The antioxidant probucol as a regulator of the intensity of free-radical lipid peroxidation processes in the blood of patients with coronary atherosclerosis

Two series of studies were made to assess probucol medicines (lipomal, "Alkaloid"; fenbutol "Akrikhin") effect on clinical symptoms, lipid metabolism, primary and secondary products of lipid peroxidation, activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) in atherosclerotic patients with hyperlipidemia type IIA and IIB. In both series probucol reduced frequency of anginal attacks, content of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. HDL cholesterol remained unchanged or reduced insignificantly. Lipoperoxides and malonic dialdehyde levels in plasma progressively lowered against activation of antioxidant enzymes. These biochemical parameters returned to initial values within 3 months since the drug discontinuation. It is evident that antiatherogenic effect of probucol is due to indirect activation of natural defense systems responsible for enzymic detoxication of active oxygen forms and lipoperoxides rather than to direct interaction of this synthetic antioxidant with lipid radicals.     

Excipients and their use in injectable products

This article describes the role of the nurse practitioner in sexual health assessment and sexual counseling. Topics of potential sexual health concerns of primary care clients are identified. The essential components of sexual counseling consist of establishing a trusting relationship with the client, developing a systematic repertoire of questions to screen for sexual health concerns, and one-on-one counseling with the permission, limited information, specific suggestions, and intensive therapy (PLISSIT) model. References for further information on sexual education and sexual health are identified.     

The intensity of the peroxidation of lipids and their fatty acid composition in Drosophila melanogaster strains differing in their adaptive value

An attempt was made to explore the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in medium used for incubation of peripheral venous blood (PVB) leukocytes from patients with gingivitis and periodontitis and to compare it with that of periodontally healthy subjects. The study population included 54 gingivitis patients (G), 52 periodontitis patients (P) and 52 control subjects (C). All these groups were assessed by clinical, laboratory and statistical methods. The leukocytes were incubated with opsonized zymosan, Escherichia coli ATCC25922, nonopsonized E.coli or Staphylococcus aureus 256. The respective levels of MPO activity in incubation media of PVB leukocytes taken from group G patients were 598.0 +/- 29.2 conventional units (c.u.), 640.0 +/- 26.3 c.u., 662.0 +/- 37.6 c.u. and 750.0 +/- 40.8 c.u. (control incubation medium: 564.0 +/- 25.1 c.u.); those for group P patients were 672.0 +/- 34.3 c.u., 678.0 +/- 43.1 c.u., 692.0 +/- 47.9 c.u. and 762.0 +/- 34.7 c.u. (control: 612.0 +/- 35.2 c.u.); those for group C subjects were 556.0 +/- 30.2 c. u., 714.0 +/- 28.2 c.u., 1276.0 +/- 69.0 c.u. and 794.0 +/- 47.1 c.u. (control: 534.0 +/- 29.0 c.u.). MPO activity was increased most significantly when nonopsonized E.coli was added to the incubation medium of PVB leukocytes taken from subjects with intact periodontium. MPO activity was unchanged when the leukocytes were taken from periodontitis patients.     

The diagnosis of microcirculatory-rheological disorders and their correction in patients with the initial manifestations of insufficiency of the cerebral blood supply

An evaluation was done of the state of bulbar microcirculation and aggregability of blood platelets in 47 patients presenting with early manifestations of cerebral circulatory insufficiency. A correlation was established between the revealed disturbances in the microcirculatory bed and augmentation of aggregational activity of thrombocytes. Computation of the integrative guide, microcirculatory-rheologic index, reflecting objectively the degree of intravascular hemocirculatory disorders has been performed. Treatment with calcium antagonist corinfar, antihypoxic agent actovegin was of particular benefit for the patients when administered in combination; more than half of the parameters characterizing microcirculation, rheologic properties of blood, microcirculatory-rheologic index have all returned to normal.     

The erythrocyte lipids of the peripheral blood and myocardial dystrophy in patients with iron-deficiency anemia

Lipids of peripheral blood red cells (total lipids and phospholipids, triglycerides, free fatty acids, cholesterol, cholesterol ethers, lysophospholipids, sphingomyelins, phosphatidylserins, phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylcholines, cardiolipins, phosphatid acids) were assessed in correlation with wave T height on resting ECG. It is shown that iron deficiency anemia patients develop shifts in red blood cell lipid composition contributing to the onset of myocardiodystrophy. The correction of the lipid composition defects is an additional factor decreasing dystrophic processes in the myocardium.     

