Plasma Levels Of sICAM-1 Research Articles

Expression of ICAM-1 and E-selectin in different metabolic obesity phenotypes: discrepancy for endothelial dysfunction.

Endothelial dysfunction, the earliest vascular alteration, is a consequence of metabolic disorders associated with obesity. However, it is still unclear whether a proportion of obese individuals without metabolic alterations associated with obesity, defined as "metabolically healthy obesity (MHO)", exhibit better endothelial function. We therefore aimed to investigate the association of different metabolic obesity phenotypes with endothelial dysfunction. The obese participants without clinical cardiovascular disease from the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) were allocated to the different metabolic obesity phenotypes based on their metabolic status, including MHO and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). Associations of metabolic obesity phenotypes with the biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, including soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), were evaluated using multiple linear regression models. Plasma levels of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin were respectively measured in 2371 and 968 participants. Compared to the non-obese participants, those with MUO were associated with higher concentrations of sICAM-1 (β 22.04, 95% CI 14.33-29.75, P < 0.001) and sE-selectin (β 9.87, 95% CI 6.00-13.75, P < 0.001) after adjusting for confounders. However, no differences were found for the concentrations of sICAM-1 (β 0.70, 95% CI -8.91 to 10.32, P = 0.886) and sE-selectin (β 3.69, 95% CI -1.13 to 8.51, P = 0.133) in the participants with MHO compared to the non-obese participants. Individuals with MUO were associated with elevated biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, but the association with endothelial dysfunction was not found in those with MHO, indicating that the individuals with MHO might exhibit better endothelial function.

Effect of Grape Juice Ingestion on Plasma Inflammatory Biomarkers in Overweight and Insulin Resistance Women

ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of grape juice ingestion in the inflammatory process in overweight and insulin resistance women. MethodsAn intervention study was conducted, in which, for 4 weeks, the volunteers ingested 500 mL of grape juice daily. Blood samples were collected at baseline and 2 and 4 weeks after the beginning of the grape juice ingestion. The study population consisted of healthy women (n = 20), aged between 18 and 40 years, and body mass index classified as overweight (25–29.9 kg/m2). Lipid profile and plasma glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, inflammatory biomarkers (IL-10, IL-6, TNF-α, C-reactive protein, MCP-1, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1) levels were analyzed. Food consumption was evaluated by the analysis of three 24 hours recalls collected at all times. ResultsThe intake of grape juice promoted a significant increased (P < 0.05) in plasma triacylglycerols levels after 4 weeks of ingestion in comparison to the baseline. The intervention with grape juice significantly reduced plasma sICAM-1 levels after 4 weeks in comparison to the baseline. ConclusionsGrape juice reduced a biomarker related to endothelial dysfunction in overweight and insulin resistance women. Funding SourcesFood Research Center (FoRC), Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).

Evaluation of biomarkers related to endothelial dysfunction: proof of vasculopathy in anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 dermatomyositis.

We aimed to reveal evidence of endothelial dysfunction in the development of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) dermatomyositis (DM). Thirty anti-MDA5 DM patients were enrolled and compared with patients with polymyositis (PM) (n=10) and healthy controls (n=20). The concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) as well as interferon-alpha (IFN-α) and Galcetin-9 in the peripheral blood were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, ET-1 and vWF were higher in the anti-MDA5 DM patients than in either the healthy controls or the PM patients. In the anti-MDA5 DM cohort, the ET-1 and vWF levels were significantly lower in the cases without cutaneous ulcers and ILD than the other cases. There was a strong positive relationship between the concentrations of ET-1 and Galectin-9 in the anti-MDA5 DM group. Our data suggest that endothelial dysfunction may be involved in the development of anti-MDA5 DM.

Cross-sectional correlates of paraoxonase 1 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in metabolic syndrome patients with and without diabetes.

