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Biomedical subjects

Qing Chang

Publications and source records attributed to Qing Chang.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Downregulation of electroacupuncture at ST36 on TNF-alpha in rats with ulcerative colitis.

AIM: To investigate the regulatory effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST36) on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC), and further elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of EA on UC. METHODS: Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=8): normal control group; UC control group; UC+ST36 group and UC+non-acupoint group. A solution containing ethanol and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) was instilled into the distal colon in the rat (at a dose of 100 mg/kg) to set up UC rat model. Rats in wakefulness state of UC+ST36 group were stimulated at ST36 by EA once a day, while those of UC+non-acupoint group were done at 0.5 cm beside ST36. After 10 d treatment, all rats were sacrificed simultaneously. Colon musocal inflammation and damage were assessed by measuring colon mass, morphologic damage score, colonic myeloperoxidase enzyme (MPO) activity, serum TNF-alpha and colonic TNF-alpha mRNA level. Morphologic damage score was examined under stereomicroscope. Colonic MPO activity was measured by spectrophotometer method. Serum TNF-alpha concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Colonic TNF-alpha mRNA expression level was analyzed by semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Ratio of colonic mass/body mass (m(C)/m(B)) and activity of colonic MPO (microkat/g tissue) markedly increased (8.5+/-2.6 vs 2.5+/-0.4; 145+/-25 vs 24+/-8, P<0.01 vs normal control group). Compared with normal control rats, serum TNF-alpha and colonic TNF-alpha mRNA level in UC control group were increased 2.5 fold (2 278+/-170 vs 894+/-248, P<0.01) and 4.3 fold (0.98+/-0.11 vs 0.23+/-0.11, P<0.01), respectively. After EA at ST36, m(C)/m(B) and MPO activity were reduced significantly (5.3+/-2.0 vs 8.5+/-2.6; 104+/-36 vs 145+/-25, P<0.01, 0.05) compared with those of UC control group. Serum TNF-alpha and colonic TNF-alpha mRNA level were inhibited by EA stimulation at ST36 (P<0.01). The inhibitory rate was 16 % and 44 %, respectively. Morphologic damage score was also increased markedly in rat with UC (P<0.01), whereas it was decreased by EA at ST36 (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between UC control group and UC+EA at non-acupoint (P>0.05). Furthermore, these parameters were highly correlated with each other (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Serum TNF-alpha concentration and colonic TNF-alpha mRNA expression level are increased significantly in UC rats in correlation with the severity of disease. It indicates that TNF-alpha is closely involved in the immune abnormalities and inflammatory responses in UC. EA at ST36 has therapeutic effect on UC by downregulating serum TNF-alpha and colonic TNF-alpha mRNA expression. High levels of TNF-alpha and its corresponding mRNA expression seem to be implicated in the pathogenesis of UC.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Potential inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 by propofol in human primary hepatocytes.

AIM: Hepatic cytochrome P450 isoenzymes constitute a superfamily of hemoproteins that play a major role in the metabolism of endogenous compounds and in the detoxification of xenobiotic molecules. P450 3A4 is one of the most important forms in human being, and mediates the metabolism of around 70 % of therapeutic drugs and endogenous compounds. Propofol, a widely used intravenous anesthetic drug, is known to inhibit cytochrome P450 activities in isolated rat hepatocytes. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential efficacy of propofol on P450 3A4 in a dose-dependent manner to understand its drug-drug interaction. METHODS: Hepatocytes were isolated from liver specimens from hepatic angioma patients undergone hepatic surgery. Primary incubated hepatocytes were treated with 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mM propofol for 24 hours. P450 3A4 activity was measured with Nash's colorimetry. The protein expression was assessed by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: A dose-dependent inhibitory effect of propofol was observed in cytochrome P450 3A4 activity. A minimal dosage of propofol (0.01 mM) induced a significant inhibition of P450 3A4 activity, although its regular dosages (0.01-0.1 mM) showed no inhibitory effect on the cellular protein expression of P450 3A4. CONCLUSION: Propofol may be a potential CYP3A4 inhibitor as this anesthetic can inhibit isoenzyme activity significantly and reduce the metabolic rate of CYP3A4 substrates. This inhibition occurs at post-expression level, and concentration of propofol used clinically does not affect CYP3A4 protein expression. propofol may thus induce drug interaction of cytochrome P450 3A4 activity at the dosage used clinically.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗
PubMed2003

