Familial Mediterranean Fever As an Emerging Clinical Model of Atherogenesis Associated with Low-grade Inflammation

Overview

Journal Open Cardiovasc Med J

Publisher Bentham Open

Specialty Cardiology & Vascular Diseases

Date 2010 Apr 3

PMID 20360981

Citations 24

Authors

Sahru Yuksel

Lilit Ayvazyan

Armen Yuri Gasparyan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Numerous inflammatory and innate immune pathways are involved in atherogenesis. Elaboration of clinical models of inflammation-induced atherogenesis may further advance our knowledge of multiple inflammatory pathways implicated in atherogenesis and provide a useful tool for cardiovascular prevention. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a chronic inflammatory disorder with profiles of inflammatory markers close to that seen in the general population. In a few recent studies, it has been shown that endothelial dysfunction, increased atherosclerotic burden and activation of platelets accompany attack-free periods of FMF. Colchicine is proved to be useful in suppression of inflammation in FMF. Preliminary basic and clinical studies suggest that this relatively safe drug may be useful for cardiovascular protection in patients with FMF and in the general population. Multinational prospective studies are warranted to further elaborate clinical model of inflammation-induced atherosclerosis associated with FMF.

Citing Articles

Metabolic consequences and nailfold capillary changes in children with familial Mediterranean fever.

Abo Hola A, El Zayat R, Shehata W, Elashmawy M, Khalaf N, El Zefzaf H Ital J Pediatr. 2025; 51(1):35.

PMID: 39920809 PMC: 11806809. DOI: 10.1186/s13052-025-01861-8.

Comprehensive GC-MS Characterization and Histochemical Assessment of Various Parts of Three Species from Bulgarian Flora.

Dincheva I, Badjakov I, Georgiev V, Semerdjieva I, Vrancheva R, Ivanov I Plants (Basel). 2025; 14(2).

PMID: 39861621 PMC: 11768353. DOI: 10.3390/plants14020270.

The effectiveness of anti-interleukin-1 therapy on subclinical inflammation parameters during the attack-free period in familial Mediterranean fever patients: A case-control study.

Atalar E, Dogan I, Gok K, Guven S, Maras Y, Ceylan G Turk J Med Sci. 2024; 52(2):494-504.

PMID: 38812979 PMC: 10381223. DOI: 10.3906/sag-2106-324.

Physical fitness in adolescent patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Elhani I, Heydacker P, Tavernier A, Georgin-Lavialle S, Hentgen V Rheumatol Int. 2024; 44(11):2561-2568.

PMID: 38656610 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-024-05598-1.

Seasonal residual activity in adult familial Mediterranean fever: a longitudinal observational study.

Acer Kasman S, Duruoz M Rheumatol Int. 2022; 42(9):1573-1578.

PMID: 35676438 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-022-05156-7.

References

Rozenbaum M, Naschitz J, Yudashkin M, Sabo E, Shaviv N, Gaitini L . Cardiovascular reactivity score for the assessment of dysautonomia in familial Mediterranean fever. Rheumatol Int. 2003; 24(3):147-52. DOI: 10.1007/s00296-003-0344-x. View

Bilginer Y, Ozaltin F, Basaran C, Duzova A, Besbas N, Topaloglu R . Evaluation of intima media thickness of the common and internal carotid arteries with inflammatory markers in familial Mediterranean fever as possible predictors for atherosclerosis. Rheumatol Int. 2008; 28(12):1211-6. DOI: 10.1007/s00296-008-0605-9. View

Ozen S, Bakkaloglu A, Yilmaz E, Duzova A, Balci B, Topaloglu R . Mutations in the gene for familial Mediterranean fever: do they predispose to inflammation?. J Rheumatol. 2003; 30(9):2014-8. View

Caliskan M, Gullu H, Yilmaz S, Erdogan D, Unler G, Ciftci O . Impaired coronary microvascular function in familial Mediterranean fever. Atherosclerosis. 2007; 195(2):e161-7. DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2007.06.014. View

