The obeticholic acid can positively regulate the cancerous behavior of MCF7 breast cancer cell line.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and treatment processes of cancer are among the main challenges of medical science in recent decades. The use of different therapeutic agents is one of the most common methods frequently utilized for cancer treatment. Accumulating evidence points to a potential effect of Obeticholic acid (OCA), a specific ligand for farnesoid X receptor, on the regulation of cancer-associated pathways. In spite of tremendous efforts to introduce OCA into the clinical setting, there is a great deal of uncertainty about its impact on breast cancer treatment. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of OCA on breast cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this experiment, the MCF-7 (Michigan Cancer Foundation-7) cell line was treated with 0.1 µM OCA, and cancerous characteristics of the MCF-7 cell line was evaluated by the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2 H-tetrazolium bromide) assay, gelatin zymography, western blot, Real-time PCR, flow cytometry, and ELISA techniques. The results indicated that OCA increased the rate of apoptosis and the expression levels of PPARα (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha) and TIMP-1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1) genes in this cell line, while it reduced the mRNA levels of MMP7 (matrix metalloproteinase 7) and Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) genes, as well as the protein levels of the active form of AKT (protein kinase B), Erk1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2) and STAT3 (Signal transducers and activators of transcription-3). Also, OCA decreased the activity of MMP9, while it increased the secretion of VEGF-A (vascular endothelial growth factor-A). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that OCA can exert anti-cancer effects on the MCF-7 cells by reducing growth, proliferation, migration, invasion, and regulation of the expression of genes involved in cancer-associated pathways. However, it should be noted that further studies are warranted to establish this concept, especially the increase of VEGF-A can be considered a challenge for the results of this study.

Diagnostic value of electrocardiographic indices in discriminating the culprit vessel based on the coronary dominancy in inferior acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Identifying the culprit during inferior myocardial infarction (MI) is still challenging. We determined the diagnostic effect of electrocardiographic (ECG) indices in identifying the culprit vessel of acute MI and the impact of coronary artery dominance on it. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included patients with acute inferior MI who presented to Imam Khomeini Hospital and Tehran Heart Center and underwent primary PCI within 12 h of the onset of symptoms. A standard 12­lead ECG was recorded and interpreted by two cardiologists. Based on the coronary angiography, the patients were divided into two groups of LCX or RCA involvement and were compared for general variables and ECG indices. The diagnostic values of the ECG indices for predicting the culprit vessel were then calculated. RESULTS: We evaluated 411 patients with inferior STEMI (321 [77.5%] male, age 58.1 ± 11.1 years). RCA was the culprit vessel in 286 patients (69.1%) and LCX in 128 patients (30.9%). 321 patients (77.5%) were right dominant, 40 (9.7%) patients were left dominant, and 53 patients (12.8%), were codominant. Coronary dominance had minimal impact on the ECG indices regarding culprit identification even after adjustment for confounders. STE in lead III > lead II had the highest sensitivity for detecting RCA as the culprit (sensitivity: 89.2% and specificity: 57.8%). STE ≥0.1 mV in V5 or V6 leads had the highest sensitivity for detecting LCX as the culprit (sensitivity: 51.6, specificity: 93.7%). CONCLUSION: In inferior STEMI, ECG indices can predict the culprit vessel with acceptable sensitivity and specificity independent of coronary artery dominance.

Validity and Diagnostic Performance of Computing Fractional Flow Reserve From 2-Dimensional Coronary Angiography Images.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of fractional flow reserve (FFR) is the gold standard for determining the physiologic significance of coronary artery stenosis, but newer software programs can calculate the FFR from 2-dimensional angiography images. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the records of patients with intermediate coronary stenoses who had undergone adenosine FFR (aFFR). To calculate the computed FFR, a software program used simulated coronary blood flow using computational geometry constructed using at least 2 patient-specific angiographic images. Two cardiologists reviewed the angiograms and determined the computational FFR independently. Intraobserver variability was measured using κ analysis and the intraclass correlation coefficient. The correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the agreement between the calculated FFR and the aFFR. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients were included, with 95 men and 51 women, with a mean (SD) age of 61.1 (9.5) y. The mean (SD) aFFR was 0.847 (0.072), and 41 patients (27.0%) had an aFFR of 0.80 or less. There was a strong intraobserver correlation between the computational FFRs (r = 0.808; P < .001; κ = 0.806; P < .001). There was also a strong correlation between aFFR and computational FFR (r = 0.820; P < .001) and good agreement on the Bland-Altman plot. The computational FFR had a high sensitivity (95.1%) and specificity (90.1%) for detecting an aFFR of 0.80 or less. CONCLUSION: A novel software program provides a feasible method of calculating FFR from coronary angiography images without resorting to pharmacologically induced hyperemia.

