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Background: Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disorder associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Objective: To evaluate the utility of [[18]F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in identifying vascular and systemic inflammation in psoriasis patients with moderate-to-severe disease and to analyze its usefulness in assessing the effect of systemic treatment. Methods: This was a randomized, double-blind pilot study conducted in a tertiary care center. Baseline standardized uptake value score was estimated by18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and compared with historical controls. Patients were then randomized using computer-generated randomization list into methotrexate or placebo (with or without pioglitazone) groups.18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography was repeated at 12 weeks and composite standardized uptake value score determined. The correlation between Psoriasis Activity and Severity Index and SUVmax was assessed. Results: A total of 16 patients were randomized to different treatment groups. Significant increase in mean SUVmax was observed in the ascending aorta in psoriasis patients as compared to historical controls (2.03 ± 0.53 vs 1.51 ± 0.36, P < 0.03). There was no difference in composite standardized uptake value score after 12 weeks of treatment in any of the treatment groups (P = 0.82), although an improvement in Psoriasis Activity and Severity Index score in the methotrexate arm was observed. No correlation was found between mean SUVmax and Psoriasis Activity and Severity Index scores in various aortic segments (r = 0.3–0.7). Limitations: Small sample size, short follow-up, historical controls, exclusion of patients with comorbid conditions and lack of surrogate markers of systemic inflammation. Conclusion: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography imaging showed higher vascular inflammation in ascending aorta of psoriasis patients as compared to historical controls. Systemic treatment with methotrexate and pioglitazone did not influence the vascular inflammation in the short term.
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Background & objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MS) comprises several cardio-metabolic risk factors, which include obesity, hypertension, hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and decreased HDL cholesterol. Leaf extract of Gymnema sylvestre has been shown to possess glucose lowering activity in animal models. This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of deacyl gymnemic acid (DAGA), active constituent of G. sylvestre, in a rat model of MS. Methods: Six groups consisting of six wistar rats in each, were studied. Group I received the normal diet, while the remaining five groups received high fructose diet (HFD ) for 20 days to induce MS. HFD was continued in these five groups for the next 20 days along with group II received vehicle solution, group III received pioglitazone and groups IV- VI received DAGA in variable doses. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured using tail-cuff method. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done at baseline and at days 20 and 40. Blood samples were collected for glucose, insulin and lipid profile. Results: Administration of HFD for 20 days resulted in weight gain (>10%), increase in SBP, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and triglycerides fulfilling the criteria for MS. Administration of DAGA (200 mg/kg) reduced SBP and significantly improved the FPG and HOMA-IR (homeostatis model assessment-insulin resistance) with modest improvement in lipid profile without decrease in body weight similar to pioglitazone. Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings show that DAGA decreases SBP and improves parameters of glucose-insulin homeostasis in a rat model of MS induced by HFD. Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of action.
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Present study was conducted to evaluate the association of IgG anticardiolipin antibodies with instent restenosis in patients having undergone percutaneous intervention with bare metal or drug eluting stents. Coronary artery disease patients with stent placement at least 6 months prior were screened for eligibility. 26 satisfied the inclusion/exclusion criteria. 10 patients with symptoms of restenosis, confirmed on check angiography served as cases and 16 without symptoms of restenosis served as control. Unpaired t- test was applied to ascertain the significance of any difference between control and study groups. Antibody levels were estimated on ELISA reader. The mean (±SD) anticardiolipin antibodies levels in cases and controls were 11.8±5.1 GPL/U/ml and 14.3±10.2 GPL/U/ml, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). In conclusion, we did not observe any significant correlation between the level of IgG aCL and instent restenosis.
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In a crossover study, lithium was given orally at a dose of 56 mg/kg, prepared as suspension (0.5%) in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and blood samples (1 ml) collected after 0-24 hr after drug administration. After a washout period of two weeks, nimesulide (10 mg/kg) was administered alongwith lithium (56 mg/kg) and blood samples were drawn at the same time intervals (0-24 hr) after drug administration. Plasma was separated and assayed for lithium by M 654 Na+/K+/Li+ analyzer and various pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. C(max), K(el), t(1/2el) and AUC(0-alpha) of lithium were significantly increased when nimesulide was administered along with lithium as compared to control group.