Pantethine, a derivative of vitamin B5 used as a nutritional supplement, favorably alters low-density lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism in low- to moderate-cardiovascular risk North American subjects: a triple-blinded placebo and diet-controlled investigation

Safety and efficacy of a biologically active derivative of vitamin B₅ (pantethine) on total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) metabolism was studied in North American subjects at conventional low to moderate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. A total of 120 subjects initiated a therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) diet 4 weeks before randomization (baseline) and maintained the diet throughout a 16-week study period; at baseline, subjects were randomized in a triple-blinded manner to either pantethine (600 mg/d, baseline to week 8, and 900 mg/d, weeks 9-16) or identically labeled, nonbiologically active placebo (n = 60 per group). We hypothesized that pantethine would lower TC and low-density lipoprotein in low-CVD-risk North American subjects in a similar manner as reported in high-CVD-risk subjects studied mainly in Italy and Japan. While sustaining a TLC diet and in comparison with placebo, pantethine demonstrated significant (P < .005) and sustained reductions (from baseline to week 16) in TC (6 mg/dL, 0.16 mmol/L, 3%), LDL-C (4 mg/dL, 0.10 mmol/L, 4%), and apolipoprotein B (4 mg/dL, 0.04 g/L, 5%). Our data suggest that pantethine supplementation for 16 weeks (600 mg/d for weeks 1-8 then 900 mg/d for weeks 9-16) is safe and significantly lowers TC and LDL-C over and above the effect of TLC diet alone. Although the absolute magnitude of these effects was small in these low- to moderate-risk North Americans (4-6 mg/dL), the results are noteworthy as prior studies have shown that, for each 1 mg/dL (0.026 mmol/L) reduction in LDL-C, there is a concomitant 1% reduction in overall future CVD risk.     

The potential of biotechnology in Ethiopia: Present situation and expected development

Conventional research approaches have tried to address the major research and development problems in Ethiopia. However, these approaches could not achieve the desired level of improvement unless they are supported by modern biotechnological tools. Biotechnological facilities exist scattered in different institutions in Ethiopia, a country with immense genetic biodiversity, but no precise information is available as to their capacities, capabilities and the associated technical and administrative gaps. A study based on structured questionnaires, interviews with key informants and reviewing secondary sources was initiated in 2006 by the Horn Biotechnology Forum to generate such information and design strategies for bridging the gaps. The study showed that seven institutions with a total of 24 branches are engaged in biotechnology research/teaching and development at different stages, mainly tissue culture, but including bio-fertilizers, molecular marker, embryo transfer, immunology, vaccine and diagnostic kit development and epidemiology. Ten centers have modest to well equipped laboratories and a few other laboratories are also under expansion. By and large, the future success of biotechnological research and development in Ethiopia depends on the level of attention to be given by the government on capacity building and on the level of collaboration among the institutions.     

通里攻下法治疗外科危重病与对血清胆固醇的影响

目的:观察通里攻下法代表方剂大承气冲剂对腹部外科危重症患者的疗效,同时,了解血清总胆固醇(totalcholesterol,TC)的变化情况。方法:选择腹部外科危重病所致的SIRS/MODS患者30例,随机分为西医治疗组(WM组)和中西医结合治疗组(IM组)各15例,均给予西医治疗,IM组加用大承气冲剂。结果:IM组排便次数较WM组显著增多,开始排气时间明显缩短(P0.05);IM组血清TC水平提高幅度较WM组大;IM组APACHEⅡ评分变化较WM组明显(P0.05)。结论:通里攻下法代表方剂大承气冲剂结合西医治疗,对腹部外科危重症有明显治疗作用。同时,进一步证实了血清TC可以作为判定危重病病情程度和观察治疗效果的指标之一。     

脂肝康药效学研究

目的：观察脂肝康对动物实验性脂肪肝的治疗作用。方法：采用乙硫氨酸、高脂饲料复制动物脂肪肝模型,iv高分子右旋糖苷复制大鼠“血瘀”模型,观察脂肝康的作用。结果：脂肝康能明显降低实验性脂肪肝动物肝脏、血液中的总胆固醇（TC）、三酰甘油（TG）的量;明显抑制“血瘀”大鼠全血粘度的升高。结论：脂肝康对脂肪肝大鼠有明显的治疗作用。     

游离脂肪酸对βTC6细胞葡萄糖刺激胰岛素分泌的影响及吡格列酮的干预作用

目的：观察游离脂肪酸（FFA）对体外培养的βTC6细胞胰岛素分泌功能的影响及盐酸吡格列酮作用的干预。方法：体外培养βTC6细胞,0.5mmol/LFFA分别干预1h、48h,放射免疫法检测胰岛素。不同浓度的吡格列酮（0.1、1.0、10.0μmol/L）与FFA共同干预βTC6细胞48h,放射免疫法检测胰岛素浓度。结果：FFA干预1h后,βTC6细胞的葡萄糖刺激的胰岛素分泌（GSIS）增加（P〈0.05）,FFA干预48h后,βTC6细胞的GSIS较干预前下降（P〈0.05）。FFA与吡格列酮共同干预时,随着吡格列酮浓度的升高,GSIS呈上升的趋势,1.0μmol/L和10.0μmol/吡格列酮与FFA共同干预组GSIS较FFA干预48h增加（P〈0.05）。结论：FFA对B细胞具有短期刺激作用及脂毒性作用,吡格列酮可以部分改善脂毒性作用。     

Beyond low-density lipoprotein cholesterol: defining the role of low-density lipoprotein heterogeneity in coronary artery disease