Intracoronary injection of nitroglycerine can prevent unnecessary percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: Despite the recommendation of the current guidelines, intracoronary administration of nitroglycerine during coronary angiography is often neglected. We investigated the effect of intra-coronary nitroglycerin on the relief of coronary artery stenosis in the candidates for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We included patients with angina pectoris or myocardial infarction who were candidates for PCI. In the coronary angiography, the culprit vessel involved was evaluated, and bolus nitroglycerin at a dose of 25-200 mcg was injected into the affected coronary artery. A significant change in the percentage of coronary artery stenosis was considered a positive response, and these patients were then compared with patients who did not have a substantial change in the percentage of stenosis at the same time. Univariate analysis and then multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of response to intracoronary nitroglycerin. RESULTS: Among 360 patients, 27 (7.5%) responded to nitroglycerine, and 333 (92.5%) were non-responsive. The mean age of patients was 60.2 ± 11.6 years, ranging from 23 to 93 years, and 265 (73.6%) were men. The study groups were not significantly different in the baseline demographic characteristics. The presence of multivessel disease (Odds ratio (OR) = 16.26, 95% confidence interval (CI):2.07-127.6; P = 0.008) and stenosis in the left circumflex artery (OR = 3.62, 95% CI: 1.03-12.70; P = 0.044) were the independent predictors for nonresponse to nitroglycerine, leading to PCI. CONCLUSION: In some cases, especially those without multivessel diseases, intracoronary nitroglycerine administration can efficiently relieve coronary stenosis and prevent unnecessary PCI.

Ranolazine Versus Allopurinol for Eligible Symptomatic Patients With a History of Angioplasty: Comparative Efficacy Study.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent angina, which is defined as a return of chest pain or chest discomfort, occurs in many patients undergoing coronary interventions. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the antianginal efficacy of ranolazine versus allopurinol for eligible symptomatic patients with a history of angioplasty. METHODS: A total of 62 eligible symptomatic patients with a history of angioplasty were randomly allocated into two groups. For group A, 300 mg of allopurinol was administered twice daily, while for group B, 1000 mg of ranolazine daily was prescribed for a duration of 4 weeks. An initial screening visit was done for all participants where patients' medical history was recorded and a physical examination was given; electrocardiography, blood pressure, and heart rate measurements were done as well. The patients were also given a blood and exercise test. At the end of the medication period, participants were revisited, and the tests were done again. All the required data were collected via a researcher-made form, and data analysis was conducted using SPSS. The study was approved by a formal ethics committee. RESULTS: The mean age of participants in the two groups (A and B) was 57.36 (SD 8.36) and 60.27 (SD 9.17) years, respectively. Among the 62 patients, 34 (59%) were men, while 28 (41%) were women. Creatinine, fasting blood sugar, C-reactive protein, N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic protein, uric acid, white blood cell, and hemoglobin levels of participants were not significantly different between groups (P>.05). Both allopurinol and ranolazine increased the total exercise time and decreased the ST depression of the patients. Additionally, they both improved the chest pain severity and Duke Treadmill Score of patients. At the same time, ranolazine had a statistically greater effect on ST depression reduction (mean 2.64, SD 0.74 vs mean 1.57, SD 0.49), while allopurinol showed better efficacy in reducing chest pain severity (mean 1.86, SD 0.37 vs mean 0.59, SD 0.21) and the Duke Treadmill Score (mean -14.77, SD 3.65 vs mean -6.88, SD 1.93). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, the antianginal efficacy of allopurinol and ranolazine was approved but with different effects on ST depression, chest pain severity, and the Duke Treadmill Score. Therefore, the precise differences in their effects need to be explored further.

