Concentration Of sVCAM-1 Research Articles

Method of comprehensive physiotherapy of dental patients after COVID-19

To describe the mechanism of action and clinical effectiveness of the developed combined physiotherapy method, including the induced technique of piracetam iontophoresis on the frontooccipital technic and acupuncture laser therapy in dental patients with complaints of edentulism progression after COVID-19 on the basis of the analysis of single studies on the post-COVID loss of teeth treatment. A number of patients equal 120 who complained of tooth loss after COVID-19 during the past 6 months were examined. The following initial and end points were considered: dental bleeding and inflammation scores, vascular and endothelial dysfunction markers - levels of intercellular adhesion molecules and their receptors (SlCAM-1, SVCAM-1, VEGF-A, ET-1) before and after treatment. Negative correlation between VEGF-A (pg/ml) concentration in peripheral blood serum and sVCAM-1 (ng/ml) level in the examined patients (r=0.4830, p<0.05) and strong inverse correlation between slCAM-1 (ng/ml) level and sVCAM-1 (r=0.7696, p<0.01) have been established. More significant effects after application of the combined induced method on the head's structures and laser acupuncture have been noted than after acupuncture laser exposure and after inducing technique separately, namely in the form of dental inflammation score correction by 1.76 times (p<0.001), decrease of bleeding score by 2.6 (p<0.05), decrease of concentration of SVCAM-1 by 1.7 times and SlCAM-1 by 2 times (p<0.001), increase of endothelin level by 1.7 times as well as the initial low VEGF-A (pg/ml) by 1.5 times (p<0.01). The developed physiotherapeutic complex, which includes laser acupuncture physiotherapy and induced technique of 5% piracetam iontophoresis, can potentially be considered as a physioprophylactic and therapeutic model of post-COVID edentulism.

Long-Term Effects of Suramin on Renal Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats.

In short-term diabetes (3 weeks), suramin, a drug used clinically, affects renal function and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), which may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, the main cause of end-stage renal disease. In the present study, we evaluated the long-term (11 weeks) effects of suramin (10 mg/kg, i.p., once-weekly) in diabetic rats. Concentrations of VEGF-A, albumin, soluble adhesive molecules (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1), nucleosomes, and thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) were measured by ELISA, total protein was measured using a biuret reagent. Glomerular expression of VEGF-A was evaluated by Western blot, mRNA for VEGF-A receptors in the renal cortex by RT-PCR. The vasoreactivity of the interlobar arteries to acetylcholine was assessed by wire myography. Long-term diabetes led to an increased concentration of VEGF-A, TAT, and urinary excretion of total protein and albumin, and a decrease in the concentration of sVCAM-1. We have shown that suramin in diabetes reduces total urinary protein excretion and restores the relaxing properties of acetylcholine relaxation properties to non-diabetic levels. Suramin had no effect on glomerular expression VEGF-A expression and specific receptors, and on sICAM-1 and nucleosomes concentrations in diabetic rats. In conclusion, the long-term effect of suramin on the kidneys in diabetes, expressed in the reduction of proteinuria and the restoration of endothelium-dependent relaxation of the renal arteries, can be considered as potentially contributing to the reduction/slowing down of the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Endothelial injury by circulating IgA1 complex through the activation of mesangial cells in IgA nephropathy.

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) commonly entails arteriolar microangiopathic (MA) lesions of the kidneys. The most significant reason for MA lesions is endothelial injury, although the mechanism of injury to the vascular endothelium is not clear. 59 patients with IgAN and 19 healthy controls were included for measuring the blood von Willebrand factor (vWF), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM1), and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) by ELISA. Circulating IgA1 (cIgA1) was isolated from 12 patients with primary IgAN and 10 healthy controls. Then, the supernatant of growth-arrested human mesangial cells (HMCs) in a medium with cIgA1 was used to prepare the cIgA1-human mesangial cell medium (cIgA1-HMCM). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were grown in this medium along with or without Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS). ELISA was employed for the quantification of IL-6, CXCL1 and HB-EGF levels in cIgA1-HMCM, vWF, sVCAM1, and HB-EGF in the HUVEC medium. The concentration of vWF, sVCAM-1, and HB-EGF was higher in the patients than in the healthy participants. The expressions of IL-6 and CXCL1 in HMCM were significantly higher in cIgA1 from patients with IgAN (IgAN-cIgA1) than from healthy controls. Levels of vWF, sVCAM-1, and HB-EGF induced by conditioned HMCM treated with IgAN-cIgA1 (IgAN-HMCM) were conspicuously more than those induced in healthy controls-HMCM (HC-HMCM). After culturing HUVECs in IgAN-HMCM and PNS, the vWF, sVCAM-1 and HB-EGF were remarkably low in the supernatants of cells grown in IgAN-HMCM+PNS compared to those grown in IgAN-HMCM only. Activation of mesangial cells in vitro may occur by cIgA1 and, thus, cause endothelial cell injury via inflammation factors.

