Zonulin reversibly modulate intestinal permeability (IP), the circulating zonulin levels were increased in diabetes, obesity, all of which are risk factors for atherosclerosis.
Increased expression of oxidation-specific epitopes and apoptosis are associated with haptoglobin genotype: possible implications for plaque progression in human atherosclerosis.
Beyond the conventional view of haptoglobin as a marker of hemolysis, several findings point towards an immunomodulatory effect of haptoglobin in B-cell mediated progression of atherosclerosis.
These findings should foster research investigating the role of Hp polymorphism in human disease, and in vitamin C deficiency and atherosclerosis in particular.
Variation at the haptoglobin locus could have a direct effect on the degradation of elastin in atherosclerotic aorta, whereas variation at the cholesterol ester transfer protein locus could affect lipid metabolism and promote atherosclerosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)