[The simultaneous isolation of outer hair cells and Deiters' cells from the cochlea of the guinea pig].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the simultaneous method of isolating outer hair cells and Deiters' cells from the organ of Corti of the guinea-pig cochlea. METHOD: The organ of Corti was dissected from the pigmental guinea pig cochlea, and then treated with papain. RESULT: A large number of living outer hair cells and Deiters' cells were obtained synchronously from the guinea pig. CONCLUSION: The key to success in isolating outer hair cells and Deiters' cells from the cochlea is to know very well the anatomical characteristics of the cochlea and keep the contact the organ of Corti.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Study on mortality, incidence and risk factors of stroke in a cohort of elderly in Xi'an, China].

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively study the relationship between risk factors and stroke incidence and mortality in the Chinese elderly. METHODS: An analytic study in a cohort population of 1,268 male retired cadres in a military setting. A health-screening program was carried out for all cadres aged 55 years or older in Xi'an in February 1987. Baseline data on smoking, cholesterol, triglyceride, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), histories of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, diabetes and family histories of cardiovascular disease were investigated. Main outcome measures were stroke incidence, stroke and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The cohort was followed up until June 30, 2001 and a total number of follow-up person-year was 15,546. During the follow-up period, there were 113 new stroke cases identified and the adjusted incidence was 727 per 100,000 person-year. Forty-five deaths were due to stroke and the adjusted mortality was 289 per 100,000 person-year. Using Cox model analysis, after adjustment on age, total cholesterol, triglyceride, smoking, drinking and physical exercise, we noticed that the systolic pressure, BMI, history of CHD and hyperlipidemia were independent risk factors for stroke incidence and morality. CONCLUSION: The incidence and mortality of stroke in this cohort were lower than those in the same age group of general population. Monitoring and controlling body mass index and blood pressure level seemed to be important factors for the prevention of stroke in the elderly.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Effects of chiral 3-n-butylphthalide on apoptosis induced by transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

AIM: To investigate the effects of 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) on apoptosis induced by transient focal cerebral ischemia in rats, compare the action potency of s-(-)-, r-(+)- and (+/-)-NBP, and clarify the enantiomer that played a main role. METHODS: DNA fragmentation was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated biotinylated UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and gel electrophoresis. The expression of cytochrome c and caspase-3 protein was observed by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Middle cerebral artery was occluded for 2 h. RESULTS: Significant DNA fragmentation was detected at 24 h after reperfusion. This response was inhibited by s-(-)-NBP (5, 10 mg/kg i.p.). s-(-)-NBP 10 mg/kg almost completely inhibited DNA fragmentation, whereas r-(+)- NBP 10 mg/kg showed less effect. (+/-)-NBP (20 mg/kg) showed an inhibitory effect between that of s-(-)-NBP (10 mg/kg) and r-(+)-NBP (10 mg/kg). During the apoptotic process, cytochrome c was released into the cytosol and caspase-3 was activated. This effect was markedly inhibited by s-(-)-NBP, and the action potency of r-(+)- and (+/-)-NBP on the changes of cytochrome c and caspase-3 protein was similar to that on DNA fragmentation. CONCLUSION: NBP, especially its s-(-)-enantiomer, could potently reduce the release of cytochrome c, decrease the activation of caspase-3, and inhibit DNA fragmentation after transient focal cerebral ischemia. Our findings on the beneficial effects of NBP on cerebral ischemia-induced apoptosis might have important implications for the study and treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Effects of transient transfection of human BMP-4 gene on rabbit bone marrow stromal cells].

