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Biomedical subjects

S Ohtsuka

Publications and source records attributed to S Ohtsuka.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Chronic antisense therapy for angiotensinogen on cardiac hypertrophy in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the effect of the suppression of plasma angiotensinogen (AGT) by the intravenous injection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) against AGT targeted to the liver on cardiac remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The ODNs against rat AGT were coupled to asialoglycoprotein (ASOR) carrier molecules, which serve as an important method for regulating liver gene expression. METHODS: Male SHR (n = 18), and age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY, n = 6) were used for this study. At 10 weeks of age, the SHR were divided into three groups (each group n = 6), and the systolic blood pressure (SBP) did not significantly change among them. The control SHR and WKY groups received saline, the sense SHR group was injected with the sense ODNs complex and the antisense SHR group was injected with the antisense ODNs complex, from 10 to 20 weeks of age. ASOR-poly(L)lysine-ODNs complex was injected via the tail veins twice a week. RESULTS: At the end of the treatment, a reduction of hepatic AGT mRNA, cardiac angiotensin II type 1 receptor mRNA and the plasma AGT concentration was only observed in the antisense-injected SHR but not in the other groups of SHR and WKY. This antisense therapy did not significantly change the mRNA expression for angiotensin converting enzyme, angiotensin II type 2 receptor and AGT in the left ventricle (LV) among all three groups. Although the plasma angiotensin II (Ang II) concentration significantly decreased to the level of WKY after the antisense therapy, the SBP, LV to body weight ratio and % collagen volume fraction also showed a reduction, however, these findings were still larger than in the WKY than in either the sense-injected SHR or control SHR. CONCLUSION: The plasma AGT is considered to play a role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy in SHR, but it has not a complete effects on cardiac remodeling even if the plasma Ang II levels are inhibited because of an insufficient suppression of hypertension.

Analysis of Variance↗

Improved recovery of cryopreserved canine islets by use of beraprost sodium.

Cryopreservation of pancreatic islets provides many advantages for clinical transplantation. Unfortunately, the freezing and thawing processes lead to a significant loss of islets. In this study, an attempt was made to increase the yield and viability of islets after cryopreservation and thawing. By using canine islets, we evaluated whether beraprost sodium (BPS), a stable prostacyclin analog, protects islets during the freeze-thaw processes and improves the recovery of frozen-thawed islets. Canine islets were frozen and thawed by the procedures used routinely for storage of human islets. In this study, we deliberately used islets of lower purity (60+/-3.6%), which is undesirable for cryopreservation. The recovery of viable islets after thawing is poorer with islets of lower purity than with highly purified islets. BPS was added to both the cryopreservation solutions containing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and the thawing solution containing sucrose. After thawing, the islet recovery (islet number after thawing divided by islet number before freezing) was 71.1+/-12.7% with 1 nM BPS, 77.8+/-5.6% with 10 nM BPS, 79.3+/-6.7% with 100 nM BPS, and 69.2+/-7.2% in control preparations without BPS. Islet viability assessed by supravital staining was 57.5+/-5.6%, 64.7+/-7.0%, 67.5+/-6.5%, and 57.7+/-4.9% with 1 nM, 10 nM, and 100 nM BPS and controls, respectively. Both islet recovery and viability were significantly better with 10 nM and 100 nM BPS than with the controls (p<0.03). After 3 days in culture, islet numbers in the 10 nM and 100 nM BPS groups were significantly higher and showed better insulin-release responses than those from the 1 nM BPS and control groups. Histologically, islet structure was well preserved in the 10 nM and 100 nM BPS groups, whereas many islets of the control group were smaller and fragmented. Electron microscopic examination revealed that 10 nM and 100 nM BPS preserved the microstructure of islet cells, and signs of apoptosis or necrosis were rare. It was concluded that BPS improved the recovery and viability of canine islets after cryopreservation and thawing. BPS would be a useful agent for improving the recovery of cryopreserved human islets for clinical transplantation.

Animals↗

Suppression of STAT5 functions in liver, mammary glands, and T cells in cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein 1 transgenic mice.

