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S Oshima

Publications and source records attributed to S Oshima.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Effects of VIP and NO on the motor activity of vascularly perfused rat proximal colon.

The effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and nitric oxide (NO) on the motor activity of the rat proximal colon were examined in an ex vivo model of vascularly perfused rat proximal colon. VIP reduced motor activity and this inhibitory effect was not altered by either atropine, hexamethonium, tetrodotoxin (TTX) nor TTX plus acetylcholine (ACh), but was completely antagonized by NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA) and by VIP receptor antagonist, VIP(10-28). These results suggest that VIP may exert a direct inhibitory effect on the motor activity of the rat proximal colon via a VIP receptor located on the smooth muscle and this effect is mediated by NO but not by cholinergic pathways. Atropine and hexamethonium reduced but ACh stimulated motor activity and the effect of ACh was not changed by TTX, suggesting that the cholinergic pathway may exert a direct stimulatory effect on motor activity. Single injection of TTX, VIP(10-28) or L-NA induced a marked increase in motor activity, suggesting that the motor activity of rat proximal colon is tonically suppressed by VIP and NO generating pathways, and elimination of inhibitory neurotransmission by TTX may induce an abnormal increase of the motor activity. The interaction between VIP and NO in regulation of motor activity was further examined by a measurement of NO release from vascularly perfused rat proximal colon. Results showed that NO release was significantly increased during infusion of VIP and this response was reversed by L-NA. These results suggest that VIP generating neurons may inhibit colonic motility by stimulating endogenous NO production in either smooth muscle cells or nerve terminals.

Animals↗

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of antibiotic-resistant Propionibacterium acnes isolated from acne patients attending dermatology clinics in Europe, the U.S.A., Japan and Australia.

BACKGROUND: Propionibacterium acnes is the target of antimicrobial treatments for acne vulgaris. Acquired resistance to erythromycin, clindamycin and tetracyclines has been reported in strains from diverse geographical loci, but the molecular basis of resistance, via mutations in genes encoding 23S and 16S rRNA, respectively, has so far only been elucidated for isolates from the U.K. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether similar or different resistance mechanisms occur in resistant P. acnes isolates from outside the U.K. METHODS: The phenotypes and genotypes of 73 antibiotic-resistant strains of P. acnes obtained from the skin of acne patients in the U.K., U.S.A., France, Germany, Australia and Japan were compared. Antibiotic susceptibilities were determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) measurements, and polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used to identify mutations in genes encoding rRNA. RESULTS: Most erythromycin-resistant isolates (MIC(90) > or = 512 microg mL(-1)) were cross-resistant to clindamycin but at a much lower level (MIC(90) > or = 64 microg mL(-1)). As in the U.K., resistance to erythromycin was associated with point mutations in 23S rRNA in 49 of 58 strains. An A-->G transition at Escherichia coli equivalent base 2058 was present in 24 strains. This gave a unique cross-resistance phenotype against a panel of macrolide, lincosamide and type B streptogramin antibiotics. Two further point mutations (at E. coli equivalent bases 2057 and 2059) were identified (in three and 22 isolates, respectively) and these were also associated with specific cross-resistance patterns originally identified in isolates from the U.K. However, nine of 10 erythromycin resistant-strains from Germany did not exhibit any of the three base mutations identified and, in six cases, cross-resistance patterns were atypical. Consistent with previous U.K. data, 34 of 38 tetracycline-resistant strains carried a base mutation at E. coli 16S rRNA equivalent base 1058. Tetracycline-resistant isolates displayed varying degrees of cross-resistance to doxycycline and minocycline, but isolates from the U.S.A. had higher MICs for minocycline (4--16 microg mL(-1)) than isolates from other countries and, in particular, Australia. All the P. acnes isolates resistant to one or more of the commonly used antiacne antibiotics were sensitive to penicillin, fusidic acid, chloramphenicol and the fluoroquinolone, nadifloxacin. All but one isolate (from the U.K.) were sensitive to trimethoprim. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that 23S and 16S mutations identified in the U.K. conferring antibiotic resistance in P. acnes are distributed widely. However, resistant strains were isolated in which mutations could not be identified, suggesting that as yet uncharacterized resistance mechanisms have evolved. This is the first report of high-level resistance to minocycline and is of concern as these strains are predicted to be clinically resistant and are unlikely to remain confined to the U.S.A. Epidemiological studies are urgently required to monitor how resistant strains are selected, how they spread and to ascertain whether the prevalence of resistance correlates with antibiotic usage patterns in the different countries.

