| 1. |
- Andersson, J., et al.
(författare)
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The Carotid Artery Plaque Size and Echogenicity are Related to Different Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the Elderly
- 2009
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Ingår i: Lipids. - : Wiley. - 0024-4201 .- 1558-9307. ; 44:5, s. 397-403
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Carotid plaques can be characterised by ultrasound by size and echogenicity. Both size and echogenicity are predictors of cardiovascular events. The aim of this study was to examine whether traditional risk factors and markers of inflammation and oxidation were associated with plaque size and echogenicity. Computerised analysis of carotid plaque size and echogenicity (grey scale median, GSM) were performed by ultrasound in a population-based health survey in 1,016 subjects aged 70 years (PIVUS study). Information on cardiovascular risk factors was collected, together with markers of inflammation and oxidation. Increased Framingham risk score, systolic blood pressure, higher BMI and decreased HDL, lower glutathione levels were related to echolucent plaques. Previous or present smoking was common with significantly more pack-years related to the echorich plaques. Plaque size was associated with increased Framingham risk score, systolic blood pressure, blood glucose levels, smoking, ApoB/A1 ratio, OxLDL, TNF alpha, HOMA insulin resistance, leucocyte count, decreased BCD-LDL and low levels of l-selectin. Low HDL, increased BMI and decreased glutathione levels were associated with the echolucency of carotid plaques, implying metabolic factors to play a role for plaque composition. Markers of inflammation were related to plaque size alone, implying inflammation to be predominantly associated with the amount of atherosclerosis. These results suggest that plaque size and echogenicity are influenced by different risk factors.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Andersson, J., et al.
(författare)
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Echogenecity of the carotid intima-media complex is related to cardiovascular risk factors, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and inflammation The Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study
- 2009
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Ingår i: Atherosclerosis. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-1484 .- 0021-9150. ; 204:2, s. 612-618
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Increased carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), measured by ultrasound, is related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Since presence of echolucent plaques increases the risk further, we investigated if echogenecity of the carotid intima-media complex is related to markers of cardiovascular risk. Our aim was therefore to investigate if intima-media echogenecity is related to cardiovascular risk factors, or to markers of inflammation and oxidation in an exploratory investigation. Methods: The PIVUS cohort study is an observational study of 1016 (509 women and 507 men) randomly chosen individuals aged 70 living in Uppsala, Sweden. Carotid artery ultrasound measurements were performed. IMT and the grey scale median (GSM) value were calculated in the intima-media complex (IM-GSM) in the far wall of the common carotid artery. Traditional risk factors were evaluated together with indices of oxidative stress and inflammation. Results: In the multiple regression analysis, HDL-cholesterol, body mass index, conjugated diens, glutathione, e-selectin and TNF alfa were significantly related to IM-GSM. IMT was independently related to blood pressure, smoking and body mass index. Conclusion: The echolucency of the carotid intima-media was related to several cardiovascular risk factors not related to IMT, such as dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and inflammation. Since the echogenecity of the carotid intima-media complex was related to different risk factors compared to carotid IMT, it is worthwhile to further explore the usefulness of this new marker of the vascular wall. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
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| 4. |
- Gummesson, Anders, 1973, et al.
(författare)
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Adipose tissue is not an important source for matrix metalloproteinase-9 in the circulation.
- 2009
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Ingår i: Scandinavian journal of clinical and laboratory investigation. - 1502-7686 .- 0036-5513. ; 69:6, s. 636-42
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is overexpressed in atherosclerotic plaques and in many cancers, and has emerged as a potential circulating biomarker for such diseases. However, adipose tissue (AT) might also produce circulating MMP-9, thereby reducing the value of MMP-9 as a biomarker. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of AT on circulating MMP-9, and if the metabolic syndrome might have a modifying effect. METHODS: Gene expression of MMP-9 was measured in AT, isolated adipocytes, atherosclerotic plaques, macrophages and various other human tissues using real-time PCR. Relationships between plasma MMP-9 (ELISA), adiposity, and metabolic syndrome were analyzed in a population-based cohort of 61-year-old men (n=513). Both AT mRNA levels and circulating levels of MMP-9 were measured in obese subjects (n=40) with and without the metabolic syndrome, treated with a weight-reducing diet. RESULTS: Bone marrow, atherosclerotic plaques and macrophages had considerably higher MMP-9 mRNA than subcutaneous AT and isolated adipocytes. Among the 61-year-old men, active plasma MMP-9 concentrations were associated with several metabolic syndrome factors, and inflammatory markers, but not body mass index (BMI). In obese patients with, but not without metabolic syndrome AT mRNA levels and circulating MMP-9 declined during weight reduction, but there was no association between changes in plasma MMP-9 and BMI. CONCLUSION: The results show that adipose tissue per se is not associated with circulating MMP-9. Components of the metabolic syndrome, such as circulating insulin and glucose were related to plasma MMP-9 both in the observation and dietary weight loss studies.