The dynamic of Soluble Vascular Cellular Adhesion Molecule -1 (sVCAM-1) level in Overnutritious children with Dengue Infection

Introduction: Dengue infection is still posed a significant medical challenge for pediatric population in developing countries. However, increased prevalence of overweight and obesity among children in those countries increased the possibility of the coexistence of these conditions. However, their interaction is still under investigated. Therefore, this study was aimed to study the dynamic of sVCAM-1 level as the known predictor of the severity of dengue infection with over nutritional status in children with dengue infection.Method: An analytic observational nested case-control study was conducted in Paediatric Division Sanglah General Hospital, Bali. The children with DHF between 6 months old to 12 years old were included as the case group while control groups consisted of pediatric patients with just Dengue Fever (DF) with the same age range. The diagnosis of dengue was established using 1997 WHO criteria while nutritional status was assessed using WHO curve. The sVCAM-1 was evaluated using ELISA technique.Results: The level of sVCAM-1 was significantly higher in patients with DHF than patients with DF only. The level was also fluctuated more in DHF patients. Likewise, the sVCAM-1 level was also significantly higher in DHF patients with overnutrition compared to normal DHF patients with a more fluctuated pattern over the course of 3 days (starting from day 4 to day 7). Finally, no significant finding was observed in sVCAM-1 level in DSS patients albeit the difference in concentration pattern.Conclusion: Overnutrition is seems to be associated with higher concentration of sVCAM-1 and higher fluctuation of its concentration in children with DHF.

Role of intercellular adhesion molecules and antibodies to oxidized LDL in pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases under mercury exposure

Introduction. Exposure to mercury and its compounds can be a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study is to investigate the levels of antibodies to oxidized LDL, intercellular adhesion molecules sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and VEGF in individuals exposed to mercury. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional examination was carried out using biochemical methods in persons who have come into contact with metallic mercury with a work experience of more than five years, persons with a first established diagnosis of chronic mercury intoxication, and patients with chronic mercury intoxication in the long-term postexposure period. Results. In persons exposed to mercury with concomitant cardiovascular diseases, the level of sVCAM-1 differed depending on the presence/absence of intoxication and acquired maximum values in its long-term period, while the concentrations of sICAM-1 and antibodies to oxidized LDL did not differ significantly. In the groups without cardiovascular pathology exposed to mercury, the concentration of sVCAM-1 was higher in patients with intoxication, and sICAM-1 was 1.5-2 times lower when compared with experienced individuals, the level of antibodies to oxidized LDL was maximum in the presence of intoxication in its initial period. Discussion. The progression of chronic mercury intoxication is accompanied by an increase in the level of sVCAM-1, and a gradual decrease in the content of sICAM-1 to reference values. Trained workers were found to have elevated sICAM-1 levels. Conclusion. The role of antibodies to oxidized LDL, intercellular adhesion molecules is their multidirectional participation in the mechanisms that inhibit or contribute to the formation of cardiovascular pathology in individuals exposed to mercury.

Association of endothelial dysfunction factors with the presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries

Aim. To study factors of endothelial dysfunction in order to find their associations with coagulation factors, inflammatory markers and unstable atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries in men with coronary atherosclerosis. Material and methods . The study included men with coronary atherosclerosis without acute coronary syndrome. We assessed blood concentrations of endothelial dysfunction factors (endothelin 1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), adhesion molecules sVCAM-1, asymmetric dimethylarginine, homocysteine, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) blood coagulation (factor II, factor VII, factor XII, antithrombin III), biomarkers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukins (IL-1-beta, IL-6, IL-8), C-reactive protein). Results. The presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaques was associated with an increased blood level of MCP-1 (1,9 times higher; p&lt;0,05) and a reduced concentration of sVCAM-1 (1,4 times lower; p&lt;0,05) compared with men who withiut unstable plaques in the coronary arteries. The largest number of correlations was found between the level of MCP-1 in blood, concentrations of factor VII, antithrombin III, IL-8, C-reactive protein, IL-1 beta and the presence of unstable atherosclerotic plaques in men. Conclusion. The results showed that the relative risk of unstable atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary arteries is associated with an increased level of MCP-1 in the blood.

