Oral Unsaturated Fat Load Impairs Postprandial Systemic Inflammation in Primary Hypercholesterolemia Patients.

Context: Primary hypercholesterolemia (PH) is a lipid disorder characterized by elevated levels of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Low-grade systemic inflammation is associated with PH, which might explain the higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases in this setting. Objective: To evaluate the effect of an oral unsaturated fat load (OUFL) on different immune parameters and functional consequences in patients with PH in postprandial state. Design: A commercial liquid preparation of long-chain triglycerides (Supracal®; ω6/ω3 ratio >20/1, OUFL) was administered to 20 patients and 10 age-matched controls. Whole blood was collected before (fasting state) and 4 h after administration (postprandial state). Flow cytometry was employed to determine platelet and leukocyte activation, and the levels of circulating platelet-leukocyte aggregates. Soluble markers were determined by ELISA, and the parallel-plate flow chamber was employed to study leukocyte adhesion to the dysfunctional arterial endothelium. Results: The PH group had a lower percentage of activated platelets and circulating type 1 monocytes, and blunted neutrophil activation after the OUFL, accompanied by a significant increase in the percentage of regulatory T lymphocytes. In this group, the OUFL led to a significant impairment of leukocyte adhesion to the dysfunctional [tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-stimulated] endothelium and reduced the plasma levels of soluble P-selectin, platelet factor-4 (PF-4)/CXCL4, CXCL8, CCL2, CCL5, and TNFα. Conclusion: The OUFL has a beneficial impact on the pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory state of PH patients and might be a promising macronutrient approach to dampen the systemic inflammation associated with PH and the development of further cardiovascular events.

Estudio de receptor anómalo suprarrenal en sujetos con síndrome de Cushing ACTH-independiente e hiperplasia nodular suprarrenal / Study of abnormal adrenal receptors in subjects with ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome and nodular adrenal hyperplasia

INTRODUCCIÓN: El síndrome de Cushing ACTH-independiente (SCAI) supone el 15-20% de los casos de síndrome de Cushing, de los cuales <1% son debidos a receptor anómalo. Nuestro objetivo es estudiar la presencia de receptor anómalo en los sujetos diagnosticados de SCAI con hiperplasia nodular suprarrenal en un período de 14 años (2002-2016), así como sus características clínico-biológicas y evolutivas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo multicéntrico de una serie de 15 casos de SCAI con hiperplasia nodular suprarrenal (período de estudio: 2002-2016). En ellos se hizo el despistaje de receptor anómalo, mediante pruebas de estimulación, considerando patológico un aumento de cortisol plasmático ≥ del 25% respecto al valor basal. RESULTADOS: De los 15 casos, 13 fueron mujeres, con una edad media al diagnóstico de 56,8 años. En 12 de los 15 casos estudiados se detectó positividad de las pruebas de estimulación. De ellos, fueron positivos para comida de prueba el 25%, para test postural de deambulación el 58,3%, para desmopresina el 33,3%, para terlipresina el 25%, para GnRH el 33,3%, para LH el 25% y para metoclopramida el 50%. En cuanto al tratamiento, se llevó a cabo suprarrenalectomía bilateral en el 16,7% y unilateral en el 41,7%. El resto continúan en observación con revisiones periódicas (41,7%). CONCLUSIONES: En la mayor parte de los casos estudiados con SCAI e hiperplasia nodular suprarrenal (80%) se detecta una respuesta de cortisol anormal debida a la presencia de receptor anómalo. La prueba con mayor porcentaje de positividad fue el test postural de deambulación (58,3%)

