Oral glucose tolerance test effects on endothelial inflammation markers in healthy subjects and diabetic patients. Optimism in Relation to Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Older Men: The VA Normative Aging Study Simple advice on lifestyle habits and long-term changes in biomarkers of inflammation and vascular adhesion in healthy middle-aged men Background diet influences the anti-inflammatory effect of alpha-linolenic acid in dyslipidaemic subjects. Inflammatory cytokines, endothelial markers and adhesion molecules in rheumatoid arthritis: effect of intensive anti-inflammatory treatment Effects of a brief course of azithromycin on soluble cell adhesion molecules and markers of inflammation in survivors of an acute coronary syndrome: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Circulating Cell Adhesion Molecules and Death in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Carotid intima media thickness, inflammatory markers, and endothelial activation markers in HIV Patients with lipoatrophy increased at 48 weeks regardless of use of rosiglitazone or placebo. Consumption of isoflavone-rich soy protein does not alter homocysteine or markers of inflammation in postmenopausal women Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist decreases plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 and soluble adhesion molecules in patients with chronic heart failure. Early increase in levels of soluble inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1); potential risk factor for the acute coronary syndromes. Effect of flaxseed oil on serum systemic and vascular inflammation markers and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled trial Prehospital resuscitation with hypertonic saline-dextran modulates inflammatory, coagulation and endothelial activation marker profiles in severe traumatic brain injured patients Functional electrical stimulation improves endothelial function and reduces peripheral immune responses in patients with chronic heart failure Effects of ginger on serum glucose, advanced glycation end products, and inflammation in peritoneal dialysis patients. Plasma inflammatory and vascular homeostasis biomarkers increase during human pregnancy but are not affected by oily fish intake. The effect of dietary walnuts compared to fatty fish on eicosanoids, cytokines, soluble endothelial adhesion molecules and lymphocyte subsets: a randomized, controlled crossover trial. Acute Inflammatory Biomarker Profiles Predict Depression Risk Following Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Reduction in serum levels of adhesion molecules, interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein following short-term low-dose atorvastatin treatment in patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia. Increased α-linolenic acid intake lowers C-reactive protein, but has no effect on markers of atherosclerosis The effect of diet enriched with alpha-linolenic acid on soluble cellular adhesion molecules in dyslipidaemic patients. Supplementation with Resveratrol and Curcumin Does Not Affect the Inflammatory Response to a High-Fat Meal in Older Adults with Abdominal Obesity: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial. Improved glycaemia in type 1 diabetes results in decreased levels of soluble adhesion molecules with no change in serum adiponectin or most acute phase proteins.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an oral glucose tolerance test ( OGTT ) on the level of endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation markers in healthy subjects ( H ) and diabetic overweight patients ( D ) . We enrolled 256 healthy subjects and 274 type 2 diabetic patients . We evaluated blood glucose ( BG ) , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( sICAM-1 ) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , high-sensitivity C reactive protein ( hsCRP ) , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 ( sVCAM-1 ) , soluble E-selectin ( sE-selectin ) , and tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-alpha )  at baseline and after OGTT . We observed that BG , sICAM-1 , IL-6 , hs-CRP , sVCAM-1 , sE-selectin , and TNF-alpha values were higher in D group than in H group . In a large sample of adult healthy subjects and type 2 diabetics we observed that both answer to an OGTT with a significant increase in biomarkers of systemic low- grade inflammation and endothelial dysfunction such as hsCRP , IL-6 , TNF-alpha , sICAM-1 , sVCAM-1 , and sE-selectin . Type 2 diabetics experienced , however , a more significant increase in TNF-alpha , and sE-selectin Background : Recent research suggests that optimism may reduce the risk of incident cardiovascular disease , but the mechanisms have not been determined . This study examines the association of optimism with change in inflammation and endothelial function over time in men . Methods : Longitudinal data were obtained from the Normative Aging Study excluding men with preexisting coronary heart disease or active infection at the time optimism was assessed ( n = 340 ; mean [ st and ard deviation ] age = 70.9 [ 6.7 ] years ) . The Life Orientation Test was used to measure optimism  , and serum markers were used to measure inflammation and endothelial dysfunction and were obtained repeatedly during the course of the study ( 1999 - 2008 ) . These markers included high-sensitivity C-reactive protein , interleukin 6 , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 , and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II . Within this sample , 243 men ( 71 % ) had two or more repeated measures of each outcome , result ing in a total of 746 observations for analysis . Linear mixed-effects models with a r and om subject intercept were used to estimate associations . Results : Higher overall optimism scores were associated with lower levels of interleukin 6 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 pooled across multiple time points in multivariable models but were not associated