In vitro, ex vivo and in vivo anti-hypertensive activity of Chrysophyllum cainito L. extract.

Chrysophyllum cainito L., a traditional herbal medicine, could have the potential for management of hypertension due to presence of polyphenolic compounds. The extracts and fractions of the pulp of plant were evaluated for in vitro (inhibition of angiotensin I converting enzyme/ACE assay), ex vivo (isolated aorta relaxation assay) and in vivo (salt induced hypertensive rat assay).

Atorvastatin improves endothelial progenitor cell function and reduces pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease.

Objective: To explore the effects of atorvastatin on the migration and adhesion of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and on pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease.

Methods: A total of 68 patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease were randomly assigned to either a control group (n=35) or a treatment group (n=33). In addition, 30 healthy volunteers (17 male, 13 female) were enrolled as healthy controls.

Anxiety disorders are associated with increased plasma adrenomedullin level and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with hypertension.

Objective: To investigate the association between anxiety disorders and left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with essential hypertension.

Methods: Left ventricular structure and function were assessed with echocardiography in 56 patients with essential hypertension and anxiety disorder (study group) and in 56 patients with hypertension only (control group). Serum adrenomedullin levels were also measured in these patients.

Effects of xuezhikang on proliferation and adhesion capacity of cultured endothelial progenitor cells: An in vitro study.

Background: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) might be useful in the management of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of xuezhikang, an extract of Chinese red yeast rice, on the proliferation and adhesion capacity of EPCs from the peripheral blood of patients with stable CAD.

Methods: Mononuclear cells from 20 Chinese patients (14 men, 6 women; mean [SD] age, 64.

Generalized anxiety disorder and the circadian rhythm of blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

Objective. To investigate the impact of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) on the circadian rhythm of blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Methods.

L-carnitine as an adjunct therapy to percutaneous coronary intervention for non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of L: -carnitine as an adjunct therapy to percutanenous coronary intervention (PCI) for non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTEMI).

Materials And Methods: Ninety-six consecutive patients with NSTEMI were randomized into treatment group (L: -carnitine 5 g IV bolus followed by 10 g/day IV infusion for 3 days), and control group. All patients also underwent PCI within 24 h from the onset of chest pain.