Use of lipid-modulating drugs in complicated course of coronary heart disease

We present the results of the study of lipid-modulating drugs (pravastatin, atorvastatin, simvastatin, and fibrate gemfibrozil) in complicated coronary heart disease (acute coronary syndrome without ST elevation, chronic heart failure. In acute coronary syndrome statins produced a positive effect on some studied parameters, while in heart failure only the safety of short-term therapy with statins was demonstrated. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Supplement 2, pp. 67–75, April, 2007     

Coronarographic and pathomorphological characteristics of unstable atherosclerotic plaques in acute coronary syndromes

The proximal segments of the main coronary vessels are the most often localization of “soft” unstable atherosclerotic plaques. The maximum number of plaques developed in the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. Pathognomonic relationship was found between the type of these plaques (with ulceration, rupture, thrombosis) and certain acute coronary syndrome. It was shown that the criteria of the plaque instability correlated with clinical manifestations of coronary syndromes. The bases and effects of “pathological” vascularization of unstable atherosclerotic plaques on the angioarchitectonics and hemodynamics of the heart were determined. Dissociation between myocardial vascularization degree and myocardial blood supply index was detected, which underlies the development of “unstable” myocardium in patients with acute coronary syndromes. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 8, pp. 229–235, August, 2007     

On some pathogenetic and adaptation mechanisms of acute coronary disease

Acute coronary failure was modeled in rabbits by ligation of the descending left coronary artery at the interface of its middle and lower thirds. The function and morphology of left-ventricular and right-ventricular myocardium were studied on days 1, 3, and 5 of the pathological process. It was found that left-ventricular contractility decreased, while right-ventricular contractility increased. Deep morphological changes were observed in both ventricles: pronounced extracellular edema, increased content of collagen, decreased percentage of myofibrils. Hence, acute coronary failure involves both compartments of the heart, but the adaptive mechanisms more actively develop in the right ventricle. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 145, No. 5, pp. 516–520, May, 2008     

Treatment of acute coronary syndromes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with β-adrenoblockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: Cardiohemodynamic effects and impact for prognosis

Long-term oral treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes and type 2 diabetes mellitus with β-adrenoblockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is associated with positive, though ambiguous changes in the left-ventricular structure and function. These changes should be the reason for choosing optimal therapy ensuring better prognosis in this patient population. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 138, No. 9, pp. 341–344, September, 2004     

Effect of epithalamin on the rhythm of immune and endocrine systems functioning in patients with chronic coronary disease

In contrast to young people, changes in the rhythms of parameters manifested in elderly and senile chronic coronary patients in inversion (decreased T cell count in the peripheral blood, values of lymphocyte blastogenesis test with phytohemagglutinin, and phagocytic index in the fall), monotony (B cell count in the peripheral blood), decreased amplitude of serum hydrocortisone, and desynchronization. The levels of thymic serum factor and IgG were higher in the fall than in the spring, but the seasonal difference leveled after 2.5 years of observation. On the other hand, the rhythms of changes in the thymic serum factor and hydrocortisone were retained in patients with chronic coronary disease after 6 courses of epithalamin by the optimal protocol (period of observation 30 months) and blood T cell count increased in the fall. Improvement of the rhythms of the parameters was associated with a benign clinical course of the disease. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 143, No. 4, pp. 451–454, April, 2007     

Cholesterol changes in coronary patients after a short behavior modification program

Serum cholesterol changes after an 8-week behavior modification program for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) were studied in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients were randomly assigned to the intervention (N = 94) or to usual care (N = 90). After 9 months’ follow-up the intervention was effective in reducing total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, particularly in patients with high baseline lipid levels. After correcting for changes in dose of statins during follow-up, effects were weakened, but for patients with high baseline cholesterol levels favorable effects remained. In these patients, the intervention group showed a decline of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels of 20% and 29%, respectively, compared to a 12% and 19% reduction in the control group (p < .01). These effects could not be explained by changes in dietary fat consumption. An unexpected finding was a lower increase in HDL cholesterol in the intervention group than in the control group.     

