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Biomedical subjects

J Rubiés-Prat

Publications and source records attributed to J Rubiés-Prat.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Decreased endogenous antioxidant enzymatic status in essential hypertension.

Several lines of evidence suggest that patients with essential hypertension have impaired endothelial nitric oxide activity and increased superoxide anion production. However, the mechanisms underlying these abnormalities remain unknown. We measured enzymatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities in erythrocytes and whole blood, respectively, in 30 newly-diagnosed, normolipidaemic untreated mild hypertensive patients and in 164 age-matched healthy controls. SOD and GPX activities in hypertensive patients (806 +/- 225 U/Hb.g and 5491 +/- 2073 U/L, respectively) were significantly lower than in the control group (931 +/- 202 U/Hb.g and 6669 +/- 1560 U/L, respectively) (P < 0.005). No significant association was found between these antioxidant enzyme activities and blood pressure in normotensive controls. In the hypertensives, only log-transformed SOD activity showed a significant negative correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.37, P < 0.05; r = 0.64, P < 0.0001, respectively). The low endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities observed may in turn result in decreased superoxide anion removal leading to nitric oxide inactivation. Journal of Human Hypertension (2000) 14, 343-345

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Differential expression of double-band apolipoprotein(a) phenotypes in healthy Spanish subjects detected by SDS-agarose immunoblotting.

A sodium dodecyl sulphate-agarose apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] phenotyping method was set up to attain accurate scanning densitometry of proteins. Serum samples from 99 healthy Spanish men were analysed and twenty-five different apo(a) isoforms (12 to 37 kringle 4 repeats) were detected. Double-band phenotypes accounted for 39.4% (n = 39) and three different patterns of protein expression were identified: pattern A (20.5% of double-band phenotyped samples) predominantly expressed the highest molecular weight isoform; pattern B (53.9%) mainly the lowest molecular weight isoform, and pattern AB (25.6%), expressed both isoforms equally. A significant linear association between expression pattern and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] concentration > or = 0.30 g/l was observed. Single-band phenotyped samples (n = 60) were stratified according to apo(a) kringle 4 repeat categories and showed that 90% of isoforms < 20 K4 repeats had high Lp(a) concentrations (> or = 0.30 g/l), whereas isoforms with 20 to 24 or more than 24 kringle 4 repeats had Lp(a) concentrations > or = 0.30 g/l in 47% and 14%, respectively. A logistic regression model was fitted to test the association between apo(a) size, expression pattern and Lp(a) concentration. In this model, apo(a) isoform < 25 kringle 4 repeats was significantly associated with serum Lp(a) concentration > or = 0.30 g/l in both single and double-band phenotyped samples (odds ratio = 8.9, p < 0.001). In the latter, a differential expression pattern with respect to smaller size isoforms (pattern AB vs A) was significantly associated with Lp(a) concentration > or = 0.30 g/l (odds ratio = 17.97, P = 0.045). Heterogeneity in protein apo(a) size expressed according to kringle 4 repeat number could be categorized in heterozygous phenotypes as three patterns. When small-sized isoform was expressed (pattern B) or both isoforms were equally expressed (pattern AB), the probability of having Lp(a) > or = 0.30 g/l is higher.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Lacrimal immunoglobulins in rheumatoid arthritis patients with or without Sjögren's syndrome.

The aim of the present study was to analyse immunoglobulin G, A, and M levels in tears of patients with rheumatoid arthritis with or without keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KS) which define Sjögren's syndrome (SS). Tears were collected from the lower cul-de-sac by capillarity (100-300 microl). Tear IgG, IgA and IgM levels were determined by radial immunodiffusion. Samples diluted 1:10 were used for IgA and IgG and non-diluted ones for IgM. Fifty-three patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 30 healthy control subjects were studied. In all individuals IgA predominated in tears, IgG levels were low but with a very wide range and IgM was present in very low concentrations. The IgG concentration in tears showed statistically significant differences between the control group and that of rheumatoid arthritis and KS. IgG in tears correlated positively with the rose bengal test (r=0.2848, p<0.05) and negatively with the Schirmer test (r=0.3042, p<0.05). Tear IgG measurement might provide a marker for eye involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and KS which define SS.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Interaction of family history of atherosclerosis with atherogenic lipid traits in men with non-coronary atherosclerosis.

