Impact of Rosuvastatin Treatment on HDL-Induced PKC- β

Background. Endothelial function is impaired in chronic heart failure (CHF). Statins upregulate endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and improve endothelial function. Recent studies demonstrated that HDL stimulates NO production due to eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177, dephosphorylation at Thr495, and diminished phosphorylation of PKC-βII at Ser660. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of rosuvastatin on HDL mediated eNOS and PKC-βII phosphorylation and its relation to endothelial function. Methods. 18 CHF patients were randomized to 12 weeks of rosuvastatin or placebo. At baseline, 12 weeks, and 4 weeks after treatment cessation we determined lipid levels and isolated HDL. Human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) were incubated with isolated HDL and phosphorylation of eNOS and PKC-βII was evaluated. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was measured at the radial artery. Results. Rosuvastatin improved FMD significantly. This effect was blunted after treatment cessation. LDL plasma levels were reduced after rosuvastatin treatment whereas drug withdrawal resulted in significant increase. HDL levels remained unaffected. Incubation of HAEC with HDL had no impact on phosphorylation of eNOS or PKC-βII. Conclusion. HDL mediated eNOS and PKC-βII phosphorylation levels in endothelial cells do not change with rosuvastatin in CHF patients and do not mediate the marked improvement in endothelial function

E-Book : Research findings from the digital factory

Digitale Lesezeichen, Volltextsuche und Multimedia-Inhalte – die Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts durch das Internet ausgelöste Medienrevolution ließ auch das Buch nicht unberührt. Die Verbreitung des World Wide Webs parallel zur rasanten Entwicklung der Computertechnologie ermöglichte die Digitalisierung des Buches und bildete das E-Book als neue Publikationsform heraus. Seit etwa zehn Jahren können Bücher nicht mehr nur gedruckt, sondern auch elektronisch zur Verfügung gestellt werden, was für die Buchbranche und den Leser einige Veränderungen bedeutet. Moderne Lesegeräte, auch E-Reader genannt, erlauben die Speicherung einer ganzen Bibliothek auf einem einzigen mobilen Endgerät. Dabei steht das einzelne E-Book dem gedruckten Buch in seiner Lesequalität in nichts nach und ermöglicht zudem das Einfügen elektronischer Notizen und Lesezeichen, die Volltextsuche nach bestimmten Wörtern und die Verbindung von Text mit Bild, Ton und Video. Dennoch kann das E-Book seit seinem Aufkommen in Deutschland noch keine Erfolgsgeschichte schreiben. Insbesondere hohe Preise für die Lesegeräte halten immer noch viele Leser vom Nutzen der E-Books ab. Zu sehr ist das gedruckte Buch für zahlreiche Menschen noch fester Bestandteil ihres alltäglichen Lebens, als das sie es bereits durch das E-Book austauschen würden. Eine Situation, die einige Fragen aufwirft: Wird sich das EBook als Medium durchsetzen und das gedruckte Buch langfristig ablösen? Kann das EBook neben Zeitung, Radio, Fernsehen und Buch überhaupt als ein neues Medium verstanden werden? Und welche Veränderungen würde die massenhafte Verbreitung elektronischer Bücher mit sich bringen

Clinical Study Impact of Rosuvastatin Treatment on HDL-Induced PKC-II and eNOS Phosphorylation in Endothelial Cells and Its Relation to Flow-Mediated Dilatation in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Background. Endothelial function is impaired in chronic heart failure (CHF). Statins upregulate endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and improve endothelial function. Recent studies demonstrated that HDL stimulates NO production due to eNOS phosphorylation at Ser 1177 , dephosphorylation at Thr 495 , and diminished phosphorylation of PKC-II at Ser 660 . The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of rosuvastatin on HDL mediated eNOS and PKC-II phosphorylation and its relation to endothelial function. Methods. 18 CHF patients were randomized to 12 weeks of rosuvastatin or placebo. At baseline, 12 weeks, and 4 weeks after treatment cessation we determined lipid levels and isolated HDL. Human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) were incubated with isolated HDL and phosphorylation of eNOS and PKC-II was evaluated. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was measured at the radial artery. Results. Rosuvastatin improved FMD significantly. This effect was blunted after treatment cessation. LDL plasma levels were reduced after rosuvastatin treatment whereas drug withdrawal resulted in significant increase. HDL levels remained unaffected. Incubation of HAEC with HDL had no impact on phosphorylation of eNOS or PKC-II. Conclusion. HDL mediated eNOS and PKC-II phosphorylation levels in endothelial cells do not change with rosuvastatin in CHF patients and do not mediate the marked improvement in endothelial function

Geriatrics & Gerontology International / Behavior changes by a buddystyle intervention including physical training, and nutritional and social support