with rate of change in these markers over time . Analyses considering separate effects of optimism and pessimism subscales with each outcome indicated stronger effects of a pessimistic orientation versus an optimistic orientation . Conclusions : Higher overall optimism scores were associated with lower levels of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in older men free of coronary heart disease . CVD = cardiovascular disease ; IL-6 = interleukin 6 ; CRP = C-reactive protein ; sICAM-1 = soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 ; sVCAM-1 = soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 ; sTNF-RII = soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II ; NAS = Normative Aging Study ; BMI = body mass index ; SBP = systolic blood pressure ; DBP = diastolic blood pressure ; LOT = Life Orientation Test ; LOT-R = Revised Life Orientation Test ; BSI = Brief Symptom Inventory ; CI = confidence interval ; SD = st and ard deviation ; MESA = Multi-Ethnic Study of Background / Objectives : Lifestyle habits , vascular function and inflammation are components in the development of cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) . We investigated whether simple advice on dietary and exercise habits given ( at a single time point ) to hypercholesterolemic men affects circulating biomarkers of inflammation and vascular adhesion . Subjects/ Methods : In total , 157 men ( age 46±5 years ) with mild hypercholesterolemia were r and omized to four intervention groups , diet ( D , n=40 ) , exercise ( E , n=39 ) , diet and exercise ( DE , n=39 ) or controls ( C , n=39 ) and serum concentrations of C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 ( sICAM-1 ) , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 ( sVCAM-1 ) and soluble E-selectin ( sE-selectin ) were quantified at baseline and after a 6-month intervention period . Results : The intervention applied in this study , that is , simple advice on lifestyle changes given at a single time point , had a modest effect on inflammatory biomarkers and soluble vascular adhesion molecules . The most apparent alterations were found for individuals in group DE , who responded with significant reductions in sICAM-1 , −28 ( −41 to −14 μg/l ) and sE-selectin , −3.6 ( −6.9 to −0.3 μg/l ) after 6 months . None of the groups had altered their concentrations of sVCAM-1 , CRP or IL-6 significantly after the intervention . In all individuals combined , we found changes in apolipoprotein B ( apoB ) to predict alterations in sICAM-1 ( β=0.21 ) and sE-selectin ( β=0.26 ) , independently of changes in inflammation and other adhesion molecules . Conclusions : These observations indicate that even small efforts to improve diet and physical activity can influence biomarkers of vascular function in individuals at increased risk for CVD . ApoB was identified as an important determinant of this improvement , which adds further support to the notion of apoB as a critical target in cardiovascular prevention Long-chain n-3 PUFA from fish oils are known to have anti-inflammatory effects . We evaluated the effect of alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA ) , precursor of n-3 fatty acids , on serum inflammatory markers and soluble cellular adhesion molecules ( sCAM ) of dyslipidaemic males , relative to their background diet . Participants were assigned to two groups , based upon food intake patterns : ( a ) twenty-one dyslipidaemic subjects who habitually ate a Mediterranean-Cretan-type diet ; ( b ) nineteen dyslipidaemic subjects who normally ate a Westernised Greek diet .  All were supplemented with 8.1 g ALA/d for 12 weeks . We determined serum amyloid A ( SAA ) , C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , macrophage colony-stimulating factor ( MCSF ) , IL-6 , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 ( sVCAM-1 ) , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and soluble E-selectin concentrations at the beginning and the end of the ALA supplementation period . Serum baseline concentrations of inflammatory markers and sCAM were similar across the diet groups . Type of diet had a significant impact on the response of inflammatory markers to ALA supplementation . The Westernised Greek diet group showed a reduction in SAA ( P<0.001 ) , CRP ( P=0.002 ) , MCSF ( P=0.005 ) and IL-6 ( P=0.04 ) concentrations . The Mediterranean-Cretan-type background diet group showed a significant reduction only in MCSF concentrations ( P=0.003 ) . The sVCAM-1 concentrations were significantly reduced in both the Westernised Greek diet group ( P=0.001 ) and the Mediterranean-Cretan-type diet group ( P<0.001 ) . The present study demonstrated that ALA supplementation lowered the serum concentrations of inflammatory markers more profoundly when the background diet was rich in saturated fatty acids and poor in MUFA Tumour necrosis factor alpha ( TNF-α ) and interlekin-6 ( IL-6 ) are key inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) , a disease also associated with endothelial perturbation and increased serum levels of adhesion molecules . As relationships between these processes and molecules are unclear , we tested the hypotheses ( a ) that TNF-α and IL-6 are linked to endothelial activation/damage and levels of soluble adhesion molecules , and ( b ) that intensive anti-inflammatory treatment improves levels of these indices . We recruited 66 patients with RA , 48 community controls ( CC ) , and 25 disease controls ( DC ) .  