Changes in the serum concentrations of adhesion molecules and vascular endothelial growth factor in active ankylosing spondylitis patients taking amtolmetin guacil: Results of a 56-week prospective ореn-label controlled observational study

To estimate changes in the concentrations of adhesion molecules and vascular endothelial growth factor A after 30-day additional use of amtolmetin guacil (AMG) in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who were unresponsive to previous one-year treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). 20 patients with active AS who had not reached a BASDAI score <4.0 at week 52 of NSAID therapy and 10 healthy individuals matched for cardiovascular risk factors were examined. After 52 weeks of NSAID therapy, AMG was administered orally at 1200 mg/day to patients with AS for 30 days. The concentrations of adhesion molecules (sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1) and VEGF-A were measured. BASDAI and ASDAS scores and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were determined in AS patients. The concentrations of adhesion molecules and VEGF-A were investigated in patients with AS at baseline, at 52 weeks after NSAID treatment start, and at 30 days following AMH initiation (at week 56) and in healthy individuals at baseline and at 30 days. The concentration of sICAM-1 in patients with AS was 987.0±217.39, 938.98±293.31, and 364.25±363.3 ng/ml at weeks 0, 52, and 56, respectively; that in healthy individuals was 769.25±189.32 and 740.05±225.76 ng/ml at baseline and at 30 days, respectively. The differences from the baseline concentration were significant in patients with AS (p<0.05) and insignificant in healthy subjects (p≥0.05); the differences between the concentrations in patients with AS and the controls were significant at baseline and at 52 weeks (p<0.05). The concentration of sVCAM-1 in patients with AS was 364.25±160.49, 325.34±245.1, and 319.1±248.73 ng/ml at weeks 0, 52 and 56, respectively; that in healthy individuals was 245.13±40.4 and 248.73±34.42 ng/ml, respectively (p<0.05 vs baseline values and values in healthy subjects). The level of VEGF-A in AS patients was not different from that in healthy individuals, but decreased during treatment. Correlations were found between the concentration of adhesion molecules and the level of CRP (p<0.01). Elevated concentrations of adhesion molecules have been found in AS patients compared with healthy individuals. The study has demonstrated that AMG treatment is efficient in treating patients with AS. NSAID/AMG treatment is associated with lower concentrations of adhesion molecules. Decreased CRP levels serve as predictors for reduced concentration of adhesion molecules. The level of VEGF-A at baseline did not differ from that in healthy subjects, but was decreased during treatment with NSAIDs.

Immunophenotype of neutrophils in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.

The aim was to explore the immunophenotype of neutrophils and lymphocytes and the inflammatory mediators in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma, comparing with controls; and to associate with clinicopathological data. Blood was collected from 13 patients and 13 controls. The immunophenotype of neutrophils (CD66b, CD16, CD11a, arginase-1), T lymphocytes (CD4, CD8) and the intracellular cytokine production (IL-10, TNF, IFN-γ) was evaluated by flow cytometry. Plasma concentration of sVCAM-1, sTNF-RI, sTNF-RII, and IL-1β was measured by ELISA. MPO, Lipocalin-2/NGAL, sICAM-1, and p-selectin were quantified by Luminex assay. The excised tumors were submitted to immunohistochemistry for neutrophils (CD66b) and lymphocytes (CD3, CD4, CD8). Association with clinical data was explored. P values <.05 were considered significant. Patients presented higher percentage of neutrophils and lower lymphocytes, resulting a higher neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio than controls. They also presented higher percentage of neutrophils expressing CD66b+ , CD66b+ Arginase-1+ , CD66b+ IL10+ , CD66b+ TNF+ , CD66b+ Arginase-1+ IL-10+ , and lower CD66b+ CD16+ CD11a+ and CD66b+ Arginase-1+ TNF+ . CD66b+ neutrophils were detected in all tumors, with a CD66b+ /CD3+ ratio of 0.40. Patients showed higher concentration of plasmatic sVCAM-1 and lower Lipocalin-2/NGAL. Patients with good outcome presented lower percentage of neutrophils, higher percentage of lymphocytes, and lower NLR than patients who died. The amount and immunophenotype of neutrophils and lymphocytes differ between patients and healthy individuals, with a pro-tumorigenic profile of neutrophils. As these cells also get within tumor microenvironment, they possibly exert systemic and local functions in cancer pathogenesis. The association of neutrophil count with outcome corroborates recent studies and this merits further investigation for applicability as a prognosticator.

