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W Richmond

Publications and source records attributed to W Richmond.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Coronary calcification, homocysteine, C-reactive protein and the metabolic syndrome in Type 2 diabetes: the Prospective Evaluation of Diabetic Ischaemic Heart Disease by Coronary Tomography (PREDICT) Study.

AIMS: The PREDICT Study aims to determine: (i) the association between cardiovascular risk factors and coronary artery calcification score (CACS) obtained by electron beam tomography and (ii) the predictive value of CACS for coronary heart disease (CHD) events in Type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Having previously reported relationships between CACS and conventional risk factors, we have now studied the novel risk factors, plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine, insulin resistance, serum apoprotein A1 and B concentrations, the serum triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and metabolic syndrome (International Diabetes Federation definition) in 573 subjects of the PREDICT Type 2 diabetes cohort. RESULTS: In univariate analyses, the only significant positive novel correlate of CACS was homocysteine (P = 0.0004). CRP was increased in those with detectable calcification, but decreased with increasing calcification score (P = 0.006). In a multivariate model that included all significant univariate correlates, CACS was independently associated with age (P < 0.0001), waist-hip ratio (P < 0.02), male gender (P < 0.05) and duration of diabetes (P < 0.05), but the association with homocysteine was no longer significant. The negative association between CACS and CRP remained in multivariate analysis, and was independent of statin use. CONCLUSIONS: Age was the major factor influencing CACS in Type 2 diabetes, with weaker contributions from waist hip-ratio and duration of diabetes. Other novel cardiovascular risk factors appear to have little positive effect.

Adult↗

Random urine calcium/osmolality in the assessment of calciuria in children with decreased muscle mass.

BACKGROUND: Random urine Ca/creatinine (UCa/Cr) is used to estimate 24-hour Ca excretion. However, due to decreased urine creatinine excretion in children with decreased muscle mass (DMM), UCa/Cr overestimates their Ca excretion. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether in children with DMM random urine Ca/osmolality (UCa/Osm) can accurately predict hypercalciuria (24-hour urine Ca > 4.0 mg/kg) and at which "cutoff" value. METHODS: 19 children with DMM and 29 with normal muscle mass (NMM), ages 6 - 17 years, were studied. DMM was diagnosed based on clinical findings and decreased serum creatinine, and confirmed by low urine creatinine excretion. Over 24 hours, subjects collected each void separately. After each sample was analyzed, samples of each participant were combined to form a 24-hour specimen from which an aliquot (AL) was obtained; 24-hour urine Ca was first correlated with the corresponding AL Ca/Cr and Ca/Osm. As an internal control, a similar assessment ofproteinuria was conducted. In the next step, AL data were compared with individual urine samples to identify the time of day when a random sample best correlates with AL. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient between 24-hour Ca and AL Ca/Cr in all children was 0.61, in NMM 0.96, and in DMM 0.69 (in all p < 0.001). The correlation coefficient between 24-hour urine Ca and AL Ca/Osm in all children was 0.90, in NMM 0.90, and in DMM 0.91 (in all p < 0.001). In children with DMM, the correlation coefficient of 24-hour protein with AL protein/Cr was 0.75, and with protein/Osm 0.98 (both p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curves showed UCa/Cr as a better predictor of 24-hour Ca > 4.0 mg/kg in NMM, whereas UCa/Osm was a better predictor of hypercalciuria in DMM patients. In NMM, UCa/Cr ratio > 0.20 had sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 96% in detecting 24-hour Ca > 4.0 mg/kg, whereas in those with DMM UCa/Osm (x 10) ratio of > 0.25 had sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 93% in detecting hypercalciuria. It was further found that random urine specimens collected between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. best represented 24-hour urine data. CONCLUSION: In children with DMM, UCa/Osm can successfully replace UCa/Cr as a screening tool for hypercalciuria.

Adolescent↗

The association of coronary calcium score and conventional cardiovascular risk factors in Type 2 diabetic subjects asymptomatic for coronary heart disease (The PREDICT Study).