Family history of atherosclerosis has been recognised as an nonmodifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Lipid levels, together with hypertension and diabetes, appear to have an inheritable component. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether lipoprotein abnormalities of 169 adult patients with non-coronary atherosclerosis were associated with a family history of atherosclerosis. Besides intermediate density lipopoprotein composition and Lp(a) levels, we focused on apo(a) and apo E phenotypes, LDL cholesterol/apo B ratio, VLDL triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio, and environmental factors. We found that patients with a family history of atherosclerosis had a higher prevalence of VLDL triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio above 1.8 (51.3% vs 34.7%) than patients without. Similarly, there was a significant inverse correlation between both considered ratios (r = -0.24, p < 0.05). The odds ratio of the presence of both abnormal ratios (4.60, 95% CI, 1.41-15.00) and low molecular weight apo(a) isoforms (3.30, 95% CI, 1.05-10.30 and family history of atherosclerosis was independent of smoking and hypertension. Apo(a) isoform size seems to be more important than Lp(a) concentrations in the family history of atherosclerosis risk determination. Subsequent analysis showed that patients with a family history of atherosclerosis had a greater-than-fourfold increased risk of having one or both abnormal ratios reflecting metabolic disturbances which probably constitute a combined trait. Family history of atherosclerosis may constitute a specific lipoprotein-related marker of atherosclerosis. Such a marker often precedes the onset of overt disease and may contribute to identifying patients with an atherogenic lipoprotein profile even in the absence of classical lipid risk factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Thrombomodulin and induced tissue factor expression on monocytes as markers of diabetic microangiopathy: a prospective study on hemostasis and lipoproteins in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Vascular complications are the main cause of morbidity in diabetes mellitus. To evaluate lipoprotein and hemostatic parameters and their relationship with clinically detectable microangiopathy, we studied 58 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients and 60 controls matched for age, sex, and body mass index. Thirteen patients presented clinically detectable microangiopathy (8 retinopathy and 5 both retinopathy and microalbuminuria). A cross-sectional study of lipid profile, coagulation parameters, and a flow-cytometric evaluation of tissue factor expression in normal monocytes induced by patient plasma were performed. Patients were re-evaluated for microangiopathy in a 3-year median follow-up. Patients showed triglyceride enrichment in low (P = 0.00002) and high density lipoproteins (P = 0.004) and increased levels of D-dimer (P < 0.00001), prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (P < 0.00001), and thrombin-antithrombin III complex (P = 0.0001). Patients with clinically detectable microangiopathy had increased type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (P = 0.00001), thrombomodulin (P = 0.02), and induced monocyte tissue factor expression (P < 0.00001). Nine patients developed clinically detectable microangiopathy in the follow-up and the only predictive variable was increased induced tissue factor expression. In conclusion, in these patients elevated thrombin and fibrin generation reflects a hypercoagulable state but clinically detectable microangiopathy seems related to endothelial cell injury markers and to increased induced tissue factor expression on monocytes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Multicenter comparative study on safety, tolerance, and effectiveness of lovastatin combined or not with cholestyramine, and gemfibrozil combined or not with cholestyramine in the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia].