OBJECTIVE: Bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) were transfected with human bone morphogenetic protein-4 (hBMP-4) gene in vitro to provide BMP gene modified cells for tissue-engineered bone. METHODS: MSCs were cultured and transfected with pEGFP-hBMP4, pEGFP plasmids respectively or left uninfected as control. Transcription of BMP-4 gene as well as gene transfection efficiency was tested. Morphological and growth feature of the transfected cells were valued. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), von Kossa, and Osteocalcin (OC) were tested to determine the phenotypes of osteoblast. RESULTS: The gene transfection efficiency was 20%-30%, based on GFP expression. RT-PCR showed that MSCs had low transcription of BMP-4 that was enhanced by the gene transfer. Morphological feature of MSCs transfected with pEGFP-hBMP-4 changed but growth curves did not show much difference among the groups. In pEGFP-hBMP-4 group, ALP positive stain area and the number of calcium nodules were increased, as well as the expression of OC. CONCLUSIONS: A high transfer efficiency of MSCs was achieved under optimized conditions. The gene transfer technique strengthened the transcription of BMP-4 and promoted differentiation from MSCs to osteoblasts. hBMP-4 transferred MSCs may serve as an ideal cell source for tissue-engineered bone.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Clinical evaluation of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy with pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in patients with cervical cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effective, results and complications in patients with cervical cancer who consented to undergo laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. METHODS: In 57 consecutive patients with stage Ia to IIb cervical cancer, laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy were performed. Forty-eight patients had squamous cell carcinomas, 7 patients had adenocarcinomas, and 2 patients had adenosquamous carcinomas of the cervix. RESULTS: All but 2 surgical procedures were completed laparoscopically. The average operative time was 186 min (150 - 320 min). The average blood loss was 168 ml (120 - 700 ml). Average numbers of pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes removed were 18.6 (12 - 23) and 8.2 (6 - 12), respectively. Eight patients (14.0%) had positive lymph nodes. All surgical margins were macroscopically negative. Operative cystotomies occurred in 2 patients and one patient with venous injuries were repaired laparoscopically. Two other patients underwent laparotomy to control bleeding or repair ascending colon. After surgery, patients passed gas in 2.3 days and self-voided in 10.2 days on average. Follow-up has been provided every 3 months. There have been 3 cases of recurrences, one patient uncontrolled, and one patient ureteral constriction. Three patients have retention of urine. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy can be successfully completed in patients with cervical cancer with acceptable operation complications, a less injury and recovery time, and may become preferred for treating early cervical cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Preliminary result on the nosocomial infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome in one hospital of Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To study the transmission route of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) nosocomial infection. METHODS: Ten identified SARS patients were selected from a general hospital in March. Survey was carried out through a standardized questionnaire provided by Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Contents of the questionnaire would include: history of contact with SARS patient, route of infection, methods used for protection and so on. RESULTS: (1) Distribution os SARS patients were confined to 3 wards: 4, 5, and 6 on the 7, 8, 12, 13 and 14 floors in the west unit of the inpatient building. Most of the inpatients were elderly and having severe original diseases. (2) Index patients were the first generation source of transmission and they infected inpatients and medical staff, making them the second generation. People with latent infection who had close contact with SARS patients might also serve as the possible source of transmission. (3) The major transmission routes were: near distant droplet infection and close contact infection. There was also a clue to the probability of aerosol or droplet nuclei infection through air-conditioning and ventilation system. CONCLUSION: Nosocomial infection appeared to be the main characteristic of the SARS epidemic in the early stage of this hospital. Other than close contact and near space airborne transmission of SARS virus, the possibility of long-distance aerosol transmission called for further epidemiological and experimental studies in the future.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Dynamic observation on ultrasonographic image during chemotherapy of hepatic cystic echinococcosis and a proposal for ultrasonic classification].

