Effects of ezetimibe on atherogenic lipoproteins and glucose metabolism in patients with diabetes and glucose intolerance.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of ezetimibe on atherogenic lipoproteins and glucose metabolism in patients with diabetes and glucose intolerance.

Methods: Seventy-six patients with diabetes and glucose intolerance were enrolled in this study. At baseline and 12 weeks after treatment with ezetimibe 10mg/day, we measured the levels of lipid and glucose parameters.

Effects of ezetimibe on glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes: A 12-week, open-label, uncontrolled, pilot study.

Background: A potential effect of ezetimibe, a novel cholesterol-absorption inhibitor, on insulin resistance has been reported in an animal model.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ezetimibe on glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Between March and June 2008, outpatients with T2DM who were being treated at Yokohama Sakae Kyosai Hospital, Yokohama, Japan, were enrolled in this pilot study if they had not achieved the target lipid levels recommended by the Japan Atherosclerosis Society Guidelines despite diet and exercise or a statin therapy for ≥3 months.

Predictive value of serum cystatin C, β2-microglobulin, and urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein on the development of contrast-induced nephropathy.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with prolonged hospitalization and adverse clinical outcomes. Useful predictors of CIN are necessary to minimize the risk of developing CIN. The purpose of this study was to identify the useful predictors of CIN.

Effects of ezetimibe on remnant-like particle cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein in patients with dyslipidemia.

Aim: Ezetimibe is a novel cholesterol absorption inhibitor that reduces the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (C). The effects of ezetimibe on remnant-like particle (RLP)-C, lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], and oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) levels have not been examined.

Methods: Fifty patients with dyslipidemia were treated with 10 mg/day of ezetimibe.

Impact of catheter down-sizing and power injector use on the amount of contrast medium delivered.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of catheter down-sizing and power injector use on the amount of contrast medium delivered during diagnostic coronary angiography (CAG). We retrospectively studied 735 patients undergoing diagnostic CAG. Patients were divided into four groups according to catheter size [4 French (Fr) or 5 Fr] and the method of contrast injection (manual or power injection).

Contrast medium volume to estimated glomerular filtration rate ratio as a predictor of contrast-induced nephropathy developing after elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has been recognized as a serious complication of diagnostic coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and has been associated with prolonged hospitalization and adverse clinical outcomes. A key step to minimize the risk for developing CIN is to identify patients at risk for CIN.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively investigated clinical factors associated with the development of CIN in 60 stable angina patients who had undergone elective PCI.

Small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a useful marker of metabolic syndrome in patients with coronary artery disease.

Aim: An evaluation of the relation between small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (sd-LDL-C) levels measured by the heparin-magnesium precipitation method and metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Methods: We have prospectively measured sd-LDL-C levels by the heparin-magnesium precipitation method in 112 Japanese patients (male/female=80/32) with coronary artery disease (CAD) who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients were diagnosed with MetS according to modified Japanese criteria.