The Influence of Low and Iso-osmolar Contrast Media on Diagnostic Performance of Contrast Fractional Flow Reserve Measurement.

OBJECTIVE: For fractional flow reserve measurement, contrast media can be used as an alterna- tive for adenosine. However, contrast media with different physical characteristics (e.g., osmo- lality and viscosity) may have different effects on hyperemia. This study aimed to determine if the diagnostic accuracy of contrast fractional flow reserve was influenced by 2 commonly used contrast media (Visipaque and Ultravist). METHODS: In this diagnostic study, candidates for coronary angiography with intermediate cor- onary lesion were enrolled and randomized to receive either an iso-osmolar contrast media (Visipaque) or a low osmolar contrast media (Ultravist) for fractional flow reserve measure- ment. The gold standard was fractional flow reserve measured by adenosine fractional flow reserve. Then cFFR and adenosine fractional flow reserve were compared between the groups, and the diagnostic values of both contrasts were calculated. Finally, the cut-point for diagnos- ing adenosine fractional flow reserve ≤ 0.8 was calculated for cFFR in both groups. RESULTS: In this study, 46 patients were studied (24 patients received Ultravist and 22 patients received Visipaque). There was no significant difference between the groups in adenosine frac- tional flow reserve. Also, the mean cFFR was not different from the mean adenosine fractional flow reserve in both groups. There was a strong correlation between cFFR and adenosine frac- tional flow reserve for each of the contrasts (r = 0.937 for Ultravist and r = 0.927 for Visipaque). Both contrasts had high specificity to diagnose fractional flow reserve ≤ 0.8 (specificity = 1), and the sensitivities of cFFR for Ultravist and Visipaque were 83.3% and 94.7%. The cut-point to predict adenosine fractional flow reserve ≤ 0.80 was 0.845 for Ultravist and 0.835 for Visipaque. CONCLUSIONS: Both iso-osmolar or low osmolar contrast media have an acceptable diagnostic accuracy in measuring cFFR.

A theoretical strategy for acceleration of human immune response against SARS-CoV-2: a fusion protein harboring virus-binding and pre-exposed antigen domains.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease that outbreaks since December 2019 and spread globally. Various methods have been used to treat SARS-CoV-2 that is generally based on the information obtained from the therapeutic approaches used for SARS-COV and MERS patients. In this article, we introduce a theoretical strategy in which a two-domain fusion protein presents the virus to the immune system. This fusion protein contains a viral-binding domain such as the ACE2 domain and a domain such as the hepatitis B antigen that has previously been exposed to the immune system. This two-domain fusion protein, could be called "virus-presenting fusion protein", would attach to the virus spike protein via the ACE2 domain while the hepatitis B antigen would be bound by anti-hepatitis B antibodies facilitating the opsonization and presentation of the virus to the immune system. We believe that this virus-presenting fusion protein will accelerate the immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Specific cellular internalization and pH-responsive behavior of doxorubicin loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles targeted with anti EGFRvIII antibody.

AIM: Antibody-conjugated nanoparticles have attracted much attention in the field of cancer treatment due to the enhancement of the tumor cell response to anticancer drugs as well as reducing the side effects of chemotherapeutic agents on healthy tissues. However, most studies in this field generally mentioned the specific cellular uptake of conjugated nanoparticles. In this study, we loaded doxorubicin (DXR: as an effective antineoplastic agent) in PLGA-PEG (D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid)-(polyethylene glycol) biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) and then conjugated with anti-EGFRvIII antibody. The resulting nanoparticles had remarkable sensitivity to pH decrease and were capable of targeting specific cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To this aim, PLGA-PEG-COOH was used for the synthesis of nanoparticles and stabilized by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) according to the nanoprecipitation method. The carboxylic groups on the surface of PLGA-PEG NPs were activated by EDC/NHS and covalently conjugated to amino groups of the monoclonal antibody. The prepared NPs were characterized by Zetasizer and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The resulting NPs were evaluated in terms of entrapment efficiency (EE), drug loading efficiency (DLE), drug-release profile, and cell internalization. Intrinsic cytotoxicity was assessed by the MTT, apoptosis (Annexin V-PI) and cell cycle assays. KEY FINDINGS: The in vitro drug release assessment of conjugated particles (MAb-DXR-PLGA NPs) showed a slow sustained DXR release in physiological pH (7.4) values, while the initial drug release was markedly higher (the 1.9 fold) in acidic pH (6.5) ranges. The selectivity for cellular internalization of MAb-DXR-PLGA NPs into U87MG vIII cells (overexpressing EGFRvIII) in comparison with U87MG cells (lacking EGFRvIII expression) was also confirmed. The MTT assay demonstrated that the cytotoxicity of MAb-DXR-PLGA NPs against U87MG vIII cells was more pronounced when compared with BSA-DXR-PLGA NPs. The results of the MTT assay were also confirmed by apoptosis and cell cycle assays. SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings suggest that the designed anti-EGFRvIII MAb-DXR-PLGA NPs could be considered as a proper option for targeted drug delivery systems due to pH sensitivity and specific cellular internalization.

