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Biomedical subjects

A Lerman

Publications and source records attributed to A Lerman.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Smoking status and outcome after primary coronary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Because of the increased propensity of intracoronary thrombi to form in cigarette smokers, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTCA) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may be less effective in smokers. We sought to determine the impact of smoking status on outcome after PTCA for AMI. METHODS: Patients enrolled in the GUSTO IIb Angioplasty Substudy were randomly assigned to receive PTCA or tissue-plasminogen activator (tPA) for AMI. The interaction of smoking status (nonsmokers = 344, former smokers = 294, current smokers = 490) and treatment strategy with the occurrence of death, nonfatal reinfarction, or nonfatal, disabling stroke at 30 days was analyzed. Procedural success (residual stenosis <50% and Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction [TIMI] flow grade 3) was also analyzed for patients who underwent PTCA (n = 444). RESULTS: Among patients who underwent PTCA, nonsmokers had worse percent stenosis of the culprit lesion before reperfusion (P =.03) and more often had TIMI flow grade 0 (P <.05). Procedural success was more common in smokers (65.6%) than in former smokers (53.3%) and nonsmokers (52. 4%; P =.02), reflecting a higher rate of postprocedure TIMI 3 flow. PTCA was associated with a better 30-day outcome than tPA for current smokers (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.41 [0.19 to 0.88]), with a similar trend for former smokers (0.73 [0.34 to 1. 58]) and nonsmokers (0.77 [0.42 to 1.40]). At 6 months, smokers randomly assigned to PTCA also had fewer deaths and reinfarction (0. 58 [0.31 to 1.07]). CONCLUSIONS: Although smoking status affects angiographic variables before and after PTCA for AMI, PTCA is associated with a better 30-day outcome than tPA regardless of smoking status and should be considered when readily available.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

Enhanced coronary vasoconstriction to oxidative stress product, 8-epi-prostaglandinF2 alpha, in experimental hypercholesterolemia.

OBJECTIVES: The F2-isoprostanes are a family of novel prostaglandin isomers and a stable product of in vivo oxidative stress. 8-epi-prostaglandinF2 alpha, a member of this isoprostane family, is a vasoconstrictor and its local release may contribute to the abnormal vasomotor tone associated with hypercholesterolemia. We therefore aimed to outline the role of 8-epi-prostaglandinF2 alpha as a coronary vasoconstrictor in experimental hypercholesterolemia. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pigs were randomized to two experimental groups (each n = 9): normal (N) and high cholesterol (HC) diet. To determine the vasoconstrictive effects of 8-epi-prostaglandinF2 alpha in vitro, doses from 10(-9) to 10(-5) M were used to constrict coronary epicardial rings. Plasma total and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the HC group compared with the N group (P < 0.005) as were plasma 8-epi-prostaglandinF2 alpha levels (P < 0.001). 8-epi-prostaglandinF2 alpha immunoreactivity was present in the vessel wall in both groups. Normal vessels with intact endothelium (n = 8 rings) contracted to 8-epi-prostaglandinF2 alpha (maximal contraction 15.5 +/- 8.74%). In the HC group, rings with intact endothelium had a greater contractile response to 8-epi-prostaglandinF2 alpha compared to normals (72.3 +/- 7.9%; n = 8; P < 0.0001). This was reversed by preincubation with NOR-3, a NO donor (maximal contraction 6.7 +/- 1.56%; n = 5; P < 0.0001). Enhanced contraction in normal vessels occurred with endothelial denudation (98.4 +/- 3.56%; n = 6; P < 0.0001) and with preincubation of the endothelium-intact rings with L-NMMA (N-monomethyl-L-arginine), an NO synthase inhibitor (85.5 +/- 10.3%, n = 6, P < 0.001). The enhanced contraction seen with hypercholesterolemia did not occur with other prostanoid vasoconstrictors. CONCLUSION: Experimental hypercholesterolemia leads to a significant increase in 8-epi-prostaglandinF2 alpha levels in addition to enhanced 8-epi-prostaglandinF2 alpha-induced coronary vasoconstriction, in vitro. These findings support a role for the F2-isoprostanes in the regulation of coronary vasomotor tone in pathophysiologic states.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗

Coronary artery apoptosis in experimental hypercholesterolemia.