AIM: To determine the association between coronary calcification score (CACS) obtained by electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) and cardiovascular risk factors in Type 2 diabetic subjects entered into a prospective cohort study. METHODS: Type 2 diabetic subjects attending routine hospital diabetic clinics without known coronary heart disease (CHD) underwent EBCT to measure CACS. Demographic data were obtained and conventional cardiovascular risk factors were measured at baseline. RESULTS: Four hundred and ninety-five subjects were assessed of whom 67.7% were male. They had a mean (SD) age of 62.9 (7.1) years, with median (inter-quartile range) duration of diabetes of 8 (4-13) years. None had a history of coronary artery disease. Forty-five per cent were receiving lipid-lowering agents (including 36% statins). In a univariate analysis, there were significant associations between increased CACS and age, duration of diabetes, male gender, waist-hip ratio (WHR), systolic blood pressure, and the use of statins. In a multivariate model adjusting for the possible interaction of these and other factors, the significant association between CACS and WHR, systolic blood pressure, male gender and statin use remained. CONCLUSIONS: The close association between CACS and WHR and the association with systolic blood pressure suggest that coronary calcification may be particularly linked to the metabolic syndrome in Type 2 diabetes.

Calcinosis↗

Rates of cholesterol esterification and esterified cholesterol net mass transfer between high-density lipoproteins and apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins in Type 1 diabetes.

AIMS: Type 1 diabetes is associated with a high incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) despite paradoxically normal or high high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations. Triglyceride (TG) concentrations have been shown to be important determinants of two aspects of HDL metabolism: cholesterol esterification rate and esterified cholesterol (EC) net mass transfer rate between HDL and the apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. In order to try to explain the paradox, we aimed to assess the relationships between plasma TG and these two processes in Type 1 diabetic compared with non-diabetic subjects. METHODS: Rates of cholesterol esterification and EC net mass transfer between HDL and the apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins were assessed by incubating whole plasma at 37 degrees C; intra-assay coefficients of variation were 6% and 30%, respectively. RESULTS: Ten Type 1 diabetic and 10 non-diabetic subjects, with similar ages, sex distributions, body mass indices and total cholesterol and TG concentrations, were assessed. Apolipoprotein A1, HDL unesterified cholesterol, and HDL phospholipid concentrations were greater in the Type 1 diabetic subjects. There were no significant differences in the rates of cholesterol esterification or EC net mass transfer between the groups. There were strong associations between plasma TG and the rate of cholesterol esterification and between plasma TG and the rate of EC net mass transfer in Type 1 diabetic subjects (r = 0.83, P = 0.0027 and r = 0.88, P = 0.0009, respectively) and in non-diabetic subjects (r = 0.91, P = 0.0002 and r = 0.79, P = 0.0070, respectively). However, the slopes of the associations with plasma TG were significantly steeper in the Type 1 diabetic subjects (analyses of covariance P = 0.0053 and P = 0.0146, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Increases in TG may therefore promote more EC enrichment of atherogenic apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins in Type 1 diabetes while also promoting more cholesterol esterification, thereby maintaining HDL cholesterol concentrations. This could contribute to the paradox of high CHD incidence despite normal or high HDL cholesterol concentrations in Type 1 diabetes.

Adult↗

Smoking is associated with increased hepatic lipase activity, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia and early atherosclerosis in Type 2 diabetes.

We have studied the relationships between hepatic lipase activity, smoking, dyslipidaemia insulin resistance, and early atherosclerosis in 67 Type 2 diabetic subjects, 47 non-smokers and 20 smokers. Insulin resistance was measured using an insulin modified frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. Early atherosclerosis was assessed using high-resolution ultrasound to measure carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and an arterial ultrasonic score (AUS). Smokers had higher serum cholesterol and triglyceride, lower HDL and HDL2 cholesterol as well as increased hepatic lipase activity. They were also more insulin resistant than non-smokers. Smokers also had higher patient AUS scores. On multiple regression analysis, hepatic lipase activity emerged as the most significant variable affecting patient AUS. We suggest that smoking accentuates the dyslipidaemia of Type 2 diabetic subjects and this is associated with increased hepatic lipase activity. This may be one mechanism whereby smoking further increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in Type 2 diabetes.

