Circulating levels of resistin, IL-6 and lipid profile in elderly patients with ischemic heart disease with and without diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The cytokines that act as inflammatory hormones show a role in coronary atherosclerotic disease. AIMS: This study aimed to measure serum resistin, IL-6 levels and lipid profile in nondiabetic controls, diabetics, and ischemic heart disease subjects with and without diabetes. Association between resistin and IL-6 was also determined. MATERIALS & METHODS: In this comparative cross-sectional study, 147 subjects were selected, aged between 40 and 70 years. Subjects were divided into four groups as mentioned above. Plasma glucose was measured using the gluco-oxidase method. Lipid profile levels were measured using standard enzymatic methods. Levels of resistin and IL-6 were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: Out of 147 patients, 36 were controls and 111 were cases. Serum resistin and IL-6 levels increased significantly in diabetics (23.4 ± 0.74 ng/ml and 73.1 ± 2.57 ng/ml, respectively) and nondiabetics with ischemic heart disease (14.1 ± 0.51 ng/ml and 66.2 ± 2.08 ng/ml, respectively) compared with diabetics and nondiabetic controls. Positive correlations were found between IL-6 and resistin, and a significant positive correlation was shown in ischemic heart disease groups (r = 0.659; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the plasma resistin and IL-6 concentrations increased significantly in patients with ischemic heart disease with and without diabetes. This shows that there is a possible role of resistin and IL-6 in inflammatory processes, especially in atherosclerosis.

Relationship between adiponectin, glycemic control and blood lipids in diabetic type 2 postmenopausal women with and without complication of ischemic heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Recently major adipocytokine, adiponectin, are thought to play important roles in the regulation of cardiovascular and metabolic homeostasis. We compared serum adiponectin concentrations and lipid profile in diabetic patients with and without complication of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. METHODS: We included 120 female subjects between the age of 45 and 60 years. The subjects were divided into 3 groups and each group comprised of 40 subjects. First group comprised of normal healthy controls, second group diabetic type 2 patients with no history of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and the third group diabetic patients with IHD. Serum adiponectin concentrations, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol concentrations were determined. RESULTS: Values of fasting and random blood glucose, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol were significantly increased (P<0.001) in diabetic patients with IHD as compared with normal control subjects except for serum adiponectin and HDL cholesterol concentrations, which were significantly decreased (P<0.001) in diabetic patients and diabetic patients with IHD group. When values of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, fasting and random blood glucose and adiponectin were compared among diabetic and diabetic patients with IHD, it was observed that they were significantly increased (P<0.001) except for adiponectin, which was decreased significantly (P<0.001) and random blood glucose, LDL and HDL cholesterol in which no change was observed between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Serum adiponectin concentrations may be a predictor for development of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal diabetic patients.

Pattern of perfusion defects seen in ischemic heart disease patients on technetium (Tc99m) tetrofosmin scanning.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is common cause of death in developed as well as developing countries. The most common cause of Ischemic Heart disease is narrowing of coronary arteries, a process called as atherosclerosis. The objective of the present study is to determine the pattern of ischemic changes detected by technetium tetrofosmin (Tc99m). METHODS: Sixty five patients presenting as known or suspected ischemic heart disease over a period of two years (December 1995 to December 1998) at Ziauddin Hospital were included in the study. Each patient underwent Tc99m tetrofosmin stress and rest studies. Tetrofosmin study was performed according to one day protocol. RESULTS: By segmental analysis (five segment per patient), 35 patients had perfusion defects by SPECT Tc99m tetrofosmin imaging. Out of 95 perfusion defects, reversible ischemia and mixed defects were more common in inferior wall and fixed defect in left ventricular apex. CONCLUSION: Reversible ischemia and mixed defects were more common in inferior wall and fixed defect in left ventricular apex.