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Biomedical subjects

G Schettler

Publications and source records attributed to G Schettler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Risk factor patterns for coronary heart disease in China, Japan and Germany.

The risk factor patterns for coronary heart disease in China, Japan and Germany were studied. 6,025 Germans, 7,580 Japanese and 2,047 Chinese aged 30-59 were investigated following the protocol of the Göttingen Risk, Incidence, and Prevalence Study carried out in West Germany in 1982. It is concluded that in China, the risk factor intervention focuses mainly on smoking and hypertension; smoking also remains the most important risk factor in Japan; while in Germany the major targets are obesity and hyperlipidemia. However, about 38% of the participants from West Germany showed 3 or more risk factors accumulated per person. Thus the multifactorial risk factor reduction might be necessary in Germany.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Differences in the risk factor patterns for coronary heart disease in China, Japan, and Germany.

In Asia coronary heart disease mortality is almost 10 fold less frequent than in European countries. These findings attract interest to search for different risk factor patterns. From 1982 to 1985 epidemiologic surveys were carried out in China (n = 2047), Japan (n = 7580) and Germany (n = 6052). Healthy, male subjects, aged 30 to 59 years were enrolled. The prevalence rate of hypertension for the Germans was 20% versus 18% for the Japanese, and 11% for the Chinese. About 69% of Chinese, 55% of Japanese, and 37% of Germans were smokers. About 66% of the Germans were overweight (BMI greater than 25), 17% of the Japanese, and 11% of the Chinese. The highest risk group with cholesterol levels of greater than 300 mg/dl included no Chinese subject, 0.1% of the Japanese, but 5% of the Germans. The lipoprotein profiles among the Japanese and the Chinese collectives typically showed antiatherosclerotic characteristics, whereas most Germans exhibited profiles which support development of atherosclerosis. About 36% of the participants from Germany showed 3 or more risk factors accumulated per person (Japan and China 5%). Multifactorial risk factor reduction for Germany is recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Incidence and mortality rates of myocardial infarction in Chinese workers aged 40-59 in relation to coronary risk factors. Results of a Chinese prospective study (Wuhan Study) in comparison to the Göttingen Risk Incidence and Prevalence Study (GRIPS).

Some 2045 male Chinese industrial workers aged 40-59 years living in the city of Wuhan in the People's Republic of China were examined for coronary risk factors in the year 1983. The investigation included a patient history, clinical examination, and ECG and laboratory tests, with special attention to serum lipids. After 5 years, a follow-up investigation of the study group was carried out. The results were compared to the similarly designed German GRIPS project. In comparison to the German population, significantly lower levels for total-, LDL-, and VLDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, triglycerides, uric acid, body mass index, and diastolic blood pressure were found in China. The percentage of smokers, however, was remarkably higher in China than in the Federal Republic of Germany. During the 5 year observation period in the Chinese sample, four subjects suffered from sudden death and four from nonfatal myocardial infarction; in the German study group three times as many fatal myocardial infarction and cases of sudden death and 7.5 times as many nonfatal myocardial infarctions were recorded. Nonfatal coronary heart disease and peripheral vascular disease were also observed less often in China. The incidence of cerebrovascular diseases was 1.5 times higher in China than in Germany. Whereas in Germany, total-, and LDL-cholesterol values were the major distinguishing parameters between infarction and reference groups, in China these values have thus far had no significant influence on the level of risk. Instead in the Chinese incidence group, significantly higher levels for blood pressure, body mass index, uric acid, and the ratio LDL/HDL-cholesterol were found.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Molecular mechanisms in atherogenesis].

Disturbances of the lipid metabolism play a key role in atherogenesis, cholesterol, however, is not stored passively in the arterial wall, but on the basis of complex, partly still unknown humoral and cellular processes. The proliferative lesion of the arteriosclerotic vascular wall is characterized by injured endothelial cells, differentiating macrophages, immunocompetent T-lymphocytes and proliferating smooth muscle cells. Molecular biological investigations on cells of arteriosclerotic plaques among others clarified growth factors, cytokines, factors of angiogenesis and growth inhibitors in form and significance. Risk factors damage the endothelium and thus cause the production of these mediators. The adhesion proteins and the proto-oncogene c-sis play a further role. The latter might produce a connection between arteriosclerosis and cancer research.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Platelet-derived growth factor--a growth factor with an expanding role in health and disease.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is the principal mitogen for connective tissue-derived cells such as fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and glial cells. It is synthesized by a variety of cell types and the synthesis of PDGF and its receptors is tightly controlled. Accumulating evidence obtained in vitro and in vivo suggests that PDGF plays important roles in the pathogenesis of clinically important diseases such as atherogenesis and cancer. Moreover, PDGF is an important research tool to study the signal transmission pathway of growth factors and other hormones.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Socioeconomic differences in cardiovascular risk factors in China.

Socioeconomic conditions are important in explaining variation in cardiovascular morbidity in advanced societies. To analyse whether cardiovascular risk factors vary according to socioeconomic status in a developing country, and more specifically, in an urban area of China, we compared data from structured interviews and cardiovascular screenings in a group of 1169 male workers (45-65 years). These men participated in the five-year follow-up of a prospective investigation started in 1982/83 in several plants in Wuhan. Unhealthy behaviours such as heavy cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption were significantly more prevalent among men with low educational attainment and with jobs characterized by heavy physical workload, noise and heat. Men paid according to a new, highly demanding salary system exhibited significant increases in total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure from first to second screening. In conclusion, our findings show significant socioeconomic variation in cardiovascular risk factors among middle-aged male workers in China.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

LDL-metabolism of the arterial wall--new implications for atherogenesis.

