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OBJECTIVE@#Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. is a food plant used in African traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases and related conditions. We assessed the hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerogenic properties of the aqueous extract of I. batatas leaves in a rat model of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.@*METHODS@#Hypercholesterolemia was induced in male Wistar rats by exclusive feeding with a cholesterol-enriched (1%) standard diet for four weeks. Then, rats were treated once daily (per os) with I. batatas extract at doses of 400, 500 and 600 mg/kg or with atorvastatin (2 mg/kg), for four weeks. Following treatment, animals were observed for another four weeks and then sacrificed. Aortas were excised and processed for histopathological studies, and blood glucose level and lipid profile were measured.@*RESULTS@#Hypercholesterolemic animals experienced a 21.5% faster increase in body weight, significant increases in blood glucose and blood lipids (148.94% triglycerides, 196.97% high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 773.04% low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 148.93% very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and 210.42% total cholesterol), and increases in aorta thickness and atherosclerotic plaque sizes compared to rats fed standard diet. Treatment of hypercholesterolemic rats with the extract mitigated these alterations and restored blood glucose and blood lipid levels to normocholesterolemic values.@*CONCLUSION@#Our findings suggest that I. batatas leaves have hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerogenic properties and justify their use in traditional medicine.
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Objective To investigate CT targeted contrast agent of gold nanoparticles-recombinant high-density lipoprotein (Au-rHDL)in analyzing the relationship between molecular imaging and pathology for macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques in living animals. Methods Au-rHDL targeted contrast agents and atherosclerotic animal models were obtained.Targeted images for macrophages in living animal models were matched with the corresponding pathological sections,and the correlation and consistency between macrophages distribution and plaque burden were analyzed.Results ① Au-rHDL targeted contrast agent had biological activity,which could specifically combine with macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques;② There was no statistical difference between the location of macrophages and the results of plaque burden (P=0.863,0.726),and the results of two methods had high correlation (r=0.897,0.736)and consistency (ICC=0.885,0.763).Conclusion The molecular imaging technology basing on CT targeted contrast agent of Au-rHDL can be used for analyzing the identification and localization of macrophages in atherosclerotic plaque,and providing a theoretical basis for early warning and vulnerability risk prediction of atherosclerotic plaques.
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Objective To investigate the effects of rosuvastatin calcium on bone mineral density and carotid atherosclerotic plaque in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with osteoporosis.Methods Eighty-two T2DM patients with osteoporosis were randomly divided into two groups,41 cases in the treatment group and 41 cases in the control group.The control group received routine treatment,including insulin and Caltrate D treatment.The observation group was treated with rosuvastatin calcium 10 mg 1 time/d orally,on the basis of the routine treatmentv.The two groups were treated for 12 weeks.After treatment,the blood glucose level,bone mineral density and carotid atherosclerotic plaques were compared.Results After treatment,the levels of blood sugar,FBG ((7.2±0.4) mmol/L),2 hBG ((9.2±0.6) mmol/L),HbAlc ((7.2±0.4) mmol/L) in the observation groups were lower than those before treatment ((9.6±0.5) mmol/L,(12.3±0.6) mmol/L,(9.8±0.7) mmol/L,t=24.0,23.39,20.65,P0.05),the BMD of femoral neck in the observation group after treatment was higher than that in the control group (t=0.842,P0.05).The differences between the observation group and the control group after treatment were statistically significant (t=0.534,0.645,P<0.05).Conclusion Rosuvastatin calcium can effectively improve the curative effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with osteoporosis and improve bone mineral density and carotid atherosclerotic plaques.
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Objective To explore the treatment and diagnostic value of combined detection of high sensitivity C reactive protein(hs-CRP) and D-dimer (DD) levels for carotid artery plaque (CAS) in patients with acute cerebral infarction(ACI).Methods 48 patients with ACI were selected as the observation group,while 48 healthy people who excluded ACI were selected as the control group.The vascular ultrasonography and serum levels of hs-CRP and DD were detected within 3 days,and the observation group was classified according to TOAST.Results The hs-CRP and DD levels in the observation group were (7.88 ±2.54)mg/L and (1 286.2 ±233.4) μg/L,respectively,which were significantly higher than (1.14 ± 0.32) mg/L and (462.8 ± 147.2) μg/L in the control group (t =15.53,20.67,all P ＜ 0.05).The differences of hs-CRP and DD levels in different TOAST subtypes ACI patients were not statistically significant(P ＞0.05).The hs-CRP level was positively correlated with the number of instability carotid plaque(r =0.465,P =0.000),and DD level had no significant correlation with the number of instability carotid plaque.Conclusion Elevated serum hs-CRP and DD levels in ACI patients confirmed its participation in the acute inflammatory response,and hs-CRP can better reflect the instability of ACI patients with CAS.
