lower-cholesterol-9.matches:
lower cholesterol
Application of receptive music therapy in internal medicine and cardiology.

[Article in English, Portuguese]

Marconato C, Munhoz EC, Menim MM, Albach MT.

Faculdade de Artes do Parana, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of receptive music therapy in clinical practice. METHODS: Receptive music therapy was individually applied via musical auditions, including five stages: musical stimulation, sensation, situation, reflection, and behavioral alteration. Following anamnesis and obtainment of consent, patients answered a first questionnaire on health risk evaluation (Q1), and after participating in 16 weekly music therapy sessions, answered a second one (Q2). RESULTS: Two men and 8 women, aged above 18 years, referred to us due to symptoms of stress, emotional suffering, and the need to change lifestyles (health risk behavior) were studied between August 1998 and December 1999. Comparison between answers to Q1 and Q2, showed a trend (P=0.059) for reduction of ingestion of cholesterol-rich foods and for increased prospects in life with a tendency towards improvement, and also of increased intake of fiber-rich food (55.6%), increased levels of personal satisfaction (44.5%), and decreased levels of stress (66.7%). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated decreased stress levels and increased personal satisfaction, higher consumption of fiber-rich food, lower cholesterol intake, and a better perspective on life, suggesting that receptive music therapy may be applied in clinical practice as an auxiliary therapeutic intervention for the treatment of behavioral health risks.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11514825&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-9.matches:
lower cholesterol
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection as a risk factor for spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: hospital based case-control study.

Karibe H, Niizuma H, Ohyama H, Shirane R, Yoshimoto T.

Department of Neurosurgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Japan. karibe pc.highway.ne.jp

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection was investigated as a risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) by HCV antibody screening in 462 patients with ICH and 462 control patients with cerebral infarction matched by age and sex. Laboratory examinations of hemostatic parameters and cholesterol level were also performed in patients with ICH. HCV infection was significantly more frequent in patients with ICH than controls (8.7% vs 3.5%, P< 0.01). ICH patients with HCV infection had significantly higher L-alanine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase level (P< 0.001), lower cholesterol level (P< 0.05), lower platelet count (P< 0.05), and longer prothrombin time (P< 0.01) than ICH patients without HCV infection, although most of these values were within the normal range. These results demonstrate that HCV infection is a risk factor for spontaneous ICH. Subclinical clotting disorder and/or vessel wall friability resulting from hypocholesteremia may be associated with ICH in patients with HCV infection. Copyright 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11535009&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-9.matches:
lower cholesterol
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase is essential for the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor cerivastatin to promote collateral growth in response to ischemia.

Sata M, Nishimatsu H, Suzuki E, Sugiura S, Yoshizumi M, Ouchi Y, Hirata Y, Nagai R.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8655, Japan. sata-2im h.u-tokyo.ac.jp

HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A) reductase inhibitors, or statins, are prescribed widely to lower cholesterol. Accumulating evidence indicates that statins have various effects on vascular cells, which are independent of their lipid-lowering effect. Here, we tested the hypothesis that statins may augment collateral flow to ischemic tissues. We induced hind-limb ischemia in wild-type mice and treated them with either saline or cerivastatin. Cerivastatin enhanced the blood flow recovery dramatically as determined by Laser Doppler imaging. The mice treated with saline displayed frequent autoamputation of the ischemic toe, which was prevented completely by cerivastatin. Anti-CD31 immunostaining revealed that cerivastatin significantly increased the capillary density. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity was enhanced markedly in the mice treated with cerivastatin. The angiogenic effect of cerivastatin was abrogated in eNOS deficient (eNOS-/-) mice. These results indicate that eNOS is essential for cerivastatin to promote collateral growth in response to ischemia.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11641268&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



lower-cholesterol-9.matches:
lower cholesterol
Nutritional parameters modify muricidal behavior of male Wistar rats: preventive effects of amino acids and 4' Cl diazepam.

Miachon S, Augier S, Jouvenet M, Boucher P, Vallon JJ.

