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Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Investigating Aortic Valve Calcification via Isolation and Culture of T Lymphocytes using Feeder Cells from Irradiated Buffy Coat
Published on: February 4, 2021
Increased serum neopterin in patients with nonrheumatic aortic valve stenosis
Yoshiro Naito1, Takeshi Tsujino1, Hirokuni Akahori1
1Cardiovascular Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan.
Background:
Inflammation and immunity play an intrinsic role in the pathogenesis of NR-AS. Neopterin is mainly produced by activated macrophages.
Methods:
We examined serum neopterin levels in 51 patients undergoing valve replacement surgery [37 NR-AS and 14 aortic regurgitation (AR)].
Results:
Serum neopterin levels were significantly higher in patients with NR-AS than in those with AR and age matched controls, whereas serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels did not differ among three groups. Moreover, serum neopterin levels were not different between NR-AS patients with and without coronary artery disease.
Conclusions:
Serum neopterin levels appear to be a useful maker in patients with NR-AS.
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