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Biomedical subjects

V Richter

Publications and source records attributed to V Richter.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Lipoprotein(a) levels in formerly small-for-gestational-age children.

Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is an independent and inherited risk factor for coronary artery disease. Concentrations of Lp(a) have been widely described in adolescents, but little is known about its concentration in children born small for gestational age (SGA). To assess the influence of intrauterine growth on Lp(a) levels we examined 50 children born SGA and 21 children born adequate for gestational age (AGA). Lp(a) blood levels (mean +/- SD) of the SGA children differed significantly (p < 0.05) from AGA children (22.3 +/- 22.1 vs. 10.9 +/- 7.6 mg/dl). 14 out of 50 adolescents of the SGA group but 1 out of 21 of the AGA group had elevated Lp(a) (>30 mg/dl) concentrations (p < 0.05). These children also had higher triglyceride (1.0 +/- 0.6 mmol/l vs. 0.74 +/- 0.38 mmol/l) levels (p < 0.05) compared to children with Lp(a) levels <30 mg/dl. Adolescents with Lp(a) levels >30 mg/dl showed a significant inverse relation between Lp(a) levels and gestational age (r = -0.68, p < 0. 005). We hypothesize that impairment of fetal growth might influence serum Lp(a) levels in later life.

Adolescent↗

Regulation of adhesion molecules during human endotoxemia. No acute effects of aspirin.

Gram-negative septic shock is mediated in part by endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS), and animal models have shown that blockade of even single adhesion molecules considerably improves survival. Thus interference with the adhesion cascade may provide a useful therapeutic approach in human sepsis. Young healthy men (n = 30) each received a bolus of 4 ng/kg LPS intravenously to study the effects of endotoxemia on adhesion processes in humans and to identify potential targets for pharmacologic intervention. One third of subjects received pretreatment with 1,000 mg aspirin and 1,000 mg paracetamol to study potential antiinflammatory effects of aspirin or effects of antipyresis. Circulating neutrophils dropped by -80% at 67 min after LPS, monocytes by -96% at 90 min, and lymphocytes by -85% at 240 min. L-selectin expression decreased, particularly on monocytes. Circulating (c)E-selectin levels increased by 820%, von Willebrand factor-Ag (vWF), soluble thrombomodulin, circulating (c)P-selectin, circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (cICAM-1), and circulating vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (cVCAM-1) by a mean of 65 to 98% (p < 0.001 for all), but cL-selectin by only 15%. Urinary excretion of soluble adhesion molecules was negligible. Aspirin had no influence on the LPS-induced changes of adhesion parameters, but paracetamol blunted the relative increase in vWF while having no effects on the other parameters measured. The consistent, profound, and early upregulation of cE-selectin during endotoxemia indicates that cE-selectin may be a better surrogate marker to monitor the activation status of endothelial cells in systemic inflammation than the other markers measured. Although aspirin did not have any antiinflammatory effects in this model, paracetamol lowered the relative increase in vWF.

Acetaminophen↗

The total and HDL-cholesterol levels in populations of St. Petersburg (Russia) and Leipzig (Germany).

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In the early 90s an increase in coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality in post-communist countries was observed. Based on the lipid theory of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, we looked to see whether these changes were accompanied by changes in blood lipid profiles and how lipid levels are related in a post-communist country with a relatively high standard of living (East Germany) and a country still facing economic troubles (Russia). METHODS AND RESULTS: This investigation was conducted in 1995-1997 by a cooperative program between the Department of Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany and the Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia. The Russian part of the study included 1646 subjects and the German part 3189 subjects. The blood lipids were measured using a dry-chemistry analyzer (Reflotron). Russian and German males had almost the same level of total cholesterol with a significantly lower level of HDL-C in Russians. A significantly lower level of HDL-C was also observed in Russian females. Differences were in range 2-3 mg/dl for males and 8-13 mg/dl for females. In St. Petersburg, almost 40% of all screened young males (age < 30 yr) had hypoalphacholesterolemia. In the St. Petersburg study carried out in 1986-1988, in age group 40-49 years around 6% of those screened had HDL-C lower than 35 mg/dl. In 1995-1997 this number increased to 36%. The number of subjects with HDL-C less than 30 mg/dl in 1986-1988 was only 2.4% and in 1995-1997, 12.3%. CONCLUSION: There is a dramatic decrease in HDL-C in the Russian population, probably due to the socioeconomic factors which began to develop after the fall of communist.

