氟伐他汀对高胆固醇血症患者血管内皮功能及胰岛素抵抗的影响

目的探讨氟伐他汀对高胆固醇血症患者血管内皮功能及胰岛素抵抗的影响。方法测定47例高胆固醇血症患者调脂治疗（氟伐他汀20mg／d，治疗8周）前后的血脂，血管内皮细胞（VEC）计数，血浆内皮素（ET-1），一氧化氮（NO），血糖（GLU），血胰岛素（INS）。结果高胆固醇血症患者经氟伐他汀治疗后血NO较治疗前显著上升（P〈0．01）。VEC计数、ET-1水平、血INS水平较治疗前明显降低（P〈0．01），胰岛素敏感性指数（ISI）明显升高（P〈0．05）。血脂水平治疗后较治疗前明显降低（P〈0．01）。结论氟伐他汀在降低胆固醇的同时，可改善血管内皮功能及胰岛素抵抗。     

他汀对未合并冠心病的高胆固醇血症患者血管内皮功能的影响

目的探讨辛伐他汀对未合并冠心病的高胆固醇血症患者血管内皮功能及动脉僵硬度的影响。方法 30例高胆固醇血症患者应用辛伐他汀20 mg/d治疗12周,治疗前后分别采集空腹静脉血,通过酶联免疫吸附实验检测血浆一氧化氮（NO）水平;应用动脉硬化测定仪测定肱踝脉搏波传导速度（PWV）,评价动脉硬化程度;应用彩色多普勒超声诊断仪测定肱动脉血流速度积分（VTI）,评价血管舒张功能。结果辛伐他汀治疗后患者总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平明显降低,PWV水平显著降低,血浆NO、肱动脉VTI值显著高于基线水平。结论辛伐他汀可改善无明确冠心病的高脂血症患者血管内皮功能及动脉硬化程度。     

静滴迈诺康对隐匿型冠心病伴高三酰甘油血症患者心电图、血脂及血管内皮功能的影响

目的了解静滴迈诺康对隐匿型冠心病伴高三酰甘油血症患者心电图、血脂及血管内皮功能的影响。方法观察58例隐匿型冠心病伴三酰甘油血症住院患者静滴迈诺康3周前、后心电图、血脂及血浆内皮素-1（ET-1）、一氧化氮（NO）水平的变化。结果ECG总有效率91%。与治疗前比较,治疗后心电图ST段下移值显著减少（P<0.01）;血清总胆固醇[（5.6±0.8）mmol/Lvs（5.0±0.8）mmol/L,P<0.05]、三酰甘油[（3.0±0.7）mmol/Lvs（1.8±0.6）mmol/L,P<0.01]、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇[（2.8±0.5）mmol/Lvs（2.3±0.5）mmol/L,P<0.05]浓度均显著下降,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇显著升高[（1.09±0.36）mmol/Lvs（1.20±0.27）mmol/L,P<0.05];NO明显增高[（22±9）μmol/Lvs（39±11）μmol/L,P<0.01],ET-1显著下降[（103±29）ng/Lvs（82±11）ng/L,P<0.01];血浆NO与ET-1浓度呈负相关（r=-0.62,P<0.05）,ET-1与TG降低呈正相关（r=0.54,P<0.05）,NO与TG降低呈负相关（r=-0.37,P<0.05）。未发生药物不良反应。结论静滴迈诺康可调节隐匿型冠心病伴三酰甘油血症患者血脂代谢,改善其血管内皮功能及心肌缺血。     

辛伐他汀对原发性高胆固醇血症患者内皮依赖性血管舒张功能的影响

目的观察原发性高胆固醇血症患者使用两种剂量辛伐他汀的疗效与安全性及对血管内皮功能的影响。方法60例原发性高胆固醇血症患者随机分为辛伐他汀10mg组(A组,10mg/d)与20mg组(B组,20mg/d),每组30例,均治疗8周,20例正常对照,不予治疗。分别于用药前及疗程结束后查血脂并用超声测定肱动脉内皮功能,同时观察用药安全性。结果(1)原发性高胆固醇血症患者肱动脉内皮依赖性舒张功能较对照组明显减弱(P<0.01)。(2)辛伐他汀10mg与20mg剂量均能有效降低高胆固醇血症患者血清总胆固醇(TC)及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL C)水平,并显著改善肱动脉内皮依赖性舒张功能,其中20mg剂量组疗效明显优于10mg剂量组。结论原发性高胆固醇血症患者血管内皮依赖性舒张功能受损,两种剂量辛伐他汀均能安全、有效地降低患者血清TC及LDL C并显著改善血管内皮依赖性舒张功能,辛伐他汀20mg剂量组的疗效明显优于10mg剂量组。     

