PubMed · 11362007
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1998. Patch available for testosterone deficiency.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11362007/
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OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the coronary vasodilatory effects of transcutaneous low-frequency (27-kHz) ultrasound (USD). BACKGROUND: Ultrasound has been shown to affect vascular function. METHODS: Ultrasound energy was administered transcutaneously to 12 dogs. Coronary arterial dimensions were assessed using intravascular coronary ultrasound (IVUS) and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). RESULTS: The IVUS mid-left anterior descending (LAD) luminal area was 6.77 +/- 1.27 mm(2) at baseline. After 30 s of ultrasound, this area increased by 9% (7.40 +/- 1.44 mm(2), p < 0.05), after 3 min by 19% (8.05 +/- 1.72 mm(2), p < 0.05) and after 5 min increased by 21% (8.16 +/- 1.29 mm(2), p < 0.05). The mean coronary diameter (2.69 +/- 0.33 mm) at baseline (QCA of three segments of LAD and three segments of left circumflex coronary artery) increased by 19.3% (3.21 +/- 0.28 mm) after 5 min of USD exposure. After a 90-min observation period there was a return to baseline values (p = NS). Intracoronary nitroglycerin (NTG) administered to five dogs revealed a similar magnitude of vasodilation as USD. CONCLUSIONS: Noninvasive, transthoracic low-frequency USD energy results in coronary artery vasodilation within seconds of exposure. The vasodilation is reversible and is similar in magnitude to that induced by NTG. Further evaluation is needed to assess its potential applications in humans.
BACKGROUND: Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become a major challenge in HIV-infected individuals. No data exist on the efficacy and tolerability of pegylated IFN (peg-IFN) plus ribavirin in HIV-co-infected patients. METHODS: Subcutaneous peg-IFN (150 microg weekly during the first 12 weeks and 100 microg weekly thereafter) plus ribavirin (400 mg twice a day) was given to 68 HIV-infected patients with chronic hepatitis C, having CD4 cell counts greater than 300 cells/microl, plasma HIV-RNA less than 5000 copies/ml, and elevated aminotransferase levels. All were naive for IFN, and 73% were receiving antiretroviral drugs. RESULTS: Plasma HCV-RNA levels greater than 800 000 IU/ml were seen in 50%, and 35% carried HCV genotype 3. Adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 10 patients (15%). One patient taking didanosine developed pancreatitis. Severe weight loss occurred in 70% of patients. Clearance of HCV-RNA at the end of therapy (6 months for HCV-3 and 12 months for HCV-1/4) occurred in 50% of patients (81% with HCV-3 versus 30% with HCV-1/4). As 30% relapsed, the overall sustained response rate was 35% (28% in the intent-to-treat analysis). The main predictors of response were infection with HCV-3 and low HCV load. CONCLUSION: Treatment with peg-IFN and ribavirin is relatively well-tolerated in HIV/HCV-co-infected patients, although new side-effects, including pancreatitis and severe weight loss, may result from the interaction of ribavirin with antiretroviral drugs. Overall, therapy provides cure to one third of patients, a rate significantly lower than that seen in HCV-monoinfected individuals. Given that relapses are common, extended periods of therapy should be investigated.