24 research outputs found
Plasma Cortisol in Men – Relationship With Atherosclerosis of Retinal Arteries
The production of cortisol increases in acute stress but the effects of chronic stress on
plasma cortisol are still controversial. Stress on the other hand plays a role in coronary
artery disease (CAD) and carotid atherosclerosis. Since there is no data about plasma
cortisol and atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries, the purpose of this study was to explore
the relationship between plasma cortisol in 101 adult males with the degree of
their retinal vessels atherosclerosis. The results were compared with those in 47
matched apparently healthy men with no retinal vessels changes. The atherosclerotic
changes of retinal vessels were determined by direct ophthalmoscopy and graded (1–4)
according to Scheie. Morning plasma cortisol levels were determined by radioimmunoassay
using commercial kits. The results were compared by using chi-square test. No association
between morning plasma cortisol concentrations and retinal vessels atherosclerosis
could be found. The results of this study do not support a role for physiological
levels of plasma cortisol in the development of atherosclerosis, at least of the retinal arteries,
in men
Is Lipoprotein(A) a Risk Factor for Atherosclerosis of the Retinal Arteries?
Elevated plasma Lp(a) has been linked to development of coronary artery disease
(CAD). There is no data about plasma Lp(a) and atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries.
Therefore the purpose of this study was to assess the risk of retinal vessels atherosclerosis
conferred by elevated plasma Lp(a) levels in 73 adult males. The results were compared
with those in 45 matched apparently healthy males with no retinal vessel
changes. The atherosclerotic changes of the retinal vessels were determined by direct
ophthalmoscopy and graded (1–4) according to Scheie. Plasma levels of Lp(a) were measured
by radial immunodiffusion. The results were compared using chi-square test. Although
a very weak correlation between plasma Lp(a) levels and the incidence of retinal
atherosclerosis was found, no significant association between the degree of atherosclerotic
changes and plasma Lp(a) levels could be proven. Thus it could be concluded that
plasma Lp(a) level is not a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis of the retinal
arteries
Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Ocular Surface Reconstruction
The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical experience and the effect of human
amniotic membrane transplantation on pterygium excision and bullous keratopathy.
From January 1999 to January 2001 at University Hospital »Sestre milosrdnice«
amniotic membrane transplantation was performed consecutively in 21 eyes: 11 eyes
with bullous keratopathy and 10 with recurrent pterygia. In the group with bullous
keratopathy epithelization took place in 19.6 days in 72.7% and the reduction of pain
was satisfactory. Recurrence rate in group with recurrent pterygia was 20%. Based on
the presented results it could be concluded that amniotic membrane transplantation
can be considered as an effective alternative for treating severe ocular surface diseases
and as an alternative for penetrating keratoplasty if there is a lack of graft
Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Ocular Surface Reconstruction in Neurotrophic Corneal Ulcera
The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical experience about the effects of human
amniotic membrane transplantation in eyes with neurotrophic ulcers. In 11 eyes the application
of amniotic membrane was performed since January 1999 because of neurotrophic
ulcers. The follow up period was longer than 12 months: 19.76.0 months. The
average healing period after the surgery was 1.60.6 weeks. All corneas were fluorescein
negative even 12 months after operation. Visual acuity after the transplantation was
similar to the one before the surgery in 8 eyes. In 3 eyes the visual acuity after the surgery
was better than before. Amniotic membrane transplantation can be considered an
effective alternative for treating persistent epithelial defects such as neurotrophic ulcers.
It has some advantages over corneal transplantation: a relatively simple procedure, no
allograft rejection and it could be particularly beneficial in countries where cornea shortage
is apparent
Comparison of intima-media thickness and ophthalmic artery resistance index for assessing subclinical atherosclerosis in HIV-1-infected patients
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and antiretroviral treatment are associated with metabolic and cardiovascular complications that potentially increase the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in this population. Measurement of arterial wall thickness has been used as a surrogate of extent, severity and progression of atherosclerosis. A cross-sectional cohort study was performed to compare the validity of two non-invasive arterial measures: carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), a parameter of atherosclerosis, and ophthalmic artery resistance index (OARI), an index of occlusive carotid artery disease.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 95 patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for more than 12 months were consecutively enrolled. IMT and OARI were measured by 7.5 MHz linear probe.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was a significant linear increase in IMT and OARI values as the grade of cardiovascular risk (0.70 and 0.69 for very low risk, 0.86 and 0.72 for low risk and 0.98 and 0.74 for medium/high risk, p < 0.001). A IMT > 0.83 and an OARI > 0.72 were the most discriminatory values for predicting a cardiovascular risk ≥ 10% (sensibility 89.6% and 75.8%; sensitivity 70.5% and 68.4%; p < 0.001).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data indicate that OARI may have a potential as a new precocious marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in HIV-1-infected patients.</p
Effects of acute bouts of endurance exercise on retinal vessel diameters are age and intensity dependent
Association between progestin-only contraceptive use and cardiometabolic outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Association between plasma triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol and microvascular kidney disease and retinopathy in type 2 diabetes: a global case-control study in 13 countries.
BACKGROUND: Microvascular renal and retinal diseases are common major complications of type 2 diabetes. The relation between plasma lipids and microvascular disease is not well established.METHODS AND RESULTS: The cases were 2535 patients with type 2 diabetes with average duration 14 years, 1891 having kidney disease and 1218 retinopathy. The cases were matched for diabetes duration, age, sex, and LDL-cholesterol to 3683 controls with type 2 diabetes who did not have kidney disease or retinopathy. The study was conducted in 24 sites in 13 countries. The primary analysis included kidney disease and retinopathy cases. Matched analysis was performed using site-specific conditional logistic regression in multivariable models that adjusted for hemoglobinA1C, hypertension, and statin treatment. Mean LDL-cholesterol concentration was 2.3mmol/L. The microvascular disease odds ratio (OR) increased by a factor of 1.16 (95% CI: 1.11,1.22) for every 0.5mmol/L (approximately 1 quintile) increase in triglycerides; or decreased by a factor of 0.92 (0.88, 0.96) for every 0.2mmol/L (approximately 1 quintile) increase in HDL-cholesterol. For kidney disease, the OR increased by 1.23 (1.16,1.31) with triglycerides and decreased by 0.86 (0.82, 0.91) with HDL-cholesterol. Retinopathy was associated with triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol in matched analysis but not significantly after additional adjustment.CONCLUSIONS: Diabetic kidney disease is associated worldwide with higher levels of plasma triglycerides and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol among patients with good control of LDL-cholesterol. Retinopathy was less robustly associated with these lipids. These results strengthen the rationale for studying dyslipidemia treatment to prevent diabetic microvascular disease