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1(sICAM-1) are intricately involved in metabolic syndrome (MetS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) pathophysiology. This study aimed to investigate PON1 and sICAM-1 plasma levels in addition to correlating them with adiposity, atherogenicity and hematological indices in T2DM and MetS. This cross-sectional study composed of 28 healthy lean subjects (control), 29 normoglycemic MetS subjects and 30 MetS-Pre/T2DM. The sICAM-1 levels (ng/ml) were markedly higher in the pre/diabetic MetS group (828 ± 250.37 versus controls' 608.62 ± 184; p < 0.05). Conversely, PON1 levels (mlU/ml) were markedly lower in the pre/diabetic MetS group [252,700 (163,950, 362,800) versus controls' 394,900 (212,550, 469,350); p < 0.05]. sICAM-1 correlated directly with all adiposity indices [conicity index (CI), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR) waist-to-height (WHtR) ratio, hip circumference (HC) and body adiposity index (BAI)] in addition to the atherogenicity index of plasma (AIP). PON1 correlated negatively and significantly with CI, WC, WHR, WHtR and HC but directly with lymphocyte. Significantly, a reciprocal sICAM-1-PON1 relationship was observed in the total population (r = -0.262, p = 0.015). Utility of sICAM-1 and PON1 as surrogate prognostic biomarkers and putative therapeutic targets in the management of diabetes and MetS is strongly suggested.

Translation from SCD Mouse to Man: Chronic Administration of Tucaresol Reduces RBC Sickling and Improves Hematological Parameters, but Does Not Impact Inflammatory Markers in SCD Model Mice

Sickle cell disease is a hematological disorder with significant unmet need that affects approximately ten million people worldwide. Currently, treatment for SCD is limited to a single approved drug, Hydroxyurea, and palliative treatments such as hydration and pain management. The limited treatment options have led to considerable interest in developing new therapies for SCD. One strategy for a disease-modifying treatment for SCD is stabilization of the oxygenated form of hemoglobin (OxyHb) by a small molecule allosteric modulator (Zaugg et. Al, JBC, 1977). One such compound, Tucaresol was advanced into clinical trials on the strength of the pre-clinical data, however a SCD mouse model was unavailable when the trial was initiated. The renewed interest in stabilizing OxyHb with a small molecule presents an opportunity to use Tucaresol as a mechanism for understanding the translation between effects seen in an animal model and clinical endpoints in patients. In this study, we treated Townes SCD mice with Tucaresol for 15 days, to evaluate its effect on hematology, oxygen affinity, sickling and markers of inflammation in vivo. These results are compared to the clinical data reported in the original trials.Tucaresol is a substituted benzaldehyde derived from a class of molecules known to preferentially bind to hemoglobin and stabilize the oxygenated state by formation of a Schiff base linkage at a site on the a-chains (Rolan et. Al, Br. J. Clin. Pharm., 1995). Earlier molecules acting by this mechanism had been shown to reduce Hb S polymerization and RBC sickling in vitro, and it was theorized that long-term treatment with such molecules would impact hemolysis and occurrence of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) (Beddell et. Al, Br. J. Pharmac. 1984). Preclinical studies demonstrated Tucaresol modification of Hb S delays the polymerization process and inhibits RBC sickling. In clinical trials, Tucaresol positively impacted hematological markers including hemoglobin and reticulocyte counts, and reduced the percentage of irreversibly sickled cells. However, trials of Tucaresol were halted due to a significant immune response and specific inflammatory markers were not measured during the trial.To study these effects in Townes SCD model, mice were dosed with Tucaresol at 30 mg/kg twice a day, for fifteen days. The dose was selected to be consistent with clinical dosing regimens. Blood was collected prior to study start from individual animals to obtain baseline levels for hematological parameters and soluble cell adhesion molecules in plasma. Blood was sampled at day 3 and day 10 of dosing to understand drug exposure and accumulation. At this dose, Tucaresol demonstrated a steady state achieved by day 10 and the blood concentration ranged from 0.5-1.6 mM on day 15. Following two week dosing with Tucaresol, we observed a 50% increase in hemoglobin, and 24% increase in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), relative to vehicle treated animals. Reticulocytes, a clinical indicator of hemolytic anemia, are highly elevated in SCD patients and mice, also showed a 47% decrease in Tucaresol treated relative to vehicle treated animals. Oxygen affinity measurements showed a decrease in P50 and P20 values for treated animals, indicating increased oxygen affinity, consistent with the proposed mode of action of Tucaresol- stabilization of the oxygenated state. The percentage of sickled erythrocytes was also decreased by 38% in Tucaresol treated SCD mice when compared to vehicle controls. The decrease in sickling is consistent with the clinical observation of a 52% (mean) decrease in irreversibly sickled cells. In contrast to the improvement seen with hematological parameters, inflammatory markers remained either unchanged or slightly elevated after 15 days of treatment with Tucaresol. Plasma levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were unchanged while sE-Selectin was elevated. In summary, in this short course of treatment of SCD mice, Tucaresol had an impact on the hematological markers that was consistent with effects observed in the clinic, but did not modulate the inflammation response.All experiments were within guidelines and were reviewed and approved by Pfizer institutional animal care and use committee. DisclosuresKnee:Pfizer Inc: Employment. Jasuja:Pfizer: Employment. Barakat:Pfizer: Employment. Kelly:Pfizer: Employment. Singh:Pfizer Inc: Employment. Janz:Pfizer: Employment.

