Primary cardiac angiosarcoma. Histopathology imaging correlation.

We report a novel observation of a cardiac hemangioma possible transformation into cardiac angiosarcoma. This report should give a new insight on the pathogenesis of the tumor, always thought to have a de-novo genesis. We emphasize in our report the value of combining imaging modalities to examine the anatomic and metabolic properties of cardiac tumors providing a valuable tool for comprehensive assessment. .

Synthetic Marijuana Induced Acute Nonischemic Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Synthetic marijuana is an uptrending designer drug currently widely spread in the US. We report a case of acute deterioration of nonischemic left ventricular dysfunction after exposure to synthetic marijuana. This case illustrates the importance of history taking in cardiac patients and identifies a negative cardiovascular effect of synthetic marijuana known as K2, not yet well detected by urine toxicology screening tools.

Hypolipidemic Activity of Cassia tora Seeds in Hyperlipidemic Rats.

The hypolipidemic activity of Cassia tora (Chakvat, Chakunda) (Family: Caesalpiniaceae) seeds extract have been studied in two models of hyperlipidemia in rats. In an acute model, hyperlipidemia was induced by injecting a single dose of Triton WR-1339 (400 mg/kg, b.w.) intraperitonially in rats. Feeding with C. tora seed extract at the dose of 500 mg/kg, b.w. exerted significant lipid lowering effect as assessed by the reversal of plasma levels of total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglyceride and reactivation of post heparin lipolytic activity. In the chronic model, hyperlipidemia was induced by feeding with cholesterol rich-HFD in rats. The treatment with seeds extract of C. tora (500 mg/kg, b.w.) simultaneously for 15 days also caused lowering of lipid levels in plasma and liver following reactivation of plasma post heparin lipolytic activity and hepatic lipoprotein lipase activity in animals. The hypolipidemic activity of C. tora seeds was compared with a standard drug guggulipid (200 mg/kg, b.w.) in both models.

Antidyslipidemic and Antioxidant Activities of Hibiscus rosa sinensis Root Extract in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats.

The antidyslipidemic activity of Hibiscus rosa sinensis (Malvaceae) root extract has been studied in alloxan induced diabetic rats. In this model, oral administration of root extract (500 mg/kg bw. p.o.) for 15 days resulted in significant decreased in the levels of blood glucose, plasma lipids and reactivated post heparin lipoprotein lipase activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, the root extract (50-500 µg) when tested for its antioxidant activity, inhibited the generation of super oxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, in both enzymic and non enzymic systems in vitro. The results of the present study demonstrated antidyslipidemic and antioxidant activities in root extract of H. rosa sinensis which could be used in prevention of diabetic-dyslipidemia and related complications.

Antioxidant effect of Azadirachta indica on high fat diet induced diabetic Charles Foster rats.

Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of both types of diabetes mellitus. Excessively high levels of free radicals cause damage to cellular proteins, membrane lipids and nucleic acids, and eventually cell death. The present study was designed to investigate the possible effect of Azadirachta indica leaf extract in high fat diet induced diabetic Charles Foster rats. The increased level of lipidperoxidation and altered levels of enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and non-enzymatic (glutathione) antioxidants were seen in high fructose fed animals. The treatment with A. indica leaf extract significantly normalized the altered levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status at 400 mg/kg b.w. dose. The A. indica leaf extract was also tested for in vitro inhibition of generation of superoxide anion and hydroxyl free radical in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems. The A. indica leaf extract was found to inhibit generation of superoxide anion and hydroxyl free radical significantly at 200 µg/ml concentration. Data of present study demonstrated that the A. indica leaf extract has both antidiabetic and antioxidant properties.

Dose escalation pharmacokinetics and lipid lowering activity of a novel farnesoid X receptor modulator: 16-Dehydropregnenolone.

