Background: Effects of statin therapy on cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) have not previously been evaluated. Methods and Results:To compare the effects of lipophilic atorvastatin and hydrophilic rosuvastatin on cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in CHF patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), 63 stable outpatients with DCM, who were already receiving standard therapy for CHF, were randomized to atorvastatin (n=32) or rosuvastatin (n=31). We evaluated cardiac sympathetic nerve activity by cardiac 123 I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy, hemodynamic parameters and neurohumoral factors before and after 6 months of treatment. There were no differences in the baseline characteristics of the 2 groups. In the rosuvastatin group, there were no changes in MIBG parameters, left ventricular ejection fraction or plasma levels of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) after 6 months of treatment. In contrast, the atorvastatin group showed a significant increase in the delayed heart/mediastinum count ratio (2.18±0.4 vs. 2.36±0.4, P<0.0001), and the washout rate was significantly decreased (34.8±5.7 vs. 32.6±6.3%, P=0.0001) after 6 months of treatment compared with the baseline values. The plasma NT-proBNP level was also significantly decreased (729±858 vs. 558±747 pg/ml, P=0.0139). Conclusions:Lipophilic atorvastatin but not hydrophilic rosuvastatin improves cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in CHF patients with DCM. (Circ J 2011; 75: 2160 - 2166

The chemical profile of the Endocarp and Exocarp of yellow monkey cola (Cola lepidota) were investigated using chemical analysis. The results of proximate analysis showed that the endocarp has the following compositions: moisture (20.00+0.10%W/W), ash (4.00+0.11%DM), crude fibre (36.00+0.12%DM), crude fat (16.00+0.11%DM), crude protein (22.84+0.12%DM), available carbohydrate (21.16+0.12%DM) and the energy value (320.00+0.01kcal/100g) while the exocarp contained moisture (22.00+0.12%W/W), ash (8.00+0.11%DM), crude fibre (7.00+0.11%DM), crude fat (12.50+0.10%DM), crude protein (1.58+0.11%DM) available carbohydrate (70.92+0.11%DM) and the energy value (402.42+0.10 kcal/100g). The endocarp mineral elements analysis revealed that sodium (0.033+0.21 mg/100g), lead (0.004+0.12mg/100g) cadmium (0.002 +0.11mg/100) calcium (78.35+0.12 mg/100g), zinc (55.32+0.12mg/100), phosphorus (0.068+0.12mg/100g), iron (47.45+0.11 mg/100g) and manganese (0.09+0.31 mg/100g) while the exocarp mineral elements analysis revealed that sodium (0.011+0.11 mg/100g), magnesium (0.02+0.11 mg/100g), lead (0.02+0.12mg/100g), cadmium (0.03+00.12mg/100g), zinc (12.16+0.12mg/100g), potassium (17.21+0.12mg/100g), calcium (22.55+0.11mg/100g), iron (11.21+0.32mg/100g) and manganese (0.003+0.12mg/100g). The mineral element concentrations of cobalt, nickel and mercury were not detected in both endocarp and exocarp of cola lepidota. The toxicants composition analysis of endocarp revealed that hydro-cyanide, soluble oxalate and phytic acids contents were 0.54+0.01, 8.65+0.12 and 5.50+0.12 mg/100gDM respectively, while the exocarp revealed 0.09+0.12, 0.01+0.11 and 4.00+0.11 mg/100gDM respectively. The results of phytochemical screening of water extract (WE) of both endocarp and exocarp of cola lepidota shows the presence of polyphenols, reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides and saponins and the absence of phlobatannins, tannins, anthranoids and anthraquinones. The petroleum ether extract (PEE) revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, polyphenols, and reducing sugars and also the absence of alkaloids, tannins, phlobatanins, anthranoids and authraquinones.KEYWORDS: Cola lepidota, Proximate Composition, Minerals, Nutritional and Anti-nutritional

No abstract

Tranquilizers, analgetics and antidepressants are applied in different ranges in the treatment of patients on hemodialysis. Due to many different pharmacokinetic properties, no perfect rules for dosage in acute or chronic hemodialysis exist. Adequate applicable drugs without adaptation disregarding different states of renal failure are such with predominate hepatic metabolism and elimination or with inactive metabolites.In the management of acute renal failure, usually in connection with multiple organic disorders, a nonschematic, individually adapted therapy is indicated. In some substances, therapy can be determined by control of plasma concentration levels, in other drugs dosage is possible exclusively according to clinical effects. Substances with side effects on coagulation or acid-base equilibrium should be avoided. It is recommendable to get well acquainted with one substance out of each group in order to avoid polypragmasy.

No abstract