INSERM U480 Faculte de Medecine Grange Blanche, Lyon, France. miachon sommeil.univ-lyon.fr

In male Wistar rats fed a diet enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids and starch (PUFA+S), the percentage of muricidal (Mu) rats increased to 82% within 60 days. Mu rats had higher serum triglyceride levels and lower cholesterol levels than non-Mu rats. Water intake decreased in all rats on the PUFA+S diet concurrently with the increase in the proportion of Mu rats; protracted water restriction in rats fed standard diet also increased the percentage of Mu rats. In the offspring of two Wistar females fed the PUFA+S diet, the proportion of young Mu rats was 67%. When the PUFA+S diet was replaced with standard diet, the induced Mu behavior was not reversed. PK11195 (6 mg/kg i.p.), clonazepam (0.2 mg/kg i.p.), and flumazenil (15 mg/kg i.p.) were ineffective in reversing the induced Mu behavior, whereas 4'-chlorodiazepam (5 mg/kg i.p.) or muscimol (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) caused reversals of 63% or 50%, respectively. A 5-hydroxytryptophan overload (60 mg/kg i.p.) also reversed Mu behavior by 71%. All reversal effects were temporary. Pretreatment with yeast for 7 days before the PUFA+S diet was given prevented induction for more than 90 days on the PUFA+S diet, while similar pretreatment 4'Cl-diazepam resulted in 71% prevention of induction. The results are analyzed in terms of the involvement of endozepin, vasopressin, and serotonin receptors, and of possible genetic parameters.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11720079&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



reduce-cholesterol-1.matches:
lower cholesterol
The statins--therapeutic diversity in renal disease?

Mason JC.

BHF Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, The Eric Bywaters Centre for Vascular Inflammation, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 ONN, UK. justin.mason imperial.ac.uk

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Statins significantly reduce cholesterol synthesis and reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In addition, they appear to have beneficial effects independent of their ability to lower cholesterol. Recent publications suggesting a potential role for statin therapy in chronic renal insufficiency, hypertension and following organ transplantation are reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS: Pharmacokinetic studies have shown statins to be well-tolerated and effective in patients on long-term haemodialysis, providing equivalent control of lipid levels to that seen in matched controls. Preliminary clinical trials suggest that statins may have beneficial disease-modifying effects in chronic inflammatory disease. Furthermore, immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory actions may confer benefit following cardiac transplantation, but this remains to be demonstrated definitively in renal transplant patients. Data to date suggest that, in addition to reduction of cardiovascular risk, statins may help slow the progress of chronic renal insufficiency, particularly in patients with proteinuria. Addition of statin therapy may also contribute to the control of systemic and pulmonary hypertension. SUMMARY: Encouraging data in support of a wider spectrum of use for statins are emerging. In addition to reduction of cardiovascular risk through lipid lowering, they may represent an important adjunctive therapy in patients with chronic kidney diseases and post-transplantation. However, further large, well-designed clinical trials are required before their widespread use can be recommended in this setting.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15586011&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



reduce-cholesterol-2.matches:
lower cholesterol
Statins stimulate arachidonic acid release and prostaglandin I2 production in rat liver cells.

Levine L.

Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University Waltham, MA 02454, USA. llevine brandeis.edu

Statins inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate limiting step in cholesterol synthesis. They are, therefore, used clinically to lower cholesterol and prevent atherosclerosis. Statins have beneficial effects on multiple organ systems. Some of these effects are found in the absence of significant changes in cholesterol levels. Polyunsaturated fatty acids also inhibit HMG-CoA reductase and have many of the same beneficial effects of statins. Four statins (mevastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin and atorvastatin) have been tested in rat liver cells for their effect on arachidonic acid (AA) release and prostaglandin I2 production induced in the presence of lactacystin and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Each statin stimulated release of AA and induced prostaglandin I2 production. Mevalonate, the product of HMG-CoA reductase, did not reduce the stimulation observed in the presence of simvastatin indicating that HMG-CoA reductase activity is not involved. In view of the multiple biologic properties of AA, the AA released as a result of the action of the statins may play a role in some of the pharmacological effects attributed to these drugs.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12689340&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



reduce-cholesterol-4.matches:
lower cholesterol
Effect of feeding crude red palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) and grain amaranth (Amaranthus paniculatus) to hens on total lipids, cholesterol, PUFA levels and acceptability of eggs.

Punita A, Chaturvedi A.

Department of Foods & Nutrition, PG & Research Centre, ANGR Agricultural University, Rajendra Nagar, Hyderabad, India.

