Sule Gunter

University of the Witwatersrand | wits · School of Physiology

Elevated systemic inflammation contributes to pathogenesis of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), but molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Although left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is the main cause of HFpEF, subclinical systolic dysfunction also contributes. We have previously shown that rats with collagen-ind...

Background Titin phosphorylation contributes to left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. The independent effects of inflammation on the molecular pathways that regulate titin phosphorylation are unclear. Methods We investigated the effects of collagen-induced inflammation and subsequent tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibition on mRNA expres...

Background Interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor blockers improve systemic inflammation however, their inconsistent effects on lipid metabolism and drug-induced liver injuries warrant further investigation. This study aimed to determine the effects of IL-6 receptor blocker therapy on lipid metabolism and liver morphology in collagen-induced arthritis. Met...

Chronic inflammation causes dysregulated expression of microRNAs. Aberrant microRNA expression is associated with endothelial dysfunction. In this study we determined whether TNF-α inhibition impacted the expression of miRNA-146a-5p and miRNA-155-5p, and whether changes in the expression of these miRNAs were related to inflammation-induced changes...

Objective: To determine the mechanisms of inflammation-induced left ventricular (LV) remodeling and effects of blocking circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in a model of systemic inflammation. Methods: Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: the control group, the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) group, and the an...

Objectives: To determine biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug effects on inflammation-induced cardiac geometry and function changes. Methods: Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=92) were divided into four groups: control group, collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) group, anti-TNF-α group and anti-IL-6 group. Inflammation was induced by...

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) impacts arterial and diastolic function. This study examined whether arterial properties can determine diastolic function in RA. In 173 RA patients, arterial function measures including carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), central systolic and pulse pressure, pulse pressure amplification, and the magnitude and timing...

Background Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience an increased frequency of heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (1). The treatment of HFpEF is currently suboptimal. Elucidation of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of HFpEF may provide potential targets for its management. Diastolic dysfunction often prece...

Background We recently reported that apelin concentrations are associated with reduced atherosclerosis and plaque vulnerability as well as improved aortic function in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)1,2. These relations were influenced by RA characteristics1,2. Besides protecting against atherosclerosis, apelin is also a vasoactive peptide that improves c...

Apelin can improve arterial function by enhancing the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase but this effect depends markedly on endothelial integrity. We hypothesized that inflammation influences the potential impact of apelin on arterial function in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We assessed the associations of apelin concentrations with art...

Nesfatin is an anti-inflammatory molecule that reduces atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk. By contrast, visfatin has pro-inflammatory properties and is pro-atherogenic. We examined the potential impact of nesfatin and visfatin on atherosclerotic disease in 232 (113 black and 119 white) consecutive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from 2 centers....

This study compared the estimated prevalence and potential determinants of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction upon applying different classification criteria in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). LV diastolic function was assessed echocardiographically by pulsed Doppler ( E/A ), tissue Doppler ( E/e′ , lateral and septal e′ ), and left atrial volu...

Objectives: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk is increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Wave reflection occurs at arterial branching points, which are particularly prone to atherosclerosis. We explored the relationship of wave reflection with atherosclerosis in RA. Methods: One hundred and sixty three RA patients (110 white, 31 Asian,...

Objective: Arterial properties influence cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We identified potential determinants of arterial function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Relationships of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and RA characteristics with arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity), wave reflection (augmentation ind...

Background Heart failure contributes to the excess mortality experienced by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (1). Impaired diastolic function represents a pre-clinical cardiac alteration which is highly predictive of cardiac events and often progresses to heart failure. Diastolic dysfunction is the most common cause of heart failure in patie...

Background Nesfatin-1 comprises a peptide that is involved in appetite suppression, energy homeostasis and fluid regulation, and was recently documented to participate in a range of cardiometabolic pathways (1,2). There is currently a need for the identification of novel biomarkers in the elucidation of CVD risk and its stratification in persons wi...

Background In the non-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) population, arterial stiffness contributes to cardiovascular disease risk beyond brachial blood pressure and other established cardiovascular risk factors. The increased cardiovascular disease risk in RA is now well documented. In this regard, how RA impacts on arterial stiffness remains uncertain. O...

Omentin is an adipokine that reportedly protects against cardiometabolic risk. We investigated the relationships between omentin concentrations and subclinical cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Omentin concentrations were measured in 213 (104 black; 109 white) RA patients. Relationships of omentin levels with those of endothelial...

Supplementary Table 1: Traditional risk factors and RA characteristics associated with diastolic function and left ventricular geometry. Supplemental Table 2: Non-significant associations of traditional risk factors and RA characteristics with markers of diastolic function and left ventricular geometry.

Background and aims: Apelin-APJ signaling reduces cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the atherosclerosis burden and plaque vulnerability to rupture are increased. We explored relationships between apelin concentrations and subclinical CVD in RA. Methods: Apelin levels were measured in 235 (114 black, 121 white) RA p...