Acne Vulgaris↗

Protection by quercetin and quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucuronide of peroxynitrite-induced antioxidant consumption in human plasma low-density lipoprotein.

Effect of quercetin and its conjugated metabolite quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucuronide (Q3GA), on peroxynitrite-induced consumption of lipophilic antioxidants in human plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was measured to estimate the role of dietary flavonoids in the defense system against oxidative modification of LDL based on the reaction of nitric oxide and superoxide anion. Synthesized peroxynitrite-induced consumption of endogenous lycopene beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol was effectively suppressed by adding quercetin aglycone into LDL solution. Q3GA also inhibited the consumption of these antioxidants effectively. These results indicate that dietary quercetin is capable of inhibiting peroxynitrite-induced oxidative modification of LDL in association with lipophilic antioxidants present within this lipoprotein particle.

Antioxidants↗

Changes in the cell structure of Flavobacterium psychrophilum with length of culture.

Flavobacterium psychrophilum, the pathogen of bacterial cold-water disease, causes serious problems in ayu Plecoglossus altivelis culture. This study investigated the effect of the culture period of F. psychrophilum and on the structure of its cells. From the SDS-PAGE of total proteins of cellular components, much difference was found between the 36 hr culture and the 48 and 72 hr cultures. A SEM observation of the cells showed many fragments, especially on the cell surface of the 36 hr culture. These fragments consisted of an outer membrane, seen by TEM observation, and may contain substances causing the virulence. Specific proteins observed by the SDS-PAGE and fragments in the 36 hr culture may be related to the virulence of F. psychrophilum.

Animals↗

Electrocardiographic ST-segment elevation and changes in the regional work of the left ventricle during coronary angioplasty.

This study evaluated the reduction in regional work of the left ventricle caused by acute myocardial ischemia during coronary angioplasty, and correlated it with ST-segment elevation. Regional work of the left ventricular myocardium, which is derived from a stress-strain loop, is a useful index of the function of a diseased heart. However, the effects of transient ischemia on the regional work of the myocardium have not been fully elucidated. The subjects consisted of 25 patients who had proximal left anterior descending artery stenosis with normal wall motion and without collateral circulation. The patients were classified as showing ST-segment elevation > or = 0.2 mV (group A, 10 patients), or ST-segment elevation < 0.2mV (group B, 15 patients) during coronary angioplasty. Group A showed a greater reduction in the regional work of the interventricular septum than group B. Regional work recovered to the baseline level 30 s after balloon deflation in group B, but took 40 s in group A. A greater ST elevation during balloon inflation was associated with a greater, prolonged reduction of work performance in the ischemic region and a greater concomitant increase in the opposite nonischemic region.

Acute Disease↗

Combined revascularization strategy for acute myocardial infarction in patients with intracoronary thrombus: preceding intracoronary thrombolysis and subsequent mechanical angioplasty.

Thrombus in the infarct-related artery is one of the limitations for flow restoration in primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) treatment for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The present study investigated the benefit of preceding intracoronary thrombolysis (ICT) by retrospectively analyzing acute phase flow restoration in 80 AMI patients with intracoronary thrombus: 40 undergoing primary PTCA alone (primary PTCA group) and 40 treated with preceding ICT plus PTCA (combined group). Acute phase Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade flow was as follows: TIMI 0/1: 35.0% vs 12.5% for the primary PTCA group and the combined group, p=0.06; TIMI 2: 7.5% vs 15.0%, p=NS; TIMI 3: 57.5% vs 72.5%, p=NS). In the subgroup analysis, it was also less in the combined group among 33 patients with a left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) lesion (42.1 % vs 7.1%, p=0.08), but not among the remaining 47 with either a right coronary artery or left circumflex artery lesion. The combined therapy may potentially provide better acute phase flow restoration in AMI patients with an intracoronary thrombus in a LAD lesion.