Eggs, though a very nutritious food, also have high amounts of cholesterol and hence are not recommended to be consumed regularly by persons having hypercholesterolemia and associated cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In this context, an attempt was made in this study to reduce the cholesterol content of eggs by diet manipulation, using two naturally available and already proved hypocholesteromic agents [red palm oil (RPO) and grain amaranth]. Thirteen experimental rations using raw and popped grain Amaranth and RPO were fed to 24 weeks old hens for a period of 6 weeks, singularly and in combinations. Total lipids, cholesterol and PUFA contents were analyzed in the experimental and control eggs. The results showed that RPO and RPO + popped amaranth feeding resulted in a maximum reduction in total lipids and cholesterol contents. Significant increase was observed in linoleic acid content in RPO + popped amaranth; raw amaranth and RPO fed groups. Acceptability studies showed that the products made from lower cholesterol eggs were well accepted.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10898484&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



reduce-cholesterol-4.matches:
lower cholesterol
Opportunities for control of coronary heart disease in Australia.

McElduff P, Dobson AJ, Jamrozik K, Hobbs MS.

Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Newcastle, New South Wales. patrickm mail.newcastle.edu.au

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the number of coronary events that could be prevented in Australia each year by the use of preventive and therapeutic strategies targeted to subgroups of the population based on their levels of risk and need. METHODS: Estimates of risk reduction from the published literature, prevalence estimates of elevated risk factor levels from the 1995 National Health Survey and treatment levels from the Australian collaborating centres in the World Health Organization's MONICA Project were used to calculate numbers of coronary events preventable among men and women aged 35-79 years in Australia. RESULTS: Approximately 14,000 coronary events could be avoided each year if the mean level of cholesterol in the population was reduced by 0.5 mmol/L, smoking prevalence was halved and prevalence of physical inactivity was reduced to 25%. This represents a reduction in coronary events of about 40%. Even with less optimistic targets, a reduction of 20% could be attained, while the achievement of some internationally recommended targets could lead to almost 50% reduction. In the short term, aggressive medical treatment of people with elevated levels of risk factors and established coronary disease offers the greatest opportunity for reducing coronary events. CONCLUSION: A comprehensive approach to reduce levels of behavioural and biological risk factors and improve the use of effective treatment could lead to a large reduction in coronary event rates. In the long term, primary prevention--especially to reduce smoking, lower cholesterol levels and increase exercise--has the potential to reduce the population levels of risk and hence contain the national cost of coronary disease.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11297296&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



reduce-cholesterol-6.matches:
lower cholesterol
Low LDL oxidation in veteran endurance athletes.

Kujala UM, Ahotupa M, Vasankari T, Kaprio J, Tikkanen MJ.

Unit for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Helsinki, Toolo, Finland.

The 'oxidation hypothesis' states that oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is important in the pathogenesis of the atherosclerotic lesion. Physical exercise has been reported to reduce clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis. We compared the effects of aerobic physical exercise history on oxidation characteristics of plasma LDL at rest in non-smoking male veteran endurance athletes (n= 15) and control subjects (n= 16). As an indicator of LDL oxidation we used a method which provides an estimate of LDL diene conjugation in vivo. The athletes had lower plasma LDL cholesterol diene conjugation (P=0.003). They also had lower cholesterol, lower LDL and higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Intensive physical exercise energy expenditure correlated inversely with LDL diene conjugation (r=-0.41, P= 0.021). We conclude that participation in intensive physical exercise training is associated with reduced plasma LDL fraction oxidation as reflected by LDL diene conjugation. This finding may have relevance for studies aiming to explain the variation in occurrence of ischemic heart disease.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8960653&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol



reduce-cholesterol-8.matches:
lower cholesterol
Tamoxifen use, oestrogen binding and serum lipids in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

Ingram D.

University Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre, Perth, Western Australia.

Tamoxifen is widely used in the management of breast cancer, including long-term use in women with early disease to reduce recurrence and mortality. Although remarkably side-effect free, concern has been expressed that its anti-oestrogen activity may extend to lipid metabolism and so result in the premature development of coronary heart disease. In a study of breast cancer patients, those taking Tamoxifen tended to have lower cholesterol concentrations (predominantly low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and raised triglyceride concentrations. These changes are likely to be protective for coronary heart disease, suggesting Tamoxifen has an oestrogenic rather than anti-oestrogenic effect as regards lipid metabolism.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2396945&dopt=Abstract lower cholesterol