Arya Atherosclerosis
Volume:10 Issue: 4, Jul 2014

The main objective of this experiment was optimal use of none edible protein source to increase nutritional value of production with high biological function, including antioxidant activity. Sheep visceral (stomach and intestine) was used as substrate. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize hydrolysis conditions for preparing protein hydrolysate from the sheep visceral, using alcalase 2.4 l enzyme. The investigated factors were temperature (43-52 °C), time (90-180 min), and enzyme/substrate ratio (60-90 Anson-unit [AU]/kg protein) to achieve maximum antioxidant activity. Experiments were designed according to the central composite design. Each of the studied variables had a significant effect on responses (P < 0.05). Optimal conditions to achieve antioxidant activity were, temperature (48.27 °C), time (158.78), min and enzyme/substrate ratio (83.35) Anson-unit/kg protein. Under these conditions, antioxidant activity was 68.21%, R2 for model was 0.983. The values indicated the high accuracy of the model to predict the reaction conditions considering different variables. The chemical analysis of protein hydrolysate showed high protein content (83.78%) and low fat content (0.34%). Our results showed that protein hydrolysate of sheep visceral, can be used as a natural antioxidant with high nutritional value.

The aim of our study was to investigate the P-wave dispersion from standard electrocardiograms (ECGs) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and determine its relation to arterial stiffness. This is a prospective study included 33 patients with AMI and successfully re-vascularized by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) underwent CR. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was measured by biplane Simpson’s method. Left atrium (LA) volume was calculated. The maximum and minimum durations of P-waves (Pmax and Pmin, respectively) were detected, and the difference between Pmax and Pmin was defined as P-wave dispersion (Pd = Pmax–Pmin). Aortic elasticity parameters were measured. LVEF was better after CR. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased after CR, these differences were statistically significant. With exercise training, LA volume decreased significantly. Pmax and Pd values were significantly shorter after the CR program. The maximum and minimum P-waves and P-wave dispersion after CR were 97 ± 6 ms, 53 ± 5 ms, and 44 ± 5 ms, respectively. Aortic strain and distensibility increased and aortic stiffness index was decreased significantly. Aortic stiffness index was 0.4 ± 0.2 versus 0.3 ± 0.2, P = 0.001. Aortic stiffness and left atrial volume showed a moderate positive correlation with P-wave dispersion (r = 0.52, P = 0.005; r = 0.64, P = 0.000, respectively). This study showed decreased arterial stiffness indexes in AMI patient’s participated CR, with a significant relationship between the electromechanical properties of the LA that may raise a question of the preventive effect of CR from atrial fibrillation and stroke in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Diabetes mellitus, one of the leading metabolic syndromes, accounts for highest morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this study, we examined possible protective effect of coenzyme Q10 on lipid profile, atherogenic index, and liver enzyme markers in alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic rats. A total of 30 male rats were randomly divided into three groups; group 1 as control, group 2 diabetic untreatment, and group 3 treatments with coenzyme Q10 by 15 mg/kg i.p. daily, respectively. Diabetes was induced in the second and third groups by alloxan injection subcutaneously. After 8 weeks, the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), atherogenic index, atherogenic coefficient, cardiac risk ratio, and the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of all groups were analyzed. Data were analyzed using non-parametric Mann-Whitney test (using SPSS) and P < 0.05 was considered as significant. Coenzyme Q10 inhibited significantly the activities of ALT (11.17%), AST (19.35%) and ALP (36.67%) and decreased FBG (21.19%), TG (37.24%), TC (17.15%), LDL (30.44%), VLDL (37.24%), atherogenic index (44.24%), atherogenic coefficient (49.69%), and cardiac risk ratio (37.97%), HDL level was significantly (33.38%) increased when treated with coenzyme Q10. The findings of this study suggest that coenzyme Q10 exert beneficial effects on the lipid profile, atherogenic index, and liver enzymes activity in alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic rats.

Bleeding time (BT) is the oldest and simplest test for assessing the platelets (Plts) function. BT can affect by several factors such as race and diet, which has a wide reference range. The aim of this project is to determine the normal range of BT in Borujerd city. Determining the normal range of BT can help us to modify the definition of bleeding disorder and aspirin resistance. This was cross-sectional study carried out in 2011-2012. Subjects with a history of coagulation disorders or a positive family history of coagulation disorders, consumption of anti-Plts, anti-histamines, and phenotiazines in the previous month and subject with Plt less than 150,000 were excluded. The samples were 505 volunteers who were referred from 16 urban and 9 rural clusters to research center. BT of the samples was determined according to Ivy simplate method considering national standard protocol in the selected persons. Normal range was calculated as mean ± 2 standard deviation. Of 505 volunteers, 50.4% were female. The range of BT was 2.8-2.95 min with mean of 2.79 ± 0.78 min. Range and mean of BT in women was 2.83-3.06 min and 2.88 ± 0.87 min, and range and mean of BT in men was 2.7-2.9 min and 2.69 ± 0.67 min; this difference was significant (P = 0.012). BT in urban and rural participants was 2.78 ± 0.79 and 2.77 ± 0.73 min. There was no significant difference between BT in urban and rural participants. The normal range of BT in Boroujerd was in the lower limit of the normal universal range. In this study, BT was significantly different in both genders, but its correlation with age, blood group, and place of residency was not significant.

