Effect of walking and breathing exercises on controlling hypertension

This study was carried out to examine the effect of walking and breathing exercises on controlling hypertension. Methods: A convenience sample of 90 adults patients with a diagnosis of first stage hypertension were randomly and alternatively divided into three equal groups: [30] for each group: Study group [I] performed walking exercise for 30 minutes/five times weekly plus 15 minutes breathing exercise, while study group [2] walking exercise was done for 45 minutes/ three times weekly plus 15 minutes breathing exercise. Control group [3] comprised of 30 patients and exposed to routine hospital care. The study has been conducted at outpatient clinic of Shebin El- kom Menoufiya University and Shebin El- kom Teaching Hospitals in Menoufiya governorate. Quasi Experimental design was used in this study. Data was collected using five developed tools. 1. Socio demographic and clinical data structured interview schedule. 2. Knowledge assessment, structured interview schedule. 3. Physiological measurement. 4. Nutritional assessment. 5. Evaluation of compliance. Results: findings revealed that the blood pressure declined progressively over time for both studied groups compared to control group, but it was significantly reduced for group II who were followed walking exercise for 45 minutes / 3 days weekly for a period of 8 weeks followed by breathing exercise 15 minutes. At the same time it revealed a statistical significance differences between both studied groups compared to control group regarding the laboratory results such as cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, and low density lipoprotein levels. Also as expected, group II showed a major improvement of their laboratory results than group I. and control group. The current study concluded in general, walking and breathing exercise are beneficial in reducing blood pressure measurement and improving laboratory results. But it strongly recommended walk for 45 minutes / 3 days weekly plus breathing exercise 15 minutes for patients with first stage hypertension

Effects of aging on pancreatic islet cell function: an experimental immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study

A strong relationship between aging and diabetes mellitus has been clinically suggested, however, none of the previous published data had clearly focused on the age-related cytomorphological changes in the pancreas which are the goal of this study. Three groups of male apparently healthy rabbits have been used, ten animals each; classified as group-1 [3-5months old]; group-2 [9-12 months old] and group-3 [24-36 months old]. After sacrification, sections from the pancreas were stained by Haematoxylin and Eosin [H and E], Gomori trichromic stain and ultrastructurally to detect aging histologic changes as well as immunohistochemically to identify insulin and glucagon secreting cells using their appropriate monoclonal antibodies. A progressive histological distortion with fibrosis and fatty changes were directly proportional to age, being mild in group-2 and severe in group-3. Morphometric studies by computerized image analysis showed that the mean number of islets was significantly higher in group2 [8.98+/-1.51], lowest in group-1 [5.08+/-1.48] and intermediate in group-3 [6.37+/-1.37]. The mean diameter and square area of islets were significantly higher in group-2 compared to other groups [P< 0.05]. The mean number of beta cells per islet and their secretary granules were significantly [P <0.05] higher in group-2, intermediate in group-1 and lowest in group-3.In contrast, the mean number of alpha cells per islet and their secretory granules were insignificantly [P< 0.05] higher in group -2, intermediate in group-3 and lowest in group-1.Also, the beta/alpha ratio [beta cells/alpha cells] was greatest in group-2 [3.059:1], intermediate in group-1 [3.37:1], and lowest in group-3 [2.479:1]. The increased number of beta cells may be due to a compensatory process to correct the hormonal feedback mechanism of insulin .The results of this work suggest that beta cells are generally more vulnerable to aging, an observation which might be correlated clinically with higher incidence of diabetes in older ages

Hypomagnesemia in type II diabetes mellitus: effect of magnesium replacement therapy on glycaemic control and microalbuminuria

To study the effect of magnesium administration on the glycaemic control and microalbuminuria in type II diabetic patients with hypomagnesemia, 46 patients were included in this randomized clinical study. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups Group l and Group II. Group I 26 patients [17 males and 9 females, their ages ranging from 39 to 64 years] received magnesium, first by IV route [Mg[2+] sulfate] to restore serum Mg[2+] level to normal, then orally [Mg[2+] citrate] to maintain normal serum level for one month. Group II. 20 patients [12 males and 8 females, their ages ranging from 35 to 64 years] did not receive magnesium. Results showed a high baseline fasting blood glucose, HBAlc and a 24 h urinary albumin excretion in all studied patients with no significant statistical differences between the two groups, P>0.05. Magnesium supplementation to group I patients was associated with significant decrease in fasting blood glucose [from 182.46 +/- 29.42 to 138.84 +/- 23.06 mg/dl. P<0.001] and HbAlc [from 12.12 +/- 2.18 to 9.1 +/- 1.66%. P<0.001] and a non-significant decrease in fasting insulin level [from 28.31 +/- 5.32 to 25.03 +/- 4.21 unit/mL. P>0.05] and a 24 hour urinary albumin excretion [from 185.35 +/- 91.75 to 165.21 +/- 63.3 mg/day, p>0.05]. On the other hand, there was no significant difference in group II patients, before and after receiving placebo. Thus, short-term restoration of serum magnesium level to normal seems to have a beneficial effect on glycaemic control but have no significant effect on microalbuminuria in NIDDM patients with hypomagnesemia. Further studies, however, are needed to verify the benefit of long-term magnesium supplemented diets on diabetic control and possibly on the progression of microalbuminuria

Serum lipoprotein [a] and risk of coronary heart disease: its relation to degree of coronary artery occlusion

To study the relationship between the serum lipoprotein [a] levels and the degree of coronary artery occlusion, 40 patients [32 males and 8 females] with a previous attack of acute myocardial infarction were included in this study. The age of pateints was ranged from 36 to 60 years [mean age = 47.13 +/- 5.5 years]. Patients were evaluated clinically and by laboratory means and underwent coronary angiography. They were classified into 3 groups according to coronary atherosclerosis score [CAS]; Group I comprised 20 patients with CAS /= 8. Results showed that the plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL were not significantly differed among the different groups of the patients, while the plasma Lp[a] level was significantly increased from 20.27 +/- 7.25 mg/dl in group I to 32.00 +/- 8.70 mg/dl in group Il and to 52.71 +/- 14.5 mg/dl in group Ill, p <0.001. Correlation between the degree of coronary artery narrowing [as measured by CAS] and the plasma lipids revealed significant positive correlation only with Lp[a], r = 0.77, p <0.001. Regression model consists of Lp[a], cholesterol, triglycerides, LDLand HDL showed that Lp[a] is the most important risk factor associated with coronary artery occlusion, r[2] = 0.60, p <0.001. Thus Lp [a] is a major plasma lipid risk factor [or coronary heart disease and its level can predict the extent of the coronary artery narrowing