Adult↗

Genotyping of human apolipoprotein E alleles by the new qualitative, microplate-based CASSI-detection assay.

A new qualitative PCR product detection assay called competitive amplified single mutation detection by selective probe hybridization immunoassay (CASSI) was developed for genotyping the most common apolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphisms. Single target DNA strands immobilized using biotin on streptavidin-coated microplates were hybridized in separate wells with two distinct, 5'-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled oligonucleotides, complementary to either the 112Arg or 158Arg encoding site. With this assay, only correctly matched hybrids that form between probe and target DNA can be cleaved with the HhaI restriction endonuclease, leading to loss of probe label in corresponding wells. However, allele-specific, probe-target mismatches due to G-->T exchanges in the HhaI recognition sequences are not cleaved. After digestion, the remaining microplate-adsorbed signal is measured colorimetrically by using anti-FITC, Fab-horseradish peroxidase conjugates. Our results show maximum intensity was detected when the respective probe hybridized incompletely to the target (i.e., no cleavage), and minimum signal was obtained when the probe matched the target completely (complete cleavage); whereas, an intermediate signal was recorded at 50% complementarity (i.e., heterozygote alleles). With this assay, we could demonstrate a high prevalence of the apoE2 allele in patients suffering from coronary artery disease even though they displayed normal triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Corresponding results were obtained by CASSI compared with conventional restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis.

Alleles↗

Analytical capillary isotachophoresis of human serum lipoproteins.

An analytical free flow capillary isotachophoresis (cITP) procedure for the detailed analysis of lipoproteins on commercially available capillary electrophoresis systems has been developed. The technique is based on the specific staining of lipoproteins with the fluorescent lipophilic dye 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD)-ceramide before separation. Prestained lipoprotein samples are applied between leading and terminating buffer and separated into 9 well-characterized subpopulations according to their electrophoretic mobility in the absence of any molecular sieve effect. High density lipoproteins are separated into three major subpopulations: (i) the fast migrating high density lipoprotein (HDL) subpopulation (alpha-HDL, containing mainly apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and phosphatidylcholine, (ii) the subpopulation with intermediate mobility, consisting of particles rich in cholesterol, apo A-II, apo E and C apolipoproteins, and (iii) the slow migrating HDL subpopulation (pre-beta-HDL), containing particles rich in apo A-I, apo A-IV. The majority of HDL-associated lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity is also associated with the last subpopulation. The apo B-containing lipoproteins can be subdivided into three major functional groups. The first represents chylomicron derived particles and large triglyceride-rich very low density lipoproteins (VLDL). The second group consists of small VLDL and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) particles, and the third group represents the low density lipoproteins (LDL). Results obtained by the isotachophoretic lipoprotein analysis revealed a good correlation in the range of HDL with routinely used techniques, like lipoprotein electrophoresis, HDL-cholesterol analysis by a precipitation procedure or turbidimetric determination of apo A-I. Similar correlations with other analytical techniques were found for the quantitation of the apo B-containing lipoproteins. Advantages of the isotachophoretic separation compared to zone electrophoresis are the high resolution combined with small sample volumes. Moreover, lipoprotein analysis can be performed directly from whole serum, plasma, lymph and other biological fluids in a short time. With these characteristics analytical capillary isotachophoresis may be a helpful tool for a fast and reliable automated quantitation of lipoprotein subpopulations in the clinical laboratory.

4-Chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan↗

[Cardiovascular risk factors in former and new Germany. City comparison of Leipzig/Nürnberg on the incidence of increased cholesterol values and other cardiovascular risk factors].