Plasma TNF-α and IL-6 were compared to markers of vascular biology ( vWF , sE-sel ) , soluble adhesion molecules ( sICAM , sVCAM ) and routine inflammatory markers ( CRP and ESR ) . Blood was obtained at baseline and at 1 week and again 4 weeks after anti-inflammatory treatment in a subgroup of 29 patients with RA . With the exception of sE-selectin , RA patients had increased levels of all plasma markers compared to the HCs , whilst levels in the DCs were largely intermediate between RA and the CCs . Within the RA group , sEsel correlated with both CRP and ESR whilst TNF-α correlated with sVCAM ( all r > 0.32 , P < 0.01 ) . After 1 week of combined anti-inflammatory therapy , only CRP , ESR , sEsel and sVCAM were significantly reduced ( all P < 0.05 ) . In RA , endothelial activation ( as sEsel ) correlates with classical markers of inflammation and is reduced by intensive anti-inflammatory medications BACKGROUND The anti-chlamydial antibiotic , azithromycin , may improve outcome in patients who survive an acute coronary syndrome . The mechanisms are , however , poorly understood . The aims of this study were to define any relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity and levels of specific markers of endothelial activation ( soluble cell adhesion molecules ) and more general markers of inflammation ( C-reactive protein [ CRP ] and interleukin-6 [ IL-6 ] ) and to assess whether azithromycin had any effect on such markers . METHODS Patients who survived an acute coronary syndrome were r and omized to receive treatment with azithromycin  ( n = 72 ) or placebo  ( n = 69 ) for 5 days . Before therapy , C pneumoniae IgA and IgG titers were checked , with serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( sICAM-1 ) , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 , soluble E-selectin ( sE-selectin ) , soluble P-selectin , high-sensitivity CRP , and IL-6 . They were rechecked 3 months later . RESULTS There were no significant correlations between C pneumoniae titers and levels of CRP , IL-6 , or soluble cell adhesion molecules . However , azithromycin treatment significantly reduced mean sICAM-1 levels ( P = .006 ) . This effect was more marked in patients with elevated titers of C pneumoniae IgA and IgG. Soluble E-selectin levels were also reduced in patients who were seropositive , but no effects were seen on other endothelial or inflammatory markers . CONCLUSIONS After an acute coronary syndrome , a 5-day course of azithromycin reduces levels of sICAM-1 , a marker of endothelial cell activation . Although these data suggest a potentially beneficial role for azithromycin , they should be interpreted with caution Background —Vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 , intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 , and E-selectin mediate adhesion and transmigration of leukocytes to the vascular endothelial wall and may promote plaque growth and instability . In a prospect i ve study , we evaluated the effect of soluble adhesion molecules on the risk of future cardiovascular events among patients with angiographically documented coronary artery disease ( CAD ) . Methods and Results —We obtained baseline sample s from a prospect i ve cohort of 1246 patients with CAD . Besides various markers of inflammation ,  soluble VCAM-1 ( sVCAM-1 ) , sICAM-1 , and  sE-selectin  were determined . Follow-up information on cardiovascular events was obtained ( mean , 2.7 ; maximum , 4.1 years ) . Independently higher levels of  sVCAM-1  ( 1932 versus 1128 ng/mL;P < 0.0001 ) ,  sICAM-1  ( 353 versus 287 ng/mL;P = 0.015 ) , and  sE-selectin  ( 81 versus 63 ng/mL;P = 0.003 ) were observed in patients with future death from cardiovascular causes . In a multivariate model , fatal risk was 2.1-fold ( 1.1 to 4.0 ) higher in patients within the top quartile of baseline sVCAM-1 concentrations compared with lower quartiles . This association was present independent of general inflammatory response as reflected by low or high C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) levels . In a model that simultaneously controlled for all inflammatory and soluble adhesion markers determined , only sVCAM-1 remained independently significant for future fatal cardiovascular events , with a 2.8-fold increase in risk ( P = 0.003 ) . Conclusions —Soluble adhesion molecules  sVCAM-1  , sICAM-1 , and sE-selectin were significantly related to future death from cardiovascular causes among patients with documented CAD . Especially sVCAM-1 added to the predictive value of classic risk factors and hs-CRP in determining the risk of future cardiovascular death Rosiglitazone may be useful for the treatment of antiretroviral therapy-associated lipoatrophy , but an association with cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) has been question ed in diabetics . We evaluated rosiglitazone 's effect on surrogate markers of CVD in HIV-infected individuals with lipoatrophy . HIV(+ ) patients with lipoatrophy on thymidine-sparing regimens were r and omized to rosiglitazone vs. placebo for 48 weeks . We serially assessed carotid IMT , fasting metabolic profiles , tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α , soluble receptors ( sTNFRI and II ) , interleukin (IL)-6 , high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hsCRP ) , myeloperoxidase ( MPO ) , and endothelial activation markers [ von Willebr and factor ( vWF ) , soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecules-1 ( sICAM-1 ) , and vascular cell adhesion molecules-1 ( sVCAM-1 ) ] . Seventy-one subjects enrolled : 17 % were female and 51%were white . Baseline characteristics were similar between groups except for higher total cholesterol in the placebo group ( p = 0.04 ) . At 48 weeks , common carotid artery ( CCA ) IMT changed significantly ( p ≤ 0.05 ) within but not between the groups ( p = 0.36 ) : the median ( IQR ) increase was 0.10 ( 0.05 , 0.25 ) mm and 0.15 ( 0 , 0.25 ) mm in the rosiglitazone and placebo groups , respectively . hsCRP , sTNFRI and II , sVCAM-1 , and vWF changed significantly ( p ≤ 0.02 ) within but not between groups . Total cholesterol increased significantly in the rosiglitazone group ( p = 0.008 ) . In our study of virologically controlled subjects with lipoatrophy , rosiglitazone did not independently increase carotid IMT , endothelial activation , and inflammatory cytokines Background / Objective : To investigate the effect of soy protein containing isoflavones on homocysteine ( Hcy ) , C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , soluble