Effects of Rosuvastatin Versus Atorvastatin, Alone or in Combination, on Lipoprotein (a).

BACKGROUND: There are little evidences about the therapeutic efficacy of different lipid-lowering agents in the reduction of elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)]. OBJECTIVE: testing the effect of different lipid-lowering agents on elevated Lp(a). METHODS: prospective interventional study performed in patients with CAD, or high CAD risk, with Lp(a), >50 mg/dL. Lp(a), total cholesterol (C), HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides (TGs), apolipoprotein (Apo) A1, Apo B, enzymes of myocyte and hepatic injury were comparatively analyzed between 4 lipid-lowering strategies: rosuvastatin (R group) 40 mg, atorvastatin (A group) 80 mg, atorvastatin 40 mg add-on micronized fenofibrate (A+F group), and atorvastatin 40 mg add-on 1 g extended-release niacin (A+ERN group). Comparison was made for their therapeutic efficacy on Lp(a), and safety. RESULTS: 87 patients with mean Lp(a) 94.6 ± 39.6 mg/dL were analyzed. Groups: 25 patients in the R, 22 in the A, 20 in the A+F and 20 in A+ERN group. Significant reduction in all lipid fractions in all treatment groups was reported after 6 months. The average reduction of Lp(a) was 15.9 ± 21.0 mg/dL, with: 18.2 ± 24.8 (P = 0.001) in the R group, 17.3 ± 10.4 (P = 0.001) in A+F, 19.5 ± 10.9 (P = 0.001) in A+ERN and the lowest in the A group (11.24 ± 22.91, P = 0.032). No adverse effects were observed in any of the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with atorvastatin, it seems that rosuvastatin can achieve more significant decrease of Lp(a).The efficacy of the second one can be increased by adding fibrate or ERN.

Comparative biodistribution studies of technetium-99 m radiolabeled amphiphilic nanoparticles using three different reducing agents during the labeling procedure.

Considering the confusing biodistribution data through the literature and few reported alerts as well as our preliminary biodistribution results, we decided to evaluate the interaction and interference of the commonly present (99m) Tc (technetium-99m)-stannic oxide colloid during the direct stannous chloride (99m) Tc-labeling procedure and to assess its influence on the biodistribution pattern of amphiphilic poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles. In order to confirm our thesis, beside stannous chloride, we employed two different reducing agents that don't form colloidal particles. The use of sodium borohydride was previously reported in the literature, whereas sodium dithionite was adapted for the first time in the (99m) Tc direct labeling procedure for nanoparticles. The results in our paper clearly differentiate among samples with and without colloidal impurities originating from the labeling procedure with a logical follow up of the radiochemical, physicochemical evaluation, and biodistribution studies clarifying previously reported data on stannic oxide colloidal interference. (99m) Tc-nanoparticle complex labeled with sodium dithionite as reducing agent illustrated appropriate labeling efficacy, stability, and potential for further use in biodistribution studies thus providing solution for the problem of low-complex stability when sodium borohydride is used and colloidal stannic oxide interference for stannous chloride procedure.

Wheat germ agglutinin-functionalised crosslinked polyelectrolyte microparticles for local colon delivery of 5-FU: in vitro efficacy and in vivo gastrointestinal distribution.

We have previously reported the development and characterisation of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-functionalised chitosan-Ca-alginate (CTS-Ca-ALG) microparticles (MPs) loaded with acid-resistant particles of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). In the present work, our goal was to evaluate the potential of these carriers for efficient treatment of colon cancer by studying in vitro permeability and cell association of 5-FU and [methyl-³H]thymidine uptake in Caco-2 cells, as well as in vivo gastrointestinal distribution. The amount of 5-FU permeated through Caco-2 cells was 15.1, 7.7 and 6.5% for 5-FU solution, CTS-Ca-ALG MPs and WGA conjugates. The concentration of 5-FU associated with Caco-2 cells was significantly greater when delivered from MPs. By incorporation of 5-FU into MPs and further decoration with WGA, an increased [methyl-³H]thymidine uptake was observed few hours after continuous drug treatment followed by significantly reduced uptake after 6 h. Gastrointestinal distribution was in favour of increased localisation and concentration of the particles in colon region.

