Secondary data analysis investigating effects of marine omega-3 fatty acids on circulating levels of leptin and adiponectin in older adults.

BACKGROUND: Higher leptin and lower adiponectin levels have been linked to progressing systemic inflammation and diseases of aging. Among older adults with obesity and an inflammatory conditions, we quantified effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation on leptin, adiponectin, and the leptin-to-adiponectin ratio (LAR). We also examined associations among adipokine and cytokine levels. METHODS: Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, participants (mean age 61.3 ± 2.1) received 1.5 g EPA + 1.0 g DHA (n = 14) or mineral oil (n = 18) daily. Plasma adipokine and cytokine levels were quantified by electrochemiluminescence at all study intervals. RESULTS: While no between-group differences were detected, there was a reduction in the LAR (by 23%, p=.065) between weeks 4 and 8 among the EPA+DHA group. Adiponectin levels were negatively associated with IL-1ß levels at week 4 (p=.02) and TNF-α levels at week 8 (p=.03). CONCLUSION: Potential benefits of EPA+DHA supplementation among aging populations warrant further study.

Deep vein thrombosis: prevention in stroke patients during rehabilitation.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and subsequent pulmonary embolism (PE) is a major source of mortality and morbidity in stroke patients. This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of different prophylactic treatments in the prevention of DVT after a stroke in patients undergoing rehabilitation. An additional objective was the identification of risk factors for DVT in stroke in patients during rehabilitation. Three hundred and sixty patients, over a 3-year period, were randomly assigned to one of four groups: adjusted dose heparin, intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), functional electrical stimulation (FES), or control. There was no significant difference in the development of DVT by treatment group. Patients with DVT on admission (prevalent, n = 61) were compared with the study patients (n = 360). Time interval (from stroke to admission) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration were significant risk factors, as well as predictors, for development of DVT (p < .000). These results suggest that the longer a patient remains without DVT prophylaxis after a stroke, the greater the risk of developing DVT and this supports early prophylaxis before rehabilitation.

Deep vein thrombosis in rehabilitating stroke patients. Incidence, risk factors and prophylaxis.

A total of 503 consecutive cases of suspected stroke were examined for potential eligibility based on recent development of a paralyzed limb. Of 123 otherwise eligible subjects, 22 were found by ultrasound to have deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on admission. Therefore, 101 patients were assigned randomly to one of the treatment groups or to the control group. The three treatments were adjusted-dose heparin, external pneumatic compression and functional electrical muscle stimulation. An ultrasound examination of the lower extremities was conducted twice a week on each patient until completion of the study (28 days or discharge, whichever came first). Electrical muscle stimulation was discontinued after 4 mo of the study because of discomfort, blister formation and high drop-out rate. Ten patients developed DVT during the study period. In 17 of the 32 cases of DVT, venography was performed, which confirmed the ultrasound findings in every case. The 32 cases of DVT differed from those without DVT by having a higher prevalence of hypertension (P = 0.02), cholesterol (P = 0.08) and a longer time interval between stroke and admission (P less than 0.05). We conclude that ultrasound is effective for DVT detection in the rehabilitation setting, and two-thirds of such cases are detectable on admission.

Lack of an association between coffee consumption and lipoprotein lipids and apolipoproteins in young adults: the Beaver County Study.

The relationship between coffee consumption and lipoprotein lipids and apolipoproteins was examined in 472 white men and women (20-24 years of age) in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, during 1981-1982. Coffee intake, expressed as nondrinker, one to two cups per day, and three or more cups per day, was unrelated to total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or apoproteins AI, AII, or B. After covariate adjustment for cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, body mass index, and adherence to a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat, the results remained essentially unchanged. The only statistically significant finding was that women who consumed three or more cups of coffee per day had significantly lower triglyceride concentrations compared with coffee nondrinkers (P less than 0.05). Thus, these findings fail to substantiate a significant association of low to moderate coffee intake with an increased lipid and apoprotein risk profile in these young adults.

Elevation of serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol by rowachol, a proprietary mixture of six pure monoterpenes.

Rowachol, a proprietary choleretic containing 6 pure monoterpenes markedly elevates serum HDL cholesterol (SHDL-C) concentrations in man. The concentration of SHDL-C showed a progressive increase in 16 patients treated with 6-9 capsules of Rowachol daily for periods of 2-28 weeks. There was no accompanying significant change in the concentrations of serum total cholesterol or triglyceride. In view of the significant inverse relationship between SHDL-C concentration and the risk of developing ischaemic heart disease, it is suggested that Rowachol and possibly other terpenes merit further investigation as possible therapeutic agents in the prevention and treatment of atheroma.