E-selectin ( sE-selectin ) , soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 ( sVCAM-1 ) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1).Subject/ Methods : In a r and omized crossover design , 34 postmenopausal women consumed soy protein isolate ( 26±5 g protein containing 44±8 mg isoflavones per day ) or milk protein isolate ( 26±5 g protein per day ) for 6 weeks each . Fasting blood sample s were collected at the end of each diet period and end points analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . Results : Concentrations of Hcy , CRP , sE-selectin , sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 were not different between soy and milk diet treatments . Results did not differ by equol production status or by baseline lipid concentration . Adjustment for intake of folate and methionine did not alter the Hcy results . Conclusions : These data suggest that decreasing vascular inflammation and Hcy concentration are not likely mechanisms by which soy consumption reduces coronary heart disease risk OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of an angiotensin ( Ang II ) type 1 receptor antagonist on immune markers in patients with congestive heart failure ( CHF ) . BACKGROUND Ang II stimulates production of immune factors via the Ang II type 1 receptor in vitro , and the long-term effects of Ang II type 1 receptor antagonists on plasma markers of immune activation are unknown in patients with CHF . METHODS Twenty-three patients with mild to moderate CHF with left ventricular dysfunction were r and omly divided into two groups : treatment with Ang II type 1 receptor ( c and esartan cilexetil ) ( n = 14 ) or placebo ( n = 9 ) . We measured plasma levels of immune factors such as tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNFalpha ) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( sICAM-1 ) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 ( sVCAM-1 ) . We also measured plasma levels of the neurohumoral factors such as atrial natriuretic peptide ( ANP ) and brain natriuretic peptide ( BNP ) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate ( cGMP ) , a biological marker of ANP and BNP . RESULTS Plasma levels of TNFalpha , IL-6 , sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were increased in the 23 CHF patients compared with normal subjects and significantly decreased after 14 weeks of c and esartan cilexetil treatment , but did not change in the placebo group . Plasma levels of BNP , which is a marker of ventricular injury , significantly decreased , and the molar ratio of plasma cGMP to cardiac natriuretic peptides ( ANP + BNP ) was significantly increased after c and esartan cilexetil treatment , but did not change in the placebo group . CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that 14 weeks of treatment with an Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist ( c and esartan cilexetil ) decreased plasma levels of the immune markers such as TNFalpha , IL-6 , sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 and that it improved the biological compensatory action of endogenous cardiac natriuretic peptides in patients with mild to moderate CHF BACKGROUND Studies have shown disparate results in relation to the role of plasma concentrations of cell adhesion molecules in atherosclerosis . Moreover , the differentiation of primary vs secondary alterations of these markers , in response to myocardial injury , has not been clear . We measured specific soluble cell adhesion molecules and inflammatory markers in men admitted acutely with chest pain and compared them to healthy controls . METHODS AND RESULTS We prospect ively studied men ( total n=241 ) , admitted acutely with chest pain ( 7.4+/-9.4 h , 71 % within 10 h ) , unstable angina ( n=67 ) , acute myocardial infa rct ion ( n=47 ) and chest pain without ischaemic heart disease ( n=45 ) and compared them with a stratified sample of r and omly selected healthy controls ( n=82 ) .  Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule ( sICAM-1 ) , endothelial selectin , vascular cell adhesion molecule , interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein were measured by ELISA and  P-selectin expression by flow cytometry . Multiple regression analysis was used to control for the impact of classical risk factors . At baseline ICAM-1 , interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein were significantly elevated in patient groups whereas no difference in vascular cell adhesion molecule or endothelial selectin was found . At 3 month follow-up , ICAM-1 level was unchanged in ischaemic heart disease patients . In all groups C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels were lower at review . ICAM-1 levels at follow-up were higher in ischaemic heart disease groups ( but not in chest pain without ischaemic heart disease ) relative to controls and remained so only in the unstable angina group following regression . sICAM-1 , interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein strongly correlated with smoking . In the acute phase , ICAM-1 was confounded by smoking following regression and C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 remained significant in both ischaemic heart disease groups after multiple regression . There was no relationship to events which occurred in 23 % of ischaemic heart disease patients ( further acute myocardial infa rct ion 5.3 % , sudden cardiac death 0.9 % or recurrent angina 16.7 % ) . CONCLUSION We found an inflammatory response with higher sICAM-1 , interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein in patients presenting soon after developing an acute coronary syndrome . As sICAM-1 was not affected by the acute event this plasma marker may be an important risk factor for the development of the acute coronary syndrome , particularly unstable angina Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of flaxseed oil consumption on serum systemic and vascular inflammation markers , and oxidative stress in