Aged↗

Plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 antigen levels and the risk of restenosis after coronary stent implantation.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays a fundamental role in monocyte recruitment and has been implicated in atherosclerosis. The present study tested the hypothesis that increased levels of MCP-1 are associated with an increased risk for restenosis post stent implantation. The plasma MCP-1 antigen levels were measured pre-stenting, and at 24 and 48 h and 6 months post stenting in 41 patients with stable exertional angina (SEA) who had undergone successful stent implantation. Nineteen patients with chest pain syndrome were selected as a control group. Initial plasma MCP-1 antigen levels (mean +/- SE, pg/ml) in the patients with SEA were significantly higher than those in the control group (852.3+/-51.4 vs 418.2+/-26.7, p<0.001). The patients with SEA were divided into 2 groups based on follow-up angiographic findings: 17 patients with restenosis (R group); 24 patients without restenosis (N group). The lesion was significantly longer in the R group than in the N group (p<0.03). Plasma MCP-1 antigen levels at pre-stenting were not significantly different between the 2 groups (820.6+/-69.1 in the R group vs 874.7+/-73.8 in the N group). Serial changes of plasma MCP-1 levels were plotted as percent changes from the initial levels (mean +/- SE, %) and were significantly higher in the R group than in the N group at 48 h and at 6 months post stent implantation (104.6+/-4.8 vs 89.2+/-3.4, p<0.01, 109.6+/-11.2 vs 98.5+/-5.0, p<0.05). The study concludes that MCP-1 production at stented coronary arterial sites is associated with an increased risk for restenosis post stent implantation.

Aged↗

Short-term physical training improves ventilatory response to exercise after coronary arterial bypass surgery.

The issue of whether exercise training improves exercise hyperpnea in patients after coronary arterial bypass graft (CABG) surgery has not been fully explored. Effects of short-term physical training on ventilatory response and cardiac output during exercise in patients following coronary arterial bypass grafting surgery is studied. Thirty-four patients underwent exercise training for 2 weeks after the second postoperative week (Ex group); 23 stayed sedentary (Sed group). Ventilatory and cardiac output response during the cardiopulmonary exercise test was measured before and after the training period. The minute ventilation-carbon dioxide output (VE-VCO2) slope decreased from 38.9+/-8.1 to 35.1+/-6.7 (p<0.05) in the Ex group, but failed to decrease in the Sed group (39.7+/-11.1 to 41.5+/-11.4). Cardiac output during exercise at 20W and at peak exercise, and peak oxygen pulse (VO2/HR) increased significantly only in the Ex group after training. There was a correlation between improvement of the VE-VCO2 slope and peak cardiac output during the training interval (r=-0.47) in the Ex group. Short-term physical training after CABG improves ventilatory response to exercise and increases cardiac output during exercise. Improvement of cardiac output is correlated with a decreased value of the VE-VCO2 slope.

Aged↗

Left ventricular epicardial outflow tract tachycardia: a new distinct subgroup of outflow tract tachycardia.

The present study investigated the incidence and ECG characteristics of ventricular tachycardias (VTs) originating from the left ventricular (LV) epicardium. Thirty-one consecutive patients with VT or premature ventricular contraction originating from the outflow tract (OT-VT) underwent catheter ablation. Twenty-one OT-VTs were ablated from the endocardium in the right ventricular (RV) OT and 3 were ablated from the endocardium in the LVOT. In the remaining 7 patients, 4 (13%) OT-VTs were LV epicardial in origin, and 1 of these was ablated from the left sinus of Valsalva. The ECG characteristics of OT-VT of epicardial origin included prominent tall R-waves in the inferior leads, an R-wave in V1 and an S-wave in V2, precordial R-wave transition in V2-4, a deep QS-wave in aVL, and no S-wave in V6. In addition, there was an atypical left bundle branch block morphology with an inferior axis. These findings were observed during pacing from several sites in the LV epicardium. Furthermore, pacing from the left sinus of Valsalva caused a relatively tall R in V1, deep S-wave in V2 and a tall R-wave with a shallow S-wave in V3, as well as tall R-waves in the inferior leads, which represented intermediate characteristics between RV endocardial OT-VT and LV endocardial OT-VT. In conclusion, OT-VT originating from the LV epicardium is not uncommon and has characteristic ECG findings. Some of them can be ablated from the left sinus of Valsalva.

Adult↗

Pulse infusion thrombolysis (PIT) for large intracoronary thrombus: preventive effect against the 'no flow' phenomenon in revascularization therapy for acute myocardial infarction.

Because large thrombus is a limitation for revascularization in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), the present study evaluated the effectiveness of pulse infusion thrombolysis (PIT) in patients with an AMI with a large (>15 mm) coronary thrombus, focusing on the occurrence of the 'no flow' phenomenon. The retrospective study compared patients treated before (1988-95; Group A, n=74) and after (1996-99; Group B, n=40) the use of PIT, using the following parameters: lesion success (<50% stenosis during 30-min observation), procedural success (lesion success plus TIMI grade 3 flow), procedural no flow (TIMI grade 0 flow during the procedure with 'back and forth movement' of contrast dye after lesion success), persistent no flow (consistent no flow without any flow improvement at the final visualization despite intensive treatment), reocclusion rate and in-hospital death. Group B was significantly better than Group A in procedural success (90% vs 66%; p=0.005), procedural 'no flow' (51% vs 15%; p<0.001), and persistent 'no flow' (34% vs 10%; p<0.05). Subgroup comparison was performed among the following groups: Direct-BA group (n=44): treated with mechanical angioplasty alone; ICT-BA group (n=40): treated with prior intracoronary thrombolysis and angioplasty; and PIT-BA group (n=30): treated with PIT and angioplasty. There were no differences in thrombus length and lesion success among these 3 groups. Procedural success was best achieved in PIT-BA: 97% vs 52% for Direct-BA (p=0.003) and 68% for ICT-BA (p=0.009). Procedural 'no flow' was least in PIT-BA: 50% vs 3.3% for Direct-BA (p=0.003) and 25% vs 3.3% for ICT-BA (p=0.042). Persistent 'no flow' was less frequent in PIT-BA than Direct-BA: 32% vs 3.3% (p=0.009). However, the difference between ICT-BA and Direct-BA was insignificant: 13% vs 3.3% (p=0.53). There were no differences in reocclusion rate and in-hospital death among the 3 subgroups. And there were no differences between Direct-BA and ICT-BA in any parameters. PIT was effective in preventing 'no flow' in the mechanical revasculalization for AMI especially those cases with a large thrombus.

Aged↗

Stress thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy in patients with complete occlusion of the left main coronary artery.

Complete occlusion (CO) of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) is a rare but often fatal condition. The diagnosis is frequently missed because the signs and symptoms are often obscure and diverse. We describe three patients with CO-LMCA who showed unusual myocardial scintigraphic findings. The patients had extensive right-to-left collateral channels and decreased uptake and washout rates at the basal anterior and anterolateral portions of the heart wall during stress thallium-201 scintigraphy. The basal anterior to anterolateral portion of the heart wall is the most distant from the collateral artery and should be the most ischemic area shown during exercise, resulting in this scintigraphic pattern. This scintigraphic finding may be useful for the noninvasive diagnosis of CO-LMCA.

Aged↗

Effects of tomato juice consumption on plasma and lipoprotein carotenoid concentrations and the susceptibility of low density lipoprotein to oxidative modification.

Effects of tomato juice supplementation on the carotenoid concentration in lipoprotein fractions and the oxidative susceptibility of LDL were investigated in 31 healthy Japanese female students. These subjects were randomized to one of three treatment groups; Control, Low and High. The Control, Low and High groups consumed 480 g of a control drink, 160 g of tomato juice plus 320 g of the control drink, and 480 g of tomato juice, providing 0, 15 and 45 mg of lycopene, respectively, for one menstrual cycle. The ingestion of tomato juice, rich in lycopene but having little beta-carotene, increased both lycopene and beta-carotene. Sixty-nine percent of lycopene in plasma was distributed in the LDL fraction and 24% in the HDL fraction. In the Low group, the lycopene concentration increased 160% each in the VLDL+IDL, LDL and HDL fractions (p<0.01). In the High group, the lycopene concentration increased 270% each in the VLDL+IDL and LDL fractions, and 330% in the HDL fraction (p<0.01). Beta-carotene also increased 120% and 180% in LDL fractions of the Low and the High groups, respectively. Despite these carotenoid increases in LDL, the lag time before oxidation was not prolonged as compared with that of the Control group. The propagation rate decreased significantly after consumption in the High group. Multiple regression analysis showed a positive correlation between lag time changes and changes in the alpha-tocopherol concentration per triglyceride in LDL, and a negative correlation between propagation rate changes and changes in the lycopene concentration per phospholipid in LDL. These data suggest that alpha-tocopherol is a major determinant in protecting LDL from oxidation, while lycopene from tomato juice supplementaion may contribute to protect phospholipid in LDI, from oxidation. Thus, oral intake of lycopene might be beneficial for ameliorating atherosclerosis.

