Coenzyme Q10 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in ischemic and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Cardiomyopathy (CMP) is a common debilitating illness, associated with a high mortality and poor quality of life. There is extensive evidence from in vitro and animal experiments that CMP is a state of increased oxidative stress. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) are important markers to evaluate the oxidative stress and inflammatory status of patients with CMP. METHODS: A total of 28 patients with chronic stable heart failure (21 men and 7 women, ages 18-76 years) were included in the study. Causes of heart failure were ischemic CMP in 17 patients and idiopathic dilated CMP in 11 patients. A total of 28 patients (12 men and 16 women; ages 30-71 years) with normal coronary angiography were enrolled as a control group. Levels of CoQ10, albumin, total thiol groups (T-SH), bilirubin, uric acid as plasma antioxidants, hs-CRP as an inflammation marker and lipid profile were studied in patients and controls. RESULTS: Plasma CoQ10, T-SH and albumin levels were significantly decreased in patients compared to controls. Uric acid, bilirubin and hs-CRP levels were found to be significantly increased compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, evidence of decreased antioxidant status was determined in CMP patients together with vascular inflammation. CoQ10, other plasma antioxidants and hs-CRP measured routinely can reflect decreased antioxidant status and inflammatory process in patients with dilated CMP. These markers can be used to monitor the status of patients with CMP.

Serum sialic acid, hs-CRP and oxidative stress parameters in obese children.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a common health problem that is rapidly increasing among children. Obesity is accompanied by a high incidence of atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We tested the hypothesis that the risk for atherosclerosis may be increased in obese children and measured some risk factors for atherosclerosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We determined sialic acid levels and investigated correlations with malondialdehyde (MDA), susceptibility to oxidation, total thiol concentrations, glucose and lipid profile in 39 obese (BMI 26.6 +/- 3.9) and 33 sex- and age-matched healthy children (BMI 15.9 +/- 1.7). RESULTS: MDA concentrations, susceptibility to oxidation and hs-CRP were significantly higher in obese children than controls. Sialic acid and total thiol concentrations were higher in controls but this did not reach statistical significance. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and glucose concentrations were significantly higher in the obese group and there was a positive correlation between BMI and MDA, susceptibility to oxidation, hs-CRP and glucose concentrations, and a negative correlation between BMI and HDL-cholesterol. Although sialic acid levels were not different between the groups, they showed a correlation with hs-CRP. CONCLUSIONS: A higher risk was found in obese children in relation to oxidative stress parameters, hs-CRP and lipid profile, and this risk showed a positive correlation with BMI. These results are important because children will encounter this increased risk for a longer time than adults, and taking care of obesity in childhood is especially important.