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OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of rosuvastatin combined with berberine hydrochloride on related indexes in patients with acute cerebral infarction.METHODS:Medical information of 120 patients diagnosed as acute ischemic cerebral infarction were analyzed retrospectively,and they divided into observation group (65 cases) and control group (55 cases) according to route of administration.Both groups were given routine treatment;control group was additionally given Rosuvastatin calcium tablets 10 mg orally before bedtime,once a day;observation group was additionally given Berberine hydrochloride tablets 0.3 g orally,3 times a day,on the basis of control group.Treatment courses of 2 groups lasted for 14 d.The levels of TC,TG,LDL-C,HDL-C,hs-CRP,ox-LDL,NIHSS score,ADL score,TPA,IMT,Crouse score,the number of unstable plaque and ADR were observed and compared between 2 groups before and after treatment.RESULTS:Before treatment,there was no statistical significance in above indexes between 2 groups (P＞0.05).After treatment,the serum levels ofTC,TG,LDL-C,hs-CRP and ox-LDL in 2 groups were significantly lower than before,and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group,with statistical significance (P＜0.05).After treatment,NIHSS score of 2 groups were significantly lower than before,and ADL score,HDL-C levels were significantly higher than before,with statistical significance (P＜0.05);there was no statistical significance between 2 groups (P＞0.05).After treatment,there was no statistical significance in IMT,Crouse score and the number of unstable plaque in control group compared to before treatment (P＞0.05),but in observation group were significantly lower than before treatment,and also lower than control group at corresponding period,with statistical significance (P＜0.05).There was no statistical significance in TPA between 2 groups before and after treatment(P＞0.05).There was no statistical significance in the indcidence of ADR between 2 groups during treatment(P＞0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Based on routine treatment,rosuvastatin combined with berberine hydrochloride could effectively reduce blood lipid levels in patients with acute cerebral infarction,stabilize or reverse atherosclerotic plaque,and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress with good safety.
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This study aims to analyze the effect of berberine on serum inflammatory factors and carotid atherosclerotic plaques in ppatients with acute cerebral ischemic stroke(AIS). In the study, 120 patients with AIS were randomly divided into berberine group(n=60) and general group (n=60). The 60 cases in the general group were provided with general therapy according to the latest guidelines of diagnosis and treatment of AIS. The berberine group received berberine 300 mg(tid) in addition to the therapy of the general group. The levels of serum inflammatory factors, the nerve function defect grades and the indexes of carotid atherosclerosis plaques [including the total plaque area(TPA), intima-media thickness(IMT) and the number of unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques] were measured and compared. The results indicated that the levels of serum inflammatory factors, the NIHSS(national institute of health stroke scales) cores and the indexes of carotid atherosclerosis plaques were not significantly different between the berberine groups of general group, with positive correlation between serum inflammatory factors and NIHSS scores(P<0.05). The levels of serum inflammatory factors and NIHSS scores of the berberine groups on 14 d were significantly lower than those on 1 d(P<0.05). The levels of serum inflammatory factors and NIHSS scores of the berberine group on 14 d were significantly lower than those of the general group(P<0.05). The TPA and the number of unstable carotid atherosclerotic plaques of the berberine groups on 90 d were significantly lower than those of general group, with significant differences(P<0.05). The IMT showed a downward trend, but with significant difference.The mRS(modified rankin scale) scores of the berberine group on 90 d were significantly lower, with a higher rate of short-term favorable prognosis (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups. This study showed that berberine in addition to the general therapy can significantly lower the levels of serum MIF and IL-6, reduce the degree of carotid atherosclerosis to some extent and improve neurological impairment and the prognosis of patients with AIS.