hemodialysis ( HD ) patients . Methods In this r and omized , double-blind , clinical trial , 34 HD patients were r and omly assigned to either the flaxseed oil or the control group . The patients in the flaxseed oil group received 6 g/day flaxseed oil for 8 week , whereas the control group received 6 g/day medium-chain triglycerides ( MCT ) oil . At baseline and the end of week 8 , serum concentrations of high-sensitive C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 ( sICAM-1 ) , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule type 1 ( sVCAM-1 ) , sE-selectin , and malondialdehyde ( MDA ) were measured after a 12- to 14-h fast . Results Serum hs-CRP , a systemic inflammation marker , and sVCAM-1 , a vascular inflammation marker , reduced significantly in the flaxseed oil group at the end of week 8 compared to baseline ( P < 0.05 ) , and the reductions were significant in comparison with the MCT oil group ( P < 0.05 ) . There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes in serum sICAM-1 , sE-selectin , and MDA . Conclusion This study indicates that daily consumption of 6 g flaxseed oil reduces serum hs-CRP and sVCAM-1 , which are two risk factors for CVD . Therefore , the inclusion of flaxseed oil in the usual diet of HD patients can be considered as a strategy for reducing CVD risk factors Background Traumatic brain injury ( TBI ) initiates interrelated inflammatory and coagulation cascades characterized by wide-spread cellular activation , induction of leukocyte and endothelial cell adhesion molecules and release of soluble pro/antiinflammatory cytokines and thrombotic mediators . Resuscitative care is focused on optimizing cerebral perfusion and reducing secondary injury processes . Hypertonic saline is an effective osmotherapeutic agent for the treatment of intracranial hypertension and has immunomodulatory properties that may confer neuroprotection . This study examined the impact of hypertonic fluids on inflammatory/coagulation cascades in isolated head injury . Methods Using a prospect i ve , r and omized controlled trial we investigated the impact of prehospital resuscitation of severe TBI ( GCS < 8) patients using 7.5 % hypertonic saline in combination with 6 % dextran-70 ( HSD ) vs 0.9 % normal saline ( NS ) , on selected cellular and soluble inflammatory/coagulation markers . Serial blood sample s were drawn from 65 patients ( 30 HSD , 35 NS ) at the time of hospital admission and at 12 , 24 , and 48-h post-resuscitation . Flow cytometry was used to analyze leukocyte cell-surface adhesion ( CD62L , CD11b ) and degranulation ( CD63 , CD66b ) molecules . Circulating concentrations of soluble (s)L- and sE-selectins ( sL- , sE-selectins ) , vascular and intercellular adhesion molecules ( sVCAM-1 , sICAM-1 ) , pro/antiinflammatory cytokines [ tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin ( IL-10 ) ] , tissue factor ( sTF ) , thrombomodulin ( sTM ) and D-dimers ( D-D ) were assessed by enzyme immunoassay . Twenty-five healthy subjects were studied as a control group . Results TBI provoked marked alterations in a majority of the inflammatory/coagulation markers assessed in all patients . Relative to control , NS patients showed up to a 2-fold higher surface expression of CD62L , CD11b and CD66b on polymorphonuclear neutrophils ( PMNs ) and monocytes that persisted for 48-h . HSD blunted the expression of these cell-surface activation/adhesion molecules at all time-points to levels approaching control values . Admission concentrations of endothelial-derived sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin were generally reduced in HSD patients . Circulating sL-selectin levels were significantly elevated at 12 and 48 , but not 24 h post-resuscitation with  HSD . TNF-α and IL-10 levels were elevated above control throughout the study period in all patients , but were reduced in HSD patients . Plasma sTF and D-D levels were also significantly lower in HSD patients , whereas sTM levels remained at control levels . Conclusions These findings support an important modulatory role of HSD resuscitation in attenuating the upregulation of leukocyte/endothelial cell proinflammatory/prothrombotic mediators , which may help ameliorate secondary brain injury after TBI.Trial registration NCT00878631 Background Previous studies have shown beneficial effects of functional electrical stimulation ( FES ) on muscle performance and exercise capacity of patients with chronic heart failure . This study evaluates the impact of FES on endothelial function and peripheral markers of immune activation in patients with moderate to severe heart failure . Methods Twenty-four patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 40 % and New York Heart Association class II-III symptoms , undergoing optimized drug therapy , were r and omly assigned ( 2:1 ) to a 6-week training programme of FES ( n = 16 ) or served as controls ( n = 8) . Endothelial function was assessed by Doppler flow-mediated dilatation ( FMD ) of the brachial artery before and after the training programme . Peripheral pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory markers such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α , interleukin (IL)-6 , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1 , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM)-1 and IL-10 were also measured before and after training . Results A significant improvement on the 6-min walk test ( 7.5 ± L3.3 % ) , Minnesota Living Score ( 18.2 ± 8.6 % ) and FMD ( 38.5 ± 15.1 % ) was observed only in the FES-treated group . FES also causes a significant reduction of TNF-α ( −11.5 ± 8.9 % ) , sICAM-1 ( −13.1 ± 9.8 % ) , and sVCAM-1 ( −10.6 ± 6.6 % ) , as well as a respective increase in the ratio IL-10/TNF-α ( 37.1 ± 29.4 % ) . In the FES group , the percentage improvement in the Minnesota Living Score was significantly correlated with respective changes in circulating TNF-α ( r = 0.624 , P<0.01 ) , sVCAM-1 ( r = 0.665 , P<0.001 ) and the ratio IL-10/TNF-α ( r = −0.641 , P<0.01 ) . Conclusion FES is an exercise training programme that improves endothelial function in patients with chronic heart failure , and also has anti-inflammatory effects OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ginger supplementation on serum glucose , advanced glycation end products , oxidative stress , and systemic and vascular inflammatory markers in patients on peritoneal dialysis ( PD ) . METHODS In this r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial , 36 patients on PD were r and omly assigned to either the ginger or the placebo group . The patients in the ginger group received 1000 mg/d ginger for 10 wk , whereas the placebo group received corresponding placebos . At baseline and the end of week 10 , serum concentrations of glucose , carboxymethyl lysine , pentosidine , malondialdehyde ( MDA ) , high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 ( sICAM-1 ) , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule type 1 ( sVCAM-1 ) , and sE-selectin were measured after a 12- to 14-h fast . RESULTS Serum fasting glucose decreased significantly up to 20 % in the ginger group at the end of week 10 compared with baseline ( P < 0.05 ) , and the reduction was significant in comparison with the placebo group ( P < 0.05 ) . There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes of serum carboxymethyl lysine , pentosidine , MDA , hs-CRP , sICAM-1 , sVCAM-1 , and sE-selectin . CONCLUSION This study indicated that daily administration of 1000 mg ginger reduces serum fasting glucose , which is a risk factor for hyperinsulinemia , dyslipidemia , peritoneal membrane fibrosis , and cardiovascular disease , in patients on PD The Salmon in Pregnancy Study investigated whether the increased consumption of ( n-3 ) long-chain PUFA ( LC-PUFA ) from farmed Atlantic salmon  affects immune function during pregnancy and atopic disease in neonates compared with a habitual diet low in oily fish . In this context , because the ingestion of ( n-3 ) LC-PUFA may lower the concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers , we investigated whether the consumption of oily fish affects the levels of inflammatory cytokines and vascular adhesion factors during pregnancy . Pregnant women ( n = 123 ) were r and omly assigned to continue their habitual diet ( control group , n = 61 ) , which was low in oily fish , or to consume two 150-g salmon portions/wk ( salmon group , n = 62 ; providing 3.45 g EPA plus DHA ) from 20 wk of gestation until delivery . Plasma inflammatory cytokines and vascular adhesion factors were measured in maternal plasma sample s. Inflammatory biomarkers , including IL-8 , hepatocyte growth factor , and monocyte chemotactic protein , increased over the course of pregnancy ( P < 0.001 ) , whereas plasma matrix metalloproteinase 9 , IL-6 , TNFα , and nerve growth factor concentrations were not affected . Vascular homeostasis biomarkers soluble E-selectin , soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1 , and total plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 increased as pregnancy progressed ( P < 0.001 ) . The plasma sICAM-1 concentration was greater in the control group than in the salmon group at wk 20 ( baseline ) and 38 ( P = 0.007 ) but there was no group x time interaction , and when baseline concentration was used as a covariate , the groups did not differ ( P = 0.69 ) . The remaining biomarkers analyzed were similar in both groups . Therefore , although some inflammatory and vascular homeostasis biomarkers change during pregnancy , they are not affected by the increased intake of farmed salmon We tested the hypothesis that walnut consumption can exert effects on markers of inflammation and endothelial activation similar to those produced by fish consumption . In a crossover dietary intervention trial , 25 normal to mildly hyperlipidemic men and women were r and omly assigned to one of three isoenergetic diets : a walnut diet incorporating 42.5 g of walnuts per 10.1 mJ 6 times per week ( 1.8 % of energy n-3 fat ) ; a fish diet providing 113 g of fatty fish per 10.1 mJ 2 times per week ( 0.8 % of energy n-3 fat ) , or a control diet ( no nuts or fish , 0.4 % of energy n-3 fat ) for 4 weeks on each diet . Both the walnut and fish diets inhibited circulating concentrations of prostagl and in E metabolite ( PGEM ) and 11-dehydro thromboxane B2 , but demonstrated no effect on blood interleukin-1β ( IL-1β ) , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) , tumor necrosis factor-α¯ ( TNF-α¯ ) , and C-reactive protein ( CRP ) or the number of circulating lymphocyte subsets . On the walnut diet the proportion of plasma phospholipid α¯-linolenic acid ( ALA ) increased 140 % and arachidonic acid ( AA ) decreased 7 % compared to both the control and fish diets . The proportion of plasma phospholipid eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) increased about 200 % and 900 % respectively on the fish diet relative to either the control or walnut diet . The walnut diet inhibited E-selectin by 12.7 % relative to the fish diet , and the fish diet inhibited secretory intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( s-ICAM-1 ) by 4.5 % relative to the control diet . Both walnuts and fish in commonly consumed amounts may have modest albeit distinct effects on circulating adhesion molecules Objective : To examine whether acute inflammation profiles predict posttraumatic depression ( PTD ) risk 6 and 12 months after traumatic brain injury . Setting : University-affiliated level 1 trauma center and community . Participants : Adults with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury ( acute serum levels : n = 50 ; acute cerebrospinal fluid ( CSF ) levels : n = 41 ) . Design : Prospect i ve cohort study . Main Measures : Patient Health Question naire ; inflammatory biomarkers ( interleukin [IL]-1&bgr ; , IL-4 , IL-5 , IL-6 , IL-7 , IL-8 , IL-10 , IL-12 , tumor necrosis factor & agr ; , soluble vascular adhesion molecule [ sVCAM-1 ] , soluble intracellular