Factor Analysis of Markers of Inflammation and Oxidation and Echocardiographic Findings in Children with a Positive Family History of Premature Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the predictive factor of a combination of traditional and new risk factors for coronary heart diseases (CHDs) as well as the echocardiographic findings in children of parents suffering premature myocardial infarction in comparison with controls. Overall, 239 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years including 112 children of parents with premature CHD (<55 years) and 127 age- and sex-matched controls without such a family history. In addition to measuring anthropometric indexes and blood pressure, serum fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, C-reactive protein, Lpa, and oxidized LDL as well as carotid-intima media thickness and left ventricular mass were determined. Factor analysis showed that clusters of inflammatory factors and markers of oxidation as well as carotid-intima media thickness and left ventricular mass were correlated with each other and were associated with a positive parental history of premature CHD in youths. These findings complement the functional and structural changes in arteries of adults with a familial predisposition to CHD and underscore the importance of using a high-risk approach for primordial/primary prevention of CHD from early life and of considering the screening of children and siblings in the management of patients with premature CHD.

Antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine reverses cigarette smoke-induced myocardial infarction by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress in a rat model

“…It is known that there is no detectable mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in normal myocardial tissue, 37 but once cardiac injury sets in (such as with an MI), the intracardiac expression of IL-6, TNF-a and IFN-g mRNA expression possibly mediate the events of remodeling in the myocardium as reported earlier. [38][39][40][41][42] An increased expression of these cytokines may result in enhanced production of tissue repair molecules. Our results support this assumption, as myocardial mRNA expression of MMP-2, SDF-1 and TGF-b was significantly higher in chronic tobacco-exposed rats compared with tobacco-naïve rats with MI.…”

Family History in Public Health Practice: A Genomic Tool for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

“…Although most chronic conditions do not manifest until adulthood, an increasing number of studies indicate that children and adolescents with family histories of some conditions already show preclinical signs of these conditions (98). For example, children with a strong family history of coronary artery disease may show early signs of atherosclerosis, such as elevated markers of inflammation and plaque instability and increased carotid intima media thickness (4,39,93). However, the use of family history to assess the risk that children might develop chronic diseases as adults has not been thoroughly evaluated.…”

Retinal vascular function in asymptomatic individuals with a positive family history of cardiovascular disease

“…Indeed, it has been independently shown that individuals with a positive FH for CVD display higher levels of oxidative stress than the normal population (Kelishadi et al. ). Although the levels of antioxidant molecules were not determined and compared in this study, it can be hypothesized that this factor could have contributed to our findings.…”