Accelerated Atherosclerosis in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and the Role of Selected Adipocytokines in This Process

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can afect various systems and organs. The most severe forms of the disease afect the kidneys, the central nervous system, and the heart. Cardiac and cardiovascular system diseases are inter alia caused by atherosclerosis, vasculitis, and thromboembolic events. Patients with SLE are at a higher risk of developing accelerated atherosclerosis. This process in SLE patients cannot be explained solely based on classical risk factors. Recently, some adipocytokines/adipokines have been indicated in the development of atherosclerosis, inlammation, and immune processes. It has also been postulated that adipokines might regulate the immune response and hence the atherogenic process. In this work, the factors contributing to accelerated atherosclerosis in SLE patients with special respect to vasculitis/vascular injury are presented, and selected adipocytokines, that is leptin, resistin, and adiponectin, with their relation to atherosclerosis and SLE, are under discussion.

Umbilical Cord Separation Time and Influencing Factors in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Preterm Neonates

“…Hypothyroid adults were found to have decreased spontaneous migration and bactericidal activity of leukocytes. 24 25 Recently, van der Spek et al, who reviewed the role of thyroid hormone metabolism in neutrophil function, emphasized that not only the circulating thyroid hormone levels but also the intracellular metabolism of thyroid hormones play an essential role in neutrophil function during infection and inflammation. 26 Moreover, low intracellular T3 level was shown to decrease the inflammation.…”