CORRELATION OF INFLAMMATION BIOMARKERS WITH THE TRADITIONAL RISK FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

Actuality of cardiovascular diseases today determines the high interest to study pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and to searching new risk factors which could help to optimize primary and secondary prevention. Study the correlation between biomarkers of inflammation and traditional risk factors (TRF) in patients with different forms of ischemic heart disease is really important today. Aim. To determine the correlation between TRF and the level of biomarkers of the inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Material and methods. Patients (n=62) aged from 24 to 50 years (mean age 43.98±4.73), who were admitted to the hospital due to ACS, were included into the study. Correlations between TRF and the levels of biomarkers of the inflammation and endothelial dysfunction were assessed. The following biomarkers levels were determined: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), homocysteine, soluble vascular cell (sVCAM-1) and intracellular (sICAM-1) adhesion molecule type 1, soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), nitrate, neopterin, matrix metalloproteinase type 3 (MMP-3). Results. TRF, including modifiable ones, were often revealed in patients of the studied group. Some correlations between TRF and high concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers were determined. Patients with the family history of early cardiovascular diseases had higher concentration of sVCAM-1 (1047.78±516.98 ng/ml) in comparison with the patients without this TRF (705.57±239.28 ng/ml), p=0.017. Patients with arterial hypertension had higher level of MMP-3 (9.31±3.63 ng/ml) versus patients without hypertension (5.02±3.66 ng/ml), р=0.011). Patients with abdominal obesity compared with patients without this TRF demonstrated higher concentration of nitrate in acute (208.45±91.85 ng/ml vs 154.53 ng/ml, р=0.028) and long-term (193.53±40.02 ng/ml vs 173.48 ng/ml, р=0.028) periods of ASC. Conclusion. The study showed the significant correlation between ТRF and high levels of some biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunctions in patients with ACS. So it is probably associated with more rapid progression of the atherosclerosis, higher risk of atherothrombotic events, complicated course of ischemic heart disease and unfavorable outcomes.

Chronic and gestational metabolic disorders have a different impact on late-pregnancy endothelial function in pregnant women.

We investigated how maternal endothelial function is affected by pregestational (Type 1) diabetes mellitus (PGDM) or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and/or chronic hypertension (chHT) or gestational hypertension (PIH). We conducted a prospective, observational study involving 78 participants with GDM, PGDM and/or hypertension (PIH-16, GDM + PIH-14, PGDM + chHT-8, PGDM-20, GDM-20) in the third trimester of a singleton viable pregnancy. Twenty healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies matched for gestational age served as controls. We analysed maternal data, disease history and serum concentrations of E-selectin and Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1). Only the maternal serum concentration of sVCAM-1 differed significantly among the subgroups (p< 0.0001), with the highest levels evident in women with PIH or GDM + PIH and the lowest in women with PGDM alone or PGDM + chHT. Pregestational or pregnancy associated disorders, although sharing similar clinical symptoms, have a different impact on endothelial function in pregnant women.

Gender and age peculiarities of content changes of protein C, von Willebrand factor, vascular cell adhesion molecules sVCAM-1 in patients with acute left ventricle Q-wave myocardial infarction

Markers of hemostasis have an influence on the state of postinfarction remodeling processes.Aim. In order to study the gender and age peculiarities, to determine the predictive value of the protein C, von Willebrand factor and vascular cell adhesion molecules sVCAM-1 concentration, we examined 76 patients with acute Q-wave myocardial infarction.Methods and results. On the 1st day of the disease, higher concentrations of protein C were detected in young women, vascular cell adhesion molecules sVCAM-1 - in men of any age. On the 10th day of the disease, both in men and women increase in the content of protein C, reducing the concentration of von Willebrand factor and vascular cell adhesion molecules sVCAM-1 were detected.Conclusion. Protein C has the highest prognostic potential in relation to the formation of heart aneurysm after Q-wave myocardial infarction in women of young age, and von Willebrand factor and vascular cell adhesion molecules sVCAM-1 - in older men.

