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Biomedical subjects

J Kreuzer

Publications and source records attributed to J Kreuzer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Influence of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with documented atherosclerosis.

UNLABELLED: Some medications have been shown to produce reductions in hs-CRP levels after initiating therapy. Whereas the role of the renin-angiotensin system in the inflammatory process has been documented in more detail during the last few years, the impact of an ACE-inhibitor therapy on this process has not been fully understood so far. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a therapy with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor ramipril on hs-CRP plasma concentrations in patients with atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 24 patients were enrolled in this prospective, uncontrolled, open-label multicenter study. Inclusion criteria were documented atherosclerosis, baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein between 3 and 12 mg/l, LDL-Cholesterol < or =150 mg/dl and no previous treatment with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. Ten patients, pretreated with statins, and 10 patients not previously treated with statins were eligible for statistical analysis. Baseline high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was significantly decreased from 3.99+/-1.61 mg/l (mean+/-SD) to 2.72+/-1.19 mg/l (-32%) after 3 months treatment with 10 mg ramipril daily (p=0.0002). The decrease was more pronounced in patients who had not been treated with statins previously (-1.50 mg/l+/-1.44 mg/l) compared to those who were pretreated (-0.90 mg/l+/-0.93 mg/l). CONCLUSIONS: The ACE inhibitor ramipril administered in a daily dose of 10 mg to patients with atherosclerosis reduces the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein concentration. This effect may contribute to cardiovascular risk reduction mediated by ramipril aside from the blood pressure lowering effect.

Adult↗

Ligand-dependent autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor is positively regulated by Gi-proteins.

Previously, we have shown that the human insulin receptor (IR) interacts with G(i)2, independent of tyrosine kinase activity and stimulates NADPH oxidase via the Galpha subunit of G(i)2. We have now investigated the regulatory role of G(i)2-proteins in IR function. For the experiments, isolated IRs from plasma membranes of human fat cells were used. The activation of IR autophosphorylation by insulin was blocked by G-protein inactivation through GDPbetaS (guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]disphosphate). Consistently, activation of G-proteins by micromolar concentrations of GTPgammaS (guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate) induced receptor autophosphorylation 5-fold over baseline and increased insulin-induced autophosphorylation by 3-fold. In the presence of 10 microM GTPgammaS, insulin was active at picomolar concentrations, indicating that insulin acted via its cognate receptor. Pretreatment of the plasma membranes with pertussis toxin prevented insulin- and GTPgammaS-induced autophosphorylation, but did not disrupt the IR-G(i)2 complex. The functional nature of the IR-G(i)2 complex was made evident by insulin's ability to increase association of G(i)2 with the IR. This leads to an augmentation of maximal receptor autophosphorylation induced by insulin and GTPgammaS. The specificity of this mechanism was further demonstrated by the use of isolated preactivated G-proteins. Addition of G(i)2alpha and Gbetagamma mimicked maximal response of insulin, whereas Galphas or Galphao had no stimulatory effect. These results define a novel mechanism by which insulin signalling mediates tyrosine kinase activity and autophosphorylation of the IR through recruitment of G(i)-proteins.

Adipocytes↗

Lipid-lowering therapy and cholesterol levels following acute myocardial infarction: a German study of 5361 patients.

BACKGROUND: Current studies on secondary prevention of cardiovascular events (CARE, LIPID, 4S) illustrate the necessity of an effective lipid-lowering therapy. An important part of secondary prevention is the prompt measurement of lipids following an infarct, to be able to start therapy as quickly as possible. AIMS: This study should show the general situation in the prescription of lipid-lowering drugs in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) and if there are gender differences in therapy and in the lipid parameters. The second aim was to determine the therapeutical conclusions for secondary prevention made in-hospital in patients with heart attacks. METHODS: Post-infarct lipid parameters (total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG) were examined in 5361 patients within 24 hours following an acute MI. Lipid parameters from 576 patients were measured again after 1 week. RESULTS: 80.1% of men under examination and 81.9% of the women had suffered from their first MI. Only 9% of all patients were already under lipid-lowering therapy before the MI. After the MI TC and LDL-C levels decreased significantly in a time-dependent manner. Around 50% of patients received lipid-lowering drug, or the recommendation of one, during their hospital stay. CONCLUSION: The range of TC values of the patients examined was comparable to those in the CARE and the 4S secondary prevention studies. It can therefore be assumed that the results of these studies are also applicable to Germany. Nevertheless, according to existing data, therapy with lipid-lowering drugs is currently unsatisfactory, even in secondary prevention.

