Numerous studies have shown estrogen to be vasoactive in various circulations. Our objective was to determine the effect of estrogen on isolated bovine coronary arteries and the possible mechanism. Bovine coronary arteries, precontracted with thromboxane mimetic U46619 were given doses (0.01-30 microM) of 17B-estradiol in the presence and absence of endothelium and these inhibitors: 10 microM indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor), 10 microM methylene blue (inhibits soluble guanylate cyclase), 100 microM nitro-L-arginine (inhibits nitric oxide synthesis), 100 microM isobutylmethylxanthine (phosphodiesterase inhibitor) and 30 microM mifepristone (Ru38486 steroid receptor antagonist). Our results indicated that, estrogen, in the highest concentration used (30 microM), elicited an acute dose-dependent relaxation of bovine coronary arteries from 4%-68% (n = 15). No major difference in relaxation was observed between coronary arteries with or without endothelium, indicating that the mechanism was endothelium-independent. Indomethacin, nitro-L-arginine and methylene blue did not alter this relaxation, suggesting that relaxant prostaglandins, l-arginine products and cGMP are not involved (n = 11-16), isobutylmethylxanthine enhanced relaxation from 20%-40% (n = 15 p < 0.01), suggests a role for cAMP. Furthermore, mifepristone reduced the relaxation by more than 50% (n = 15 p < 0.05) consistent with the role for estrogen receptors. Based on our study, estrogen causes a dose-dependent relaxation of bovine coronary arteries that does not appear to utilize endothelium, prostaglandins, cGMP or arginine products, but may involve cAMP and estrogen receptors. This study may help justify treating myocardial ischemia with estrogen.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Coronary Artery Risk Detection in Appalachian Communities (CARDIAC): preliminary findings.

West Virginia's mortality and morbidity from cardiovascular disease (CVD) is among the highest in the developed world. Appalachia, and West Virginia in particular, could reduce the high prevalence of premature coronary heart disease (CHD) by addressing modifiable independent risk factors such as poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyle, and tobacco use. School-based health promotion programs have been shown to be an effective means of influencing student and parental health behavior. The pilot phase of the Coronary Artery Risk Detection in Appalachian Communities (CARDIAC) project substantiated an alarmingly high incidence of CVD risk factors among 347 fifth grade children from three rural counties, and was also an effective means of identifying parents at risk of developing CHD. Utilization of the innovative Rural Health Education Partnerships (WVRHEP), coupled with a health conscious public school system, offers a unique opportunity to establish the first statewide cardiovascular disease community intervention project in the nation.

Blood Pressure Determination↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Childhood acute rheumatic fever: a comparison of recent resurgence areas to cases in West Virginia.

A resurgence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) was noted over the last 10 years in several areas of the United States. West Virginia was no exception with two reports appearing in the literature confirming an increased incidence in the 1980s among children and adults. The Pediatric Cardiology Division of West Virginia University Children's Hospital had 30 cases of ARF referred between 1980 and 1995, and surprisingly 27 of these cases had been diagnosed since 1986. This article describes our chart review of these 30 cases which studied epidemiological aspects, diagnostic criteria and regional differences by chi-square analysis. Other issues we present include "silent" mitral regurgitation and the unreliability of a history of a recent pharyngitis with or without appropriate antibiotic therapy while considering ARF in the differential diagnosis.

Acute Disease↗