Expression Levels Of C-reactive Protein Research Articles

Analysis of clinical features and inflammatory-related molecules with the disease in acute infectious urticaria

Acute infectious urticaria, a subset of acute urticaria, with severe persistence wheals and systemic symptoms, response well to corticosteroids treatment in combination with antibiotics. The exact pathogenic mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we aim to analyze the different clinical features, compare the level of neutrophil activation, and investigate the expression of inflammatory related cytokine in patients with acute urticaria and acute infectious urticaria. Eighteen patients with acute infectious urticaria and eighteen patients with acute urticaria were included in this study. We analyzed the difference between the clinical features and the serum expressions of pro-inflammatory factors in the two groups, then examined the levels of inflammation-associated cytokines before and after treatment of acute infectious urticaria. Hematoxylin & eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to further study the relationship between neutrophil and neutrophil-derived Myeloperoxidase (MPO) of lesions in the two groups. The expression levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8 and chemokine ligand 8 (CCL8) in serum were significantly higher in acute infectious urticaria than acute urticaria. In acute infectious urticaria, the serum expression levels of CCL8 were significantly decreased after the treatment, a significant correlation observed between CRP levels and IL-6, both CCL8 and CRP were positively correlated with neutrophil granulocytes. Neutrophils infiltration were not observed by HE stains in two groups, but in IHC stains we found a positive expression of MPO in acute infectious urticaria lesions. Elevated neutrophil in the serum, which is associated with the levels of IL-8 & CCL8, and positively expressed MPO in lesions, may be involved in the pathogenic mechanism of acute infectious urticaria.

Values of combined C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and serum amyloid A in differential diagnosis of bacterial and non-bacterial community acquired pneumonia in children

This research aimed to explore the clinical value of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and serum amyloid A (SAA) in early diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia. CRP, PCT, and SAA levels of children with bacterial pneumonia, children with non-bacterial pneumonia, and healthy children were compared. The sensitivity and specificity of CRP, PCT, and SAA in the diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia in children were compared. CRP, PCT, and SAA levels were significantly lower in healthy children when compared with children with Community acquired pneumonia (CAP). ROC analyses showed that CRP, PCT, and SAA all had good accuracy in distinguishing bacterial pneumonia from non-bacterial pneumonia. The combination of CRP, PCT, and SAA further enhanced the accuracy in distinguishing bacterial pneumonia from non-bacterial pneumonia. In conclusion, the expression levels of CRP, PCT, and SAA could indicate the status of bacterial pneumonia. The combined test of CRP, PCT, and SAA had the highest diagnostic accuracy.

Analysis of Risk Factors of Coronary Heart Disease and Its Correlation with Inflammatory Factors in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

In this paper, we propose a new method to analyze the risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD) and their correlation with inflammatory factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To verify and implement this idea, we have selected a total of 165 patients with T2DM treated in our hospital from March 2019 to October 2021 that were divided into CHD group (n = 72) and non-CHD group (n = 93) according to the results of coronary angiography. Patients with CHD were divided into three groups according to SYNTAX score: low-risk group, medium-risk group, and high-risk group. The clinical data of all patients were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to screen the risk factors of CHD in patients with T2DM. The related inflammatory factors such as C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and water-soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) were detected in all patients. Pearson's linear correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the expression levels of CRP, IL-6, and sCD40L and CHD in patients with T2DM. The receiver working curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the efficacy of IL-6, CRP, and sCD40L in predicting high risk of CHD in patients with T2DM. Multivariate analysis showed that age and course of T2DM, FFA, UA, and Hcy were risk factors for CHD in patients with T2DM. The serum levels of IL-6, CRP, and sCD40L in patients with CHD were significantly higher than those in patients without CHD. According to SYNTAX score, 72 patients with CHD were divided into low-risk group (n = 36), medium-risk group (n = 26), and high-risk group (n = 10). Compared with the low-risk group, the expression levels of serum IL-6 CRP and sCD40L in the middle-risk group and high-risk group were significantly higher than those in the low-risk group. The expression levels of IL-6 CRP and sCD40L in the high-risk group were also significantly higher than those in the medium-risk group. There is a positive correlation between syntactic score and IL-6 expression in patients with T2DM complicated with coronary heart disease (r = 0.778, P < 0.001), with the expression of CRP (r = 0.756, P < 0.001) and with the expression of sCD40L (r = 0.748, P < 0.001). Advanced age, long course of T2DM, elevated levels of FFA, UA, and Hcy are all risk factors of CHD in patients with type 2 diabetes. T2DM patients with the above risk factors should be vigilant and pay attention to monitoring the related indexes of coronary heart disease to avoid the occurrence of serious cardiovascular disease. CRP, IL-6, and sCD40L are involved in the progression of CHD in patients with T2DM. The more severe CHD is, the higher the expression of IL-6, CRP, and sCD40L in serum.

