Biomedical subjects

Chun-Chin Sun

Publications and source records attributed to Chun-Chin Sun.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

The effects of different doses of atorvastatin on plasma endothelin-1 levels in type 2 diabetic patients with dyslipidemia.

We investigated the effects of three different daily doses (10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg) of atorvastatin, a relatively new and potent statin, on plasma endothelin (ET)-1 and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in type 2 diabetic subjects. Twenty-nine type 2 diabetic patients with dyslipidemia were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive atorvastatin orally at 10 mg (A10; n = 10), 20 mg (A20; n = 10), or 40 mg (A40; n = 9) daily for 12 weeks. Levels of plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (C) in all three studied groups were significantly decreased after treatment with atorvastatin for 12 weeks (all groups, P < 0.001). However, the greatest LDL-C lowering effect and the highest percentage of subjects achieving the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) LDL-C goal were observed in the A20 group. All diabetic subjects had a higher plasma ET-1 concentration (A10, 1.02 +/- 0.37 pg/ml, mean +/- SD; A20, 1.17 +/- 0.55 pg/ml; and A40, 0.87 +/- 0.45 pg/ml) than that of age- and sex-matched normal control subjects (0.64 +/- 0.15 pg/ml; all groups, P < 0.001). Plasma ET-1 levels showed a borderline significant decrease at the end of study, by 22% in diabetic subjects treated with 10 mg atorvastatin (P = 0.05 compared with baseline), and by 30% in subjects treated with 20 mg atorvastatin (P = 0.06, compared with baseline). Paradoxically, the 40-mg dose of atorvastatin provided an increase of 2% in plasma ET-1 levels at the end of study, which is significantly different (P < 0.05) and marginally significant (P = 0.057) from the levels of the 10- and 20-mg doses, respectively. Similarly, although insignificantly, plasma concentrations of CRP also tended to decrease by 12% and 48%, and paradoxically increased by 18% in diabetic patients treated with 10 mg, 20 mg, and 40 mg atorvastatin, respectively. The clinical significance of these biphasic lipid-independent statin effects is unknown and the present study suggests that 20 mg atorvastatin may have the best benefits in treating diabetic patients with dyslipidemia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Hyperthyroidism is associated with higher plasma endothelin-1 concentrations.

The objective of this study was to determine the change of plasma endothelin (ET)-1 concentrations and insulin resistance index after therapy for hyperthyroidism. We studied 20 patients with hyperthyroidism (15 women and 5 men; age, 34.0 +/- 2.8 years), and 31 patients with euthyroid goiters as controls (27 women, 4 men; age, 37.0 +/- 2.4 years). All hyperthyroid patients were treated with antithyroid drugs. The patients received evaluations before and after normalization of thyroid function. The evaluations included body mass index (BMI), body fat, and measurement of circulating concentrations of thyroid hormones, glucose, insulin, and ET-1. Hyperthyroid subjects had higher plasma ET-1 concentrations than the control group (P < 0.001). No significant differences in serum glucose and insulin concentrations or insulin resistance index estimated by the R value of the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-R) were noted between the groups. Plasma ET-1 concentrations decreased after correction of hyperthyroidism compared with pretreatment (P = 0.006). Serum glucose concentrations decreased after correction of hyperthyroidism (P = 0.005). Moreover, both body weight-adjusted insulin concentrations and the HOMA-R index were also decreased after correction of hyperthyroidism compared with pretreatment (P = 0.026 and P = 0.019, respectively). Pearson's correlation revealed that plasma ET-1 levels positively correlated with serum triiodothyronine (T3) and free thyroxine (FT4) levels. Serum insulin levels and the HOMA-R index positively correlated with BMI and body fat. The HOMA-R index also positively correlated with serum T3 and FT4 levels. Neither insulin levels nor the HOMA-R index correlated with ET-1 levels. Hyperthyroidism is associated with higher plasma ET-1 concentrations. In addition, correction of hyperthyroidism is also associated with a decrease of plasma ET-1 levels as well as the insulin resistance index calculated by HOMA-R.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Immunoreactive endothelin in Taiwanese thyroid cystic fluid.