Adult↗

Total antioxidant status and coronary artery calcification in type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: Type 1 diabetes is associated with a high risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), despite the absence of dyslipidemia. Oxidative modification may render LDLs more atherogenic. We aimed to assess antioxidant status in type 1 diabetes and its association with coronary artery calcification (CAC). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Total antioxidant status (TAS) of serum was measured using the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay in 48 type 1 diabetic and 25 nondiabetic subjects. The presence of CAC was assessed in the diabetic subjects using electron beam computed tomography. RESULTS: TAS was reduced in type 1 diabetic subjects compared with nondiabetic subjects (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.0001). There were associations between TAS and HbA(1c) (r = -0.43; P = 0.0026) and duration of diabetes (r = -0.35; P = 0.0157). Significant CAC was considered present if the Agatston score was >10. The diabetic subjects with significant CAC were older (P < 0.0001); had longer duration of diabetes (P = 0.0002); were more likely to have high blood pressure (P = 0.040); had higher total cholesterol concentration (P = 0.039), serum creatinine concentration (P = 0.003), and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (P = 0.022); and had lower serum TAS (P = 0.018) compared with those without significant calcification. In logistic regression with CAC as the dependent variable, TAS was entered as a predictor, and the effects on its predictive value of adding other explanatory variables in bivariate analyses were assessed. The power of TAS to predict CAC was independent of many of the traditional CHD risk factors. Whereas TAS as a predictor was no longer statistically significant when age or duration of diabetes were entered into the model, the odds ratio for a TAS concentration above the median value predicting significant CAC only increased from 0.19 to 0.26 and 0.32, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: TAS is reduced in type 1 diabetes and is associated with the presence of CAC.

Adult↗

High-density lipoprotein composition and paraoxonase activity in Type I diabetes.

Type I diabetes is associated with a high incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD), despite a normal or even increased concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. This paradox may be explained by changes in the antioxidant capacity of HDL, related to paraoxonase (PON1) activity. HDL compositional changes in subjects with Type I diabetes may result in changes in PON1 activity that are associated with a higher incidence of CHD. Single-vertical-spin density-gradient ultracentrifugation was used to isolate seven HDL fractions from serum according to density. PON1 activity was measured in serum and in the HDL fractions using phenyl acetate as substrate. The mean recovery of PON1 activity in the HDL fractions was 87% (S.D. 12%). CHD risk was assessed using B-mode ultrasound to measure carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT). Groups of 35 subjects with Type I diabetes [duration of diabetes 18 years (12-32 years) [median (interquartile range)]; glycated haemoglobin 7.67% (1.17%)] and 24 non-diabetic control subjects were studied. Carotid IMT was greater in the diabetic subjects [0.60 (0.55-0.70) compared with 0.55 (0.45-0.64) mm; P=0.042] and HDL cholesterol concentration was higher [1.53 (0.36) compared with 1.32 (0.34) mmol/l; P=0.031]. There were qualitative differences in HDL in subjects with Type I diabetes: HDL particles were triacylglycerol-deplete, and there were greater numbers of the larger, more buoyant HDL particles. These properties were not those found to determine PON1 activity. PON1 activity increased as HDL particle density increased and particle size decreased; the increase in PON1 activity was associated with an increase in the ratio of the two HDL surface lipid components, phospholipid and unesterified cholesterol, as particle density increased. PON1 activity was similar in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects [121 (28) and 120 (36) micromol x min(-1) x ml(-1) respectively; P=0.887]. PON1 activity was not associated with carotid IMT in either group. Our results suggest that the PON1 activities of HDL particles relate to the density, size and composition of the particles. However, PON1 activity does not appear to contribute to the greater risk of CHD in subjects with Type I diabetes.

Adult↗

Myocardial injury in major aortic surgery.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of major aortic surgery and its associated oxidative stress and injury on the myocardium. METHODS: Plasma from 27 patients who underwent thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair and 17 patients who underwent infrarenal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair was collected at incision, aortic crossclamping, and reperfusion and 1, 8, and 24 hours thereafter. Samples were assayed for the myocardial specific protein troponin-T, total antioxidant status, and lipid hydroperoxides. RESULTS: Ten patients experienced cardiac dysfunction in the first 24 hours after surgery (eight patients in the TAAA group and two patients in the AAA group). Immediately after reperfusion, total antioxidant status levels dropped in all patients with TAAA and with AAA; this was more marked in patients with TAAA, leading to a significant difference between the two groups at this time point and for up to 1 hour thereafter (P <.01). Patients with TAAA showed a sharp rise in lipid hydroperoxide levels immediately after reperfusion, and levels were significantly higher than in patients with AAA (P =.0007). In patients with AAA, no significant change in troponin-T was observed throughout the study period; whereas in patients with TAAA, levels were significantly elevated at 8 and 24 hours after reperfusion (P <.01). Troponin-T levels significantly correlated with total antioxidant status (r = -0.5) and lipid hydroperoxides (r = 0.78) but not with systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Supracoeliac aortic crossclamping is associated with a significant release of the myocardial injury marker troponin-T. This seems to correlate with the severity of oxidative rather than hemodynamic stresses. Ameliorating oxidative injury during TAAA surgery may therefore have a cardioprotective effect.