The Value of the GRACE Score for Predicting the SYNTAX Score in Patients with Unstable Angina/Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: In patients with unstable angina/non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI), Global Registry for Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score is a valid tool for risk stratification. The Synergy between PCI with Taxus and Cardiac Surgery (SYNTAX) score is an angiographic scoring system to guide the decision-making between coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of the present study was to assess the accuracy of the GRACE score in predicting the severity and extent of coronary artery stenosis by SYNTAX score. METHODS: A total of 330 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were enrolled in the study. For every patient, the GRACE score was calculated. All patients underwent coronary angiography within 2 days and the SYNTAX scoring system was used to evaluate the severity and extent of coronary stenotic lesions. Based on ROC curve analysis, the cut-off value of GRACE score that could predict SYNTAX score ≥ 23 was calculated. RESULTS: GRACE score was 107.12 ±â€¯34.4 in patients with SYNTAX SCORE < 23 and 134.80 ±â€¯48.3 in patients with SYNTAX score ≥ 23 (p value = 0.001). A positive correlation was observed between the GRACE score and angiographic SYNTAX score (r = 0.34 p < 0.001). We found that a GRACE score of 109 is the optimal cut-off to predict SYNTAX score ≥ 23 with a sensitivity of 73.5% and specificity of 60% (p < 0.001). Its negative predictive value was 94.0%. CONCLUSION: GRACE score had significant but modest value to predict the severity and extent of coronary artery stenosis in patients with ACS.

Effects of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Versus Usual Care on Cardiopulmonary Function in Patients With Cardiac Syndrome X.

PURPOSE: Because of uncertainty in the pathophysiological process, the treatment of cardiac syndrome X (CSX) is still under study. Addressing the effects of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) can help promote the prescription of this modality as an adjuvant therapy for these patients. METHODS: This study was performed on 30 patients with effort-induced angina pectoris using a positive exercise test and/or myocardial perfusion scan in the absence of obvious stenosis or a stenosis of <50% on coronary angiography. The patients were divided into the CR and usual care (UC) groups and underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing with gas exchange analysis before and after the study. The Duke Treadmill Score was used to compare prognosis and survival estimates of patients. RESULTS: An increase in peak oxygen uptake ((Equation is included in full-text article.)O2) was significantly higher in the CR group than in the control group (P = .017). Resting (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2 was also increased in the CR group, but its difference with the UC group was not statistically significant. Resting O2 pulse was increased in the CR group, which significantly differed between groups (P = .041). Exercise test duration and the Duke Treadmill Score significantly increased in the CR group as compared with the UC group (P = .003 and P = .002, respectively). Also, recovery heart rate in the first minute was significantly improved in CR group. CONCLUSION: Adding a 4-wk course of CR to UC for patients with CSX not only increased the Duke Treadmill Score and exercise test duration but also improved the resting O2 pulse, peak (Equation is included in full-text article.)O2, and first-minute recovery heart rate.