Aged↗

Nitric oxide-mediated endothelial dysfunction--is there need to treat?

Before it gets to the development of manifest atherosclerotic lesions, all known risk factors primarily induce functional alterations in the vascular wall, namely in endothelial cells. Being termed endothelial dysfunction or endothelial activation, this condition is characterized by an altered availability of nitric oxide (NO). Under physiological conditions, NO is of unequivocal importance for the regulation of vascular homeostasis. Endothelium-derived NO released abluminally increases soluble guanylat cyclase activity in smooth muscle cells, thereby inducing relaxation and consequently vasodilatation. Intraluminally, NO inhibits the expression of adhesion molecules both on endothielial cells and neutrophils, thus preventing the adherence of cellular elements to the vascular wall. Furthermore, NO has antithrombotic effcts by inhibiting platelet aggregation and directly infuencing the synthesis of different factors involved in the coagulation cascade. Finally, in the long term, NO has been shown to exert antiproliferative properties. NO is generated intracellularly from L-arginine via NO-synthase with the help of several cofactors, including tetrahydobiopterin. Interestingly, it has recently become evident that under certain conditions, when there is a lack of tetrahydrobiopterin, NO-synthase produces reactive oxygen species instead of NO. Reactive oxygen species counteract the effects of NO and also scavenge NO resulting in the formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO). Peroxynitrite has been shown to have deleterious effects with respect to vascular function. The aim of the current review is to elucidate recent progress regarding the pathophysiological understanding of endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, the significance of this condition for the evaluation and prognosis of patients is discussed. Finally, current therapeutical strategies in the treatment and improvement of endothelial dysfunction are highlighted.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers↗

Platelet-derived growth factor activates production of reactive oxygen species by NAD(P)H oxidase in smooth muscle cells through Gi1,2.

Recent findings indicate that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) plays a role in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as second messengers in smooth muscle cells (SMC). To identify the source and signal transduction pathway of ROS formation in SMC, we investigated PDGF-induced ROS formation. Stimulation of SMC with PDGF resulted in a rapid increase of ROS production. Using an inactivating antibody, we identified the increase to be dependent on p22phox, a NAD(P)H-oxidase subunit. ROS release was completely inhibited by the Gi protein inhibitor PTX as well as an antibody against Galphai1,2, however, not by antibodies against Galphai3/0, Gas, and Gbeta1beta2. The effect of PDGF on ROS production in SMC membranes could likewise be mimicked by the use of a recombinant Galphai2 subunit but not by Galphai3, Galphai0, Gas, and Gbetagamma subunits. Immunoaffinity chromatography demonstrated coupling of Galphai1,2 to the PDGF a-receptor, which, after preincubation of the SMC membranes with PDGF, was increased in the absence of GTPgammaS but decreased in the presence of GTPgammaS and prevented by PTX treatment. These data define a novel G protein-dependent mechanism by which PDGF signaling is transduced through direct coupling of the Gai1,2 subunit of the trimeric G proteins to the PDGF tyrosine kinase receptor.

Animals↗

Smoothelin is an indicator of reversible phenotype modulation of smooth muscle cells in balloon-injured rat carotid arteries.