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| 5. |
- Hansen, Tomas, et al.
(författare)
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Visceral adipose tissue, adiponectin levels and insulin resistance are related to atherosclerosis as assessed by whole-body magnetic resonance angiography in an elderly population
- 2009
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Ingår i: Atherosclerosis. - : Elsevier. - 0021-9150 .- 1879-1484. ; 205:1, s. 163-167
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: The principal aim of this study was to determine whether the amount of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is more related than subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) to atherosclerosis assessed by whole-body MRA (WBMRA). A further objective was to investigate whether traditional risk factors, inflammation, or adipokines could explain the hypothesized relationship between VAT and atherosclerosis. METHODS: Men and women aged 70 were recruited from the general population into the Prospective Investigation of The Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) and 306 of them underwent WBMRA in a clinical 1.5-T scanner. The arterial tree was assessed for degree of stenosis or occlusion and a total atherosclerotic score (TAS) was established. Information on risk factors and BMI and on SAT and VAT, segmented on an axial MR scan was collected. Adiponectin, leptin, and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured in serum. HOMA index was used as a marker of insulin resistance. RESULTS: VAT was related to TAS independently of gender, total obesity (BMI), amount of SAT, hsCRP and also to the traditional risk factors included in the Framingham risk score (FRS) in an elderly population. Adiponectin or the HOMA insulin resistance, but not leptin or VAT, together with FRS was significantly related to TAS in a multiple censored regression model. CONCLUSION: Adiponectin attenuated the relationship between VAT and TAS, suggesting that adiponectin and insulin resistance is an important link between visceral adiposity and atherosclerosis.
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| 6. |
- Ingelsson, E, et al.
(författare)
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Inflammatory markers in relation to insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome
- 2008
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Ingår i: European Journal of Clinical Investigation. - : Wiley. - 0014-2972 .- 1365-2362. ; 38:7, s. 502-509
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Inflammation has repeatedly been demonstrated to be associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance, but the relative importance of different aspects of the inflammatory process is largely unexplored. DESIGN: We measured circulating interleukins (IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10); other cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interferon gamma and monocyte chemotactic protein-1), cell adhesion molecules [vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, P-selectin, l-selectin], and systemic inflammation markers [C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count] in 943 70 year old participants (50% women) of the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS) study. We related these biomarkers to MetS and the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: In a multivariable model including all inflammatory markers conjointly together with sex, log VCAM-1 [odds ratio (OR), 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.22-1.72 per 1 SD increase; P < 0.0001], log E-selectin (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.12-1.57 per 1SD increase; P = 0.001), and log CRP (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.20-1.66 per 1-SD increase; P < 0.0001) were independently associated with MetS. These biomarkers were also independently associated with HOMA-IR. CONCLUSIONS: Among 17 inflammatory biomarkers, most of them previously not examined in relation to MetS and insulin resistance, VCAM-1, E-selectin and CRP demonstrated the strongest associations with MetS and insulin resistance in our community based sample of the elderly. The relative importance of these biomarkers in predicting the development of MetS, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease needs to be further examined in a longitudinal setting.