Effect of microencapsulation on Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii viability in the gastrointestinal tract and level of some blood biochemical factors in wistar rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in an adequate amount, confer a health benefit on the host through the gut. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a widespread yeast found in nature. This microorganism has been used as a probiotic agent in recent years. In this study, the effect of microencapsulation on survival rate of S. cerevisiae var. boulardii in the simulated gastrointestinal tract medium and the impact of microencapsulated S. cerevisiae var. boulardii on some serum biochemical factors in a rat model was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 male wistar rats were divided into three groups (control, rats receiving microencapsulated S. cerevisiae var. boulardii, and rats receiving S. cerevisiae var. boulardii alone). The probiotic was gavaged at a dosage of 2 gr/kg BW for 8 weeks. Blood was collected from rats at the end of the treatment period and biochemical factors were measured using Mancompany kits. RESULTS: The results showed a significant increase in viability of microencapsulated S. cerevisiae var. boulardii in comparison with free S. cerevisiae var. boulardii (p<0.05). Weight of rats in probiotic treated groups was significantly higher in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, probiotic treatment reduced mean levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, free blood sugar and liver enzymes in rats. CONCLUSION: Microencapsulation could increase the survival rate of yeast probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract; however, more studies are needed for better understanding of the exact effect of microencapsulation on probiotics' function.

A Rare Case of Cardiogenic Shock Following Severe Multivessel Coronary Vasospasm.

Prinzmetal's angina occurs following spasms in a single or multiple vascular beds, resulting in a typical chest pain and an ST-segment elevation in electrocardiography (ECG). It can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. We describe a 37-year-old woman who was admitted with a typical chest pain and hypotension. Her initial ECG showed an ST-segment elevation in the inferior and precordial leads. She was transferred to the catheterization unit, where coronary angiography illustrated multivessel spasms. The spasms were relieved with a nitroglycerin injection. She was discharged with stable hemodynamics 7 days later, and at 1 month's follow-up, no recurrent attack was detected.

Predictive value of N-terminal-Pro brain natriuretic peptide in the detection of coronary artery disease in patients with positive myocardial perfusion imaging.

Background: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP) increases during myocardial ischemia and has a potential for the diagnosis of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to determine the incremental diagnostic value of NT-ProBNP in the selection of patients with positive myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) for coronary angiography. We also tested the association between the level of NT-ProBNP and severity of CAD based on the vessel score and Gensini score. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, stable angina patients with positive MPI who were assessed by coronary angiography in Imam Khomeini Hospitalwere enrolled. After the collection of demographic and clinical data, NT-ProBNP was measured in all patients on the day of coronary angiography, and its association with the presence of CAD, vessel score and Gensini score was tested. Results: We enrolled 170 patients (mean age61.2±10.1 years, 86 males (50.6%)). Seventy-two (42.3%) patients had at least one stenotic vessel. NT-Pro BNP was significantly higher in the CAD-positive group (OR=1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02; p=0.008) and could independently predict the presence of CAD at a cut-off point of 69.5, with a sensitivity of 55.6%, specificity of 82.5% and diagnostic accuracy of 61.7%. The Gensini score had a modest correlation with NT-Pro BNP (r=0.60, p<0.001). The combination of MPI result and NT-Pro BNP could predict the presence of CAD (OR=14.57, 95% CI: 4.28, 49.56; p<0.001). Conclusion: Serum level of NT-Pro BNP alone and its combination with the results of MPI can significantly predict the presence of CAD and therefore, highlights the need for performing coronary angiography.

Effect of cardiac rehabilitation programme following elective percutaneous coronary angiography on depressive symptoms: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a common condition in cardiac patients. We investigated the effect of cardiac rehabilitation on depressive symptoms as detected by Beck depression inventory II score (BDI) in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: In this cohort, 95 patients met our criteria. Patients were then studied in two groups based on their participation in the rehabilitation program to rehabilitation (exposure) and the control (non-exposure) groups. The control group consisted of those who only participated in the introductory session and decided not to continue the program. Finally, demographic and clinical parameters as well as the BDI scores were compared between the study groups. RESULTS: Data of 35 patients who completed rehabilitation program was compared with 60 patients who did not. There was no significant difference between the study groups regarding the demographic and clinical variables, except for a higher frequency of family history for CAD in the control group (p<0.001). The frequency of the patients with no or mild depression was significantly higher in the rehabilitation group than the controls (p=0.02). There was also a significant increase in the BDI score of the control group and a significant decrease in the rehabilitation group (p<0.001). After adjustment for confounders (family history and severity of CAD), not attending the rehabilitation program was a strong risk factor for depression (OR=10.8, 95% CI: 1.3, 88.5; P=0.027). CONCLUSION: Overall, this study showed that not attending cardiac rehabilitation program following elective PCI was a risk factor for depression.

