Neopterin Dynamics in Cardiovascular Inflammation
Summary
Neopterin is a low-molecular-weight pteridine derivative released by macrophages in response to interferon-γ signalling. In cardiovascular disease, elevated neopterin levels reflect activation of cell-mediated immunity and oxidative stress within vascular lesions and myocardium. Circulating neopterin correlates with the presence and severity of atherosclerotic plaques, endothelial dysfunction and myocardial remodelling. Its dynamics are influenced not only by macrophage activation but also by subsequent oxidation of its precursor, 7,8-dihydroneopterin, under conditions of redox imbalance. Monitoring neopterin flux offers insight into inflammatory stability within coronary arteries, prognostic assessment in chronic heart failure and the resolution of vascular injury after surgical or interventional procedures. The global significance of neopterin measurement lies in its potential to guide personalised anti-inflammatory therapies, stratify cardiovascular risk and improve outcomes in populations with diverse genetic and comorbid profiles.
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Neopterin Dynamics in Cardiovascular Inflammation publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in neopterin dynamics in cardiovascular inflammation across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Neopterin: A pteridine compound secreted by interferon-γ-activated macrophages as a marker of cell-mediated immunity and oxidative stress.
7,8-Dihydroneopterin: The reduced precursor to neopterin that serves as a potent intracellular antioxidant before oxidation.
Interferon-γ: A pro-inflammatory cytokine that stimulates macrophage activation and pteridine biosynthesis.
eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate): A clinical index of renal function that influences neopterin clearance and plasma concentration.
Pteridine: A bicyclic nitrogen-containing heterocycle forming the backbone of neopterin and related biomarkers.
References
- Neopterin, Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress: What Could We Be Missing?. Antioxidants (2018).
- Neopterin is a biomarker of chronic heart failure (review of modern literature). Consilium Medicum (2021).
- Oxidative stress and immune cell activation quantification in sepsis and non-sepsis critical care patients by neopterin/7,8-dihydroneopterin analysis. Pteridines (2020).
- Urinary neopterin and total neopterin measurements allow monitoring of oxidative stress and inflammation levels of knee and hip arthroplasty patients. PLOS ONE (2021).
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