Various cytokines utilize Janus kinase (JAK) and the STAT (signal transducers and activators of transcription) family of transcription factors to carry out their biological functions. Among STATs, two highly related proteins, STAT5a and STAT5b, are activated by various cytokines, including prolactin, growth hormone, erythropoietin, interleukin 2 (IL-2), and IL-3. We have cloned a STAT5-dependent immediate-early cytokine-responsive gene, CIS1 (encoding cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein 1). In this study, we created CIS1 transgenic mice under the control of a beta-actin promoter. The transgenic mice developed normally; however, their body weight was lower than that of the wild-type mice, suggesting a defect in growth hormone signaling. Female transgenic mice failed to lactate after parturition because of a failure in terminal differentiation of the mammary glands, suggesting a defect in prolactin signaling. The IL-2-dependent upregulation of the IL-2 receptor alpha chain and proliferation were partially suppressed in the T cells of transgenic mice. These phenotypes remarkably resembled those found in STAT5a and/or STAT5b knockout mice. Indeed, STAT5 tyrosine phosphorylation was suppressed in mammary glands and the liver. Furthermore, the IL-2-induced activation of STAT5 was markedly inhibited in T cells in transgenic mice, while leukemia inhibitory factor-induced STAT3 phosphorylation was not affected. We also found that the numbers of gamma delta T cells, as well as those of natural killer (NK) cells and NKT cells, were dramatically decreased and that Th1/Th2 differentiation was altered in transgenic mice. These data suggest that CIS1 functions as a specific negative regulator of STAT5 in vivo and plays an important regulatory role in the liver, mammary glands, and T cells.

Animals↗

Dynamic intravenous coronary angiography using 2D monochromatic synchrotron radiation.

A method of examination for coronary artery disease that is less invasive and easier than coronary angiography (CAG) has been sought. We have developed a dynamic intravenous coronary angiography (IVCAG) system using synchrotron radiation (SR) and have used it clinically. Four patients suspected of having angina pectoris underwent IVCAG. An SR beam was reflected asymmetrically with a silicon crystal to produce a wide (150 mm x 80 mm) and monochromatic (37 keV) X-ray beam, with an energy level to achieve high sensitivity to the contrast agent. Following an intravenous injection of contrast agent, irradiation was applied for 4 ms periods at 33 ms intervals for dynamic IVCAG at 30 images s-1. Images were acquired with an image intensifier and recorded with a digital fluorography system. The dynamic images permitted clear visualization of the coronary arteries and permitted evaluation of coronary anatomy. Two patients exhibited no stenotic lesions, one patient had a 90% stenosis in the right coronary artery, and the remaining patient had a 25% stenosis at the site of previous percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). The total irradiation doses used for IVCAG were less than those for conventional angiography. Dynamic IVCAG can be readily used for the evaluation of coronary arteries.

Aged↗

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of idiopathic right ventricular tachycardia near the His bundle.

There are only a few reports on successful radiofrequency catheter ablation of idiopathic right ventricular tachycardia (VT) originating from other sites than right ventricular outflow tract. We report here a case of VT which exhibited an inferior-axis and a left bundle branch block pattern and originated near the His bundle. Using the temperature-controlled ablation catheter, prudent observation of the fluoroscopy and intracardiac electrograms during pacemapping, we successfully ablated the origin of the VT without any conduction disturbance. However, further study is required to determine the effectiveness of catheter ablation and the long term prognosis for this type of VT.

Adult↗

Prevention of primary islet isograft nonfunction in mice with pravastatin.

BACKGROUND: Nonspecific inflammatory damage in the early stages of transplantation is the major cause of primary islet graft nonfunction. Using murine isografts, we attempted to prevent this islet graft damage by treating recipients with pravastatin (Pravacol), a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor. Nicotinamide was also tested to determine the synergistic effect of both agents. METHODS: Unpurified newborn BALB/c islets, ranging in number from 1800 to 2500, were transplanted into the left renal subcapsular space of a syngeneic adult mouse made diabetic with streptozotocin. Recipient mice were divided into the following four groups, based on treatment protocols: treatment with 40 mg/kg pravastatin (group 1), 500 mg/kg nicotinamide (group 2), 40 mg/kg pravastatin and 500 mg/kg nicotinamide (group 3), and vehicle alone (group 4). Pravastatin and nicotinamide were administered orally every day for 14 days, starting on the day of transplantation (day 0). Nonfasting blood glucose levels, urine glucose levels, and the intravenous glucose tolerance test were used to monitor the diabetic state. The reversal of diabetes was defined by normoglycemia and negative urine glucose maintained for more than 7 days. RESULTS: After islet transplantation, levels of blood and urine glucose were significantly lower in groups 1 and 3, compared with those in group 4. K-values of an intravenous glucose tolerance test performed on day 14 were significantly higher in groups 1 and 3 than those of group 4. Reversal of diabetes had occurred in 63% of mice in group 1 and 67% in group 3, levels that were higher than those in group 2 (17%) and group 4 (0%) (P<0.02, groups 1 and 3 vs. group 4). Histological examination of grafts, biopsied on day 21, revealed well preserved islets with little sign of inflammation in groups 1 and 3, whereas grafts in groups 2 and 4 contained broken, smaller islets surrounded by severe fibrosis and mononuclear cell infiltration. CONCLUSION: Our results in mice have shown the effectiveness of pravastatin for protecting islets from nonspecific inflammatory damage. Nicotinamide did not show a synergistic effect with pravastatin at the dosage used in this study. These results indicate that pravastatin may be a useful agent for clinical islet transplantation.