Restenosis is the major obstacle interfering with a successful long-term outcome of balloon angioplasty. Neointima formation following endothelial injury is the result of phenotype modulation and proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMC). To characterize these time-dependent changes, a rat balloon injury model of carotid artery restenosis was assessed. We applied monoclonal antibodies recognizing desmin, sm-alpha-actin and smoothelin, a novel marker specific for the differentiated phenotype of SMC. Neointima formation could be seen from day 7 after injury onwards. During early phases, the number of smoothelin-positive cells in the media was decreased compared with uninjured controls. Smoothelin staining was absent in the neointima during formation. Increased levels of smoothelin in both media and neointima were observed at days 28 and 56, correlating with a decrease in proliferation as assessed by Ki-67 antigen staining. No such changes were observed for desmin and sm-alpha-actin. Following balloon injury, SMC in both the media and the neointima underwent an early, reversible dedifferentiation, followed by proliferation. The novel SMC-specific marker protein smoothelin can be used to monitor this SMC (de)differentiation in neointima and media. These findings support the pivotal role of SMC phenotype modulation in neointima formation and restenosis.

Actins↗

Fibrinogen induces chemotactic activity in endothelial cells.

Chemotaxis of blood monocytes into the vessel wall together with the change of the relative content of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins at sites of predilection is an early cellular marker of atherogenesis. To examine the influence of ECM proteins on secretion of chemoattractants by endothelial cells (EC), porcine EC were seeded on gelatin (G), fibronectin (Fn) and fibrinogen (Fg). After 24 h cells seeded on G and Fn showed the histiotypic 'cobblestone'-morphology whereas cells seeded on Fg did not. Chemotactic activity for monocytes in supernatants from cells seeded on Fg was more than two-fold higher compared with G and was independent of soluble Fn or Fg in the supernatant. Quantification of monocyte chemoattracting protein-1, PDGF-AB and IL-8 in EC supernatants showed that Fg led to a significant increase in secretion of all three proteins compared with cells cultured on G. Preincubation of porcine EC with the tripeptide arginine-glycine-aspartic acid, as inhibitor of binding of Fg to integrin receptors, but not with the control tripeptide arginine-glycine-glutamic acid showed a decrease in chemotactic activity for cells cultured on Fg but not on Fn or G. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity in EC by GF109203 resulted in a decrease of fibrinogen-induced chemotactic activity. Also the tyrosine-kinase inhibitor herbimycin inhibited fibrinogen mediated secretion of chemokines. The role of the PKC pathway for matrix mediated signal transduction is further corroborated by Fg-dependent induction of the PKC isoform delta. These data indicate an integrin-dependent signal transduction pathway leading to induction of chemotactic activity by the ECM protein fibrinogen. This mechanism may contribute to induction of chemokines in early atherosclerotic lesions.

Animals↗

Low hepatic lipase activity is a novel risk factor for coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The crucial function of hepatic lipase (HL) in lipid metabolism has been well established, but the relationship between HL activity and coronary artery disease (CAD) is disputed. METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured HL activity in the postheparin plasma of 200 consecutive men undergoing elective coronary angiography and determined the degree of CAD with the extent score, which has been shown to be better correlated with known risk factors than other measures of CAD extent. We found a significant inverse correlation between HL activity and the extent of CAD (r=-0.19, P<0.01). This association was mainly due to patients with HDL levels >0.96 mmol/L (n=94, r=-0.30, P<0.005). HL activity was lower in 173 patients with CAD than in 40 controls with normal angiograms (286+/-106 versus 338+/-108 nmol. mL(-1). min(-1), P<0.01). To correct for potential confounding factors, we performed multivariate analyses that confirmed the independent association of HL activity with CAD extent. In addition, the presence of the T allele at position -514 in the HL promoter, which leads to a reduced HL promoter activity, was associated with lower HL activity (r=0.30, P<0.001) and higher CAD extent (42.2+/-20.8 versus 35.3+/-23.6 [extent score], P<0.05). In patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, calcified lesions in ECG-gated spiral computed tomography were higher in patients with low HL activity (6.3+/-6.8 versus 1.5+/-3.1, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that low HL activity is associated with CAD. Therefore, HL might be useful for CAD risk estimation and might be a target for pharmacological intervention.

