scholarly journals English MODULATION OF MELATONIN SECRETION WITH TRANSCUTANEOUS AURICULAR NERVE STIMULATION: A CASE STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janez Rozman ◽  
Polona Pečlin ◽  
Samo Ribarič
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Tactile Sensor ◽  
Melatonin Secretion ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Pulse Trains ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Time Gap ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Long Pulse

The main study objective was to test the hypothesis that selective electrical transcutaneous auricular nerve stimulation (tANS) under forenoon daylight conditions induces melatonin secretion in a 64-year-old male patient with angina pectoris, hypercholesterolomy and coronary artery disease, assuming that it has beneficial effects on accompanied insomnia (Regensburg Insomnia Scale (RIS) = 22 points, the total score ranges from 0 to 40). Silicone stimulation plugs, with two platinum stimulating cathodes each, were inserted into the left and right external ears. Afterwards, one-second-long pulse trains of cathodic, biphasic and current regulated stimulating pulses at stimulating charge density Cd of 50.88 µC/cm2 and frequency of 25 Hz, were delivered for 30 min to selected sites at the upper and lower part of the left and right Cymba Conchae (CC), respectively. The common anode was attached to the neck. The time gap between the pulse trains was measured by the patient using a tactile sensor and was about 250 ms. The results showed that selective tANS under forenoon daylight conditions increased melatonin saliva levels in all the trials accomplished in a patient. Precisely, the lowest increase was obtained in trials with lower right (LR) CC, while the highest increase was obtained in upper-right (UR) CC trials.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of statins: an update on pleiotropic effects

2015 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mamoru Satoh ◽  
Yuji Takahashi ◽  
Tsuyoshi Tabuchi ◽  
Yoshitaka Minami ◽  
Makiko Tamada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Chronic Inflammation ◽  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Coronary Atherosclerosis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cell Injury ◽  
Plaque Instability ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Reductase Inhibitors ◽  
Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. The efficacy and safety of statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors) in primary and secondary prevention of CAD are confirmed in several large studies. It is well known that statins have some pleiotropic, anti-atherosclerotic effects. We review the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of statins revealed in recently published studies. Endothelial cell injury is regarded as the classic stimulus for the development of atherosclerotic lesions. In addition, the inflammatory process plays an important role in the aetiology of atherosclerosis. In particular, chronic inflammation plays a key role in coronary artery plaque instability and subsequent occlusive thrombosis. Our previous reports and others have demonstrated beneficial effects of statins on endothelial dysfunction and chronic inflammation in CAD. A better understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the effectiveness of statins against atherosclerosis may provide a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis. The present review summarizes the cellular and molecular mechanism of statins against coronary atherosclerosis.

scholarly journals MicroRNA-214 in Health and Disease

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 3274
Author(s):  
Meer M. J. Amin ◽  
Christopher J. Trevelyan ◽  
Neil A. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Lung Cancers ◽  
Rna Molecules ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Extensive Range ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Future Direction ◽  
Improve Health

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenously expressed, non-coding RNA molecules that mediate the post-transcriptional repression and degradation of mRNAs by targeting their 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR). Thousands of miRNAs have been identified since their first discovery in 1993, and miR-214 was first reported to promote apoptosis in HeLa cells. Presently, miR-214 is implicated in an extensive range of conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, bone formation and cell differentiation. MiR-214 has shown pleiotropic roles in contributing to the progression of diseases such as gastric and lung cancers but may also confer cardioprotection against excessive fibrosis and oxidative damage. These contrasting functions are achieved through the diverse cast of miR-214 targets. Through silencing or overexpressing miR-214, the detrimental effects can be attenuated, and the beneficial effects promoted in order to improve health outcomes. Therefore, discovering novel miR-214 targets and understanding how miR-214 is dysregulated in human diseases may eventually lead to miRNA-based therapies. MiR-214 has also shown promise as a diagnostic biomarker in identifying breast cancer and coronary artery disease. This review provides an up-to-date discussion of miR-214 literature by describing relevant roles in health and disease, areas of disagreement, and the future direction of the field.

scholarly journals Does non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation affect heart rate variability? A living and interactive Bayesian meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinzent Wolf ◽  
Anne Kühnel ◽  
Vanessa Teckentrup ◽  
Julian Koenig ◽  
Nils B. Kroemer
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Heart Rate Variability ◽  
Vagus Nerve ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Vagus Nerve Stimulation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Non Invasive

