Background and Objectives: Cardiac involvement in systemic sclerosis has important consequences on patient survival. Myocardial fibrosis and microcirculation involvement can generate arrhythmic complications, which can be associated with a higher death risk. QT interval prolongation is considered as a risk factor for ectopic ventricular events and can be evaluated using standard short ECG recordings or 24-h Holter ECG recordings. Materials and Methods: 39 patients with systemic sclerosis were submitted to a standard ECG recording at admission and 24-h Holter ECG monitoring. Results: QT interval values resulted from Holter ECG monitoring are higher than the values generated by the short-term ECG recordings. Holter ECG monitoring permits the detection of ventricular ectopy in patients with no events on standard ECG. Conclusions: In patients with systemic sclerosis, 24-h Holter ECG recordings can realize a more precise evaluation of the extent of QTc interval prolongation and ventricular ectopic events associated with myocardial involvement.
Aspartame is a worldwide used artificial sweetener and is consumed by millions of adults and children as part of their diet. The connection between aspartame ingestion and depression has been studied with contradictory results. We hypothesized that this correlation might be explained by high levels of oxidative stress. We wanted to examine the biochemical effects of consuming higher or lower doses of aspartame on the antioxidant enzyme- glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and on the depression-like behaviors of rats in the forced swim test model. 40 lab rats were divided into 4 groups; two groups were treated by gavage with either 75 mg/kg/day of aspartame or 125 mg/kg/day of aspartame. The control group received a gavage with vehicle (water). The naive group received no experimental intervention. Our statistical analysis revealed that the rats from the control group and the naive group presented a significantly lower level of GPX compared to the groups that received 75mg/kg/day or the group that received the maximum dosage of 125mg/kg/day aspartame. Furthermore, a shorter duration of the immobility was reported in the control and the naive groups when compared to the groups which received any of the two dosages of aspartame. Therefore, the results presented by our study suggest that aspartame consumption (in both high and low dosages) increases both the oxidative stress and the depression-like symptoms in the forced swim model. In addition, an aspartame dose-response was not found for either of our two variables: oxidative stress or depression. In conclusion, the daily consumption of aspartame for 4 weeks, in both high dosage and low dosage, had a negative impact on both oxidative stress level and the frequency of depression- like behaviors of the animals in the forced swim test. These results suggest that the correlation between aspartame ingestion and depression might be explained by oxidative stress levels.
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