The altered coronary vasoactivity detected in experimental hypercholesterolemia before lesion formation is presumably due to an imbalance between vasodilating and vasoconstricting factors. Apoptosis, which has been previously described in advanced atherosclerosis, is modulated by vascular derived peptides with vasoactive properties. We hypothesized that coronary apoptosis occurs in experimental hypercholesterolemia prior to lesion formation. Pigs were sacrificed after being on either a high-cholesterol diet for 10-16 weeks (n = 17) or a normal diet (n = 9). Identification of apoptosis in each layer of coronary arteries and arterioles was performed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL). In additional animals, ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and transmission electron and confocal microscopy were done. Plasma cholesterol levels were higher in the cholesterol-fed animals (86+/-9 mg/dl versus 342+/-20 mg/dl, P < 0.001). Atheromatous plaques were not evident in the high-cholesterol group. TUNEL was positive in 11 of 17 hypercholesterolemic animals, primarily in the intima (1-2% of cells) and adventitia (3% of cells), but not in control vessels. A similar distribution was detected in arterioles. DNA bands were detected only in experimental animals, as were morphological features of apoptosis by transmission electron and confocal microscopy. In experimental hypercholesterolemia, apoptosis occurred in coronary arteries and arterioles before lesion formation. Apoptosis may be an integral process of early coronary atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

Apoptosis. Basic concepts and implications in coronary artery disease.

Apoptosis is an active form of cell death that is intricately regulated and distinct from necrosis. Data suggest that apoptosis may play a role in the pathophysiology of coronary atherosclerotic disease. Anatomic evidence of apoptosis has been observed in coronary atherosclerosis, restenosis, and transplant arteriopathy, accompanied by an increase in biochemical and genetic markers of apoptosis. Vasoactive substances such as nitric oxide and angiotensin II also regulate vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis; vasodilating factors may induce apoptosis, whereas vasoconstricting factors may inhibit apoptosis. The aim of this article is to review key points regarding the detection of apoptosis, its regulation, and its possible role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease.

Apoptosis↗

Coronary endothelial function is preserved with chronic endothelin receptor antagonism in experimental hypercholesterolemia in vitro.

Hypercholesterolemia is associated with increased circulating and tissue endothelin-1 immunoreactivity, decreased nitric oxide (NO) activity, and altered endothelial function. We tested the hypothesis that chronic endothelin receptor antagonism preserves endothelial function and increases NO in experimental porcine hypercholesterolemia. Pigs were randomized to 3 groups: Group 1, a 2% high-cholesterol (HC) diet alone (n=7); group 2, RO-48-5695, a combined endothelin receptor antagonist, and an HC diet (n=8); and group 3, ABT-627, a selective endothelin-A receptor antagonist, and an HC diet (n=8). Coronary epicardial and arteriolar endothelial function was determined by a dose-response relaxation to bradykinin (10(-11) to 10(-6) mol/L), in all groups and in pigs maintained on a normal diet. Plasma total oxidized products of NO (NO(x)) were determined by chemiluminescence at baseline and after 12 weeks. Bradykinin-stimulated coronary epicardial and arteriolar relaxation in group 1 was attenuated compared with normal-diet controls. This relaxation was normalized with endothelin receptor antagonism. Plasma NO(x) decreased after 12 weeks in group 1 (-74.8+/-5.5%). This decrease was attenuated in the endothelin receptor antagonist groups (group 2, -28.2+/-15.0%; group 3, -38.9+/-20.6%). Chronic endothelin receptor antagonism preserves coronary endothelial function and increases NO in hypercholesterolemia. This study supports a role of endothelin-1 in the regulation of NO activity and suggests a possible therapeutic role for endothelin receptor antagonists in hypercholesterolemia.

