Arya Atherosclerosis
Volume:1 Issue: 1, Spring 2005

To investigate the effect of an anti-inflammatory drug (Piroxicam) on thedevelopment of fatty streak in rabbits. Male rabbits were fed with four types of regimen: a) normal rabbit chow, b) 1%cholesterol diet c) cholesterol diet plus Piroxicam, d) normal rabbit chow plus Piroxicam. After 12 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the aorta, as well as the right and left branches of tcoronary artery were dissected, and histological processing was carried out. Samples were observed under light microscope with different magnifications. Some biochemical tests were measured before and after the treatment. A significant difference was found between the two groups receiving Piroxicamsupplementeddiet and the two others (p<0.05) in respect of the mean grade of fatty streaks in the right and left coronary arteries, however, progression of the lesion in aorta was not statistically significant. Piroxicam was found to reduce C-reactive protein (CRP), triglyceride (TG) and LDLC; it also led to an increase in antioxidant capacity and HDL-C. It is suggested that the antiinflammatory drug, Piroxicam, has beneficial effects in preventing the development of fatty streaks.

Cardiovascular diseases and stroke constitute an important cause of death in most developed and developing countries. Identification of the major risk factors of coronary accidents and stroke and understanding of the relative risk posed by each of these risk factors are critical points for prevention, control and management of this health problem. 6542 individuals aged over 35 years from the cities of Isfahan, Arak and Najafabad were followed for two years. The individuals were chosen from among the population of 12800 people selected in a multistage sampling manner to participate in Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP).Pregnant women, mentally retarded individuals, and those with acute systemic diseases were excluded.Risk factors were extracted based on definition, and the degree of risk posed by each risk factor was determined. The incidence of acute coronary events was studied in 3970 (60.7%) healthy individuals participating in IHHP, who were followed over a two years period. 60 deaths (1.5% of the population) were reported during the two years, 1% of which were caused by myocardial infarction (MI). Therewere 115 instances of fatal and non-fatal cardiac events (2.9% of the population). Strokes were seen in half of the cases. A positive history of smoking was accompanied by reduced survival of subjects in thisstudy. The incidence of non-fatal cardiac events also increased with diastolic hypertension andtriglyceride level. In this study, the greatest risk of cardiac events was associated with hypertension,diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and positive history of smoking. In this study, the two-year incidence of cardiac events was higher than that of Europeancountries. The relative risk of risk factors such as diabetes, positive history of smoking, andhypertension was also notably higher than that of similar studies. In light of the higher risk of cardiacevents compared with similar studies, preparing a risk chart based on geographical and cultural featuresfor evaluation of the risk of cardiac events seems imperative.

Several studies demonstrated an association between dyslipidemia and psychiatric disorder.The aim of this study is to evaluate the lipid profile of patients with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. This is a descriptive analytic study of 100 patients (25 in each group: major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, comorbid anxiety and depressive disorder and control subjects according to DSM-IV). The demographic characteristics were recorded and blood sampling for lipid profile was performed. Beck and Kattle inventory questionnaires were completed. Seventy-five percent of patients were female. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels are significantly higher and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was lower in patients with comorbid anxiety and depressive disorder than the other groups. Dyslipidemia in patients with comorbid anxiety and depressive disorder is considerable high.Lipid profile screening in such patients is recommended.

Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Clinical studies have shown that body weight reduction, decrease blood pressure. The aim of this study was to illustrate the trend of hypertension and obesity according to body mass index in three cross-sectional studies conducted in the city of Isfahan during a period of ten years. In a series of three cross-sectional studies among the population aged over 25, in Isfahan samples were selectaed in a multistage method (1991-1992, 1995-1996, and 2000-2001). 2438, 3234, and 2015 individuals were studied, respectively. The blood pressure of subjects was checked twice, one week apart. Blood pressure measurement was conducted by trained nurses. Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) have been decreased significantly in all groups (P<0.005).However, reduction of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) mean was significant only in men and women who were under treatment with antihypertensive drugs (P<0.05). In all hypertensive groups and in health subjects, there was an increase in body mass index (BMI). This increase had a more notable trend in hypertensive groups, compared with healthy individuals. The prevalence of obesity in hypertensive patients was higher than that of the healthy group. Obesity has had a rising prevalence during the last ten years in hypertensive and healthy individuals. In light of the importance of weight control in hypertensive patients, it is recommendable as a primary prevention measure.

