Biomedical subjects

Yitzhak Beigel

Publications and source records attributed to Yitzhak Beigel.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Effect of different LDL-apheresis methods on parameters involved in atherosclerosis.

LDL-apheresis lowers the LDL level in patients with severe hypercholesterolemia. The present study compared three apheresis methods--DSA, DALI, and plasma exchange--for effectiveness in removal of LDL and effect on various blood parameters involved in atherogenesis. The study group included 6 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia unresponsive to maximal drug therapy. All were treated first with 4 consecutive plasma exchange sessions followed by 4 DSA sessions; in four out of six, an additional 4 sessions of DALI were then performed. Levels of lipoproteins, apoproteins, CRP, homocysteine, fibrinogen, and blood count were determined before and after each session. All 3 procedures yielded a significant reduction in total cholesterol and ApoB-containing lipoproteins, with DALI being the most effective. Also, a significant reduction in triglycerides, HDL, and ApoA1 was observed with all the methods. The reduction in HDL-C with DSA and DALI was greater than previously reported. The LDL/HDL-cholesterol ratio decreased significantly with DSA and DALI and increased with plasma exchange. There was a significant decrease in CRP, fibrinogen, and platelets with all three methods, and a significant decrease in homocysteine only with DSA and DALI. All three procedures effectively reduced the concentration of various compounds involved in atherosclerosis. Plasma exchange is nonselective and cannot be recommended as the procedure of choice.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2004

The degree of red blood cell aggregation on peripheral blood glass slides corresponds to inter-erythrocyte cohesive forces in laminar flow.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the degree of correlation between red blood cell (RBC) aggregation on peripheral blood glass slides (PBGS) as determined by image analysis and the inter-erythrocytic cohesive forces as determined in a computerized cell flow properties analyzer (CFA). STUDY DESIGN: RBC aggregation was assessed using both systems simultaneously in healthy volunteers, obese patients and hypercholesterolemic individuals before and following LDL apheresis. RESULTS: A significant (r = 0.5, p < 0.001) correlation was noted between the flow-dependent average aggregate size (AAS) obtained in the CFA and the degree of RBC aggregation on peripheral blood glass slides. Moreover, the enhanced RBC aggregation on the slides was positively associated with the appearance of larger aggregates in the CFA (r = 0.5, p < 0.001) and inversely with the formation of smaller aggregates (r = -0.27, p < 0.04). A similar reduction in RBC aggregation following LDL apheresis was noted in both systems. CONCLUSIONS: The phenomenon of RBC aggregation on peripheral blood glass slides is governed by significant inter-erythrocytic cohesive forces and is not a result of a mere coincidental superimposition of cells. The slide test offers a rapid and simple method of evaluating rheologically significant RBC aggregation, and may allow stratification of patients at risk for atherothrombosis.

Cell Adhesion↗

PubMed2003

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Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic↗

PubMed2003

Transthoracic echocardiographic assessment of proximal ascending aorta elasticity in familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia patients.

BACKGROUND: Decreased elasticity of the aorta is associated with aging and several risk factors of atherosclerosis. The data regarding this phenomenon in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia are rather sparse. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate non-invasively the elasticity of the proximal ascending aorta of 51 heterozygous FH patients compared to 42 normal age and gender-matched controls. METHODS: Aortic elasticity was estimated by transthoracic echocardiography using the "pressure-strain" elastic modulus and aortic strain formulas. RESULTS: The elastic modulus score was higher in the FH group than in the controls (1.12 +/- 0.91 10(6) dynes/cm2 vs. 0.65 +/- 0.46 10(6) dynes/cm2 respectively, P = 0.01). This was consistent in both the pediatric (0.5 +/- 0.2 10(6) dynes/cm2 vs. 0.4 +/- 0.1 10(6) dynes/cm2 respectively, P = 0.009) and adult subgroups (1.3 +/- 1.0 10(6) dynes/cm2 vs. 0.8 +/- 0.5 10(6) dynes/cm2 respectively, P = 0.0004). Aortic strain was significantly lower in patients with FH than in controls (6 +/- 4% vs. 9 +/- 5% respectively, P = 0.0002). These findings reflected decreased elasticity of the proximal ascending aorta in the FH patients. In multivariate analysis, age, serum cholesterol level and serum triglycerides level were the independent predictors of the elastic modulus score, whereas age was the predictor of aortic strain. CONCLUSIONS: The elasticity of the proximal ascending aorta is decreased in heterozygous FH patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Effect of garlic on lipid profile and psychopathologic parameters in people with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutyaryl co-enzyme A reductase inhibitors on cardiovascular risk reduction has been clearly established. Concerns have been raised that lowering blood cholesterol by other hypolipidemic drugs or by a non-pharmacologic approach may have deleterious effects on psychopathologic parameters. Garlic is one of the most commonly used herbal remedies and is considered to have hypocholesterolemic as well as other cardioprotective properties. Its effect on psychopathologic parameters has never been reported. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of garlic on lipid parameters and depression, impulsivity, hostility and temperament in patients with primary type 2 hyperlipidemia. METHODS: In a 16 week prospective double-blind placebo-controlled study, 33 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and no evidence of cardiovascular disease were randomly assigned to receive either garlic or placebo. Garlic in the form of alliin 22.4 mg/day was given to 13 patients, and placebo to 20. Both groups received individual dietary counseling. The changes in lipid profile and the various psychopathologic parameters were determined at the beginning and end of the trial. The differences in lipid parameters were evaluated by Student's t-test. The psychological data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures and Neuman-Keuls test. RESULTS: No significant changes were observed in levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides, or in the psychopathologic parameters evaluated. CONCLUSION: Short-term garlic therapy in adults with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia does not affect either lipid levels or various psychopathologic parameters.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

The erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation test to reveal real-time information of rheological relevance in patients with familial and primary hypercholesterolemia before and following plasma exchange.

We applied an erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation test (EAAT) to a model of plasma exchange in individuals with familial and primary hypercholesterolemia. The significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in the concentration of fibrinogen by 56%, globulins by 48%, and cholesterol by 53% corresponded to the expected significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in the degree of erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation in the peripheral venous blood. By virtue of its being a real-time, simple, very-low-cost, and essentially bedside technique, the EAAT might have the potential of disclosing information of rheological relevance immediately before, during, as well as following apheretical procedures administered to patients with an impaired rheological profile.

Adhesiveness↗