Heart Failure https://greenmedinfo.com/taxonomy/term/1159/all en "Vitamin D deficiency is a predictor of reduced survival in patients with heart failure; vitamin D supplementation improves outcome." https://greenmedinfo.com/article/vitamin-d-deficiency-predictor-reduced-survival-patients-heart-failure-vitamin PMID:  Eur J Heart Fail. 2012 Feb 3. Epub 2012 Feb 3. PMID: 22308011 Abstract Title:  Vitamin D deficiency is a predictor of reduced survival in patients with heart failure; vitamin D supplementation improves outcome. Abstract:  AIMS: Vitamin D deficiency is a highly prevalent, global phenomenon. The prevalence in heart failure (HF) patients and its effect on outcome are less clear. We evaluated vitamin D levels and vitamin D supplementation in patients with HF and its effect on mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were evaluated in HF patients from a health maintenance organization (HMO), and compared them with those of the rest of the members of the HMO. Patients with HF (n = 3009) had a lower median 25(OH)D level compared with the control group (n = 46 825): 36.9 nmol/L (interquartile range 23.2-55.9) vs. 40.7 nmol/L (26.7-56.9), respectively, P https://greenmedinfo.com/article/vitamin-d-deficiency-predictor-reduced-survival-patients-heart-failure-vitamin#comments Congestive Heart Failure Heart Failure Vitamin D Human Study Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:26:47 +0000 greenmedinfo 71099 at https://greenmedinfo.com 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid improves cardiac diastolic function by attenuating intracellular calcium overload. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/18-glycyrrhetinic-acid-improves-cardiac-diastolic-function-attenuating-intrace PMID:  Curr Med Sci. 2020 Aug ;40(4):654-661. Epub 2020 Aug 29. PMID: 32862375 Abstract Title:  18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Improves Cardiac Diastolic Function by Attenuating Intracellular Calcium Overload. Abstract:  Ranolazine, a late sodium current inhibitor, has been demonstrated to be effective on heart failure. 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) has the similar inhibitory effect on late sodium currents. However, its effect on diastolic function is still unknown. This study aimed to determine whether 18β-GA can improve the diastolic function and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Eighty male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats of Langendorff model were randomly divided into the following groups: group A, normal cardiac perfusion group; group B, ischemia-reperfusion group; group C, ischemia-reperfusion with anemoniasulcata toxin II (ATX-II); group D, ranolazine group; and group E, 18β-GA group with four different concentrations. Furthermore, a pressure-overloaded rat model induced by trans-aortic constriction (TAC) was established. Echocardiography and hemodynamics were used to evaluate diastolic function at 14th day after TAC. Changes of free intracellular calcium (Ca) concentration was indirectly detected by laser scanning confocal microscope to confirm the inhibition of late sodium currents. With the intervention of ATX-II on ischemia reperfusion injury group, 5µmol/L ranolazine, and 5, 10, 20, 40 µmol/L 18β-GA could improve ATX-II-induced cardiac diastolic dysfunction. 630 mg/kg glycyrrhizin tablets could improve cardiac diastolic function in the pressure-overloaded rats. 18β-GA and ranolazine had similar effects on reducing the free calcium in cardiomyocytes. The study demonstrates that 18β-GA and glycyrrhizin could improve diastolic dysfunction induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts and pressure-overloaded rats. The mechanism may be attributed to the inhibition of enhanced late sodium currents. <p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/article/18-glycyrrhetinic-acid-improves-cardiac-diastolic-function-attenuating-intrace" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/article/18-glycyrrhetinic-acid-improves-cardiac-diastolic-function-attenuating-intrace#comments 18β-Glycyrrhetinic Acid Heart Failure Myocardial Ischemia Cardioprotective Animal Study Mon, 12 Oct 2020 16:02:34 +0000 greenmedinfo 228003 at https://greenmedinfo.com 6 Powerful Health Benefits of Cacao https://greenmedinfo.com/blog/6-powerful-health-benefits-cacao <div class="copyright">This article is copyrighted by GreenMedInfo LLC, 2024<br/><strong><a href="/greenmedinfocom-re-post-guidelines">Visit our Re-post guidelines</a></strong></div><p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="//cdn.greenmedinfo.com/sites/default/files/ckeditor/blank.justin/images/6_Powerful_Health_Benefits_of_Cacao-GreenMedInfo(1).jpg" style="width: 600px; height: 315px;" /></p> <p><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong><em>Cacao