Biochemical changes after a qigong program: lipids, serum enzymes, urea, and creatinine in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of a qigong training program on blood biochemical parameters. MATERIAL/METHODS: Twenty-nine healthy subjects participated in the study of whom 16 were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 13 to the control. The experimental subjects underwent daily qigong training for one month. Blood samples for the quantification of biochemical parameters (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, phospholipids, GOT, GPT, GGT, urea, creatinine) were taken before and after the training program. As statistical analysis, ANCOVA was performed. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found showing that the experimental group had lower serum levels of GOT (glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase), GPT (glutamic-pyruvic transaminase), and urea and that there was a trend towards significance in GGT (gamma-glutamyltransferase). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that after practicing qigong for the short period of one month, noteworthy changes in several blood biochemical parameters were induced. While it is tempting to speculate on the relevance and implications of these biochemical variations, further investigation is needed to elucidate the scope of these findings.     

Cyclophosphamide affects the dynamics of granuloma formation in experimental visceral leishmaniasis

We observed histopathological and ultrastructural hepatic changes following the intracardiac inoculation ofLeishmania donovani amastigotes into inbred LHC hamsters (group I). Since granuloma formation is known to be T-cell-dependent, we also examined infected hamsters under cyclophosphamide immunosuppressive treatment (group ICy) and evaluated the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) by their cells. Group I showed more intense hepatocyte and endothelial cell clasmatosis as well as hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis, deposits of connective tissue fibers, granulomas with multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) of foreign-body and Langhans' types and reduced production of IL-2 by spleen cells. In contrast, group ICy hamsters exhibited larger eosinophil and lymphocyte populations within sinusoids and peri-sinusoidal areas but showed no MGCs in granulomas. A striking decline in IL-2 production was noted. These results suggest that cyclophosphamide induces a delay in the natural evolution ofL. donovani-induced granulomatous hepatic inflammation.     

Association of a genetic polymorphism in human apolipoprotein B-100 with intermediate density lipoprotein concentrations

Immunochemical techniques have been used to identify five antigenic (Ag) sites on apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB), the major protein constituent of very low density (VLDL), intermediate density (IDL), and low density lipoproteins (LDL). Each Ag site results from allelic variation at a specific locus of the apoB gene. In the present study, we assessed whether variations in the five Ag loci were associated with concentrations of plasma lipids or lipoprotein fractions measured by analytical ultracentrifugation in a group of 44 healthy men. Pair-wise analyses of the Ag markers revealed that Ag(a1/d), in association with either Ag(x/y) or Ag(t/z), is significantly related to plasma IDL-mass concentrations. In this cohort we detected no significant associations of the Ag alleles (singly or in combination) with plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, or mass of total VLDL or LDL. These results suggest that genetic variations in the apoB molecule may predispose to variations in concentrations of IDL that could have consequences for atherosclerotic risk.     

The prognostic impact of fluctuating levels of C-reactive protein in Brazilian haemodialysis patients: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: A single elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) value predicts mortality in haemodialysis (HD) patients, but the relative importance of repeated vs occasional positive systemic inflammatory response findings is not known. METHODS: To assess the influence on survival of occasional inflammation, CRP, serum albumin (S-Alb) and fibrinogen were analysed bimonthly in 180 HD patients (54% male, 49+/-14 years). Clinically significant inflammation was defined as CRP >5.1 mg/l, based on the receiver operating characteristics curve for CRP as predictor of death. Based on four consecutive measurements of CRP, patients were assigned into three groups: group 1 (n = 74; 41%), no inflammation (CRP < or = 5.1 mg/l in all measurements); group 2 (n = 65; 36%), occasional inflammation (1-3 measurements of CRP > 5.1 mg/l); and group 3 (n = 41; 23%), persistent inflammation (all measurements of CRP >5.1 mg/l). The nutritional status was evaluated by subjective global assessment (SGA) and body mass index (BMI), and the survival (21 months of follow-up) by Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox model. RESULTS: The median and range of CRP values (mg/l) for group 1, 2 and 3 were: 3.2 (3.2-5.1), 3.6 (3.2-54.9) and 13.8 (5.2-82), respectively (P<0.001), whereas the prevalence of malnutrition, assessed by SGA and BMI, did not differ significantly between the groups. The survival rate by Kaplan-Meier analysis was significantly different among the groups (chi2 = 12.34; P = 0.0004). Patients in group 3 showed the highest mortality (34%; P = 0.001), compared with group 1 (8%) and group 2 (14%; P = 0.01), respectively, whereas there was no significant difference in mortality between groups 1 and 2. Age, CRP, S-Alb level and SGA were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSION: The patients with a persistent elevation of CRP had a higher mortality rate than the patients with occasional CRP elevation. Thus, persistent, rather than occasional, inflammation is an important predictor of death in HD patients.     

Lymphocyte T helper-specific reactivity in sustained responders to interferon and ribavirin with negativation (seroreversion) of anti-hepatitis C virus.

