Reduced serum levels of vasostatin-2, an anti-inflammatory peptide derived from chromogranin A, are associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.

AIMS: We here investigated the endothelial effects of the chromogranin A-derived peptide vasostatin-2 and its relation to coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed the impact of recombinant vasostatin-1 and vasostatin-2 on tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα)-, angiotensin II-, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced expression of adhesion molecules in human arterial endothelial cells. Vasostatin-1 and vasostatin-2 levels were examined in coronary endarterectomy specimens (n= 23), atherosclerotic aortas (n= 16), non-significant-atherosclerotic internal mammary arteries (n= 30), and non-atherosclerotic aortas (n= 10), as well as in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from severe CAD patients (n= 50) and healthy volunteers (n= 21). Serum levels of vasostatin-2 were analysed in 968 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography. Vasostatin-1 and vasostatin-2 concentration-dependently inhibited TNFα-, angiotensin II-, and oxLDL-induced expression of adhesion molecules; and attenuated TNFα-induced adhesion of U937 monocytes to endothelial cells. Vasostatin-2 levels were significantly decreased in endarterectomy samples and atherosclerotic aortas compared with non-atherosclerotic internal mammary arteries and aortas, as well as in PBMCs of severe CAD patients compared with healthy controls (all P< 0.05). Serum vasostatin-2 levels were significantly lower in CAD patients (diameter stenosis ≥ 50%, n= 554) than in controls (normal arteries or diameter stenosis <30%, n= 281) (P< 0.001). Its concentrations correlated with the number of diseased coronary arteries and Syntax score in CAD patients (all P< 0.05). At multivariable regression analysis, decreased vasostatin-2 levels remained associated with CAD when other variables were taken into account. CONCLUSION: Vasostatin-2 has anti-inflammatory properties and is decreased in atherosclerotic plaque specimens and in PBMC of CAD patients. Decreased serum vasostatin-2 levels are associated with the presence and severity of CAD.

Impact of weight gain following smoking cessation on one-year outcome after drug-eluting stent implantation.

BACKGROUND: Weight gain following smoking cessation increases cardiovascular risk, but its effects on prognosis after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between weight gain post smoking cessation and one-year clinical outcome in patients who underwent PCI with drug-eluting stent (DES). METHODS: A total of 895 consecutive male smoking patients were divided into quitters (n = 437) and continuers (n = 458) according to their smoking status after PCI. Weight gain, major adverse cardiac events (MACE, including cardiac deaths, myocardial infarction and revascularization), and recurrent angina were recorded during follow-up for one year. RESULTS: Average weight gain in quitters was more than that in continuers (1.5 kg vs. -0.03 kg, P < 0.001). Weight was unchanged or increased by more than 1.5 kg in 78.17% of continuers, while 50.57% of quitters had a weight gain of less than 1.5 kg. Compared with continuers, MACE in quitters was significantly reduced after PCI (6.12% vs. 4.81%, P = 0.049), especially recurrent angina (13.97% in continuers vs. 9.84% in quitters, P = 0.027). After adjusting for weight gain and other factors, smoking cessation was independently associated with a lower risk of MACE and recurrent angina (OR = 0.73, P = 0.035). However, weight gain > 1.5 kg (OR = 1.55, P = 0.026) could curtail the benefits from smoking cessation. CONCLUSIONS: Weight gain may reduce the benefits of smoking cessation after PCI with DES implantation. Thus, although smoking cessation is recommended after PCI, weight control should also be highly encouraged for these patients.