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Biomedical subjects

François Cambien

Publications and source records attributed to François Cambien.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Haplotypes of the caspase-1 gene, plasma caspase-1 levels, and cardiovascular risk.

Caspase-1 processes the interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-18 inactive precursors to the biologically active cytokines that are known to have proatherogenic effects. The present study investigated the genetic variability of the CASP1 gene and plasma levels of caspase-1 in relation to cardiovascular risk. In Europeans, 3 tag SNPs captured 4 common haplotypes of the CASP1 gene. Among these, the A(in6) allele of the G+7/in6A polymorphism was less frequent in 246 cases with myocardial infarction and a parental history of disease than in 253 controls free of familial history of disease (0.13+/-0.02 versus 0.20+/-0.02; P=0.005). However, in a larger case/control study (n=1774), these effects are borderline restricted to the UK population. In a prospective cohort of 1168 patients with coronary artery disease followed up during a median period of 6.0 years, the A(in6) allele exhibited a borderline association with future cardiovascular death (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.64, 0.41 to 1.01; P=0.053) and was associated with lower serum IL-18 levels (P=0.014). Baseline caspase-1 levels in the top quartile of the distribution were predictive of cardiovascular deaths (HR=3.62, 1.81 to 7.27; P=0.0003 compared with the bottom quartile). Finally, in vitro assays of allelic imbalance showed that the CASP1 haplotype carrying the A(in6) allele was associated with a lower mRNA expression. These results indicate that caspase-1 levels are predictive of future cardiovascular death in patients with coronary artery disease. The role of CASP1 genetic variations in the susceptibility to myocardial infarction requires further investigation.

Adult↗

Cytokine polymorphisms associated with carotid intima-media thickness in stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) reflects generalized atherosclerosis and is predictive of future vascular events. Evidence exists that carotid IMT is heritable, and genetic studies can provide clues in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. METHODS: We recruited 470 white ischemic stroke patients, measured common carotid artery (CCA) IMT, and analyzed 54 polymorphisms with suspected roles in atherosclerosis. RESULTS: Among the polymorphisms tested, the angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion, osteopontin (OPN) T-443C, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) G-927C, and MCP-1 A-2578G polymorphisms were associated with CCA-IMT in age-gender-adjusted analysis. In multivariate analysis, the association between the OPN and MCP-1 polymorphisms remained significant. The OPN-443C allele was associated with increased IMT in the dominant model (0.053 mm for the TC and CC genotypes; P=0.001). The MCP-1-927C allele was associated with increased IMT in the additive model (0.040 mm for each C allele; P=0.001), and the MCP-1-2578 G allele was associated with decreased IMT in the recessive model (0.088 mm for the GG genotype; P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The OPN and MCP-1 genes, coding for 2 cytokines with known roles in atherosclerosis, may contribute to increased carotid IMT and warrant further study.

Adolescent↗

B-type natriuretic peptide and the risk of cardiovascular events and death in patients with stable angina: results from the AtheroGene study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of the cardiac hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) for long-term outcome in a large cohort of stable angina patients. BACKGROUND: Recent data suggest a role of BNP in stable ischemic heart disease beyond its known value in heart failure and acute coronary syndromes. METHODS: In 1,085 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) baseline levels of BNP were prospectively associated with cardiovascular (CV) events during a mean follow-up of 2.5 years. RESULTS: BNP concentrations were significantly elevated in patients with future CV events (median [25th/75th interquartile range] 119.2 [43.6/300.4] pg/ml vs. 36.2 [11.3/94.6] pg/ml; p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a stepwise decrease in event-free survival across quartiles of BNP baseline concentration (p(log rank) < 0.001). Patients in the highest quartile revealed a 6.1-fold increased risk (p = 0.001) compared to patients in the lowest quartile after adjustment for potential confounders. For a cut-off value of 100 pg/ml, an independently increased risk of adverse outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 4.4; p < 0.001) could be demonstrated. One standard deviation (SD) decrease in ejection fraction implied the most prominent increase in risk of future CV events (HR 1.69; p < 0.001) followed by one SD increase in BNP (HR 1.53; p < 0.001). The highest prognostic accuracy could be demonstrated for BNP (area under the curve 0.671). CONCLUSIONS: The data of this large group of CAD patients provide independent evidence that BNP is a strong predictor of cardiovascular risk in patients with stable angina independent of left ventricular systolic performance and known risk factors.