AbstractNon-invasive brain stimulation techniques, such as transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), have considerable potential for clinical use. Beneficial effects of taVNS have been demonstrated on symptoms in patients with mental or neurological disorders as well as transdiagnostic dimensions, including mood and motivation. However, since taVNS research is still an emerging field, the underlying neurophysiological processes are not yet fully understood, and the replicability of findings on biomarkers of taVNS effects has been questioned. Here, we perform a living Bayesian random effects meta-analysis to synthesize the current evidence concerning the effects of taVNS on heart rate variability (HRV), a candidate biomarker that has, so far, received most attention in the field. To keep the synthesis of evidence transparent and up to date as new studies are being published, we developed a Shiny web app that regularly incorporates new results and enables users to modify study selection criteria to evaluate the robustness of the inference across potential confounds. Our analysis focuses on 17 single-blind studies comparing taVNS versus sham in healthy participants. These newly synthesized results provide strong evidence for the null hypothesis (g = 0.011, CIshortest = [−0.103, 0.125], BF01 = 25.587), indicating that acute taVNS does not alter HRV compared to sham. To conclude, based on a synthesis of the available evidence to date, there is no support for the hypothesis that HRV is a robust biomarker for acute taVNS. By increasing transparency and timeliness, we believe that the concept of living meta-analyses can lead to transformational benefits in emerging fields such as non-invasive brain stimulation.

scholarly journals Potential Beneficial Effects of Vitamin D in Coronary Artery Disease

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Legarth ◽  
Daniela Grimm ◽  
Marcus Krüger ◽  
Manfred Infanger ◽  
Markus Wehland
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Vitamin D ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Bone Homeostasis ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
Artery Disease

Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in bone homeostasis and calcium metabolism. However, recent research has indicated additional beneficial effects of vitamin D on the cardiovascular system. This review aims to elucidate if vitamin D can be used as an add-on treatment in coronary artery disease (CAD). Large-scale epidemiological studies have found a significant inverse association between serum 25(OH)-vitamin D levels and the prevalence of essential hypertension. Likewise, epidemiological data have suggested plasma levels of vitamin D to be inversely correlated to cardiac injury after acute myocardial infarction (MI). Remarkably, in vitro trials have showed that vitamin D can actively suppress the intracellular NF-κB pathway to decrease CAD progression. This is suggested as a mechanistic link to explain how vitamin D may decrease vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. A review of randomized controlled trials with vitamin D supplementation showed ambiguous results. This may partly be explained by heterogeneous study groups. It is suggested that subgroups of diabetic patients may benefit more from vitamin D supplementation. Moreover, some studies have indicated that calcitriol rather than cholecalciferol exerts more potent beneficial effects on atherosclerosis and CAD. Therefore, further studies are required to clarify these assumptions.

The Indispensable Value of Clinical Trials in the Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine: 12 Years' Experience at CUHK and Future Perspectives

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (03) ◽  
pp. 587-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willmann Liang ◽  
David T. Yew ◽  
Kam Lun Hon ◽  
Chun Kwok Wong ◽  
Timothy C. Y. Kwok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Chinese Herbs ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
The Many

The last decade has seen a wealth of information reporting the beneficial effects of Chinese herbal medicines. While a lot more studies were done using in vitro and in vivo research platforms, much fewer investigations were conducted according to evidence-based requirements in clinical settings. The Institute of Chinese Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has had the opportunity to collaborate with clinicians over the years to initiate and conduct dozens of clinical trials investigating and verifying the therapeutic values of Chinese herbs in selected disease conditions. Of the many disorders, we chose to focus on those that are known for their difficulties achieving perfect results with conventional treatment methods. Examples include non-healing ulcers, allergic conditions, degenerative diseases and cancer. Protective effects of the herbs in such chronic diseases as coronary artery disease and osteoporosis were also part of our focus. Even in healthy individuals and those recovering from chemotherapy, Chinese herbs could help with the immune system and were studied in our clinical trials as well. This paper aims to highlight the important findings from these clinical studies while at the same time, stressing the indispensable value of clinical trials in modernizing the use of Chinese herbs in present-day medicine.

scholarly journals Stabil coronariabetegség kezelésére alkalmazott trimetazidin prolong hatásosságának vizsgálata. Multicentrikus, prospektív, obszervációs, nyílt klinikai vizsgálat, ONECAPS-vizsgálat

2018 ◽  
Vol 159 (38) ◽  
pp. 1549-1555
Author(s):  
János Tomcsányi ◽  
László Szakács
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Stable Coronary Artery Disease ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Favorable Effect ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Canadian Cardiovascular Society Class ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Antiischemic Effect

