Effect of PUFA on patients with hypertension: A hospital based study

Introduction

Hypertension affects more than a quarter of the global adult population. Studies conducted worldwide suggest an overall small, yet useful, role of omega-3 PUFAs in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients. However there is no substantial data in this regard from population based in Middle East and Asia.

Objectives

To determine the effects of (omega-3) PUFA supplementation on the blood pressure of hypertensive patient.To identify if male and female hypertensive patients respond differently to PUFA.To identify if response of hypertensive patients to PUFA varies with the duration of hypertension and co-existence of diabetes/dyslipidemia.

Materials and methods

This observational study was conducted among hypertensive patients visiting OPD of the Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman, UAE, during the period Jan–Dec 2012. A total of 100 hypertensive patients on treatment with their antihypertensive medications, 50 of whom were taking n-3 PUFA supplementation, were followed up for a period of 3 months. Comparisons were drawn between the BP recordings at the time of enrollment in the study and their follow up values 3 months after enrollment.

Results

There was a statistically significant reduction in both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures after 3 months of PUFA therapy. The BP lowering effect of PUFA was more in males. A statistically significant reduction in BP was noted in non-diabetic patients and patients with long standing hypertension.

Conclusion

Findings of the study suggest that omega-3 PUFA dietary supplements augment the benefits of pharmacotherapy in hypertension.     

Predictive value of immunohistochemical expression of claudin-1 in colonic carcinoma

ObjectiveColonic carcinoma is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Recently, the possible involvement of claudin-1, one of the major tight junction proteins, in the process of tumorigenesis has been suggested. Also, claudin-1 has emerged as a potential prognostic factor in different types of tumors. The aim of this study was to detect caludin-1 expression in colonic carcinoma and to correlate its expression with clinicopathological variables in an attempt to delineate its role as a potential new prognostic marker.Material and methodsImmunohistochemical expression of claudin-1 was assessed in 50 Egyptian patients with colonic adenocarcinoma. The predictive performance of claudin-1 expression was statistically evaluated.ResultsDecreased claudin-1 expression was found in 62% of colonic adenocarcinoma cases while similar expression was found in 38% of the cases. Statistical analysis showed a statistically significant inverse correlation between claudin-1 expression and tumor grade, depth of invasion, lymph node involvement, and tumor stage. Regression analysis showed that claudin-1 decreased expression significantly predicts that the tumor is of a high grade, high stage, and is associated with lymph node involvement. ROC curve analysis showed that claudin-1 had a sensitivity of 88.24% and a specificity of 81.25% for the prediction of tumor stage and a sensitivity of 73.33% and a specificity of 82.86% for the prediction of lymph node involvement.ConclusionsClaudin-1 decreased expression in colonic carcinoma contributes to tumor dedifferentiation, invasion and metastasis. Claudin-1 expression could be used as a predictor of colonic carcinoma stage and lymph node status with a high sensitivity and specificity.     

Percutaneous cholecystostomy as a nonsurgical option for treatment of acute cholecystitis in elderly patients

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) in management of acute cholecystitis in elderly patients.

Different effects of selective β1‐adrenoceptor antagonists,nebivolol or atenolol in acetaminophen‐induced hepatotoxicity of rats

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is a common cause of acute liver failure, and beta‐blockers are commonly used drugs in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two different beta‐blocker agents as nebivolol and atenolol against APAP‐induced hepatotoxicity. Male Wistar rats were treated with APAP (2 g/kg/day, p.o.) to induce hepatotoxicity. Our results showed that nebivolol and atenolol reduced heart rate and blood pressure. Nebivolol (5 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 14 days has a hepatoprotective effect shown by significant decrease in hepatic injury parameters (serum AST and ALT) with significant suppression of hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) which were elevated with APAP administration. Also, nebivolol increased reduced glutathione (GSH) which was reduced with APAP administration. Moreover, immunohistochemical examination revealed that nebivolol treatment markedly reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression, while expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was markedly enhanced, as compared to APAP group. The protective effects of nebivolol were also verified histopathologically. On the other hand, as compared to APAP group, oral administration of atenolol (50 mg/kg) increased hepatic injury parameters but did not change hepatic NO, MDA, and GSH. In conclusion, this study revealed that nebivolol not atenolol is protective against APAP‐induced hepatotoxicity possibly, in part, through its antioxidant activity, inhibition of iNOS expression, and induction of eNOS expression.