Regression of coronary atherosclerosis through healthy lifestyle in coronary artery disease patients--Mount Abu Open Heart Trial.

AIMS: To evaluate the efficacy of a unique healthy and happy lifestyle (HLS) program in regression of coronary atherosclerosis and reduction in cardiac events in an open trial. METHODS: One hundred and twenty three angiographically documented moderate to severe coronary artery disease (CAD) patients were administered HLS comprising of low-fat, high-fiber vegetarian diet, moderate aerobic exercise and stress-management through Rajyoga meditation. Its most salient feature was training in self-responsibility (heal+thy) and self-empowerment through inner-self consciousness (swasth; swa=innerself, sth=consciousness) approach using Rajyoga meditation. Following a seven day in-house sojourn, patients were invited for six month follow-up for reassessment and advanced training. At the end of two years, all patients were asked to undergo repeat angiography. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty coronary lesions were analysed by two independent angiographers. In CAD patients with most adherence, percent diameter stenosis regressed by 18.23 +/- 12.04 absolute percentage points. 91% patients showed a trend towards regression and 51.4% lesions regressed by more than 10 absolute percentage points. The cardiac events in coronary artery disease patients were: 11 in most adherence, and 38 in least adherence over a follow-up period of 6.48 yrs. (risk ratio; most vs least adherence: 4.32; 95% CI: 1.69-11.705; P < 0.002). CONCLUSION: Overall healthy changes in cardiovascular, metabolic and psychological parameters, decline in absolute percent diameter coronary stenosis and cardiac events in patients of CAD were closely related to HLS adherence. However, more than 50% adherence is essential to achieve a significant change.

Vitamin D and bone mineral density status of healthy schoolchildren in northern India.

BACKGROUND: Current data on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in India are scarce. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the calcium-vitamin D-parathyroid hormone axis in apparently healthy children from 2 different socioeconomic backgrounds in New Delhi, India. DESIGN: Clinical evaluation for evidence of vitamin D deficiency was carried out in 5137 apparently healthy schoolchildren, aged 10-18 y, attending lower (LSES) and upper (USES) socioeconomic status schools. Serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and immunoreactive parathyroid hormone were measured in 760 children randomly selected from the larger cohort. Bone mineral density of the forearm and the calcaneum was measured in 555 children by using peripheral dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Clinical evidence of vitamin D deficiency was noted in 10.8% of the children. Children in the LSES group had a significantly (P < 0.01) lower 25(OH)D concentration (10.4 +/- 0.4 ng/mL) than did those in the USES group (13.7 +/- 0.4 ng/mL). Concentrations of 25(OH)D <9 ng/mL were seen in 35.7% of the children (42.3% in LSES; 27% in USES; P < 0.01). Boys had significantly (P = 0.004) higher 25(OH)D concentrations than did girls. There was a significant negative correlation between the mean serum immunoreactive parathyroid hormone and 25(OH) D concentrations (r = -0.202, P < 0.001). Mean forearm bone mineral density was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the USES group than in the LSES group. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of clinical and biochemical hypovitaminosis D exists in apparently healthy schoolchildren in northern India.

A preclinical study of the effects of seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) leaf extract on cutaneous wound healing in albino rats.