Aim Previous research suggests that multicomponent interventions including physical training, and nutritional and social support are required to improve a person's behavior. As a prespecified secondary outcome, this analysis aimed to ascertain whether a “buddystyle” intervention could produce physical activity and nutritional behavior changes in older adults. Methods A 12week, homebased, randomized controlled trial was carried out with 80 older persons, who were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 39), including physical training and nutritional support, and a control group (n = 41). Trained nonprofessional volunteers visited the participants at home twice a week. Physical activity and nutritional behavior were assessed through validated questionnaires. Results In total, 36 participants in the intervention group and 26 participants in the control group completed the final questionnaire. The intervention group showed significant improvements in physical activity behavior, such as light sport activity ( = 9.13, 95% CI 0.9017.37 min/day; P = 0.030), muscle strength exercise ( = 68.18, 95% CI 46.4589.91 min/week; P < 0.001) and overall activities ( = 0.69, 95% CI 0.211.18 h/day; P = 0.006), compared with the control group. Nutritional behavior improvements for the intervention group were observed in the consumption of legumes/nuts ( = 0.18, 95% CI 0.000.35 portions/day; P = 0.047) and fluids ( = 0.48, 95% CI 0.010.98 portions/day; P = 0.050), relative to controls. Conclusions A “buddystyle” program in older adults living at home can produce effective physical activity changes and, to a lesser extent, changes in dietary behavior, and has the potential to be efficient and feasible.(VLID)510166

Wiener klinische Wochenschrift / Changes in health parameters in older lay volunteers who delivered a lifestyle-based program to frail older people at home

Objective To measure health effects in lay volunteers who made home visits consisting of social interaction, nutritional and physical exercise interventions to pre-frail and frail older people (trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01991639). Methods After baseline, participants were followed-up at 12 (V1) and 24 (V2) weeks. A one-repetition maximum (1-RPM) and handgrip were measured with the Concept2®DYNO and a dynamometer. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly was used to assess physical activity, and Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener for nutrition. Additionally, quality of life (QoL) was measured with the World Health Organization (WHO) quality of life brief questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were performed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results Handgrip values significantly increased from 32.147.94kg to 33.696.72kg at V1 and 34.366.96kg at V2. The 1RPM on the leg press showed a significant increase from 72.4725.37kg to 78.1223.77 kg and 80.8527.99kg, respectively. We observed a significant decrease of protein intake from 0.380.26g/kgBW/day to 0.320.19g/kgBW/day and 0.260.16 g/kgBW/day, respectively. There were no changes in physical activity, QoL and anthropometric measurements. Conclusion The findings indicate that projects involving aging healthy volunteers may have additional limited health benefits.(VLID)360170

Change in inflammatory parameters in prefrail and frail persons obtaining physical training and nutritional support provided by lay volunteers: A randomized controlled trial

<div><p>The aim of the study was to compare the effects of home visits with physical training and nutritional support on inflammatory parameters to home visits with social support alone within a randomized controlled trial. Prefrail and frail persons received home visits from lay volunteers twice a week for 12 weeks. Participants in the physical training and nutritional intervention group (PTN, n = 35) conducted two sets of six strength exercises and received nutritional support. The social support group (SoSu, n = 23) received visits only. TNF-α, IL-6, CRP, and total leukocyte count were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Changes over time within groups were analyzed with paired t-tests; differences between groups were analyzed with ANCOVA for repeated measurements. In the PTN group, IL-6 and CRP remained stable, whereas in the SoSu group, IL-6 increased significantly from a median value of 2.6 pg/l (min–max = 2.0–10.2) to 3.0 pg/l (min–max = 2.0–20.8), and CRP rose from 0.2 mg/dl (min–max = 0.1–0.9) to 0.3 mg/dl (min–max = 0.1–3.0) after 12 weeks. In CRP, a significant difference between groups was found. TNF-α and total leukocyte count did not change in either the PTN group or the SoSu group. Persons showing an increase in physical performance (OR 4.54; 95% CI = 1.33–15.45) were more likely to have constant or decreased IL-6 values than persons who showed no improvement. In conclusion, in non-robust older adults, a physical training and nutritional support program provided by lay volunteers can delay a further increase in some inflammatory parameters.</p></div

Association between baseline values of inflammatory parameters and baseline values of body composition parameters, handgrip strength, and physical performance.

<p>Association between baseline values of inflammatory parameters and baseline values of body composition parameters, handgrip strength, and physical performance.</p

Association between constant or decreased (versus increased) inflammatory parameters within 12 weeks and baseline values/changes in frailty score, handgrip strength, and physical performance.

<p>Association between constant or decreased (versus increased) inflammatory parameters within 12 weeks and baseline values/changes in frailty score, handgrip strength, and physical performance.</p

Participant flow.

<p>Participant flow.</p

Baseline characteristics of the study sample.

<p>Baseline characteristics of the study sample.</p