OBJECTIVES: To study the dose escalation pharmacokinetics and lipid lowering activity of a novel FXR modulator, 16-Dehydropregnenolone (DHP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The disposition of DHP following oral (36, 72, 100 and 150 mg/kg) and intravenous (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg) administration and its dose-response relationship were carried out in Sprague-Dawley rats. DHP and its metabolite 5-pregnene-3ß-ol-16, 17-epoxy-20-one (M1) were analyzed by a validated LC-MS/MS method in plasma after intravenous and oral administration. Dose escalation lipid lowering activities were carried out by triton-induced hyperlipidemic model. RESULTS: Oral administration resulted in higher amount of M1 formation as compared to intravenous administration. Dose escalation intravenous administration (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg) resulted in nonlinear increase in AUC of DHP. This was due to saturation of metabolism. On the contrary, systemic AUC and C(max) after oral administration show non-linear pharmacokinetics where saturated systemic DHP and M1 pharmacokinetics was observed above 72 mg/kg, indicating saturated oral absorption. Lipid lowering activity by its oral route of administration was in accordance with its pharmacokinetic profile and reached saturation above 72 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: DHP exhibits route and dose-dependent pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetic and lipid lowering activity by oral route indicate saturation of oral absorption at higher doses. The study contributes to the understanding of the plasma disposition pharmacokinetics of DHP and its metabolite in rats by oral and intravenous route of administration.

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activity of Anthocephalus indicus (Kadam) root extract.

The present study was carried out to explore the anti-diabetic, anti-dyslipoproteinemic and anti-oxidant activities of Anthocephalus indicus root extract in alloxan-induced (150 mg/kg body wt.) diabetic rats. A marked increase in plasma levels of glucose and lipid peroxides accompanied with an elevation in the lipids and apoprotein levels of serum very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) following decrease in lipid and protein constituents of high density lipoprotein (HDL) were observed. The alterations in lipoprotein pattern was associated with inhibition of lipolytic and antioxidant enzymes. Oral administration of root extract (500 mg/kg body wt.) for 30 days in dyslipidemic animals resulted in significant decrease in plasma glucose, total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglyceride and lipid peroxides. The decrease of lipids and apoprotein levels of VLDL and LDL were followed by stimulation of plasma post-heparin lipolytic activity and lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase as well as hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Lipid and apoprotein levels of HDL were also recovered partially on treatment with root extract.

Lipid Lowering Activity of Anthocephalus indicus Root in Hyperlipidemic Rats.

The lipid lowering activity of Anthocephalus indicus (family Rubiaceae; Hindi name Kadamba) root extract has been studied in triton WR-1339 induced hyperlipidemia in rats. In this model, feeding with root extract (500 mg kg(-1) b.w.) lowered plasma lipids and reactivated post-heparin lipolytic activity in hyperlipidemic rats. Furthermore, the root extract (50-500 µM) inhibited the generation of superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, in both enzymic and non-enzymic systems, in vitro. The results of the present study demonstrated both lipid lowering and antioxidant activities in root extract of A. indicus, which could help prevention of hyperlipidemia and related diseases.

Hypolipidemic activity of Hibiscus rosa sinensis root in rats.

The hypolipidemic activity of Hibiscus rosa sinensis (family Malvaceae) root extract was studied on triton and cholesterol-rich high fat diet (HFD) induced models of hyperlipidemia in rats. In triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia, feeding with root extract (500 mg/kg body wt/day p.o.) exerted lipid-lowering effect, as assessed by reversal of plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), phospholipids (PL) and triglycerides (TG) and reactivation of post-heparin lipolytic activity (PHLA) of plasma. The other model was fed with cholesterol-rich HFD and root extract (500 mg/kg body wt/ day p.o.) simultaneously for 30 days. This also caused lowering of lipid levels in plasma and liver homogenate and reactivation of plasma PHLA and hepatic total lipoprotein lipase activity. The hypolipidemic activity of Hibiscus rosa sinensis root was compared with a standard drug guggulipid (200 mg/kg body wt/day p.o.), a known lipid- lowering agent in both models. Histopathological findings in rat liver supported the protective role of H. rosa sinensis root extract in preventing cholesterol-rich HFD-induced hepatic steatosis.

