Yoko Oe

Expression of interferon-g and interleukin-4 production in CD4+ T cells in patients with chronic heart failure

The prevalence of inflammation is high among patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Reduced ejection fraction was associated with frequency of CD4+ T cells of leukocytes. Therefore, we investigated inflammatory cytokines of expression markers in CD4+ T cells in patients with CHF. Blood samples were obtained from 103 patients with CHF, from 83 patients with stable angina (SA), and from 57 controls. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-positive CD4+ T cells and interleukin-4 (IL-4)-positive CD4+ T cells were analyzed using 3-color flow cytometry. The frequency (%) of IFN-γ-positive CD4+ T cells increased in patients with CHF compared with those with SA and controls (CHF: 28.3 ± 13.8, SA: 23.50 ± 10.38, controls: 19.00 ± 7.45, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the frequency of IL-4-positive CD4+ T cells among the three groups. The frequencies of CD4+ T cells that stained for IFN-γ decreased from 32.37% ± 16.40% on admission to 26.91% ± 12.53% after 2 weeks in 26 patients with CHF. B-type natriuretic peptide (pg/ml) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (mg/dl) levels decreased from 251.7 ± 150.4 and 0.64 ± 0.78 on admission to 208.2 ± 166.4 and 0.36 ± 0.34 after 2 weeks in the 26 patients with CHF. We have demonstrated expression of IFN-γ production of CD4+ T cells during CHF. Prevention of unwanted T cell activation could represent a new target in the treatment of CHF.

Significant association between score of periodontal disease and coronary artery disease

Recently, several researchers have demonstrated the association between periodontal disease and coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, we herein investigate the association between periodontal diseases and the existence of CAD among the study population who received both coronary angiography and dental examination. A total of 174 consecutive patients with dental examination including radiography and coronary angiography in the same hospitalization were recruited (64.5 ± 10.3 years, M/F: 94/80). A dentist assessed severity of periodontal status markers (bleeding on probing, probing depth ≥6 mm, teeth lost, alveolar bone resorption >half of root length by radiography and smoking status). We divided these patients into two groups according to whether they had CAD (CAD group, n = 99) or not (non-CAD group, n = 75) according to the results of coronary angiography. The composite periodontal risk scores calculated from periodontal status markers were higher in the CAD group than in the non-CAD group (P = 0.02). The composite periodontal scores were higher in the CAD group of age <60 years old population (P = 0.03) and in the CAD group of patients with normal glucose tolerance (P = 0.04). However, the difference was not significant in the age ≥60 years old population or those with diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance. In all populations, hypertension, glucose tolerance, statin therapy, and composite of periodontal risk scores were associated with CAD. Multivariate analyses revealed statin therapy, glucose tolerance, and periodontal risk scores were independent and significant risk factors for CAD. Composite periodontal risk scores were independent and significant predictive factors for CAD.

Periodontal status and Prevotella intermedia antibody in acute coronary syndrome

We performed periodontal examination and measured serum antibody levels against Prevotella intermedia in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Composite periodontal risk scores were significantly higher in the ACS group than in the coronary artery disease (CAD) group. Serum antibody levels were higher in the ACS group than in the CAD group and those were significantly correlated with the composite periodontal risk scores. These results provided important information about the status of P. intermedia infection in patients with ACS.

An autopsy case of the rupture of a giant aneurysm in a saphenous vein graft: 18 years after CABG

The saphenous vein is a widely used blood vessel for arterial bypass procedures. Failures of saphenous vein aortocoronary bypass grafts are predominantly the result of subsequent vein graft atherosclerotic disease. Rarely saphenous vein grafts undergo aneurysmal degeneration. This report describes a case of a ruptured aneurysm in a saphenous vein graft that occurred in an 82-year-old female who underwent a coronary artery bypass operation 18 years previously. We could not resuscitate her, but describe the autopsy findings in detail.