Circulating serum sVCAM-1 concentration in advanced ovarian cancer patients: correlation with concentration in ascites

BackgroundVascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is associated with ovarian cancer progression but the origin of its soluble form (sVCAM-1) in serum is not well investigated. The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether the concentration of sVCAM-1 in serum correlates with the concentration in ascites, that represents local tumour environment, and with systemic inflammation, various clinicopathological characteristics, and patient outcome.Patients and methods.Thirty-six patients with advanced ovarian cancer were included in the study. Serum for sVCAM-1 analysis was obtained prior to surgery. Ascites samples were collected at the beginning of the operation. Clinical data were collected from patients’ medical records. sVCAM-1 in samples was analysed by flow cytometric bead-based assay. The mean follow-up period was 11 months (range 0–23) from the time of surgery.ResultsSerum sVCAM-1 concentrations are positively correlated to ascites sVCAM-1 concentrations. There was a weakly positive correlation of serum sVCAM-1 with tumour size and no correlation with inflammatory tumour markers, FIGO stage or grade. Higher concentrations of sVCAM-1 were associated with poor disease outcome (death from ovarian cancer) in almost all cases before chemotherapy was started.ConclusionsThis is the first study demonstrating that serum concentrations of sVCAM-1 in advanced ovarian cancer patients correlate with sVCAM-1 concentrations in ascites, thus expressing the biologic potential of malignant disease to metastasis, rather than systemic inflammation. Higher serum and ascites sVCAM-1 concentrations might have predictive potential for different biologic behaviour.

The clinical usefulness of assessing the concentration of cell adhesion molecules sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 in the serum of women with primary breast cancer.

Aim of the studyAssessment of the concentrations of the soluble forms of the cell adhesion molecules sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 in serum of female breast cancer patients. These concentrations were assessed in relation to factors such as: age, clinical stage of disease, histological grade of malignancy, the status of the local axillary lymph nodes, and the size of the primary tumour.Material and methodsA total of 103 patients with primary breast cancer, aged 29 to 89 years, were investigated. The control group consisted of 40 healthy women. The concentration of sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsThe results of the study suggest that the level of sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 in the serum of women with breast cancer was significantly higher than that seen in the serum of healthy women. A relationship between the level of adhesion molecules and the stage of clinical disease advancement was discovered. There was a correlation between the increasing concentrations of sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 and with the aggressiveness of the disease. Significant differences were also found in the group of women with metastases to the axillary lymph nodes and women with no metastasis. Similar correlations were found between sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels and the size of primary tumour.ConclusionsThe results obtained suggest that the assessment of the soluble forms of sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 may be useful indicators in the assessment of the clinical advancement of breast cancer.

The level of the soluble molecule of adhesion of vascular cells-1 and L-selectin in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome: a relationship with the disease activity, endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis

A significant increase of the indices of the molecule of adhesion of vascular cells-1 (sVCAM-1) and Lselectin was demonstrated in the course of the research in the blood of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome as compared with healthy persons. The levels of the substances under study were associated with the markers of the activity of an inflammatory process (ESR, TNF-α, IL-1, CRP), disturbances of the lipid metabolism, the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and concomitant arterial hypertension, however, they practically did not depend on the age, gender, the duration of the disease, tobacco smoking, obesity and hypodynamia. Close correlations have also been established between an elevated concentration of sVCAM-1 and L-selectin and structural functional changes of the vascular endothelium, enabling to regard them to be circulating markers of an early development of atherosclerosis in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.

A Comparative Study of Serum Level of Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1(ICAM-1) and High Sensitive C - reactive protein (hs-CRP) in Normal and Pre-eclamptic Pregnancies.

