Related Experiment Videos

The association of elevated white blood cell count and C-reactive protein with endothelial dysfunction in cardiac

Yusuf Atmaca1, Cagdas Ozdol, Sibel Turhan

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey. yusufatmaca1@yahoo.com

Acta Cardiologica
|January 23, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Elevated inflammatory markers, including high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count, are associated with impaired endothelial function in Syndrome X patients. These markers may aid in assessing endothelial inflammation in clinical practice.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Inflammation Research
  • Endothelial Function Studies

Background:

  • Syndrome X, characterized by metabolic abnormalities, is linked to increased cardiovascular risk.
  • Endothelial dysfunction is an early marker of atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular events.
  • The role of specific inflammatory markers in the pathogenesis of Syndrome X requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between key inflammatory markers and endothelial function in patients with Syndrome X.
  • To determine if elevated levels of high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count correlate with impaired brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD).

Main Methods:

  • Prospective enrollment of 59 Syndrome X patients and 51 healthy controls.
  • Measurement of hs-CRP, WBC count, and its subtypes (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes).
  • Assessment of endothelial function using the brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) technique.

Main Results:

  • Syndrome X patients exhibited significantly higher hs-CRP levels and WBC counts compared to controls.
  • Neutrophil count and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were significantly elevated in Syndrome X patients.
  • Brachial artery FMD was significantly impaired in Syndrome X patients, with significant negative correlations found between FMD and both hs-CRP and WBC count.

Conclusions:

  • Patients with Syndrome X demonstrate elevated levels of hs-CRP and WBC count.
  • Endothelial function is significantly impaired in individuals with Syndrome X.
  • Increased hs-CRP and WBC levels may serve as valuable clinical indicators for assessing endothelial inflammation in Syndrome X.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction01:30

Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): An Overview with Scientific InsightsCoronary Artery Disease (CAD), often referred to as C-A-D, is a prevalent blood vessel disorder classified under the broader category of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a pathological process characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques are composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, inflammatory cells, calcium, and fibrin, reducing blood flow to...
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease01:27

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...