Recent clinical trials in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) provide evidence that low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels should be lowered even further to prevent recurrent CAD. However, despite more aggressive interventions for lowering LDL-C levels, the majority of CAD events go undeterred, perhaps related to the fact that intervention was not started earlier in life or that LDL-C levels represent an incomplete picture of atherogenic potential. Nevertheless, LDL-C remains the contemporary standard as the primary goal for aggressive LDL reduction. If triglycerides are >200 mg/dl, the measurement of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is recommended. Measurement of apolipoprotein (apo)B has been shown in nearly all studies to outperform LDL-C and non-HDL-C as a predictor of CAD events and as an index of residual CAD risk. This is because apoB reflects the total number of atherogenic apoB-containing lipoproteins and is a superior predictor of the number of low-density lipoprotein particles (LDL-P). Estimates of LDL-P and size can also be made by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, density gradient ultracentrifugation, and gradient gel electrophoresis. Although a number of studies show that such estimates predict CAD, LDL-P, and size often accompany low HDL-C and high triglyceride levels, and therefore such additional lipoprotein testing has not been recommended for routine screening and follow-up. Because apoB is a superior predictor of LDL-P, we recommend that apoB and the apoB/apoA-I ratio be determined after measurement of LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL-C to better predict CAD and assess efficacy of treatment.     

Reduction of serum lipids by soy protein and soluble fiber is not associated with the ABCG5/G8, apolipoprotein E,and apolipoprotein A1 polymorphisms in a group of hyperlipidemic Mexican subjects

Several studies have evaluated the effect of soy protein or soluble fiber on serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic subjects, with different results. We hypothesized that this response is associated with the presence of polymorphisms in genes encoding proteins involved in lipoprotein metabolism or reverse cholesterol transport. Thus, the aims of the present work were to study the effectiveness of a dietary portfolio consisting of a combination of soy protein and soluble fiber integrated in a low saturated fat (LSF) diet on blood lipids in a Mexican group with hyperlipidemia and to determine the association between responsiveness to the diet and the frequency of apolipoprotein (Apo) E and ApoA1 and ABCG5/8 polymorphisms. Forty-three hyperlipidemic subjects (20 men and 23 women) were given an LSF diet for 1 month, followed by an LSF diet that included 25 g of soy protein and 15 g of soluble fiber daily for 2 months. After the 3-month dietary intervention, serum total cholesterol (TC) significantly decreased by 20.6%, and serum triglycerides (TGs) decreased by 40.4%. Fifty-one percent of the subjects had a reduction more than 20% in serum TC, and 77% of the subjects had a reduction more than 20% in serum TG (hyperresponders). Approximately 14% of the hypercholesterolemic subjects had the ABCG8 (52 G/C) polymorphism, 65% had the ABCG5 (1950 C/G and G/G) polymorphism, 53.5% had the ApoA1 (−75 G/A and A/A) polymorphism, and 23.3% had the ApoE (3/4) polymorphism. Independently of genotype, the combination of cholesterol-lowering foods in an LSF diet significantly reduced serum TC and TG in Mexican hypercholesterolemic subjects.     

我国体外诊断类产品在巴西的贸易竞争优势分析

在南美洲,巴西是最大的市场,研究我国诊断医疗产品在巴西市场的基本数据和进入壁垒,会对我国产品进入这一市场提供理论和实践的参考依据。巴西是我国诊断类医疗产品出口非常适宜的国家。其基本特征是人口多,贸易进人壁垒较低,当地相关医疗产品制造业相对弱势。通过对数据分析、贸易竞争优势指数和竞争优势理论等分析巴西市场情况。     

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Coriandrum sativum L. in Meriones shawi rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The use of an aqueous extract of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.; Apiaceae, Umbelliferae) seeds (CS-extract) in Moroccan traditional treatment of diabetes remains to be experimentally validated.

Aim of the study

The study aim was to investigate potential hypoglycemic (and hypolipidemic) activity of CS-extract after a single oral dose and after daily dosing for 30 days (sub-chronic study) in normal and obese-hyperglycemic-hyperlipidemic (OHH) Meriones shawi rats.

Materials and methods

After a single oral dose of CS-extract (20 mg/kg; predetermined as optimum), plasma glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG) were measured in normal and OHH rats (hypercaloric diet and forced limited physical activity); glibenclamide (GLB; 2.5 mg/kg) was used as reference. In the sub-chronic study, the effect of CS-extract and GLB (at the above doses) on body weight (BW), plasma glucose, insulin, TC, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, TG, urea and creatinine was determined in normal and OHH rats; insulin resistance (IR as HOMA-IR), atherosclerotic and cardioprotective indices were calculated.

Results

A single dose of CS-extract or GLB suppressed hyperglycemia in OHH rats, and normo-glycemia was achieved at 6-h post-dose; there was no effect on lipids, TG or insulin, but IR decreased significantly. The hypoglycemic effect was lower in normal rats. In the sub-chronic study in OHH rats, the test substances (CS-extract > GLB) reduced plasma glucose (normoglycemia on Day 21), insulin and IR, TC, LDL-cholesterol, and TG. Atherosclerotic index decreased while cardioprotective indices increased only by CS-extract, with no effect on BW, urea or creatinine.

Conclusion

Sub-chronic administration of CS-extract in OHH Meriones shawi rats normalized glycemia and decreased the elevated levels of insulin, IR, TC, LDL-cholesterol and TG. Since, the CS-extract decreased several components of the metabolic syndrome and decreased atherosclerotic and increased cardioprotective indices, CS-extract may have cardiovascular protective effect. The present study validates the traditional use of coriander in diabetes.