OBJECTIVE We propose that ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and mitochondrial K(ATP) channel activation protect the myocardium by inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening at reperfusion. METHODS Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 35 min ischemia/120 min reperfusion and assigned to the following groups: (1) control; (2) IPC of 2x5 min each of preceding global ischem...

OBJECTIVES The study aimed to find the threshold of benefit for a hypothetical cholesterol-lowering drug below which the subject would not be prepared to take the drug. We also looked at whether proximity to the target event (myocardial infarction) and the subjects' views on drug taking affected this threshold. DESIGN We studied 307 subjects using a written questionnaire and interview. Group ...

Exercise training (ET) has beneficial effects on the myocardium in heart failure (HF) patients and in animal models of induced cardiac hypertrophy and failure. We hypothesized that if microRNAs (miRNAs) respond to changes following cardiac stress, then myocardial profiling of these miRNAs may reveal cardio-protective mechanisms of aerobic ET in HF. We used ascending aortic stenosis (AS) inducin...

AIM Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Treatment with insulin substantially reduces C - reactive protein (CRP) because of its anti-atherosclerotic action. This study was designed to explore and compare the cardio protective role of regular human insulin (RHI), aspart and lispro insulin in type II DM. MATERIALS AND METHODS A randomized, open, parallel ...

The presence of an active and functioning endocannabinoid (EC) system within cardiovascular tissues implies that this system has either a physiological or pathophysiological role (or both), and there is a substantial literature to support the notion that, in the main, they are protective in the setting of various CVD states. Moreover, there is an equally extensive literature to demonstrate the ...

BACKGROUND Most forms of chronic kidney disease are characterized by progressive renal and cardiac fibrosis leading to dysfunction. Preliminary evidence suggests that various bone marrow-derived cell populations have antifibrotic effects. In exploring the therapeutic potential of bone marrow derived cells in chronic cardio-renal disease, we examined the anti-fibrotic effects of bone marrow-deri...

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in carotid artery intima-media thickness as measured by B-mode ultrasound in postmenopausal women receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or not. One hundred and fifty-nine healthy postmenopausal women aged 45-65 years were recruited from our menopause clinic. All the selected women were free of cardio-vascular diseases and had no cardio-va...

A variety of vegetable and fruit derived food oils are considered beneficial for human health due to their content functional components including positive effects in cardiovascular system. In addition the favorable ratio unsaturated versus saturated fatty acids, some these include also other compounds such as vitamins, minerals, pigments, enzymes phenolic compounds. Particularly polyphenols ha...

Objective(s): This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of total flavonoid extract from Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt.(CTF)against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI) using an isolated Langendorff rat heart model. Materials and Methods: Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and the maximum rate of rise and fall of LV pressure (±dp/dtmax) were recorded. Cardiac injury was as...

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A well-monitored diet with a sufficient intake of fruits and vegetables has been confirmed as a primary prevention of CVD. Plant constituents such as flavonoids have been shown to confer healthy benefits. Luteolin (Lut), a kind of flavonoid, possesses anti-oxidative, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory...