The single-beat lateral E/e' correlated with plasma BNP level and PCWP in AF patients with preserved systolic function. In addition, the single-beat lateral E/e' (>or=11) was a good predictor of elevated PCWP (>or=15 mm Hg). Dual Doppler echocardiography offers an advantage of providing the single-beat lateral E/e' correctly even in AF patients, for the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function.

Aim:Ezetimibe, an inhibitor of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 protein, has been shown to reduce the intestinal absorption of cholesterol. We investigated whether it also has beneficial effects on metabolic disorder and/or renal insufficiency in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Methods: Ezetimibe was administered to 38 Japanese patients with hypercholesterolemia to obtain appropriate low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-chol) levels. Age-and sex-matched patients with hypercholesterolemia (n 38) were the controls. We evaluated the effects of ezetimibe before and 4 to 8 weeks after ezetimibe treatment. Results: Ezetimibe significantly decreased LDL-chol levels and metabolic syndrome-related factors, including body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure; homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and urinary albumin excretion, were significantly reduced. In addition, it decreased the level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, the urinary excretion of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, a parameter of oxidative stress, and increased the urinary excretion of nitrate and nitrite (NOx). In the controls we observed no such changes. Excepting the decrease in the serum TNF-level, the effects of ezetimibe were not correlated with decreased LDL-chol levels. Conclusion: Ezetimibe ameliorated the status of metabolic syndrome and microalbuminuria, reduced inflammation and oxidative stress, and increased nitric oxide bioavailability in a LDL-chol reductiondependent and -independent manner.

: Background : Plasma adiponectin levels increase after the administration of glimepiride. This unique effects would also be expected to improve other adipocytokines and have antiatherosclerotic action in patients with metabolic syndrome. Methods : Thirty-four patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were administrated glibenclamide were randomly divided into two groups. In 20 patients glibenclamide was changed to glimepiride (GP group), and the administration of glibenclamide (GB group) was continued in 14 patients. Twelve patients receiving insulin therapy (INS group) were enrolled for comparison. The levels of plasma adiponectin, high sensitive-CRP, TNF-! , interleukin-6, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and augmentation index (AI) were measured before and 28 weeks after the therapy. Results: HOMA-IR in the GP group was significantly decreased compared to the GB group. Plasma adiponectin levels were significantly increased in the GP group but not in the other groups. TNF-! , interleukin-6 and high sensitive-CRP levels were significantly decreased in the GP group, but not in the other groups. The baPWV and AI levels did not change in either the GB or the INS group, but were significantly decreased in the GP group. Conclusions Glimepiride appears to improve insulin resistance and atherosclerotic disorders. J. Med. Invest. 53:87-94, February, 2006

PTX3 is likely more specific than hsCRP as an indicator of coronary plaque vulnerability that could lead to plaque rupture.

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