Oleuropein attenuates the progression of heart failure in rats by antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects

Abstract Much of the beneficial effects of olive products have been attributed to oleuropein. This study examined the effects of oleuropein in rats with heart failure induced by permanent ligation of left coronary arteries. Twenty-four hours after the operation, the rats were assigned to five groups including a sham assigned to receive vehicle (1 ml/day) and four coronary ligated groups assigned to receive vehicle or oleuropein at 5, 10, or 20 mg/kg/day. Five weeks later, echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters, serum concentrations of oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers were determined. Myocardial infarction group receiving vehicle showed impaired hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters as evidenced by decreased left ventricular systolic pressure, rate of rise and decrease of left ventricular pressure, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and cardiac output. In addition, significant reduction in superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase was observed. Oleuropein treatment prevented the reduction of these variables. Moreover, the group had a significantly higher infarct size and serum malondialdehyde, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α than those of the sham group. Treatment with oleuropein prevented the increase of these variables. The results show that oleuropein attenuates the progression of heart failure, possibly by antioxidative and antiinflammatory effects

Impact of 3% Simvastatin Topical Cream on the Healing of Bedsores: A Double-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial: Simvastatin topical cream and bedsores

Since the prevalence of pressure ulcers has been increasing in recent years, they need a new and efficient treatment. The pleiotropic effects of statins can be used for this purpose. This study aimed to evaluate the appropriate formulation of 3% simvastatin (SIM) topical cream and its effect on the healing of bedsores. At first, the appropriate formulation of SIM topical cream was investigated. In a randomized, double-blind trial, 42 patients were divided into two groups: placebo and SIM cream, and used these creams for three weeks, once every 12 hours on a clean bedsore. Bedsore dimensions were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Seventy-seven percent of patients in the SIM group and 35% in the placebo group had more than 20% healing of bedsores. Age (P=0.03), gender (P=0.01), statin use (P=0.04), and diabetes (P=0.04) had statistically significant impacts on bedsore healing. Also, better wound healing in the non-diabetic patients was observed. It seems that the topical cream of SIM significantly affects the healing of bedsores and can also be used in bedsores of diabetic patients. In diabetic patients with bedsores, blood sugar control through nutritional counseling and consumption of regular diabetic medication seems to be very effective and efficient

Subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome: A case–control study using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography

BACKGROUND: The dramatic increase in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome is associated with more increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this group. Some recent studies suggested that metabolic syndrome is associated with increased risk of subclinical left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. In the present cross-sectional case&ndash;control study, the utility of two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) was examined to detect early LV systolic dysfunction in this population. METHODS: A total of 75 clinically asymptomatic subjects with LV ejection fraction (LVEF) &ge; 55%, 39 without metabolic syndrome and 36 with metabolic syndrome, matched for gender and age, were enrolled in this case&ndash;control study. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. LV systolic function was assessed by STE-derived global and segmental longitudinal strain (&epsilon;LL). RESULTS: Global &epsilon;LL was significantly lower in patients with metabolic syndrome compared with normal population (&minus;18.41 &plusmn; 2.20% vs. &minus;21.2 &plusmn; 2.1%, P &lt; 0.001). Segmental &epsilon;LL was significantly lower in patients with metabolic syndrome in comparison to control group except for basal anteroseptal (&minus;19.95 &plusmn; 2.90% vs. &minus;21.15 &plusmn; 3.30%, P = 0.106), basal anterolateral (&minus;17.5 &plusmn; 5.0% vs. &minus;18.3 &plusmn; 4.1%, P = 0.437), and basal inferolateral segments (&minus;18.1 &plusmn; 6.3% vs. &minus;18.9 &plusmn; 4.1%, P = 0.526). CONCLUSION: STE-derived longitudinal LV strain (&epsilon;LL), a marker of subclinical cardiovascular disease, is impaired in asymptomatic individuals with metabolic syndrome and normal LVEF. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div

Perivalvular Abscess of Tricuspid Valve: A Rare Complication of Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis is a serious complication of intravenous (IV) drug abuse, with a reported mortality of 5 to 10%. A 21-year-old man, who was an intravenous drug abuser, presented with fever and dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a highly mobile, large vegetation on the anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve. Despite antibiotic therapy for ten days, the patient remained febrile. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed severe aortic regurgitation and an echo-lucent space between the tricuspid and aortic valves. Color Doppler demonstrated a flow within the echo-lucent space and a connection between that and the left ventricle, suggesting a perivalvular abscess of the tricuspid valve opening in the left ventricle. The patient was transferred to the operating room, where he unfortunately expired