Validation of a Spectrophotometric Method for Urinary Iodine Determination on Microplate Based on Sandell-Kolthoff Reaction.

OBJECTIVE: Iodine is an essential part of the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Therefore, it is essential to monitor iodine supply in a population. The biochemical marker for assessing and controlling iodine is urinary iodine concentration (UIC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 180 pregnant women and 308 women of reproductive age. Urine specimens from 185 of the 488 volunteers were used. The urine specimens were measured using 2 methods: (1) ammonium persulfate digestion (APD), followed by the Sandell-Kolthoff (S-K) reaction modified on microplate for spectrophotometric detection; and (2) the reference method, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: The regression equation between the methods was ICP-MS method = 1.137*(APD S-K)-5.57. A Passing-Bablok regression showed no deviation from linearity (P = .17). A Bland-Altman plot showed a negative mean bias of -2.7%. CONCLUSION: The APD S-K reaction modified on microplate for spectrophotometric detection of UIC can be implemented into routine work. Its results are comparable to those of laboratories worldwide and to ICP-MS.

Universal salt iodization potentially contributes to health equity: socio-economic status of children does not affect iodine status.

OBJECTIVES: Many studies have shown that socio-economic status (SES) contributes to health inequalities, with nutrition as one of the major risk factors. Iodine intake entirely depends on external sources, and deficiencies are known to be more prevalent in lower social groups, especially in countries with limited access to iodized salt. This study aimed to determine the influence of SES on iodine status and iodine availability from household salt in North Macedonia. METHODS: Using cluster sampling, 1,200 children were recruited, and 1,191 children participated (response rate: 99.2%). Iodine status was assessed through urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and iodine availability through iodine content in household salt requested from participants. SES was assessed using standardized Family Affluence Score (FAS). RESULTS: No statistically significant correlation was found between FAS and iodine in salt. Median regression revealed no significant associations of middle vs. low FAS (ß=0.00; 95%-confidence interval (CI)=[-0.61, 0.62]; p=0.999) or high vs. low affluence (ß=0.48; 95% CI=[-1.37, 0.41]; p=0.291) with iodine content in household salt. UIC levels were significantly lower in middle FAS children compared to low FAS children (ß=-16.4; 95% CI=[-32.3, -0.5]; p=0.043). No statistically significant differences in UIC were found between children with high and low affluence (ß=-12.5; 95% CI=[-35.5, 10.5]; p=0.287), possibly due to lowered statistical power for this comparison. CONCLUSIONS: Universal salt iodization (USI) proves to be a cost-effective measure for appropriate iodine intake in healthy children and adults, irrespective of their social status. It can thus be concluded that USI contributes to reducing health inequalities related to iodine status among population of different social strata.

C-reactive protein in patients with normal perfusion and mild to moderate perfusion defects who have undergone myocardial perfusion imaging with 99m-Tc sestamibi gated spect.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) has been extensively used in recent years to assess cardiovascular risk more thoroughly. A significant association between elevated CRP, a prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and adverse cardiac events has been found. Stress myocardial SPECT perfusion imaging (MPI) is an accurate noninvasive technique for detecting CAD. The aim of our study was to find out if there are any differences in the CRP levels between patients with normal myocardial perfusion and mild to moderate perfusion defects, detected with 99m-Tc sestamibi gated SPECT MPI. We prospectively studied 127 patients (79 men, 48 women) suspected of having CAD or with previously confirmed CAD, who were referred for MPI. According to the findings of the stress study, they were divided into two groups: with normal/ near normal myocardial perfusion (n = 85) and with a mild to moderate perfusion defect (n = 42). Levels of CRP in the former group were significantly lower (2.7 mg/L vs. 4.2 mg/L, p = 0.01). There were significantly more men (78.6% vs. 54%, p = 0.000*) and smokers (26% vs. 15%, p = 0.003), also the rates of PCI were significantly higher (36% vs. 15%, p = 0.006) in patients with mild to moderate perfusion defects. The two groups did not differ significantly in age, type of stress, presence of most risk factors for CAD, previous myocardial infarction and CABG. The results of our study have shown that patients with mild to moderate perfusion defects on stress myocardial perfusion SPECT imaging have significantly higher levels of C-reactive protein, compared to those with normal/near normal myocardial perfusion.