[Dyslipidemic patients with coronary cardiopathy. Effect of different doses of OMEGA-3 fatty acids on serum lipids and lipoproteins]. / Dislipidemicos con cardiopatia coronaria. Efecto de diferentes dosis de acidos grasos omega 3 sobre los lipidos y lipoproteinas sericas.

Twenty one male patients aged 35 to 70 years, with coronary artery disease and dislipidemia refractory to dietary treatment, were assigned to three parallel groups of 7 individuals each that received a supplemental dose of 2, 4 and 6 g/day of omega-3 fatty acids during 60 days. After a 30 days wash-out period and 60 of supplementation, subjects were weighed, a dietary survey was performed, serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides, the lipid content of serum lipoproteins and the content of EPA+DHA in plasma phospholipids were measured. A dose dependent increase in EPA+DHA content of phospholipids and no changes in weight or nutrient intake were observed during the supplementation period. With the 6 g dose, a significant reduction in total cholesterol, with a reduction in VLDL and increase in LDL cholesterol and a decline in VLDL triglycerides was observed. With the 4 g dose a reduction in total cholesterol at the expense of VLDL and HDL cholesterol and a reduction in VLDL triglycerides but no changes in total triglycerides was observed. No changes in serum lipids were observed with 2 g dose. In patients with type IIA hyperlipidemia, a significant positive correlation was observed between DHA+EPA content of plasma phospholipids and LDL cholesterol, this correlation was not observed in patients with IIB or IV phenotypes. It is concluded that omega-3 fatty acids are ineffective as the only treatment for dislipidemias refractory to diet.

Itraconazole for deep mycoses: preliminary experience in Mexico.

Itraconazole has been used as oral therapy for deep mycoses since July 1984 in our institution. So far, therapy has been evaluated for eight patients: one with cutaneous coccidioidomycosis; two with chromomycosis (Fonsecaea pedrosoi); and five with sporotrichosis (three fixed, one lymphangitic, and one disseminated). Clinical and mycologic evaluations were done at the beginning of treatment, 15 days after the initiation of treatment, and monthly thereafter. Dosage was 100-200 mg per day, and duration of treatment was based on response. The cases of coccidioidomycosis and lymphangitic sporotrichosis were mycologically cured after two and seven months of treatment with 100 mg per day, respectively. The six other patients required higher doses. Two patients with sporotrichosis and one with chromomycosis were cured, and one patient with sporotrichosis and one with chromomycosis were markedly improved. In one patient with sporotrichosis, treatment was discontinued because of the slow response. No adverse reactions to treatment were reported.

Pig liver phosphomevalone kinase. 1. Purification and properties.

Pig liver phosphomevalonate kinase (EC 2.7.4.2) has been purified to homogeneity as shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight estimates range from 21,000 to 22,500. Each molecule is composed of one polypeptide chain. The presence of SH-containing reagents is essential for the preservation of enzymes activity at all steps in the purification. The enzyme shows absolute specificity for ATP and requires for activity a divalent metal cation, Mg2+ being most effective. The optimum pH for the enzyme ranges from 7.5 to over 9.5. Kinetics are hyperbolic for both substrates, showing a sequential mechanism; true Km values of 0.075 mM and 0.46 mM have been obtained for phosphomevalonate and ATP, respectively. Amino acid composition shows a high content of acid amino acids, one cysteine residue per molecule of enzyme, and the absence of methionine. The results obtained suggest that the enzyme plays no regulatory function in cholesterol biosynthesis in pig liver, although a variable enzyme content was detected in different livers.