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Biomedical subjects

A Lacko

Publications and source records attributed to A Lacko.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Hyperbaric oxygen reduces the progression and accelerates the regression of atherosclerosis in rabbits.

We studied the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on the extent of diet-induced accumulation of lipid oxidation products in rabbit plasma and tissues, on plasma paraoxonase activity, and on the extent of progression and regression of atherosclerotic lesions in the rabbit aorta. HBO treatment of cholesterol-fed rabbits dramatically reduces the development of arterial lesions despite having little or no effect on plasma or individual lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Compared with no treatment in cholesterol-fed animals, HBO treatment also substantially reduces the accumulation of lipid oxidation products (conjugated dienes, trienes, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) in plasma, in the low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein fractions of plasma, in the liver, and in the aortic tissues. In addition, HBO treatment prevents the decrease in plasma paraoxonase activity observed in rabbits fed cholesterol-rich diets. Similarly, in regression studies, HBO treatment has no effect on the rate of plasma (or lipoprotein) cholesterol decline but significantly accelerates aortic lesion regression compared with no treatment. Direct measures of aortic cholesterol content support these morphological observations. On the basis of these results, we conclude that repeated, but relatively short, exposure to HBO induces an antioxidant defense mechanism(s) that is responsible for retarding the development or accelerating the regression of atherosclerotic lesions.

Animals↗

Effects of simvastatin on plasma lipids and apolipoproteins in familial hypercholesterolemic swine.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FHC) in swine, which resembles human familial combined hyperlipidemia, is a complex lipid and lipoprotein disorder associated with the development of severe coronary lesions similar to those occurring in advanced human coronary disease. The disorder is characterized by elevated plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoproteins (apo) B, C-III, and E, and by decreased levels of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), apoA-I, and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity. A dose-response study with simvastatin, a specific inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, was conducted in four treatment groups of FHC animals, exhibiting TC > or = 250 mg/dL. The animals were fed 0, 80, 200, or 400 mg simvastatin daily for 3 weeks. The measured serum parameters included the levels of TC, VLDL-C, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, lathosterol, apoA-I, B, C-III, and E, as well as LCAT activity. Simvastatin at 200 mg/d significantly decreased the levels of TC (-25%), LDL-C (-27%), lathosterol (-40%), apoB (-22%), apoC-III (-37%), and apoE (-24%) and modestly decreased the levels of HDL-C (-12%) and apoA-I (-11%) (percent relative to the average pretreatment and posttreatment baseline values) but did not affect the levels of TG, VLDL-C, the lathosterol/TC ratio, or LCAT activity. The levels of TC, LDL-C, apoB, and E were also lowered by simvastatin at 80 or 400 mg/d, but to a lesser extent than at 200 mg/d, while the other parameters were not influenced at these doses. The simvastatin-induced decreases of LDL-C, HDL-C, and apoA-I, B, C-III, and E were significantly correlated among each other. These results show that the trend of responses in TC, LDL-C, apoB, apoC-III, and apoE to simvastatin in the FHC swine is similar to that observed in humans, although the drugs is less potent and efficacious in swine, while the results are different from those in humans with regard to the remaining parameters.

Animals↗

[Secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly].

Secondary prevention in cardiovascular diseases has its meaning also in elderly people. It is specific in some factors. The currently known facts gradually include measures which are not associated with old age of individuals. They include: influencing of the deteriorated adaptation of old organism to internal and external effects, decreased physical activity, restricted self-sufficiency, social isolation, incorrect life style, polymorbidity and subsequent polypragmatic therapy, etc.. Prolongation of life span of man, the struggle against CVD and the improvement of the quality of life of patients can be secured only by means of a complex of rational preventive measures. (Ref. 22.)

Aged↗

[Personal experience with the hypolipidemic agent Olbetam-Acipimox in hyperlipoproteinemia associated with type II diabetes].

