Effect of Grape Seed Procyanidins Combined with Allicin on Lipid Levels in Hyperlipidemic Rats.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) combined with allicin on serum lipids level and vascular damage in a rat model of hyperlipidemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SD rats(male, 170-220 gn= 40) were randomized into five groups (n = 8/group): modelhigh fat and cholesterol diet; controlnormal diet; model+low-dose (GSP+allicin )(GSP 45mg/kg, allicin 30mg/kg, orally); model+high-dose (GSP+allicin) (GSP180mg/kg, allicin 90mg/kg, orally) and positive control (model+simvastatin (4 mg/kg)). Normal control group was fed conventionally, and remaining four groups were fed high cholesterol and fat food to replicate the high fat model. After 9 weeks, the normal control group continued to receive regular feeding, while the other groups continued to receive high-fat feeding. At the same time, model and normal control groups were given equal volume of physiological saline by gavage, and the other treatment groups began to receive corresponding drugs by gavage once a day. After 4 weeks, serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) as well as high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in rats were determined. And the body weight of rat, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA)in serum were identified. The level of endothelin-1(ET-1) was quantitative analysis by ELISA assay. RESULTS: In comparison to normal controls, the model group displayed a marked rise in body weight, an increment in serum concentrations of LDL-C, TG and TC, as well as a decline in HDL (P<0.01), demonstrating successful model replication; All doses of GSP in combination with allicin resulted in a reduction in TG, LDL-C, and TC and an enhancement in HDL-C in contrast to the model control (all P<0.05). High-dose (GSP+allicin ) decreased MDA, and increased T-AOC and SOD activity(all P<0.01). All doses of GSP combined with allicin decreased ET-1 (all P<0.05). In addition, the protective effect of GSP combined with allicin was dose-dependent. CONCLUSIONS: Studies have shown that GSP combined with allicin can significantly improve blood lipids in hyperlipidemic rats, and this mechanism may be related to antioxidants and reduced endothelial damage.

Factors Associated with Benzodiazepines Prolonged-Term Use in Post-Stroke Subjective Sleep Disturbance: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study from China.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of short- and long-term benzodiazepine and z-drugs (BZD) for the treatment of post-stroke subjective sleep disturbance (SSD) and to evaluate the risk factors associated with prolonged BZD treatment in this patient body. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1st January 2018 and 1st December 2018, we identified 542 inpatients suffering from acute stroke in Heyuan People's Hospital. Of these, 290 inpatients were included in our final analysis. These patients were divided into three groups according to the treatment they received: non/occasional BZD (non-BZD), short-term BZD (short-term) and prolonged-term BZD (prolonged-term) treatment. We investigated the prevalence of each BZD treatment term and identified differences between the groups. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify potential predictors for the prolonged use of BZD. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess the correlation between the prolonged use of BZD and potential predictors. RESULTS: The prevalence of cases receiving short and prolonged BZD treatments were 40.35% and 31.72%, respectively; none of the patients received polysomnography (PSG) screening from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSP). Treatment strategies were limited to BZD and traditional Chinese medicine; none of the patients received cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) or other forms of treatment. Logistic regression analysis showed that the short-term use was associated with z-drugs (odds ratio [OR]: 2.189, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.419-3.378), non-communication barriers (OR =0.535, 95% CI: 0.325-0.880) and posterior circulation infarct (POCI) (OR =2.199, 95% CI: 1.112-4.349). The prolonged-term use was associated with z-drugs (OR =3.012, 95% CI: 1.637-5.542), non-communication barriers (OR =0.530, 95% CI: 0.307-0.916), partial anterior circulation infarct (PACI) (OR =0.455, 95% CI: 0.250-0.827), and non pain after stroke (OR =0.315, 95% CI: 0.207-0.480). CONCLUSION: The status of BZD abuse for post-stroke SSD is worrying. Additional research attention and treatment options are needed for the treatment of post-stroke SSD. In particular, the potential combination of stroke and OSP appears to be underestimated and neglected. Post-stroke SSD patients should receive more comprehensive assessment and rigid follow-up to avoid the prolonged use of BZD. Additional and effective therapeutic strategies (such as positive pressure ventilation treatment or CBT) are urgently needed for cause-specific intervention.