Adult↗

Use of intravascular ultrasound to compare effects of different strategies of lipid-lowering therapy on plaque volume and composition in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: We studied whether lipid-lowering therapy with atorvastatin (target LDL cholesterol [LDL-C] <100 mg/dL) compared with a moderate treatment regimen that used other lipid-lowering drugs led to a lesser progression of atherosclerosis and to different changes in plaque echogenicity in patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was a 12-month, open-label, randomized, multicenter trial, which used serial 3D intracoronary ultrasound to calculate plaque volume and plaque echogenicity. After transcatheter therapy, 131 patients were randomized (atorvastatin n=65, usual care n=66). The target plaque had to be a minor lesion (ie, a diameter stenosis of <50% on angiography). After 12 months, mean LDL-C was reduced from 155 to 86 mg/dL in the atorvastatin group and from 166 to 140 mg/dL in the usual care group. Mean absolute plaque volume showed a larger increase in the usual care group compared with the atorvastatin group (usual care 9.6+/-28.1 mm(3), atorvastatin 1.2+/-30.4 mm(3); P=0.191). The hyperechogenicity index of the plaque increased to a larger extent for the atorvastatin group than for the usual care group, with a significant treatment effect for the percent change (atorvastatin 42.2%, usual care 10.1%; P=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: One year of lipid-lowering therapy to <100 mg/dL LDL-C most likely led to a slowdown of plaque growth of minor lesions. The significantly larger increase in plaque hyperechogenicity is most likely due to a change in plaque composition.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

Phosphorylation of cytokeratin 8 and 18 in human vascular smooth muscle cells of atherosclerotic lesions and umbilical cord vessels.

Expression of cytokeratins (CK) is considered a hallmark of the state of epithelial differentiation. CK also occur in certain vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), inferring an association with a less differentiated phenotype. Recently, CK posttranslational modification was shown to occur in epithelial cells in stress, mitosis or apoptosis. The aim of this study was to determine potential CK phosphorylation patterns in human VSMC. Tissue samples of normal peripheral and coronary arteries, atherosclerotic lesions and umbilical cord vessels were evaluated by immunofluorescence microscopy applying antibodies specific for cytokeratins 8 and 18, specific cytokeratin phosphorylation sites, Ki-67-antigen as a proliferation marker and nick end labeling (TUNEL) to detect apoptosis. All samples contained cytokeratin-positive VSMC but diverse phosphorylation patterns. The C-terminal serine 431 of cytokeratin 8 (CK8Ser-431) was phosphorylated in the vast majority of CK-expressing VSMC of coronary artery lesions. Only a subset of these cells demonstrated phosphorylation of CK18Ser-33 or, to an even lesser extent, CK8Ser-73. DNA fragmentation occurred predominantly in samples containing cells with phosphorylated CK8Ser-431 domains. In contrast, occluded peripheral lesions exhibited little or no phosphorylation. Neonatal VSMC in umbilical cord vessels contain abundant phosphorylated CK domains, again predominantly CK8Ser-431, but also CK18Ser-33. Again, only single cells were found to be proliferating or to contain DNA fragmentation. Thus, abundant CK phosphorylation in VSMC of atherosclerotic lesions suggests a specific functional response to cell stress and a possible relation to apoptosis.

Aorta↗

Thrombin-induced MCP-1 expression involves activation of the p22phox-containing NADPH oxidase in human vascular smooth muscle cells.

