Plasma homocysteine level and its genotypes as a risk factor for coronary artery disease in patients undergoing coronary angiography

Hyperhomocysteinemia has recently been identified as a risk for coronary artery disease [CAD]. Some genetic variants such as C677T polymorphism are postulated in this regard. We studied the relation between hyperhomocysteinemia and the above genetic variant and the risk of CAD and also the number of involved vessels. In total, there were 90 patients: 45 with angiographically documented CAD and 45 with the clinical manifestations of CAD but negative angiography. The blood homocystein level was measured using the ELISA and C677T polymorphism using the PCR method. The homocystein level was significantly higher in the case group [p value=0.00], but it did not show any correlation between its level and the extent of CAD. The case group was more homozygote in C677T allele but again it had no relation to the extent of CAD. Hyperhomocysteinemia acts as a CAD risk factor and whilst its presence increases the risk, it does not predict the extent of it

Effect of aqueous extract of trigonella foenum-graecum on pain and inflammation induced by formalin in male mice

Studies have emphasized the effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum extract on the reduction of pain and inflammation. In this research we investigated the mechanisms of Trigonella foenum-graecum extract in reducing pain and inflammation induced by formalin. Male Albino mice [weight 20 - 25 g] were evaluated through the injection of 2 microliters of formalin to the plantar part of right foot. Following this, the rate of animal foot pain and inflammation were measured using Dubbison-Dennis and immersion in mercury. Trigonella foenum-graecum extract was injected 30 minutes before administration of formalin to the animals intraperitoneally. In addition, blood samples were taken from animals and corticosterone concentrations were measured. In an in vitro study the effect of extract on the activity of cyclooxygenase type 1 and 2 was assessed. Our results showed that Trigonella foenum-graecum extract inhibits the first and second phase of pain induced by formalin, while inflammation is slightly reduced. Also the effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum extract is reversible with naloxone or memantine administration. Also Trigonella foenum-graecum extract could not increase plasma corticosterone level and was ineffective in activity of cyclooxygenase type 1 and 2 enzyme. Although Trigonella foenum-graecum extract can inhibit pain induced by formalin administration, but it seems that the reduction of pain is due to the possible interaction of components of Trigonella foenum-graecum extract with opioid and/or glutamate systems which occurs in the body and the mechanisms of inflammation reduction are not activated by the extract

role of human platelet antigen 1 polymorphism in development of coronary artery stenosis in Iranian population

Aggregation is the final step in activation of platelets and is mediated by presentation of GPIIb/IIIa receptors on the platelet membrane that bands to fibrinogen and von Willebrand's factor. There are common mutations in GPIII structure that can change the behavior of the molecule and may change the pattern of interaction between platelets and injured endothelium, thus they can have prognostic impact in coronary artery disease [CAD] and acute coronary syndrome. In some large trials, persons homozygous for the PIA2 allele had a greater chance of coronary stenosis and myocardial infarction [MI] than heterozygotes or non-carriers, but other studies did not confirm this association. This is the first study of PIA polymorphism in Iran and is aimed to find a possible association of this mutation and CAD in the Iranian population. In this case-control study, we chose 200 patients who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography between 2005 and 2006 in Hamedan, Iran. In these patients HPIa genotype determination was done using PCR method. We found no significant association of coronary artery stenosis and PIA2A2 or P1A1A2 genotypes in our patients, p value > 0.05. However, there was a significant association between possession of P1A2 allele and occurrence of CAD in patients more than 50 years of age, p value 0.045. Variations in P1A phenotype do not seem to have an association with ischemic heart disease, but the P1A2 allele may have a role in the development of atherosclerosis and MI in persons more than 50 years of age

Evaluation of total-LDH / heat resistant- LDH ratio in patients with acute myocardial infarction and unstable pectoral angina

