We studied the effect of propranolol on the diet-induced coronary artery atherosclerosis (CAA) in 30 adult male cynomolgus monkeys living in social groupings of five animals each. Animals in the "treated" segment (n = 15) consumed propranolol, which was mixed into an atherogenic diet. Animals in the "untreated" group (n = 15) consumed only the atherogenic diet. Finally, the social groupings were subjected to disruption through monthly redistribution of monkeys among the groups within each treatment segment. The experiment lasted 26 months, following which all animals underwent autopsy during which the coronary arteries were evaluated for atherosclerosis. Regarding atherosclerosis, we observed a significant interaction between social status and experimental condition (p < .03). Socially dominant animals had (as in previous studies) significantly exacerbated CAA, but only in the untreated segment; the effect of social dominance on CAA was abolished by long-term administration of propranolol. The antiatherogenic effect of propranolol on dominant animals was independent of the influences of serum lipid concentrations, blood pressure, and resting heart rate. We conclude that treatment with ,B-adrenergic-blocking agents may confer a degree of protection against CAA among individuals behaviorally predisposed to coronary heart disease.Circulation 76, No. 6, 1364No. 6, -1372No. 6, ,1987 THERE IS increasing evidence that the behavioral attributes of individuals contribute to risk for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD). Among human beings, the so-called type A behavior pattern (and, more specifically, the propensity to experience excessive anger or hostility) has been found to be predictive of CHD events in prospective studies of initially healthy individuals.1-7 Similarly, we have observed that when male cynomolgus monkeys fed atherogenic diets are housed in an unstable or stressful social setting, the highly aggressive and competitive dominant animals develop greater coronary artery atherosclerosis than their more submissive, subordinate counterparts

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between experimental rhinovirus infection and the elaboration of interleukin-8 (IL-8) into nasal secretions of volunteers and to determine the effect of pentoxifylline on IL-8 elaboration and rhinovirus-associated common cold symptoms. Fifty-four subjects with experimental rhinovirus infections and 20 sham-inoculated subjects were studied. Pentoxifylline had no effect on rhinovirus-induced symptoms or nasal-secretion IL-8 concentrations. IL-8 concentrations were significantly greater in nasal secretions from infected symptomatic subjects than in those from infected asymptomatic or sham-challenged subjects on days 2-4 after virus challenge. In infected subjects, there was significant rank correlation between nasal obstruction severity, rhinorrhea severity, and nasal-wash albumin concentrations and the change in IL-8 concentration from baseline on days 2-4 after virus challenge.

Continuous low-level heat wrap therapy was superior to both acetaminophen and ibuprofen for treating low back pain.

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Continuous low-level topical heat therapy was as effective as ibuprofen for the treatment of dysmenorrhea.

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Background: Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease and nutrition management is the initial therapeutic approach. Objective: This multicenter study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of psyllium husk fiber as an adjunct to diet in the treatment of persons with primary hypercholesterolemia. Design: Men and women with hypercholesterolemia were recruited. After following an American Heart AssociationStep I diet for 8 wk (dietary adaptation phase), eligible subjects with serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations between 3.36 and 4.91 mmol/L were randomly assigned to receive either 5.1 g psyllium or a cellulose placebo twice daily for 26 wk while continuing diet therapy. Results: Serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were 4.7% and 6.7% lower in the psyllium group than in the placebo group after 24-26 wk (P < 0.001). Other outcome measures did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions: Treatment with 5.1 g psyllium twice daily produces significant net reductions in serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in men and women with primary hypercholesterolemia. Psyllium therapy is an effective adjunct to diet therapy and may provide an alternative to drug therapy for some patients.