Animals↗

Development of a two-dimensional imaging system for clinical applications of intravenous coronary angiography using intense synchrotron radiation produced by a multipole wiggler.

A two-dimensional clinical intravenous coronary angiography system, comprising a large-size view area produced by asymmetrical reflection from a silicon crystal using intense synchrotron radiation from a multipole wiggler and a two-dimensional detector with an image intensifier, has been completed. An advantage of the imaging system is that two-dimensional dynamic imaging of the cardiovascular system can be achieved due to its two-dimensional radiation field. This world-first two-dimensional system has been successfully adapted to clinical applications. Details of the imaging system are described in this paper.

Journal Article↗

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of ascorbate on the preventive effect of nitrate tolerance in patients with congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Reduced cGMP production caused by increased superoxide has been proposed as a mechanism of nitrate tolerance during continuous nitrate therapy. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of ascorbate, an antioxidant, on the development of nitrate tolerance during continuous nitrate therapy in patients with congestive heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty patients with congestive heart failure were randomized to receive intravenous infusion of nitroglycerin concomitantly with placebo (placebo group, n=10) or intravenous ascorbate (vitamin C group, n=10). After baseline measurements were obtained, dose titration was started by the infusion of nitroglycerin at a rate of 0.5 microg/kg per minute (titration period). Measurements of hemodynamic parameters and blood sampling were performed serially at 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after the titration period. At baseline, mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP, mm Hg), mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP, mm Hg), plasma vitamin E level (micromol/L), and platelet cGMP level (pmol/10[9] platelets) were comparable in the two groups (placebo group: MPAP, 48+/-6; PCWP, 24+/-4; cGMP, 0.76+/-0.12; vitamin E, 18.2+/-1.2; vitamin C: MPAP, 49+/-7; PCWP, 24+/-4; cGMP, 0.71+/-0.16; vitamin E, 18.6+/-1.3). In both groups, at 6 hours after the titration period, MPAP and PCWP were significantly decreased (placebo group: MPAP, 26+/-5; PCWP, 15+/-4; vitamin C: MPAP, 26+/-4; PCWP, 16+/-4), and platelet cGMP was significantly increased (placebo group: 2.42+/-0.24; vitamin C: 2.26+/-0.26). However, at 18 hours after titration, in the placebo group, MPAP (44+/-5) and PCWP (23+/-4) were increased, and platelet cGMP (0.85+/-0.20) and plasma vitamin E levels (12.4+/-1.4) were significantly decreased. In contrast, in the vitamin C group, MPAP (31+/-6), PCWP (17+/-5), platelet cGMP (2.49+/-0.23), and plasma vitamin E levels (17.6+/-1.4) were maintained for 18 hours after the titration period. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that ascorbate, an antioxidant, may prevent the development of nitrate tolerance during continuous nitrate therapy in patients with congestive heart failure.

Aged↗

Endobronchial metastasis from rectal adenocarcinoma: report of a case.

