Quantitative evaluation of right ventricle function by transthoracic echocardiography in childhood congenital heart disease patients with pulmonary hypertension

Introduction and Objective: The present study aims to quantitatively evaluate the right ventricle (RV) function by means of transthoracic echocardiography in normal children and childhood congenital heart disease patients with pulmonary hypertension. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted in a cohort including 40 healthy children and 30 pediatric patients with pulmonary hypertension who were diagnosed under close surveillance at the study center between October 2009 and November 2010. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the patient and control groups for the right ventricle myocardial performance index (RVMPI), the left ventricle myocardial performance index (LVMPI), the tricuspid valve systolic flow velocity (Ts), the ratio of systolic pulmonary artery pressure to the right ventricle outflow tract systolic flow velocity time integral (sPAP/RVOT VTI), and the ratio of systolic pulmonary artery pressure to right ventricle outflow tract systolic flow velocity time integral × heart rate (sPAP/[RVOT VTI×HR]). When the children were divided into three groups based on their pulmonary vascular resistance significant differences emerged that predicted an increasing severity of RV dysfunction. Significant differences were also observed for the RVMPI, the LVMPI, and the Ts as well as for echocardiographic pulmonary flow (Qp) and systemic flow (Qs). Discussion: The present study demonstrates that echocardiographic parameters can be used for the quantitative detection of RV dysfunction in childhood congenital heart disease patients with high pulmonary artery pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean) or pulmonary vascular resistance.     

The protective effect of aqueous extracts of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. UKMR-2) against red blood cell membrane oxidative stress in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

OBJECTIVES:

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of aqueous extracts of roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. UKMR-2) against red blood cell (RBC) membrane oxidative stress in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

METHODS:

Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 230-250 g were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 rats each): control group (N), roselle-treated control group, diabetic group, and roselle-treated diabetic group. Roselle was administered by force-feeding with aqueous extracts of roselle (100 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days.

RESULTS:

The results demonstrated that the malondialdehyde levels of the red blood cell membranes in the diabetic group were significantly higher than the levels in the roselle-treated control and roselle-treated diabetic groups. The protein carbonyl level was significantly higher in the roselle-treated diabetic group than in the roselle-treated control group but lower than that in the diabetic group. A significant increase in the red blood cell membrane superoxide dismutase enzyme was found in roselle-treated diabetic rats compared with roselle-treated control rats and diabetic rats. The total protein level of the red blood cell membrane, osmotic fragility, and red blood cell morphology were maintained.

CONCLUSION:

The present study demonstrates that aqueous extracts of roselle possess a protective effect against red blood cell membrane oxidative stress in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. These data suggest that roselle can be used as a natural antioxidative supplement in the prevention of oxidative damage in diabetic patients.