OBJECTIVE: To submit a proposal for the classification of ultrasonographic image in patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis, on the basis of characteristic and distribution of ultrasonic image of hydatid cysts in cases and systematic observation on dynamic changes of sonographic image under treatment with emulsion albendazole and in relation to clinical efficacy. METHODS: The ultrasonic image of 645 cysts in 497 cases with liver cystic echinococcosis was classified. The distribution of different types of image in patients was analyzed. A comparative analysis of correspondence between the sonographic type and clinical efficacy was made in association with the rule of changes in ultrasonic features during chemotherapy. RESULTS: The ultrasonographic image of hydatid cysts was divided into six types. The distribution of ultrasonic types in patients reflected the process of natural evolution of cysts in human bodies. The dynamic change of ultrasonic image during treatment was identical with the natural evolution process of hydatid cysts. CONCLUSION: The proposal for ultrasonographic classification submitted reflects a long evolutionary process from growth to death of hydatid cysts in human body. The dynamic change of hydatid cysts during chemotherapy indicated that the effect of drug has accelerated this process. Therefore this classification may be applied in diagnosis and to judge the chemotherapeutic efficacy of cystic echinococcosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Effect of linopirdine on potassium currents in isolated outer hair cells and Deiters' cells of the cochlea from guinea pig].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of linopirdine, a selective blocker of KCNQ channel family, on the whole-cell potassium currents in isolated outer hair cells (OHCs) and Deiters' cells of the cochlea from guinea pig and to probe the distribution of KCNQ channel family in OHC and Deiters' cells. METHODS: Using the patch clamp whole-cell recording, IK (tetraethylammonium-sensitive outward potassium currents) and IKa (inward potassium currents activated at negative potential) were measured before and after the administration of linopirdine in OHCs. Simultaneously, IK (the outward rectifier potassium current) was recorded in Deiters' cells. RESULTS: IK was partly reduced after the administration of linopirdine in OHCs, moreover, IKa was totally inhibited. However, IK in Deiter's cells was not decreased. CONCLUSION: KCNQ channel family could only involve in constructing the variant potassium channels in outer hair cells, but not in Deiters' cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Constitutive activation of insulin receptor substrate 1 is a frequent event in human tumors: therapeutic implications.

Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) is a major substrate of insulin, insulin-like growth factors, and cytokine signaling and plays an important role in mediating apoptosis, cell differentiation, and cell transformation. We found that IRS-1 is constitutively activated in a variety of solid tumors, including breast cancers, leiomyomas, Wilms' tumors, rhabdomyosarcomas, liposarcomas, leiomyosarcomas, and adrenal cortical carcinomas. Blocking the constitutively activated IRS-1 signaling in breast cancer cells with a dominant-negative IRS-1, an IRS-1 with all 18 potential tyrosine-phosphorylation sites replaced by phenylalanines (F18), dramatically reduced cancer cell growth. Breast cancer cells that expressed F18 also formed smaller and far fewer colonies in soft agar culture than did the cells that did not express F18. These studies suggest that constitutive IRS-1 activation is a common phenomenon in tumors and that activated IRS-1 may present an attractive therapeutic target.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2002