UNLABELLED: Activation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VMSC) by thrombin induces the expression of the chemokine, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). We investigated in cultured human and rat VSMC whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from the vascular NADPH oxidase contribute to this effect. Exposure of cultured VSMC to thrombin rapidly increased ROS formation, phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase as well as the expression of MCP-1. Specific inhibition of the p22phox subunit of the vascular NADPH oxidase using either p22phox neutralizing antibody or p22phox antisense oligonucleotides attenuated thrombin-induced ROS generation. Furthermore, thrombin-induced p38 MAP kinase activation as well as MCP-1 expression were impaired by antioxidants as well as by p22phox antisense oligonucleotides. Inhibition of p38 MAP kinase diminished the thrombin-induced expression of MCP-1. CONCLUSION: Thrombin, by activating a p22phox-containing NADPH oxidase, elicits ROS generation and activation of p38 MAP kinase in VSMC. The subsequent induction of MCP-1 expression highligts the crucial role of the p22phox-containing NADPH oxidase in thrombin-induced signal transduction in VSMC.

Animals↗

AT(1) receptor agonistic antibodies from preeclamptic patients cause vascular cells to express tissue factor.

BACKGROUND: We recently described autoantibodies (angiotensin-1 receptor autoantibodies, AT(1)-AA) directed at the AT(1) receptor in the serum of preeclamptic patients, whose placentas are commonly infarcted and express tissue factor (TF). Mechanisms of how AT(1)-AA might contribute to preeclampsia are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that AT(1)-AA cause vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) to express TF. METHODS AND RESULTS: IgG from preeclamptic patients containing AT(1)-AA was purified with anti-human IgG columns. AT(1)-AA were separated from the IgG by ammonium sulfate precipitation. We transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing the AT(1) receptor with TF promoter constructs coupled to a luciferase reporter gene. VSMC were obtained from human coronary arteries. Extracellular signal-related kinase activation was detected by an in-gel kinase assay. AP-1 activation was determined by electromobility shift assay. TF was measured by ELISA and detected by immunohistochemistry. Placentas from preeclamptic women stained strongly for TF, whereas control placentas showed far less staining. We proved AT(1)-AA specificity by coimmunoprecipitating the AT(1) receptor with AT(1)-AA but not with nonspecific IgG. Angiotensin (Ang) II and AT(1)-AA both activated extracellular signal-related kinase, AP-1, and the TF promoter transfected VSMC and Chinese hamster ovary cells, but only when the AP-1 binding site was present. We then demonstrated TF expression in VSMC exposed to either Ang II or AT(1)-AA. All these effects were blocked by losartan. Nonspecific IgG or IgG from nonpreeclamptic pregnant women had a negligible effect. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that AT(1)-AA and Ang II both stimulate the AT(1) receptor and initiate a signaling cascade resulting in TF expression. These results show an action of AT(1)-AA on human cells that could contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Angiotensin II↗

Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors modify the inflammatory response of human macrophages and endothelial cells infected with Chlamydia pneumoniae.

BACKGROUND: In patients with atherosclerosis, hepatic hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (CSE) inhibitors may reduce the activation of inflammation. Because Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been linked to coronary artery disease through the induction of plaque inflammation, we investigated whether cerivastatin affects the infection rate of human macrophages and endothelial cells (ECs) and their proinflammatory activation after chlamydial infection. METHODS AND RESULTS: Macrophages were collected from the alveolar compartment of 6 volunteers and 10 patients with chronic bronchitis. ECs were obtained from 10 umbilical cords. The C. pneumoniae strain CWL was incubated with macrophages or ECs in the presence and absence of the CSE inhibitor cerivastatin. The infection rate was determined by immunofluorescence microscopy. The release of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was quantified by ELISA. The release of oxygen radicals was determined by ferricytochrome assay. Infection rates were tendentially lower after the preincubation of macrophages with CSE inhibitors (17.2% versus 9. 3% and 18.2% versus 10.4%, respectively; P=NS). The secretion of MCP-1, IL-8, and TNF-alpha by infected macrophages from volunteers increased. Coincubation with cerivastatin resulted in significantly lower MCP-1 and IL-8 production, whereas the release of TNF-alpha remained unaffected. Similar effects regarding chemokine release were observed in ECs. CONCLUSIONS: CSE inhibitors modify the inflammatory response of human immune cells to C. pneumoniae. This finding could be relevant for the therapeutic potential of CSE statins in patients with atherosclerosis and C. pneumoniae infection.