adhesion molecule [ sICAM-1 ] , soluble Fas [ sFAS ] ) . Results : Higher levels of acute CSF cytokine surface markers ( sVCAM-1 , sICAM-1 , and sFAS ) in an inflammatory biomarker risk ( IBR ) score were associated with a 3.920-fold increase in the odds of developing PTD at 6 months ( 95 % confidence interval : 1.163 - 8.672 ) . Having sICAM-1 , sVCAM-1 , or sFAS above the 75th percentile had a positive predictive value of 85.7 % for PTD risk at 6 months . An IBR score including inflammatory biomarkers IL-7 and IL-8 showed a trending association with 12-month PTD risk ( odds ratio = 3.166 , 95 % confidence interval : 0.936 - 10.708 ) . Conclusion : Acute CSF IBR scores show promise for identifying individuals at risk for PTD . Further research should assess acute CSF inflammatory biomarkers ' relationships to chronic inflammation as a mechanism of PTD and should explore anti-inflammatory treatments for PTD , as well as prevention and screening protocol s , and link inflammatory biomarkers to symptom tracking Hypercholesterolemia causes endothelial dysfunction , an early feature of atherosclerosis , leading to increased production of adhesion molecules and cytokines . The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three months of treatment with low dose atorvastatin on serum levels of adhesion molecules , interleukin-6 ( IL-6 ) and highly sensitive C-reactive protein ( hs-CRP ) in patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia . Fifty-five patients with non-familial hypercholesterolemia were r and omized to treatment with atorvastatin 10 mg/day or placebo for 3 months . Soluble intercellular adhesion molecules-1 ( ICAM-1 ) , vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 ( VCAM-1 ) , E-selectin , IL-6 and hs-CRP levels were measured to assess the inflammatory activity of the endothelium . There was a significant reduction in ICAM-1 at 2 weeks ( p<0.0001 ) with further reduction at 3 months ( p<0.0001 ) . At 3 months , there were significant reductions in VCAM-1 ( p<0.02 ) , IL-6 ( p<0.0001 ) and hs-CRP ( p<0.01 ) , but an increase in E-selectin levels ( p<0.002 ) . Treatment with statin was an independent determinant of change in ICAM-1 ( p<0.05 ) and IL-6 levels ( p<0.05 ) after correcting for anthropometric indices , blood pressure and lipid profile . Low-dose atorvastatin treatment leads to reduction in proinflammatory markers of endothelial function , suggesting an attenuation of endothelial activation and improvement in endothelial function , independent of lipid lowering . This may lead to a reduction in the progression of atherosclerosis Objective : To investigate the effects of increased alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)-intake on intima – media thickness ( IMT ) , oxidized low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) antibodies , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( sICAM-1 ) , C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , and interleukins 6 and 10 . Design : R and omized double-blind placebo-controlled trial . Subjects : Moderately hypercholesterolaemic men and women ( 55±10 y ) with two other cardiovascular risk factors (n=103).Intervention : Participants were assigned to a margarine enriched with ALA ( fatty acid composition 46 % LA , 15 % ALA ) or linoleic acid ( LA ) ( 58 % LA , 0.3 % ALA ) for 2 y. Results : Dietary ALA intake was 2.3 en% among ALA users , and 0.4 en% among LA users . The 2-y progression rate of the mean carotid IMT  ( ALA and LA : + 0.05 mm ) and femoral IMT ( ALA:+0.05 mm ; LA:+0.04 mm ) was similar , when adjusted for confounding variables . After 1 and 2 y , ALA users had a lower CRP level than LA users ( net differences −0.53 and −0.56 mg/l , respectively , P<0.05 ) . No significant effects were observed in oxidized LDL antibodies , and levels of sICAM-1 , interleukins 6 and 10 . Conclusions : A six-fold increased ALA intake lowers CRP , when compared to a control diet high in LA . The present study found no effects on markers for atherosclerosis . Sponsorship : The Dutch ‘ Praeventiefonds ’ BACKGROUND Leukocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration , the critical pathogenic components in the development of atherosclerotic lesions , are largely mediated by cellular adhesion molecules ( CAMs ) . We examined whether dietary supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid ( ALA , 18:3n-3 ) affects the levels of soluble forms of CAMs in dyslipidaemic patients . METHODS We recruited 90 male dyslipidaemic patients ( mean age=51+/-8 years ) following a typical Greek diet . They were r and omly assigned either to 15 ml of linseed oil ( rich in ALA ) per day ( n=60 ) or to 15 ml of safflower oil ( rich in linoleic acid [ LA , 18:2n-6 ] ) per day ( n=30 ) . The ratio of n-6:n-3 in linseed oil supplemented group was 1.3:1 and in safflower oil supplemented group 13.2:1 . Dietary intervention lasted for 12 weeks . Blood lipids , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( sICAM-1 ) , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 ( sVCAM-1 ) and soluble E-selectin ( sE-selectin ) were measured . RESULTS Dietary supplementation with ALA significantly decreased sVCAM-1 levels ( median decrease 18.7 % [ 577.5 ng/ml versus 487 ng/ml , P=0.0001 ] ) . In the LA supplemented group , sVCAM-1 was also significantly decreased but to a lesser extent ( median decrease 10.6 % [ 550.5 ng/ml versus 496 ng/ml , P=0.0001 ] ) . After controlling for smoking habits , no significant difference was observed in the reduction of sVCAM-1 levels between the two treatment arms ( P=0.205 ) . The decrease of sVCAM-1 was independent of lipid changes in both groups . CONCLUSIONS Dietary supplementation with ALA for 12 weeks significantly decreases sVCAM-1 levels in dyslipidaemic patients . This effect presents a potential mechanism for the beneficial effect of plant n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the prevention of coronary artery disease . In addition , dietary supplementation with LA