Methods of measuring lipid peroxidation products in exhaled air condensate and their clinical significance

Cellular and humoral immunity parameters were studied in patients with keratoconus at different stages, aged 14 to 49 years. The results showed the immune homeostasis to be impaired in patients with local involvement of the cornea. At a total system's level the patients developed shifts in the relative content of T-lymphocytes and their subpopulations, dysimmunoglubulinemia with increased levels of immunoglobulins of the primary immune response in the blood serum, high levels of the C3 and C4 components with a reduction of the total hemolytic activity of the complement, increased levels of NBT-positive and phagocytic cells, and a decrease of the activity of serum lysozyme.     

Immune disorders and their correction in patients with primary and recurrent pneumonias

Data are submitted of the analysis of indices for humoral and cell-mediated immunity in those patients presenting with recurrent pneumonias versus the above indices in patients with sporadic forms of the illness. Shown in patients with recurrent pneumonias is formation and progression of T-lymphocyte derangement associated with decline in their functional activity, which event is characteristic of different clinical types of acquired immune deficient states.     

The use of mountain air therapy for the correction of acid formation in patients with hypo- and hyperacidic syndromes

In a consecutive series of 326 patients with primary lung cancer, sarcoid reactions were observed in the regional lymph node or resected lung in 7 patients (2.2%). The average age of the 7 patients, 4 males and 3 females, was 54 years, range 45-70. All the patients underwent lobectomy. The sites in which sarcoid reactions were found were the regional lymph node (N) in 3 patients, the lung parenchyma (L) in 2, N and L in 1, and the tumor stroma in 1. The histologic types were adenocarcinoma in 4 patients, squamous cell carcinoma in 2, and small cell carcinoma in 1. Two patients died of recurrence and myocardial infarction, and five patients are alive, range 5-64 months. The patients with lung cancer complicating sarcoid reactions were significantly younger than the control group (p<0.01), and not significant in prognosis. We conclude that the complication of sarcoid reactions do not influence the prognosis, but that the sarcoid reactions may be a local reaction or resistance to cancer cells.     

The relationship between serum lipids, apolipoproteins level and bile lipids level, chemical type of stone

To pick up serum high risk lithogenic factors predisposing one to gallstone formation and protective factors against gallstone formation in gallbladder. We compared serum lipid and apolipoprotein level of patients with gallbladder stone (stone group) with that of patients without gallbladder stone (control group). The correlation between serum lipid, apolipoprotein level and bile lipid level, cholesterol saturated index (CSI), characteristics of lipidemia in different kinds of gallbladder stones were studied. The results showed that the increase of serum Apo A1, C2 and E level in the stone group was more significant than in the control group. But there was no statistical significance in TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, Apo A2, B, C3 level between the stone and control groups. These results suggested that serum apolipoproteins perhaps are more sensitive parameters than serum lipids in distinguishing patients with stones from those without stones. There were different profiles of serum lipid and apolipoproteins in different chemical types of gallbladder stones. Increased level in serum LDL-C, Apo B and ratio of LDL-C/HDL-C were characterized by an index for cholesterol stone, otherwise that in serum TG and Apo C2 an index for pigment stones. There was a positive correlation between serum total cholesterol (TC) or Apo B, C2, C3 and cholesterol amount or CSI in gallbladder bile. Therefore, TC, Apo B, C2, C3 could be considered as high risk lithogenic factors. A positive correlation existed between serum HDL-C and lecithin in gallbladder or common bile duct (CBD) bile as well as between HDL-C and bile acids in CBD bile. Thus, HDL-C might be a protective factor against gallstone formation in gallbladder.     