APACHE↗

Investigation into voltage breakdown in glyceryl trinitrate patches.

There are clinical reports of explosions occurring in glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) patches left on patients who are defibrillated and it is widely recommended that such patches are removed before attempting defibrillation. We devised an experimental set up that simulated the electrical conditions under which human defibrillation is conducted, thus making possible accurate measurements of defibrillator wave form. No problems occurred with GTN patches that incorporated a plastic backing. However, with GTN patches that incorporated a metal mesh backing, an explosive effect was consistently observed when current from the defibrillator electrode flowed through the metallic backing. The GTN paste in the patches was unaffected and therefore, we conclude that the apparent explosions reported are solely due to voltage breakdown as the paddle voltage is close to 3 kV resulting from the 360 J of energy. Our results emphasise the need for good technique during defibrillation to avoid current flow through such patches. In addition, our results have implications for the design of patches used for the transcutaneous delivery of drugs.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Effects of four years' treatment with biosynthetic human growth hormone (GH) on glucose homeostasis, insulin secretion and lipid metabolism in GH-deficient adults.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of long-term growth hormone (GH) treatment on lipid metabolism and carbohydrate tolerance in GH-deficient adults. DESIGN: Open trial of GH treatment for 4 years. GH dose was (median, range) 0.025 (0.010-0.050) IU/kg daily. PATIENTS: Thirteen GH-deficient hypopituitary adults (seven men, six women), aged (median, range) 47 (24-65) years were followed for 4 years. MEASUREMENTS: Fasting lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, glucose and insulin concentrations were measured at yearly intervals during GH therapy. A 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also performed yearly, during which circulating glucose and insulin were measured at 30-minute intervals for 3 h. RESULTS: Fasting total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations decreased on GH therapy, but no change was observed in fasting triglyceride or high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations. Compared to pretreatment values, total and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower at 1 year (mean +/- SEM) (6.39 +/- 0.46 vs. 5.71 +/- 0.38 mmol/l, P < 0.05; 4.46 +/- 0.36 vs. 3.24 +/- 0.20 mmol/l, P < 0.01, respectively) and the reductions were maintained for the 4 years. Apolipoproteins A-1 and B did not differ significantly from the pretreatment levels. Fasting plasma glucose increased significantly at the first year (4.9 +/- 0.1 vs. 5.3 +/- 0.1 mmol/l, P < 0.05) but it returned to the pretreatment value in the following years. Fasting plasma insulin increased significantly at 1 year (4.3 (1.0-13.6) vs. 11.9 (1.2-26.9) mU/l, P < 0.05) and showed a progressive downward trend but remained significantly raised throughout the subsequent years. The 3-h area under the glucose curve (AUC) during the OGTT tended to be increased at the first year (P = 0.07) and it returned to the pretreatment level in the following years. The AUC of plasma insulin was significantly raised at 1 year (P = 0.024) and it returned to the pretreatment level in the following years. CONCLUSIONS: Four years of GH therapy in GH-deficient adults resulted in a sustained improvement in total and LDL cholesterol concentrations. Mild fasting hyperinsulinaemia persisted, although an initial deterioration in glucose tolerance, associated with post-glucose hyperinsulinaemia, was not sustained.

Adult↗

Plasma antioxidants: evidence for a protective role against reactive oxygen species following cardiac surgery.

Total plasma antioxidant status (TPAS), lipid peroxide concentration (LPX) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) were measured in 24 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Samples were obtained preoperatively and at 1.5 h, 6 h, 24 h and 72 h after CPB. The absolute TPAS values were significantly lower at 1.5 h, 6 h, 24 h and 72 h after CPB than were preoperative values (P < 0.05). The LPX concentration was significantly elevated at 1.5 h after CPB (P < 0.05). Cardiac troponin T concentrations were significantly elevated at all time points postoperatively (P < 0.05). Preoperative TPAS values were significantly correlated with the magnitude of fall in TPAS at 1.5 h (P < 0.05). The greater the fall in TPAS between 0 and 1.5 h, the less LPX was formed between 0 and 1.5 h. The LPX at 1.5 h displayed a significant correlation with cTnT release from myocardial myocytes (P < 0.05). These data provide evidence for the first time that the consumption of antioxidants during CABG surgery with CPB protects against the production of reactive oxygen species and subsequent myocyte necrosis. Furthermore, the availability of protective antioxidants is dependent upon preoperative TPAS.

