ABSTRACT
While myeloperoxidase (MPO) serves as an indicator of both neutrophil and innate-immune-system function, the potential suppression of the innate immune system in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI)-induced depression might be evidenced by a decrease in MPO serum levels. The aim of this prospective study was to (1) determine whether serum concentrations of MPO vary immediately and 6 months after AMI and (2) to investigate whether MPO concentrations at the time of the AMI are significant predictors of AMI-induced depression and the depression-associated suppression of the innate immune system. A total of 109 AMI patients were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17) immediately after admission to the hospital and 6 months later. The MPO status was assessed with serum samples, which were also collected immediately and 6 months after AMI. The depressive patients showed significantly lower MPO blood levels immediately and 6 months after the AMI compared to the patients without depression (ANCOVA: MPO (depression) F = 4.764, df = 1, p = 0.031). The baseline MPO was observed as a significant predictor (p = 0.027) of AMI-induced depression 6 months after AMI. MPO is a potential biomarker for AMI-induced depression, indicating a depression-associated suppression of the innate immune system.
ABSTRACT
Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a biomarker of cardiovascular risk and may enhance the progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to determine whether there are sex-specific differences in TMAO concentrations before and after cardiac rehabilitation in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. A total of 56 participants [45/56 (80.4 %) males, 11/56 (19.6 %) females] were drawn from AMI inpatients hospitalized at the Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria. For the assessment of TMAO, serum samples were collected within the first day after hospital admission due to AMI and at the start and end of cardiac rehabilitation. Shortly after hospital admission due to AMI, females had significantly higher TMAO blood concentrations than males. These initially high TMAO levels remained almost unchanged in the female AMI patients until the start of cardiac rehabilitation and only reached the lower TMAO concentrations observed in the male patients after rehabilitation [female patients: TMAO (acute myocardial infarction) = 5.93 µmol/L (SE = 1.835); TMAO (start of rehabilitation) = 5.68 µmol/L (SE = 1.217); TMAO (end of rehabilitation) = 3.89 µmol/L (SE = 0.554); male patients: TMAO (acute myocardial infarction) = 3.02 µmol/L (SE = 0.255), TMAO (start of rehabilitation) = 3.91 µmol/L (SE = 0.346), TMAO (end of rehabilitation) = 4.04 µmol/L (SE = 0.363)]. After AMI, women might be at higher cardiovascular risk due to persistently higher levels of TMAO. High TMAO levels in women might decrease after cardiac rehabilitation due to cardiac rehabilitation-associated lifestyle modifications. These lifestyle modifications after AMI might also prevent increases in TMAO concentrations in men.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Initiation of a long-term improvement of cardiac risk factors is one of the major aims of a cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programme. METHODS AND PARTICIPANTS: The Health Guide collected data in terms of cardiac risk factors: blood pressure, resting pulse, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, body weight, physical activity and number of cigarettes at admission and discharge after a stationary rehabilitation programme and every 3 months. After 12 months the Health Guides were returned. In the prospective study 2664 patients (71.8% men, age: MV = 62.94 years, SD = 9.96; 28% women, MV = 67.59 years, SD = 9.53) with coronary heart disease (CHD) were included. RESULTS: All cardiac risk factors documented by the Health Guide improved during the cardiac rehabilitation programme. After one year, risk factors were significantly lower than at admission, apart from total cholesterol. The individual goal in terms of body weight and LDL cholesterol was partially achieved after the rehabilitation programme and maintained after one year. In the investigation years, 2004-2007, the cholesterol and blood pressure were significantly lower than in the years 2000-2003. CONCLUSION: The use of a Health Guide resulted in an improved long-term effect of a cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention programme. It is a simple and cheap intervention and can help in the guidance of the patients.