氯沙坦对高血压病患者血管内皮功能的影响及其临床意义

目的探讨氯沙坦对高血压病患者血管内皮功能的影响及其临床意义。方法采用血浆内皮素（ET）,一氧化氮（NO）,血小板α-颗粒膜蛋白（GMP140）和血管性假血友病因子（vWF）水平作为内皮功能指标,观察45例高血压病患者氯沙坦治疗4周前后血管内皮功能的改变。结果高血压组治疗前血浆ET、vWF和GMP140均显著高于正常对照组,NO/ET较正常对照显著降低（P<0.05,P<0.01）。治疗4周,高血压组的血浆ET、vWF、GMP140较前显著降低（P<0.05,P<0.01）。血浆NO及NO/ET较前显著升高,并且NO显著高于正常对照组（P<0.05,P<0.01）。ET与血总胆固醇（TC）、SBP正相关,NO和NO/ET与空腹血糖、SBP和三酰甘油显著负相关,NO/ET还与HDL正相关,vWF、GMP140与HDL负相关,GMP140与TC正相关（P<0.05,P<0.01）。结论高血压患者存在血管内皮功能减退,内皮功能与收缩压、血糖、血脂相关联。氯沙坦能够改善高血压患者的血管内皮功能。     

阿托伐他汀对高脂血症患者血脂、血清一氧化氮和血浆内皮素的影响及停药后各项指标的变化

目的探讨阿托伐他汀对高脂血症患者血脂和血清一氧化氮(NO)、血浆内皮素(ET-1)的于影响及停药后各项指标的变化。方法 40例原发性高脂血症患者每日服阿托伐他汀10mg共用8周,第9周停药。分别于服药前、8周末及停药4周末取空腹静脉血,均行血三酰甘油(TG)、胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、NO、ET-1测定。另选本院同期健康体检者40例作为对照组,要求采血前两周未服用任何药物。结果高脂血症患者血NO水平显著低于对照组,ET-1水平明显高于对照组(均P<0.01)。治疗8周末两组血HDL-C、NO水平显著升高、TG、TC、LDL-C、ET-1水平明显降低(P<0.01)。停药4周末TG、TC、LDL-C、和ET-1均较治疗8周末明显升高,而HDL-C、NO明显下降,差异有统计意义(P<0.01)。结论阿托伐他汀钙能够改善高脂血症患者血脂及内皮功能,且需要长期坚持服用。     

枳实对高脂血症患者血脂和内皮功能的影响

目的探讨枳实对高脂血症患者血脂及内皮功能的影响。方法 80例高脂血症患者随机分成枳实组、常规组。所有患者分别于入选第2日、用药8周末取空腹静脉血,行血三酰甘油(TG)、胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、一氧化氮(NO)、内皮素(ET-1)测定。另选本院同期健康体检40名作为正常对照组,要求采血前两周未服用任何药物。结果高脂血症患者血NO水平显著低于正常组,ET-1水平明显高于正常组(P<0.01)。治疗8周末两病例组血HDL-C、NO水平显著升高、TG、TC、LDL-C、ET-1水平明显降低,枳实组效果显著优于常规组(P<0.01),但两组的NO、ET-1水平与正常组仍有明显差别(P<0.01)。结论枳实能够改善高脂血症患者血脂含量及内皮功能。     

停用辛伐他汀对冠心病及冠心病危险因素患者血管内皮功能的影响

目的 观察在冠心病及冠心病危险因素患者中,停用辛伐他汀治疗对血管内皮功能的影响,并探讨相应作用机制。方法 入选33例血清胆固醇（Tc）水平未达标的冠心病及冠心病危险因素患者,分别于基线水平、停药前（即辛伐他汀20mg治疗4周后）及停用辛伐他汀1周时,采用高分辨超声技术检测肱动脉血流介导性扩张（FMD）评估血管内皮依赖性舒张功能,并测定一氧化氮（NO）、血浆内皮素（ET）、6-酮-前列腺素F1α（6-keto-PGF1α）和血栓素B2（TXB2）的水平及主要血脂参数的变化。结果 辛伐他汀治疗4周后可有效降低冠心病及冠心病危险因素患者TC、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）水平,并明显改善患者肱动脉内皮依赖性舒张功能（FMD）。然而,停用辛伐他汀治疗1周后,所有患者肱动脉内皮依赖性舒张功能均较停药前明显下降（4．82士0．71）％与11．51±0．87％,P〈0．01）,甚至低于未服用辛伐他汀时的基线水平（4．82±0．71％与5．89±0．65％,P〈0．01）,其中冠心病患者停药后FMD下降幅度较仅有冠心病危险因素患者更显著（65．6％与56．3％,P〈0．01）。停药1周后,患者血清NO水平较停药前及基础值均明显降低,而血浆ET水平升高。血浆TXB,水平在停药前后无明显变化。此外,停药后患者血清LDL-C水平虽较治疗4周时有所升高,但仍未恢复至基线水平。停药后肱动脉FMD的变化仅与血清NO降低幅度呈正相关关系（r=0．674。P=0．004）,而与血清LDL-C水平变化无明显相关性（r=-0．414,P=0．083）。结论 在TC水平未达标的冠心病及冠心病危险因素患者中突然终止辛伐他汀治疗可在1周内完全逆转该药对血管内皮功能的改善作用,甚至还可能导致血管内皮功能进一步恶化。并且这种撤药反应随基础疾病的严重性增加。停药所致血管内皮功能损害可能与血管内皮源性的NO减少有关,是非胆固醇依赖性作用。     