Hippophae rhamnoides L. (family Elaeagnaceae), commonly known as seabuckthorn, is a wild shrub growing at high altitude (1200-4500 meters) in adverse climatic conditions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate healing potential of seabuckthorn leaves in a preclinical study on rats using a cutaneous excision-punch wound model. Four full-thickness excision-type wounds of 8.0 mm diameter were created on the dorsal surface of rats under aseptic conditions. The aqueous lyophilized extract of seabuckthorn leaves, at doses of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% w/v prepared in propylene glycol, were applied topically twice daily for 7 days. Control animals received the vehicle alone in an identical manner. Wound granulation tissues were excised on eighth day postwounding, and the hydroxyproline, hexosamine, total protein content, and antioxidant levels were determined. Wound surface area was also measured on the eighth day before wound excision to determine wound contraction. Topical application of 1.0% seabuckthorn leaf extract statistically significantly augmented the healing process, as evidenced by increases in the content of hydroxyproline and protein as well as the reduction in wound area when compared with similar effects in response to treatment using povidone-iodine ointment (standard care). The reduced glutathione, vitamin C, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities showed significant increases in seabuckthorn leaf extract-treated wounds as compared to controls. The lipid peroxide levels were significantly decreased in leaf extract-treated wounds. The results suggest that aqueous leaf extract of seabuckthorn promotes wound healing, which may be due to increased antioxidant levels in the granulation tissue.

Aqueous extract of Rhodiola imbricata rhizome stimulates Toll-like receptor 4, granzyme-B and Th1 cytokines in vitro.

Rhodiola imbricata is a medicinal plant, native to mountainous regions of Asia, parts of Europe, and the Arctic. Traditionally it is recommended to help combat fatigue and restore energy. It exhibits anti-stress, anti-cancer, and immunostimulatory activities. However, the effect of Rhodiola on immunological responses largely remains unknown. In this study, we have investigated the effect of aqueous extract of R. imbricata rhizome (RAE), on Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and intracellular granzyme-B expression in mouse splenocytes. Furthermore, TH1/TH2 cytokine profile was analyzed in RAE-treated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using multiplex flowcytomix kit. Our findings suggest that RAE induces TLR-4 expression and intracellular granzyme-B in treated splenocytes while RAE stimulated IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha in human PBMCs. The present study suggests that RAE stimulates the innate immune pathway and has potent immunostimulatory activity, which can be used in modulating the immune system of immunocompromised individuals.

Effects of Rhodiola imbricata on dermal wound healing.

Rhodiola imbricata (Crassulaceae) is a perennial herb growing at high-altitude (4000 - 5000 m) in the western Himalayas. The present study was aimed at investigating the healing efficacy of R. imbricata rhizome ethanol extract using a rat excision wound model. The extract was found to be rich in polyphenols. The extract treated wounds were found to heal much faster as indicated by the improved rate of wound contraction and decreased time taken for epithelialization (11.33 vs. 18.33 days in the untreated group). The extract treatment increased cellular proliferation and collagen synthesis at the wound site, as evidenced by the increases in DNA, protein, hydroxyproline and hexosamine contents in comparison to a positive control treated with povidone-iodine ointment. These results were also supported by histological examinations. Furthermore, the treatment also caused an increase in antioxidant and a decrease in lipid peroxide levels in the granulation tissue. The results suggest that R. imbricata rhizome ethanol extract possesses a significant wound healing activity.

Influence of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) flavone on dermal wound healing in rats.

The present investigation was undertaken to determine the efficacy of topical administration of flavone of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) on cutaneous wound healing in rats. Four full-thickness excision wounds were created on the back of rat and 1.0% w/v flavone prepared in propylene glycol was applied topically. Control animals received the vehicle alone in an identical manner. The healing of the wound was assessed by the rate of wound contraction, period of epithelialization, hydroxyproline, hexosamine, antioxidants estimation and histopathology of the granulation tissue. The sea buckthorn flavone promoted the wound healing activity as indicated by improved rate of wound contraction, decreased time taken for epithelialization (16.3 days versus 24.8 days in controls) and significant increase in hydroxyproline (26.0%) and hexosamine (30.0%) content. These findings were also confirmed by histopathological examinations. In addition, it was observed that sea buckthorn flavone possesses potent antioxidant properties as evidenced by significant increase in reduced glutathione (55.0%), vitamin C (70.0%) and catalase (20.0%) activities in wound granulation tissue. The flavone treatment also resulted in significant decrease in lipid peroxide levels (39.0%). The results suggest that the sea buckthorn flavone promotes wound healing activity.