Cryopreservation and mycophenolate therapy are detrimental to hematopoietic progenitor cells.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to determine whether certain components of nonmyeloablative regimens for hematopoietic cell transplantation might compromise the growth of hematopoietic progenitors. METHODS: Porcine peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) were cytokine-mobilized, collected by leukapheresis, and cryopreserved using 5% dimethyl sulfoxide and 6% hydroxyethyl starch. The influence of cryopreservation on PBPC was tested in vitro by enumeration of colony-forming units (CFUs) in methylcellulose and cobblestone area-forming cell (CAFC) subsets in stromal-associated long-term cultures on fresh and frozen PBPC. The effects of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on porcine PBPC and baboon and human bone marrow (BM) were tested in vitro by adding varying doses of MMF to the CFU assays. One baboon was treated with increasing doses of MMF (100-500 mg/kg per day continuously intravenous), and sequential BM aspirations were tested for CFU content. RESULTS: Fresh cytokine-mobilized PBPC had similar frequencies of progenitor cells when compared with porcine BM. Freezing-thawing of PBPC had no effect on porcine CFUs but reduced the recovery of CAFCs by more than 90%. In vitro, MMF completely inhibited the development of porcine and human CFUs at a concentration of 1 microg/mL and of baboon CFUs at levels between 10 and 100 microg/mL. Plasma-free mycophenolic acid levels of 10 to 30 microg/mL were associated with decreased CFUs in the BM. CONCLUSIONS: Cryopreservation and MMF potentially prevent engraftment of porcine PBPC by reducing the content or development of progenitor cells. These results indicate that the use of fresh PBPC might improve the induction of mixed hematopoietic chimerism and raise the possibility that use of high doses of MMF in the poststem cell transplant may compromise engraftment.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Angiotensin receptor antagonist losartan improves endothelial function of epicardial coronary arteries in patients with essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin II can impair endothelial function, which is mediated by the angiotensin II type 1 receptor subtype. HYPOTHESIS: The study sought to determine whether treatment with the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan would restore the normal dilation of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) by cold pressor test in patients with essential hypertension, as shown by echocardiography. METHODS: The study population included 30 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension and 30 matched healthy subjects. Measurements of the cold pressor test-induced and nitroglycerin-induced changes in LMCA diameter by echocardiography were performed at the end of the washout period and after 12 weeks of losartan administration. RESULTS: The percent change in LMCA diameter induced by the cold pressor test in hypertensive patients (-3.5 +/- 8.8%) was significantly lower than that in control subjects (10.2 +/- 3.7%, p<0.0001). After losartan treatment, the percent change (13.9 +/- 8.4%) was significantly higher than that before losartan treatment (-3.5 +/- 8.8%, p < 0.0001), but not significandy different between the 17 hypertensive patients with satisfactory control of blood pressure (13.8 +/- 9.1%) and the 13 hypertensive patients without satisfactory control of blood pressure (14.0 +/- 7.7%, p = 0.9). Losartan treatment in patients with essential hypertension did not modify the percent change in LMCA diameter caused by sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (23.2 +/- 14.0% vs. 27.3 +/- 13.7%, p = 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that treatment with losartan normalized response of the LMCA to the cold pressor test in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension and that this effect is not dependent on the reduction of blood pressure.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Influence of contractility on myocardial ultrasonic integrated backscatter and cyclic variation in integrated backscatter.

To evaluate the effects of left ventricular contractility on the changes of average image intensity (AII) of the myocardial integrated backscatter (IB) and cyclic variation in IB (CVIB), 7 adult mongrel dogs were studied. The magnitude of AII and CVIB were measured from myocardial IB carves before and after dobatamine or propranolol infusion. Dobutamine or propranolol did not affect the magnitude of AII (13.8 +/- 0.7 vs 14.7 +/- 0.5, P > 0.05 or 14.3 +/- 0.5 vs 14.2 +/- 0.4, P > 0.05). However, dobutamine produced a significant increase in the magnitude of CVIB (6.8 +/- 0.3 vs 9.5 +/- 0.6, P < 0.001) and propranolol induced significant decrease in the magnitude of CVIB (7.1 +/- 0.2 vs 5.2 +/- 0.3, P < 0.001). The changes of the magnitude of AII and CVIB in the myocardium have been demonstrated to reflect different myocardial physiological and pathological changes respectively. The alteration of contractility did not affect the magnitude of AII but induced significant change in CVIB. The increase of left ventricular contractility resulted in a significant rise of the magnitude of CVIB and the decrease of left ventricular contractility resulted in a significant fall of the magnitude of CVIB.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed2002

Assessment of effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan on aortic distensibility in patients with essential hypertension by echocardiography.

The effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan on elastic properties of aorta in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were assessed. The ascending aortic distensibility in 26 patients (48 +/- 3 years) with mild to moderate essential hypertension before and after 12 weeks of treatment with losartan (50 mg/day) was evaluated by using two-dimensional echocardiography. M-mode measurements of aortic systolic (Ds) and diastolic diameter (Dd) were taken at a level approximately 3 cm above the aortic valve. Simultaneously, cuff brachial artery systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) pressures were measured. Aortic pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep) was calculated as Dd x (SBP-DBP)/(Ds-Dd) x 1333 and stiffness index beta (beta) was defined as Dd x Ln (SBP/DBP)/(Ds-Dd). Blood pressure significantly decreased from 148 +/- 13/95 +/- 9 mmHg to 138 +/- 12/88 +/- 8 mmHg (systolic blood pressure, P = 0.001; diastolic blood pressure, P = 0.003). There was no significant difference in pulse pressure before and after treatment with losartan (53 +/- 10 mmHg vs 50 +/- 7 mmHg). The distensibility of ascending aorta increased significantly as showed by the significant decrease in pressure-strain elastic modulus from 4.42 +/- 5.79 x 10(6) dynes/cm2 to 1.99 +/- 1.49 x 10(6) dynes/cm2 (P = 0.02) and stiffness index beta from 27.4 +/- 32.9 to 13.3 +/- 9.9 (P = 0.02). Although there was a weak correlation between the percent changes in pressure-strain elastic modulus and stiffness index beta and that in diastolic blood pressure after losartan treatment (r = 0.40, P = 0.04 and r = 0.55, P = 0.004, respectively), no correlation was found between the percent changes in pressure-strain elastic modulus and stiffness index beta and that in systolic blood pressure (r = 0.04, P = 0.8 and r = 0.24, P = 0.2, respectively). Our study demonstrated that angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan has a beneficial effect on aortic distensibility in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension and this effect is partly independent of blood pressure reduction.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists↗
PubMed2002

Evaluation by high-resolution ultrasonography of endothelial function in brachial artery after Kawasaki disease and the effects of intravenous administration of vitamin C.

Previous studies in patients with a history of Kawasaki disease (KD) have focused on the endothelial function of the coronary arteries and that of the systemic arteries is not fully understood. Furthermore, the effect of vitamin C on systemic vascular endothelial function after KD has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, 39 patients (age, 7.1 +/- 2.7 years) at 1-10 years after acute KD were compared with 17 matched healthy subjects (7.0 +/- 3.1 years). High-resolution ultrasonography was used to analyze brachial artery responses to reactive hyperemia (with increased flow causing endothelium-dependent dilation) and sublingual nitroglycerin (causing endothelium-independent dilation) after KD, and to investigate whether the acute administration of vitamin C can restore systemic endothelial dysfunction. The percent change in diameter of the brachial artery induced by reactive hyperemia in the patients with a history of KD (6.2 +/- 3.9%) was significantly less than that in the control group (14.1 +/- 6.8%, p < 0.0001). No significant difference could be found in the percent change in diameter induced by sublingual nitroglycerin between the controls (33.2 +/- 13.7%) and the patients (30.6 +/- 9.2%, p = 0.49). There was no significant difference in percent change in diameter of the brachial artery induced by reactive hyperemia between the patients who received gamma globulin (6.0 +/- 4.0) and those who did not (7.9 +/- 3.3, p = 0.33). Intravenous infusion of vitamin C significantly increased the percent change in diameter of the brachial artery induced by reactive hyperemia in 19 patients with history of KD (6.6 +/- 3.5% to 13.0 +/- 5.5%, p < 0.0001). After placebo administration in 20 patients with history of KD there was no significant increase in the percent change in the diameter of the brachial artery induced by reactive hyperemia (6.5 +/- 4.5% to 7.3 +/- 4.9%, p = 0.20). The decreased percent change in the diameter of the brachial artery induced by reactive hyperemia in patients with a history of KD compared with the healthy children indicates that systemic endothelial dysfunction exists after KD. Although it is not influenced by early treatment with high-dose gamma globulin in the acute stage of KD, systemic vascular endothelial function can be restored by acute intravenous administration of vitamin C.

Adolescent↗