IGF-1 and atherothrombosis: relevance to pathophysiology and therapy

2011 ◽  
Vol 120 (9) ◽  
pp. 377-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Conti ◽  
Maria Beatrice Musumeci ◽  
Marco De Giusti ◽  
Eleonora Dito ◽  
Vittoria Mastromarino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Body ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Term Therapy ◽  
Cell Protection ◽  
Multiple Systems ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Friendly Fire ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Epidemiological Surveys ◽  
Improved Function

IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) plays a unique role in the cell protection of multiple systems, where its fine-tuned signal transduction helps to preserve tissues from hypoxia, ischaemia and oxidative stress, thus mediating functional homoeostatic adjustments. In contrast, its deprivation results in apoptosis and dysfunction. Many prospective epidemiological surveys have associated low IGF-1 levels with late mortality, MI (myocardial infarction), HF (heart failure) and diabetes. Interventional studies suggest that IGF-1 has anti-atherogenic actions, owing to its multifaceted impact on cardiovascular risk factors and diseases. The metabolic ability of IGF-1 in coupling vasodilation with improved function plays a key role in these actions. The endothelial-protective, anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic activities of IGF-1 exert critical effects in preventing both vascular damage and mechanisms that lead to unstable coronary plaques and syndromes. The pro-survival and anti-inflammatory short-term properties of IGF-1 appear to reduce infarct size and improve LV (left ventricular) remodelling after MI. An immune-modulatory ability, which is able to suppress ‘friendly fire’ and autoreactivity, is a proposed important additional mechanism explaining the anti-thrombotic and anti-remodelling activities of IGF-1. The concern of cancer risk raised by long-term therapy with IGF-1, however, deserves further study. In the present review, we discuss the large body of published evidence and review data on rhIGF-1 (recombinant human IGF-1) administration in cardiovascular disease and diabetes, with a focus on dosage and safety issues. Perhaps the time has come for the regenerative properties of IGF-1 to be assessed as a new pharmacological tool in cardiovascular medicine.

Stentless Pericarbon Freedom Versus Stented Perimount Aortic Bioprosthesis: Propensity-Matched Long-Term Follow-Up

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 440-448
Author(s):  
Guglielmo Stefanelli ◽  
Fabrizio Pirro ◽  
Vincenzo Smorto ◽  
Alessandro Bellisario ◽  
Emilio Chiurlia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aortic Valve ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Late Mortality ◽  
Small Aortic Root ◽  
Hemodynamic Performance

Objective Stentless aortic valves have shown superior hemodynamic performance and faster left ventricular mass regression compared to stented bioprostheses. Yet, controversies exist concerning the durability of stentless valves. This case-matched study compared short- and long-term clinical outcomes of stentless LivaNova-Sorin Pericarbon Freedom™ (SPF) and stented Carpentier-Edwards Perimount (CEP) aortic prostheses. Methods From 2003 through 2006, 134 consecutive patients received aortic valve replacement with SPF at our institution. This cohort was matched, according to 20 preoperative clinical parameters, with a control group of 390 patients who received CEP prosthesis during the same time. The resulting 55 + 55 matched patients were analyzed for perioperative results and long-term clinical outcomes. Results Early mortality was 0% for both groups. Lower transvalvular gradients were found in the SPF group (10.6 ± 2.9 versus 15.7 ± 3.1 mmHg, P < 0.001). Overall late mortality (mean follow-up: 10.03 years) was similar for both groups (50.1% versus 42.8%, P = 0.96). Freedom from structural valve degeneration (SVD) at 13 years was similar for both groups (SPF = 92.3%, CEP = 73.9%, P = 0.06). Freedom from aortic valve reinterventions did not differ (SPF = 92.3%, CEP = 93.5%, P = 0.55). Gradients at 13-year follow-up remained significantly lower in SPF group (10.0 ± 4.5 versus 16.2 ± 9.5 mmHg, P < 0.001). Incidence of acute bacterial endocarditis (ABE) and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) was similar. Conclusions SPF and CEP demonstrated comparable long-term outcomes related to late mortality, SVD, aortic valve reinterventions, and incidence of ABE and MACCE. Superior hemodynamic performance of SPF over time can make this valve a suitable choice in patients with small aortic root and large body surface area.

