CVD Prevention and Control

Metabolic obesity: A new therapeutic target for cardio-metabolic risk reduction

P.C. Manoria, Pankaj Manoria, Piyush Manoria — 2010-06-14

Summary: During the last couple of years, the focus of attention has drifted from coronary risk to cardio-metabolic risk because of the growing epidemic of cardio-metabolic disorders such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Physical inactivity and consumption of high-energy foods are the root causes of this epidemic.

The effect of hypertension, aging and benidipine on arterial elasticity in elderly hypertensives

2010-06-14

Summary: Four hundred and 16 subjects (average age, 56.2years; range, 20–92years; Men/Women, 207/209) undergoing annual health check-up were studied for the effect of aging and hypertension on arterial compliance or elasticity index, which were measured after a 10min rest in the supine position using CR-2000. Thirteen additional elderly patients with hypertension were also studied at rest in the supine position 30min before and after 8mg benidipine oral administration at the beginning of treatment and then repeatedly studied after a 10min rest over at least 4–7weeks to examine the effect of benidipine hydrochloride 8mg on arterial compliance in a similar manner. Systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure were increased in subjects above 40years of age. Diastolic blood pressure was also increased up to 60years of age but after 60years of age, it was decreased or rather it plateaued. Above 40years of age, large and small arterial compliance levels were significantly decreased with advancing age. Small arterial compliance was much more decreased than large arterial compliance. In hypertensive subjects, small and large arterial compliance levels were significantly decreased in comparison with normotensive subjects. Benidipine hydrochloride 8mg was given orally every morning in elderly hypertensive patients for at least 1month, and blood pressure and arterial compliance were measured every week using CR-2000. Benidipine hydrochloride decreased blood pressure and improved arterial compliance gradually and safely without any adverse effect. Therefore, benidipine hydrochloride is thought to be a useful antihypertensive drug for elderly hypertensives because of its potential to improve arterial function and perhaps arterial properties.

Leukocytes are the major target of hepatitis C virus infection: Possible mechanism of multiorgan involvement including the heart

Akira Matsumori, Miho Shimada, Tsutomu Obata — 2010-06-14

Summary: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection has been associated with several extrahepatic manifestations, among these, renal and cardiac involvement. However, morphological evidence of hepatitis C virus localization in various organs remains to be clarified.We used immunohistochemistry to analyze the hepatitis C virus core and nonstructural antigens. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained from four patients with hepatitis C virus infection. Liver, kidney, heart, and bone marrow were taken from autopsy specimens from nine patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and three patients with cardiomyopathies with positive hepatitis C virus infection.Antibody against hepatitis C virus core antigen stained peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and the majority of positive staining was seen in CD68-positive macrophages. Hepatitis C virus core and NS4 antibodies stained mostly infiltrating cells in the liver, heart, kidney, and bone marrow, but not hepatocytes, myocytes, or globular cells. Serial sections stained by CD68, CD3, and CD20 antibodies showed that most of the hepatitis C virus-positive cells were CD68-positive macrophages.We demonstrate for the first time clear distribution of hepatitis C virus antigen in mononuclear cells in various organs from patients with hepatitis C virus infection. This study suggests that macrophages are the major target of hepatitis C virus infection.

Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk in diabetic subjects

Faria Afsana, Zafar A. Latif, Shah J. Khan, Samir K. Talukder — 2010-06-14

Summary: There are divergent criteria for the identification of metabolic syndrome (MetS), but all the definitions agree that obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension are core components of this syndrome. The MetS is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease events in general populations. Well-designed prospective studies in Asian populations are very limited. This study characterizes nine parameters of the MetS in a population of diabetic patients without a history of cardiovascular disease in Bangladesh, and defines the influence of MetS on peripheral vascular disease. A total of 100 patients with diabetes who visited the outpatient department of BIRDEM for routine diabetic follow-up were included in this study. The prevalence of MetS was 66%. Sixty-seven percent of patients had a waist circumference above normal, 89% hypertriglyceridemia, and 87% a low HDL-C level, while elevated systolic blood pressure was found in 46% and diastolic blood pressure in 55%, according to IDF criteria. Peripheral vascular disease defined by a low ankle-brachial index (<0.9) was identified in 24% of patients with no history of a cardiovascular event.

Picture my heart: Reflections on cardiovascular care in developing countries

A.Y.Y. Fong, K.H. Sim — 2010-06-14

China, India and Indonesia, three of the four most populous countries in the world, now account for over 40% of the world’s population . Advancement in communication technology in the last decade of the 20th Century allowed for the emergence of a virtual global village, accelerating the socio-economic development in these and other developing countries, particularly those in South and East Asia. Malaysia, with its balanced, multiethnic population (predominantly Chinese, Indian and Malay), is no stranger to this phenomenon – it envisages a developed country status by the year 2020, and has taken aggressive steps to achieving this target.

Calendar

2010-06-01