This study investigated the value of oxygen (O2) pulse curves obtained during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Forty patients with known coronary anatomy (35.0 % normal, 27.0 % single-vessel and 38.0 % multivessel CAD) underwent CPET with radiotracer injection at peak exercise, followed by myocardial scintigraphy. O2 pulse curves were classified as: A-normal, B-probably normal (normal slope with low peak value); C-probably abnormal (flat, with low peak value); or D- definitely abnormal (descending slope). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the O2 pulse curve pattern (A or B vs. C or D) for the diagnosis of CAD were, respectively, 38.5 %, 81.3 %, 76.9 %, and 44.8 %. The concordance rate between the abnormal O2 pulse curve pattern and ischemia in myocardial scintigraphy was 38.1 %. Age and the extent of scintigraphic perfusion defect, but not the abnormal O2 pulse curve patterns (B or C or both combined) were independently associated with CAD. In conclusion, the O2 pulse curve pattern has low diagnostic performance for the diagnosis of obstructive CAD, and the abnormal curve pattern was not associated with myocardial ischemia defined by scintigraphy., A. De Lorenzo, C. L. Da Silva, F. C. Castro Souza, R. De Souza Leão Lima., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Visfatin is a multi-functional molecule that can act intracellularly and extracellularly as an adipokine, cytokine and enzyme. One of the main questions concerning visfatin is the mechanism of its secretion; whether, how and from which cells visfatin is released. The objective of this in vitro study was to observe the active secretion of visfatin from 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and adipocytes, HepG2 hepatocytes, U-937, THP-1 and HL-60 monocytes and macrophages. The amount of visfatin in media and cell lysate was always related to the intracellular enzyme, glyceraldehyde-3- phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), to exclude the passive release of visfatin. Visfatin was not found in media of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In media of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HepG2 hepatocytes, the ratio of visfatin to the amount of GAPDH was identical to cell lysates. Hence, it is likely that these cells do not actively secrete visfatin in a significant manner. However, we found that significant producers of visfatin are differentiated macrophages and that the amount of secreted visfatin depends on used cell line and it is affected by the mode of differentiation. Results show that 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HepG2 hepatocytes released visfatin only passively during the cell death. U-937 macrophages secrete visfatin in the greatest level from all of the tested cell lines., P. Svoboda, E. Křížová, K. Čeňková, K. Vápenková, J. Zídková, V. Zídek, V. Škop., and Obsahuje bibliografii
Metabolic syndrome is a prevalent, complex condition. The search for genetic determinants of the syndrome is currently undergoing a paradigm enhancement by adding systems genetics approaches to association studies. We summarize the current evidence on relations between an emergent new candidate, zinc finger and BTB domain containing 16 (ZBTB16) transcription factor and the major components constituting the metabolic syndrome. Information stemming from studies on experimental models with altered Zbtb16 expression clearly shows its effect on adipogenesis, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis, lipid levels and insulin sensitivity. Based on current evidence, we provide a network view of relations between ZBTB16 and hallmarks of metabolic syndrome in order to elucidate the potential functional links involving the ZBTB16 node. Many of the identified genes interconnecting ZBTB16 with all or most metabolic syndrome components are linked to immune function, inflammation or oxidative stress. In summary, ZBTB16 represents a promising pleiotropic candidate node for metabolic syndrome., O. Šeda, L. Šedová, J. Včelák, M. Vaňková, F. Liška, B. Bendlová., and Obsahuje bibliografii