Kaplan M . Management of cardiovascular disease risk in chronic inflammatory disorders. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2009; 5(4):208-17. DOI: 10.1038/nrrheum.2009.29. View

Aksu G, Ozturk C, Kavakli K, Genel F, Kutukculer N . Hypercoagulability: interaction between inflammation and coagulation in familial Mediterranean fever. Clin Rheumatol. 2006; 26(3):366-70. DOI: 10.1007/s10067-006-0334-y. View

Shoenfeld Y, Gerli R, Doria A, Matsuura E, Cerinic M, Ronda N . Accelerated atherosclerosis in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Circulation. 2005; 112(21):3337-47. DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.104.507996. View

GOLDFINGER S . Colchicine for familial Mediterranean fever. N Engl J Med. 1972; 287(25):1302. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM197212212872514. View

Montecucco F, Mach F . Common inflammatory mediators orchestrate pathophysiological processes in rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2008; 48(1):11-22. DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/ken395. View

10.

Entzian P, Schlaak M, Seitzer U, Bufe A, Acil Y, Zabel P . Antiinflammatory and antifibrotic properties of colchicine: implications for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Lung. 1997; 175(1):41-51. DOI: 10.1007/pl00007555. View

11.

Peru H, Altun B, Dogan M, Kara F, Elmaci A, Oran B . The evaluation of carotid intima-media thickness in children with familial Mediterranean fever. Clin Rheumatol. 2007; 27(6):689-94. DOI: 10.1007/s10067-007-0764-1. View

12.

Tavil Y, Ureten K, Ozturk M, Sen N, Gungor Kaya M, Cemri M . The detailed assessment of left and right ventricular functions by tissue Doppler imaging in patients with familial Mediterranean fever. Clin Rheumatol. 2007; 27(2):189-94. DOI: 10.1007/s10067-007-0676-0. View

13.

Lachmann H, Sengul B, Yavuzsen T, Booth D, Booth S, Bybee A . Clinical and subclinical inflammation in patients with familial Mediterranean fever and in heterozygous carriers of MEFV mutations. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2006; 45(6):746-50. DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kei279. View

14.

Chae J, Aksentijevich I, Kastner D . Advances in the understanding of familial Mediterranean fever and possibilities for targeted therapy. Br J Haematol. 2009; 146(5):467-78. PMC: 2759843. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2009.07733.x. View

15.

Ferri C, Croce G, Cofini V, De Berardinis G, Grassi D, Casale R . C-reactive protein: interaction with the vascular endothelium and possible role in human atherosclerosis. Curr Pharm Des. 2007; 13(16):1631-45. DOI: 10.2174/138161207780831301. View

16.

Gasparyan A . The use of carotid artery ultrasonography in different clinical conditions. Open Cardiovasc Med J. 2009; 3:78-80. PMC: 2710604. DOI: 10.2174/1874192400903010078. View

17.

Centola M, Wood G, Frucht D, Galon J, Aringer M, Farrell C . The gene for familial Mediterranean fever, MEFV, is expressed in early leukocyte development and is regulated in response to inflammatory mediators. Blood. 2000; 95(10):3223-31. View

18.

Ben-Chetrit E, Levy M . Colchicine: 1998 update. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 1998; 28(1):48-59. DOI: 10.1016/s0049-0172(98)80028-0. View

19.

Atagunduz P, Ergun T, Direskeneli H . MEFV mutations are increased in Behçet's disease (BD) and are associated with vascular involvement. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2004; 21(4 Suppl 30):S35-7. View

20.

Balat A, Islek I, Cekmen M, Yurekli M, Tekin D, Muslu A . Adrenomedullin and total nitrite levels in children with familial Mediterranean fever. J Paediatr Child Health. 2006; 42(5):240-3. DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.2006.00845.x. View