Effects of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Peripheral Markers of Stress and Inflammation in Older-Adults With Depression and Anxiety: A Parallel Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Depression and anxiety are prevalent in older-adults and often difficult to treat: up to 55% of patients are unresponsive to pharmacotherapy. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is a promising treatment, however, its biological mechanisms remain unknown in older-adults.Methods: We examined if, in older-adults, decreased depression and anxiety symptoms after MBCT are associated with changes in the expression levels of C-reactive protein, Interleukin-1β, Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and mineralocorticoid receptor compared to treatment as usual (TAU). Older-adults (age ≥60) with depression and anxiety were randomized to MBCT or treatment as usual. Gene expression levels from blood samples were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (n = 37) at baseline and after 8-weeks of MBCT or TAU.Results: As previously published, we found a significant reduction in symptoms of depression F (1, 35) = 10.68, p = 0.002, partial η2 = 0.23 and anxiety F (1, 35) = 9.36, p = 0.004, partial η2 = 0.21 in geriatric participants following MBCT compared to TAU. However, the expression levels of measured genes were not significantly different between groups and were not associated with changes in depression and anxiety symptoms.Conclusion: Our results suggest that the symptom reduction following MBCT in older-adults may not be accompanied by changes in the stress-response and inflammatory pathways. Future research should address other potential biological alterations associated to MBCT that may be responsible for the reduction of symptoms.

Exploring the role of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in fibroblast-like synovial cells in rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease with persistent synovitis. In the present study, the impact of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was explored to determine methods for the diagnosis and treatment of RA.MethodsFirst, fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) were obtained from a collagen-induced rat RA model. Next, MCP-1-overexpression plasmid and small interfering RNA were transfected into human and rat FLSs. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell migration and flow cytometry assays were used to analyze cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis of FLSs following MCP-1 transfections, respectively. Furthermore, western blotting was used to analyze the expression levels of p-P38, p-PI3K, PI3K, CD31, VEGF, TNF-α and IL-β in FLSs following MCP-1 transfection. In addition, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and ELISAs were used to analyze the expression levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), estrogen receptor, MCP-1 and pentraxin-3 in patients with clinical RA, followed by correlation analysis of clinical data. Finally, expression validation, diagnostic and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of MCP-1 were performed.ResultsMCP-1 promoted FLS proliferation and migration, and affected the apoptosis of FLSs. In addition, the expression levels of p-P38, p-PI3K, PI3K, CD31, VEGF, TNF-α and IL-β were also affected by MCP-1. In patients with clinical RA, the expression level of MCP-1 was increased. Moreover, CRP expression level was significantly up-regulated in RA. Clinically, MCP-1 was strongly correlated with tender joint count, swollen joint count, visual analog scale for general health and disease activity score 28 (DAS28)-MCP-1, and was moderately correlated with DAS28 and DAS28-CRP. PPI analysis showed that MCP-1 mainly interacted with other inflammatory cytokines.ConclusionIn conclusion, MCP-1 may play a significant regulatory role in RA, and could be used as a measurement index of clinical RA activity.

