Search

Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) is a novel anti-inflammatory adipokine that may play a role in cardiovascular development and disease. However, there is yet to be a comprehensive investigation into whether circulating SFRP5 can be a biomarker for cardiac function. Plasma SFRP5 levels were measured via ELISA in 262 patients admitted to a cardiology unit. Plasma SFRP5 levels were significantly lower in patients with a history of heart failure (HF), coronary artery disease (CAD), and atrial fibrillation (AF; p = 0.001). In univariate analyses, SFRP5 levels were also significantly positively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with E/E’ (r = −0.30, p < 0.001). Patients with HF, CAD, low LVEF, low triglycerides, high CRP, and high eGFR were associated with lower SFRP5 levels independent of age, BMI, or diabetes after multivariate analysis (overall model r = 0.729, SE = 0.638). Our results show that low plasma SFRP5 levels are independently associated with the presence of HF, CAD, and, importantly, impaired LV function. These results suggest a potential role of SFRP5 as a biomarker, as well as a mediator of cardiac dysfunction independent of obesity and metabolic regulation.

Vitamin D insufficiency, defined as 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels < 75nmol/L is associated with cardio-metabolic dysfunction. Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with inflammation and fibrosis, but it remains uncertain whether these anomalies are readily reversible. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of vitamin D supplementation on markers of: 1) nitric oxide (NO) signaling, 2) inflammation, and 3) fibrosis, in healthy volunteers with mild hypovitaminosis.Healthy volunteers (n = 35) (mean age: 45 ± 11 years) with 25(OH)D levels