ACE2 and Apelin-13: Biomarkers with a Prognostic Value in Congestive Heart Failure

Abstract

The progression of heart failure is the result of the interaction of several pathogenetic processes that involve the activation of biomarkers belonging to the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), to its counterregulatory mechanisms, to the sympathetic nervous system and inflammation, and to oxidative stress. This study is aimed at determining the prognostic role of biomarkers in the evolution of patients with heart failure. These biomarkers are representative of different pathogenetic pathways involved in the progression of heart failure and the possible interrelationships between them and heart remodelling. Method. This is a progressive observational study on 53 hospitalized patients with low ejection fraction heart failure, who were followed up for 12 months. The aetiology of heart failure was ischemic heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. The patients were clinically and biochemically evaluated by EKG (echocardiography) on admission and at 6 and 12 months. The biomarkers included in the present study were angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2), apelin-13, NT-proBNP (biomarkers involved in the counterregulation of RAAS), interleukin 17 (IL-17), hsCRP (inflammatory biomarkers), and urinary 8-iso-PGF2α (oxidative stress biomarker). The evolution was considered unfavourable if the patients presented complications during hospitalization, were readmitted for decompensated heart failure, or died. Results. From the study group, 14 patients (24.52%) presented an unfavourable clinical evolution. The biomarkers that were associated with the evolution of patients during hospitalization were ACE2, apelin-13, NT-proBNP, and hsCRP. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified ACE2 and apelin-13 as independent, predictive biomarkers for the unfavourable evolution of patients over the study period. Values of ACE2 above 4000.75 pg/mL and of apelin-13 less than 402.5 pg/mL were associated with an unfavourable evolution (poor clinical outcomes). Conclusion. The serum values of ACE2 and apelin-13 correlate with the unfavourable evolution of patients with reduced ejection fraction heart failure.

The Bioinformatical Identification of Potential Biomarkers in Heart Failure Diagnosis and Treatment

“…With the significant aging of the population, HF has become an important social and public health problem [ 18 ]. Cardiac remodeling is an important pathophysiological process of heart failure, which is related to the interaction of myocardial cell apoptosis, myocardial hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis [ 19 ]. HF is characterized by a poor prognosis [ 20 ].…”

Interplay between Myokine Profile and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Heart Failure

“…Perhaps several clinical features of HF patients including fatigue, altered physical tolerance, myopathy and cardiac cachexia may be regulated by an altered myokine profile [ 38 ]. Moreover, these myokines were important predictive factors for shortening survival in patients with any HF phenotype [ 39 , 40 , 41 ]. It has been suggested that the metabolic effects of the myokines that contribute to the myocardial–skeletal muscle axis should be regarded as a critical element of T2DM-induced impairment of cardiac function.…”

Current Insights and Future Directions in the Treatment of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

“…Myocardial remodeling in HFpEF differs from myocardial remodeling in HFrEF, which is caused by the death of cardiomyocytes due to oxidative stress caused by various factors such as ischemia, infection, and toxicity ( Figure 1 ) [ 13 , 14 , 15 ].…”