The objective of this work was to test in type II diabetics with hyperlipoproteinaemia the action of a new analogue of nicotinic acid--Acipimox (Olbetam, Farmitalia Carlo Erba). The investigation comprised 24 patients of whom 16 took for three months Olbetam (250 mg 3 x per day by the oral route) and 8 patients were given placebo. The investigated biochemical parameters were examined before administration of the preparation was started and 4 and 12 weeks following its administration. Contrary to the group taking placebo, in the group taking Olbetam a significant decline of the triglyceride serum level occurred and a slight decline of total serum cholesterol levels and increase of HDL-cholesterol and the atherogenic risk indexes were thus more favourable. The results indicate that Olbetam is a satisfactory hypolipidemic agent for the treatment of diabetic hyperlipoproteinaemia.

Adult↗

[Diagnosis of diabetic macroangiopathy of the lower extremities using rheography].

Rheography (impedance plethysmography) makes it possible to differentiate the normal condition of arteries of the lower extremity from functional and organic affections. The examination of a group of 325 patients with diabetes mellitus revealed that without the use of rheography, i.e. when relying only on examination of the lower extremities by palpation, the presence of macroangiopathy would escape attention in 46% of the affected subjects. Macroangiopathy of an organic character was found significantly more frequently in type 2 (NIDDM) (35%) than in type 1 (IDDM) (9%; p less than 0.03). Its incidence increased in both types of diabetes with the duration of the disease. Moreover it was significantly associated with hyperlipoproteinaemia. The assembled results drew attention to the great diagnostic value of rheography. It permits also to document objectively the effect of treatment focused on macroangiopathy.

Adolescent↗

[Microcirculation in the subcutaneous layer and in muscles in diabetes mellitus].

The work is focused on the possibility of early diagnosis of diabetic microangiopathy. The authors used examination of microcirculation by the method of tissue clearance of Na 131I. In a group of 106 patients with diabetes thus the microcirculation of the lower extremities in the subcutaneous layer and the calf muscle was examined. A group of 36 healthy subjects served as control. An altered microcirculation was found in 75% type 1 diabetics and in all type 2 diabetics. In those with an altered microcirculation only in 23% type 1 diabetics and in 17% type 2 diabetics organ manifestations of diabetic microangiopathy (i.e. retinopathy and nephropathy) were lacking. It seems thus that altered Na 131I absorption in the lower extremities is an earlier sign of microangiopathic affection than identifiable organ changes. Examination of tissue clearance of Na 131I thus could reveal in time individuals threatened by this complication of diabetes.

Adult↗

[Comparison of the diagnostic contribution of rheography and ultrasound in diabetic macroangiopathy of the lower extremities].

In a group of 140 patients with diabetes mellitus ultrasonographic Doppler examination revealed a 30% incidence, rheographic examination a 34% incidence (p greater than 0.05) of macroangiopathies of the lower extremities. The asset of rheography was the ability to differentiate between pathological functional (21% incidence) and organic changes (13% incidence). The contribution of sonographic examination was the localization of the portion most severely affected by the macroangiopathy. The most frequent variant was general affection of the distal portion of extremities, followed by predominating affection of the posterior tibial artery and affection of the entire circulation of the lower extremity. In the authors' practice rheography is the basic examination. In the event of revealed pathological changes it is supplemented by sonographic Doppler examination.

Adult↗

[Multicenter study with gliquidone in type 2 diabetes mellitus].

The effectiveness and tolerance of the new sulphonyl urea antidiabetic gliquidone (commercial name Glurenorm) was tested by three-month administration of this preparation in a group of 39 type 2 diabetics. Gliquidone proved a medium-strength beta-cytotropic antidiabetic preparation. As to side-effects, the authors noted only dyspepsia in one patient (2.5%). Symptomatic hypoglycaemia did not develop in any of the patients. In the subgroup of six patients with diabetic nephropathy the indicators of renal functions did not deteriorate. In a sub-group of 6 patients with concurrent hepatopathy the originally elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity receded. The authors confirmed thus the good tolerance of gliquidone in diabetes associated with nephropathy and diabetes with hepatopathy.

Adult↗