We herein report a case of late endobronchial metastasis after the resection of a primary rectal adenocarcinoma. A 51-year-old man underwent a resection of rectal adenocarcinoma. Five years postoperatively, he underwent a right sleeve upper lobectomy for a right endobronchial tumor. The resected tumor was diagnosed to be endobronchial metastasis from rectal adenocarcinoma. Therefore, the relationship between the two tumors was analyzed using deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) flow cytometry and immunohistochemical staining. Endobronchial adenocarcinoma had strong homogeneous staining patterns and identical biochemical characteristics to rectal adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the preventive effect of supplemental oral vitamin C on attenuation of development of nitrate tolerance.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the preventive effect of vitamin C, an antioxidant, on the development of nitrate tolerance. BACKGROUND: Decreased intracellular production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is a mechanism of nitrate tolerance, and increased superoxide levels and reduced activation of guanylate cyclase have been observed in vitro. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 24 normal volunteers and 24 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) were randomized to receive either vitamin C (2 g three times daily [vitamin C group, n=12]) or placebo (placebo group, n=12). The vasodilator response to nitroglycerin was assessed with forearm plethysmography by measuring the change in FBF before and 5 min after sublingual administration of 0.3 mg of nitroglycerin. Blood samples were simultaneously obtained to measure platelet cGMP levels. FBF was measured, and blood sampling was performed serially at baseline (day 0), 3 days after administration of vitamin C or placebo (day 3) and 3 days after application of a 10-mg/24-h nitroglycerin tape concomitantly with oral vitamin C or placebo (day 6). RESULTS: There were no differences between the vitamin C and placebo groups in percent increases in FBF (%FBF) or platelet cGMP levels (%cGMP) after administration of sublingual nitroglycerin on day O (%FBF: normal volunteers 31+/-8 vs. 32+/-10; patients with IHD 32+/-9 vs. 32+/-8; %cGMP: normal volunteers 37+/-9 vs. 39+/-10; patients with IHD 38+/-10 vs. 39+/-10 [vitamin C group vs. placebo group]) or day 3 (%FBF: normal volunteers 32+/-9 vs. 33+/-9; patients with IHD 31+/-10 vs. 31+/-10; %cGMP: normal volunteers 36+/-8 vs. 37+/-9; patients with IHD 39+/-11 vs. 38+/-10 [vitamin C group vs. placebo group]). The %FBF and %cGMP in the placebo group were significantly lower on day 6 than in the vitamin C group (%FBF: normal volunteers 30+/-8 vs. 19 4, p < 0.01; patients with IHD 29+/-9 vs. 17+/-6, p < 0.01; %cGMP: normal volunteers 36 10 vs. 17+/-6, p < 0.01; patients with IHD 37+/-11 vs. 15+/-5, p < 0.01 [vitamin C group vs. placebo group]). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that combination therapy with vitamin C is potentially useful for preventing the development of nitrate tolerance.

Adult↗

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of carvedilol on the prevention of nitrate tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of carvedilol on nitrate tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure. BACKGROUND: The attenuation of cyclic guanosine 5'-monophosphate (cGMP) production due to inactivation of guanylate cyclase by increased superoxide has been reported as a mechanism of nitrate tolerance. Carvedilol has been known to combine alpha/beta-blockade with antioxidant properties. METHODS: To evaluate the effect of carvedilol on nitrate tolerance, 40 patients with chronic heart failure were randomized to four groups that received either carvedilol (2.5 mg once a day [carvedilol group, n=10]), metoprolol (30 mg once a day [metoprolol group, n=10]), doxazosin (0.5 mg once a day [doxazosin group, n=10]) or placebo (placebo group, n=10). Vasodilatory response to nitroglycerin (NTG) was assessed with forearm plethysmography by measuring the change in forearm blood flow (FBF) before and 5 min after sublingual administration of 0.3 mg NTG, and at the same time blood samples were taken from veins on the opposite side to measure platelet cGMP. Plethysmography and blood sampling were obtained serially at baseline (day 0); 3 days after carvedilol, metoprolol, doxazosin or placebo administration (day 3); and 3 days after application of a 10-mg/24-h NTG tape concomitantly with carvedilol, metoprolol, doxazosin or placebo (day 6). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the response of FBF (%FBF) and cGMP (%cGMP) to sublingual NTG on day 0 and day 3 among the four groups. On day 6, %FBF and %cGMP were significantly lower in the metoprolol, doxazosin and placebo groups than on day 0 and day 3, but these parameters in the carvedilol group were maintained. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicated that carvedilol may prevent nitrate tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure during continuous therapy with NTG.