Angina Pectoris↗

Gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system and early development of hypertension.

BACKGROUND: A case-control association study was conducted to investigate a possible involvement of polymorphisms of three renin-angiotensin system genes: ACE (I/D and T-3892C), AGT (M235T and T174M), and AT1R (A1166C) in the early development of hypertension. METHODS: One hundred nineteen hypertensive and 125 normotensive participants aged 18 to 40 years were selected from a broader sample representative of the general population of Croatia. The selection criteria for hypertensive cases were systolic blood pressure (BP) higher than 140 mm Hg or diastolic BP higher than 90 mm Hg and a history of hypertension according to patient interview. RESULTS: Among the polymorphisms investigated, only those located on the ACE gene were associated with hypertension. For ACE I/D, the odds ratio for hypertension of DD versus II homozygote individuals was 2.50 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-5.25) and for ACE T-3892C, the odds ratio of CC versus TT individuals was 2.32 (95% CI 1.05-5.10). Both polymorphisms of the ACE gene were in tight linkage disequilibrium. Of the investigated risk factors for hypertension, only body mass index (BMI) showed an influence on the early development of hypertension, acting independently of the ACE polymorphism. Their additive effect gives rise to 86% of hypertensives in subjects having both the DD genotype and BMI >or=30 kg/m(2). CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides evidence of the association of the ACE gene polymorphisms and premature hypertension. In addition, BMI proved to be another important predictor of the disorder acting independently of the ACE gene.

Adolescent↗

Analysis of 14 candidate genes for diabetic nephropathy on chromosome 3q in European populations: strongest evidence for association with a variant in the promoter region of the adiponectin gene.

Linkage studies have mapped loci for diabetic nephropathy and associated phenotypes on chromosome 3q. We studied 14 plausible candidate genes in the linkage region because of their potential role in vascular complications. In a large-scale study of patients from Denmark, Finland, and France who have type 1 diabetes, 1,057 case and 1,127 control subjects, as well as 532 trios, were investigated for association with diabetic nephropathy. We analyzed 69 haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms and nonsynonymous variants that were identified by sequencing. Polymorphisms in three genes, glucose transporter 2 (SLC2A2), kininogen (KNG1), and adiponectin (ADIPOQ), showed nominal association with diabetic nephropathy in single-point analysis. The T-allele of SLC2A2_16459CT was associated with a decreased risk of diabetic nephropathy (odds ratio 0.79 [95% CI 0.66-0.96], P = 0.016), whereas the T-allele of KNG_7965CT and the A-allele of ADIPOQ_prom2GA were associated with increased risk of nephropathy (1.17 [1.03-1.32], P = 0.016; 1.46 [1.11-1.93], P = 0.006, respectively). Analyses of the transmission disequilibrium test showed similar trends only for ADIPOQ_prom2GA with the overtransmission of the A-allele to patients with diabetic nephropathy (1.52 [0.86-2.66], P = NS) and of the G-allele to patients without diabetic nephropathy (0.50 [0.27-0.92], P = 0.026). The overall significance for this variant (nominal P = 0.011) suggests that ADIPOQ might be involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Prognostic value of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 for cardiovascular death among patients with cardiovascular disease: results from the AtheroGene study.

AIMS: Metalloproteinases are proteolytic enzymes, which decompose the extracellular matrix, influence cardiac remodelling, and are inhibited by tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Little is known about the prognostic impact of the TIMP-1/matrix metalloproteinase complex in patients with future cardiovascular death. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 1979 patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), TIMP-1 has been determined at baseline. Among 1945 (98.4%) patients with a mean follow-up period of 2.6+/-1.2 years, 75 patients died because of cardiovascular causes. Mean concentrations of TIMP-1 were higher among patients who experienced a fatal cardiovascular event than among those who did not (820 vs. 692 ng/mL; P<0.001). Age and sex adjusted hazard ratio of future cardiovascular death associated with one standard deviation of TIMP-1 level, was 1.37 (95% CI: 1.17-1.61; P<0.001). The hazard ratio remained nearly identical after adjustment for clinical and therapeutic confounders. B-type natriuretic peptide (2.75, 95% CI: 1.94-3.89; P<0.001), C-reactive protein (1.79, 95% CI: 1.43-2.24; P<0.001), and TIMP-1 (1.30, 95% CI: 1.07-1.58; P=0.008) were independently associated with future cardiovascular death. CONCLUSION: In patients with CAD, TIMP-1 proves as an independent predictor for future cardiovascular death.

