C-reactive protein and e-selectin levels are related to vasodilation in resistance, but not conductance arteries in the elderly: the prospective investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study.

BACKGROUND: Divergent results have emerged in the past when relating single markers of inflammation to measures of vascular reactivity. The aim of the present study is to relate a wide range of inflammatory markers to vasoreactivity in both resistance and conductance arteries. METHODS: In the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (the PIVUS study), endothelium-dependent vasodilation was evaluated by the invasive forearm technique with acetylcholine given in the brachial artery (EDV), the brachial artery ultrasound technique with measurement of flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and the pulse wave analysis method with beta-2 receptor agonist (terbutaline) provocation in 1016 subjects aged 70. A panel of 14 inflammatory markers, including cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, CRP, sCD40 ligand and leukocyte count, was measured. RESULTS: After adjustment for gender and coronary risk factors, EDV was independently related to CRP levels and e-selectin in an inverse way (p<0.006 for both). FMD was not significantly related to any marker of inflammation after adjustment. Endothelium-independent vasodilation evaluated by the invasive forearm technique with sodium nitroprusside was also found to be related to both CRP and e-selectin in an inverse way (p=0.005 and p=0.045, respectively). CONCLUSION: Acetylcholine-induced vasodilation in the forearm, but not FMD, was inversely related to CRP and e-selectin levels independently of traditional risk factors in elderly subjects. As also endothelium-independent vasodilation was related to CRP and e-selectin, general vasoreactivity in resistance arteries seems to be effected by low-grade inflammation in elderly subjects.

Effects of pulsatile CPB on interleukin-8 and endothelin-1 levels.

Studies on pulsatile and nonpulsatile perfusion have long been performed. However, investigators have not reached a conclusion on which is more effective. In the present study, pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was investigated in terms of the effects on cytokines, endothelin, catecholamine, and pulmonary and renal functions. Twenty-four patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting were divided into a pulsatile CPB group and a nonpulsatile CPB group. Parameters examined were hemodynamics, interleukin-8 (IL-8), endothelin-1 (ET-1), epinephrine, norepinephrine, lactate, arterial ketone body ratio, urine volume, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, renin activity, angiotensin-II, lactate dehydrogenase, plasma-free hemoglobin, tracheal intubation time, and respiratory index. The IL-8 at 0.5, 3, and 6 h after CPB, and ET-1 at 3, 6, 9, and 18 h after CPB were significantly lower in the pulsatile group. Both epinephrine and norepinephrine were significantly lower in the pulsatile group. The respiratory index was significantly higher in the pulsatile group. In the present study, inhibitory effects on cytokine activity, edema in pulmonary alveoli, and endothelial damage were shown in addition to the favorable effects on catecholamine level, renal function, and peripheral circulation that have already been documented.

Measuring bonds between surface-associated molecules.

Adhesive interactions play an essential role in immune function. Much information on these phenomena was recently obtained by applying sophisticated methods such as the surface forces apparatus, atomic force microscopy, lipid vesicle-based technology or flow chambers. In the present review it is shown that the use of hydrodynamic flow allows quantitative study of the formation and dissociation of individual molecular bonds between receptor-bearing cells or particles and ligand-derivatized surfaces. In addition, it should be possible to determine particle-surface interaction forces with subpiconewton sensitivity and nanometer resolution. Data analysis shows that the classical concepts of bond strength, or association and dissociation rates must be reexamined in order to achieve a correct understanding of the behavior of individual molecules.