Adrenergic Antagonists↗

Preventive effects of carvedilol on nitrate tolerance--a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparative study between carvedilol and arotinolol.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare the preventive efect of nitrate tolerance between carvedilol with antioxidant properties and arotinolol without antioxidant properties. BACKGROUND: The attenuation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) production due to inactivation of guanylate cyclase by increased superoxide has been reported as a mechanism of nitrate tolerance. Carvedilol has been known to combine alpha- and beta-blockade with antioxidant properties. METHODS: To evaluate the preventive effect of nitrate tolerance, 24 patients with untreated hypertension were randomized to receive either carvedilol (10 mg twice a day [carvedilol group, n=8]), arotinolol (10 mg twice a day [arotinolol group, n=8]), or placebo (placebo group, n=8). Vasodilatory response to nitroglycerin (NTG) was assessed with forearm plethysmography by measuring the change in forearm blood flow (FBF) before and 5 min after sublingual administration of 0.3 mg NTG, and at the same time blood samples were taken from veins on the opposite side to measure platelet cGMP. Plethysmography and blood sampling were obtained serially at baseline (day 0), 3 days after carvedilol, arotinolol or placebo administration (day 3) and 3 days after application of a 20 mg/24 h NTG tape concomitantly with carvedilol, arotinolol or placebo (day 6). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the response of FBF (%FBF) and cGMP (%cGMP) to sublingual administration of NTG on days 0 and 3 among the three groups. On day 6, %FBF and %cGMP were significantly lower in the arotinolol group and the placebo group than days 0 and 3, but these parameters in the carvedilol group were maintained. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that carvedilol with antioxidant properties may prevent the development of nitrate tolerance during continuous therapy with NTG compared with arotinolol without antioxidant properties.

Adrenergic Antagonists↗

Intravenous injection with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides against angiotensinogen decreases blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

In the renin-angiotensin system, renin is known to cleave angiotensinogen to generate angiotensin I, which is the precursor of angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a vasoactive peptide that plays an important role in blood pressure. On the other hand, the liver is the major organ responsible for the production of angiotensinogen in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). To test the hypothesis that a reduction of angiotensinogen mRNA in the liver by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) may affect both plasma angiotensinogen and angiotensin II levels, as well as blood pressure, we intravenously injected antisense ODNs against rat angiotensinogen coupled to asialoglycoprotein carrier molecules, which serve as an important regulator of liver gene expression, into SHR via the tail vein. The SHR used in the present study were studied at 20 weeks of age and were fed a standard diet throughout the experiment. Plasma angiotensinogen, angiotensin II concentrations, and blood pressure all decreased from the next day until up to 5 days after the injection of antisense ODNs. These concentrations thereafter returned to baseline by 7 days after injection. A reduction in the level of hepatic angiotensinogen mRNA was also observed from the day after injection until 5 days after injection with antisense ODNs. However, in the SHR injected with sense ODNs, plasma angiotensinogen, angiotensin II concentrations, and blood pressure, as well as hepatic angiotensinogen mRNA, did not significantly change throughout the experimental period. Although the exact role of angiotensinogen in hypertension still remains to be clarified, these findings showed that intravenous injection with antisense ODNs against angiotensinogen coupled to asialoglycoprotein carrier molecules targeted to the liver could thus inhibit plasma angiotensinogen levels and, as a result, induce a decrease in blood pressure in SHR.

Angiotensinogen↗

Preventive effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on nitrate tolerance during continuous transdermal application of nitroglycerin in patients with chronic heart failure.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors with and without a sulfhydryl group on intracellular production of cGMP, forearm blood flow, and neurohormonal factors during continuous transdermal application of nitroglycerin in patients with chronic heart failure. Platelet cGMP level and forearm blood flow were measured before and 5 min after sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (NTG) in 20 patients with chronic heart failure during the following 4 phases: (1) baseline phase; (2) NTG phase (1 week after NTG tape 10 mg/day); (3) CPT phase (1 week after both captopril 37.5 mg/day and NTG tape 10 mg/day); and (4) ENL phase (1 week after both enalapril 5 mg/day and NTG tape 10 mg/day). The platelet GMP level before sublingual NTG and forearm blood flow were significantly higher during the 3 phases with NTG tape than during the control phase. The percent increases in platelet cGMP level and forearm blood flow after sublingual NTG were significantly lower during the NTG phase than during the baseline phase. In contrast, concomitant application of ACE inhibitors maintained the percent increase in platelet cGMP level and forearm blood flow. These results indicate that concomitant therapy with ACE inhibitors may be helpful in preventing the attenuation of intracellular cGMP production in patients with chronic heart failure during continuous transdermal application of NTG.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Efficacy and rebound phenomenon related to intermittent nitroglycerin therapy for the prevention of nitrate tolerance.