Biomarkers↗

Asymmetric dimethylarginine and the risk of cardiovascular events and death in patients with coronary artery disease: results from the AtheroGene Study.

As a competitive inhibitor of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has been related to atherosclerotic disease. Little is known about the prognostic impact of baseline ADMA determination. In a prospective cohort of 1908 patients with coronary artery disease, we assessed baseline serum concentration of ADMA in 1874 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease. One hundred fourteen individuals developed the primary end point of death from cardiovascular causes or nonfatal myocardial infarction during a mean follow-up of 2.6+/-1.2 years. Median concentrations of ADMA levels were higher among individuals who subsequently developed the primary end point than among those who did not (0.70 versus 0.63 micromol/L; P<0.001). The risk of future cardiovascular event was associated with increasing thirds of baseline ADMA (P for trend, <0.001) such that individuals in the highest third at entry had a hazard ratio 2.48 times higher than those in the lowest third (95% confidence interval, 1.52 to 4.06; P<0.001). This relationship remained nearly unchanged after adjustment for most potential confounders. Prediction models that simultaneously incorporated ADMA, B-type natriuretic peptide, C-reactive protein, and creatinine in addition to traditional risk factors revealed B-type natriuretic peptide (hazard ratio, 1.96; 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 3.0; P=0.002) and ADMA (hazard ratio, 1.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.3 to 2.8; P=0.001) as the strongest risk predictors. High levels of baseline ADMA independently predict future cardiovascular risk. ADMA has prognostic value beyond traditional risk factors and novel biomarkers and might guide therapeutic strategies.

Adult↗

Genetic analysis of the interleukin-18 system highlights the role of the interleukin-18 gene in cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin (IL)-18 plays a key role in atherosclerosis and its complications. The present study investigated the genetic variability of 4 genes of the IL-18 system-IL18, IL18R1, IL18RAP, and IL18BP-in relation to circulating IL-18 levels and cardiovascular mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-two polymorphisms were genotyped in 1288 patients with coronary artery disease prospectively followed up during a median period of 5.9 years. The end point was death from cardiovascular causes (n=142). Baseline IL-18 levels were predictive of cardiovascular deaths occurring during < or =4 years of follow-up (HR=2.96, 95% CI 1.54 to 5.70, P=0.001 for the top compared with the bottom quartile) but not of later deaths. Haplotypes of the IL18 gene were associated with IL-18 levels (P=0.002) and cardiovascular mortality (P=0.006) after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors. The same haplotype was associated with both a 9% lowering effect on IL-18 levels and a protective effect on risk (HR=0.57, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.92). IL18 haplotypes explained only 2% of IL-18 variability. Adjustment for baseline IL-18 levels abolished the association of haplotypes with cardiovascular risk. The haplotype associated with phenotypes was the only one carrying the minor allele of the IL18/A+183G polymorphism located in the 3'untranslated region and potentially affecting mRNA stability. The other genes of the system were not related to IL-18 levels or cardiovascular outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Variations of the IL18 gene consistently influence circulating levels of IL-18 and clinical outcome in patients with coronary artery disease, which supports the hypothesis of a causal role of IL-18 in atherosclerosis and its complications.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

Glutathione peroxidase-1 and homocysteine for cardiovascular risk prediction: results from the AtheroGene study.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective study was designed to evaluate the effect of joint determination of two important contrary biomarkers--homocysteine and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-1--on cardiovascular risk stratification. BACKGROUND: Homocysteine plasma levels have been associated with cardiovascular risk. Experimental data suggest that antioxidative GPx-1 activity modulates cardiovascular risk associated with homocysteine. METHODS: In 643 patients with coronary artery disease, we performed a prospective study to assess the risk of homocysteine plasma levels and GPx-1 activity on long-term cardiovascular risk with a median follow-up of 7.1 years. RESULTS: Both homocysteine and GPx-1 were among the strongest univariate predictors of future cardiovascular risk, even after adjustment for cardiovascular confounders. Homocysteine levels were significantly elevated in individuals with future cardiovascular events (15.4 vs. 13.4 micromol/l; p < 0.0001); GPx-1 activity was lower (45.3 +/- 13.1 vs. 50.2 +/- 11.0 U/g hemoglobin; p < 0.0001). In patients with GPx-1 activity below the median value, homocysteine plasma levels above the median were associated with a 3.2-fold (95% confidence interval 1.8 to 5.6; p < 0.0001) increase in cardiovascular risk, whereas it lost its independent risk prediction in individuals with increased antioxidative capacity, as reflected by high GPx-1 activity. In contrast to single determination, combined assessment revealed a significant increase in the area under the curve of cardiovascular risk predictive models from 0.72, including traditional risk factors to 0.75 and also including homocysteine levels and GPx-1 activity. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma homocysteine levels and GPx-1 activity are complementary in identifying individuals at high cardiovascular risk. Joint determination of both biomarkers provides substantial information on top of classic risk factors in cardiovascular risk assessment.

