Background:Atherosclerosis forms the pathological basis for the development of cardiovascular disease.Since pathological processes initially develop without clinically relevant symptoms,the identification of early mar...Background:Atherosclerosis forms the pathological basis for the development of cardiovascular disease.Since pathological processes initially develop without clinically relevant symptoms,the identification of early markers in the subclinical stage plays an important role for initiating early interventions.There is evidence that regulatory T cells(Tregs)are involved in the development of atherosclerosis.Therefore,the present study aimed to identify and investigate associations with Tregs and their subsets in a cohort of healthy elderly individuals with and without subclinical atherosclerotic plaques(SAP).In addition,various lifestyle and risk factors,such as cardiorespiratory fitness,were investigated as associated signatures.Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed in 79 participants(male:n=50;age=63.6±3.7 years;body mass index=24.9±3.1 kg/m2;mean±SD)who had no previous diagnosis of chronic disease and were not taking medication.Ultrasound of the carotids to identify SAP,cardiovascular function measurement for vascular assessment and a cardiorespiratory fitness test to determine peak oxygen uptake were performed.Additionally,tests were conducted to assess blood lipids and determine glucose levels.Immunophenotyping of Tregs and their subtypes(resting(rTregs)and effector/memory(mTregs))was performed by 8-chanel flow cytometry.Participants were categorized according to atherosclerotic plaque status.Linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze associations between parameters.Results:SAP was detected in a total of 29 participants.The participants with plaque were older(64.8±3.6 years vs.62.9±3.5 years)and had higher peripheral systolic blood pressure(133.8±14.7 mmHg vs.125.8±10.9 mmHg).The participants with SAP were characterized by a lower percentage of rTregs(28.8%±10.7%vs.34.6%±10.7%)and a higher percentage of mTregs(40.3%±14.7%vs.30.0%±11.9%).Multiple logistic regression identified age(odds ratio(OR)=1.20(95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.011.42))and mTregs(OR=1.05(95%CI:1.021.10))as independent risk factors for SAP.Stepwise linear regression could reveal an association of peak oxygen uptake(β=0.441),low-density lipoprotein(LDL)(β=0.096),and SAP(β=6.733)with mTregs and LDL(β=0.104)with rTregs.Conclusion:While at an early stage of SAP,the total proportion of Tregs gives no indication of vascular changes,this is indicated by a shift in the Treg subgroups.Factors such as serum LDL or cardiopulmonary fitness may be associated with this shift and may also be additional diagnostic indicators.This could be used to initiate lifestyle-based preventive measures at an early stage,which may have a protective effect against disease progression.展开更多
Abstract： This study investigated the effects of three sport-specific high-intensity training units on cardiac biomarker alteration in elite athletes of dragon boating. Thirty six male （age 33 ± 9） and twenty ...Abstract： This study investigated the effects of three sport-specific high-intensity training units on cardiac biomarker alteration in elite athletes of dragon boating. Thirty six male （age 33 ± 9） and twenty nine female （age 31 ±8） elite athletes, members of the German national team, were examined in their final training camp preparing for world championship. At two time points blood panels （pre-training and one hour post-training） were collected and concentrations of high sensitive troponin T, N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide （NT-pro BNP）, ereatine phosphokinase （CPK）, MB-creatine kinase （CKMB） and myoglobin were assessed. After exercise, serum levels ofNT-pro BNP, CPK, myoglobin and CKMB increased significantly （P 〈 0.01 for each） with only few values exceeding the upper reference limits. High sensitive troponin T remained below the limit of detection both before and after exercise in all athletes. Significant gender-related differences were found with a higher increase ofNT-pro BNP levels in female athletes （P 〈 0.01） compared to males. In contrast, male athletes displayed a significant higher increase of CPK （P 〈 0.01） and myoglobin （P 〈 0.01） compared to female athletes. In conclusion, three high-intensity training units did not lead to elevated high sensitive troponin T concentrations in elite athletes of dragon boating but to significant increases ofNT-pro BNP, CPK and myoglobin levels. This suggests that high-intensity training units do not lead to a cardiac injury in these athletes.展开更多
基金funded by the Central Hessen Research Campus,Flexi Fund,Project No.20121_1_1.
