Assessment of theIn Vivo metabolic effect of exogenous lactate dehydrogenase

Active realization of 2-oxoglutarate, malate, and oxaloacetate is observed after administration of lactate dehydrogenase. The levels of transamination and urea formation are within the normal range. By its targeting of oxidative metabolism, lactate dehydrogenase may be regarded as a biogenic factor correcting the glycolytic processes. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 5, pp. 480–481, May, 1994 Presented by T. T. Berezov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Laparoscopic treatment of polycystic ovarian disease

There has been a recent surge of interest in laparoscopic treatmentof polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) that is unresponsive tofirst-line ovulation-inducing agents. Laparoscopic treatmentoptions include multiple ovarian punch biopsy, ovarian electrocauterizationand laser vaporization or photo-coagulation. These proceduresare relatively easy to perform, devoid of major complications,and yield satisfactory ovulation and conception rates. Adhesionformation, however, is a potential complication following suchprocedures. Furthermore, women subjected to laparoscopic destructiveovarian procedures also need to be critically assessed regardingother long-term risks, such as premature ovarian failure. Laparoscopictreatment of PCOD, at present, should be viewed as experimentalawaiting further trials assessing its long-term safety     

Hygienic rationale maximum allowable concentrations of 1,2,4-triazole in atmospheric air]

Toxicological study of the 1,2,4-triazole determined the maximum one-time MAC of it in the ambient air at level of 0,1 mg/m3, average daily MAC of it - 0,05 mg/m3.     

Antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation with ximelagatran: can it be an alternative to warfarin?]

Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia associated with a substantial risk of thromboembolism and stroke. Despite numerous disadvantages that limit its efficacy and safety, warfarin is widely used in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolism related with atrial fibrillation. Ximelagatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor has the potential to be an alternative choice in the prevention and therapy of thromboembolism related with atrial fibrillation. Studies compared ximelagatran with warfarin in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at risk for stroke showed that fixed dose oral ximelagatran is effective as adjusted dose warfarin in stroke prevention. Ximelagatran has numerous advantages over warfarin in clinical practice. Although it seems as a promising option for the prevention and therapy of thromboembolism, its safety and efficacy need to be determined definitely by further clinical trials.     

Effects of Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition and statin treatment on inflammatory markers and endothelial functions in patients with longterm rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and statins (hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors) on inflammatory markers and endothelial functions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: A total of 45 patients with longterm RA were randomized into 3 groups to receive 8 weeks of treatment with placebo (n = 15), simvastatin (20 mg/day, n = 15), or quinapril (10 mg/day, n = 15) as an adjunct to existing antirheumatic drug treatment. Factors with a role in the development of endothelial dysfunction, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, nitric oxide (NO), and serum cytokine concentrations including interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured at baseline and in the posttreatment period. Brachial artery vasodilator responses were assessed by high resolution ultrasound to evaluate endothelial functions. RESULTS: Simvastatin treatment significantly decreased serum CRP and TNF-a [from 14 +/- 6 to 7 +/- 3 mg/l (p = 0.025) and 30 +/- 5 to 16 +/- 4 pg/ml (p = 0.012), respectively], while quinapril had no significant changes in these 2 measures. IL-1beta and IL-6 showed insignificant changes in patients in the 2 drug groups. Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was improved significantly in the simvastatin group [from 5.3 +/- 1.1% to 8.9 +/- 1.4% (p = 0.025)], while there was no difference in endothelium-independent vasodilatation [9.0 +/- 1.8% to 11.2 +/- 2.5% (p = 0.17)]. The quinapril group showed no significant changes in both types of vasodilation although there was a tendency to an increase in endothelium-dependent vasodilatation [from 6.1 +/- 0.8% to 7.8 +/- 0.7% (p = 0.06)]. Treatment with the 2 drugs had no significant effects on resting arterial diameter. CONCLUSION: We show that simvastatin 20 mg daily improves endothelial function in patients with RA. Its beneficial effect may be attributed to lowering CRP and TNF-alpha concentrations. ACE inhibition with daily 10 mg quinapril was found to have no significant effects on inflammatory markers and endothelial vasodilator response.     

Traditional risk factors are predictive on segmental localization of coronary artery disease

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between established risk factors and segmental localization of coronary artery disease. A total of 2760 patients who underwent coronary angiography were enrolled into the study. Coronary angiographic segmental evaluation was performed according to the scheme of American Heart Association. Patients were classified into 2 groups (group 1: normal coronary artery segments, group 2: coronary artery segments with coronary artery disease). Smoking was highly related with left main coronary artery disease (odds ratio = 7.5; P = .005). Diabetes mellitus and male sex increased the risk of atherosclerosis in all coronary vasculature (odds ratio = 2.7-2.2; P < .001-P < .001). Hypertension was correlated with distal coronary artery (odds ratio = 1.4; P < .001) and family history with distal circumflex lesions (odds ratio = 4.5; P = .005) High triglyceride levels were associated with right coronary artery lesions (odds ratio = 1.00; P =.03). The effect of advanced age was small (odds ratio = 1.08; P < .001). Risk factors may be predictive for segmental localization.