Intermittent transdermal therapy of nitroglycerin (NTG) has been recommended for the prevention of nitrate tolerance, but a rebound phenomenon has been reported to occur following removal of the NTG tape. The present study investigated the effects of intermittent NTG therapy on vasodilatory response and the intracellular production of cyclic GMP (cGMP). The study group comprised 12 healthy adults and measurements were taken of the platelet cGMP level, the venous volume (VV) (by forearm plethysmography) and the plasma levels of neurohormonal factors before and 5 min after administration of 0.3 mg of sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG) during the following 4 phases: (i) the control phase (8.00 h); (ii) the continuous phase (8.00 h; 7 days after continuous application of a 10 mg/24 h NTG tape); (iii) the intermittent application phase (8.00 h; 7 days after intermittent application of NTG tape, applied at 21.00 h and removed at 9.00 h); and (iv) the intermittent removal phase (13.00 h; 4 h after removal of the NTG tape in the intermittent phase). The percentage increase in cGMP (%cGMP) and venous volume (%VV) were significantly lower in the continuous phase than the control phase, but there was no difference between the control and the intermittent application phases. However, in the intermittent removal phase, the cGMP level before sublingual NTG, the %cGMP and the %VV were unchanged, but the VV before sublingual NTG was significantly lower than in the control phase. Plasma renin activity and the plasma level of angiotensin II were significantly increased in the continuous phase, the intermittent application phase, and the intermittent removal phase. In conclusion, intermittent transdermal NTG therapy prevented nitrate tolerance in the production of cGMP and vasodilation, but induced a rebound phenomenon after removal of the NTG tape. The rebound phenomenon following the tape removal may be related to some other mechanism, such as activation of neurohormonal factors.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

[Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of supplemental vitamin E on attenuation of the development of nitrate tolerance].

The attenuation of intracellular production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) has been known as a mechanism of nitrate tolerance. A recent in vitro study have shown an increase in superoxide levels and a reduced activation of guanylate cyclase in tolerant vessels. We investigated the preventive effect of an antioxidant, vitamin E, on the development of nitrate tolerance. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 24 normal volunteers and 24 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD patients) were randomized to receive either vitamin E (200 mg t. i. d.; vitamin E group) or placebo (placebo group). Vasodilator response to nitroglycerin was assessed with forearm plethysmography by measuring the change in the forearm blood flow before and 5 min after sublingual administration of 0.3 mg nitroglycerin, and at the same time, blood samples were taken from veins to measure the platelet cGMP level. Measurements of the forearm blood flow and blood sampling were obtained serially at baseline (day 0), 3 days after taking vitamin E or placebo alone (day 3), and 3 days after application of a 10 mg/24 hr nitroglycerin tape concomitantly with oral vitamin E or placebo (day 6). The response of forearm blood flow (%FBF) and cGMP (%cGMP) after sublingual nitroglycerin on day 0(%FBF: normal volunteers 32 +/- 12% vs 31 +/- 11%, IHD patients 35 +/- 15% vs 34 +/- 15%; %cGMP: normal volunteers 38 +/- 10% vs 35 +/- 11%, IHD patients 37 +/- 11% vs 38 +/- 12%; vitamin E group as placebo group) and day 3(%FBF: normal volunteers 33 +/- 9% vs 32 +/- 12%, IHD patients 35 +/- 12% vs 33 +/- 13%, %cGMP: normal volunteers 38 +/- 10% vs 37 +/- 11%, IHD patients 36 +/- 14% vs 37 +/- 10%, vitamin E group vs placebo group) were not different between the two groups. On day 6 %FBF and %cGMP in the placebo group were significantly lower compared with day 0, and there were significant differences in them between the two groups (%FBF: normal volunteers 30 +/- 12% vs 17 +/- 9%, p < 0.01; IHD patients 28 +/- 14% vs 17 +/- 8%, p < 0.01; %cGMP: normal volunteers 35 +/- 11% vs 8 +/- 5%, p < 0.01; IHD patients 38 +/- 10% vs 12 +/- 4%, p < 0.01, vitamin E group vs placebo group). In conclusion, the combination therapy with vitamin E is potentially a useful method to prevent the development of nitrate tolerance.

Aged↗