Abstract: Introduction: The effectiveness of the manegement of stable coronary artery disease among outpatients is not well known. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of daily once trimetazidine prolong 80 mg on the angina number and severity (Canadian Cardiovascular Society class). Method: This multicenter, prospective, observational, 3-month clinical study included 2160 patients, but only 1701 patients completed the study. The patients’ mean age was 68 years (17% under 60 years). The start of angina was 7.8 ± 6.7 years. Hypertension (93.4%) and hypercholesterolemia (81%) were very common. Results: The patients were well treated with beta-blocking agents (88%), calcium antagonists (49%), angiotensin-converting enzym inhibitors (90%) and statin (77%) but only 5% received ivabradine and 50.5% was treated with trimetazidine MR. The patients attended 3 visits (inclusion, 1 month, 3 month). During the 3-month period, the weekly angina number of all patients treated with trimetazidine prolong 80 mg decreased from 2.55 to 0.41 (p<0.0001). A favorable effect was observed in CCS grading: CCS I. from 40.37% to 66.81%, CCS II. from 49.89% to 30.59%, CCS III. from 9.17% to 2% and CCS IV. from 0.56% to 0%. The mean office measured blood pressure decreased from 137/83 mmHg to 130/80 mmHg and the heart rate from 74 bpm to 71 bpm. Conclusions: In the real-life, in the stable coronary artery disease the angina remains despite the medical treatment. Once a day administered trimetazidine prolong 80 mg significantly reduced the weekly number of angina and the severity, too. These beneficial effects mediated not only by antiischemic effect but also by increased medication adherence. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(38): 1549–1555.

scholarly journals Unusual Sequence of Events in a Case of Takotsubo Syndrome

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
C. Henriquez ◽  
R. Landau ◽  
N. Sabharwal ◽  
D. Rodriguez ◽  
V. Virparia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complete Resolution ◽  
Systolic Function ◽  
Systolic Dysfunction ◽  
Takotsubo Syndrome ◽  
Artery Cannulation ◽  
Sequence Of Events ◽  
Temporary Pacemaker ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Lv Systolic Function

A 73-year-old female with multiple comorbidities including coronary artery disease was admitted for an elective PCI of a lesion detected in the RCA. On the day of the planned PCI, shortly after right femoral artery cannulation, the patient developed a sudden complete heart block requiring the administration atropine and insertion of a temporary pacemaker. Concomitantly, the patient developed acute pulmonary edema, hypotension, and hypoxia requiring intubation for mechanical ventilation. Vasopressors were administered. A coronary angiogram showed patent left and right coronary arteries, unchanged when compared to the previous angiogram. An echocardiogram performed in the cardiac catheterization lab revealed global hypokinesis of the left and right ventricles, with severe LV systolic dysfunction (EF<20%). Following an insertion of an intra-aortic balloon pump, the patient was transferred to the CICU. A repeat echocardiogram in the CICU two hours later revealed a classical echocardiographic presentation of Takotsubo syndrome, apical hypokinesis. By the next morning the patient’s hemodynamic status significantly improved, the balloon pump was removed, and vasopressors were discontinued. Another echocardiogram was performed 24 hours after the event occurred and revealed a marked improvement in LV systolic function (EF 60%), with complete resolution of apical and septal wall motion abnormalities. Three days after the event, the patient was successfully discharged and asymptomatic at two-month follow-up. This case illustrates an atypical presentation of Takotsubo syndrome that was witnessed from onset to its complete resolution during the patient’s hospital stay.

scholarly journals Left-sided carotid arteries have a higher prevalence of intraplaque hemorrhage than right-sided: An asymmetric conundrum

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 494-500
Author(s):  
Anthony S Larson ◽  
Waleed Brinjikji ◽  
Luis Savastano ◽  
Eugene Scharf ◽  
John Huston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Carotid Arteries ◽  
Carotid Artery Disease ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Intraplaque Hemorrhage ◽  
Asymmetric Distribution ◽  
Anterior Circulation ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Artery Disease

Purpose To assess whether an asymmetry exists in the prevalence of carotid artery intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) between right- and left-sided arteries. Materials and methods The records of all patients with atherosclerotic carotid artery disease that underwent neck magnetic resonance angiography imaging with high-resolution plaque sequences between 2017 and 2020 at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. The prevalence of stenosis and IPH was determined for all patients and compared between the left and right carotid arteries of those with unilateral anterior circulation ischemic strokes. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine potential independent associations of IPH laterality with ischemic strokes. Results A total of 368 patients were included overall and 241 were male (65.4%). There were a total of 125 asymptomatic patients and 211 patients with unilateral anterior circulation ischemic strokes. Of patients with ischemic strokes, 55.5% had left-sided strokes compared with 44.5% who had right-sided strokes ( p = 0.03). Patients with left-sided strokes had a higher prevalence of ipsilateral IPH than those with right-sided strokes (64.1% versus 36.2%, p < 0.0001), despite similar degrees of stenosis. Both age (odds ratio (OR): 1.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0–1.1; p = 0.007) and the presence of left-sided IPH (OR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.5–6.8; p = 0.003) were independently associated with unilateral ischemic strokes. Conclusions Left-sided plaques more frequently have IPH and may be more likely to result in ipsilateral ischemic strokes compared with right-sided plaques. The underlying mechanism of asymmetric distribution of IPH between right and left carotids remains unclear.

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