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1.
Atherosclerosis ; 232(1): 204-10, 2014 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24401239

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze pomegranate extract (POMx) effects on serum and on human HMDM atherogenicity in simvastatin - treated hypercholesterolemic patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either simvastatin (20 mg/day) + vegan placebo pill (n = 11), or simvastatin (20 mg/day) + POMx pill (1g/day, n = 12). Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and after 1 and 2 months of therapy. HMDM were collected from 3 patients in each group at baseline and after 2 months of therapy, as well as from 3 healthy subjects. After 2 months of therapy, serum LDL-cholesterol levels significantly decreased, by 23%, in the simvastatin + placebo group, and by 26% in the simvastatin + POMx group. Simvastatin + POMx therapy increased serum thiols concentration by 6%. Patients' HMDM reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were significantly increased, by 69%, vs. healthy subjects HMDM. After 2 months of therapy, HMDM ROS levels decreased by 18% in the simvastatin + placebo group, whereas in the simvastatin + POMx group it decreased by up to 30%. A novel finding was the triglycerides levels in the patients' HMDM at baseline which were significantly higher, by 71%, vs. healthy subjects HMDM. The simvastatin + POMx, but not the simvastatin + placebo therapy, significantly reduced macrophage triglycerides content by 48%, vs. baseline levels. In addition, whereas the simvastatin + placebo therapy significantly decreased the patients' HMDM cholesterol biosynthesis rate by 33%, the simvastatin + POMx therapy further decreased it, by 44%. CONCLUSION: The addition of POMx to simvastatin therapy in hypercholesterolemic patients improved oxidative stress and lipid status in the patient's serum and in their HMDM. These anti-atherogenic effects could reduce the risk for atherosclerosis development.


Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis/drug therapy , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Hypercholesterolemia/drug therapy , Macrophages/drug effects , Monocytes/drug effects , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Simvastatin/administration & dosage , Adult , Animals , Atherosclerosis/blood , Atherosclerosis/prevention & control , Cell Line , Cholesterol, HDL/blood , Cholesterol, LDL/blood , Double-Blind Method , Drug Synergism , Humans , Hypercholesterolemia/blood , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/cytology , Lipids/blood , Lythraceae/chemistry , Macrophages/metabolism , Male , Mice , Middle Aged , Oxidative Stress , Oxygen/chemistry , Pilot Projects , Prospective Studies , Reactive Oxygen Species , Triglycerides/blood
2.
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol ; 35(7): 500-3, 2013 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24064965

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prompt evaluation and appropriate treatment with wide-spectrum antibiotics is considered mandatory for febrile oncology patients especially during neutropenia. Central venous catheters are widely used in pediatric oncology patients and are often the source of infections. Patients are usually admitted for follow-up and administration of antibiotics. Aims were to assess the efficacy of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in identifying bacteria in blood samples as compared with standard blood cultures. METHODS: This was a prospective study, which included all patients with central venous catheters admitted to the pediatric hematology-oncology department over the 14-month period. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables were compared in bacteremic and nonbacteremic patients. Standard microbiological cultures were compared using the PCR technique. RESULTS: From September 2004 to November 2005, 148 blood cultures (70 patients) were evaluated. Positive blood cultures were detected on 21 (18.3%) occasions. PCR had sensitivity of 46%, specificity of 98%, positive predictive value 86%, and negative predictive value 89%. The PCR identified fastidious bacteria in 2 occasions when standard cultures were negative. CONCLUSIONS: Inspite of low sensitivity, PCR may help with early identification of bacteremia. Improving this technology is warranted.


Subject(s)
Bacteremia/diagnosis , Bacteremia/microbiology , Fever/etiology , Hematologic Diseases/complications , Hematologic Diseases/microbiology , Molecular Diagnostic Techniques , Neutropenia/etiology , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Prospective Studies
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