Animals↗

Attenuated in vitro coronary arteriolar vasorelaxation to insulin-like growth factor I in experimental hypercholesterolemia.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 affect coronary vasoactivity. Experimental hypercholesterolemia is associated with coronary atherogenesis and altered vasomotor regulation. Because the IGF axis is altered during atherogenesis, we postulated that experimental hypercholesterolemia is associated with an altered coronary vasoactive response to IGF-1 in vitro. Coronary arteries and arterioles from pigs fed either a normal or high-cholesterol diet for 10 weeks were contracted with endothelin-1 and relaxed with cumulative concentrations of insulin or IGF-1 (10(-12) to 10(-7) mol/L). Control arterioles were also incubated with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor 10(-4) mol/L N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) or the potassium channel blocker 10(-2) mol/L tetraethylammonium (TEA), contracted with endothelin-1, and relaxed with insulin or IGF-1. Experimental hypercholesterolemia (1) increased serum cholesterol (9.5+/-1.0 versus 1.9+/-0.08 mmol/L; P<0.0001), (2) caused coronary arterial and arteriolar endothelial dysfunction in vitro (attenuated vasorelaxation to bradykinin), (3) did not alter the epicardial response to either insulin (P=0.80) or IGF-1 (P=0.12), and (4) significantly attenuated the arteriolar response to IGF-1 (maximal relaxation of 79+/-6% versus 42+/-8%; P=0.01) but not insulin (43+/-6% versus 53+/-7%; P=0.99). Control arteriolar vasorelaxation to IGF-1 was attenuated by both L-NMMA (P<0.001) and TEA (P=0.01), whereas only L-NMMA attenuated insulin (P<0.001). Staining for IGF-1 and IGF binding protein 2 was increased (P<0.05) in arterioles of cholesterol-fed pigs. IGF-1 and insulin are therefore coronary arteriolar vasorelaxants through different mechanisms. Experimental hypercholesterolemia is associated with resistance to the coronary arteriolar vasorelaxing effects of IGF-1 but not insulin, in conjunction with increased ligand and binding-protein expression. The IGF axis may contribute to the altered coronary vasoactivity in hypercholesterolemia.

Animals↗

In vivo renal vascular and tubular function in experimental hypercholesterolemia.

Hypercholesterolemia (HC) is often associated with impaired peripheral and coronary vascular responses to endothelium-dependent vasodilators, which are probably due to low bioavailability of nitric oxide. To examine the effect of HC on renal vascular and tubular function, 22 domestic pigs were studied after being fed a 12-week normal (n=11) or HC (n=11) diet. Renal regional perfusion and intratubular contrast media concentration in each nephron segment (representing fluid reabsorption) were quantified in vivo with electron-beam computed tomography before and after a suprarenal infusion of either acetylcholine (6 pigs of each diet) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 5 pigs of each diet). An increase in cortical perfusion, observed in normal pigs with acetylcholine (+35+/-6%, P=0. 002) and SNP (+12+/-4%, P=0.005), was blunted in the HC group (+8. 8+/-4.0, P=0.01, and -4.6+/-4.0%, P=0.1, respectively, P=0.003 and P=0.005 compared with normal) as was an increase in medullary perfusion (+58+/-21 in normal versus +24+/-11% in HC, P=0.04). A decrease in the intratubular contrast media concentration in the distal tubule and collecting duct of normal pigs was observed in all tubular segments (and was significantly enhanced in the proximal tubule and Henle's loop) in the HC group, which was associated with increased sodium excretion. The tubular and renal excretory responses to SNP were similar between the groups. In conclusion, early experimental HC in the pig attenuates renal perfusion response to both endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilators possibly because of decreased bioavailability or decreased vascular responsiveness to nitric oxide. This vascular impairment may play a role in maladjusted renovascular responses and contribute to renal damage in later stages of atherosclerosis.