is a powerful medicinal substance used since ancient times. Researchers have now gathered evidence of its proven health benefits</em></strong></span></p><p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/blog/6-powerful-health-benefits-cacao" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/blog/6-powerful-health-benefits-cacao#comments Beans: All Blueberry Cocoa Green Tea Heart Failure Inflammation Oxidative Stress Wine Cancer Chemical and Drug Toxicity Health Guide: Chemical Exposures Health Guide: Food-Brain Connection Health Guide: Herbs and Traditional Knowledge Health Guides: Healing Foods Heart Health Cardiovascular Disease chocolate healing foods Tue, 30 Jan 2024 16:25:21 +0000 GMI reporter 199138 at https://greenmedinfo.com A berberine derivative attenuates cardiac failure. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/berberine-derivative-attenuates-cardiac-failure PMID:  Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2010 Feb;31(2):165-74. PMID: 20139899 Abstract Title:  CPU86017, a berberine derivative, attenuates cardiac failure through normalizing calcium leakage and downregulated phospholamban and exerting antioxidant activity. Abstract:  AIM: To investigate whether CPU86017, a berberine derivative, attenuates heart failure by blocking calcium influx and exerting its antioxidant activity. METHODS: Myocardial infarction was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats for 17 d followed by isoproterenol (ISO) (5 mg/kg, sc) treatment for 5 d to reduce cardiac function. The rats were divided into 5 groups: sham operation, myocardial infarction (MI), MI plus ISO, and co-treated (in mg/kg, po) with either propranolol (PRO, 10) or CPU86017 (80). Hemodynamic measurements were conducted, and measurements of the redox system, calcium handling proteins and endothelin (ET) system in vivo were done. Furthermore, calcium flux studies and PLB immunocytochemistry were conducted in vitro. RESULTS: Compared to sham operation, HF was evident following MI and further worsened by ISO treatment. This occurred in parallel with downregulated mRNA and protein production of SERCA2a, PLB, and FKBP12.6, and was associated with upregulation of preproET-1, endothelin converting enzyme, and PKA mRNA production in the myocardium in vivo. Calcium leakage was induced by ISO treatment of isolated beating myocytes in vitro. These changes were attenuated by treatment with either PRO or CPU86017. PLB fluorescence in myocytes was downregulated by ISO treatment, and was relieved significantly by treatment with antioxidant aminoguanidine, ascorbic acid or CPU86017 in vitro. CONCLUSION: HF, calcium leakage, downregulated PLB, FKBP12.6, SERCA2a production, and upregulated PKA were caused by ISO treatment, and were abolished by CPU86017 treatment. The beneficial effects of CPU86017 are attributable to its antioxidant and calcium influx blocking effects. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/berberine-derivative-attenuates-cardiac-failure#comments Berberine Heart Failure Myocardial Infarction Antioxidants Animal Study Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:18:39 +0000 greenmedinfo 52352 at https://greenmedinfo.com A causual relationship between dextroamphetamine use and cardiomyopathy has been reported. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/causual-relationship-between-dextroamphetamine-use-and-cardiomyopathy-has-been PMID:  Am Heart J. 1976 Jun;91(6):792-7. PMID: 132114 Abstract Title:  Cardiomyopathy associated with amphetamine administration. Abstract:  A 45-year-old woman with congestive heart failure, in whom there was no evidence of coronary heart disease, valve disease, or other demonstrable cause of heart failure, was found to have taken high doses of dextroamphetamine over a long period. Withdrawal of amphetamine resulted in deterioration, suggesting a physical cardiac dependence on the drug. The clinical and autopsy findings are presented and the similarities to the myocarditis associated with pheochromocytoma are discussed. The evidence presented suggests a causal relationship between administration of dextroamphetamine and the cardiomyopathy. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/causual-relationship-between-dextroamphetamine-use-and-cardiomyopathy-has-been#comments Cardiomyopathy Heart Failure Dextroamphetamine Human Study Fri, 17 Sep 2010 22:12:13 +0000 greenmedinfo 56759 at https://greenmedinfo.com A combination of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback and breathing retraining has the potential to improve cardiac mortality and morbidity in heart failure patients. