High circulating N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and tumor necrosis factor-α in mixed cryog

• 作 者: Alessandro Antonelli Clodoveo Ferri Silvia Martina Ferrari Fabio Galetta Ferdinando Franzoni Gino Santoro Salvatore De Marco Emiliano Ghiri Poupak Fallahi
• 机 构: Department of Internal Medicine,University of Pisa,School of Medicine,Department of Internal Medicin
• 出 处: World Journal of Gastroenterology
• 发表日期: 2009年40期
• 关键词: NTProBNP Tumor necrosis factor α Hepatitis C Mixed cryoglobulinemia Heart failur

AIM: To evaluate serum levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in a large series of patients with hepatitis C associated with mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC+HCV).METHODS: Serum NTproBNP and TNF-α levels were assayed in 50 patients with MC+HCV, and in 50 sex- and age-matched controls. RESULTS: Cryoglobulinemic patients showed signifi cantly higher mean NTproBNP and TNF-α levels than controls (P < 0.001; Mann-Whitney U test). By defining high NTproBNP level as a value higher than 125 pg/mL (the single cut-off point for outpatients under 75 years of age), 30% of MC+HCV and 6% of controls had high NTproBNP (χ2, P < 0.01). With a cut-off point of 300 pg/mL (used to rule out heart failure (HF) in patients under 75 years of age), 8% of MC+HCV and 0 controls had high NTproBNP (χ2, P < 0.04). With a cut-off point of 900 pg/mL (used for ruling in HF in patients aged 50-75 years; such as thepatients of our study), 6% of MC+HCV and 0 controls had high NTproBNP (χ2, P = 0.08).CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates high levels of circulating NTproBNP and TNF-α in MC+HCV patients. The increase of NTproBNP may indicate the presence of a subclinical cardiac dysfunction.

AIM: To evaluate serum levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in a large series of patients with hepatitis C associated with cryoglobulinemia (MC + HCV) .METHODS: Serum NTproBNP and TNF-α levels were assayed in 50 patients with MC + HCV, and in 50 sex- and age-matched controls. RESULTS: Cryoglobulinemic patients showed signifi cantly higher mean NTproBNP and TNF-α levels than controls (P <0.001; Mann -Whitney U test). By defining high NTproBNP level as a value higher than 125 pg / mL (the single cut-off point for outpatients under 75 years of age), 30% of MC + HCV and 6% of controls had high NTproBNP (χ2, P <0.01). With a cut-off point of 300 pg / mL (used to rule out heart failure (HF) in patients under 75 years of age), 8% of MC + HCV and 0 controls had high NTproBNP (χ2, P <0.04). With a cut-off point of 900 pg / mL (used for ruling in HF in patients aged 50-75 years; such as the patients of our study), 6% of MC + HCV and 0 cont rols had high NTproBNP (χ2, P = 0.08). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates high levels of circulating NTproBNP and TNF-α in MC + HCV patients. The increase of NTproBNP may indicate the presence of a subclinical cardiac dysfunction.