Search results for "inflammation"
showing 10 items of 2662 documents
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ activity is increased in patients with definite familial hypercholesterolemia compared with other forms of hy…
2018
International audience; Background and Aim: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) plays a key role in atherosclerosis development. It is considered a marker of increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and plaque vulnerability. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder characterized by elevated plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and a higher prevalence of early CVD. Our aim was to evaluate the differences in Lp-PLA2 activity in a population of hypercholesterolemic patients with and without definite FH.Methods and Results: Hypercholesterolemic patients were consecutively recruited. Definite FH was defined according to Dutch Lipid Clinic Netwo…
Endogenous THBD (Thrombomodulin) Mediates Angiogenesis in the Ischemic Brain—Brief Report
2020
Objective: THBD (thrombomodulin) is part of the anticoagulant protein C-system that acts at the endothelium and is involved in anti-inflammatory and barrier-stabilizing processes. A recombinant soluble form of THBD was shown to have protective effects in different organs, but how the endogenous THBD is regulated during ischemia, particularly in the brain is not known to date. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of THBD, especially in brain endothelial cells, during ischemic stroke. Approach and Results: To induce ischemic brain damage, we occluded the middle cerebral artery of mice. We found an increased endothelial expression of Thbd in the peri-infarct area, whereas in the …
Intake of Vitamin K Antagonists and Worsening of Cardiac and Vascular Disease: Results From the Population‐Based Gutenberg Health Study
2018
Background Preclinical data have indicated a link between use of vitamin K antagonists ( VKA ) and detrimental effects on vascular structure and function. The objective of the present study was to determine the relationship between VKA intake and different phenotypes of subclinical cardiovascular disease in the population. Methods and Results Clinical and laboratory data, as well as medical–technical examinations were assessed from 15 010 individuals aged 35 to 74 years during a highly standardized 5‐hour visit at the study center of the population‐based Gutenberg Health Study. In total, the study sample comprised 287 VKA users and 14 564 VKA nonusers. Multivariable analysis revealed an in…
Involvement of TLR4 in the long-term epigenetic changes, rewarding and anxiety effects induced by intermittent ethanol treatment in adolescence
2016
Studies in humans and experimental animals have demonstrated the vulnerability of the adolescent brain to actions of ethanol and the long-term consequences of binge drinking, including the behavioral and cognitive deficits that result from alcohol neurotoxicity, and increased risk to alcohol abuse and dependence. Although the mechanisms that participate in these effects are largely unknown, we have shown that ethanol by activating innate immune receptors, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), induces neuroinflammation, impairs myelin proteins and causes cognitive dysfunctions in adolescent mice. Since neuroimmune signaling is also involved in alcohol abuse, the aim of this study was to assess whethe…
Magnesium in Infectious Diseases in Older People
2021
Reduced magnesium (Mg) intake is a frequent cause of deficiency with age together with reduced absorption, renal wasting, and polypharmacotherapy. Chronic Mg deficiency may result in increased oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation, which may be linked to several age-related diseases, including higher predisposition to infectious diseases. Mg might play a role in the immune response being a cofactor for immunoglobulin synthesis and other processes strictly associated with the function of T and B cells. Mg is necessary for the biosynthesis, transport, and activation of vitamin D, another key factor in the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. The regulation of cytosolic free Mg in immune…
Role of Colchicine Treatment in Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Associated Periodic Syndrome (TRAPS): Real-Life Data from the AIDA Network
2020
Objective. To analyze the potential role of colchicine monotherapy in patients with tumor necrosis factor receptor associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) in terms of control of clinical and laboratory manifestations. Methods. Patients with TRAPS treated with colchicine monotherapy were retrospectively enrolled; demographic, clinical and therapeutic data were collected and statistically analysed after having clustered patients according to different times at disease onset, penetrance of mutations, dosage of colchicine, and different disease manifestations. Results. 24 patients (14 males; 15 with pediatric disease onset) treated with colchicine monotherapy were enrolled. Colchicine resulted in …
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) Protects against High Fat Diet Induced Inflammation and Islet Hyperplasia in Pancreas
2015
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an important endocrine metabolic regulator expressed in multiple tissues including liver and adipose tissue. Although highest levels of expression are in pancreas, little is known about the function of FGF21 in this tissue. In order to understand the physiology of FGF21 in the pancreas, we analyzed its expression and regulation in both acinar and islet tissues. We found that acinar tissue express 20-fold higher levels than that observed in islets. We also observed that pancreatic FGF21 is nutritionally regulated; a marked reduction in FGF21 expression was noted with fasting while obesity is associated with 3–4 fold higher expression. Acinar and islet c…
Moderate weight loss attenuates chronic endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in human obesity
2018
Abstract Objective In obese patients undergoing caloric restriction, there are several potential mechanisms involved in the improvement of metabolic outcomes. The present study further explores whether caloric restriction can modulate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial function, as both are known to be mechanisms underlying inflammation and insulin resistance (IR) during obesity. Methods A total of 64 obese patients with BMI ≥35 kg/m2 underwent a dietary program consisting of 6 weeks of a very-low-calorie diet followed by 18 weeks of low-calorie diet. We evaluated changes in the metabolic and inflammatory markers -TNFα, hsCRP, complement component 3 (C3c), and retinol bindi…
Sepsis in preterm infants causes alterations in mucosal gene expression and microbiota profiles compared to non-septic twins
2016
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition in preterm infants. Neonatal microbiota plays a pivotal role in the immune system maturation. Changes in gut microbiota have been associated to inflammatory disorders; however, a link with sepsis in the neonatal period has not yet been established. We aimed to analyze gut microbiota and mucosal gene expression using non-invasively obtained samples to provide with an integrative perspective of host-microbe interactions in neonatal sepsis. For this purpose, a prospective observational case-control study was conducted in septic preterm dizygotic twins and their non-septic twin controls. Fecal samples were used for both microbiota analysis and host genome-…
Long-Term Calorie Restriction Enhances Cellular Quality-Control Processes in Human Skeletal Muscle
2015
Calorie restriction (CR) retards aging, acts as a hormetic intervention, and increases serum corticosterone and HSP70 expression in rodents. However, less is known regarding the effects of CR on these factors in humans. Serum cortisol and molecular chaperones and autophagic proteins were measured in the skeletal muscle of subjects on CR diets for 3-15 years and in control volunteers. Serum cortisol was higher in the CR group than in age-matched sedentary and endurance athlete groups (15.6 ± 4.6 ng/dl versus 12.3 ± 3.9 ng/dl and 11.2 ± 2.7 ng/dl, respectively; p ≤ 0.001). HSP70, Grp78, beclin-1, and LC3 mRNA and/or protein levels were higher in the skeletal muscle of the CR group compared to…