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/combination-heart-rate-variability-hrv-biofeedback-and-breathing-retraining-ha PMID:  Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2009 Jun;34(2):71-91. Epub 2009 Feb 10. PMID: 19205870 Abstract Title:  The effect of biofeedback on function in patients with heart failure. Abstract:  Decreased HRV has been consistently associated with increased cardiac mortality and morbidity in HF patients. The aim of this study is to determine if a 6-week course of heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback and breathing retraining could increase exercise tolerance, HRV, and quality of life in patients with New York Heart Association Class I-III heart failure (HF). Participants (N = 29) were randomly assigned to either the treatment group consisting of six sessions of breathing retraining, HRV biofeedback and daily practice, or the comparison group consisting of six sessions of quasi-false alpha-theta biofeedback and daily practice. Exercise tolerance, measured by the 6-min walk test (6MWT), HRV, measured by the standard deviation of normal of normal beats (SDNN), and quality of life, measured by the Minnesota Living with Congestive Heart Failure Questionnaire, were measured baseline (week 0), post (week 6), and follow-up (week 18). Cardiorespiratory biofeedback significantly increased exercise tolerance (p = .05) for the treatment group in the high (&gt;or=31%) left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) category between baseline and follow-up. Neither a significant difference in SDNN (p = .09) nor quality of life (p = .08), was found between baseline and follow-up. A combination of HRV biofeedback and breathing retraining may improve exercise tolerance in patients with HF with an LVEF of 31% or higher. Because exercise tolerance is considered a strong prognostic indicator, cardiorespiratory biofeedback has the potential to improve cardiac mortality and morbidity in HF patients. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/combination-heart-rate-variability-hrv-biofeedback-and-breathing-retraining-ha#comments Heart Failure Biofeedback Therapeutic Breathing Human Study Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:34:28 +0000 greenmedinfo 50194 at https://greenmedinfo.com A high dihomo-gamma-linoleic acid/arachidonic acid ratio and high DGLA levels, but not AA levels, are associated with a better prognosis in patients with acute cardiovascular disease. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/high-dihomo-gamma-linoleic-acidarachidonic-acid-ratio-and-high-dgla-levels-not PMID:  Lipids Health Dis. 2017 Aug 14 ;16(1):150. Epub 2017 Aug 14. PMID: 28806965 Abstract Title:  Decreased circulating dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid levels are associated with total mortality in patients with acute cardiovascular disease and acute decompensated heart failure. Abstract:  BACKGROUND: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have important roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. However, the clinical significance of omega-6 PUFAs in acute cardiovascular disease remains unknown.METHODS: We enrolled 417 consecutive patients with acute cardiovascular disease admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit at Juntendo University Hospital between April 2012 and October 2013. We investigated the association between serum PUFA levels and long-term mortality. Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast, within 24 h of admission. We excluded patients who received eicosapentaenoic acid therapy and those with malignancy, end-stage kidney disease, chronic hepatic disease, and connective tissue disease.RESULTS: Overall, 306 patients (mean age: 66.4 ± 15.0 years) were analysed. During the follow-up period of 2.4 ± 1.2 years, 50 patients (16.3%) died. The dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) levels, arachidonic acid (AA) levels, and DGLA/AA ratio were significantly lower in the nonsurvivor group than in the survivor group (DGLA: 23.2 ± 9.8 vs. 31.5 ± 12.0 μg/ml, AA: 151.1 ± 41.6 vs. 173.3 ± 51.6 μg/ml, and DGLA/AA: 0.16 ± 0.05 vs. 0.19 ± 0.06, all p <p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/article/high-dihomo-gamma-linoleic-acidarachidonic-acid-ratio-and-high-dgla-levels-not" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/article/high-dihomo-gamma-linoleic-acidarachidonic-acid-ratio-and-high-dgla-levels-not#comments Arachidonic Acid Essential Fatty Acids Heart Failure Omega-3 Fatty Acids Omega-6 Fatty Acids Anti-Inflammatory Agents Cardioprotective Cardiovascular Diseases Heart Disease Inflammation Human Study Thu, 25 Jul 2019 15:39:53 +0000 greenmedinfo 191859 at https://greenmedinfo.com A large randomized trial following 4100+ men and women with heart failure and normal ejection fraction (>=45%) over 4+ years found no improvement in study outcomes or survival with irbesartan as compared to placebo. