Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) as a marker of coronary lesion severity in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains a significant global health concern with considerable high morbidity and mortality and its development is influenced by various genetic and environmental factors. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a vital regulator of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) metabolism, directly impacting serum cholesterol levels. However, its role in development of CAD is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the level of PCSK9 and coronary lesion severity in patients with CAD. A case-control study using consecutive sampling was conducted among CAD patients at H. Adam Malik General Hospital and Murni Teguh Memorial Hospital, Medan, Indonesia. A total of 200 CAD patients were divided into two groups based on the SYNTAX score: control (score ≤22, n=100) and case (score >22, n=100). Plasma PCSK9 levels were measured from venous blood using quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay. The Chi-squared test was used to analyze the data. Our data suggested that PCSK9 level was associated with coronary lesion severity (p<0.001) of which high PCSK9 level was associated with severe coronary lesion. We also found that hypertension (p<0.001), smoking (p=0.072), diabetes (p<0.001), dyslipidemia (p<0.001), obesity (p=0.023), and family history (p=0.001) were associated with lesion severity. Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the cut-off 70.35 ng/mL of PCSK9 had sensitivity 75% and specificity 78% to predict severe coronary lesion. This study highlights that PCSK9 level has moderate sensitivity and specificity to predict the coronary lesion severity among CAD patients.

The effect of bay leaf extract Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp. on C-reactive protein (CRP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) level in the heart of rat model of myocardial infarction.

Aim To study the anti-inflammatory effect of bay leaf on C-reactive protein (CRP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) level in the heart of rat model with myocardial infarction. Methods In the first phase, results of pathological examination and biochemical assay were compared between rats with and without induction of myocardial infarction. In the second phase, the effect of bay leaf extract on CRP and MPO of rats with myocardial infarction was studied. Results C-reactive protein and MPO were higher in rats which had myocardial infarction. Administration of bay leaf extract reduced levels of CRP and MPO in the rats started from day 4 after the induction of myocardial infarction. Conclusion Anti-inflammatory effect of bay leaf is confirmed, reflected by decreasing of CRP and MPO levels of rat model with myocardial infarction.

Plasma Concentrations of Adiponectin in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Coronary Slow Flow.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone involved in energy homeostasis, has broad anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and endothelium- and myocardial-protective effects, together with a potentially positive regulatory function in coronary microcirculation. Although the physiological role of adiponectin has not yet been fully elucidated, it may well be involved in the regulation of many of the inflammatory processes or lipid metabolisms that contribute to atherosclerosis. In this study we investigate the plasma concentration of adiponectin in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), those with coronary slow flow (CSF) and in healthy subjects. METHODS: this study was conducted according to a cross-sectional design involving 30 CAD, 30 CSF, and 30 healthy subjects. These subjects were sourced from the Dr. Zainoel Abidin Center Hospital, Banda Aceh, Indonesia, between December 2017 and February 2018. The plasma concentration of adiponectin was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to the manufacturer's specifications. RESULTS: there were statistically significant differences at p<0.001 between the CAD, CSF, and healthy-subject groups in terms of age, sex, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and creatinine. Mean plasma concentrations of adiponectin in patients with CAD were significantly lower than in patients with CSF and in healthy subjects (CAD: 3.40 (0.87) µg/ml; CSF: 4.58 (2.32) µg/ml; healthy subjects: 5.65 (4.87) µg/ml; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: the findings suggest that low plasma adiponectin concentration is associated with atherosclerosis. Plasma concentrations of adiponectin may be related to the pathophysiology role of cardiovascular disease in both CAD and CSF patients.

Adherence to Consuming Medication for Hypertension Patients at Primary Health Care in Medan City.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the major health issues among senior citizens considering the increase in the population of a senior citizen's over the age of 60 in Indonesia. The use of antihypertensive drugs alone has proved to be inadequate to exhibit long-term effects of blood pressure control if it is not supported by adherence. AIM: This study aims to investigate the relationship between knowledge, attitude, action, and doctor's communication to adherence of hypertensive patient in taking medication. METHODS: This is an analytical study with a cross-sectional design. The population of this study consist of patients who have been diagnosed with hypertension and are consuming antihypertensive drugs. Eighty samples were randomly recruited. The research data were collected using a guided interview questionnaire and were an analysed using the chi-square test. RESULTS: This study shows that the patient percentages with poor knowledge are 76.3%, 82.5% with a bad attitude, 82.5% for negative action, 56.3% for lack of doctor's communication, and 58% for poor levels of adherence. Chi-square test shows a significant relationship (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is a relationship between knowledge, attitude, action, and doctor's communication towards the adherence of hypertensive patient in taking medication.