Obesity, endothelial function and inflammation: the effects of weight loss after bariatric surgery.

Obesity is associated with a high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. There is a causal association between obesity, inflammation, insulin resistance (IR) and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in IR, proinflammatory state and markers of endothelial dysfunction in morbidly obese patients after weight loss following bariatric surgery. In this study, we measured the levels of soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM1), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in 79 morbidly obese patients at baseline and 3, 6 and 12 months after gastric bypass. Also, we evaluated changes in IR. Twelve months after surgery, there was a significant decrease in plasma levels of sICAM1 (p < 0.001), PAI-1 (p < 0.05), hs-CRP (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p < 0.001) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) (p < 0.001) and a significant increase of McAuley index (McAuley) (p < 0.001). Baseline levels of hs-PCR were positively correlated with sICAM-1 (r = 0.450, p < 0.01) and IL-6 (r = 0.451, p < 0.01). Significant correlations were also found between the decrease of PAI-1 and the decrease of hs-PCR (r = 0.425, p < 0.01) and tryglicerides (r = 0.351, p < 0.01). In patients with morbid obesity, substantial surgically induced weight loss is followed by a significant improvement in the endothelial function, inflammatory state and insulin sensitivity, that may reduce their cardiovascular risk. A relationship exists between improved inflammatory profile and endothelial function.

Diet-induced weight loss and markers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in treated patients with type 2 diabetes

Overweight and obesity increase cardiovascular mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In a recent trial, however, diet-induced weight loss did not reduce the cardiovascular risk of patients with T2D, possibly due to the parallel intensive medical treatment. We investigated the effect of diet-induced weight loss on cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese patients with T2D, and whether this effect was influenced by the use of statins, ACE inhibitors, metformin and duration of T2D. Patients with T2D and BMI >27 were subjected to an energy-restricted diet during 4 months. Before and after intervention, plasma levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, hsCRP, vWF and classical biomarkers were measured. The association of the change in biomarker levels with medication use and T2D history, corrected for age, sex and change in insulin dose, was tested by matched linear regression analyses. In 131 patients, the diet resulted in weight loss of 10.2kg (95%CI 9.2, 11.3; p<0.001), improved median levels of HbA1c (-7.0mmol/mol (95%CI-8.5,-5.0); p<0.001), LDL cholesterol (-0.2mmol/L (95%CI-0.4,-0.1); p<0.001), sICAM-1 (-22.4ng/mL (95%CI-37.1,-8.7); p=0.001), vWF (-3.9IU/mL (95%CI-6.4,-1.4); p=0.003) and hs-CRP (-0.6mg/L (95%CI-1.2,-0.2); p=0.007), but did not affect sVCAM-1 levels (1.6ng/mL (95%CI-41.5, 48.6); p=0.949). Duration of T2D and medical treatment were not associated with these effects, except for an association between statin use and change in sVCAM-1, where statin users improved more. Diet-induced weight loss reduced the levels of biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in overweight and obese patients with T2D independently of medication use and T2D duration. Even on intensive medical drug treatment as well as after a long history of T2D, patients may still profit from diet-induced weight reduction.

Systematic phenotyping and correlation of biomarkers with lung function and histology in lung fibrosis.