Acetylcholine↗

L-Arginine: a novel therapy for coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality today. The treatment of CAD is improving, but its prevalence is increasing: both primary and secondary prevention measures are of vital importance. Atherosclerosis starts at an early age; it is initiated at the vascular endothelium level, a single layer entity that modulates vascular function. Modulation of vascular function is carried out through the L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway. Normal endothelial function requires an intact L-arginine/NO pathway and endothelium. Endothelial dysfunction may be a precursor to overt CAD. CAD risk factors have been shown to influence endothelial function, and the treatment of these risk factors can restore endothelial function. L-Arginine is a safe, novel, semiessential amino acid that increases NO production, thereby improving endothelial function. L-Arginine/NO has numerous beneficial neurohormonal modulating properties. Numerous animal model and human studies have been carried out to assess L-arginine in CAD and other related disorders such as congestive heart failure (CHF), peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Prospective clinical trials are required to assess the promising role of L-arginine in CAD and related disorders

Journal Article↗

Managing chronic fatigue syndrome: overview and case study.

1. The basic principles of envelope theory are explained. By not overexerting themselves, people with CFS can avoid the setbacks and relapses that commonly occur in response to overexertion while increasing their tolerance to activity. 2. By collecting time series data on fluctuations in energy levels, important clinical observations can be made in respect to a client's unique condition and experience with CFS.

Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic↗

Twelve-year outcome of patients with an abnormal exercise radionuclide left ventricular angiogram and angiographically insignificant coronary artery disease.

This study examines the long-term prognosis of patients with an abnormal exercise radionuclide angiogram in the absence of significant angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD). In general, patients without significant CAD have an excellent prognosis, but the long-term outcome for the subset of patients with an "ischemic" exercise test is not known. In this study, 161 patients with normal coronary arteries or insignificant CAD (< 50% left main and < 70% left anterior descending, left circumflex, or right), resting left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction > or = 0.50, and an abnormal exercise radionuclide angiogram (LV ejection fraction that decreased with exercise or peak exercise LV ejection fraction < 0.60) were followed for a median duration of 11.3 years. The mean delta LV ejection fraction was -0.07, 98 patients (61%) had a decrease in LV ejection fraction of > or = 5 units, and 40 patients (25%) had peak exercise LV ejection fraction < 0.50. During follow-up there were 19 deaths (only 1 of which was cardiac), 7 nonfatal myocardial infarctions, and 9 revascularization procedures. At 12 years, overall survival was 88%, better than the expected survival for the age- and sex-matched general population. Survival free of cardiac death or myocardial infarction was 94% and survival free of any cardiac event including revascularization was 88%. Thus, patients with an abnormal exercise radionuclide angiogram but without significant CAD have an excellent long-term prognosis.

Coronary Angiography↗

Selective ET(A) receptor antagonism reduces neointimal hyperplasia in a porcine coronary stent model.

BACKGROUND: As endothelin binds to ET(A) receptors, it stimulates vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and may thus be pivotally involved in the pathogenesis of restenosis. This study assessed the ability of a potent and selective ET(A) antagonist to reduce neointimal hyperplasia in a porcine coronary artery stented injury model. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-five pigs were randomized to receive placebo or the oral ET(A)-selective antagonist ABT147627 twice daily for 28 days in one of three doses: 0.75 mg/kg (low), 3.75 mg/kg (mid), and 10.0 mg/kg (high). Each underwent oversized stent deployment in two randomly assigned major epicardial coronary arteries. Three animals (5.5%) died as a consequence of stent thrombosis within 24 hours of the procedure. The remaining 52 animals (13 pigs per group) survived without complication until predetermined euthanasia at 28 days. In the placebo group, mean injury score was 1.73+/-0.80, with a mean neointimal response of 0.45+/-0.24 mm. By comparison, the low-dose group had a similar mean injury score of 1.79+/-0.75 with reduced neointimal response, 0.36+/-0.22 mm (P<0.01). Mean injury score in the mid-dose animals was significantly greater than in the placebo group (1.94+/-0.92; P<0.05). The neointimal hyperplasia associated with this injury was less than with placebo, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (0.40+/-0.25 mm; P=0.05). In the high-dose pigs, mean injury score was also significantly greater than in the placebo arm (1.93+/-0.73; P<0.05). Despite this, neointimal response was also significantly less (0.37+/-0.37 mm; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Oral, selective ET(A) receptor antagonism significantly reduced neointimal hyperplasia forming over porcine coronary stented injuries in the first 28 days. This strategy may have clinical potential for the limitation and treatment of coronary restenosis after percutaneous revascularization.