Sudden cardiac death caused by coronary vasculitis

Coronary vasculitis is a rare and diagnostically challenging cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD). There are currently no large-scale series on this rare entity. A retrospective non-case–control observational study of SCD with coronary vasculitis referred to a tertiary cardiac pathology referral centre at the National Heart and Lung Institute at the Royal Brompton Hospital between 1996 and 2010 was completed. Ten cases of SCD with coronary artery vasculitis were retrieved from a database of 1,980 SCD cases (0.5%) with a 1:1 male/female ratio; median age was 39 years and range 15–71 years. Six deaths occurred in hospital following symptoms or cardiac arrest in the community; the remaining died at rest at home (n = 4). Appearances ranged from aneurysms of the coronary artery to occlusive lesions mimicking atheroma or masses imitating tumour. Types of vasculitis detected were: eosinophilic (n = 5), two associated with Churg–Strauss syndrome; lymphoplasmacytic vasculitis (n = 4); and idiopathic giant cell arteritis (n = 1). This study shows coronary vasculitis as a rare cause of SCD with a variable macroscopic and microscopic presentation that pathologists need to be aware of.     

Morphogenesis and variants of remodeling of atherosclerotic heart

Morphogenesis of atherosclerotic heart is presented on the basis of complex pathomorphological analysis of 1000 autopsies. Special attention was paid to the dilatation and hypertrophic variants and to structural mechanisms of heart and coronary vessel remodeling under conditions of atherosclerotic process. Predominant remodeling of atherosclerotic heart and coronary arteries by the dilatation variant determines unfavorable prognosis of heart failure. Compensatory and adaptive processes (cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and collateral circulation) developing in the heart compensate for functional insufficiency of the organ for some time. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 141, No. 6, pp. 692–698, June, 2006     

Evaluation of erythrocyte shape and status by laser interference microscopy

The area, thickness, and volume of erythrocytes of different types (discocytes, stomatocytes, and echinocytes) from normal subjects and coronary patients were studied by laser interference microscopy. Increase of pH value leading to the stomatocyte-discocyte-echinocyte transformations resulted in a slight decrease of cell volume. In coronary patients, erythrocyte had larger area and volume and exhibited increased aggregation capacity compared to erythrocytes from controls. The results recommend laser interference microscopy as an adequate method for erythrocyte evaluation in laboratory diagnostic measurements. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 145, No. 3, pp. 357–360, March, 2008     

Effect of citrocard on functional reserves of the heart under conditions of chronic stress

Chronic stress exposure produces a damaging effect on the myocardium and reduces its functional (inotropic) reserves. Citrocard (50 mg/kg) and fenibut (50 mg/kg) prevent stress effects: animals receiving these preparations demonstrate higher contraction and relaxation rates and higher left-ventricular pressure during functional tests (volume load and maximum isometric load). __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 7, pp. 24–28, July, 2007     

Effect of ligands of opiate receptors on morphofunctional state of the sympathoadrenal system and electrical stability of the heart in acute cold exposure

Acute cold exposure (−20°C, 4 h) induces a transient decrease in the ventricular fibrillation threshold without morphological and radionuclide signs of irreversible damage to cardiomyocytes. The agonist of μ-receptors DAGO, which reduces adrenoreactivity of the myocardium, prevents the decrease in the ventricular fibrillation threshold induced by acute cold exposure. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 2, pp. 154–157, February, 1997     

Relation between type A behavior pattern and the extent of coronary atherosclerosis in Japanese women

This study examined the relation of Type A behavior pattern and its components to angiographically documented coronary atherosclerosis in 198 Japanese women. A questionnaire-based interview elicited psychosocial and other factors. Type A behavior pattern was measured by 12 questions. Significant coronary stenosis was defined when a 75% or greater luminal narrowing occurred atoneor more major coronary arteries or 50% or greater narrowing occurred at the left main artery. Gensini’s score also was calculated. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals with adjustment for traditional coronary risk factors and the presence of a job. Global Type A behavior pattern showed no material association with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis assessed by both Gensini’s score and the presence of significant coronary stenosis. However, its subcomponents, enthusiasm and competitiveness, were positively related to the severity of coronary atherosclerosis, whereas self-confidence and perfectionism were negatively related. These findings suggest overall a null association between global Type A and coronary atherosclerosis as well as the presence of toxic or beneficial components of Type A behaviors in Japanese women.     