Adult↗

Medical progress and rationing of cardiological services.

Due to the financial restrictions imposed on all national health services, the problem of allocating medical resources has gained new economical and political dimensions. Although each patient expects optimal treatment, the rationing of medical services make it increasingly difficult to provide the most adequate therapy. Health politicians and medical doctors have all advocated that health expenditures can be reduced by effective prevention of coronary heart disease, one of the main cost factors for all health services. Due to the introduction of statins, primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease can now be accomplished effectively. However, such treatment does not induce cost reduction, but rather an increase in costs. This applies predominantly to primary prevention. Treatment of all who would benefit from lipid lowering by statins would be prohibitively expensive for all national health care systems.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗

[Fibrinolytic therapy in thrombosis of a mitral valve prosthesis].

A 48-year-old woman presented with progressive dyspnea due to thrombosis of a mitral valve prosthesis. The patient had undergone mitral valve replacement (St. Jude Medical) six years prior to admission because of mitral stenosis (Class III); three years later the prosthesis had to be replaced (St. Jude Medical) because of valve thrombosis. At admission, transesophageal echocardiography showed a thrombus on the atrial side of the fixed valve leaflet and a thrombus (2.4 x 1.6 cm) floating from the left atrial roof. Because of the previous thoracotomies, thrombolysis was initiated despite the mobile thrombus with the attendant risk of embolization. Urokinase was infused in a dose to maintain the fibrinogen level around 100 mg/dl. After 24 h, the mean pressure gradient across the prosthetic mitral valve (measured by doppler echocardiography) had decreased from 23 to 11 mmHg. After 13 days of this modified thrombolytic regimen, the clinical symptoms of the patient had resolved and echocardiography showed a normal function of the prosthetic mitral valve without evidence of residual thrombosis. This patient demonstrates that prolonged cautious thrombolysis can be effective for the treatment of prosthetic valve thrombosis in hemodynamically moderately compromised patients.

Echocardiography, Doppler↗

Cardiac alpha-actin in smooth muscle cells: detection in umbilical cord vessels and in atherosclerotic lesions.

Phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells (SMC) is a key event during the development of atherosclerotic and restenotic lesions. During this process, the composition of the cytoskeleton is substantially altered, with changes predominantly in actin expression reflecting a shift from smooth muscle alpha-actin to the non-muscle beta-isoform. We now demonstrate that yet another actin isoform, cardiac alpha-actin, is synthesized, de novo, in SMC of various atherosclerotic lesions. Using a highly specific monoclonal antibody against cardiac alpha-actin, we analyzed and compared the accumulation of this actin isoform in diverse SMC by immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting. As expected, cardiac alpha-actin was present in human myocardium but not in healthy SMC of adult aorta, coronary arteries, trabeculae of the spleen, colon, stomach or skeletal muscle. Interestingly, the presence of cardiac alpha-actin was detected in umbilical cord vessels, human myometrium, in atherosclerotic coronary lesions and atherosclerotic lesions from peripheral vascular disease. The distribution of cardiac alpha-actin often paralleled that of cytokeratins 8 and 18, intermediate filament proteins typically found in dedifferentiated SMC. Taken together, the data presented here illustrate the expression of cardiac alpha-actin to be limited to either fetal vessels or those vessels or tissue having suffered damage or atrophy, outside its 'native' environment in the heart. The demonstration of cardiac alpha-actin in SMC of umbilical cord vessels and in atherosclerotic lesions but not in apparently healthy vessels supports the notion that SMC in atherosclerotic lesions exhibit a dedifferentiated phenotype.

Actins↗