There are concerns about altered vascular functions that could play an important role in the pathogenesis and influence the severity of chronic disease, however, increased cardiovascular risk in paediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) has not been yet fully understood. Aim was to analyze vascular disease risk and investigate changes over times in CF and controls. We prospectively enrolled 22 CF subjects (a median age of 16.07 years), and 22 healthy demographically matched controls (a median age of 17.28 years) and determined endothelial function. We utilized a combined diagnostic approach by measuring the plethysmographic Reactive Hyperemia Index (RHI) as the post-to preocclusive endothelium-dependent changes of vascular tone, and biomarkers that are known to be related to endothelial dysfunction (ED): asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), high-sensitive CRP (hsCRP), VCAM-1 and E-selectin. RHI values were significantly lower in CF young adults (p<0.005). HsCRP (p<0.005), E-selectin (p<0.001) and VCAM-1 (p<0.001) were significantly increased in CF patients since childhood. The findings have provided a detailed account of the ongoing process of microvascular dysfunction with gradual progression with the age of CF patients, making them further at risk of advanced vascular disease. Elevations of biomarkers in CF children with not yet demonstrated RHI changes but with significantly reduced RHI in adulthood and lipid profile changes indicate the possible occurrence of ED with CF-related specific risk factors over time and will enable us to provide the best possible support.
Fatty acid (FA) profiles as potentially relevant components of Crohn’s disease (CD) have been insufficiently analysed. We sought to explore the plasma profiles of n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in newly diagnosed untreated active CD. We included 26 consecutive CD pediatric patients (<19 years) and 14 healthy controls (HCs). Disease characteristics, including inflammatory markers, dietary histories, and the Pediatric Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (PCDAI), were obtained. The profiles of plasma FAs in plasma lipid classes were analysed by gas chromatography with FID detection of methyl esters. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level and fecal calprotectin level (all p<0.001) were significantly higher in CD patients than in HCs. Most changes were observed in plasma phospholipids (PLs), such as a higher content of n-3 and changes in n-6 long-chain PUFAs in the CD group. The CD group had a lower ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFAs in PLs (p<0.001) and triacylglycerols (TAGs) (p<0.01). Correlations of the FA content in plasma PLs with disease activity scores of CD were also observed, which were positive for the sum of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) as well as oleic acid (18:1n-9) (both p<0.05). The metabolism of PUFAs is significantly altered even in treatment-naïve newly diagnosed active pediatric CD, and the content of major FAs in PLs correlates with disease activity and inflammatory markers, thus probably contributing to the still unclear early disease pathogenesis., Jan Schwarz, Marek Vecka, František Stožický, Renáta Pomahačová, Barbora Staňková, Eva Tvrzická, Marcela Kreslová, Romana Zahálková, Josef Sýkora., and Obsahuje bibliografii