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/large-randomized-trial-following-4100-men-and-women-heart-failure-and-normal-e PMID:  N Engl J Med. 2008 Dec 4;359(23):2456-67. Epub 2008 Nov 11. PMID: 19001508 Abstract Title:  Irbesartan in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. Abstract:  BACKGROUND: Approximately 50% of patients with heart failure have a left ventricular ejection fraction of at least 45%, but no therapies have been shown to improve the outcome of these patients. Therefore, we studied the effects of irbesartan in patients with this syndrome. METHODS: We enrolled 4128 patients who were at least 60 years of age and had New York Heart Association class II, III, or IV heart failure and an ejection fraction of at least 45% and randomly assigned them to receive 300 mg of irbesartan or placebo per day. The primary composite outcome was death from any cause or hospitalization for a cardiovascular cause (heart failure, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, arrhythmia, or stroke). Secondary outcomes included death from heart failure or hospitalization for heart failure, death from any cause and from cardiovascular causes, and quality of life. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 49.5 months, the primary outcome occurred in 742 patients in the irbesartan group and 763 in the placebo group. Primary event rates in the irbesartan and placebo groups were 100.4 and 105.4 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86 to 1.05; P=0.35). Overall rates of death were 52.6 and 52.3 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.14; P=0.98). Rates of hospitalization for cardiovascular causes that contributed to the primary outcome were 70.6 and 74.3 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.08; P=0.44). There were no significant differences in the other prespecified outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Irbesartan did not improve the outcomes of patients with heart failure and a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00095238.) https://greenmedinfo.com/article/large-randomized-trial-following-4100-men-and-women-heart-failure-and-normal-e#comments Cardiovascular Diseases Heart Failure Hypertension Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor Irbesartan (trade name Avapro) Drugs that are no Better than Placebo Human Study Wed, 10 Nov 2010 04:42:07 +0000 greenmedinfo 58571 at https://greenmedinfo.com A low plasma vitamin D concentration was strongly associated with atrial fibrillation in patients with chronic heart failure. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/low-plasma-vitamin-d-concentration-was-strongly-associated-atrial-fibrillation PMID:  Adv Clin Exp Med. 2016 Jul-Aug;25(1):51-7. PMID: 26935498 Abstract Title:  Low-Level Vitamin D Is Associated with Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure. Abstract:  BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently accompanies heart failure (HF), and causes exacerbation of symptoms and treatment failure in such patients. Vitamin D was recently suggested to be an important mediator of cardiovascular disease, including HF.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and AF in patients with chronic HF.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 180 chronic HF patients that were divided into 2 groups based on having sinus rhythm [AF (-) group] or chronic AF [AF (+) group]. Vitamin D status was assessed via measurement of the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) concentration.RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 66 ± 8.7 years and 53.9% were male. There weren&#039;t any significant differences in age, gender, body mass index, etiology or chronic HF stage between the 2 groups. The vitamin D level in the AF (+) group was significantly lower than in the AF (-) group (11.05 ng/mL vs. 20 ng/mL, p  https://greenmedinfo.com/article/low-plasma-vitamin-d-concentration-was-strongly-associated-atrial-fibrillation#comments Atrial Fibrillation Heart Failure Vitamin D Vitamin D Deficiency Human Study Tue, 08 Mar 2016 01:51:57 +0000 greenmedinfo 124533 at https://greenmedinfo.com A multi-herbal product called Protandim prevents fibrosis and capillary loss and preserves right ventricular function in rats. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/multi-herbal-product-called-protandim-prevents-fibrosis-and-capillary-loss-and PMID:  Circulation. 