Adult↗

Cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes. A double-blind placebo-controlled study of bezafibrate: the St. Mary's, Ealing, Northwick Park Diabetes Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (SENDCAP) Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum lipid intervention, in addition to conventional diabetes treatment, could alter cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: There were 164 type 2 diabetic subjects (117 men, 47 women) without a history of clinical cardiovascular disease randomized to receive either bezafibrate or placebo daily on a double-blind basis in addition to routine diabetes treatment and followed prospectively for a minimum of 3 years. Serial biochemical and noninvasive vascular assessments, carotid and femoral artery B-mode ultrasound measurements, and those pertaining to coronary heart disease (CHD)--clinical history, the World Health Organization (WHO) cardiovascular questionnaire, and resting and exercise electrocardiogram (ECG)--were recorded. RESULTS: Bezafibrate treatment was associated with significantly greater reductions over 3 years in median serum triglyceride (-32 vs. 4%, P = 0.001), total cholesterol (-7 vs. -0.3%, P = 0.004), and total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio (-12 vs. -0.0%, P = 0.001), and an increase in HDL cholesterol (6 vs. -2%, P = 0.02) as compared with placebo. There was a trend toward a greater reduction of fibrinogen (-18 vs. -6%, P = 0.08) at 3 years. No significant differences between the two groups were found in the progress of ultrasonically measured arterial disease. In those treated with bezafibrate, there was a significant reduction (P = 0.01, log-rank test) in the combined incidence of Minnesota-coded probable ischemic change on the resting ECG and of documented myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: Improving dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic subjects had no effect on the progress of ultrasonically measured arterial disease, although the lower rate of "definite CHD events" in the treated group suggests that this might result in a reduction in the incidence of coronary heart disease.

Adult↗

Lipid peroxidation, antioxidant status and troponin-T following cardiopulmonary bypass. A comparison between intermittent crossclamp with fibrillation and crystalloid cardioplegia.

OBJECTIVE: Intermittent crossclamp with fibrillation affords equivalent myocardial protection to cold crystalloid cardioplegia in patients undergoing elective coronary artery surgery. This study is a direct comparison between the two techniques with regards to free radical activity. METHODS: The study design was part of a prospective randomised trial. We studied 24 consecutive patients with ejection fraction of 30% or greater undergoing elective coronary artery surgery. Patients were randomised into two groups. In group 1 (n = 13) the myocardium was protected by intermittent aortic cross clamping with fibrillation and group 2 (n = 11) by antegrade cold crystalloid cardioplegia. The determinants of free radical activity were serial peripheral venous samples for lipid peroxidation and plasma antioxidant status (before and at 1, 6, 24 and 72 h after the end of cardiopulmonary bypass). The determinant of the efficacy of myocardial protection was serial peripheral venous samples of cardiac troponin-T taken at the same time intervals. RESULTS: The groups were similar with respect to age, sex distribution, preoperative ventricular function, left main stem disease, number of grafts and bypass times. Lipid peroxidation measurements at the 1 h time point were higher than preoperative values (7.24 +/- 1.19 vs. 4.48 +/- 0.69 and 9.36 +/- 1.46 vs. 4.98 +/- 1.02 (mean +/- S.E) in groups 1 and 2, respectively (units in mmol/l) thereafter values decreased to near preoperative values by 72 h. There was no significant difference between the groups (P = 0.42). Total plasma antioxidant status values at the 1 h time point were lower than the preoperative values for all patients (1.33 +/- 0.07 vs. 1.63 +/- 0.06 and 1.42 +/- 0.07 vs. 1.63 +/- 0.05 (mean +/- standard error) in groups 1 and 2, respectively, (units in mmol/l) and thereafter at the subsequent time points increased but never attained their preoperative value. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.59). Troponin-T measurements showed no significant difference between the two groups at all time points (P = 0.2217). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that lipid peroxidation is initially elevated and the defence mechanisms against oxygen free radicals-antioxidant status'-are depressed following cardiopulmonary bypass. The degree of oxygen free radical activity produced during ischaemia and reperfusion was similar in both types of myocardial protection employed in this study.

Adult↗