A new pregnane glycoside from Marsdenia roylei as potential antioxidant and antidyslipidemic agents.

A new pregnane glycoside roylenine (1) was isolated from the CHCl(3)-EtOH (4:1) extract of Marsdenia roylei. Its structure was established on the basis of spectroscopic studies. The glycoside (1) and its acetylated derivative (6) were evaluated for their antioxidant and antidyslipidemic activities.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and proBNP: role of emerging markers to guide therapy and determine prognosis in cardiovascular disorders.

Over the last decade, one group of neurohormonal markers, including atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), N-terminal pro-ANP, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and N-terminal proBNP, has generated much interest in the evaluation and management of heart failure and acute coronary syndrome. There has been so much literature on the subject, especially concerning BNP and proBNP, that it leaves us confused at times about what the literature has to say about these markers. In this article, we have made an honest attempt to examine all the available literature in relation to the impact of BNP and proBNP on cardiovascular disease and present it to the reader in an assimilated fashion.

Molecular modeling studies of poly lactic acid initiation mechanisms.

The two possible routes to synthesize poly (lactic acid) are polycondensation of the lactic acid and ring opening polymerization (ROP) of the lactide. This work involves molecular modeling of the polymerization initiation mechanisms using different initiators a) H(2)SO(4) for polycondensation b) aluminum isopropoxide for coordination-insertion ROP c)methyl triflate for cationic ROP, and d) potassium methoxide for anionic ROP. For molecular modeling of PLA, we have benchmarked our approach using Ryner's work on ROP of L-lactide using stannous (II) 2-ethylhexanoate (Sn(Oct)(2)) and methanol as initiators. Our values of -15.2 kcal mol(-1) and -14.1 kcal mol(-1) for enthalpy changes in the two steps of activated complex formation match with Ryner's. Geometric and frequency optimizations have been done on Gaussian'03 using B3LYP density functional theory along with the basis sets LANL2DZ for metal atoms and 6-31G* and 6-31G** for non metal atoms. The kinetic rate constant for each mechanism has been calculated using the values of energy of activation, change in enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, entropy and the partition functions from the Gaussian'03 output. Our polycondensation rate constant value of 1.07 x 10(-4) se(-1) compares well with 1.51 x 10(-4) se(-1) as reported by Wang. However, ROP rate constants could not be validated due to lack of experimental data.

Comparison and co-relation of invasive and noninvasive methods of ejection fraction measurement.

BACKGROUND: Accurate estimation of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) has assumed great significance in the era of automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators (AICDs), and a low EF may be one of the sole deciding factor in determining AICD implantation in certain patient populations. AIM: There are various methods, invasive and noninvasive, which can help calculate EF. We sought to conduct a retrospective study comparing EF estimation by invasive (angiography) and noninvasive methods [MUGA (multiple-gated acquisition), echocardiography (echo), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)] in 5,558 patients in our hospital from 1995-2004. METHODS AND RESULTS: EF was estimated by > or = 1 method (angiography, MUGA, echo, SPECT) within a one-month period. Values for the four tests in 5,558 patients were as follows: angiography mean 46.2, range 20-75, standard deviation (SD) 13.1; MUGA mean 45.7, range 20-70, SD 11.6; echo mean 45.7, range 22-70, SD 11.2; and SPECT mean 54.4, range 30-75, SD 11.9. Excellent positive correlations were found among all four tests as follows: angiography and MUGA, correlation coefficient (r) = 0.97, angiography and echo r = 0.96, angiography and SPECT r = 0.94, MUGA and echo r = 0.97, MUGA and SPECT r = 0.94, and echo and SPECT r = 0.94. Values for SPECT were significantly higher than for angiography, echo and MUGA (p < 0.001). The arithmetic difference between angiography and MUGA (mean 0.50, range -5.0-5.0) and the arithmetic difference between angiography and echo (mean 0.52, range -5.0-15.0) were similar (p = 0.59). The arithmetic difference between SPECT and angiography (mean 8.2, range -15.0-20.0) was significantly larger than the arithmetic difference between angiography and echo (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: All the four methods used to estimate EF corelate well with each other. However, values estimated during stress testing by SPECT overestimate EF and are significantly higher as compared to MUGA, echo and angiography. Estimation of EF by MUGA, echo or angiography should be preferred over SPECT, especially when that patient warrants intervention. We conclude that the overestimation of EF by SPECT may deprive some deserving patients of the survival benefit afforded by ICD.

