1.
The effect of wet cupping on serum lipid concentrations of clinically healthy young men: a randomized controlled trial.
Niasari, M, Kosari, F, Ahmadi, A
Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). 2007;(1):79-82
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine if a reduction in serum lipoproteins, especially LDL cholesterol, is a preventive approach against atherosclerosis. Phlebotomy has been a recommended method to reduce serum lipoprotein levels. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of wet cupping on serum lipoprotein concentrations. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In this randomized controlled trial, 47 men (18 to 25 years old), without chronic disease or a history of hyperlipidemia and antihyperlipidemic drug consumption were randomly assigned into control (N = 24) and treated (N = 23) groups. Men in the treated group were subjected to wet cupping, whereas men in the control group remained untreated. The serum concentrations of lipids, collected from brachial veins, were determined at the time of wet cupping and then once a week for 3 weeks. Data were analyzed using a repeated measure ANOVA. RESULTS A substantial decrease in LDL cholesterol (p < 0.0001) and in the LDL/HDL ratio (p < 0.0001) was found in the treated group compared to the control. There were no significant changes in serum triglyceride between groups (p > 0.05). Although there were no statistically significant variations in total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol (p > 0.05), a 7% decrease in total cholesterol and 3% increase in HDL cholesterol may be clinically important. CONCLUSIONS Wet cupping may be an effective method of reducing LDL cholesterol in men and consequently may have a preventive effect against atherosclerosis.
2.
The effect of rosiglitazone on novel atherosclerotic risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. An open-label observational study.
Sarafidis, PA, Lasaridis, AN, Nilsson, PM, Mouslech, TF, Hitoglou-Makedou, AD, Stafylas, PC, Kazakos, KA, Yovos, JG, Tourkantonis, AA
Metabolism: clinical and experimental. 2005;(9):1236-42
Abstract
Thiazolidinediones are antidiabetic agents that decrease insulin resistance. Emerging evidence indicates that they present beneficial effects for the vasculature beyond glycemic control. The aim of this open-label observational study was to determine the effect of the thiazolidinedione rosiglitazone on novel cardiovascular risk factors, namely, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, and fibrinogen in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. A total of 40 type 2 diabetic patients already on treatment with 15 mg of glibenclamide daily and with poorly controlled or newly diagnosed hypertension were included in the study. Twenty of them received 4 mg of rosiglitazone daily as added-on therapy, whereas the rest remained on the preexisting antidiabetic treatment for 26 weeks. At baseline and the end of the study, subjects gave blood tests for the determination of Lp(a), CRP, homocysteine, fibrinogen, serum lipids, apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, and apo B. At the end of the study, rosiglitazone treatment was associated with significant reductions in Lp(a) (10.5 [8.9-54.1] to 9.8 [8.0-42.0] mg/dL, P<.05) and CRP levels (0.33 [0.07-2.05] to 0.25 [0.05-1.84] mg/dL, P<.05) vs baseline. Homocysteine levels were not affected but plasma fibrinogen presented a significant increase (303.5+/-75.1 to 387.5+/-70.4 mg/dL, P<.01) with rosiglitazone. Although no significant changes were observed in the rosiglitazone group for triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, both apo A-I and apo B presented small significant reductions and the LDL-apo B ratio was significantly increased. None of the above parameters were changed in the control group. In conclusion, rosiglitazone treatment had a beneficial impact on Lp(a), CRP, and LDL particles' lipid content in type 2 diabetic hypertensive patients but not on homocysteine and fibrinogen. The overall effect of rosiglitazone on cardiovascular risk factors seems positive but must be further evaluated.
3.
Efficacy of two lipid-lowering treatments on quantitative coronary angiographic endpoints.
Mack, WJ, Xiang, M, Shircore, AM, Selzer, RH, Hodis, HN, Azen, SP
Cardiovascular drugs and therapy. 2000;(4):411-8
Abstract
This study contrasts the sensitivity of four quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) measures (percent diameter stenosis [%S], minimum lumen diameter, average segment diameter, and percent involvement) in detecting 2-year treatment effects of two lipid-lowering therapies and reports on the longitudinal pattern after 4 years of treatment on the primary QCA trial endpoint (%S) for all, mild/moderate (<50%S), and severe lesions (> or =50%S). Patient cohorts were followed up from two randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of lipid-lowering therapies-colestipol/niacin in the Cholesterol Lowering Atherosclerosis Study (CLAS) and lovastatin in the Monitored Atherosclerosis Regression Study (MARS). Identical QCA methodology was used. In CLAS, the largest 2-year treatment effect size (=0.60) was noted for %S. In MARS, equivalent 2-year effect sizes (=0.15) were noted for three QCA measures. The largest 2-year effect size in %S was found in CLAS for mild/moderate lesions (=0.55) and in MARS for severe lesions (=0.31). Treatment in CLAS led to regression of disease in the first 2 years; treatment in MARS slowed progression of disease in the first 2 years and led to regression of disease after 4 years. Colestipol/niacin reduced progression of mild/moderate and severe lesions over the first 2 years of therapy; lovastatin reduced the progression of severe lesions over the last 2 years of therapy. We conclude that reducing the progression of atherosclerosis is not a simple proposition; maximal therapy for reducing and stabilizing atherosclerosis most likely will result from the selection of agents targeted at specific lesions.