The invention disclosed belongs to the field of diagnosis and therapy of cardiovascular disorders. In particular this invention relates to a method for the diagnosis of heart diseases involving a haemodynamic deficit. Examples of such diseases are terminal heart failure, acute myocardial infarction or cardiac hypofunctionality subsequent to heart transplantation. This invention is based on the identification of an anomalous behaviour of the A2A adenosine receptor and its transduction system (adenylate cyclase enzyme) in patients with heart diseases characterised by an impaired haemodynamic function. It is well known that both the adenosinergic system and certain inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the heart failure pathophysiology. Moreover, the activation of the A2A receptors reduces the production and release of proinflammatory cytokines in the blood from macrophages, lymphomonocytic and myocardial cells. This new finding shows the anomalous behaviour experimentally evident as an increased density of A2A receptors in the affected cells, and an overproduction of cyclic AMP after stimulation of these cells with an A2A receptor agonist. The present invention uses these parameters as markers for the monitoring of the onset, progression and remission of the disease after suitable treatment. In particular the cells circulating in the peripheral blood proved to be an adequate substrate for monitoring the pathologic events taking place in the heart. The present invention allows via a simple blood test to detect the aforesaid heart diseases even in their earliest stages, thus allowing the possibility of a timely treatment and of monitoring the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.
Method for the diagnosis of heart diseases
BOREA, Pier Andrea;VARANI, Katia;
2002
Abstract
The invention disclosed belongs to the field of diagnosis and therapy of cardiovascular disorders. In particular this invention relates to a method for the diagnosis of heart diseases involving a haemodynamic deficit. Examples of such diseases are terminal heart failure, acute myocardial infarction or cardiac hypofunctionality subsequent to heart transplantation. This invention is based on the identification of an anomalous behaviour of the A2A adenosine receptor and its transduction system (adenylate cyclase enzyme) in patients with heart diseases characterised by an impaired haemodynamic function. It is well known that both the adenosinergic system and certain inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the heart failure pathophysiology. Moreover, the activation of the A2A receptors reduces the production and release of proinflammatory cytokines in the blood from macrophages, lymphomonocytic and myocardial cells. This new finding shows the anomalous behaviour experimentally evident as an increased density of A2A receptors in the affected cells, and an overproduction of cyclic AMP after stimulation of these cells with an A2A receptor agonist. The present invention uses these parameters as markers for the monitoring of the onset, progression and remission of the disease after suitable treatment. In particular the cells circulating in the peripheral blood proved to be an adequate substrate for monitoring the pathologic events taking place in the heart. The present invention allows via a simple blood test to detect the aforesaid heart diseases even in their earliest stages, thus allowing the possibility of a timely treatment and of monitoring the efficacy of therapeutic interventions.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
