Pentoxifylline decreases serum level of adhesion molecules in atherosclerosis patients

Inflammation is involved in development, progression, and complications of atherosclerotic disease. Clinical studies have indicated that the level of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1], IL-18, and adhesion molecules correlates with the severity of atherosclerosis and can predict future cardiovascular events. Experimental studies have shown pentoxifylline [PTX] reduces these factors in animal models. The purpose of the present pilot study was to evaluate effect of PTX on a group of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with coronary artery disease [CAD]. Forty patients with angiographically documented CAD, who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria, were entered in the double-blind, randomized, pilot clinical study. The patients were randomly given PTX [400 mg three times daily] or placebo [3 tab/day] for 2 months. Serum concentrations of MCP-1, IL-18, intercellular adhesion Molecule 1 [ICAM-1], and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 [VCAM-1] were measured before and at the end of intervention by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Our study showed that the serum levels of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 was decreased in the study population after two-month treatment [P<0.05]. Based on the results of our pilot study, administration of PTX in CAD patients significantly decreases adhesion molecules levels

Effects of omega-3 administration on homocysteine serum concentration in renal transplant recipient

It has been shown that serum total homocysteine [HC] is a risk factor for vascular disease which characterizes endothelial damage in the general and in the End-Stage Renal Disease [ESRD] population as well. Whether n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids decrease homocysteine [Hcy] level has been a subject of controversy. Renal transplant patients were randomized in 2 groups and received 6 months of dietary supplementation with 6 g/day of Fish oil or placebo. Homocysteine level and total cholesterol level were measured. In 40 renal transplant recipients, increase in homocysteine level was greater after Fish oil administration but not significantly, total cholesterol was decreased significantly. Based on these data omega3 fatty acids supplementation doesn't decrease serum homocysteine in renal transplant recipients but decreases total cholesterol level.

Correlation between heat-shock protein 27 serum concentration and common carotid intima-media thickness in hemodialysis patients

Cardiovascular disease is a major factor in the deterioration of the health and the death of hemodialysis patients. Previous studies have mainly shown a decreased level of heat shock protein 27 [HSP27] in patients with cardiovascular disease. We conducted this study to investigate whether HSP27 correlates with common carotid intima-media thickness [CCIMT] and if it has a potential to be a biomarker for cardiovascular disease. In this cross-sectional study, the correlation between HSP27 serum concentration and CCIMT was investigated in 42 hemodialysis patients. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used to measure HSP27 level in the plasma of the patients, and a high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography was applied to measure CCIMT. There was an inverse significant correlation between serum concentration of HSP27 and CCIMT only in patients that had hypertension as their only cardiovascular risk factor [r = 0.61, P = .02]. According to our results and the fact that HSP27 has been shown to be expressed in atherosclerotic plaques of both experimental animals and humans, we suggest that circulatory HSP27 concentration has a potential of being used as a marker for cardiovascular events

Therapeutic drug monitoring of valproic acid in patients with monotherapy at steady state

The role of therapeutic drug monitoring [TDM] in patient care has grown rapidly since its introduction three decades ago. The aim of present study was to evaluate the possible relationship between serum levels and the clinical response of valproic acid [VPA]. In the present study we evaluated a homogeneous group of adult patients receiving VPA monotherapy. A total of 18 epileptic patients who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were entered this prospective study. Steady state trough plasma concentration was determined by fluorescence polarization immunoassay [FPIA]. The correlation between therapeutic response and VPA serum concentration was evaluated. Mean VPA dose and mean total VPA plasma concentrations were 8.35 +/- 1.49 mg/kg/day and 50.40 +/- 4.18 micro g/ml respectively. Mean VPA clearance was 8.84 +/- 4.43 [ml/kg/h]. Plasma levels within the therapeutic range were found in 33% of epileptic patients. Plasma levels were below the therapeutic range in 67% of study population. Of patients 75% and 17% with sub-therapeutic levels achieved complete control and partial control respectively. Poor correlation was found between the plasma concentration of VPA and its therapeutic effects. Therefore, this study showed that TDM of VPA will be useful only when individuals are non-responsive to treatment or vulnerable to adverse reactions with standard doses

Selective inhibitory effect of adenosine A1 receptor agonists on the proliferation of human tumor cell lines

In this study, the effects of three structural analogues of adenosine upon proliferation of human tumor cells were investigated. Previous research showed a cytotoxic effect of adenosine via A3 receptor and A[1] receptor and sometimes this effect was receptor independent. The researches showed a differential cytotoxic effect of adenosine and its A[3] agonists on cancerous cells, while other studies demonstrated tumor promoting effect of adenosine and its A[1] agonists. The purpose of the present study was the evaluation of the possible selective anti-tumor effect of A1 receptor agonists on cancerous cells. The substances of N6-cyclohexyl-adenosine [CHA, A[1] agonist], R-isomer of N6-phenylisopropyladenosine [R-PIA, A[1] agonist] and N5-ethylcarboxamido-adenosine [NECA, adenosine A[1]-A[2] non-specific agonist] were tested for their anti-proliferative effect using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay method. Hep G2, Hep2, CACO2, ACHN and L929 cell lines were used in this assay. CHA inhibited cell proliferation in three cell lines [in concentration of 5-50 micro M] and R-isomer of R-PIA in one cell line [in concentration of 10-50 micro M]. These effects were inhibited partially by addition of 1,3-Dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine [A1 antagonist]. The NECA analogue had no inhibitory effect on the cell proliferations. All of the substances had no cytotoxic effect on L929 cells [mouse connective tissue fibroblast cell line]. CHA and R-PIA had inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human tumor cell lines partially via A1 receptor, while they didn't show such effect on fibroblast cells. These results suggest that A[1] adenosine receptor agonists have a good potential of specific anti-tumor activity