Effect of dietary fish oil supplementation on peroxidation of serum lipids in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Target 17 of the Health Policy for Europe calls for the health-damaging consumption of dependence-producing substances such as alcohol, tobacco and psychoactive substances to be significantly reduced in all Member States between the year 1980 and the year 2000. With regard to alcohol, it is suggested that alcohol consumption be reduced by 25%, with particular attention to reducing harmful use. A question posed by a number of Member States is what is the level of per capita alcohol consumption of lowest risk to physical, psychological and social harm. A working group was convened to consider population levels of alcohol consumption with particular reference to the Member States of the European Region of WHO. A basis for understanding population problem experience can be established through the interaction between individual risk and distribution of consumption levels within the population. The working group concluded that public health policy within the European Region should continue to advise decreases of per capita consumption. Even when taking into account coronary heart disease, it can be concluded at the population level, across all ranges of alcohol consumption found in almost all countries of Europe, that a reduction in consumption is linked to better health. However, public health policy concerning alcohol should not be based solely on mortality. All outcomes of drinking, that is mortality, morbidity, social and criminal consequences, as well as quality of life, should be considered. The existing data relating alcohol consumption to health originates from countries primarily with a cultural experience of consuming alcohol. In those countries, where there is a cultural or religious tradition of not consuming alcohol, there can be no public health grounds for recommending alcohol consumption.     

Effects of laser therapy on lipids and antioxidants in blood of patients with bronchial asthma

Laser therapy was assessed for effects on lipoperoxides and free radical catchers in blood lipids of patients with bronchial asthma (BA). When a group of 52 BA patients was compared to healthy donors by dienic conjugates, vitamin E and overall lipid-soluble antioxidants levels in the whole blood and plasma, these appeared higher in the asthmatics. Combination of laser therapy with conventional treatment returned these parameters close to normal.     

Therapy with blood and blood products]

Rare musculoskeletal tumors can be difficult to diagnose by light microscopy or immunohistochemistry. Electron microscopy can be of diagnostic assistance especially if histotype specific ultrastructural features exist. In particular, electron microscopy for uncommon sarcomas such as alveolar soft part sarcoma, parachordoma, atypical Ewing's sarcoma and epithelioid sarcoma may be the diagnostic modality of choice.     

The use of the Color-Your-Life technique with pediatric cancer patients and their siblings.

Examined the use of the Color-Your-Life (CYL) technique with 18 pediatric cancer patients (CPS), 20 siblings of pediatric patients (SIBS) and 40 controls, all aged 7–13 yrs. Findings show no differences were found between the groups for the percentages of colors. However, there were differences with respect to the way these groups represented negative emotions. SIBS tended to use the color/affect pair red/mad to indicate feelings of depression, while CPS used the absence of color, leaving white space on the paper. The Children's Depression Inventory (A. E. Kazdin, 1990) significantly correlates with the amount of blue (sad) that the Ss drew. However, this was not true for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (C. D. Speilberger et al, 1973) and the amount of black (scared/nervous). CPS and SIBS who completed the CYL technique prior to completing the inventories had higher scores on these instruments than the children who completed the written instruments 1st. This finding was the opposite for controls, suggesting that these groups of Ss have different reactions to completing the CYL activity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Changes in plasma levels of lipid peroxidation products and myoglobin in patients with malignant tumors in the early postoperative period

Changes in the levels of free myoglobin and lipid peroxidation products (hydroperoxides and malonic dialdehyde) were studied in cancer patients. Their baseline levels were found to be higher in patients with cancer of the lung, large bowel, and rectum than those in controls, which indicates higher lipid peroxidation, which led to the destabilization of cellular membranes and seems to cause baseline hypermyoglobinemia. There was a drastic rise in the levels of free myoglobin in the first 24 postoperative hours. The duration and severity of hypermyoglobinemia were much higher in the complicated than uncomplicated postoperative period. There was a less rise in malonic dialdehyde concentrations, whose peak was observed on days 1-2 postsurgery. The content of hydroperoxides decreased in the first 24 postoperative hours and began gradually increased from day 2. The correlation between the concentrations of myoglobin and malonic dialdehyde suggests that there is an association between hypermyoglobinemia and the status of cellular membranes.     

Psychoautonomic and neurovascular disorders in patients with autonomic vascular dystonia and the hyperventilation syndrome and methods for their correction

35 patients with vegetocirculatory dystonia and hyperventilation syndrome, but without the signs of organic lesion of nervous system were treated. The complex treatment included the breathing exercises with feedback mechanisms, the correction of psychovegetative and neurovascular disturbances, the massage of neck region and a head, psychotherapy, angioprotective, vegeto- and psychotropic drug therapy. The disappearance of acute vascular attacks and paroxysms of migrainous headache, the normalization of all breathing parameters and the improvement of vegetative status were observed in all patients.