Adult↗

[Outcome of patients with significant coronary stenosis but without ischemic evidence on exercise myocardial perfusion scintigraphy].

OBJECTIVES: The rates of cardiac events and coronary revascularization were evaluated in patients with significant coronary stenosis of more than 75% by the American Heart Association (AHA) classification but no ischemic evidence by exercise myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. METHODS: Subjects were 171 patients (113 males, 58 females, mean age 66 +/- 9 years) undergoing coronary angiography and without scintigraphic evidence of myocardial ischemia. They were divided into two groups according to the severity of coronary artery stenosis based on AHA classification. Group A was composed of 139 patients with more than 75% stenosis (101 patients with 75% stenosis and 38 patients with more than 90% stenosis), and Group B was composed of 32 patients with 50% stenosis. Cardiac events including angina pectoris (n = 63), myocardial infarction (n = 1), heart failure (n = 2) and cardiac death (n = 0), coronary revascularization and predictive factors were evaluated during follow-up of 34 +/- 21 months. Furthermore, the interval between coronary revascularization and exercise myocardial perfusion scintigraphy was estimated. RESULTS: The rates of cardiac events (45%) and coronary revascularization (29%) in Group A were significantly higher than the rate of cardiac events (9%, p < 0.05) and coronary revascularization (6%, p < 0.05) in Group B. Only percentage stenosis and the number of diseased vessels affected the rates of cardiac event and coronary revascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with significant coronary stenosis, but without ischemic evidence by exercise myocardial perfusion scintigraphy, have a relatively high rate of cardiac event and coronary revascularization, especially in patients with severe stenosis or multivessel disease. However, coronary revascularization should not be performed in all patients with significant coronary stenosis.

Aged↗

A scoring system for ultrasonographic differentiation between cervical malignant lymphoma and benign lymphadenitis.

The purpose of our study is to assess the usefulness of a scoring system for ultrasonography using a high-frequency transducer as a non-invasive examination in the differential diagnosis of cervical malignant lymphoma from benign lymphadenitis. Ultrasonography was performed with a real-time linear scanner using 7.5 and/or 11 MHz probes in 66 patients who were presented with cervical lymphadenopathy and were suspected to have malignant lymphoma. Thereafter, a surgical biopsy was performed for histopathological diagnosis, revealing 49 cases of malignant lymphoma and 17 cases of benign lymphadenitis. Ultrasonographic findings were reviewed retrospectively. The incidence of following ultrasonographic features was found to be significantly higher in malignant lymphoma than in benign lymphadenitis. These were; (1) longitudinal and transverse diameter ratio(L/T) < 2.0, (2) a delineation of multiple nodes, (3) a tendency of fusion, (4) an irregular margin, (5) hypoechoic masses with heterogeneous internal echoes, (6) a presence of line echoes and (7) an absence of hilum. These 7 ultrasonographic features were used in combination for a scoring system to discriminate malignant lymphoma from benign lymphadenitis. When ultrasonographic findings of lymph nodes fulfilled more than 3 of the 7 features, malignant lymphoma was diagnosed with a sensitivity of 98.0% and a specificity of 76.5%. Ultrasonographic evaluation of swollen cervical lymph nodes using a high-frequency transducer would be informative and should be performed prior to a surgical biopsy.

Adolescent↗

[Sigmoid colon cancer with multiple liver metastasis (H3) effectively treated with CPT-11 and DSM (degradable starch microsphere) HAI therapy and intensive high dosage 5-FU HAI therapy--a case report].