BACKGROUND: The well-known relationship between high plasma cholesterol levels and coronary heart disease makes the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia an important issue. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized, double-blind 12 week study to compare lovastatin (20-80 mg/day) and gemfibrozil (600 mg b.i.d.) was performed in 59 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. Resincholestyramine was started on week 12, at a dose of 8-16 g/day for the next 12 weeks in any patient whose LDL-cholesterol exceeded 165 mg/dl at week 12. RESULTS: Total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly (23.8%, 16.4% and 30.9%, respectively) after lovastatin therapy, whereas HDL-cholesterol increased (13.9%). The figures for the group treated with gemfibrozil were 12.8%, 30.3%, 17.2% and 14.6%, respectively. Mean changes between the two groups were statistically significant for all parameters except for HDL-cholesterol. LDL-cholesterol decreased below 165 mg/dl in 69% of patients receiving lovastatin and 36.7% of patients treated with gemfibrozil (p < 0.05). During the second phase there were no additional significant changes in the 9 patients of the lovastatin group and the 20 patients of the gemfibrozil group after cholestyramine, but LDL-cholesterol decreased below 165 mg/dl in 5 patients (55%) and 6 patients (30%), respectively. Side-effects were more prevalent in patients treated with gemfibrozil alone or in combination with cholestyramine. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with primary hypercholesterolemia, lovastatin alone or in combination with cholestyramine was more effective than gemfibrozil alone or in combination with cholestyramine to lower total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. The effect of both drugs on HDL-cholesterol was similar.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Amount and intensity of physical activity, physical fitness, and serum lipids in men. The MARATHOM Investigators.

Physical activity improves one's lipid profile and increases physical fitness. The present study was aimed at determining the association of amount and intensity of leisure time physical activity with serum lipid profile and physical fitness. A total of 537 healthy men aged 20-60 years were recruited in a quota sampling frame for measurement of physical activity energy expenditure at two different levels. The Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire was administered. Serum lipid and lipoprotein levels were measured, and all participants were given an exercise test. Physical activities with an intensity greater than 7 kcal/minute were significantly associated (p < 0.01) with a higher level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and a lower atherogenic index (total cholesterol:HDL cholesterol). Independently of other confounding variables, each average 100 kcal/day expended in leisure time physical activity with an intensity greater than 7 kcal/minute during the previous year was associated with an increase of 2.09 mg/dl (0.054 mmol/liter) in HDL cholesterol and a decrease of 0.23 in atherogenic index. However, only physical activity with an intensity greater than 9 kcal/minute was associated with decreases in total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and log(triglycerides). Better physical fitness was associated with physical activities of intensities above 5 kcal/minute. There is a threshold in the intensity of exercise associated with serum lipid profile (7 kcal/minute) and physical fitness (5 kcal/minute). Above the former threshold, the relation between amount of physical activity and lipid levels is linear for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, and atherogenic index and is logarithmic for triglycerides.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Increased radionuclide uptake on bone scintiscans: a common but not clinically significant finding for human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patients free of osteoarticular symptoms.

The aim of this study was to describe findings of bone scintiscans and their clinical significance for patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1); 33 HIV-1-infected patients (22 men and 11 women) free of osteoarticular symptoms were included in the study. Plain bone roentgenograms, bone mineral contents (measured by dual-photon absorptiometry), and scintiscans (determined with 99mTc diphosphonate) were obtained for all subjects. Plain bone roentgenograms showed no abnormalities, and bone mineral contents were within the normal range for all patients. Radionuclide bone scans were unremarkable for eight patients (24%) and showed symmetrical abnormally increased uptake in the epiphyseal region of the appendicular skeleton in 25 (76%). Follow-up of the patients for > or = 1 year ruled out subsequent development of osteoarticular disorders. Generalized, symmetrical increased radionuclide uptake on bone scans is a common finding for HIV-1 infected patients free of osteoarticular symptoms. This finding is probably related to bone marrow hypercellularity and is of no clinical significance; therefore, other diagnostic procedures are not required in the workup of these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

When to treat dyslipidaemia of patients with chronic renal failure on haemodialysis? A need to define specific guidelines.

