ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is an important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor, which is known to acutely increase arterial stiffness. But the chronic effects of smoking on arterial stiffness are still controvertial. We studied the effects of chronic cigarette smoking on arterial stiffness in Korean subjects. METHODS: Our subjects included those >18 years of age (n=2685, 991 females) who had undergone a pulse wave velocity from July 2004 to June 2008. They were classified into two groups, smokers (n=641) and non-smokers (n=2044). In addition to the pulse wave velocity (PWV), we reviewed the highly sensitive C-reactive protein levels in a random manner when it was available. RESULTS: Males were predominant in the smokers group. Smokers had significantly higher heart-femoral PWVs than non-smokers (1083.6+/-264.1 cm/sec vs. 1041.3+/-257.3 cm/sec; p<0.001). There was no linear relationship between smoking duration and PWV (r= -0.225, p=0.506) even after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index. Furthermore, there was no difference in the ankle-brachial index between the two groups. On the multivariate regression analysis, age, male gender, hypertension, and diabetes were independent predictors of increased arterial stiffness. CONCLUSION: In this study, chronic cigarette smoking increased central arterial stiffness in Korean subjects.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Ankle Brachial Index , Body Mass Index , C-Reactive Protein , Hypertension , Korea , Pulse Wave Analysis , Risk Factors , Smoke , Smoking , Tobacco Products , Vascular StiffnessABSTRACT
In order to investigate wheter or not elastic dynamization by axial micromotion enhanced regenerate bone healing in distraction osteogenesis(callotasis), a unilateral external fixator, with which the magnitude of dynamization could be controlled, was applied to the tibiae of 12 Korean adult mongrel dogs, weighting approximately 35kg. Tibiae and fibulae of both sides were osteotomized at the proximal metaphysio-diaphyseal junction and fixed with unilateral external fixators. Distraction was started from the third postoperative day until 2 cm (10% of tibial length) of length gian was achived, at the rate of 0. mm twice a day. When 1 cm (5%) of lengthening was achieved, controlled elastic dynamization of 1 mm (group I), 2 mm (group II), and 3 mm (group III) in magnitude was allowed on left tibia. Right tibia was not dynamized until sacrifice, and served as a control for each group. Plain anteroposterior radiographs and measurements of bone mineral density(BMD) by dual x-ray absorptiometry(DXA) were obtained pre- and post-operatively. Relative ratio of BMD was calculated, dividing the BMD value measured in each period by the BMD value measured at the beginning of dynamization. Mechanical test was performed in uniaxial compression on an Instron machine. Following observations were made: 1. Plain anteroposterior radiography showed that at mid-consolidation phase (postoperative 50th day) the width of callus in the distraction gap increased significantly in all dynamization groups, as compared to their control groups(p 0.05). 3. Axial Compression test revealed that the dynamization group had significantly increased stiffness, maximal load, elastic modulus, and strength, as compared to those of the control group(p < 0.05). In conclusion, controlled elastic dynamization effectively enhances regenerate bone healing in distraction osteogenesis of canine tibia, at 1 mm to 3 mm of magnitude.