High intakes of phytochemical-rich foods have beneficial effects on lipid profiles and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In this study, we assessed the association between the dietary phytochemical index (PI) and changes in lipid profile after 3-year follow-up among Iranian adults. This longitudinal study was conducted in 1983 subjects, aged 19-70 years, selected among participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Dietary data were collected by using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire with 168 food items at baseline. PI was calculated based on daily energy derived from [(phytochemical-rich foods kcal/total daily energy intake kcal) × 100]. Lipid profile was measured at baseline and after 3 years and changes in serum lipid profiles were assessed during 3-year follow-up. The mean age of participants was 40.4 ± 13.0 years; participants in the highest PI quartile category were more likely to be older. After 3 years of follow-up, total cholesterol was significantly lower in the highest quartile compared with lower quartile of PI in men (181 ± 3 vs. 189 ± 3, P for trend <0.05). There were significant inverse association between dietary PI and 3 years changes of total cholesterol [β: −5.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) = −9.3, −1.8], triglycerides (β = −13.7, 95% CI = −24.6, −2.8), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (β = −6.2, 95% CI = −10.8, −1.5), in highest quartile of PI in men. Lipid profiles showed no significant changes over the study period in women. Higher dietary PI is associated with 3 years improvement of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-HDL-C. Higher consumption of phytochemical-rich foods is recommended to prevent CVD.

The primary objective of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is not only to restore the blood flow in the infarct-related artery, but also to save the patients’ quality and duration of their life. Since left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a known predictor of clinical outcomes in STEMI patients, the possible association between characteristics of a large group of patients who undergo pPCI with LVEF and death was evaluated. This prospective cohort study included 304 patients who had undergone pPCI between 2009 and 2011. The association between LVEF and in-hospital outcomes of patients was assessed. LVEF ≤ 25%, 25% < LVEF < 50%, and LVEF ≥ 50% were presented in 23 (7.6%), 150 (49.3%), and 128 (42.1%) of the patients, respectively. Three patients (0.01%) died before echocardiography. There was no significant difference among aforementioned three groups regarding baseline characteristics, except age (P = 0.012) and sex (P = 0.016). Cumulative number of cardiogenic shock and death were 7 (2.3%) and 22 (7.2%), respectively; with significant differences between three LVEF groups. Age more than 70 years old, pulmonary edema, systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg, shock, post-PCI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (MI) flow grade, corrected thrombolysis in MI frame count, angiographic success and ST-segment resolution showed significant association with death (P < 0.050). This study not only demonstrates that LVEF ≤ 50% is associated with a higher incidence of in-hospital adverse events, but also identifies characteristics that are strongly correlated with the risk of LVEF ≤ 50% and death after pPCI.

The observed relationships between visfatin, peroxidases activity, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are inconsistent; therefore, this study was undertaken to understand these relationships. This cross-sectional study was conducted as a part of the Isfahan Healthy Heart Program. A blood sample of 90 MetS and non-MetS patients were used to estimate total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TGs), fasting blood glucose (FBG), waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), visfatin and peroxidases activity. Data analysis for MetS group was carried out in two ways. (1) MetS with three components and with >3 components. (2) MetS with hyperglycemia and without hyperglycemia. SBP, DBP, WC, FBG, TC, TG, LDL-C, and were higher and HDL-C levels was lower in MetS patients. There was a significant correlation between visfatin levels and peroxidases activity in MetS patients with three components. Levels of visfatin were significantly higher in male as compared to female subjects in the MetS with three components group. There was a significant decrease in peroxidases activity in >45 years old subjects in the MetS with >3 components group. A significant correlation was observed between serum visfatin levels and FBG in the MetS without hyperglycemia group. Peroxidases activities in MetS patients can be related to visfatin levels. Gender influences on peroxidases activity probably and was lower in female patients with MetS. Hyperglycemia does not influence peroxidases activities and visfatin levels.

The severity of ischemia/reperfusion injury determines the neurologic outcome after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation.CASE REPORT: We present a case of prolonged open-chest resuscitation who survived without neurologic sequel. Multiple applied strategies to limit the deleterious effects of ischemia and reperfusion injury, that is, infusion of magnesium sulfate and mannitol, protective lung ventilation and optimal postoperative pain control prevented the end organ damage in this patient. During the 40 min open-chest resuscitation, ventricular defibrillation was successfully attempted with extrathoracic paddles. The appropriate use of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic protective strategies could modify the inflammatory cascade and minimize the deleterious effects of reperfusion after prolonged periods of ischemia. The successful defibrillation in this patient warrants the use of standard paddles in open-chest surgeries where surgical small paddles are not available.

Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is defined by a lack of the luminal continuity between the ascending and descending thoracic aorta. It is a rare, severe congenital heart defect which without surgery is associated with high mortality in the neonatal period. The aims of this study were to present a case with IAA who was alive until the age of 59 years without any surgical intervention and to review the literatures that have presented IAA cases.CASE REPORT: The patient was admitted with respiratory distress and pulmonary edema. Echocardiography showed the sever stenosis in aortic valve and sever left ventricular dysfunction. Cardiac catheterization and angiography confirmed interrupted aorta (type A). The descending thoracic aorta was supplied by extensive collateral vessels from the vertebrobasilar system down to the posterior chest wall and the spine. Surgical correction including coronary artery bypass graft and aortic valve replacement and repair of interruption of the aorta was performed. Three weeks later the patient was died due to uncontrollable gastrointestinal bleeding and hospital acquired pneumonia. We described diagnosis and management of our case. This case was very interesting for us, because the patient had not been diagnosed until the recent presentation. Similar cases with this diagnosis do not reach adulthood, but our patient was alive up to 59 years of age.