Baicalin relieves Mycoplasmapneumoniae infection‑induced lung injury through regulating microRNA‑221 to inhibit the TLR4/NF‑κB signaling pathway.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is a common pathogen that can cause respiratory infections. MP pneumonia (MPP) leads to numerous complications, including lung injury and even death. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Baicalin treatment on MP infection-induced lung injury and the molecular mechanism underlying these effects. Briefly, after mice were infected intranasally by MP and treated with Baicalin (80 mg/kg), serum levels of MP-immunoglobulin M (IgM) were detected by ELISA. The expression levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was examined by ELISA. Inflammatory factors and inflammatory cells in the BALF were assessed. The expression levels of microRNA (miR)-221 in lung tissue were examined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and pathological changes in lung tissue were detected by H&E staining. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay and the protein expression levels of TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB were detected by western blotting. Baicalin treatment significantly reduced serum levels of MP-IgM and CRP expression in lung tissue during MP infection. In addition, Baicalin decreased the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-α in the BALF, and the number of inflammatory cells. Baicalin also reduced the inflammatory infiltration in lung tissue induced by MP infection, improved the pathological changes detected in lung tissue, reduced apoptosis, and downregulated the protein expression levels of TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB. Furthermore, Baicalin treatment downregulated the expression of miR-221 and the protective effects of Baicalin were attenuated by miR-221 overexpression. In conclusion, Baicalin has a therapeutic effect on mice with MP infection-induced lung injury, which may be related to inhibition of miR-221 expression and regulation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Upregulation of C-Reactive Protein by Placenta-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Angiogenesis in A Rat Model with Cirrhotic Liver.

Background and ObjectivesLiver cirrhosis is accompanied by abnormal vascular shunts. The Wnt pathway is essential for endothelial cell survival and proliferation. C-reactive protein (CRP), which is produced by hepatocyte, activates angiogenesis in cardiovascular diseases.Methods and ResultsThe expression of CRP in CCl4-injured rat livers was detected using qRT-PCR and Western blotting after transplantation of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PD-MSCs) into rats. To determine whether CRP functions in hepatic regeneration by promoting angiogenesis through the Wnt pathway, we detected VEGF and β-catenin in liver tissues and BrdU and β-catenin in hepatocytes by immunofluorescence. The expression levels of CRP, Wnt pathway-related and angiogenic factors were increased in CCl4-injured and PD-MSCs transplanted rat livers. In vitro, the expression levels of Wnt signaling and angiogenic factors were decreased in siRNA-CRP-transfected rat hepatocytes.ConclusionsCRP upregulation by PD-MSCs participates in vascular remodeling to promote liver regeneration via the Wnt signaling pathway during hepatic failure.

Evaluation of some cellular biomarker proteins, oxidative stress and clinical indices as results of laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis in children

Laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis in children has the advantages of quick recovery, little influence of inflammatory and oxidative stress and low infection rate. Altogether 115 children with perforated appendicitis treated in our hospital from June 2018 to August 2019 were selected and divided into two groups according to different treatment methods. Laparoscopic appendectomy was used as the research group (RG) (67 cases) and open appendectomy (48 cases) as the control group (CG). The clinical indexes (operation time, intraoperative blood loss, ambulation time, incision length, postoperative exhaust time and length of stay) of the two groups were observed. The levels of C- reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin -6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) before and after treatment were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of oxidative stress factors (superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA)) and the incidence of postoperative incision infection were observed in the two groups. A visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate the postoperative pain in children. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of postoperative incision infection in children. The improvement degree of clinical indicators in RG was significantly better than that in CG. The expression levels of CRP, PCT, IL-6 and TNF-α in RG were significantly lower than those in CG. The expression levels of SOD and MDA in RG were significantly better than those in CG. The postoperative incision infection rate in RG was significantly lower than that in CG. The postoperative VAS score in RG was significantly lower than that in CG. Logistic regression analysis results showed that the risk of incision infection was increased in children with operation time over 1h, incision length &gt;3cm, high CRP, high PCT, high IL-6, high TNF-α, high SOD and low MDA. Laparoscopic appendectomy for perforated appendicitis in children can effectively reduce intraoperative hemorrhage, postoperative pain, and the damage to the body of children, and can also reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction in children.