FUNDAMENTALS: Cardiovascular risk factors depend decisively on living conditions and nutrition. The aim of the present study was to establish whether the different living conditions in the eastern and western parts of Germany were associated with differences in the frequency and severity of these risk factors. METHOD: In Leipzig, 15,291 people (9,600 women and 5,691 men), in Nuremberg 8,387 (4,559 women and 3,828 men) were examined either after responding to a public appeal, or in the factory, etc. RESULTS: Clearly elevated cholesterol levels (> 250 mg/dl) were found in 33.8% of the men, and 35.9% of the women in Leipzig, and in 39.1% of the men and 50.7% of the women in Nuremberg. This larger incidence of treatment-requiring hypercholesterolemia in Nuremberg was distributed throughout all age groups up to the age of 60. Hypertension was significantly more common among the 30 to 80-year-old women, and the 20 to 40-year-old and 50 to 80-year-old men in Leipzig. the frequency of cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus and overweight did not differ significantly between the two cities. In cases with known dyslipoproteinemia, drug treatment was rarely applied, and the therapeutic aim of a cholesterol level < 200 mg/dl, was achieved in only 2-6% of those treated. The most significant difference with respect to cardiovascular risk factors was serum cholesterol. It is possible that a higher ingestion of monounsaturated fatty acids and more physical activity may be responsible for the lower cholesterol levels in Leipzig.

Adolescent↗

Diagnosis of renal transplant failure by real-time and duplex Doppler sonography.

A total of 419 real-time and duplex Doppler ultrasound examinations of renal allografts were carried out in 61 patients. Results were related to the clinical diagnoses based on histomorphological, clinical, and laboratory findings. The results of all sonographic examinations in terms of the diagnostic parameters of normal function, acute tubular necrosis, and interstitial and vascular rejection did not yield reliable criteria for distinguishing between the different forms of transplant dysfunction. The maximum difference was calculated for each ultrasound parameter between a time of normal transplant function and at a time of dysfunction. By means of this 'maximum parenchyma-pyelon index difference' it was possible to discriminate between acute tubular necrosis and vascular rejection (P < 0.05). Acute tubular necrosis could be distinguished from interstitial rejection using the maximum longitudinal renal diameter difference and the maximum parenchyma-pyelon index difference (P < 0.05). To discriminate between interstitial and vascular rejection the maximum pulsatility index difference was very useful (P < 0.05). Combined real-time and duplex Doppler sonography is most valuable in the diagnosis of transplant failure when it is performed not only in the case of dysfunction but also when transplant function appears to be normal.

Female↗

[HDL subfractions in post-prandial lipidemia].

The influence of a standardised fatty test meal on the composition of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subfractions (HDL3, HDL2) and the concentration of other lipid parameters was investigated in a group of young women of the age 20-25 years, in women of the age range 60-90 years, and in a group of patients with arteriosclerotic diseases. Total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol in serum do not change significantly under extreme conditions of postprandial lipaemia. This is true also regarding persons in high age groups and patients with arteriosclerotic diseases. In contrast to the group of young subjects, 60-90 years old women show both elevated HDL triglyceride levels under basal conditions and a greater magnitude of HDL triglyceride enrichment under the conditions of postprandial lipaemia. Patients with arteriosclerotic diseases also exhibit a marked postprandial HDL triglyceride enrichment. It is concluded that there are metabolic relations between the observed low HDL2 cholesterol concentrations in the group of older subjects and in patients with arteriosclerotic diseases and the high magnitude of HDL triglyceride increase in the postprandial state which are relevant within the risk syndrome hypertriglyceridaemia-low HDL2 levels.

Adult↗

[Population screening on a population level in Leipzig within the scope of the Bavarian cholesterol project].

