1,721,106 research outputs found
Low-dose cerivastatin inhibits spontaneous atherogenesis in heterozygous Watanabe hyperlipidemic rabbits
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate whether cerivastatin (BAYw6228), a new potent 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, was able to prevent atherogenesis in heterozygous Watanabe heritable-hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits, a model never tested before using this HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. The heterozygous WHHL rabbits of our breeding developed mild hypercholesterolemia along with focal atherosclerotic lesions in the thoracic aorta. A 9-week treatment with cerivastatin at doses comparable to those used in humans (50 μg/kg/day) reduced serum total cholesterol levels (from 94.4 ± 10.9 to 43.6 ± 10.5 mg/dl, p < 0.005) and prevented aortic lesion development (intima/media ratio: 0.058 ± 0.032 vs 0.946 ± 0.282 in the placebo group, p < 0.0005). Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies specific to macrophages and able to recognize different smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypes, we observed that cerivastatin treatment affected the differentiation properties of SMCs and drastically reduced SMC and macrophage accumulation in the intima of the thoracic aorta. These data show that in the presence of moderate atherosclerotic lesions, such as those of heterozygous WHHL rabbits, low doses of cerivastatin exert an antiatherogenic effect. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel
ACE-inhibitors in the treatment of atrial fibrillation ( Review ) [Gli ACE-inibitori nel trattamento dell'ipertensione arteriosa]
No full text
Effect of regular physical activity on carotid intima-media thickness. Results from a 6-year prospective study in the early stage of hypertension
No full textAim. To study the effect of leisure-time physical activity on the progression of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in the early stage of hypertension. Methods. We studied 47 sedentary and 40 physically active young pre-hypertensive or stage 1 hypertensive subjects. IMT was assessed in the common carotid artery, carotid bulb and internal carotid artery at baseline and after 6.5 years. Results. Cumulative maximum IMT of the three carotid segments (M-MAX, 0.13 +/- 0.08 vs 0.10 +/- 0.07 mm, p = 0.006) and cumulative mean IMT (m-IMT, 0.11 +/- 0.07 vs 0.09 +/- 0.06 mm, p = 0.01), adjusted for con-founders, increased to a greater degree in the sedentary than the active subjects. Differences in known risk factors explained a large proportion of the observed association. Inclusion of baseline cholesterol in the regression model attenuated the strength of the association for both M-MAX (p - 0.04) and m-IMT (p - 0.049). When also baseline blood pressure, heart rate, and body mass index were taken into account the association with physical activity status remained significant for maximum IMT of internal carotid artery (p = 0.034) and was of borderline significance for M-MAX (p = 0.066). Conclusions. Physical activity can delay the progression of carotid IMT in hypertension. This effect is mediated in substantial part by the better risk factor profile in active subjects
An uncommon presentation of tuberculosis with cervical Pott's disease initially suspected as metastatic lung cancer
No full textCervical Pott's disease is a rare clinical condition whose diagnosis is usually delayed. We report a case of lung tuberculosis (TB) and cervical Pott's disease mimicking a metastatic lung cancer. The patient presented with persistent cervical pain. Radiologic examinations showed the presence of a lytic lesion of C3 vertebral body, associated with spinal cord compression. A CT scan of the thorax showed a lung nodule highly suspicious for malignancy in the apical region of right lung upper lobe. Neurosurgical decompression was performed. Unexpectedly, histological analysis showed the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate suggestive for TB infection. The patient was immediately treated with antituberculous drugs. Atypical forms of spinal TB, such as cervical TB, can be misdiagnosed as primary or metastatic cancers and lead to delay of treatment initiation that could be fatal. Awareness of this uncommon TB presentation is important to prevent morbidity and mortality associated with spinal cord injury and disease dissemination. © Buso et al.; Licensee Bentham Open
Hypertension and vascular calcification: a vicious cycle?
No full textIt is now well established that hypertension is accompanied by remodeling of the arterial wall with significant modifications in extracellular matrix composition and in vascular cell phenotype. Some of these changes, particularly elastin fragments generation, increased proteases activity and activation of transforming growth factor-β signaling together with deposition of collagen and proteoglycans might generate a permissive soil for vascular calcification. On the other hand, calcium deposits within large arterial conduits can reduce vessel's elasticity and contribute to the generation of blood pressure pattern associated with vascular stiffness, namely isolated systolic hypertension. Hence, a hypothetical vicious cycle exists between hypertensive arterial damage and vascular calcification. Herein, we revised clinical and basic science findings supporting this possibilit
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