scholarly journals Evaluating critiques of evidence of historically heterogeneous structure and mixed-severity fires across dry-forest landscapes of the western USA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William L. Baker ◽  
Chad T. Hanson ◽  
Mark A. Williams ◽  
Dominick A. DellaSala
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Heterogeneous Structure ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
Western Usa ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Land Survey

The structure and role of fire in historical dry forests, ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and dry mixed-conifer forests, of the western USA, have been debated for 25 years, leaving two theories. The first, that these forests were relatively uniform, low in tree density and dominated by low- to moderate-severity fires was recently reviewed, including a critique of opposing evidence. The second, that these forests historically had heterogeneous structure and a mixture of fire severities, has had several published reviews. Here, as authors in part of the second theory, we critically examined evidence in the first theory’s new review, which presented 37 critiques of the second theory. We examined evidence for and against each critique, including evidence presented or omitted. We found that a large body of published evidence against the first theory and supporting the second theory, presented in 10 published rebuttals and 25 other published papers, by us and other scientists, was omitted and not reviewed. We reviewed omitted evidence here. Omitted evidence was extensive, and included direct observations by early scientists, maps in early forest atlases, early newspaper accounts and photographs, early aerial photographs, seven paleo-charcoal reconstructions, ≥18 tree-ring reconstructions, eight land-survey reconstructions, and an analysis of forest-inventory age data. This large body of omitted published research provides compelling evidence supporting the second theory, that historical dry forests were heterogeneous in structure and had a mixture of fire severities, including high-severity fire. The first theory is rejected by this large body of omitted evidence.

scholarly journals Impact of long-term therapy with eprosartan on the structural and functional state of the heart and large vessels and on the autonomic regulation of circulation in patients with arterial hypertension

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. I. Yakovleva ◽  
O. V. Mamontov ◽  
A. N. Yakovlev ◽  
N. V. Vakhromeyeva ◽  
A. O. Konradi
Keyword(s):  
Functional State ◽  
Cardiac Rhythm ◽  
Reactive Hyperemia ◽  
Left Ventricular Diastolic Function ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Autonomic Regulation ◽  
Term Therapy ◽  
Echocardiographic Study ◽  
Large Vessels

To examine the effects of eprosartan on the remodelling of the heart and large vessels, on endothelial dysfunction and autonomic circulatory regulation in patients with hypertensive disease, thirteen patients were included into the study: Doppler echocardiographic study and evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function were performed on a Vingmed CFM800 apparatus: the thickness of the carotid intima-media complex and the diameter of the brachial artery were determined on the same apparatus using a 7.5-MHz transducer in the reactive hyperemia test. Automatic balance was evaluated by the spectral assay of cardiac rhythm variations. The cardiopulmonary component of baroreflex was also tested. Blood pressure normalized in 3 patients following 24 weeks of therapy with eprosartan in a daily dose of 600 mg. Two patients were excluded due to therapeutic inefficiency. In the remaining patients, the antihypertensive effect was incomplete. The mass of the left myocardial myocardium decreased by 10.8%. there was an increase in brachial arterial dilatation in the reactive hyperemia test. The variations of cardiac rhythm were not significantly changed, the baroreflex tended to be decreased. Thus, long-term eprosartan therapy improves the structural and functional state of the heart and vessels and fails to affect the autonomic regulation of circulation.

scholarly journals A systematic literature review on the effects of mycotoxin exposure on insects and on mycotoxin accumulation and biotransformation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Niermans ◽  
A.M. Meyer ◽  
E.F. Hoek-van den Hil ◽  
J.J.A. van Loon ◽  
H.J. van der Fels-Klerx
Keyword(s):  
Aflatoxin B1 ◽  
Animal Feed ◽  
Larval Growth ◽  
Insect Species ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Agricultural Industry ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Larval Stages ◽  
Published Evidence

AbstractNovel protein sources for animal feed are needed, and the use of insects as feed ingredient is explored. The insect production sector offers opportunities for a circular and sustainable approach to feed production by upgrading waste or side streams into high-quality proteins. However, potential food or feed safety issues should be studied in advance. Mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin B1, are natural contaminants commonly found in agricultural crops and have proven to be detrimental to the agricultural industry, livestock, and human health. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the published evidence on effects of mycotoxin exposure on insect growth and survival, mycotoxin accumulation within the insect body, and metabolization of various mycotoxins by insects. The review includes 54 scientific articles published in the past 55 years, in total covering 32 insect species. The main findings are the following: (1) Insects of the order Coleoptera show lower mortality after exposure to aflatoxin B1 when compared to Lepidoptera and Diptera; (2) effects of mycotoxins on larval growth and survival are less detrimental in later larval stages; (3) accumulation of mycotoxins was low in most insect species; (4) mycotoxins are metabolized within the insect body, the degree of which depends on the particular mycotoxin and insect species; (5) cytochrome P450s are the main family of enzymes involved in biotransformation of mycotoxins in some insect species. Results of this review support an optimistic outlook for the use of mycotoxin-contaminated waste streams as substrate for insect rearing.