The Incidence of Myocardial Injury after Loading Doses of Clopidogrel versus Prasugrel in the Candidates for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Prevention of myocardial injury is an essential issue in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We compared the incidence of myocardial injury after loading doses of clopidogrel versus prasugrel in the candidates for PCI. METHODS: In this randomized-controlled clinical trial, we enrolled 88 stable angina patients, candidate for PCI. Patients received either prasugrel (60 mg orally) (n = 42) or clopidogrel (600 mg orally) (n = 46). Serum levels of creatine phosphokinase muscle-brain type, cardiac troponin I, and high sensitive C-reactive protein were measured at baseline and 6 and 12 hours postprocedural. Primary endpoint was periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI), defined as elevation of cTn values (>5 times) in patients with normal baseline values or a rise of cTn values >20% if the baseline values are elevated. RESULTS: Based on the levels of cTnI 6 hours after PCI, 1 patient (2.4%) had MI in the prasugrel group, whereas 4 patients (8.7%) had MI in the clopidogrel group. After 12 hours, 4 patients (9.5%) had MI in the prasugrel group versus 5 patients (10.9%) in the clopidogrel arm. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding the changes in cardiac specific enzyme levels. However, serum levels of cTnI were significantly lower in patients with myocardial injury in the prasugrel arm (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Prasugrel is an effective antiplatelet drug in preventing periprocedural MI.

Can a high reloading dose of atorvastatin prior to percutaneous coronary intervention reduce periprocedural myocardial infarction?

BACKGROUND: Periprocedural myocardial infarction (MI) is a common complication following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and statins have been shown to reduce MI in statin-naïve patients. We aimed to identify whether a high reloading dose of atorvastatin can prevent MI following PCI in patients who were already being treated with statins. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this triple-blind controlled randomized clinical trial, 190 candidates for elective PCI, who were already using statins and/or other lipid lowering agents such as fibrates, were randomly assigned to two equal groups to receive either atorvastatin (80 mg) or placebo within 24 hours before the procedure. Serum levels of creatinine kinase myocardial isoenzyme (CK-MB), cardiac troponin I (cTNI) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured at baseline and then 6 and 12 hours following PCI. Post-procedural MI was defined as troponin elevation>5-fold in patients with normal baseline or >20% in those with elevated baseline measurements with or without chest pain or ST segment or T wave abnormalities. RESULTS: Frequency of MI in the atorvastatin group was 3 (3.1%) vs. 10 (10.5%) in the placebo group (p=0.04). The CK-MB rise within 6 hours following PCI was 0.6±0.3 mg/dl in the intervention group versus 3.0±1.6 mg/dl in the placebo group. Also, the levels of cTNI within 6 and 12 hours in the intervention group was significantly lower than the placebo group (p=0.01 and 0.008, respectively). hs-CRP was significantly lower in the intervention group after 12 hours (p=0.004). CONCLUSION: Administration of a high reloading dose of atorvastatin within 24 hours before PCI could significantly reduce the frequency of periprocedural MI. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION CODE: IRCT201205209768N1.

Partial purification and characterization of rhodanese from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver.

Cyanide is one of the most toxic substances present in a wide variety of food materials that are consumed by animals. Rhodanese, a ubiquitous enzyme, can catalyse the detoxification of cyanide by sulphuration reaction. In this study, rhodanese was partially purified and characterized from the liver tissue homogenate of the rainbow trout. The enzyme was active in a broad range of pH, from 5 to 12. The optimal activity was found at a high pH (pH 10.5), and the temperature optimum was 25 °C. The enzyme was heat labile, losing > 50% of relative activity after only 5 min of incubation at 40 °C. The K(m) values for KCN and Na(2)S(2)O(3) as substrates were 36.81 mM and 19.84 mM, respectively. Studies on the enzyme with a number of cations showed that the activity of the enzyme was not affected by Sn(2+), but Hg(2+), Ba(2+), Pb(2+), and Ca(2+) inhibited and Cu(2+) activated the enzyme with a concentration-dependent manner.