To date, phenotyping and disease course prediction in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) primarily relies on lung function measures. Blood biomarkers were recently proposed for diagnostic and outcome prediction in IPF, yet their correlation with lung function and histology remains unclear. Here, we comprehensively assessed biomarkers in liquid biopsies and correlated their abundance with lung function and histology during the onset, progression, and resolution of lung fibrosis, with the aim to more precisely evaluate disease progression in the preclinical model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. Importantly, the strongest correlation of lung function with histological extent of fibrosis was observed at day 14, whereas lung function was unchanged at days 28 and 56, even when histological assessment showed marked fibrotic lesions. Although matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), MMP-9, and PAI-1 were significantly elevated in broncheoalveolar lavage of fibrotic mice, only soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) was elevated in the peripheral blood of fibrotic mice and was strongly correlated with the extent of fibrosis. Importantly, tissue-bound ICAM-1 was also elevated in lung homogenates, with prominent staining in hyperplastic type II alveolar epithelial and endothelial cells. In summary, we show that lung function decline is not a prerequisite for histologically evident fibrosis, particularly during the onset or resolution thereof. Plasma levels of sICAM-1 strongly correlate with the extent of lung fibrosis, and may thus be considered for the assessment of intraindividual therapeutic studies in preclinical studies of pulmonary fibrosis.

The Prognostic Value of Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 Plasma Level in Children With Acute Lung Injury.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) measurement in plasma for the prediction of outcome of acute lung injury (ALI) in children that may allow early recognition of critical cases. The study was performed as a prospective, controlled cohort study involving 40 children with ALI and 30 healthy children. The plasma level of sICAM-1 was measured at days 1 and 3 of development of ALI for the patient group and measured only once for the control group. C-Reactive protein was measured in both groups on day 1 only. There was significant increase in sICAM-1 in the patient group than in the control group ( P = .001*). The mortality rate reached 55% in children with ALI. The ceased group had significantly higher plasma sICAM-1 levels both at days 1 and 3 than the survived group ( P < .001*), and there was positive correlation between plasma sICAM-1 level and both duration of mechanical ventilation and the death rate, but more significant correlation was observed with plasma sICAM-1 levels at day 3 than day 1. Plasma sICAM-1 level served as a good predictor biomarker for both mechanical ventilation duration and the mortality risk in children with ALI.

Effect of Atorvastatin and Pioglitazone on Plasma Levels of Adhesion Molecules in Non-Diabetic Patients With Hypertension or Stable Angina or Both.

BackgroundIt was to study the effect of atorvastatin, pioglitazone and their combination on plasma levels of adhesion molecules in patients with hypertension or stable angina or both.MethodsIt was an open-label, randomized parallel-group study. Forty-five atorvastatin-naive patients with hypertension or stable angina or both, were randomized to receive either atorvastatin (19 patients; 10 mg OD for 12 weeks) or pioglitazone (26 patients; 30 mg OD for 12 weeks). Another group of 30 patients who were already on atorvastatin were put on add-on pioglitazone therapy (pioglitazone (15 mg OD) + atorvastatin (10 mg OD) for 12 weeks). Plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) levels were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of therapy.ResultsAtorvastatin monotherapy significantly reduced plasma sICAM-1, but pioglitazone monotherapy did not produce any significant effect. Addition of pioglitazone in patients already receiving atorvastatin also significantly reduced plasma sICAM-1 level. However, there was no significant change in plasma hsCRP and sVCAM-1 levels in any of the groups after 12 weeks of therapy.ConclusionThere is therapeutic advantage of combining pioglitazone and atorvastatin on plasma sICAM-1 levels.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Vascular Disease.

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Vascular Disease.

Tang-Tong-Fang Confers Protection against Experimental Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy by Reducing Inflammation.

Tang-tong-fang (TTF) is a Chinese herbal formula that has been shown to be beneficial in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a common complication secondary to diabetic microvascular injury. However, the underlying mechanism of protection in nerve ischemia provided by TTF is still unclear. We hypothesized that TTF alleviates DPN via inhibition of ICAM-1 expression. Therefore, we tested the effect of TTF in a previously established DPN model, in which nerve injury was induced by ischemia/reperfusion in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. We found that the conduction velocity and amplitude of action potentials of sciatic nerve conduction were reduced in the DPN model group but were rescued by TTF treatment. In addition, TTF treatment also attenuated the effect of DPN on other parameters including histology and ultrastructural changes, expression of ICAM-1, MPO, and TNF-α in rat sciatic nerves, and plasma sICAM-1 and MPO levels. Together, our data suggest that TTF treatment may alleviate DPN via ICAM-1 inhibition.