Role of sex hormones in cardiovascular resistance to atropine in rats at rest and during stress

Castration of males and females reduces the sensitivity of cardiac chronotropic function to atropine and potentiates the vascular component in the reaction to atropine in females (during stress) and males (at rest and during stress). Our results show that estrogens and androgens increase the sensitivity of the cardiovascular system to cholinergic influences at rest and during stress. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 141, No. 3, pp. 270–272, March, 2006     

Effects of pectin fromAmaranthus cruentus on isolated rat heart

Experiments with isolated rat heart showed that pectin isolated from amaranth causes coronary spasm without changing contractile tone. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 1, pp. 91–94, January, 1997     

Clinical and experimental study of antiarrhythmic and antianginal effects of quaternidine

High antiarrhythmic activity of a new Russian antiarrhythmic drug quaternidine in ventricular arrhythmia was studied in 96 coronary patients by Holter monitoring, bicycle ergometry, and echocardiography. The drug had a positive impact on local kinetics in left-ventricular ischemic myocardium and some parameters of bicycle exercise test. The preparation possesses no arrhythmogenic effect. Experiments on 30 random-bred rats showed that the drug reduced the necrotic zone under conditions of experimental coronary occlusion. Experiments on 14 intact cats demonstrated that quaternidine had no effect on coronary bloodflow. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 11, pp. 581–584, November, 2000     

Pathomorphology and pathogenic role of myocardial bridges in sudden cardiac death

Pathognomonic incidence of myocardial bridges during obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease was established. Myocardial bridges were predominantly found in the median segments of major coronary arteries with prevailence of bridge-like obstructions in the anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery. Typical changes in cardiac angioarchitectonics indicating pronounced inadequacy of coronary blood flow were determined depending on the segmentary directionality of bridge obstruction. The data attest to pronounced pathogenetic role of myocardial bridges in sudden cardiac death. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 138, No. 7, pp. 101–106, July, 2004     

Apoptosis of leukocytes as a marker of neutrophil-endotheliocyte interaction in coronary heart disease

We studied the mechanism of interaction of peripheral blood neutrophils with endothelial cells (expression of cell adhesion molecules and production of NO) and the role of neutrophil apoptosis in the development of endothelial dysfunction. The effects of mitochondrial dysfunction of neutrophils on the development of apoptosis of these cells after their interaction with endothelial cells were analyzed. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 144, No. 7, pp. 42–44, July, 2007     

Changes in nonspecific and immune resistance of the organism in acute dichloroethane intoxication

Experimental acute dichloroethane intoxication (0.75 LD₅₀) weakens the anti-infection resistance, suppresses antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity, delayed-type hypersensitivity, and T-dependent humoral immune response and reduces the number of colony-forming units in the spleen. This suppression is probably associated with inhibition of α-naphthyl-AS-acetate esterase in immunocytes. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 1, pp. 51–53, January, 1997     

Calcium reduces mitochondrial membrane potential of cultured rat cerebellum granule cells under toxic action of glutamate

Glutamate-induced decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential of granule cell is prevented by cobalt ions and the noncompetitive selective antagonist of NMDA-receptors MK-801. Similar to glutamate, the calcium ionophore A23187 reduces this potential. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 123, No. 4, pp. 378–380, April, 1997     

Application of the ARMA method to acoustic detection of coronary artery disease

To further explore the application of advanced signal processing techniques to the noninvasive detection of coronary artery disease, 30 patients (10 angioplasty and 20 normal or abnormal) were tested using autoregressive moving average (ARMA) modelling of the disastolic heart sound data. It is during diastole that coronary blood flow is maximum and sounds associated with turbulent blood flow through partially occluded coronary arteries would be loudest. Model parameters (the power spectral density (PSD) functions and the poles of the ARMA method) were used to separate the normal patients from the abnormal patients in the normal/ abnormal study, or to decide whether the recordings were made before or after angioplasty in the angioplasty study. The decisions were made ‘blind’, without knowledge of the actual disease states of the patients for the normal/abnormal study and without prior knowledge of whether a given recording was made before or after angioplasty for the angioplasty study. Results from the angioplasty and the normal/abnormal studies showed that pre- and post-angioplasty records were correctly distinguished in 8 out of 10 cases, and normal and abnormal records were correctly distinguished in 17 of 20 cases. These results also confirmed that high frequency energy above 400 Hz is probably associated with coronary stenosis.