Measurement of serum enzymes levels, such as lactate dehydrogenaze [LDH] and its isoenzymes is a routine way for diagnosis of myocardial infarction. One of these isoenzymes is LDH-1 which is raised after myocardial infarction. The purpose of this study was to evaluate total-LDH/heat resistant-LDH ratio in patients with acute myocardial infarction and unstable pectoral angina. In an descriptive analitical study 220 patients with suspected myocardial infarction [MI] or unstable pectoral angina [UA], hospitalized in CCU ward of Ekbatan Hospital in Hamedan city were studied. Using WHO's criteria, 110 were classified as having myocardial infarction and 110 as having unstable pectoral angina. The serum level of total-LDH and heat resistant-LDH was measured by NADH exchange method, 24 to 48 hours after their admission to the hospital. Data were analyzed by student-t test and Mann-Witheny test. Our study showed that total-LDH / heat resistant-LDH ratio in MI patients was 1.27 +/- 0.18 and it was 2.51 +/- 1.39 in UA patients [P < 0.001]. In our study, we found that when total LDH/ heat resistant-LDH ratio is decreased the severity of myocardial infarction [number of involved leads] and creatine phosphokinase [CPK] is increased [P < 0.01]. We did not find any relationship between total LDH/ heat resistant-LDH ratio with sex, age, type of MI [Q-wave and Non Q-wave], block after MI and arrhythmia following MI. Our results revealed that measuring heat resistant- LDH can be used as a method for accurate diagnosis of MI. This simple method can be used in centers where other accurate tests are not available

[ vitro evaluation of the susceptibility of dermatophytic and saprophytic fungi to Pistacia vera's pericarp extract]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Pistacia vera's pericarp extract on some common dermatophytic and saprophytic fungi of Iran and identifying its probable role to be used instead of chemical drugs. After collecting pericarp of Pistacia vera, drying and making it powder, extracts were obtained by using Percolation method with methanol and n-Hexan. To evaluate the anti-fungal activity of the extract, different dilutions of the extract [30-600 mg/ml] were prepared and tested against each fungus and Minimum Inhibition Concentration [MIC] was measured via disc diffusion and broth dilution methods. The tested fungi were three types of dermatophytes [Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, Epidermophyton floccosum] and two types of saprophytes [Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans]. The results showed that n-Hexan extract in disc diffusion method has no significant effect on the fungi, but it could inhibit Epidermophyton floccosum growth in 337mg/ml dilution and Microsporum canis growth in 450mg/ml dilution. For methanolic extract in broth dilution method, 60mg/ml was inhibitor for Epidermophyton floccosum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 240mg/ml dilution for Microsporum canis growth. In disc diffusion method we had 17 millimeter inhibitory zone around the pure extract in Trichophyton mentagrophytes. This extract had no anti-fungal effect against Aspergillus niger, but inhibited the growth of Candida albicans in 120mg/ml dilution and also calculated MBC for Candida albicans was 600mg/ml. Our research showed Pistacia vera's pericarp extract has different anti-fungal effects on experimented fungi

value of myocardial perfusion imaging in differentiating between idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy from the ischemic form

Differentiating between ischemic cardiomyopathy [ICM] and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy [IDCM] is important as coronary revascularization can improve prognosis in the ischemic subgroup. Due to inherent problems of coronary angiography in patients with depressed ejection fraction [EF] introducing a noninvasive tool to diagnose those who will benefit from angiography seems to be rewarding. We examined usefulness of myocardial perfusion scan in this group of patients. Study was performed on 64 patients [62 male and 2 female] aged 57.1 +/- 6.7y [mean +/- SD] all with dilation of the left ventricular [LV] cavity and ejection fraction less than 40% by echocardiography. Myocardial perfusion scan was performed in stress and rest phases. All the patients had coronary angiography which was used as the gold standard test. On each set of images, heart was arbitrary divided into 17 segments and perfusion abnormality in each segment was scored by a 5 grade scoring system [0-4]. Summed Stress Score was used as the scan criteria to differentiate dilated ischemic from idiopathic cardiomyopathy. Scores more than 17 were considered ischemic, and less than that, idiopathic. Results were compared with angiography. From total 40 cases of ischemic cardiomyopathy [proved by angiography] 39 were correctly diagnosed by scan and only one case was miscategorized as IDCM. All 24 cases of IDCM were correctly diagnosed by scintigraphy. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of myocardial perfusion imaging for discrimination between ischemic and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy were 97.5%, 100%, 100%, and 96% respectively. Considering excellent accuracy of myocardial perfusion scan with scoring system in discrimination of ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, this noninvasive test could be considered the main diagnostic test