OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and endothelial function and their associations with coronary artery calcification, lipid profile and cardiac changes. METHODS: The analyses for serum lipids and CRP, echocardiography, spiral computed tomography scans and endothelial function assay were performed in 53 participants with a history of chronic cocaine use. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics and drug use between CRP normal (<1.9 mg/l) and abnormal groups. The brachial artery diameter percentage changes in the third scan (immediately after deflation of cuff) and the fourth scan (90 s after deflation of cuff) were significantly associated with the CRP levels (the third: beta=-0.054, S.E.=0.027; P=0.028; the fourth: beta=-0.065, S.E.=0.026; P=0.016). The multiple regression models showed that CRP was the only significant predictor of artery diameter changes (%) in these two scans. The CRP abnormal group had more coronary artery calcification (calcium scores >5, 16.7 vs. 0%; P=0.036) and more cardiac diastolic dysfunction expressed as deceleration time >240 ms (16.7 vs. 0%; P=0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum CRP levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction, coronary artery calcification and cardiac diastolic dysfunction in chronic cocaine users.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and endothelial function and their associations with coronary artery calcification, lipid profile and cardiac changes. METHODS: The analyses for serum lipids and CRP, echocardiography, spiral computed tomography scans and endothelial function assay were performed in 53 participants with a history of chronic cocaine use. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics and drug use between CRP normal (<1.9 mg/l) and abnormal groups. The brachial artery diameter percentage changes in the third scan (immediately after deflation of cuff) and the fourth scan (90 s after deflation of cuff) were significantly associated with the CRP levels (the third: beta=-0.054, S.E.=0.027; P=0.028; the fourth: beta=-0.065, S.E.=0.026; P=0.016). The multiple regression models showed that CRP was the only significant predictor of artery diameter changes (%) in these two scans. The CRP abnormal group had more coronary artery calcification (calcium scores >5, 16.7 vs. 0%; P=0.036) and more cardiac diastolic dysfunction expressed as deceleration time >240 ms (16.7 vs. 0%; P=0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum CRP levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction, coronary artery calcification and cardiac diastolic dysfunction in chronic cocaine users.
Authors: Hong Lai; Gary Gerstenblith; Elliot K Fishman; Jeffrey Brinker; Thomas Kickler; Wenjing Tong; Sundeepan Bhatia; Tai Hong; Shaoguang Chen; Ji Li; Barbara Detrick; Shenghan Lai Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2012-03-15 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: Shenghan Lai; Elliot K Fishman; Gary Gerstenblith; Jeffrey Brinker; Hong Tai; Shaoguang Chen; Ji Li; Wenjing Tong; Barbara Detrick; Hong Lai Journal: Vasc Health Risk Manag Date: 2013-08-26
Authors: Karen D Ersche; Cindy C Hagan; Dana G Smith; Sanja Abbott; P Simon Jones; Annemieke M Apergis-Schoute; Rainer Döffinger Journal: Biol Psychiatry Date: 2013-10-03 Impact factor: 13.382
Authors: Sean G Kelly; Michael Plankey; Wendy S Post; Xiuhong Li; Ronald Stall; Lisa P Jacobson; Mallory D Witt; Lawrence Kingsley; Christopher Cox; Matthew Budoff; Frank J Palella Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-01-26 Impact factor: 3.240