Endothelin-1 is a major vasoconstrictor peptide, first found in endothelial cells and later in many other tissues, including the thyroid gland. It is well known that endothelins can act as autocrine and/or paracrine regulators of thyroid homeostasis and growth. Previously we have demonstrated that immunoreactive endothelins (IR-ET) are present in various human body fluids, and IR-ET has also been detected in pathologic breast and thyroid cystic fluids. In this study, the IR-ET in Taiwanese thyroid cystic fluid was measured by radioimmunoassay and characterized by chromatography. Human thyroid cystic fluid was obtained by fine needle aspiration, was centrifuged, and the supernatant was stored at -20 degrees C until IR-ET assay. IR-ET has been detected in 25 of 33 samples of thyroid cystic fluid [25 cases, 4.11 +/- 0.31 fmol/mL (mean +/- standard error of the mean); other eight cases, undetectable]. Gel permeation chromatography of the extract of pooled cystic fluid showed only one major peak at the elution position of human endothelin-1 standard. No difference in cystic IR-ET levels was found in our patients with cystic nodules in relation to differences in thyroid function. It is probable that endothelin-1 is produced by the epithelial cells lining the thyroid cysts, and the increased levels of IR-ET in cystic fluid found in our patients could either be secondary to cystic nodule development or have a role in goiter formation.

Asian People↗

PubMed2004

Salivary immunoreactive endothelin in patients with upper gastrointestinal diseases.

Endothelins have been implicated in gastric mucosal damage in a variety of animal models. Furthermore, clinical reports also show elevated gastric mucosal endothelin-1 levels in patients suffering from peptic ulcer diseases. We have demonstrated, first, the presence of immunoreactive endothelin (IR-ET) in human saliva. We also show that endothelins are rather stable in human saliva. The present study was undertaken to determine whether patients with endoscopically proven upper gastrointestinal diseases have a salivary excess of IR-ET, compared with patients with a normal esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Saliva was collected from fasting subjects prior to esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The levels of IR-ET were measured by the radioimmunoassay method. The salivary concentrations of IR-ET in the studied subjects were as follows: 8.9 +/- 1.0 fmol/mL (mean +/- standard error of the mean) for patients with gastric ulcers (n = 18); 7.3 +/- 1.0 fmol/mL for patients with duodenal ulcers (n = 22); and 6.8 +/- 0.6 fmol/mL for patients with gastritis (n = 28). These values are all higher than that of normal subjects (4.4 +/- 0.5 fmol/mL, n = 20; P < 0.001, P < 0.01, and P < 0.05, respectively). No significant differences in salivary IR-ET were noted between patients with a normal esophagogastroduodenoscopy and patients with esophagitis (3.8 +/- 0.7 fmol/mL, n = 4) or gastric cancer (5.3 +/- 1.4 fmol/mL, n = 4). There were no significant differences in the salivary IR-ET levels between males and females. However, the salivary IR-ET levels in the smokers (8.0 +/- 0.6 fmol/mL, n = 38) were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than those of the non-smokers (6.0 +/- 0.4 fmol/mL, n = 58). There was no correlation of IR-ET levels with age. Our findings suggest that salivary endothelin may have a contributing role in certain gastroduodenal diseases.

Asian People↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Two-year effect of rosiglitazone in chinese poorly controlled type 2 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study is to assess the 24-week efficacy of the addition of rosiglitazone 4 mg to existing full dose sulfonylurea (SU) and metformin (MET) therapy in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes, and to observe the continued follow-up efficacy and safety of this drug for up to two years. METHODS: This study consists of 32 patients. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), free fatty acid (FFA), high sensitive C-reactive protein (HS-CRP), adiponectin, insulin and C-peptide were measured every four weeks up to week 24. After that time, the FPG continued to be checked every month. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profiles were also checked every 12 weeks for more than two years. RESULTS: HbA1c was reduced by 1.4% at week 12 and by 1.1% at week 24. However HbA1c was still above 9% throughout the whole study period. FPG was reduced significantly when comparing the baseline value to the value after treatment. The FPG values after one year and two years follow-up were similar to the value at week 24. The serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels increased significantly. Serum triglycerides were reduced significantly. Significant reductions in serum FFA from baseline to week 24 were observed. A gradually decrease of serum HS-CRP was noted from baseline to week 24. Serum adiponectin levels increased maximally at week 12 and then it decreased gradually, showing a significant change. Serum insulin and C-peptide levels showed significant changes from baseline to week 24. There were no acute cardiocerebral peripheral vascular disease events or liver damage within the entire study period. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical improvement in glycemic control was observed after the addition of rosiglitazone to type 2 diabetic patients receiving full dose SU and MET therapy. The maximal effect was observed at week 12 and the effect continued for at least two years. Further, the combination therapy also resulted in an improvement in lipid profiles, decreased HS-CRP and increased adiponectin levels in the short term (24 weeks). This combination therapy is also safe and beneficial for at least two years because no acute episodes of cardiocerebral peripheral vascular disease were seen.

Adiponectin↗