著者
Yuko Ishizaka Nobukazu Ishizaka Eiko Takahashi Tadao Unuma Ei-ichi Tooda Hideki Hashimoto Ryozo Nagai Minoru Yamakado
出版者
The Japanese Circulation Society
雑誌
Circulation Journal (ISSN:13469843)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.67, no.1, pp.26-30, 2003 (Released:2002-12-25)
参考文献数
18
被引用文献数
78 94

A link between certain infectious microorganisms and an increased risk of atherosclerotic disease has been suggested. By analyzing the data of subjects who had undergone general health-screening tests, a possible association between carotid atherosclerosis and seropositivity of antibody against hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been previously reported. In the present study, a possible link between carotid atherosclerosis and HCV core protein positivity was assessed, because it is postulated to be a better marker of viremia and thus persistent infection. Of the 1992 enrolled subjects, 496 (25%) had carotid artery plaque, and 25 (1.3%) were positive for HCV core protein. Carotid artery plaque was positive in 480/1967 (24%) and 16/25 (64%) of the core protein-negative and core protein-positive subjects, respectively (p<0.0001 by χ2 test). Serum concentrations of transaminases were higher in core protein-positive subjects, but albumin concentrations were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HCV core protein positivity is an independent predictor of carotid plaque with an odds ratio of 5.61 (95% confidence interval 2.06-15.26, p<0.001). These data further support the possible link between persistent HCV infection and carotid atherosclerosis in the subjects without severe liver dysfunction. (Circ J 2003; 67: 26 - 30)
著者
Kan SAITO Nobukazu ISHIZAKA Toru AIZAWA Masataka SATA Naoyuki ISO-O Eisei NOIRI Minoru OHNO Ryozo NAGAI
出版者
The Japanese Society of Hypertension
雑誌
Hypertension Research (ISSN:09169636)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.27, no.8, pp.599-607, 2004 (Released:2004-10-19)
参考文献数
30
被引用文献数
18 27

We have previously shown that abnormal iron metabolism might be one underlying mechanism of the renal damage observed in the angiotensin II-infused rat. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is known to play a crucial role in the development of renal damage induced by activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of an iron chelator and a free radical scavenger on the angiotensin II-induced upregulation of TGF-β1 in the kidney. Rats were given angiotensin II (0.7 mg/kg/day) via osmotic minipumps for 7 days. The expressions of the mRNAs of TGF-β1 and collagen types I and IV were significantly increased in response to angiotensin II treatment. Histologic analysis showed that TGF-β1 expression was upregulated mainly in tubular epithelial cells, and occasionally in glomerular and perivascular cells, some of which were identified as monocytes and/or macrophages. Although tubular cells that overexpressed TGF-β1 did not contain iron particles, angiotensin II-induced TGF-β1 upregulation was suppressed by the iron chelator and the free radical scavenger. The free radical scavenger also suppressed angiotensin II-induced upregulation of heme oxygenase-1, an oxidative-stress sensitive gene. By contrast, administration of iron dextran to rats induced upregulation of TGF-β1 mRNA. Collectively, these data suggest that the renal iron overload and presumed subsequent increase in oxidative stress play a role in angiotensin II-induced upregulation of the mRNAs of TGF-β1 and collagen types I and IV in the kidney. (Hypertens Res 2004; 27: 599-607)