Objective. We evaluated inflammatory cytokines and chemokine in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in patients with either acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or stable coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods. We enrolled 20 ACS patients and 50 stable CAD patients without previous history of ACS who underwent cardiac catheterization. Patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of ≤30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and C-reactive protein of ≥1.0 mg/dL were excluded. Blood samples were collected from the patients just before catheterization, and PBMCs were isolated from the whole blood. The levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokine were measured by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoassays. Results. The expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-10, IL-23A, IL-27, and IL-37 was significantly higher in the ACS group than in the CAD group (P < 0.05). In contrast, the expression of IL-33 was significantly lower in the ACS group than in the CAD group (P < 0.05). The ACS patients had higher plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 in the ACS group than in the CAD group. Conclusion. Circulating levels of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-23A, IL-27, IL-33, and IL-37, may be associated with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in ACS patients.

AimWe examined the changes in oxidative stress, mitochondrial function and muscle atrophy during aging in mice.MethodsWe used 6‐, 12‐ and 24‐month (6 M, 12 M and 24 M)‐old C57BL/6J mice. Skeletal muscles were removed from the lower limb and used for quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting and histological analyses.ResultsThe muscle weight and myocyte cross‐sectional area were significantly decreased in the 12 M and 24 M mice compared with those of the 6 M mice. The levels of the oxidative stress markers, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4, mitochondrial 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal and 3‐nitrotyrosine, were significantly higher in the 24 M mice compared with those of the 6 M mice. Furthermore, the 24 M mice had lower levels of mitochondrial markers, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 (PGC)‐α, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator‐1β, sirtuin‐1, adenosine triphosphate synthase mitochondria F1 complex α subunit 1 and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1. The ubiquitin–proteasome pathway genes muscle ring finger‐1 and atrogin‐1 were significantly upregulated in the 12 M and 24 M mice, and protein synthesis markers (phosphorylated‐Akt and ‐p70 ribosomal S6 kinase) were significantly lower in the 24 M mice compared with the 6 M mice (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsThese findings have important implications for the mechanisms that underlie sarcopenia and frailty processes. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 78–84.

Therefore, CR with intensive PA may have beneficial effects on coronary plaque regression in patients with ACS. Recently, advances in coronary plaque imaging, such as serial integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS), have enabled physicians to observe the morphology of the plaque and accurately measure plaque volume (PV). Indeed, recent studies on statins using IB-IVUS have demonstrated significant plaque regression and stabilization. 7,8 Currently, however, there are no studies on the effect of CR involving intensive PA on PV and components using IB-IVUS. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effects of CR involving intensive PA on coronary PV and components in patients with ACS. C omprehensive cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an established multidisciplinary secondary prevention program in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), those receiving coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and those with heart failure. 1 CR is effective in modulating risk factors and reducing the incidence of future cardiovascular events. 2 According to the guidelines of the Japanese Circulation Society and the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, it is recommended to perform aerobic exercises, such as walking, running, and cycling, for ≥30 min each time, 3-4 times per week, based on exercise tolerance test. 3 Comprehensive CR and/or multifactorial intervention has been shown to inhibit angiographic minimal lumen stenosis. 4,5 We recently showed that coronary plaque changes in patients with ACS were significantly and negatively correlated with physical activity

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is considered an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. High hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, which indicate poor glycemic control, have been associated with occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. There are few parameters which can predict cardiovascular risk in patients with well-controlled diabetes. Low 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) levels are considered a clinical marker of postprandial hyperglycemia. We hypothesized that low 1,5-AG levels could predict long-term mortality in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with relatively low HbA1c levels.MethodsThe present study followed a retrospective observational study design. We enrolled 388 consecutive patients with ACS admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit at the Juntendo University Hospital from January 2011 to December 2013. Levels of 1,5-AG were measured immediately before emergency coronary angiography. Patients with early stent thrombosis, no significant coronary artery stenosis, malignancy, liver cirrhosis, a history of gastrectomy, current steroid treatment, moderately to severely reduced kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 45 ml/min/1.73 m2; chronic kidney disease stage 3B, 4, and 5), HbA1c levels ≥ 7.0%, and those who received sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor therapy were excluded.ResultsDuring the 46.9-month mean follow-up period, nine patients (4.5%) died of cardiovascular disease. The 1,5-AG level was significantly lower in the cardiac death group compared with that in the survivor group (12.3 ± 5.3 vs. 19.2 ± 7.7 µg/ml, p < 0.01). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that low 1,5-AG levels were associated with cardiac mortality (p = 0.02). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that 1,5-AG levels were an independent predictor of cardiac mortality (hazard ratio 0.76; 95% confidence interval 0.41–0.98; p = 0.03).ConclusionLow 1,5-AG levels, which indicate postprandial hyperglycemia, predict long-term cardiac mortality even in ACS patients with HbA1c levels < 7.0%.

BackgroundPostprandial hyperglycemia plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease and cardiovascular events. Serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) levels are known to be a clinical marker of postprandial hyperglycemia. However, the impact of 1,5-AG level on cardiovascular events has not been fully investigated.MethodsWe enrolled 240 consecutive patients who had undergone first-time elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with follow-up angiography within 1 year. We excluded patients with a history of acute coronary syndrome, advanced chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73 m2), or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HbA1c ≥7.0 %). Fasting blood glucose (FBS), HbA1c, and 1,5-AG levels were measured prior to PCI and at the time of follow-up angiography. Clinical events, including target lesion revascularization, target vessel revascularization, and revascularization of new lesions, were evaluated.ResultsSubjects were divided into two groups according to clinical outcomes: the Event (+) group (n = 40) and the Event (−) group (n = 200). No significant differences were observed, except for the number of diseased vessels and the prevalence of statin use, in baseline clinical characteristics between the two groups. Serum levels of 1,5-AG at follow-up were significantly lower in the Event (+) group than in the Event (−) group (P = 0.02). A significant reduction in 1,5-AG level from baseline to follow-up was observed in the Event (+) group compared with the Event (−) group (P = 0.04). The association between 1,5-AG levels at follow-up and clinical events remained significant after adjustment for independent variables, including FBS and HbA1c levels (P = 0.04).ConclusionsLow and exacerbated levels of 1,5-AG were associated with cardiovascular events in the present study, indicating that postprandial hyperglycemia is an important risk factor for adverse clinical events even in patients with HbA1c < 7.0 %, following first-time elective PCI.