辛伐他汀降脂治疗对老年人血管内皮功能及颈动脉内膜—中膜厚度的影响

了解辛伐他汀降脂治疗对老年人血管内皮依赖性舒张功能,颈动脉内膜－内膜厚度的影响,采用高分辨率超声技术检测20例对照者,20例原发性高胆固醇血症及20例冠心病伴高胆固醇血症患者降脂治疗前后血管内皮依赖性舒张功能及颈动脉内膜－中膜厚度的变化。结果发现,与对照组比较,原发性高胆固醇血症患者及冠心病伴高胆固醇血症患者肱动脉血流介导性舒张明显减弱,颈动脉内膜－中膜厚度明显增加,服用辛伐他汀20mg/d,治疗3－4月后,原发性高胆固醇血症患者及冠心病伴高胆固醇血症患者血浆总胆固醇明显下降,肱动脉内皮依赖性舒张较治疗前明显改善,但仍低于对照组,治疗前后颈动脉内膜－中膜厚度无显著性改变,提示老年单纯高胆固醇血症及合并冠心病患者存在内皮功能障碍,经辛伐他汀降脂治疗后,血管内皮依赖性舒张功能明显改善,但颈动脉内膜一中膜厚度无明显改善。     

高胆固醇血症病人血管内皮功能变化及阿托伐他汀调脂治疗对其的影响

目的观察高胆固醇血症病人血管内皮功能变化及阿托伐他汀对其的干预作用。方法随机选择高胆固醇血症病人35例,体检健康者33名,分别测定血脂、一氧化氮(NO)、内皮素-1(ET-1)水平以及受试者肱动脉血管基础内径、反应性充血和含服硝酸甘油后肱动脉内径。高胆固醇血症病人予阿托伐他汀片10mg/d,干预治疗8周后,重复上述指标测定。结果与对照组比较,病例组血清NO水平降低(P0.01),血浆ET-1增高(P0.01),NO/ET-1比值明显降低(P0.01)。肱动脉内径基础值两组之间无统计学意义(P0.05),病例组含服硝酸甘油后、反应性充血时肱动脉内径的较对照组有明显降低(P0.05或P0.01)。反应性充血时病例症组治疗前后肱动脉内径差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。经阿托伐他汀治疗8周后,高病例组血清TG、TC、LDL-C明显下降(P0.05),HDL-C升高(P0.05),ET-1水平下降(P0.01),血清NO水平升高(P0.01);NO/ET-1比值明显改善(P0.01)。结论阿托伐他汀对于血管内皮依赖性舒张功能的改善作用可能不完全依赖于其调脂作用。     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.     

Changes in connexin43, the gap junction protein of astrocytes, during development of the rat pineal gland

Abstract: The abundance of gap junctions between rat pineal astrocytes formed by connexin43 (Cx43) was studied during development. Levels and distribution of Cx43 were measured by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. The amount of Cx43 in cells located within the gland was low until about the 7th postnatal day and increased to adult values between the 14th and 21st days postpartum. Although astrocytes, recognized by their vimentin immunoreactivity, were scarce before birth, they were abundant by the 7th postnatal day suggesting that the low levels of Cx43 found at this age corresponded to a low expression of this protein. Localization of the immunoreactivity to Cx43 and vimentin showed a close correlation, indicating that mature or immature pineal astrocytes form gap junctions made of Cx43. Since Cx43 levels attained their adult values at about the time the innervation and the functional state of the gland reached maturity (2–3 weeks after birth), it is proposed that astrocyte gap junctions are involved in the function of the adult rat pineal gland.     

Conservative management of perforated duodenal diverticulum： A case report and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. They are asymptomatic, unless they become complicated, with perforation being the rarest but most severe complication. Surgical treatment is the most frequently performed approach. We report the case of a patient with a perforated duodenal diverticulum, which was diagnosed early and treated conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of secondary retroperitoneal abscesses. We suggest this method could be an acceptable option for the management of similar cases, provided that the patient is in good general condition and without septic signs.     

Language of CTO interventions – Focus on hardware

The knowledge of variety of chronic total occlusion (CTO) hardware and the ability to use them represents the key to success of any CTO interventions. However, the multiplicity of CTO hardware and their physical character and the terminology used by experts create confusion in the mind of an average interventional cardiologist, particularly a beginner in this field. This knowledge is available but is scattered. We aim to classify and compare the currently used devices based on their properties focusing on how physical character of each device can be utilized in a specific situation, thus clarifying and simplifying the technical discourse.