American Research Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases

Burton M. Altura1-6, Asefa Gebrewold1, Anthony Carella1, Nilank C. Shah1,5, Bella T. Altura1,3-6

 It has been demonstrated in numerous human and animal studies that audiogenic stress (AS) can induce elevation of arterial blood pressure and cardiac damage and that noise –induced hearing loss may be associated with alterations in magnesium (Mg) metabolism. Our laboratories, over a period of approximately 40 years, have been investigating why AS causes high blood pressure and cardiac damage. This review focuses on a number of newer discoveries on why AS causes dysfunctions of the cardiovascular system (CVS) This review discusses the pivotal physiological and biochemical importance of Mg to body health and the fact that most Americans and Europeans are deficient in daily Mg intake which perforce can cause severe dysfunctions of the CVS. Our ongoing studies clearly provide a solid microcirculatory basis for how and why AS above 65dB(A) often induces elevated blood pressure and cardiac damage. We review a body of data that points to the fact that AS does the latter, but appears to do so because noise stress levels result in Mg deficiency followed by release of certain sphingolipids (e.g., ceramides) and generation and release of platelet- activating factor (PDF). It is our opinion that all people exposed to high degrees of noise stress should be monitored for cardiovascular functions, ionized Mg levels, blood ceramide levels and levels of PDF. Lastly, we believe all people exposed to high levels of AS (i.e., maintenance people and pilots on aircraft carriers, musicians [particularly at rock concerts], motorman and conductors on trains and subways, construction site workers, etc.) should have at least the equivalent daily intake of 500-600 mg of Mg/day.

Alexander E. Berezin

 Heart failure (HF) remains to be a leading factor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although risk stratification of HF is promising prediction care, there are several controversies regarding choosing more optimal combinations of biomarkers and method (single versus serial measurements) of biomarker use in routine clinical practice. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is considered a biomarker associated with cardiac / vascular remodeling, oxidative stress, fibrosis and inflammation that were proposed to stratify HF patients at risk of death. It has been suggested that GDF-15 adding to natriuretic peptides or other conventional biomarkers (soluble ST2, cardiac troponins and galectin-3) might improve discriminative value of entire predictive models. The Editorial is depicted the discussion about the perspectives of clinical use of GDF-15 in risk stratification of HF.

Ibrahim Osman, MD, Bankim Patel, MD, Assad Movahed, MD

 Dietary pre workout supplements are commonly used in the US active duty population often without physician knowledge or appropriate screening. Selected dietary supplements have been associated with a number of unexplained cardiac arrest and death in service members. Many of these supplements are marketed as weight loss and athletic performance enhancement products. The association of various Ephedra-containing products with adverse cardiovascular events has led to a ban on the sale of these products by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in which it resulted in the emergence of a newer formulations marketed as “Ephedra-free” but contain other sympathomimetic substances, however, the safety of which has not been established. We report a case of active duty soldier who was taking commercially available dietary supplements called Cellucor C4; collapsed during routine morning exercise at his Navy base from cardiac arrest and ultimately survived. Our case highlights concerns that C4 in combination with other ingredients may be associated with significant consequences, reminiscent of previous adverse events from other sympathomimetic drugs previously removed from the market. Health care professionals, should be aware of the potential risk of these supplements and be prepared to discuss these risks with their patients.

Alexander E. Berezin, Professor, MD, Ph.D. 

 Growing evidence supports the hypothesis that endothelial cell-derived microparticles (MPs) might contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular (CV) disease.Endothelial cell-derived MPs play a pivotal role in the regulation of the endogenous repair system, thrombosis, coagulation, inflammation, immunity and metabolic memory phenomenon. There is evidence that the MPs are secreted actively accompanied to other regulatory molecules. All these actively synthetizing and secreting factors include proteins, adhesion and intercellular signal molecules, peptides, lipids, free DNAs, microRNAs, and even microparticles (MPs) are defined as cellular secretome. The proteomic profile of secretome is under tightly control of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, which may altered a secretion of the proteins involved into MPs’ organization. Finally, this may contribute the modification of MP’s after their secretion and throughout transfer to the target cells.As a result, communicative ability of endothelial cell-derived MPs may sufficiently worse.Subsequently,cross talk between some components of secretome might modulate delivering cargos of MPs and their regenerative and proliferative capabilities via intercellular signaling networks. The aim of the review is to discuss the effect of various components of secretome on MP-dependent effects on endothelium.