Alterations in bronchoalveolar lavage constituents, oxidant/antioxidant status, and lung histology following intratracheal instillation of respirable suspended particulate matter.

Urban suspended particulate pollutants differ with place of occurrence, meteorological conditions, physicochemical compositions, and the response of the bronchopulmonary apparatus. Lung injury following intratracheal instillation of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) collected in an urban setting in India was investigated in rats. The animals were killed 15 days after exposure to 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg of RSPM. We examined the changes in lung histology, enzymatic activity in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and the oxidant/ antioxidant status in lung homogenates. The alterations in these parameters were compared with those in rats instilled with quartz particulates, which were used as positive controls. Exposure to RSPM resulted in an increase in the relative weight of lungs and inflammatory changes evidenced by an increase in the total cellularity of the lungs, predominantly polymorphonuclear cells, demonstrable both in the lungs sections and in the bronchoalveolar lavage of the exposed animals. An increase in the protein content and in the lactate dehydrogenase activity in the BAL was found in the RSPM-exposed rats. A marked increase in the output of lipid peroxides and a dose-dependent increase in the formation of reactive nitrogen species (NO) in lung homogenates and BAL, respectively, was found in the RSPM-exposed rats. A significant decrease in the enzymatic lung antioxidants, superoxide dismutase, and catalase was observed. However, the alterations in the levels of glutathione in the lungs of the RSPM-exposed animals were not significant. The inflammatory reaction, oxidative changes, and enzyme release, were more marked in quartz-exposed animals in comparison to the RSPM-exposed rats.

Atrial pacing stress echocardiography: an alternative diagnostic test for chest pain in the elderly.

The authors utilized rapid right atrial pacing and handgrip exercise to provoke myocardial ischemia in 20 participants (age >65 years) who, for reasons of disability, were not candidates for exercise and pharmacologic stress testing. Echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular wall motions were obtained during pacing at baseline and at maximal pacing rates and were compared with coronary angiography. Using the failure of left ventricular ejection fraction to increase with pacing as an indicator of myocardial ischemia, the test yielded a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 71%. When a pacing-induced decrease of wall-motion index was taken as an ischemia indicator, the sensitivity was 63%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, and negative predictive value 80%. Rapid atrial pacing echocardiography is a safe test. It may be considered in a select group of elderly patients as an alternative to exercise or pharmacologic tests before resorting to coronary angiography.

Immunotoxicity of soluble and insoluble salts of cadmium instilled intratracheally.

Rats were intratracheally (i.t.) exposed to 36.5 or 27.5 microg of cadmium (Cd) as soluble cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and insoluble cadmium oxide (CdO) salts. The retention of metal in lungs, liver and kidney was assessed by atomic adsorption spectrophotometer. The animals were intraperitoneally (i.p.) primed with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and assessed for the number of antibody forming cells in lung associated lymph nodes (LALN) and spleen. Both the compounds had similar retention of metal in lungs but CdO induced more pulmonary inflammatory and degradative changes than CdCl2. The larger influx of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) following CdO exposure appears to be due to the absence of protection afforded by Cd induced metallothionein cytoplasmic protein while the Cd metallothionein complex formed in the case of CdCl2 is more protective. However both forms of Cd had similar local immunosuppressive potential but CdO had more prolonged suppressive effect.