Aged↗

Adverse associations between CX3CR1 polymorphisms and risk of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the role of monocyte-recruiting chemokines in cerebrovascular diseases among the subjects of the GENIC case-control study of brain infarction (BI). METHODS AND RESULTS: Of the genotypes tested, only homozygosity for the rare CX3CR1 alleles was more frequent in cases than in controls: the I249 and M280 alleles were associated with an increased risk of BI (OR, 1.66 and OR, 2.62 with P<0.05, respectively). This effect was independent of other established risk factors and uncorrelated with disease severity. The study confirmed previous reports of a dominant protective association between CX3CR1-I249 allele and the risk of cardiovascular history. The risk of BI associated with homozygosity for the rare CX3CR1 alleles was enhanced in patients with no previous cardiovascular events. Ex vivo studies showed that the number of monocytes adhering to immobilized CX3CL1, the CX3CR1 ligand, increased proportionally to the number of CX3CR1 mutated alleles carried by the individual. CONCLUSIONS: The rare CX3CR1 alleles were associated with an increased risk of BI and with reduced frequency of cardiovascular history. We propose that the extra adhesion of monocytes observed in individuals carrying rare alleles of CX3CR1 may favor mechanisms leading to stroke.

Adult↗

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in brain infarction and vascular death.

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has functions that may contribute to brain infarction (BI). In 459 matched pairs of white patients and control subjects, we measured plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels, seven polymorphisms (angiotensinogen T174M and M235T, ACE I/D and 4656 2/3CT repeat [rpt], angiotensin II type 1 receptor A1166C and A153G, and aldosterone synthase CYP11B2), and evaluated 5-year poststroke mortality. Mean plasma ACE levels (+/-standard error) were significantly greater in patients than control subjects (37.5 +/- 0.9 vs 33.9 +/- 0.9), in patients with lacunar stroke, and in patients with no previous vascular (cerebrovascular or cardiovascular) history. The risk for BI increased with tertiles of plasma ACE, without an interaction with hypertension. After adjustments, the association disappeared except among patients with cardioembolic BI and those without previous vascular events. Among the polymorphisms, there was a weak association of BI with angiotensin II type 1 receptor 1166C, a weak protective effect with angiotensinogen 174M, and a strong association of angiotensinogen 235T with 5-year vascular mortality. These results suggest that renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity and genes contribute to cerebrovascular disease and poststroke vascular death in white patients.

Adolescent↗

Coronary heart disease and polymorphisms in genes affecting lipid metabolism and inflammation.

Several biologic systems contribute to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and its complications, and within each of these systems many genes have been explored to establish the possible implication of their variability in coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. This report is focused on recent results pertaining to lipid and inflammatory genes, their variability, and their relationship with intermediate phenotypes and CHD. For both systems, there is no evidence at the present time that testing genetic polymorphisms might be of any benefit to the patient, for the diagnosis or prognosis of CHD, or for tailoring drug prescription. Understanding the genetics of complex traits like CHD will require a system approach that allows a modeling of the interaction among genes as well as between genetic and nongenetic sources of variation.

Coronary Disease↗

A polymorphism in the endothelin-A receptor gene is linked to baroreflex sensitivity.