Expression levels of blood platelet and C-reactive protein in patients with severely pneumonic and their predictive values for efficacy

This paper aims to detect the expression levels of blood platelet (PLT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in severely pneumonic patients and analyze their correlation. For this purpose, eighty-one severely pneumonic patients were retrospectively selected as an observation group and 106 healthy people as a control group. Pretreatment and post-treatment expression levels of PLT and CRP, their predictive values for efficacy, and correlation of PLT, CRP, and PSI scores in observation group after treatment were analyzed. Before treatment, the expression level of PLT in the observation group was higher than the control group (P&lt; 0.05). In the observation group, the expression level of PLT after treatment was significantly lower than that before treatment (P&lt; 0.05). Before treatment, the expression level of CRP in the observation group was higher than the control group (P&lt; 0.05). In the observation group 1) the pretreatment PLT expression level was higher than that in the control group; 2) the post-treatment PLT expression level was significantly lower than that in the pretreatment one; 3) the pretreatment CRP expression level was higher than that in the control group; and 4) the post-treatment CRP expression level was significantly lower than the pretreatment one (All P-values&lt; 0.05). Based upon the efficacy, the observation group was divided into an effective group and an invalid group. The post-treatment expression levels of PLT and CRP in the effective group were lower than those in the invalid group (P&lt; 0.05). Based upon the ROC curve, the area under curves (AUC) of PLT, CRP, and joint detection were 0.843, 0.864, and 0.886, respectively. When the cut-off point was &gt; 0.579, the best specificity and sensitivity were 98.44 and 70.59%, respectively. According to the Pearson test, positive correlations existed between PLT and CRP, between PLT and PSI scores, and between CRP and PSI scores. In conclusion, the expression levels of PLT and CRP in severely pneumonic patients might be used to evaluate the efficacy and conducive to detection of the disease, which have high application values in clinic.

C-reactive protein gene 1846C>T polymorphism is associated with increased risk and clinical features of lung cancer: a case-control study.

Chronic inflammation plays an important role in lung carcinogenesis. Recently, several studies investigated the association of C-reactive protein (CRP) gene 1846C>T polymorphism and lung cancer (LC) risk, but with conflicting findings. In the present study, we conducted this case–control study with 408 LC patients and 472 healthy controls in a Chinese Han population. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLR) method. Our data found that CRP gene 1846C>T polymorphism increased the risk of LC. Subgroup analyses obtained significant associations among the groups of males, ≥50 years old, smoking, and non-drinkers. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the expression levels of CRP in LC tissues were significantly increased compared with normal tissues. Additionally, the present study found CRP mRNA high expression was associated with worse survival in LC patients. Furthermore, our data indicated that TT genotype of 1846C>T polymorphism was associated with a larger size of tumor and was related with lymphatic metastasis in LC patients. In conclusion, the present study suggests that CRP gene 1846C>T polymorphism is associated with increased risk of LC. CRP gene 1846C>T polymorphism may be a potential marker for the diagnosis of LC.

Evaluation of lung parenchyma, blood vessels, and peripheral blood lymphocytes as a potential source of acute phase reactants in patients with COPD.

Background: Previous studies have shown that the arterial wall is a potential source of inflammatory markers in COPD. Here, we sought to compare the expression of acute phase reactants (APRs) in COPD patients and controls both at the local (pulmonary arteries and lung parenchyma) and systemic (peripheral blood leukocytes and plasma) compartments.Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing elective surgery for suspected primary lung cancer were eligible for the study. Patients were categorized either as COPD or control group based on the spirometry results. Pulmonary arteries and lung parenchyma sections, peripheral blood leukocytes, and plasma samples were obtained from all participants. Gene expression levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA1, SAA2, and SAA4) were evaluated in tissue samples and peripheral blood leukocytes by reverse transciption-PCR. Plasma CRP and SAA protein levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Proteins were evaluated in paraffin-embedded lung tissues by immunohistochemistry.Results: A total of 40 patients with COPD and 62 controls were enrolled. We did not find significant differences in the gene expression between COPD and control group. Both CRP and SAA were overexpressed in the lung parenchyma compared with pulmonary arteries and peripheral blood leukocytes. The expression of SAA was significantly higher in the lung parenchyma than in the pulmonary artery (2-fold higher for SAA1 and SAA4, P=0.015 and P<0.001, respectively; 8-fold higher for SAA2, P<0.001) and peripheral blood leukocytes (16-fold higher for SAA1, 439-fold higher for SAA2, and 5-fold higher for SAA4; P<0.001). No correlation between plasma levels of inflammatory markers and their expression in the lung and peripheral blood leukocytes was observed.Conclusions: The expression of SAA in lung parenchyma is higher than in pulmonary artery and peripheral blood leukocytes. Notably, no associations were noted between lung expression of APRs and their circulating plasma levels, making the leakage of inflammatory proteins from the lung to the bloodstream unlikely. Based on these results, other potential sources of systemic inflammation in COPD (eg, the liver) need further scrutiny.