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| 7. |
- Nilsson, Johanna, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of ionization techniques for mass spectrometric detection of contact allergenic hydroperoxides formed by autoxidation of fragrance terpenes.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM. - : Wiley. - 0951-4198. ; 22:22, s. 3593-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hydroperoxides formed by autoxidation of common fragrance terpenes are strong allergens and known to cause allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), a common skin disease caused by low molecular weight chemicals. Until now, no suitable methods for chemical analyses of monoterpene hydroperoxides have been available. Their thermolability prohibits the use of gas chromatography and their low UV-absorption properties do not promote sensitive analytical methods by liquid chromatography based on UV detection. In our study, we have investigated different liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) ionization techniques, electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), for detection of hydroperoxides from linalool and limonene.Flow injection analysis was used to evaluate the three different techniques to ionize the monoterpene hydroperoxides, linalool hydroperoxide and limonene hydroperoxide, by estimating the signal efficacy under experimental conditions for positive and negative ionization modes. The intensities for the species [M+H](+) and [M+H-H(2)O](+) in positive ionization mode and [M-H](-) and [M-H-H(2)O](-) in negative ionization mode were monitored. It was demonstrated that the mobile phase composition and instrumental parameters have major influences on the ionization efficiency of these compounds. ESI and APCI were both found to be appropriate as ionization techniques for detection of the two hydroperoxides. However, APPI was less suitable as ionization technique for the investigated hydroperoxides. Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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| 8. |
- Olson, Fredrik J., 1975, et al.
(författare)
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Circulating matrix metalloproteinase 9 levels in relation to sampling methods, femoral and carotid atherosclerosis.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of internal medicine. - : Wiley. - 1365-2796 .- 0954-6820. ; 263:6, s. 626-35
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To examine whether circulating levels of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were associated with ultrasound-assessed intima-media thickness (IMT) and echolucent plaques in the carotid and femoral arteries. To examine preanalytical sources of variability in MMP-9 concentrations related to sampling procedures. SUBJECTS AND DESIGN: Plasma and serum MMP-9 levels were compared with ultrasound assessed measures of femoral and carotid atherosclerosis, in a cross-sectional study of 61-year-old men (n = 473). Preanalytical sources of variability in MMP-9 levels were examined in 10 healthy subjects. Main outcome measures were circulating levels of MMP-9 in serum and plasma, IMT of the carotid and femoral arteries, and plaque status based on size and echolucency. SETTING: Research unit at university hospital. RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of total and active MMP-9 were associated with femoral artery IMT independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, and were higher in subjects with moderate to large femoral plaques. Plasma MMP-9 concentration was higher in men with echolucent femoral plaques (P = 0.006) compared with subjects without femoral plaques. No similar associations were found for carotid plaques. MMP-9 concentrations were higher in serum than in plasma, and higher when sampling was performed with Vacutainer than with syringe. MMP-9 levels in serum were more strongly associated with peripheral neutrophil count compared with MMP-9 levels in plasma. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma MMP-9 levels were associated with atherosclerosis in the femoral artery, and total MMP-9 concentration was higher in men with echolucent femoral plaques. The choice of sample material and sampling method affect the measurements of circulating MMP-9 levels.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Svensson, Per-Arne, 1969, et al.
(författare)
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Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor is associated with macrophages and plaque rupture in symptomatic carotid atherosclerosis.
- 2008
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Ingår i: International journal of molecular medicine. - : Spandidos Publications. - 1107-3756. ; 22:4, s. 459-64
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is a strong correlation between macrophage infiltration and plaque instability in recently symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaques, and it is hypothesised that mechanisms related to macrophages may be involved in plaque vulnerability and rupture. We previously found high expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (UPAR) in human macrophages. The aim of this study was to investigate whether UPAR co-localises with macrophages in symptomatic carotid plaques, and whether UPAR expression is associated with plaque rupture. Real-time RT-PCR assays showed that UPAR expression levels were high in monocyte-derived macrophages and in carotid endarterectomies compared with a tissue panel. Serial transverse sections were prepared from carotid endarterectomies from 12 symptomatic patients, and analyzed with immunohistochemical staining for UPAR and for CD68-positive macrophages, and with histopathological assessment. UPAR co-localised with CD68-positive macrophages, with a high correlation (r=0.90, p<0.001) between immunostained areas in 12 carotid endarterectomies from symptomatic patients. High degrees of UPAR and CD68 staining were found in sections around the bifurcation level where rupture was most common, while low degrees of staining were found in sections of the common carotid artery end of the endarterectomy (p<0.05). Higher degrees of UPAR staining were observed in ruptured plaque sections compared with non-ruptured sections. In conclusion, UPAR was highly expressed in monocyte-derived macrophages and in symptomatic carotid plaques, UPAR co-localised with macrophages in carotid symptomatic plaques and UPAR was predominantly found in ruptured plaque segments. These findings support the hypothesis that UPAR is related to plaque rupture in symptomatic atherosclerotic lesions.
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