BACKGROUND: The baroreflex plays an essential role in regulating the cardiovascular system. However, very few studies have focused on the links between genetic polymorphisms and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). METHODS: A total of 146 hypertensive individuals who had never been treated, and 105 healthy individuals (controls) were included in the study. The genotypes of 17 polymorphisms of 11 genes involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular system were studied. BRS was measured using a sequence method: BRS was evaluated as the slope of spontaneous increases [systolic blood pressure (SBP)+/reflex response (RR)+] or decreases (SBP-/RR-) in SBP and pulse interval by recording blood pressure (BP) continuously for 20 min. RESULTS: Following univariate analysis, the genetic polymorphism of endothelin receptor A EDNRA/C+1222T was found to be significantly correlated with the BRS (SBP-/RR-) level in both populations. In normotensive subjects, mean BRS values (SBP-/RR-) were 11.93 +/- 3.69 ms/mmHg in EDNRA CC homozygotes, 9.94 +/- 2.97 ms/mmHg in CT heterozygotes and 9.51 +/- 3.16 ms/mmHg in TT homozygotes (P = 0.01). In hypertensive subjects, mean BRS values (SBP-/RR-) were 9.26 +/- 3.59 ms/mmHg in EDNRA CC homozygotes, 9.03 +/- 4.14 ms/mmHg in CT heterozygotes and 6.60 +/- 2.42 ms/mmHg in TT homozygotes (P = 0.01). After adjustment for age, sex, SBP and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index, the EDNRA/C+1222T polymorphism remained significantly correlated with BRS in both normotensive (P = 0.01) and hypertensive (P = 0.01) subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the endothelin system may be involved in the regulation of BRS in humans. In particular, the T allele of the EDNRA/C+1222T polymorphism is associated with a reduction in BRS in both healthy and hypertensive subjects.

Adult↗

Analysis of N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein for risk stratification in stable and unstable coronary artery disease: results from the AtheroGene study.

AIMS: N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (Nt-proBNP) is a reliable risk predictor in acute coronary artery disease (CAD). Little is known about patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP). We aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of Nt-proBNP in a population with CAD especially focussing on patients with SAP. METHODS AND RESULTS: We obtained baseline samples from a prospective cohort of 904 consecutive patients with CAD. Cardiovascular events were registered during follow-up (median 2 years; maximum 3.7 years). Baseline Nt-proBNP was significantly higher among individuals with cardiovascular events compared with those without (711.5 vs. 238.8 pg/mL; P<0.0001). A similar association was found if the analysis was performed in patients who presented with stable angina (330 vs. 166.5 pg/mL; P=0.006) or acute coronary syndrome (990.9 vs. 527.7 pg/mL; P=0.03). In the SAP group, patients within the top quartile (>487.9 pg/mL) had a 3.7-fold (95% CI 1.2-9.1; P=0.01) increase in cardiovascular risk. After adjustment for most potential confounders including left ventricular ejection fraction, Nt-proBNP remained predictive for patients with serum concentrations in the upper quartile in comparison with patients in the lowest quartile (hazard ratio highest vs. lowest quartile: 4.0; P=0.03) (n=417). CONCLUSION: Baseline concentration of Nt-proBNP is independently related to future cardiovascular events in patients with stable angina.

Angina Pectoris↗

Platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase and PAF-receptor gene haplotypes in relation to future cardiovascular event in patients with coronary artery disease.

Oxidation of low density lipoproteins is an initial step of atherogenesis that generates pro-inflammatory phospholipids, including platelet-activating factor (PAF) and its analogs. PAF is degraded by PAF-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), a circulating enzyme having both pro- and anti-inflammatory activities. PAF-AH activity has been postulated to be a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD); however, whether PAF-AH has a causal role or is simply a marker of risk is unclear. The aim of this study was to relate the variability of the genes encoding PAF-AH (PLA2G7) and the PAF-receptor (PTAFR) to the risk of CAD and its complications. All polymorphisms located in putatively functional regions were investigated in a prospective cohort of CAD patients (n = 1314) and a group of healthy controls (n = 485). The whole gene variability was investigated in relation to case-control status, prospective cardiovascular outcome and plasma PAF-AH levels by means of haplotype analyses. All analyses indicated an effect of the PLA2G7/A379V polymorphism independent of the other polymorphisms. The V379 allele was less frequent in CAD patients than in controls and was associated with a lower risk of future cardiovascular events, suggesting that this allele might be protective against the development of CAD. The V379 allele was also associated with a weak increase of plasma PAF-AH activity that was unlikely to explain the protective effect of the allele on risk. A more likely interpretation is that the A379V polymorphism might modify the enzyme function towards a more anti-atherogenic form. Polymorphisms of the PTAFR gene were not related to any phenotype.

1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase↗