2009 Nov 17;120(20):1951-60. Epub 2009 Nov 2. PMID: 19884466 Abstract Title:  Chronic pulmonary artery pressure elevation is insufficient to explain right heart failure. Abstract:  BACKGROUND: The most important determinant of longevity in pulmonary arterial hypertension is right ventricular (RV) function, but in contrast to experimental work elucidating the pathobiology of left ventricular failure, there is a paucity of data on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of RV failure.METHODS AND RESULTS: A mechanical animal model of chronic progressive RV pressure overload (pulmonary artery banding, not associated with structural alterations of the lung circulation) was compared with an established model of angioproliferative pulmonary hypertension associated with fatal RV failure. Isolated RV pressure overload induced RV hypertrophy without failure, whereas in the context of angioproliferative pulmonary hypertension, RV failure developed that was associated with myocardial apoptosis, fibrosis, a decreased RV capillary density, and a decreased vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA and protein expression despite increased nuclear stabilization of hypoxia-induced factor-1alpha. Induction of myocardial nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 and heme-oxygenase 1 with a dietary supplement (Protandim) prevented fibrosis and capillary loss and preserved RV function despite continuing pressure overload.CONCLUSIONS: These data brought into question the commonly held concept that RV failure associated with pulmonary hypertension is due strictly to the increased RV afterload. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/multi-herbal-product-called-protandim-prevents-fibrosis-and-capillary-loss-and#comments Ashwagandha Bacopa Green Tea Heart Failure Hypertension Hypertension: Pulmonary Milk Thistle Protandim Turmeric Anti-Fibrotic Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A Inhibitor Animal Study Sat, 21 May 2011 00:25:59 +0000 greenmedinfo 64129 at https://greenmedinfo.com A summary of published evidence of far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/summary-published-evidence-far-infrared-saunas-treatment-cardiovascular-risk-f PMID:  Can Fam Physician. 2009 Jul ;55(7):691-6. PMID: 19602651 Abstract Title:  Far-infrared saunas for treatment of cardiovascular risk factors: summary of published evidence. Abstract:  OBJECTIVE: To review the literature about the health benefits of far-infrared sauna (FIRS) use.QUALITY OF EVIDENCE: A search of Web of Science, EBSCO, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid HealthSTAR, and EMBASE using the terms far-infrared and sauna, refined by limiting the search to studies of humans published in English, yielded 9 relevant papers (level I or level II evidence).MAIN MESSAGE: Far-infrared saunas are approved by the Canadian Standards Association and are sold to the public. The manufacturers claim numerous health benefits; however, the published evidence to substantiate these claims is limited. Four papers support the use of FIRS therapy for those with congestive heart failure and 5 papers support its use for those with coronary risk factors.CONCLUSION: There is limited moderate evidence supporting FIRS efficacy in normalizing blood pressure and treating congestive heart failure; fair evidence, from a single study, supporting FIRS therapy in chronic pain; weak evidence, from a single study, supporting FIRS therapy in chronic fatigue syndrome; weak evidence, from a single study, supporting FIRS therapy for obesity; and consistent fair evidence to refute claims regarding the role of FIRSs in cholesterol reduction. <p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/article/summary-published-evidence-far-infrared-saunas-treatment-cardiovascular-risk-f" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/article/summary-published-evidence-far-infrared-saunas-treatment-cardiovascular-risk-f#comments Cardiovascular Diseases Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Coronary Artery Disease Heart Failure Anticholesteremic Agents Thermal Therapy: Far-Infrared Risk Reduction Review Wed, 07 Jun 2017 21:33:24 +0000 greenmedinfo 148805 at https://greenmedinfo.com A water extract of the heartwood of Pterocarpus compares favorably to digoxin as a cardiotonic agent. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/water-extract-heartwood-pterocarpus-compares-favorably-digoxin-cardiotonic-age PMID:  Indian J Exp Biol. 2007 Jun;45(6):532-7. PMID: 17585688 Abstract Title:  Cardiotonic activity of aqueous extract of heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium. Abstract:  The present study was undertaken to evaluate cardiotonic activity of aqueous extract of heartwood of P. marsupium. This plant species contains 5,7,2-4 tetrahydroxy isoflavone 6-6 glucoside which are potent antioxidant and are believed to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Cardiotonic effect of aqueous extract of heartwood of P. marsupium was studied by using isolated frog heart