Aerobic Exercise and Weight Loss Reduce Vascular Markers of Inflammation and Improve Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Women

To examine the relationships between plasma and tissue markers of systemic and vascular inflammation and obesity and insulin resistance and determine the effects of aerobic exercise training plus weight loss (AEX+WL) and weight loss (WL) alone on these biomarkers. Prospective controlled study. Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University research setting. Overweight and obese sedentary postmenopausal women (N = 77). Six months, 3 d/wk AEX+WL (n = 37) or WL (n = 40). Total-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, abdominal computed tomography, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps (a criterion standard method of assessing insulin sensitivity), adipose tissue biopsies (n = 28), and blood for homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, and soluble forms of intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum amyloid A (SAA). Body weight (P < .001), percentage of fat (P < .001), visceral fat (P < .005), triglyceride levels (P < .001), and systolic blood pressure decreased comparably after WL and AEX+WL (P = .04). Maximal oxygen consumption increased 16% after AEX+WL (P < .001). Insulin resistance decreased in both groups (P = .005). Glucose utilization according to the clamp increased 10% (P = .04) with AEX+WL and 8% with WL (P = .07). AEX+WL decreased CRP by 29% (P < .001) and WL by 21% (P = .02). SAA levels decreased twice as much after AEX+WL (-19%, P = .02) as after WL (-9%, P = .08). Plasma sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels did not change, but women with the greatest reduction in plasma sICAM-1 levels had the greatest reductions in fasting glucose (P = .02), insulin (P = .02), and insulin resistance (P = .004). Gluteal ICAM messenger ribonucleic acid levels decreased 27% after AEX+WL (P = .02) and did not change after WL. Obesity and insulin resistance worsen markers of systemic and vascular inflammation. A reduction in plasma sICAM-1 is important to improve insulin sensitivity. CRP, SAA, and tissue ICAM decrease with exercise and weight loss, suggesting that exercise training is a necessary component of lifestyle modification in obese postmenopausal women.

P147 Current smokers face increased risk of Acute Lung Injury post oesophagectomy compared to former smokers- implications for therapy and trial design?

IntroductionPatients undergoing oesophagectomy have ~25% risk of developing post-operative Acute Lung Injury (ALI). A recent meta-analysis showed that smoking cessation prior to an operation reduces the risk of respiratory complications...

GW24-e3740 Comparison of biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and risk of early organ damage between primary aldosteronism and essential hypertension

ObjectivesTo compare plasma concentrations of biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction between primary aldosteronism (PA) and essential hypertension (EH), and to determine whether elevated levels of these biomarkers predict development of early...

Plasma Concentration of Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (sICAM-1) is Elevated in Type 2 Diabetic Patients, and sICAM-1 Synthesis is Associated with Leptin-Induced Activation of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Pathway

The intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and leptin are important inflammatory biomarkers. We investigated whether plasma-soluble ICAM-1 levels were related to the diabetic nephropathy and systemic inflammation. One hundred forty-seven type 2 diabetic patients and 46 healthy control subjects were studied. Plasma sICAM-1 concentrations were significantly higher in the diabetic groups than controls and increased significantly as diabetic nephropathy advanced. Plasma sICAM-1 levels were positively correlated with body mass index, fasting and postprandial blood glucose, urinary albumin excretion, and negatively correlated with creatinine clearance. Multiple regression analysis showed that plasma leptin levels were associated with a significant increase in plasma sICAM-1 levels. In cultured HUVECs, leptin increased ICAM-1 production in a dose-dependent manner, and this stimulating effect of leptin on ICAM-1 expression was reversed by MEK inhibitor, PD98059. Overall, these findings suggest that activation of leptin synthesis in a diabetic environment promotes ICAM-1 activation via mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in type 2 diabetic patients.

Local and Systemic Inflammatory Responses to Experimentally Induced Gingivitis

This study profiled the local and systemic inflammatory responses to experimentally induced gingivitis. Eight females participated in a 21-day experimental gingivitis model followed by a 14-day resolution phase. Bleeding on probing and plaque index scores were assessed before, during, and after resolution of gingival inflammation, and samples of saliva, GCF, and plasma were collected. Samples were assessed for biomarkers of inflammation using the BioPlex platform and ELISA. There were no significant changes in GCF levels of cytokines during the experimental phase; however, individual variability in cytokine profiles was noted. During resolution, mean GCF levels of IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α decreased and were significantly lower than baseline levels (P = 0.003, P = 0.025, and P = 0.007, resp.). Furthermore, changes in GCF levels of IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α during resolution correlated with changes in plaque index scores (r = 0.88, P = 0.004; r = 0.72, P = 0.042; r = 0.79, P = 0.019, resp.). Plasma levels of sICAM-1 increased significantly during the experimental phase (P = 0.002) and remained elevated and significantly higher than baseline levels during resolution (P < 0.001). These results support the concept that gingivitis adds to the systemic inflammatory burden of an individual.