A weekly HAI therapy (CPT-11 80 mg, MMC 4 mg, degradable starch microsphere (DSM) 600 mg) was given to a patient with sigmoid colon cancer and multiple liver metastasis (H3) who had been taking tegafur 300 mg/day and 5-FU 750 mg HAI/week, which resulted in PD. This therapy was carried out on an outpatient basis with minimum side effects (< grade 2). After 8 weeks, the tumor marker dropped to one tenth and the liver metastasis decreased in size (PR). The time courses of the concentrations of CPT-11, SN-38 and SN-38G were determined by drawing blood after HAI with or without DSM. The Cmax and AUC inf. of SN-38 at HAI without DSM were 17 ng/ml and 90.55 ng/h/ml, respectively, which was comparable to that at i.v. administration. The Cmax and AUC inf. of SN-38 at HAI with DSM were 12 ng/ml and 129.19 ng/h/ml, respectively, implying that DSM might have an enhancing effect on CPT-11 due to stasis of the hepatic artery that slows the conversion of CPT-11 to SN-38 resulting in a longer existence of SN-38.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[Strategy for post coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with bypass graft stenosis: comparison of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for the native coronary artery, internal mammary artery and saphenous vein graft].

OBJECTIVES: The strategy for post coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was investigated in patients with graft stenosis. METHODS: The study included 123 post-CABG patients with graft stenosis. The patients were divided into three groups according to target vessels; saphenous vein graft (SVG; n = 72), internal mammary artery (IMA; n = 21) and native coronary artery (n = 30). Furthermore, SVG lesions were divided into proximal anastomosis (n = 23), body (n = 40) and distal anastomosis (n = 9). The procedural success rate and late patency rate were compared between the three groups. Furthermore, the relationships between pre percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) percentage diameter stenosis, procedural success rate and late patency rate were evaluated. RESULTS: Procedural success rate was similar in the three groups, but late patency rate was higher in the IMA group. Procedural success rate and late patency rate were significantly lower in proximal anastomoses compared to other sites of SVG stenoses, IMA group and native coronary artery group (p < 0.05). Totally occluded native coronary artery lesions had a high procedural success rate compared with occluded IMA and SVG lesions, but the late patency rate was not higher. Procedural success rate showed no significant difference for 75-99% stenotic lesions, but the late patency rate was significantly higher in the IMA group (p < 0.05). Patients in the stenting group had a greater late patency rate compared with the balloon angioplasty group. There was no significant difference in late patency rate between the IMA group and SVG group. CONCLUSIONS: Late patency rate of the IMA is higher than that of the native coronary artery. SVG with proximal anastomosis and severe stenosis shows a significantly lower late patency rate than the native coronary artery. Therefore, PTCA should be considered for the native coronary artery in the absence of chronic total occlusion.

Aged↗

The effect of heparin on tissue factor and tissue factor pathway inhibitor in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

We examined plasma TF and free TFPI levels in 26 consecutive patients with AMI, 26 patients with stable exertional angina, and 25 patients with chest pain syndrome. In patients with AMI, blood samples were obtained immediately after admission and at 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 h, and the third, fifth, seventh, and fourteenth day after initiation of reperfusion therapy. Plasma TF levels in patients with AMI on admission were significantly higher than in the chest pain syndrome and stable exertional angina groups (248.0+/-117. 4 vs. 179.5+/-29.2 vs. 189.5+/-29.6 pg/ml, P<0.01). In patients with AMI, the level subsequently decreased after heparin administration and was maintained at significantly lower levels compared to those on admission. Plasma free TFPI levels in patients with AMI on admission were significantly higher than in the chest pain syndrome and stable exertional angina groups [33.5+/-12.4 vs. 26.0+/-7.6 ng/ml (P<0.01) vs. 27.5+/-6.3 ng/ml, P<0.05]. In patients with AMI, it reached the maximum level at 4 h after the administration of heparin, and gradually decreased over the time course. These data indicated that continuous administration of a low dose of heparin was effective in decreasing TF levels without affecting TFPI levels. Our results elucidate one of the mechanisms by which the administration of heparin is beneficial in AMI patients undergoing percutaneous revascularization.

Aged↗

Effect of probucol on repeat revascularization rate after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (from the Probucol Angioplasty Restenosis Trial [PART]).

To address the issue of whether probucol reduces clinical events after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), we surveyed clinical status at 1 year after PTCA of 101 patients who had entered the Probucol Restenosis Angioplasty Trial. Repeat angioplasty at index lesions were required in 5 patients in the probucol group and in 12 in the control group, suggesting that probucol administered beginning 4 weeks before PTCA reduces repeat revascularization rates for 1 year.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