perfusion technique (IFHP). Calcium free Ringer solution was used as vehicle for administration of aqueous extract of P. marsupium as a test extract and digoxin as a standard. A significant increase in height of force of contraction (positive inotropic effect) and decrease in heart rate (negative chronotropic effect) at a very low concentration (0.25 mg/ml) was observed with test extract as compared to the same dose of a standard digoxin. The present results indicated that a significant increase in height of force of contraction with decrease in heart rate was observed as the dose of test extract increased. The test extract produced cardiac arrest at 4 mg/ml, a higher concentration, as compared to standard, digoxin (0.5 mg/ml). Compared to digoxin, a drug with narrow therapeutic window, P. marsupium showed wide therapeutic window. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/water-extract-heartwood-pterocarpus-compares-favorably-digoxin-cardiotonic-age#comments Heart Failure Pterocarpus marsupium Cardiotonic Agents Drug: Digoxin Plant Extracts Superiority of Natural Substances versus Drugs Animal Study Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:57:17 +0000 greenmedinfo 52727 at https://greenmedinfo.com ACE Inhibitors/Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists do not reduce hospitalisations in older patients with heart failure. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/ace-inhibitorsangiotensin-ii-type-1-receptor-antagonists-do-not-reduce-hospita PMID:  Drugs Aging. 2007;24(11):945-55. PMID: 17953461 Abstract Title:  Do ACE Inhibitors/Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists reduce hospitalisations in older patients with heart failure? A propensity analysis. Abstract:  BACKGROUND: Randomised controlled trials have shown a reduced risk of heart failure (HF) hospitalisation among users of ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists (angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs]), but these results have limited generalisability. Some observational studies have also demonstrated reductions in hospitalisation but are potentially affected by non-random treatment selection. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of ACEI/ARB therapy on all-cause and HF-related hospitalisations among older adults using a propensity model to adjust for treatment-selection bias and focusing on consistent medication use as the exposure of interest. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of continuously enrolled, older (age&gt;or =60 years) Kansas Medicaid beneficiaries with HF, using data from May 1999 to April 2000. A propensity analysis was used to identify a comparison group of untreated persons that were otherwise clinically similar to treated persons. The effect of regular ACEI/ARB use on hospitalisations was estimated using multivariable logistic regression models. The HF sample included 887 subjects, of whom 235 (27%) received regular ACEI/ARB therapy. To be considered a regular user of ACEI/ARB therapy (&#039;treated&#039;), we required evidence that a subject obtained at least 80% of their intended daily supply. The main outcome measure was the effect of regular ACEI/ARB use on all-cause and HF-related hospitalisations. RESULTS: Treated subjects were matched against an equal number of untreated persons, for a final sample of 470 persons. The mean age of both treated and untreated subjects was 81 years. Regular ACEI/ARB use did not alter the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of all-cause hospitalisation (AOR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.71, 1.52), which occurred in 40% of the sample, or the odds of an HF-related hospitalisation (AOR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.65, 1.57), which occurred in 22.6% of both groups. CONCLUSION: Although randomised controlled trials have shown that ACEI/ARB treatment is associated with reduced hospitalisations in patients with HF, this benefit was not observed in our study. Further study of ACEI/ARB outcomes is needed in a larger sample of older subjects with HF. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/ace-inhibitorsangiotensin-ii-type-1-receptor-antagonists-do-not-reduce-hospita#comments Heart Failure Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor Human Study Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:59:07 +0000 greenmedinfo 52647 at https://greenmedinfo.com Activation of cardiac progenitor cells reverses the failing heart senescent phenotype and prolongs lifespan. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/activation-cardiac-progenitor-cells-reverses-failing-heart-senescent-phenotype PMID:  Circ Res. 2008 Mar 14 ;102(5):597-606. Epub 2008 Jan 17. PMID: 18202313 Abstract Title:  Activation of cardiac progenitor cells reverses the failing heart senescent phenotype and prolongs lifespan. Abstract:  Heart failure is the leading cause of death in the elderly, but whether this is the result of a primary aging myopathy dictated by depletion of the cardiac progenitor cell (CPC) pool is unknown. Similarly, whether current lifespan reflects the ineluctable genetic clock or heart failure interferes with the genetically determined fate of the organ and organism is an important question. We have identified that chronological age leads to telomeric shortening in CPCs, which by necessity generate a differentiated progeny that rapidly acquires the senescent phenotype conditioning organ aging. CPC aging is mediated by attenuation of the insulin-like growth factor-1/insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor and hepatocyte growth factor/c-Met systems, which do not counteract any longer the CPC renin-angiotensin system, resulting in cellular senescence, growth arrest, and apoptosis. However, pulse-chase 5-bromodeoxyuridine-labeling assay revealed that the senescent heart contains functionally competent CPCs that have the properties of stem cells. This subset of telomerase-competent CPCs have long telomeres and, following activation, migrate to the regions of damage, where they generate a population of young cardiomyocytes, reversing partly the aging myopathy. The senescent heart phenotype and heart failure are corrected to some extent, leading to prolongation of maximum lifespan. <p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/article/activation-cardiac-progenitor-cells-reverses-failing-heart-senescent-phenotype" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/article/activation-cardiac-progenitor-cells-reverses-failing-heart-senescent-phenotype#comments Aging Heart Failure Antiproliferative Apoptotic Neocardiogenic cardiac progenitor cells In Vitro Study Thu, 22 Feb 2018 01:48:42 +0000 greenmedinfo 160230 at https://greenmedinfo.com Activation of ULK1 to trigger FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy in heart failure: Effect of ginsenoside Rg3 intervention. https://greenmedinfo.com/article/activation-ulk1-trigger-fundc1-mediated-mitophagy-heart-failure-effect-ginseno PMID:  Phytomedicine. 2023 Nov ;120:155042. Epub 2023 Aug 19. PMID: 37659296 Abstract Title:  Activation of ULK1 to trigger FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy in heart failure: Effect of Ginsenoside Rg3 intervention. Abstract:  BACKGROUND: Although the development of therapies for heart failure (HF) continues apace, clinical outcomes are often far from ideal. Unc51-like-kinase 1 (ULK1)-mediated mitophagy prevents pathological cardiac remodeling and heart failure (HF). Molecularly ULK1-targeted agent to enhance mitophagy is scanty.HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate whether Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) can activate ULK1 to trigger FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy for protecting heart failure.METHODS: Molecular docking and surface plasmon resonance were used to detect the ULK1 binding behavior of Rg3. Established HF model in rats and transcriptome sequencing were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect and regulatory mechanism of Rg3. Loss-of-function approaches in vivo and in vitro were performed to determine the role of ULK1 in Rg3-elicited myocardial protection against HF. FUNDC1 recombinant plasmid of site mutation was applied to elucidate more in-depth mechanisms.RESULTS: Structurally, a good binding mode was unveiled between ULK1 and Rg3. In vivo, Rg3 improved cardiac dysfunction, adverse remodeling, and mitochondrial damage in HF rats. Furthermore, Rg3 promoted Ulk1-triggered mitophagy both in vivo and in vitro, manifested by the impetus of downstream Fundc1-Lc3 interaction. Of note, the protective effects conferred by Rg3 against mitophagy defects, pathological remodeling, and cardiac dysfunction were compromised by Ulk1 gene silencing both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, Rg3 activated mitophagy by inducing ULK1-mediated phosphorylation of FUNDC1 at the Ser17 site, not the Ser13 site.CONCLUSION: Together these observations demonstrated that Rg3 acts as a ULK1 activator for the precise treatment of HF, which binds to ULK1 to activate FUNDC1-mediated mitophagy. <p><a href="https://greenmedinfo.com/article/activation-ulk1-trigger-fundc1-mediated-mitophagy-heart-failure-effect-ginseno" target="_blank">read more</a></p> https://greenmedinfo.com/article/activation-ulk1-trigger-fundc1-mediated-mitophagy-heart-failure-effect-ginseno#comments Ginsenosides Heart Failure Cardioprotective In Vitro Study Mon, 25 Sep 2023 23:57:31 +0000 greenmedinfo 281174 at https://greenmedinfo.com