Pre-eclampsia is characterized by hypertension, dyslipidemia, and increased systemic inflammatory response and has been associated with an increased maternal risk of cardiovascular disease later in life. Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a central pathogenic feature in pre-eclampsia on the basis of elevated adhesion molecules. The aim of this study was to determine the level of plasma serum level of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), high sensitive C- reactive protein (hs-CRP) in pre-eclampsia and to compare hs-CRP levels between normal pregnant women, mild and severe pre-eclampsia. Materials and Methods : A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the plasma concentrations of sVCAM-1, ICAM-1 and hs-CRP in peripheral blood obtained from normal pregnant women (n=40), mild pre-eclampsia (n=37) and severe pre-eclampsia (n=38). Concentrations of soluble adhesion molecule was determined with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There were significant difference in the means serum hs-CRP between normal pregnant women and mild pre-eclamptic women (P<0.05). Serum concentration of hs-CRP, sVCAM-1(ng.ml) and sICAM-1(ng.ml) were significantly higher in severe pre-eclampsia (P<0.05) than normal pregnancy. There were also significant differences in hs-CRP, s ICAM- 1 and in sVCAM- 1 levels between mild and severe pre-eclampsia (P<0.05). There was no difference in the mean plasma log sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 between normal pregnant women and mild pre-eclamptic women. We have determined the serum concentration of soluble adhesion molecule ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and hsCRP in normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. Adhesion molecule is elevated in severe pre-eclampsia compared with normal pregnancy, hsCRP are elevated in severe preeclampsia compared with mild preeclampsia and normal pregnancy and may be useful in predicting the severity of pre-eclampsia.

A comparative study of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and high-sensitive C-reactive protein in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies

Preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension, dyslipidemia, and systemic inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to determine the level of serum level of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in preeclampsia and to compare normal pregnant, mild preeclamptic, and severe preeclamptic women. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the plasma concentrations of sVCAM-1 and hsCRP in peripheral blood obtained from normal pregnant (n = 40), mild preeclamptic (n = 37), and severe preeclamptic women (n = 38). A concentration of soluble adhesion molecule was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. hsCRP was measured with immunoturbidometric. There was significant difference in the means serum hsCRP between normal pregnant women and mild preeclamptic women (P < 0.05). Serum concentration of hsCRP and sVCAM-1 (ng/mL) were significantly higher in severe preeclampsia (P < 0.05) than normal pregnancy. There were also significant differences in hsCRP and sVCAM-1 levels between mild and severe (P < 0.05). There was no difference in the mean sVCAM-1 between normal pregnant and mild preeclamptic women. We have determined the serum concentration of VCAM-1 and hsCRP in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. sVCAM-1 is elevated in severe preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancy, and hsCRP is elevated in severe preeclampsia compared with mild preeclampsia and normal pregnancy.

Effect of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells of Bone Marrow at the Level of Adhesion Molecules in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Intercellular adhesion molecule provide the mechanical interaction of cells with each other. Increased adhesiveness is important in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction during inflammation, atherosclerosis, septic shock and other pathologic processes. Aim. Study the effect of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) of bone marrow to the level of adhesion molecules in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Examined 14 patients IBD receiving culture MSCs, including 9 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease in 5 patients (BC). The age of patients 20 to 58 years, mean age − 35,6 ± 3,0 (M ± σ). The diagnosis of UC and BC verified the data of clinical, laboratory, histological and instrumental methods. Before and after the transplantation of MSCs to determine the level of adhesion molecules of vascular endothelium of type 1 sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, sL-selectin, sP-selectin in serum by ELISA with the use of test kits 〈Bender MedSystems〉 (Austria). The level of sVCAM-1 before treatment MSCs in serum of patients with IBD was 13,9±4,4 ng/mL, sE-selectin − 10.1±3.3 ng/mL, sL-selectin − 9.05±0.5 ng/mL, sP-selectin − 12.2±1.8 ng/mL. The level of sE-selectin and sP-selectin after transplantation of MSCs significantly decreased to 5.7±1.3 ng/mL and 6.6±1,1 ng/mL, respectively (P < 0.001). The concentration of sVCAM-1 after administration of MSCs in serum was 12.2±2.2 ng/mL (P = 0.2), sL-selectin - 8.9±0.5 ng/mL (P = 0.6). Mesenchymal stromal cells in the bone marrow significantly reduced the levels of sE-selectin and sP-selectin, but do not affect the concentration of sVCAM-1 and sL-selectin in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Maternal endothelial dysfunction and its association with abnormal fetal growth in diabetic pregnancy