Increased number of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) in patients with psoriasis ‐ preliminary report

Numerous studies have demonstrated increased cardiovascular risk in psoriasis. Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) have been proposed as a new marker of endothelial dysfunction that plays an important role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to compare the number of CECs in psoriatic patients to a control group and to analyze possible correlations between the numbers of CECs and the plasma levels of classical markers of endothelial dysfunction, such as: sICAM-1, sE-selectin and von Willebrand factor (vWF). The number of CECs, identified as CD146 + / CD45- cells, were determined in peripheral blood with using flow cytometry in psoriatic patients (n = 63) and controls (n = 31). The plasma levels of: sICAM-1, sE-selectin, vWF were measured with ELISA. The severity of psoriasis was assessed with PASI. The number of CECs was significantly increased in psoriatic patients compared with controls (P < 0.00001) and positively correlated with disease severity (R = 0.360; P = 0.0037). The levels of sICAM-1, sE-selectin and vWF were significantly elevated in psoriatic patients (P < 0.00001; P < 0.00001; P = 0.00072, respectively). The number of CECs was significantly, positively correlated with the levels of sICAM-1 (R = 0.393; P = 0.0014) and vWF (R = 0.314; P = 0.012) in psoriatic patients. The levels of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin were positively correlated with disease severity (R = 0.356; P = 0.0041 and R = 0.407; P = 0.0009, respectively). The increased number of CECs that correlates with disease severity and plasma levels of sICAM-1 and vWF may indicate endothelial dysfunction or injury in patients with psoriasis.

The Effects of a Small Dose of Dexamethasone on Cell Adhesion Molecules during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background and Objective: There are only a few publications on the effects of dexamethasone on the plasma levels of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of dexamethasone 4mg on the perioperative plasma levels of CAMs (soluble intercellular adhesion molecules [sICAM-1] and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecules [sVCAM-1]) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Methods: Forty-two patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under total intravenous anesthesia were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: the first group received dexamethasone 4mg (DEX group, n = 21) and the second group were controls (C group, n = 21). Plasma levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were assessed before anesthesia, after induction (before surgery), and at 2 and 24 hours after surgery, respectively. Comparisons were performed for area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and within-group values.Results: AUC comparison for sICAM-1 showed significantly increased levels in the C group (p = 0.036), while there was no significant difference for sVCAM-1 (p = 0.052). Within-group analysis showed increased levels for both sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in the C group at 24 hours postoperatively (p = 0.35 and p = 0.025, respectively).Conclusions: In our study, dexamethasone 4mg given before laparoscopic cholecystectomy determined a significant decrease in plasma levels of sICAM-1. Both sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 remained increased compared with baseline at 24 hours in the C group. This may partially explain the postoperative antiinflammatory effects of dexamethasone. Further studies are needed.

The Effects of a Small Dose of Dexamethasone on Cell Adhesion Molecules during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background and Objective: There are only a few publications on the effects of dexamethasone on the plasma levels of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of dexamethasone 4mg on the perioperative plasma levels of CAMs (soluble intercellular adhesion molecules [sICAM-1] and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecules [sVCAM-1]) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: Forty-two patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under total intravenous anesthesia were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: the first group received dexamethasone 4mg (DEX group, n = 21) and the second group were controls (C group, n = 21). Plasma levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were assessed before anesthesia, after induction (before surgery), and at 2 and 24 hours after surgery, respectively. Comparisons were performed for area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and within-group values. Results: AUC comparison for sICAM-1 showed significantly increased levels in the C group (p = 0.036), while there was no significant difference for sVCAM-1 (p = 0.052). Within-group analysis showed increased levels for both sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in the C group at 24 hours postoperatively (p = 0.35 and p = 0.025, respectively). Conclusions: In our study, dexamethasone 4mg given before laparoscopic cholecystectomy determined a significant decrease in plasma levels of sICAM-1. Both sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 remained increased compared with baseline at 24 hours in the C group. This may partially explain the postoperative antiinflammatory effects of dexamethasone. Further studies are needed.