Increasing evidence arising from experimental work and epidemiological studies through the last few years shows an important role of LDL antioxidants in the pathogenesis of the early atherosclerotic lesions characterized by macrophagocytic foam cells. Also the maturation of the atherosclerotic lesion evolving from the fatty streak could be driven by pathological peroxidation of the LDL in the arterial wall. The search for new drugs against atherosclerosis should therefore include compounds that increase stability of LDL and reduce formation of cholesteryl ester formation in the foam cells via the scavenger receptor pathway. The aim of such a strategy is to keep LDL in the protective LDL-receptor-mediated pathway of the liver, and to reduce LDL trapping by the arterial wall.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

[The European cholesterol concensus conferences. Do coronary heart diseases still play a major role in our society?].

Despite of certain successes from preventive measures, myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease are still responsible for a great part of deaths and premature disabilities in western industrialized nations. The rates are even increasing in Eastern Europe. In the Far East, however, incidence of myocardial infarction is low due to nutrition habits low in fat and low serum cholesterol levels. In 1986 and 1988 European Consensus Conferences have agreed on recommendations for the prevention of coronary heart disease. The population strategy seeks to improve the health-oriented behaviour of the whole population. The goal of the individual or high risk strategy is the identification and treatment of persons who are at particular risk. Among the influenceable risk factors hyperlipidemia, hypertension and cigarette smoking are of decisive importance. It is a goal to reduce cholesterol levels to 200 mg/dl by means of lipid lowering diet and, if necessary, drug treatment.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1989

Plasma cholesterol, lipid lowering, and risk for cancer. An update of the results from epidemiologic studies and intervention trials.

Plasma cholesterol has been shown to be correlated to the incidence of cardiovascular events. This observation and experimental data on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis have led to a number of recommendations for the treatment of elevated plasma lipids by national and international consensus panels and organizations. However, the issue whether lowering cholesterol might increase the risk for other diseases including cancer is still controversial. In this article, an attempt is made to review the currently available data on the relation between plasma cholesterol and cancer. Special emphasis is given to the results of intervention trials aimed at lowering cholesterol by diet and/or drugs, because they apply best to the human situation and are particularly relevant for the clinician. Data from animal experiments are only briefly discussed.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed1989

[New aspects of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases].

While a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis has not been forthcoming until now, considerable progress has been made in several important areas of the biology of the arterial wall. Progress was mainly accomplished by the use of tissue culture and techniques of molecular biology. Focuses of current interests are the roles of endothelium and of white blood cells, the properties and biological activities of growth factors, and the function of oncogenes.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

The formation of the "early proliferative lesion" of arteriosclerosis is the result of a chronic interaction of endothelial cells, monocytes/macrophages, smooth muscle cells, and potentially other cells such as T-lymphocytes and platelets. The precise manner in which these cells ineract during the early stage of the disease is unclear. The initial mechanisms involved in the pathophysiological interaction of these cells in the presence of the clinically important risk factors remain to be determined and represent a major challenge for future research. As we learn more about the molecular mechanisms we will be able to develop new strategies of therapy to prevent the disease.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed1989

The role of diet and drugs in lowering serum cholesterol in the postmyocardial infarction patient.

Lipid disorders are the most important factors in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). They need to be treated in primary as well as in secondary prevention. U.S. and European Consensus Conferences agreed that desirable serum cholesterol levels should not exceed 200 mg/dL. When baseline cholesterol averages above 250 mg/dL, the minimum requirement for characterizing the lipoprotein disorder is measurement of cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the fasting state. In selecting targets for serum lipid values, it may be taken into account that CHD incidence is lowest in persons with serum cholesterol below 180 mg/dL. Any kind of lipid-lowering therapy should be commenced with dietary treatment. If this is ineffective, drugs may be applied additionally. Possible causes of secondary hyperlipidemia should be excluded. There is no strict age limit for treatment but the subject's cardiovascular status should be examined carefully, especially in secondary prevention. The patient in whom extensive myocardial damage is the main arbiter of prognosis is unlikely to gain from strenuous efforts aimed at retarding progression of atheromata, the major causes of CHD. A simple classification distinguishes drugs with a predominant effect on hypercholesterolemia from those effective in endogenous hypertriglyceridemia but with a somewhat weaker cholesterol-lowering action. Using lipid-lowering drugs, their indications and side effects should be considered.

Cholesterol↗
PubMed1989

Iliac crest needle biopsy as a method for determining estrogen receptors in bone metastases from breast cancer.

The purpose of our study was to clarify whether the amount of tissue extracted by means of iliac crest needle biopsy (ICNB) would suffice for a quantitative determination of estrogen receptors (ER) in bone metastases, and to see if the method currently used for determining ER in primary tumors could also be successfully utilized in ICNB. 22 of 31 breast cancer patients examined could be evaluated. ER was positive in 7 (31.8%). Reasonable data are to be expected when the biopsy weight exceeds 0.1 g. Our study confirms that the necessary amount of tissue for ER analysis can indeed be extracted by ICNB. Our results justify further studies on a larger group of patients, since we cannot make conclusive statements concerning the value of this method for predicting the ultimate success of an endocrine treatment.

Adult↗