scholarly journals Comparative efficacy of nifedipine-retard and atenolol in correction of target organ damage in patients with essential hypertension

2006 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-199
Author(s):  
I. V. Emelyanov ◽  
S. V. Villevalde ◽  
E. A. Lyasnikova ◽  
O. M. Moiseeva
Keyword(s):  
Essential Hypertension ◽  
Blood Pressure Monitoring ◽  
Target Organ Damage ◽  
Randomized Study ◽  
Hypotensive Effect ◽  
Organ Damage ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Target Organ ◽  
Term Therapy

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between antihypertensive effect of nifedipine-retard and atenolol long-term therapy and changes of target organ damage (heart, carotid arteries, endothelial function) in patients with essential hypertension (HT) 2 stage. 45 patients with AH were included in the open prospective randomized study: 24 received nifedipine-retard 40 mg per day, 21 received atenolol 50 - 100 mg per day. There were no clinical and haemodynamic discrepanses between the groups at basline. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), echocardiography (EchoCG), assess of endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilatation were performed at basal state (after 14 days wash-out period) and after 6-month therapy. Both nifedipine-retard and atenolol had comparable and apparent hypotensive effect. The regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and the improvement of left ventricle diastolic function became evident during nifedipine-retard therapy in contrast to atenolol treatment. Long-term nifedipine-retard therapy is accompanied by an increase of volume flow velocity in arteria radialis and leads to correction of endothelium dysfunction in patients with HT.

scholarly journals Effects of long-term therapy with bosentan on the progression of left ventricular dysfunction and remodeling in dogs with heart failure

2000 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 222-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takayuki Mishima ◽  
Mitsuhiro Tanimura ◽  
George Suzuki ◽  
Anastassia Todor ◽  
Victor G Sharov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Left Ventricular Dysfunction ◽  
Ventricular Dysfunction ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Term Therapy ◽  
Long Term Therapy

“Drink at least eight glasses of water a day.” Really? Is there scientific evidence for “8 × 8”?

2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (5) ◽  
pp. R993-R1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heinz Valtin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Extensive Consultation ◽  
Cursory Examination ◽  
Special Circumstances ◽  
Food And Fluid Intake ◽  
Daily Total

Despite the seemingly ubiquitous admonition to “drink at least eight 8-oz glasses of water a day” (with an accompanying reminder that beverages containing caffeine and alcohol do not count), rigorous proof for this counsel appears to be lacking. This review sought to find the origin of this advice (called “8 × 8” for short) and to examine the scientific evidence, if any, that might support it. The search included not only electronic modes but also a cursory examination of the older literature that is not covered in electronic databases and, most importantly and fruitfully, extensive consultation with several nutritionists who specialize in the field of thirst and drinking fluids. No scientific studies were found in support of 8 × 8. Rather, surveys of food and fluid intake on thousands of adults of both genders, analyses of which have been published in peer-reviewed journals, strongly suggest that such large amounts are not needed because the surveyed persons were presumably healthy and certainly not overtly ill. This conclusion is supported by published studies showing that caffeinated drinks (and, to a lesser extent, mild alcoholic beverages like beer in moderation) may indeed be counted toward the daily total, as well as by the large body of published experiments that attest to the precision and effectiveness of the osmoregulatory system for maintaining water balance. It is to be emphasized that the conclusion is limited to healthy adults in a temperate climate leading a largely sedentaryexistence, precisely the population and conditions that the “at least” in 8 × 8 refers to. Equally to be emphasized, lest the message of this review be misconstrued, is the fact (based on published evidence) that large intakes of fluid, equal to and greater than 8 × 8, are advisable for the treatment or prevention of some diseases and certainly are called for under special circumstances, such as vigorous work and exercise, especially in hot climates. Since it is difficult or impossible to prove a negative—in this instance, the absence of scientific literature supporting the 8 × 8 recommendation—the author invites communications from readers who are aware of pertinent publications.

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