Some authors consider the vascular endothelium to be a target organ in diabetes. However, there have only been a few studies of the function of the maternal endothelium during pregnancy in women with diabetes. We analysed the relationship between maternal vascular endothelial dysfunction and fetal growth in such pregnancies. Markers of endothelial dysfunction (serum concentration of sE-selectin and sVCAM-1) were measured at admission (baseline) and before delivery in 97 women with pregestational diabetes and a singleton pregnancy,. After delivery, the group with pregestational diabetes was divided retrospectively according to neonatal birthweight into three groups-appropriate, small and large for gestational age- and the maternal variables were analysed in relation to birthweight. The baseline concentration of sE-selectin was significantly higher in the large-for-gestational-age group vs. the small-for-gestational-age group (median: 53.1 vs. 39.0 ng/ml, P<0.05). The concentration of sVCAM-1 at baseline was significantly higher in the small-for-gestational-age vs. the appropriate- and large-for-gestational-age groups (median: 846.2 vs. 576.8 and 524.1 ng/ml, respectively; P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). The concentration of sE-selectin at baseline and gestational changes in the concentration of sVCAM-1 were related to birthweight. The baseline concentrations of sE-selectin and sVCAM-1 and the gestational change in sVCAM-1 concentration were predictive factors for large for gestational age (cut-off values: 45.0, 644.6 and 38.4 ng/ml; sensitivity: 67.7, 89.3 and 34.4%; specificity: 65.5, 39.7 and 85.5%, respectively). Our study showed a relationship between maternal endothelial dysfunction and fetal growth disturbances during pregnancy in women with diabetes that was not associated with maternal metabolic control. Higher levels of maternal sE-selectin in early pregnancy were associated with increased risk of the large-for-gestational-age condition. High levels of maternal sVCAM-1 in early pregnancy were characteristic of gestation complicated by the small-for-gestational-age condition. Further studies in larger groups are warranted to determine whether markers of maternal endothelial dysfunction are of use in the prediction of abnormal birthweight (large or small for gestational age) in pregnant women with diabetes.

Increased concentrations of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and soluble CD40L in subjects with metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with a high incidence rate of cardiovascular disease. It is characterized by abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, atherogenic dyslipidemia [high LDL-c (low density lipoprotein cholesterol) and low HDL-c (high density lipoprotein cholesterol)] and insulin resistance or glucose intolerance. In the context of MS, alterations in the plasmatic levels of some soluble forms of cell adhesion molecules can appear, e.g., soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) and soluble CD40L (sCD40L). The objective of this study was to compare the serum levels of sVCAM-1, sE-selectin and sCD40L in MS and non-MS groups and to associate these molecules with the diagnostic criteria of MS. A total of 185 non-smokers between 45 and 64 years of age were included. Of these, 93 corresponded to the MS group and the remaining 92 to a non-MS group (according to modified ATP III criteria). The serum concentration of sVCAM-1, sE-selectin and sCD40L was determined by commercial solid phase ELISA. The results were expressed as a median and interquartile range. The MS group showed high levels of sVCAM-1 (558.9 ng/ml; 481.3-667.6 ng/ml) compared with the non-MS group (405.2 ng/ml; 361.0-470.5 ng/ml) (p<0.0001). As well, the median level of sCD40L (3.0 ng/ml; 2.1l-11.7 ng/ml) was significantly higher in the MS group than that in the non-MS group (2.6 ng/ml; 2.3-3.4 ng/ml) (p=0.0061). sE-selectin levels did not differ significantly between the groups: 73.9 ng/ml (58.3-87.0 ng/ml) and 68.5 ng/ml (51.6-97.5 ng/ml) in the MS and non-MS group, respectively. In conclusion, the serum levels of sVCAM-1 and sCD40L, but not sE-selectin, were significantly higher in patients with MS than in subjects that did not present MS. MS may therefore increase the expression of cell adhesion molecules, probably through endothelial activation.

Rheological properties of erythrocytes in patients with high risk of cardiovascular disease

Rheological properties of erythrocytes from patients with high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) were analyzed in relation to individual patient risk factors as well as to the medication. Additionally, comparative statistical analysis was performed considering plasma concentration of the selected mediators of vascular endothelium: 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1alpha) (PGF(1alpha)), sVCAM-1 and E-selectin adhesion molecules and interleukin-6 (IL-6). It was found that antihypertensive therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) is accompanied by improvement of RBC rheology: the increase of deformability and the decrease of aggregability. This improvement is probably mediated by endothelial prostacyclin and nitric oxide which are generated by ACEI. A correlation was observed between RBC deformability/aggregability and the patient's hematocrit level, what implicates that the hematocrit level should be explicitly taken into consideration when investigating rheological properties of erythrocytes. A strong relationship was also found between the plasma concentration of sVCAM-1 and patient's age.