INTRODUCTION: ACTH-independent Cushing's Syndrome (AICS) accounts for 15-20% of cases of Cushing's syndrome, with < 1% due to abnormal receptors. Our aim is to study the presence of abnormal receptors in subjects diagnosed with AICS with nodular adrenal hyperplasia in a 14-year period (2002-2016), as well as its clinical-biological and evolutive characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentre descriptive study of a 15-case series of AICS with nodular adrenal hyperplasia (study period: 2002-2016). In these cases, abnormal receptor screening was performed by means of stimulation tests, with a plasma cortisol increase of ≥ 25% from baseline being considered pathologic. RESULTS: Of the 15 cases, 13 were female, with a mean age at diagnosis of 56.8 years. In 12 of the 15 cases studied, positivity was detected with stimulation tests, and, of them, 25% were positive for the meal test, 58.3% for posture walking test, 33.3% for desmopressin; 25% for terlipressin; 33.3% for GnRH; 25% for LH and 50% for metoclopramide. Regarding treatment, bilateral adrenalectomy was performed in 16.7% and unilateral adrenalectomy in 41.7%. The rest continue under observation with periodic follow-up (41.7%). CONCLUSIONS: In most of the cases studied with AICS and nodular adrenal hyperplasia (80%), an abnormal cortisol response is detected due to the presence of abnormal receptors. The test with the highest percentage of positivity was the postural walking test (58.3%)

Study of abnormal adrenal receptors in subjects with ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome and nodular adrenal hyperplasia. / Estudio de receptor anómalo suprarrenal en sujetos con síndrome de Cushing ACTH-independiente e hiperplasia nodular suprarrenal.

INTRODUCTION: ACTH-independent Cushing's Syndrome (AICS) accounts for 15-20% of cases of Cushing's syndrome, with <1% due to abnormal receptors. Our aim is to study the presence of abnormal receptors in subjects diagnosed with AICS with nodular adrenal hyperplasia in a 14-year period (2002-2016), as well as its clinical-biological and evolutive characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multicentre descriptive study of a 15-case series of AICS with nodular adrenal hyperplasia (study period: 2002-2016). In these cases, abnormal receptor screening was performed by means of stimulation tests, with a plasma cortisol increase of ≥ 25% from baseline being considered pathologic. RESULTS: Of the 15 cases, 13 were female, with a mean age at diagnosis of 56.8 years. In 12 of the 15 cases studied, positivity was detected with stimulation tests, and, of them, 25% were positive for the meal test, 58.3% for posture walking test, 33.3% for desmopressin; 25% for terlipressin; 33.3% for GnRH; 25% for LH and 50% for metoclopramide. Regarding treatment, bilateral adrenalectomy was performed in 16.7% and unilateral adrenalectomy in 41.7%. The rest continue under observation with periodic follow-up (41.7%). CONCLUSIONS: In most of the cases studied with AICS and nodular adrenal hyperplasia (80%), an abnormal cortisol response is detected due to the presence of abnormal receptors. The test with the highest percentage of positivity was the postural walking test (58.3%).

Novel Immune Features of the Systemic Inflammation Associated with Primary Hypercholesterolemia: Changes in Cytokine/Chemokine Profile, Increased Platelet and Leukocyte Activation.

Primary hypercholesterolemia (PH) is associated with a low grade systemic inflammation that is likely the main driver of premature atherosclerosis. Accordingly, we characterized the immune cell behaviour in PH and its potential consequences. Whole blood from 22 PH patients and 21 age-matched controls was analysed by flow cytometry to determine the percentage of leukocyte immunophenotypes, activation, and platelet-leukocyte aggregates. Plasma markers were determined by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). The adhesion of platelet-leukocyte aggregates to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα)-stimulated arterial endothelium was investigated using the dynamic model of the parallel-plate flow chamber. PH patients presented greater percentage of Mon 3 monocytes, Th2 and Th17 lymphocytes, activated platelets, and leukocytes than controls. The higher percentages of circulating platelet-neutrophil, monocyte and lymphocyte aggregates in patients caused increased platelet-leukocyte adhesion to dysfunctional arterial endothelium. Circulating CXCL8, CCL2, CX3CL1, and IL-6 levels positively correlated with key lipid features of PH, whereas negative correlations were found for IL-4 and IL-10. We provide the first evidence that increased platelet and leukocyte activation leads to elevated platelet-leukocyte aggregates in PH and augmented arterial leukocyte adhesiveness, a key event in atherogenesis. Accordingly, modulation of immune system behavior might be a powerful target in the control of further cardiovascular disease in PH.