Loss of surface beta-2 adrenoceptors accounts for the insensitivity of cultured human monocytes to beta-2 adrenoceptor agonists.

The short-acting beta-2 adrenoceptor agonists (β(2)-agonists), such as salbutamol, are effective bronchodilators used to treat asthma. They lack significant anti-inflammatory effect in vivo as well as on isolated alveolar macrophages even though they exhibit this effect on freshly isolated monocytes. The purpose of this study was to determine if this observation is related to a change in the expression and/or function of surface β(2)-receptors during the differentiation of these cells to macrophages.

Body mass and atherogenic dyslipidemia as major determinants of blood levels of B-type natriuretic peptides in Arab subjects with acute coronary syndromes.

Introduction: The plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level is elevated in cardiac ischemia and may be useful in assessing prognosis in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). This study aimed to: (1) establish BNP levels and its determinants in a healthy Gulf Arab population and in a group of patients with acute myocardial infarction and (2) investigate associations between BNP levels and markers of myocardial damage (ejection fractions, cardiac troponin I [cTnI] levels) and inflammation (serum C-reactive protein [CRP]).

Subjects And Methods: We studied 2 groups of Arab subjects: (1) Healthy control (HC), 142 healthy control subjects; (2) Coronary heart disease (CHD), 257 patients with proven acute myocardial infarction within 1 day of admission.

Low-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRII)-mediated activation of human monocytes by both monomeric IgE and IgE/anti-IgE immune complex.

Monocytes and macrophages of individuals with allergic diseases express increased levels of the low-affinity IgE receptors (FcepsilonRII or CD23) on their surfaces. The cross-linking of CD23-bound IgE antibody by allergen activates the cells to release inflammatory mediators. In mast cells, the binding of IgE to the high-affinity IgE receptors (FcepsilonRI) has recently been shown to activate these cells independent of allergen.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II and IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-3 levels in Arab subjects with coronary heart disease.

Objective: Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I, IGF-II) and their binding protein (IGFBP-3) may be risk markers for coronary heart disease (CHD). This study aimed to assess the levels and determinants of the serum levels of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP-3 in Arab patients with established CHD.

Material And Methods: Two groups of subjects were matched for age, gender, BMI and waist-hip ratio (WHR): (i) CHD (n = 105), median age 51.