BACKGROUND: Seroreversion, negativation of anti-hepatitis C virus previously positive, is sometimes found in some chronic hepatitis C-sustained responders (SRs) to antiviral therapy. AIMS: To determine the probability of seroreversion in SR treatment with Interferon and Ribavirin, and lymphocyte T helper (CD4+) reactivity to HCV antigens. METHODS: Thirty SR were followed on average for 54.8 months. Anti-HCV was tested by third generation test. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from venous blood and cultured to evaluate CD4+ proliferation in response to 2 microg/ml of eight HCV recombinant antigens from core, NS3, NS4, NS5 regions. RESULTS: Seroreversion was verified in 23% of patients (7/30), appearing at 47.5+/-24.0 months. The probability of anti-HCV loss in this group was 25% at 56 months after ending therapy. In 57% (4/7), anti-HCV returned to positive. These 7 SR patients with seroreversion also showed weaker CD4+ reactivity in 5% of tests (3/56) than the remaining 23 anti-HCV-positive SRs who showed stronger reactivity in 18% of tests (33/184), P=0.036. CONCLUSIONS: One-quarter of the SR showed seroreversion of anti-HCV and weaker CD4+ specific HCV proliferation than those who remained anti-HCV positive. The data suggest that complete viral eradication is a possible and achievable clinical objective.     

The Parkinson-Control study: a 1-year randomized, double-blind trial comparing piribedil (150 mg/day) with bromocriptine (25 mg/day) in early combination with levodopa in Parkinson's disease.

Dopamine agonists have been recommended as early treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), alone or combined with levodopa. Piribedil is a non-ergot selective D(2)/D(3) agonist with alpha(2) antagonist properties shown to be effective in the treatment of PD. This 12-month international, randomized, double-blind trial aimed to assess the efficacy of piribedil 150 mg versus bromocriptine 25 mg, in early combination with levodopa in Stage I to III PD patients. Motor efficacy was assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS III, Items 18-31) as improvement from baseline. Response rate was defined as a 30% improvement. Among the 425 randomly assigned patients, 178 were also included in a substudy on cognitive follow-up evaluated by a dysexecutive syndrome oriented battery. A relevant improvement in UPDRS III over the 12-month study duration was observed both in the piribedil and bromocriptine groups (-7.9 +/- 9.7 points from baseline versus -8.0 +/- 9.5; not significant [n.s.]) with a response rate of 58.4% and 55.3% (n.s.), respectively. Piribedil and bromocriptine resulted in similar improvement on all UPDRS III subscores. Piribedil patients required less levodopa dose increase than those on bromocriptine. Cognitive performance remained generally unchanged in both groups, with a significant effect of piribedil limited to the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. An overall good tolerability of piribedil was observed. Early combination of piribedil 150 mg with levodopa resulted in significant long-term improvement of all motor symptoms in PD patients insufficiently controlled by levodopa alone. Taking into account both efficacy and acceptability in the long-term, piribedil proved in this bromocriptine controlled study to be an effective and safe treatment for PD.     

The supraoptic nucleus in hypothyroid and undernourished rats: an experimental morphometric study

The supraoptic nuclei of both male and female 30-day-old rats rendered hypothyroid by daily subcutaneous injection of propylthiouracil were studied and the results were compared with age- and sex-matched rats fed ad libitum (control rats) and with undernourished rats. Morphometric methods were used to evaluate the volume of the supraoptic nucleus and the areal and numerical densities of its neurons. These parameters allowed us to estimate the total number of neurons of this nucleus. In addition, the mean cross-sectioned area and mean nuclear diameter of the same neurons were also evaluated. The volume of the supraoptic nucleus was reduced both in hypothyroid and undernourished animals when compared with normal controls. The areal and numerical densities of neurons from the former groups were increased and the volume density of the neuropil was reduced. As a consequence, the total number of neurons was found to be identical in all groups studied. Furthermore, the mean nuclear diameters and cross-sectioned areas of the supraoptic neurons were similar in all groups. The volumetric differences and the increased packing found were always more marked for hypothyroid than for undernourished rats. Differences were not detected between male and female groups. The present results support the view that the increased cell packing in hypothyroid animals depends upon a reduction in the neuropil of the nucleus, as has been described under similar conditions in other central nervous system areas displaying identical patterns of neurogenesis. In addition, it was found that the effects of undernourishment cannot be discriminated from those dependent on neonatal hypothyroidism.     

Complications of the cardiopulmonary stress test in patients with depressed left ventricular systolic function.

BACKGROUND: The exercise test has a recognized lower risk of complications when used in the general population and in coronary artery diseased patients, but from a theoretical point of view should have a higher rate of complications when performed in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). AIMS: To characterize and assess the type and incidence of complications during cardiopulmonary stress test (CPX) in patients with depressed left ventricular systolic function in comparison with a group of patients and individuals with normal function. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the 334 consecutive CPX performed for risk stratification in 198 patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction below 40% (Group A) and 180 consecutive CPX performed in 78 subjects with normal function (Group B). The two groups were compared with respect to demographic data, CPX parameters and specific complications. Results: Major complications during the tests occurred only in 14 tests of Group A (4.2%, p = 0.012). Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, <6 beats, occurred in 7 group A and 2 group B tests. The absence of coronary artery disease was the only independent predictor for complications. CONCLUSIONS: Major CPX complications occurred only in patients with impaired left ventricular systolic function. Heart failure patients showed a low probability (around 4%) for complications during CPX, significantly higher and more severe than the risk in the group of patients with normal ventricular function, allowing us to recommend that CPX in patients with heart failure should be performed in a hospital setting under the supervision of a physician with specific training.