Effects of pitavastatin and atorvastatin on lipoprotein oxidation biomarkers in patients with dyslipidemia.

Objective: The effects of potent statins on oxidized lipoprotein biomarkers are not well defined.

Methods And Results: The VISION (Value of oxIdant lipid lowering effect by Statin InterventiON in hypercholesterolemia) Trial randomized patients with hypercholesterolemia to 12-week administration of pitavastatin 2 mg/day (n = 21) or atorvastatin 10 mg/day (n = 21) and a variety of lipoprotein oxidative biomarkers were measured. Between-group analysis did not reveal any differences except in the ratio of malondialdehyde (MDA)-LDL over apolipoprotein B-100 (MDA-LDL/apoB) in pitavastatin vs.

Myositis, Vasculitis, Hepatic Dysfunction in Adult-Onset Still's Disease.

Although hepatic dysfunction is common in adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), sometimes it is difficult to differentiate hepatic dysfunction due to AOSD itself from drug-induced hepatic dysfunction. Further, myalgia often occurs in patients with AOSD; however, AOSD patients complicated with myositis are rare. We report a 43-year-old Japanese man with AOSD who developed myositis and hepatic dysfunction which were deteriorated by multiple nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and were dramatically ameliorated by a low-dose steroid therapy.

The underlying mechanisms for development of hypertension in the metabolic syndrome.

High blood pressure is an important constituent of the metabolic syndrome. However, the underlying mechanisms for development of hypertension in the metabolic syndrome are very complicated and remain still obscure. Visceral/central obesity, insulin resistance, sympathetic overactivity, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, activated renin-angiotensin system, increased inflammatory mediators, and obstructive sleep apnea have been suggested to be possible factors to develop hypertension in the metabolic syndrome.

Diacylglycerol oil for the metabolic syndrome.

Excess adiposity has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of the metabolic syndrome. The elevated fasting and postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoprotein levels is the central lipid abnormality observed in the metabolic syndrome. Recent studies have indicated that diacylglycerol (DAG) is effective for fasting and postprandial hyperlipidemia and preventing excess adiposity by increasing postprandial energy expenditure.

Neuroprotective effects of edaravone: a novel free radical scavenger in cerebrovascular injury.

Recanalization and neuroprotection have been mainly targeted for the specific treatment of acute ischemic stroke. Free radicals play a crucial role in brain ischemic injury by exacerbating membrane damage through peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids of cell membrane, leading to neuronal death and brain edema. Free radicals have been implicated in stroke pathophysiology as pivotal contributors to cell injury.

Effects of simvastatin 20 mg/d on serum lipid profiles in Japanese hyperlipidemic patients: A prospective, open-label pilot study.

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for ischemic heart disease. Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors ("statins") (eg, simvastatin) are considered first-line cholesterol-lowering therapy because they are effective and well tolerated, even at high doses. Based on a literature search, no studies have been published concerning the effects of simvastatin 20 mg/d in Japanese patients who had not previously received lipid-lowering treatment.

Increased serum iron may contribute to enhanced oxidation of low-density lipoprotein in smokers in part through changes in lipoxygenase and catalase.

Background: Increased oxidative stress is considered to be causative for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in smokers, but its mechanisms are still unclear. We compared oxidative stress markers between male smokers and male nonsmokers.

Methods: Twenty-three healthy men (11 nonsmokers and 12 smokers) were enrolled, and blood samples after 12 h of fasting were collected to assess plasma lipids and oxidative stress markers.