PurposeCardiac dysfunction and hyperdynamic systemic circulation may be present in patients with cirrhosis. The purpose of this study was to identify relations between plasma levels of N-terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP), reflecting early ventricular dysfunction, and the severity of liver disease and cardiac dysfunction in cirrhotic patients.Materials and MethodsSixty-three cirrhotic patients and 15 controls (group 1) were enrolled in this study. Plasma levels of NT-proBNP were determined in echocardiographically examined patients, which were allocated to 1 of 3 groups according to Child-Pugh classification or into 2 groups, i.e., a compensated group without ascites (group 2) and decompensated group with ascites (group 3).ResultsPlasma NT-proBNP levels were
significantly higher in cirrhotic patients (groups 2 and 3) than in age-matched controls (155.9 and 198.3 vs. 40.3 pg/mL, respectively, p < 0.05). NT-proBNP levels were significantly increased in Child class C patients than in classes B and A (250.0 vs. 168.6 and 119.6 pg/mL, respectively, p < 0.05). Left atrial dimension, wall thickness of left ventricle, and EF or E/E' were significantly increased, and EDT was prolonged in cirrhotic patients than in controls. Increased LVMI and decreased E/A ratio were noted in the group of patients with ascites as compared with the other groups.ConclusionPlasma NT-proBNP levels were high in cirrhotic patients and are likely to be related to the severity of disease. Advanced cirrhosis is associated with advanced cardiac dysfunction, and NT-proBNP levels has predictive value for concomitant cardiac dysfunction and cirrhosis progression.
Colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Effects of walnut ( L.) lipid extracts (WLEs) on the self-renewal capacity of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in colon cancer were investigated. The dominant component of WLEs was α-linoleic acid (64.6%), followed by α-linolenic acid (14.6%), and oleic acid (12.6%). A higher concentration of γ-tocopherol (37.1%) was also present than of α-tocopherol (0.6%). CD133CD44CSCs treated with WLEs showed inhibition of colony formation and sphere formation, indicating a decrease in the self-renewal capacity. Treatment with WLEs also resulted in down-regulation of protein levels, including Notch1, phospho-GSK3β (p-GSK3β), and β-catenin, which are associated with CSCs and the self-renewing capacity. WLEs rich in essential fatty acids and γ-tocopherol can exert therapeutic actions on colon cancer via targeting of CSCs.
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