Cholesterol determinations of 15.391 inhabitants of Leipzig were carried out in November 1990 within the Bavarian Cholesterol-Screening-Project. The aim of this screening on population basis was to identify individuals with elevated blood cholesterol levels as one of the risk factors of atherosclerosis. Capillary blood cholesterol was measured by means of the Reflotron dry-chemistry system (Boehringer, Mannheim). 27% of the inhabitants of Leipzig show cholesterol levels lower than 5.2 mmol/l as recommended by the European Society of Atherosclerosis Research. Furthermore the characteristic age dependence is seen. In comparison with the town Nürnberg lower mean cholesterol values were found in Leipzig.

Adult↗

[Postprandial lipemia under treatment with Allium sativum. Controlled double-blind study of subjects with reduced HDL2-cholesterol].

Postprandial Lipaemia under Treatment with Allium sativum/Controlled double-blind study in healthy volunteers with reduced HDL2-cholesterol levels. The effectiveness of a standardized garlic powder preparation (Sapec, Kwai) on alimentary hypertriglyceridaemia after intake of a standardized fatty test meal containing 100 g butter was analyzed in a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study. 24 volunteers with HDL2-cholesterol concentrations in plasma of less than 10 mg/dl (men) respectively 15 mg/dl (women) participated in the study. The volunteers received 3 times 1 tablet daily over a period of 6 weeks equivalent to a daily dosage of 900 mg garlic powder in the active treated group. Control measurements were made on the 1st, 22nd and 43rd day of treatment and 0, 3 and 5 h after intake of the meal. The postprandial increase of triglycerides was clearly reduced under garlic medication as compared to placebo treatment. The determined AUC-values for the triglycerides were up to 35% lower in the garlic group compared to the placebo group. The regular intake of the garlic preparation over the period of 6 weeks showed a significant lowering of the fasting values of triglycerides in comparison to placebo. Under garlic medication HDL2-cholesterol increased more than under placebo in tendency.

Adult↗

[Spontaneous perforation of the stomach in neonates].

The authors report on five neonates with perforation of the stomach manifested during the first two weeks of life. Four of the neonates had low birth weights. Asphyxia was proved in three neonates, in two histological examination revealed a congenital defect of the musculature of the gastric wall, in three a nasogastric tube was used. Causes which lead to gastric perforation in neonates are not uniform. Only by early diagnosis and surgical treatment the mortality can be reduced.

Female↗

[In vivo effects of high density lipoprotein rich serum fractions (HDLF) in the human. 2. Effect of repeated HDLF infusions on atherogenic risk factors and arteriosclerotic vascular changes in patients with and without hyperlipoproteinemia].

10 patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia and 4 normolipaemic smokers with angiographically proved arteriosclerosis of different degrees of severity were infused in 2-week intervals 100 ml HDL-rich Cohn-IV-1 fractions each. After the infusion for 5 days essential phospholipids were injected and a permanent medication with cholestyramin and a choleretic drug were prescribed. In the patients with HLP increases of concentration, decreases of concentration, constancy of the plasma lipids and apoproteins independent of the phaenotype of the HLP as well as an improvement of the state of the antioxidant state were observed. In 6 of 10 patients in reproducible vascular areas regressions of athero- und arteriosclerotic findings could be made evident. Progressions were not observed also in extremely changed arteries in contrast to the normolipaemic smokers and the patients of the control group.

Arteriosclerosis↗

[Postoperative behavior of parameters of intravascular lipid metabolism].

In order to investigate alterations of intravascular lipoprotein metabolism under postoperative conditions, clinical investigations and animal experiments with female Wistar rats were carried out. Total serum cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol are diminished in the postoperative state. In the immediate postoperative phase there is a rapid decrease of serum triglycerides. Post-heparin-lipolytic-activity is found initially enhanced whereas there is no change of triglyceride secretion rate. It is concluded that the decreased triglyceride level is the result of an elevated catabolism of triglyceride rich lipoproteins. Besides the fall of VLDL level the relative composition of VLDL changes. The quotients VLDL triglycerides/VLDL-phospholipids and VLDL-cholesterol/VLDL-phospholipids decrease under postoperative conditions.

Animals↗