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AIM: To explore the relationship of central retinal vein occlusion ( CRVO) and atherosclerosis ( AS) . METHODS:Fifty cases of CRVO patients were chosen as the observation group in our hospital from October 2012 to October 2014, other 50 patients with AS ( non-CRVO) as control group. In the control group, 22 cases of AS mild stenosis, moderate stenosis in 24 cases, 4 cases of severe stenosis ( 3 cases implanted stent ) . According to the severity, two grade prevention primary prevention therapy, and cerebral vascular disease treating stroke, corresponding drug treatment was undergone. Two groups of patients were performed cervical carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound examination, including assessing plaque, carotid artery intima-media thickness ( IMT) , the degree of stenosis of internal carotid artery blood flow velocity and the systolic peak ( PSV ) , end diastolic blood flow velocity ( EDV) , resistance index ( RI) values for kinetic parameters etc. All the indexes of the two groups were compared with color Doppler ultrasound examination results, to evaluate the correlation between CRVO and AS. RESULTS: In the observation group, 15 cases were detected of carotid artery with mild stenosis, 28 cases of arterial diameter reduced CONCLUSION: CRVO and AS are highly correlated, the neck of Doppler ultrasound examination can clearly reflect the central retinal vein blood supply, the standard treatment for AS disease, can reduce the risk of CRVO, with certain clinical significance.
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Development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) has been linked with changes to the lipid profile that can be observed during the postprandial period, a phenomenon known as postprandial lipemia (PL). Physical exercise is currently the number one non-pharmacological intervention employed for prevention and reduction of risk factors for the development of CVD. This in turn has created a growing interest in the effects of physical exercise on regulation and equilibrium of lipid metabolism. In this review we compare the results of studies that have investigated the beneficial effects of strength training on PL. We analyzed articles identified in the PubMed, Scopus and EBSCO databases published from 1975 to 2013 in international journals. Studies were selected for review if they covered at least two of four keywords. The results of these studies lead to the conclusion that strength training is effective for reduction of postprandial lipemia because it increases baseline energy expenditure. This type of training can be prescribed as an important element in strategies to treat chronic diseases, such as atherosclerosis...
O desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) tem sido associado a alterações no perfil lipídico encontradas no período pós-prandial, fenômeno conhecido como lipemia pós-prandial (PL). O exercício fisico é atualmente a principal intervenção não farmacológica utilizada na prevenção e na redução de fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de DCV. Por esta razão, há um interesse crescente acerca dos efeitos do exercício físico sobre a regulação e o equilíbrio do metabolismo lipídico. Nesta revisão, procuramos comparar os resultados de artigos que abordaram os efeitos benéficos do treinamento de força sobre a PL. Utilizamos artigos que foram selecionados nas bases de dados PubMed, Scopus e EBSCO, no período entre os anos 1975 e 2013, e publicados em revistas internacionais. Os estudos selecionados foram aqueles que contemplassem pelo menos duas das quatro palavras-chave do estudo. Com base nos estudos selecionados, conclui-se que o treinamento de força revela-se eficaz na redução da lipemia pós-prandial por induzir uma melhoria da demanda de energia basal. Este tipo de treinamento pode ser indicado como uma estratégia importante para o tratamento de doenças crônicas, como a aterosclerose...
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Humans , Atherosclerosis/prevention & control , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Plaque, Atherosclerotic , Endurance Training/methods , Chronic Disease/prevention & control , Exercise/physiology , Lipoprotein Lipase/blood , Lipids/blood , Lipoproteins/blood , Risk Factors , Triglycerides/bloodABSTRACT
Objective To observe the anti-atherosclerosis (AS) mechanisms of Shuxinwenban granules by observing its effects on the serum level of MMP-9, the expression of VEGF and the formation of the plaques in rabbits. Methods Totally 40 healthy female and male rabbits were divided into control group, model group, Shuxinwenban granules group and Simvastatin group. Control group was treated with basic diet, and other groups were treated with high cholesterol diet for 12 weeks to make AS rabbit models. The treatment groups were given corresponding drugs by gavage for 4 weeks. The serum levels of MMP-9 in rabbits were detected by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent method and the surface density of VEGF in the atherosclerotic plaques by immunohistochemical staining, at the same time, the pathological changes of the aorta and atheroclerotic plaques were observed. Results Compared with the model group, Shuxinwenban granules significantly decreased the serum levels of MMP-9, and the difference was statistically significant (P <0.01). Similarly, Shuxinwenban granules could significantly decrease the surface density of VEGF in atherosclerotic plaques, the difference was also statistically significant (P<0.01). Pathology showed that the intervention of Shuxinwenban granules decreased the area of atherosclerotic plaque, caused the plaque to smaller and thinner. Conclusion Shuxinwenban granules blocked the inflammatory response by inhibiting the expression of VEGF in atherosclerotic plaque and decreasing the levels of MMP-9 in serum, which lessened the formation of the atherosclerotic plaques.
