Effects of zinc on plasma lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in humans: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Background

Studies in humans and animals suggest that zinc has the potential to affect lipoprotein metabolism and hence impact cardiovascular disease risk.

Methods

A meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials was conducted to determine the effect of zinc supplementation on plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in humans. Potentially relevant studies were identified from a literature search covering the period 1980–2008 (inclusive), and additional citation searches.

Results

Thirty three interventions (n = 14,238 subjects) were included in the random effects meta-analysis. No overall significant effects of zinc supplementation were observed for plasma cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol or plasma triglyceride concentrations. Plasma zinc concentrations increased significantly (+2.42 ± 0.25 μmol/L, P < 0.001; n = 14,047). Secondary analyses in individuals classified as healthy revealed that zinc supplementation is associated with a significant decrease in plasma HDL cholesterol concentrations (−0.10 ± 0.02 mmol/L, P < 0.001; n = 13,215), equivalent to a 7% decrease from baseline.

Conclusion

No effect of zinc supplementation on plasma lipoproteins was detected in the overall analysis. In individuals classified as healthy, zinc supplementation is associated with a decrease in HDL cholesterol concentrations and thus contributes to an increased risk of coronary heart disease.     

Medicines and disease information needs of older Arabic‐speaking Australians

Aim: To explore access, satisfaction, awareness and needs for medicines and disease information (MADI) sources for older Arabic‐speaking Australians. Method: Five focus groups were conducted (in Arabic) with 29 participants with a chronic disease, aged over 65 years, and unable to speak or read English fluently. Discussions were audiotape recorded, simultaneously interpreted into English, transcribed verbatim and content analysed. Results: Arabic‐speaking general practitioners were identified as the main source of MADI, despite dissatisfaction with their counselling. Written Arabic MADI was not accessed by participants, who revealed low English and Arabic literacy levels and a reliance on family members to act as interpreters. Male participants were more concerned and active about their health and medicine information than female participants. Conclusions: This study highlighted limited availability and access to Arabic MADI for older Arabic‐speaking Australians, with reliance on Arabic‐speaking health‐care professionals for information and family members as interpreters. An accessible and sustainable system for MADI is required.     

Relationship between gastric cancer and precancerous lesions

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Differences in T cell subsets between men and women with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder, occurring predominantly in women. We studied by flow cytofluorimetry the T cell subsets in men and women with ITP and compared them with healthy sex-matched volunteers. In healthy controls, women were found to have higher proportions of T helper/inducer (Th/i) and lower T suppressor/cytotoxic (Ts/c) lymphocytes and consequently higher Th/i:Ts/c ratios than men. Accordingly, in clinical surveys, patients and controls should be matched for sex for proper comparisons. In patients with ITP in its active phase, an imbalance in T cell subsets was found in both sexes. The perturbation was more severe in women who had a marked decrease in number and proportion of Th/i lymphocytes and an increase in the proportion of Ts/c lymphocytes, whereas in men only, the proportion of Th/i lymphocytes was decreased. When patients with active disease were compared to those with ITP in remission, the decrease in Th/i subsets still persisted in both sexes but the Ts/c subset in women had returned to normal proportions. Therefore, the immune imbalance in ITP is more marked in women than men; imbalances in both Th/i and Ts/c are present in women while Ts/c appears not to be involved in men.     

糖尿病及其血管并发症的介入治疗

糖尿病(diabetes mellitus,DM)根据发病机制的不同,可分为1型和2型．糖尿病介入治疗主要是针对1型DM由于胰岛β细胞缺乏造成胰岛素分泌绝对不足进行胰岛β细胞或者干细胞移植,从而增加胰岛素分泌的绝对量达到治疗DM的目的．DM的血管并发症介入治疗,最常见的是糖尿病足的治疗,使用经皮经腔血管成形术(percutaneous transluminal angioplasty,PTA)和血管内支架为糖尿病足及其他周围血管病变提供了一个新的治疗途径．     

Monte Carlo面积拟合分光光度法同时测定安痛定注射液中各组分的含量

Monte Carlo方法是一种数值计算方法。它既能求解确定性的数学问题,又能求解随机性的问题。本文应用Monte Carlo面积拟合算法,用微机对安痛定注射液的紫外光谱数据进行处理,不经分离测定了该制剂的巴比妥、氨基比林、安替比林三组分含量。平均回收率分别为99.1±1.1(CV);99.6±1.3(CV)和99.7±1.0%(CV)。