Administration, Oral↗

Long-term L-arginine supplementation improves small-vessel coronary endothelial function in humans.

BACKGROUND: Coronary endothelial dysfunction is characterized by an imbalance between endothelium-derived vasodilating and vasoconstricting factors and coronary vasoconstriction in response to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine. Thus, the present double-blind, randomized study was designed to test the hypothesis that long-term, 6-month supplementation of L-arginine, the precursor of the endothelium-derived vasodilator NO, reverses coronary endothelial dysfunction to acetylcholine in humans with nonobstructive coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-six patients without significant coronary artery disease on coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound were blindly randomized to either oral L-arginine or placebo, 3 g TID. Endothelium-dependent coronary blood flow reserve to acetylcholine (10(-6) to 10(-4) mol/L) was assessed at baseline and after 6 months of therapy. There was no difference between the two study groups in clinical characteristics or in the coronary blood flow in the response to acetylcholine at baseline. After 6 months, the coronary blood flow in response to acetylcholine in the subjects who were taking L-arginine increased compared with the placebo group (149 +/- 20% versus 6 +/- 9%, P < 0.05). This was associated with a decrease in plasma endothelin concentrations and an improvement in patients' symptoms scores in the L-arginine treatment group compared with the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term oral L-arginine supplementation for 6 months in humans improves coronary small-vessel endothelial function in association with a significant improvement in symptoms and a decrease in plasma endothelin concentrations. This study proposes a role for L-arginine as a therapeutic option for patients with coronary endothelial dysfunction and nonobstructive coronary artery disease.

Adult↗

Coronary vascular remodeling in association with endothelial dysfunction.

Vascular remodeling has been demonstrated in advanced and early coronary artery disease. Whereas the endothelium may play a role in the adaptive process of vascular remodeling, it is not known if this process occurs in association with changes in coronary blood flow reserve. Early coronary atherosclerosis is characterized by endothelial dysfunction which is manifested by an abnormal coronary blood flow in response to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that coronary vascular remodeling occurs in association with coronary endothelial dysfunction early in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. Thirty-six patients found to have normal coronary angiograms or mild coronary artery disease were studied. Acetylcholine was infused into the left anterior descending artery. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on their coronary blood flow response to acetylcholine. Intravascular ultrasound measurements of the proximal left anterior descending diameter and area were obtained. Vessel diameter and area were measured at the external elastic membrane and indexed to body surface area. Vessel diameter and area were greater in patients with abnormal than normal responses to acetylcholine (5.2 +/- 0.3 mm and 19.5 +/- 0.9 mm2 vs 3.9 +/- 0.3 mm and 12.3 +/- 1.0 mm2; p <0.02, respectively). This difference persisted when measurements were indexed to body surface area. The current study suggests in vivo in humans that coronary vascular remodeling characterized by enlargement of the proximal coronary arteries occurs in association with endothelial dysfunction early in the course of coronary artery disease.

Adult↗

Enhanced coronary vasa vasorum neovascularization in experimental hypercholesterolemia.