文摘Background:Atherosclerosis forms the pathological basis for the development of cardiovascular disease.Since pathological processes initially develop without clinically relevant symptoms,the identification of early markers in the subclinical stage plays an important role for initiating early interventions.There is evidence that regulatory T cells(Tregs)are involved in the development of atherosclerosis.Therefore,the present study aimed to identify and investigate associations with Tregs and their subsets in a cohort of healthy elderly individuals with and without subclinical atherosclerotic plaques(SAP).In addition,various lifestyle and risk factors,such as cardiorespiratory fitness,were investigated as associated signatures.Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed in 79 participants(male:n=50;age=63.6±3.7 years;body mass index=24.9±3.1 kg/m2;mean±SD)who had no previous diagnosis of chronic disease and were not taking medication.Ultrasound of the carotids to identify SAP,cardiovascular function measurement for vascular assessment and a cardiorespiratory fitness test to determine peak oxygen uptake were performed.Additionally,tests were conducted to assess blood lipids and determine glucose levels.Immunophenotyping of Tregs and their subtypes(resting(rTregs)and effector/memory(mTregs))was performed by 8-chanel flow cytometry.Participants were categorized according to atherosclerotic plaque status.Linear and logistic regression models were used to analyze associations between parameters.Results:SAP was detected in a total of 29 participants.The participants with plaque were older(64.8±3.6 years vs.62.9±3.5 years)and had higher peripheral systolic blood pressure(133.8±14.7 mmHg vs.125.8±10.9 mmHg).The participants with SAP were characterized by a lower percentage of rTregs(28.8%±10.7%vs.34.6%±10.7%)and a higher percentage of mTregs(40.3%±14.7%vs.30.0%±11.9%).Multiple logistic regression identified age(odds ratio(OR)=1.20(95%confidence interval(95%CI):1.011.42))and mTregs(OR=1.05(95%CI:1.021.10))as independent risk factors for SAP.Stepwise linear regression could reveal an association of peak oxygen uptake(β=0.441),low-density lipoprotein(LDL)(β=0.096),and SAP(β=6.733)with mTregs and LDL(β=0.104)with rTregs.Conclusion:While at an early stage of SAP,the total proportion of Tregs gives no indication of vascular changes,this is indicated by a shift in the Treg subgroups.Factors such as serum LDL or cardiopulmonary fitness may be associated with this shift and may also be additional diagnostic indicators.This could be used to initiate lifestyle-based preventive measures at an early stage,which may have a protective effect against disease progression.
文摘Abstract： This study investigated the effects of three sport-specific high-intensity training units on cardiac biomarker alteration in elite athletes of dragon boating. Thirty six male （age 33 ± 9） and twenty nine female （age 31 ±8） elite athletes, members of the German national team, were examined in their final training camp preparing for world championship. At two time points blood panels （pre-training and one hour post-training） were collected and concentrations of high sensitive troponin T, N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide （NT-pro BNP）, ereatine phosphokinase （CPK）, MB-creatine kinase （CKMB） and myoglobin were assessed. After exercise, serum levels ofNT-pro BNP, CPK, myoglobin and CKMB increased significantly （P 〈 0.01 for each） with only few values exceeding the upper reference limits. High sensitive troponin T remained below the limit of detection both before and after exercise in all athletes. Significant gender-related differences were found with a higher increase ofNT-pro BNP levels in female athletes （P 〈 0.01） compared to males. In contrast, male athletes displayed a significant higher increase of CPK （P 〈 0.01） and myoglobin （P 〈 0.01） compared to female athletes. In conclusion, three high-intensity training units did not lead to elevated high sensitive troponin T concentrations in elite athletes of dragon boating but to significant increases ofNT-pro BNP, CPK and myoglobin levels. This suggests that high-intensity training units do not lead to a cardiac injury in these athletes.