Antihypercholesterolemic, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory potential of an extract of the plant Tabernaemontana divaricata in experimental rats fed an atherogenic diet

Abstract The present study highlights the putative anti-atherogenic, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory potential of Tabernaemontana divaricata extract (ethanolic) in a Wistar rat model of experimental hypercholesterolemia. The rats were divided into Group I (control), Group II (atherogenic diet-fed, saline-treated) and Group III (atherogenic diet-fed, T. divaricata extract-treated [200 mg/kg/b.wt]). The levels of lipid profile parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density, low-density and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic index) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were investigated in serum samples. The levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide (NO), and gene and protein expression levels of CRP, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and gene expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were determined in liver tissue samples. Rats of Group II showed significantly heightened mean concentrations of CRP, and lower mean levels of lipid profile parameters, except high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, than control rats; Rats of Group II also exhibited significantly lower mean activities/levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and heightened mean malondialdehyde and NO content compared to control animals. However, in Group III rats, the values were significantly improved, in contrast to Group II rats. Significantly higher gene expression of IL-1β and significantly higher gene and protein expression of CRP, iNOS and TNF-α occurred in liver samples from hypercholesterolemic rats compared to control rats. In liver samples from Group III rats, gene and protein expression was not markedly elevated. The T. divaricata extract thus exhibited anti-atherogenic potential in hypercholesterolemic Wistar rats due to its hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Evaluation function of intermedin on prognosis of elderly patients with sepsis

To investigate the predicting value of intermedin (IMD) for the prognosis of elderly sepsis patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted. Forty-one patients with sepsis, aged ≥65 years, and admitted to geriatrics intensive care unit of Aerospace Center Hospital from April 2015 to December 2016 were enrolled. Thirty healthy patients were studied as control during the same time. The expression of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and IMD were tested within 24 hours during hospitalization, and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score and prognosis was evaluated. According to APACHE II score, patients were divided into 3 groups, 10-20 score, 21-30 score, and > 30 score group. And based on the prognosis, the patients were divided into death group and survival group. The differences of expression levels of CRP, PCT and IMD in each group were assessed. The relationship of IMD and infection index was analyzed by Pearson correlation. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate the prognostic value of CRP, PCT and IMD in patients with sepsis. Compared with the control group, the levels of CRP, PCT and IMD were significantly higher in the sepsis patients [CRP (mg/L): 114.71±40.08 vs. 4.03±2.68, PCT (μg/L): 1.338±0.812 vs. 0.007±0.001, IMD (ng/L): 43.03±9.67 vs. 16.77±2.06, all P < 0.01]. With the increase of APACHE II score, the levels of PCT and IMD were gradually increased. In APACHE II 10-20 score, 21-30 score, > 30 score groups, PCT (μg/L) were 0.397±0.129, 1.164±0.326, and 1.999±0.888, respectively (F = 19.392, P = 0.000); IMD (ng/L) were 29.12±5.60, 40.48±4.40, 52.75±4.73, respectively (F = 33.310, P = 0.000). There was no significant difference in CRP among APACHE II score groups (F = 2.137, P = 0.132). The level of IMD was positively correlated with CRP and PCT (r1 = 0.351, P1 = 0.024; r2 = 0.617, P2 = 0.000), and there was no correlation with temperature and white blood cell count (r1 = 0.063, P1 = 0.697; r2 = 0.064, P2 = 0.692). The expression of PCT and IMD in the death groups were significantly higher than the survival group [PCT (μg/L): 1.547±0.883 vs. 1.043±0.608, IMD (ng/L): 47.44±8.23 vs. 36.80±8.13, both P < 0.05], while CRP was not significantly different. The area under the ROC curve [AUC (95% confidence interval, 95%CI)] of IMD was larger than that of PCT and CRP [0.809 (0.675-0.943) vs. 0.680 (0.511-0.849), 0.664 (0.490-0.838)]; when cut-off value of IMD was 41.58 ng/L, the sensitivity was 75.0% and the specificity was 82.4%. The levels of CRP, PCT and IMD were increased in elderly sepsis patients, and IMD and PCT can better reflect the severity of sepsis. IMD is more valuable in predicting the prognosis of sepsis patients.

