Cyclophilin A and D Levels in Acute Coronary Syndrome and Their Relationship with Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate cyclophilin levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and their association with the clinical characteristics of these patients. METHODS: We enrolled 150 patients with ACS (n=75 ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI], n = 75 non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]). For comparison, 25 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Levels of cyclophilin A, cyclophilin D, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in both the acute myocardial infarction (AMI) groups and the healthy group. We examined the effects of cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, age, gender, and smoking on these parameters. RESULTS: Cyclophilin A levels were significantly lower in the STEMI group, while cyclophilin D and CRP levels were significantly higher in all AMI groups (P < 0.05). A negative correlation existed between cyclophilin A and troponin T and CK-MB (respectively r = -0.287, P < 0.001; r = -0.231, P = 0.005). However, there was no correlation between cyclophilin D and the cardiac markers. A positive correlation was observed between cyclophilin D and CRP (r = 0.219, P = 0.004). Cyclophilin A was associated with hypertension, whereas cyclophilin D was associated with the female gender and dyslipidemia (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that a decrease in cyclophilin A indicates a more severe disease in STEMI and an increase in cyclophilin D in both STEMI and NSTEMI may be valuable markers. Therefore, further detailed studies are warranted to monitor their changes and interactions in ACS patients.

Comparison of Fibrinogen Concentrations Determined by the Clauss Method with Prothrombin-Derived Measurements on an Automated Coagulometer.

BACKGROUND: This research aims to compare fibrinogen results, obtained from the Clauss and PT-derived method on the Cobas t511 analyzer, in patients with specific categories of disease. A second aim was to determine the reference range for these 2 methods. METHODS: We retrospectively compared fibrinogen concentrations of 914 patients obtained by the Clauss and PT-derived methods on the Cobas t511 coagulation analyzer from the laboratory information system. Fibrinogen data was segregated into a healthy outpatient population and those populations with possible fibrinogen abnormalities including pregnancy, chronic illness, liver disease, heart and vascular diseases, and clinical suspicion of COVID-19. All data were analyzed using Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman analysis. Reference ranges were determined from fibrinogen results of the healthy outpatient population who presented for a clinic check-up. RESULTS: All fibrinogen results were grouped and compared according to fibrinogen values (low, normal, and high), international normalized ratio (INR) values (<1.2, 1.2-2.0, and >2.0), and diagnosis. There were statistically significant positive correlations in all groups (P < 0.05), except for low fibrinogen values (P = 0.96). Results with INR value <1.2 had the highest correlation between 2 methods. CONCLUSION: The PT-derived method can be used alone in the Cobas t511 analyzer, especially in patients with an INR <1.2. Reported new reference ranges of the PT-derived method could help to determine and compare the clinical significance of fibrinogen methods. Further studies must be focused on the conditions in which PT-derived fibrinogen results should be directed to the Clauss test.

Vitamin D status in pubertal children.

BACKGROUND: Optimal vitamin D status has a great importance in puberty, which is a period of peak bone mineral acquisition. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of pubertal period on vitamin D status. METHODS: The study included totally 200 healthy children, aged between 4 and 14 years. Group 1 included 100 prepubertal, children, aged between 4 and 8 years. Group 2 included 100 pubertal children, aged between 9 and 14 years. They had no chronic illnesses. Ages, heights, weights, genders, Body Mass Indexes (BMIs), socioeconomic and educational status of families were established. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) was evaluated using an immunoradiometric assay kit. Serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were measured. RESULTS: We determined that 25(OH)D levels were lower with higher PTH levels in the group aged 9 to 14 years (pubertal children), compared to the group aged 4 to 8 (prepubertal children). Gender, weight, height or BMI, family socioeconomic and education status did not affect serum 25(OH)D levels of children in each group. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency was more commonly seen in the pubertal children, compared to pre pubertal period. Children should be supported with vitamin D supplements during the puberty, which has a great importance for rapid increase in bone mass.

The relationship between a combination of vitamin D deficiency and hyperuricemia and the severity of coronary artery disease in myocardial infarction patients.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). In addition, there are studies suggesting that hyperuricemia is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, whereas the relationship between the combination of these 2 parameters and severity of CAD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the combination of vitamin D deficiency and hyperuricemia and the extent of CAD. METHODS: A total of 502 patients who had experienced myocardial infarction (MI) were included in this cross-sectional study. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and serum uric acid (SUA) levels were measured in blood samples taken at the time of admission. A 2x2 factorial design was used to create groups according to the presence of hyperuricemia (>7 mg/dL) and vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL). All of the patients underwent coronary angiography and the severity of CAD was determined using the Gensini score, SYNTAX score, and the number of diseased vessels. RESULTS: Both vitamin D deficiency and hyperuricemia were present in 83 patients (16.5%). Patients with hyperuricemia/vitamin D deficiency had more multivessel disease (24.1% vs 8.5%), and a higher SYNTAX score and Gensini score compared with the control group (13.9±8.0 vs. 9.5±6.3, 54.8±24.0 vs. 40.5±19.9, respectively). Age, male sex, presence of diabetes mellitus, family history of CAD, and levels of SUA and 25OHD were independent predictors of the severity of CAD. Moreover, the hyperuricemia/vitamin D deficiency group had 4 times greater odds of severe CAD than the control group. CONCLUSION: The combination of hyperuricemia and vitamin D deficiency appears to be an independent predictor of severe CAD in MI patients.