Smoking is one of the sanitary problems in world today. Increasing smoking of cigarette and other tobacco products has concerned health managers and community responsible. In recent decades, smoking has increased specially in developing countries and the smokers are adding every year. This is cross-sectional study that has done on men with at least 15 years old in Isfahan. Data was collected by a questionnaire at homes on summer, 2002.The samples were 1600 and the variables included: age, marriage status, level of education, job, smoking status (king and quanta), and age of beginning to smoke and precedence of smoking. Data showed that 21.5% of individuals were smoking cigarette; 10.4% hooka and 1.5% pipe.The age of beginning to smoke cigarette was under 20 years in 67.6% of cases. Smoking was more prevalent in adults. Workers with 32.7% were smoking more and students with 5% and scholars with 6.7% were smoking less than others. Smoking was relative to level of education. Marriage men smoked 2.5 times more than singles. The results showed that in comparison with other areas in Iran, Isfahan men are smoking further especially for hooka and pipe. Also it has become a new problem that the younger smoke hooka and pipe more than past, because the people thinks that those are less harmful that cigarette.

Chocolate is derived from cocoa beans - the fruit of the cacao tree or Theobroma cacao (the latin term: food of the gods). Recent published articles demonstrate that the quality and quantity of the antioxidants in cocoa and chocolate are very high and their flavonoids are believed to reduce the number of free radicals in the body that contribute to medical problems, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer and also to offer some anti-aging health benefits. Cocoa can lower the leukotriene/ prostacyclin ratio and is shown to have beneficial effects on platelets and possibly inflammation and vessel dilation. They inhibit low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, raise the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level and reduce the thrombotic tendency. Their antioxidant catechin content is four times that of tea. They help the body process nitric oxide. Their flavanols and procyanidins have inhibitory effects on hemolysis, they can also attribute as a defense againstreactive oxygen species (ROS) and can inhibit their carcinogenic processes. Also they are shown to inhibit growth and polyamine biosynthesis of human colonic cancer cells. They contain tryptophan and anandamide, which lessen anxiety, promote relaxation and trigger the production of endorphins.Cocoa can prevent dental caries and may play a regulating role in the function of the immune systemand prevent infectious and autoimmune diseases. It stimulates lactase enzyme activity.Although caffeine may be harmful in large dose, chocolate contains it in small amount incomparison to coffee and tea. Negative effects of chocolate on childhood hyperactivity and migraine as well as tension headaches are controversial. Since the theobromine content of chocolate relaxes the esophageal sphincter, patients suffering from heartburn should avoid it.Cocoa can trigger some allergic reactions such as atopic dermatitis.This article reviews the potential health benefits and disadvantages of cocoa & chocolate and suggests that their flavonoid-rich types are health beneficial and when consumed in moderation, along with other plant foods, can be part of a healthy diet.

Symptomatic basilar artery stenosis has a poor prognosis. Surgical bypasses are technically demanding and of no proven benefit. A new generation of intravascular stents that are flexible enough to navigate the tortuosities of the vertebral artery may provide a new therapeutic approach. Our two cases, 57 and 52 year-old men experienced a vertebrobasilar ischemia with repeated vertigo and falls. Magnetic resonance angiographyfrom vertebrobasilar arteries revealed severe middle basilar artery stenosis in one case, and severe vertebrobasilar artery stenosis in the other. The patients underwent uncomplicated angioplasty and stenting of the basilar arteries, with excellent angiographic results. The new flexible intravascular stents provide a new therapeutic approach for patients with basilar artery stenosis.