Coronary arteries contain a network of vasa vasorum in the adventitia. The three-dimensional anatomy of the vasa vasorum in early coronary atherosclerosis is unknown. This study was designed to visualize and quantitate the three-dimensional spatial pattern of vasa vasorum in normal and experimental hypercholesterolemic porcine coronary arteries, using a novel computed tomography technique. Animals were killed after being fed either a high cholesterol diet (n = 4) or a control diet (n = 4) for 12 wk. The proximal left anterior descending coronary artery was removed from the heart, scanned, and reconstructed, and quantitation of vasa vasorum density was performed. Two different types of vasa vasorum were defined: first-order vasa vasorum ran longitudinally parallel to the vessel and second-order originated from first-order vasa circumferentially around the vessel wall. Compared with controls in hypercholesterolemic coronary arteries, there was a significant increase in the area of the vessel wall (3.86+/-0.22 vs. 8.07+/-0.45 mm2, respectively, P < 0.01) and in the density of vasa vasorum (1. 84+/-0.05/mm2 vs. 4.73+/-0.24/mm2; respectively, P = 0.0001). This occurred especially by an increase of second-order vasa vasorum and disorientation of normal vasa vasorum spatial pattern. This study suggests that adventitial neovascularization of vasa vasorum occurs in experimental hypercholesterolemic coronary arteries and may be a part of the early atherosclerotic remodeling process.

Animals↗

The effect of estrogen replacement therapy on plasma nitric oxide and endothelin-1 levels in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in postmenopausal women decreases cardiac mortality and improves endothelial function. The endothelium regulates vascular tone and growth by releasing such factors as nitric oxide and endothelin-1. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ERT alters the balance between the total oxidized products of nitric oxide and endothelin-1. DESIGN: Single-arm, before-after clinical trial. SETTING: Outpatient clinical research center of an academic medical center. PATIENTS: 15 postmenopausal women. INTERVENTION: Treatment with 17 beta-estradiol for 6 months and a 10-day course of methoxyprogesterone every 3 months. MEASUREMENTS: Plasma nitric oxide and endothelin-1 levels were measured at baseline and after 6 months of ERT. RESULTS: The mean baseline nitric oxide level was 27.5 nmol/mL (range, 20.3 to 34.8 nmol/mL) and increased by a mean of 7.2 nmol/mL (range, 0.2 to 14.1 nmol/mL) (P = 0.04). The mean baseline plasma endothelin-1 level was 16.4 pg/mL (range, 12.0 to 20.8 pg/mL) and decreased by a mean of 3.9 pg/mL (range, 0.4 to 7.8 pg/mL) (P = 0.04). The mean baseline ratio of nitric oxide to endothelin-1 was 2.0 (range, 1.3 to 2.8) and increased by 1.2 (range, 0.1 to 2.2) (P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: ERT results in an increased ratio of nitric oxide to endothelin-1. This may be one mechanism by which ERT provides cardiovascular benefit.

Aged↗

Effect of basal epicardial tone on endothelium-independent coronary flow reserve measurement.

Increased basal epicardial tone may attenuate the coronary flow reserve (CFR) by causing vasodilatation of resistance vessels. We examined the effect of basal epicardial tone on the endothelium-independent CFR measurements in subjects with nonobstructive coronary disease. Patients underwent evaluation of endothelium-independent CFR using adenosine (18-36 microg) and endothelium-dependent CFR using acetylcholine (10(-6) M-10(-4) M), both administered intracoronary. CFR to adenosine, presented as the ratio of Doppler flow velocities post- and pre-adenosine, was measured at baseline and after intracoronary nitroglycerin (200 microg). Nitroglycerin increased the coronary artery diameter by 19.7 +/- 2.5%, and decreased the coronary vascular resistance from 3.0 +/- 0.2 mm Hg/ml/min to 1.8 +/- 0.1 mm Hg/ml/min (p < 0.0001). The response to adenosine at baseline and after nitroglycerin was similar (CFR ratio of 2.52 +/- 0.09 and 2.57 +/- 0.10, respectively, p = NS). The effect of nitroglycerin on the response to adenosine did not correlate with coronary endothelial function (r2 = 0.06, p = 0.13). The basal epicardial tone does not affect CFR measurements in patients with angina and nonobstructive coronary disease.

Acetylcholine↗