| Description: |
Similar to the widely used C-reactive protein (CRP), macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is another clinically associated marker, which can be used to assess cardiovascular risk. Its serum level rises quicker than CRP indicating high cardiovascular risks, such as (severe) obesity and hypertension. It is a better marker as the difference of MIF value between normal condition and the condition associated with cardiovascular risks is much larger than with CRP. When medical interventions are made, for example weight loss and statin therarpy, serum MIF falls rapidly. Another important advantage in selecting MIF over CRP is that serum MIF is not affected by other therapies unrelated to cardiovascular conditions, such as hormonal replacement therapy which, in general, causes a raise of CRP resulting in false positive result.
This technology provides a novel method for cardiovascular screening that can be used repeatedly to monitor changes over time and treatment modalities.
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