BACKGROUND: There are no specific recommendations for management of dyslipidaemia in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) on haemodialysis, in which atherosclerosis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to analyse different approaches based on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (measured and calculated with a formula), non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol levels in the clinical management of dyslipidaemia in haemodialysis patients. METHODS: Calculated LDL cholesterol by the Friedewald formula was compared with measured LDL cholesterol after separation by ultracentrifugation in 101 male patients with CRF on haemodialysis and in 101 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Calculated LDL cholesterol coincided with measured LDL cholesterol, with less than 10% error, in 54 patients (53.4%) and in 75 controls (74.2%). Calculated LDL cholesterol was overestimated, with an error of 10% or more with respect to measured LDL cholesterol, in 37.6% of patients and in 23.7% of controls, and underestimated in 8.9% and 1. 9% respectively. Despite a good correlation between calculated and measured LDL cholesterol, the intraclass correlation coefficients demonstrate a poor concordance between calculated and measured LDL cholesterol, both in patients and controls. Only 17 patients were at non-HDL cholesterol level risk defined as higher than 4.28 mmol/l. HDL cholesterol levels lower than 0.9 mmol/l were found in 70% of patients and in 23% of controls. CONCLUSIONS: LDL or non-HDL cholesterol levels may not be appropriate for management of lipoprotein abnormalities in CRF patients. Further studies must clarify whether HDL cholesterol may be the best lipoprotein parameter for evaluating cardiovascular risk in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Secondary prevention of coronary heart disease in patients with extracoronary atherosclerosis: a need for accuracy of low density lipoprotein determination.

According to the new guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) for secondary prevention in adults with evidence of coronary heart disease or other clinical atherosclerotic disease, lipoprotein analysis is required and classification is based on low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The aim of the present study was to analyze the reliability of calculated LDL cholesterol by the Friedewald formula compared with measured LDL cholesterol after separation by ultracentrifugation in 202 male patients with extracoronary atherosclerosis (100 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease and 102 patients with peripheral vascular disease) and in 117 health control subjects. Calculated LDL cholesterol coincided with measured LDL cholesterol, with less than 10% error, in 118 patients (58.4%) with extracoronary atherosclerosis and in 87 controls (74.4%). Calculated LDL cholesterol was overestimated, with an error of 10% or more compared with measured LDL cholesterol, in 34.6% of patients and 22.2% of controls, and underestimated in 6.9% and 3.4% respectively. Despite a good correlation between calculated and measured LDL cholesterol, the intraclass correlation coefficients demonstrate a poor concordance between calculated and measured LDL cholesterol, both in patients and controls. The authors underline the need for caution in assessing the reliability of calculated LDL cholesterol.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Interrelationship of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, serum lipoprotein (a) concentration and apolipoprotein(a) size.

At present, the biochemical mechanisms underlying lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) metabolism are not fully understood. We analysed sera from 202 patients with atherosclerotic disease and 109 healthy subjects as a control group to investigate the possible relationship between triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) and serum lipoprotein(a) levels. To assess the influence of apolipoprotein (apo) (a) isoforms on the Lp(a)-TRL association, the apo(a) phenotypes of 177 patients and 95 controls were included in the analysis. Patients with atherosclerotic disease showed triglyceride levels almost within the normal range. There was no significant correlation between serum Lp(a) levels and triglyceride concentrations, or between Lp(a) and TRL levels in either group. When a subset of subjects from each group with serum triglycerides above 1.7 mmol l-1 was considered, a significant negative correlation between lipid concentration of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and serum Lp(a) levels was found only in patients. Control subjects with triglyceride levels under or over 1.7 mmol l-1 showed similar median Lp(a) levels (0.06 gl-1), in contrast to atherosclerotic patients, in whom median Lp(a) concentration was higher in the subset with serum triglycerides under 1.7 mmol l-1 than in those with triglyceride concentration above this value (0.16 vs. 0.13 gl-1). When patients with triglyceride concentrations above 1.7 mmol l-1 were classified into quartiles according to VLDL lipid concentration, subjects with the highest quartiles showed the lowest Lp(a) median levels. Despite the dependence of the Lp(a) concentration on apo(a) size isoforms, we found no effect of apo(a) genetic polymorphism on triglyceride levels or on TRL concentrations. We conclude that the variation in TRL metabolism may constitute a source of variation in serum Lp(a) concentrations that is independent of the genetically determined apo(a) molecule size.

Aged↗