significantly decreases sVCAM-1 levels , an effect which requires further investigation Background High-fat meals induce postpr and ial inflammation . Resveratrol is a polyphenol known to prevent comorbidities associated with cardiovascular disease and exerts an anti-inflammatory action . There is also an increasing body of evidence supporting the role of curcumin , a polyphenol from the curcuminoid family , as a modulator of proinflammatory processes . Objective The objectives of this study were to investigate the following : 1 ) the bioavailability of resveratrol consumed in combination with curcumin after consumption of a high-fat meal ; and 2 ) the acute combined effects of this combination on the postpr and ial inflammatory response of subjects with abdominal obesity . Methods In a double blind , crossover , r and omized , placebo-controlled study , 11 men and 11 postmenopausal women [ mean ± SD age : 62 ± 5 y ; mean ± SD body mass index ( in kg/m2 ) : 29 ± 3 ] underwent a 6-h oral fat tolerance test on 2 occasions separated by 1 - 2 wk : once after consumption of a dietary supplement ( 200 mg resveratrol and 100 mg curcumin , Res/Cur ) and once after consumption of a placebo ( cellulose ) . Plasma concentrations of total resveratrol and its major metabolites as well as inflammatory markers , adhesion molecules , and whole blood NFκB1 and PPARA gene expression were measured during both fat tolerance tests . Results Kinetics of resveratrol and identified metabolites revealed rapid absorption patterns but also relatively limited bioavailability based on free resveratrol concentrations . Supplementation with Res/Cur did not modify postpr and ial variations in circulating inflammatory markers ( C-reactive protein , IL-6 , IL-8 , monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 ) and adhesion molecules [ soluble E-selectin , soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 ( sVCAM-1 ) , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ] compared to placebo ( PTreatment × Time > 0.05 ) . However , Res/Cur significantly decreased the cumulative postpr and ial response of sVCAM-1 , compared to placebo ( incremental area under the curve -4643 % , P = 0.01 ) . Postpr and ial variations of whole-blood PPARA and NFKB1 gene expression were not different between Res/Cur and placebo treatments . Conclusions Acute supplementation with Res/Cur has no impact on the postpr and ial inflammation response to a high-fat meal in abdominally obese older adults . Further studies are warranted to examine how resveratrol and curcumin may alter the vascular response to a high-fat meal . This trial was registered at clinical trials.gov as NCT01964846 AIMS To investigate how reduction of hyperglycaemia affects acute phase serum proteins in poorly controlled type 1 diabetic patients . METHODS 24 patients ( age 31.7 + /- 2.0 years , HbA1c 9.3 + /- 0.2 % , BMI 24.2 + /- 0.7 kg/m2 , diabetes duration 15.3 + /- 1.7 years ) participated in the study . The treatment was optimised for 16 weeks . Blood sample s  were taken at baseline and at the end of the study . 16 healthy age- and BMI -matched subjects were chosen for a control group . RESULTS At baseline , the patients had higher C-reactive protein ( CRP ) ( 1.09 , median [ range 0.24 - 18.82 ] mg/l vs. 0.66 [ 0.18 - 2.46 ] mg/l , p < 0.02 ) , mean adiponectin ( 16.06 + /- 1.31 vs. 8.85 + /- 0.93 mg/l , p < 0.001 ) , ceruloplasmin ( 306 + /- 16.1 vs. 205.4 + /- 5.5 mg/l , p < 0.001 ) , fibrinogen ( 3.41 + /- 0.26 vs. 2.38 + /- 0.07 g/l , p < 0.001 ) , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( sICAM-1 ) ( 255.4 + /- 10.3 vs. 194 + /- 10.6 microg/l , p < 0.001 ) , soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 ( sVCAM-1 ) ( 533.4 + /- 21.8 vs. 422.9 + /- 20.7 microg/l , p < 0.01 ) and interleukin-6 ( 2.89 + /- 0.49 vs. 1.35 + /- 0.30 ng/l , p < 0.01 ) concentrations than the controls . During intensified treatment , HbA1c decreased ( to 8.5 + /- 0.2 % , p < 0.001 ) . This result ed in reduced sE-selectin ( from 44.6 + /- 2.6 to 38.8 + /- 2.6 microg/l , p < 0.01 ) , alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein ( A1GP ) ( from 622.9 + /- 47.9 to 525.7 + /- 27.9 mg/l , p < 0.01 ) , sICAM-1 ( from 255.4 + /- 10.3 to 240.8 + /- 9.1 microg/l , p < 0.05 ) and IL-6 ( from 2.9 + /- 0.5 to 2.1 + /- 0.4 ng/l , p < 0.01 ) . Serum amyloid A ( SAA ) and CRP did not change 12.00 ( 0.7 - 222.0 ) vs. 12.00 ( 1.6 - 277.0 ) mg/l for SAA and 1.09 ( 0.24 - 18.82 ) vs. 1.09 ( 0.18 - 23.08 ) mg/l for CRP , baseline vs. treatment , respectively . CONCLUSIONS Poorly controlled type 1 diabetic patients have increased values of adiponectin , CRP , ceruloplasmin , fibrinogen , sICAM-1 , sVCAM-1 and IL-6 . Reduction of hyperglycaemia results in decreased sE-selectin , A1GP , sICAM-1 and IL6 , while other inflammatory factors including CRP , SAA and adiponectin are not affected
Subgroup analysis revealed that increasing dietary ALA tends to elevate CRP concentration  in healthy subjects .
However , the null effect of ALA supplementation on other inflammatory markers was not changed in various subgroups , indicating that the results are stable .
Meta-regression results revealed a negative relationship between the effect size on CRP and its baseline concentration .
No significant publication bias was observed for all inflammatory markers as suggested by funnel plot and Begg ’s test .
Conclusion Our meta- analysis did not find any beneficial effect of ALA supplementation  on reducing inflammatory markers including TNF , IL-6 , CRP , sICAM-1 , and sVCAM-1 .
However , in healthy subjects  , ALA supplementation might increase CRP concentration
Purpose The aim of the current meta- analysis was to investigate the effect of increasing dietary ALA intake on the blood concentration of inflammatory markers including tumor necrosis factor ( TNF ) , interleukin 6 ( IL-6 ) , C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( sICAM-1 ) , and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 ( sVCAM-1 )  in adults .