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- Nyström-Rosander, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Interactions between Chlamydia pneumoniae and trace elements : a possible link to aortic valve sclerosis
- 2003
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Ingår i: Biological Trace Element Research. - 0163-4984 .- 1559-0720. ; 91:2, s. 97-110
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An association between Chlamydia pneumoniae and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases has been suggested. However, other factors may interact in the pathogenesis of valve sclerosis. Therefore, trace elements important for C. pneumoniae growth and host defense and markers of C. pneumoniae infection were studied in sclerotic valves and serum. Forty-six patients undergoing surgical valve replacement due to advanced aortic sclerosis were prospectively studied. Valves from 15 forensic cases with no heart valve disease and plasma from 46 healthy volunteers served as controls. C. pneumoniae was detected in 16/46 (34.8 %) sclerotic valves and in 0/15 forensic controls. IgG and IgA antibodies to C. pneumoniae were present in 54.3% and 26.1 % patients, respectively. In the patients' valves, iron, magnesium, and zinc each correlated to calcium, a marker of the histopathological severity of disease. Patients showed 10- to 70-fold increases of these trace elements in valves and an increased copper/zinc ratio in serum. In a majority of aortic sclerosis patients, one of several markers of C. pneumoniae infection were detected and all patients had a disturbed trace element balance in valves and serum suggestive of active immune process and infection. The pattern of trace element changes was essentially similar regardless of positive makers of C. pneumoniae, suggesting a similar etiopathogenesis in both subgroups. The 20-fold increase in iron, essential for C. pneumoniae growth, in sclerotic valves suggests a new possible link to this infection in aortic sclerosis.
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- Nyström-Rosander, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Trace element changes in sclerotic heart valves from patients are expressed in their blood
- 2004
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Ingår i: Biometals. - 0966-0844 .- 1572-8773. ; 17:2, s. 121-128
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The pathogenesis of some heart diseases has been associated with changes in the balance of certain trace elements. However, whether blood trace element changes exist that are related to changes in the cardiovascular system are, in most cases, unknown. In this study, blood trace element levels were analysed in 46 patients with non-rheumatic aortic valve sclerosis that were previously shown to have a disturbed trace element balance in their valve tissue, including 11/15 elements. Results showed significant changes of blood levels of 8/15 trace elements in these patients when compared with blood levels in 46 healthy controls. Of these elements, Cd and Mg were the only elements that increased in both blood and valves. Cu and Se were increased in blood but decreased in valves, whereas Co and Zn were decreased in blood but increased in valves. Several elements (As, Ca, Fe, Pb, and V) were unchanged in blood although changed in valves. Although Mn and Hg showed changes in blood, this was not evident in the valves. Al and Ag were the only elements that did not change in both blood and valves. Significant covariation in blood and valve levels was only observed for Al and Pb. The recorded pattern of trace element changes indicates a complex competition/exchange between body compartments in this disease, where the increased blood Cu/Zn ratio suggests an ongoing infectious/inflammatory process.
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