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This study was aimed to evaluate the relationship between carotid atherosclerotic plaque stability and the clinical symptoms in patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques by using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. Fifty patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaques were enrolled and examined with contrast-enhanced uitrasonography. The correlation of contrast agent enhancement of the carotid atherosclerotic plaques and the clinical symptoms was analyzed. The results showed that among the 50 patients, plaques were enhanced in the 23 patients with obvious clinical symptoms. In 27 patients without apparent clinical symptoms, plaques were enhanced sparsely in 15 patients and not enhanced in 12 patients. It was suggested that contrast-enhanced ultrasonography could be used for the examination of the microcirculation in carotid atherosclerotic plaques on real-time basis and serve as a new noninvasive approach for the assessment of stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaques.
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BACKGROUND: The atherosclerotic plaque in the thoracic aorta has been considered as a potential source of cerebral or peripheral embolization. Especially, complex type of atherosclerotic plaques in the thoracic aorta have strongly been associated with cerebral embolism in ischemic stroke and transesophageal echocardiography(TEE) is a useful diagnostic tool for evaluation of thoracic aorta atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and significance of complex type of thoracic atherosclerotic plaques in the patients with cryptogenic stroke who have neither cardiac source nor significant carotid atherosclerosis. METHOD: From 1993 to 1998, TEE and carotid Doppler sonography were performed in 58 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke and in 30 control patients without ischemic stroke. We divided the former into two groups. One is known-cause stroke(n=37) group and the other is Cryptogenic stroke group(n=21). We evaluated cardiogenic source of embolism, thoracic aorta atherosclerotic plaques as well as carotid atherosclerosis by carotid Doppler sonography and TEE. Aortic atherosclerosis was classified as grade 1: normal-appearing aortic intima, grade 2: extensive intimal thickening, grade 3: sessile atheroma protruding 5mm, and grade 5: mobile atheroma. Carotid atherosclerosis was categorized as significant if luminal stenosis of either common carotid artery or internal carotid artery is greater than 50%. RESULTS: 1) There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in age, gender, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and smoking. 2) Hypertension was more common in the cryptogenic stroke group(p<0.05). Atrial fibrillation was more common in the known-cause and control group than in the cryptogenic group(p<0.005). 3) The carotid atherosclerosis was found in 7(12%) out of 58 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke. 4) The thoracic aortic atherosclerotic plaque was located primarily on descending aorta. The complex type of plaque was found in 8(38%) out of 21 patients with cryptogenic stroke. The complex type of plaque was found in 10(27%) out of 37 patients with known-cause stroke. The complex type of plaque was found in 3(10%) out of 30 patients with known-cause stroke. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that complex type of thoracic atherosclerotic plaques in cryptogenic stoke can be considered as potential source of ischemic stroke and we suggest that a patient with cerebral embolism without a source identified by the routine transthoracic echocardiograpy or carotid sonography shoud undergo transesophageal echocardiography to evaluate the thoracic aorta atheroma.
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Humans , Aorta, Thoracic , Atherosclerosis , Atrial Fibrillation , Carotid Artery Diseases , Carotid Artery, Common , Carotid Artery, Internal , Constriction, Pathologic , Diabetes Mellitus , Echocardiography, Transesophageal , Embolism , Hyperlipidemias , Hypertension , Intracranial Embolism , Phenobarbital , Plaque, Atherosclerotic , Prevalence , Smoke , Smoking , StrokeABSTRACT
PURPOSE--To analyze macro and microscopic features of atherosclerotic plaques located in bifurcation of coronary arteries, defining their spatial disposition in those sites. METHODS--We studied 38 bifurcations of coronary arteries of patients whose cause of death was related to coronary artery disease. Histologic sections of 0.5mm were sequentially made from the main artery to the secondary branches. They were stained with hematoxilin-eosin technique. Histological analysis evaluated: a) morphologic composition of the plaques, b) degree of obstruction and c) plaque's disposition. RESULTS--a) Plaque's composition: fibrolipid plaques constituted 80 per cent of the cases and mingled focal atrophy of the media at the base of the plaque in 61 per cent with spots of total destruction and rupture of the elastic layers in 30 per cent ; b) degree of obstruction: ranged from 20 per cent to 95 per cent , with average 60 +/- 28 per cent ; c) disposition of plaques: we verified morphologic variation along the plaque, most of them (71 per cent ) being eccentric at bifurcation and not reaching the beginning of flow divider walls. CONCLUSION--Atherosclerotic plaques located in bifurcation of coronary arteries of adults are often fibrolipid plaques, eccentric, and their spatial disposition on those sites spare the beginning of the inner walls, reaching the outer walls