Nebivolol And Quinapril Reduce P-Wave Duration And Dispersion In Hypertensive Patients

We aimed to investigate the effects of nebivolol and quinapril treatments on P-wave duration and dispersion in hypertensive patients. Hypertensive patients who were in sinus rhythm were assigned to the two treatment groups and received either 20 mg quinapril/day or 5 mg nebivolol/day. P-Wave dispersion (PWD) was measured at baseline and after four weeks of treatment and defined as the difference between the maximum (Pmax) and the minimum (Pmin) P-wave duration. The study group consisted of 54 patients (Mean age: 53 ± 9 years, 46% women) with 27 patients in each group. At 4-week follow up both treatment groups showed a significant reduction (p< 0.001) in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Heart rate (HR) reduction was significant in patients receiving nebivolol (P=0.001). Both groups showed a similar (P=0.413 for PWD, p=0.651 for Pmax) but significant reduction in PWD (nebivolol: -16± 14, P< 0.0001 and quinapril: -13± 11, P< 0.0001) and Pmax (nebivolol: -10± 11, P=0.001 and quinapril: -9± 11, P=0.001). A 2 (Time) x 2 (Group) mixed-model repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that the main effect of Time was significant for Pmax (P=0.002) and PWD (P=0.008) after controlling for changes in SBP, DBP and HR. However, the main effect of Group and Time x Group interaction was not significant for both variables (All p values > 0.05). In conclusion, short-term treatment with nebivolol and quinapril produces a similar but significant reduction in Pmax and PWD in hypertensive patients. This effect is independent of blood pressure and heart rate changes

Edoxaban therapy in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients: Paradoxical effect on mean platelet volume

Introduction: New generation oral anticoagulants (NOACs), which selectively and reversibly block the activity of clotting factor Xa, are now preferred as first-line therapy for preventing ischemic stroke in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). Edoxaban, one of these NOACs, has been shown to be as effective as warfarin in preventing stroke or systemic embolism, while carrying a lower risk of bleeding and cardiovascular death. Mean platelet volume (MPV), as an indicator of platelet activity, is associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in patients with AF. Therefore, medical therapies that reduce MPV may play an important role in preventing unwanted ischemic events. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine whether edoxaban has an effect on platelet volume and other platelet indices, in addition to its protective anticoagulant effect against ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: The study was designed as a retrospective cross-sectional study. Two hundred non-valvular AF patients without a history of oral anticoagulant use were included in the study. Complete blood count (CBC) and basic biochemical parameters (urea, creatinine, electrolytes, etc.) were recorded from the hospital registration system before edoxaban treatment was started, along with basic demographic data. The CBCs of the patients were reevaluated an average of 6 months (184 ± 9 days) after edoxaban treatment initiation, and platelet indices after edoxaban treatment were compared. Results were presented as mean ± standard deviation and percentage. Data were compared using Student's t-test and Wilcoxon test, and

Ion channel gene expressions in infertile men: A case-control study

Background: Infertility is described as not receiving pregnancy despite unprotected and regular sexual intercourse in a 1 yr period. It is detected by 15% of the couples. Male and female factor in the etiology may be detected in similar rates. Objective: The present study aims to investigate ion channel gene expression in semen samples of infertile male compared with fertile men. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 men who applied to the urology clinic due to infertility were divided into five equal groups: asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, teratozoospermia, and normozoospermia (control). All paticipants were evaluated with Cation Channel Spermia (CatSper) 1, 2, 3, 4, Proton Voltage Gated Ion Channel1 (Hv1), Potassium Channel Subfamily U1 (KCNU1), and transmembrane protein (TMEM16A) gene expression in semen samples. Results: &ldquo;CatSper1, 4, HV1, KCNU1, and TMEM16A gene expression were detected higher in the oligozoospermia group compared to the controls. CatSper1, 2, 3, 4, KCNU1, and TMEM16A gene expression in the asthenozoospermia group and CatSper1, 2, 3, 4, KCNU1, and TMEM16A gene expression in the teratozoospermia group were detected lower compared to the controls. CatSper1, 4, HV1, and TMEM16A gen expression were higher in the oligoasthenoteratozoospermia men than the controls while CatSper3 gen expression was detected as lower.&rdquo; Conclusion: It was detected that these ion channels have an effect on sperm progressive motility and morphology. It may be considered that mutations in these ion channels may result in infertilit

Antioxidant status and levels of antioxidant vitamins in coronary artery ectasia

Background Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is a rare coronary artery anomaly. In this study, we investigated superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activities, and antioxidant vitamin levels (vitamins A and E) in patients with CAE

Relationship between L-arginine/asymmetric dimethylarginine, homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B levels, and coronary artery ectasia

Background Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is characterized by an abnormal dilatation of the coronary arteries. The ratio of L-arginine/asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and homocysteine are important factors for endothelial function. In this study, we investigate the ratio of L-arginine/ADMA, homocysteine, and folic acid/vitamin B levels in patients with CAE