The effect of high dose digoxin on cytokines in healthy dogs.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta are pro-inflammatory cytokines, causing myocardial dysfunction and a negative inotropic effect. The drugs used to treat heart failure affect the production of cytokines. Digoxin, on which this study was focused, is one of the drugs for the treatment of heart failure. AIM: The present study was designed to examine the early effects of high doses of digoxin on the production of cytokines in healthy dogs. METHODS: Digoxin was given parenterally to dogs at 0.15 mg/kg. IL-1beta and TNF-alpha production and levels of digoxin in the serum were measured 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h following administration of digoxin. RESULTS: As the levels of serum digoxin taken at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of administration were considered significantly high compared with preceding values (p < 0.001), no notable change in serum IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that high doses of digoxin do not cause a significant cytokine production in heart muscle in the early phase

Epicardial adipose tissue and pericoronary fat thickness measured with 64-multidetector computed tomography: potential predictors of the severity of coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between pericoronary fat and the severity and extent of atherosclerosis, quantified using 64-multidetector computed tomography, in patients with suspected coronary artery disease. METHODS: The study population consisted of 131 patients who were clinically referred for noninvasive multislice computed tomography coronary angiography for the evaluation of coronary artery disease. Patients were classified as follows: no atherosclerosis, Group 1; nonobstructive atherosclerosis (luminal narrowin

Apikal Hipertrofik Kardiyomyopati

Apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (AHCM) is one form of hypertrophic cardiomy¬opathy that is the most common hereditary cardiac disease and the most frequently found cardiomyopathy. AHCM has typical findings on electrocardiography, echocardiography and ventricu¬lography. The electrocardiographic changes and symptoms associated with AHCM often mimic acute coronary syndromes and coronary angiogram can be performed with pre-diagnosis of coronary artery disease several times. Physicians should consider AHCM in case of patients who have similar electrocardiographic changes and symptoms with coronary artery disease.Apikal hipertrofik kardiyomyopati (AHCM), en sık gözlenen kalıtsal kalp hastalığı ve kardiyomyopati olan hipertrofik kardiyomyopatinin bir formudur. AHCM elektrokardiyografi, ekokardiyografi ve ventrikülografide tipik bulgulara sahiptir. Elektrokardiyografik bulgular ve semptomlar akut koroner sendromları taklit edebilir ve koroner arter hastalığı ön tanısı ile koroner anjiyografi birkaç kez yapılabilir. Koroner arter hastalığı semptom ve elektrografik değişiklikle başvuran hastalarda AHCM tanısı akla gelmelidir

Serum total and high-density lipoprotein phospholipid levels in a population-based study and relationship to risk of metabolic syndrome and coronary disease

The aim of study was to investigate the role of serum total (TPL) and high-density lipoprotein phospholipids (HDL-pl) as a risk factor in coronary heart disease (CHD) and metabolic syndrome (MS). In a random sample, total and HDL-pI were measured in 1088 and 642 adults from Turkey, respectively, who have a high prevalence of MS; this was done with an enzymatic method that measures total phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and lysophosphatidylcholine. Serum TPL and HDL-pl levels were significantly higher in women (TPL, 2.8 mmol/L; HDL-pl, 1.21 mmol/L) than in men. Strong correlations existed between serum TPL levels and non-HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, apolipoprotein (apo) B, complement C3, and gamma-glutamyltransferase. Non-HDL-C, HDL triglyceride, and apo A-I were strongly correlated with HDL-pl. Linear regression analyses revealed HDL-C, apo B, triglycerides, diabetes, and female gender as independent significant determinants of TPL levels in adults. HDL-C and impaired glucose regulation were sole significant variables, together contributing one-quarter of serum HDL-pl. Individuals with MS or diabetes had significantly higher TPL concentrations. The gender- and age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of TPL for MS was 1.73 (95% confidence interval, 1.35-2.21), whereas the multiadjusted OR of HDL-pl per 1 SD increment corresponded to a significantly reduced independent MS likelihood by 26% in women (and 18% in the entire group). The multiadjusted OR of HDL-pl for CHD in men and women combined was 0.32 (P =.057) corresponding to a reduced CHD likelihood by 32% per I SD increment of HDL-pl. Plasma TPL levels point to an adverse relationship to MS, whereas their role in CHD risk needs further investigation. HDL-pls, in contrast, mark substantial protection from MS as well as from CHD