OBJECTIVE Previous studies have suggested that there is a relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Here, we aimed to evaluate the association between PTH levels and severity of CAD. METHODS Patients were divided into two groups based on their serum PTH values. Patients with PTH levels ≤72 pg/mL were accepted as Group 1 (n=568) and >72 pg/mL as G...

INTRODUCTION Endothelial dysfunction plays a crucial role in the process of atherosclerotic diseases and has been accepted as an early stage of atherosclerosis. Carotid intima-media-thickness (CIMT) and flow-mediated-dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery have been recommended as noninvasive methods to assess endothelial structure and function. Angiographic properties of patients with acute co...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Genetic predisposition is an important risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of rs10757274 and rs2383206 polymorphisms in chromosome 9p21 on presence and severity of CAD in a Turkish population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A total of 646 patients who underwent coronary angiography were included in this study. Coronary ...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Cardiovascular disease is prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Uric acid is increased in subjects with CKD and has been linked with cardiovascular mortality in this population. However, no study has evaluated the relationship of uric acid with angiographically proven coronary artery disease (CAD) in this population. We therefore investigated the link between seru...

BACKGROUND We aimed to assess whether the levels of FFAs (free fatty acids) in ACS (acute coronary syndrome) patients depend on the extent of myocardial ischemia during the subacute phase of ACS attack. METHODS A total of 892 consecutive CAD (coronary artery disease) subjects undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled. The FFAs contents were measured based on enzymatic assay. The relations...

BACKGROUND Despite the important roles of vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells in atherosclerotic lesion formation, data regarding the associations of functional polymorphisms in the genes encoding growth factors with the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) are lacking. The aim of the present study is to analyze the relationships between functional polymorphisms in genes enc...

INTRODUCTION Numerous studies suggest that total cholesterol content of erythrocyte membranes (CEM) might play a critical role in atherosclerotic plaque progression and instability. However, the exact role of CEM in atherosclerosis remains obscure. Our study was designed to investigate the association between CEM and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD), and to assess the effect of ros...

BACKGROUND Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a condition that, when associated with ischemic heart disease and cardiovascular events, can be influenced by genetic variants and determine more severe coronary atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVES To examine the contribution of genetic polymorphisms to the extension and severity of coronary disease in subjects with MS and recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ...

BACKGROUND The role of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in protection of coronary artery disease (CAD) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to reassess the value of PEDF in predicting the severity and prognosis of newly diagnosed stable CAD in a Chinese population. MATERIAL AND METHODS Plasma PEDF levels were measured in 259 stable CAD patients undergoing coronary angiograph...