 261 patients were recruited and divided into 6 groups as follows: healthy control group (HCG: 47 pts), latent HIV negative infected TB group (LIG, 43 pts), active HIV negative tuberculosis (TAG: 61 pts), treated tuberculosis HIV negative (TTG: 44 pts), HIV drug-naive patients tested TST and QFT-IT-negative with ne…
Low serum Fetuin A levels and cardiovascular events in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients.
The atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is frequently observed in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients; according to the hypothesis of non-traditional risk factors for CVD, accelerated atherogenesis in these patients could be linked to both vascular calcification and inflammation. 2-Heremans-Schmid Glycoprotein (AHSG) also known as Fetuin-A, is considered a negative marker of inflammation and represents one of the in vivo circulating calcification modulators; these molecules are proteins working as endogenous inhibitors of Ca×PO4 precipitation and are probably involved in the pathogenesis vascular calcification. Aim of this study is to evaluate the differences in serum Fetuin-A …