Early detection of C-reactive protein and von Willebrand factor levels in Malaysian patients with acute coronary syndrome

BackgroundDiagnosing acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a challenge in patients presenting at early phase of hospitalization. We hypothesized that inflammatory markers of plaque rupture could accurately identifying ACS patients from stable coronary artery diseases (CAD). Materials and methodsThe serum and peripheral blood gene expression levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in multiethnic Malaysian patients (n = 7) admitted with early hospitalization of ACS was evaluated. Nine patients with stable coronary artery disease without previous history of ACS were enrolled as controls. ResultsSerum and peripheral blood mRNA levels of CRP and vWF were significantly higher in ACS compared to control groups (P < 0.05). ConclusionsElevated levels of these markers in ACS may reflect an acute phase response due to endothelial dysfunction. Both CRP and vWF may add to the list of useful markers for early detection of ACS in hospitals of developing countries.

C-reactive protein (CRP) gene polymorphisms: implication in CRP plasma levels and susceptibility to acute myocardial infarction

C-reactive protein (CRP) is one of the many molecular factors involved in pathogenesis of coronary artery disease which its plasma levels are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events. The present study designed to determine whether polymorphisms in the CRP gene are associated with plasma CRP levels and susceptibility to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Plasma CRP levels were measured in patients with AMI and control subjects and genomic DNA and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were extracted. The -717A/G and 1059G/C CRP polymorphisms were detected. The mRNA expression of CRP gene and plasma levels of CRP and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were also analyzed. The -717A/G variation was significantly associated with higher CRP levels, but 1059G/C variation was associated with lower CRP levels. The AA genotype frequency of -717A/G variation was significantly more frequent in the patients than control subjects. By contrast, the genotype and allele distribution in 1059G/C of patient were not statistically different between patients and controls. There were significant differences in circulating levels of CRP and IL-6 in the patients than in controls. The mRNA expression levels of CRP were significantly higher in the patient plasma compared with controls. Our results indicate relationship between many polymorphisms in CRP gene and risk of AMI which suggest that genetic variations in CRP might be helpful for determining susceptibility to AMI in Iranian patients. In addition, CRP gene polymorphisms are associated with plasma CRP levels and susceptibility to AMI might be related to CRP gene expression which affects its plasma levels.

The influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus on the expression of inflammatory mediators and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 in human chronic periodontitis

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare and quantify the expression of C-reactive protein (CRP), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-14, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2 in gingival tissues of patients with chronic periodontitis accompanied with inflammatory reaction related to alveolar bone resorption with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).MethodsTwelve patients with type 2 DM and chronic periodontitis (group 3), twelve patients with chronic periodontitis (group 2), and twelve healthy individuals (group 1) were included in the study. Gingival tissue biopsies were collected from each patient and from healthy individuals at the time of periodontal surgery (including surgical crown lengthening) or tooth extraction. The concentrations of cytokines were determined by a western blot analysis.ResultsThe expression levels of CRP and MMP-14 increased in group 2 and 3, and they were highest in group 3. The expressions of TIMP-2 also increased in group 2 and 3.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that the expression levels of CRP, MMP-14, and TIMP-2 might be inflammatory markers in periodontal inflamed tissue. It can be assumed that CRP, MMP-14, and TIMP-2 may be partly involved in the progression of periodontal inflammation associated to type 2 DM.