This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a teaching program on patients with myocardial infarction. Forty-five patients were randomly selected 22 were assigned to a teaching group and 23 to a control group. An individualized teaching program was delivered to the teaching group during the hospitalization period. It covered aspects such as: the characteristics of heart disease, the anatomy and physiology of the heart, risk factors of atherosclerosis, medication and diet and exercise therapy. When these subjects were discharged to their homes, they received regular supportive care via telephone or mail for 12 weeks. Atherosclerotic risk factors, including, smoking, exercise, blood lipid profile and BMI were measured before and after the teaching program. Post-testing revealed that the numbers of those who exercised and the number of non-smokers were significantly higher in the teaching group than in the control group. Increased HDL cholesterol (High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol) was significantly greater in the teaching group than in the control group. The above findings suggest that this individualized teaching program might be helpful at reducing the risk factors of atherosclerosis in myocardial infarction patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Arteriosclerosis/etiology/*prevention & control ; Comparative Study ; Exercise ; Female ; Human ; Lipids/blood ; Male ; Middle Age ; Myocardial Infarction/*prevention & control ; *Patient Education ; Risk Factors ; Smoking

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of dry red wine in the different stages of experimental atherosclerosis (AS) at the cell, molecular and gene regulation levels in order to provide scientific basis for using dry red wine in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

METHODSBlood vessel wall pathological changes, activity of NF-kB and the expressions of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and protein kinase C (PKC alpha) were observed in dietary induced atherosclerosis rabbit model by morphology study, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and in situ hybridyzation, and the effects of dry red wine intervention were examined.

RESULTSDry red wine significantly suppressed the proliferation of atherosclerosis intima and NF-kappaB activation (4w: 18.5 +/- 0.6 vs 13.7 +/- 0.3; 8w: 26 +/- 0.9 vs 17.8 +/- 0.5; 12w: 39.9 +/- 1.2 vs 27.8 +/- 0.8), and down-regulated the expressions of MCP-1 and PKC alpha.

CONCLUSIONSThe results confirmed that dry red wine could protect AS tissues and prolong its development by suppressing NF-kappaB activation, down-regulating the expressions of MCP-1 and PKC alpha, which may take part in pathogenesis of AS.

Animals ; Arteriosclerosis ; etiology ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Blood Vessels ; metabolism ; pathology ; Chemokine CCL2 ; genetics ; Diet, Atherogenic ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression ; In Situ Hybridization ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase C ; genetics ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Wine

OBJECTIVETo observe the preventive effect of Radix Paeoniae Rubra (RPR) to restenosis after carotid balloon injury in rabbits.

METHODSThe rabbit model of carotid balloon injury was established adopting Clowes method, and treated with extract of RPR. Component of new genesic intima and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and macrophage was determined by immunochemical stain. The collagen of type I was detected by special staining for blood vessels and the area of new genesic intima was measured by image assay system.

RESULTSRPR could remarkably decreased the PCNA positive expression and inhibit the proliferation of collagen type I and reduce the generating of new intima.

CONCLUSIONRPR has significant preventive effect on the restenosis after carotid ballon injury in high fat-diet induced atherosclerotic rabbits.

Angioplasty, Balloon ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Arteriosclerosis ; etiology ; pathology ; therapy ; Carotid Artery Injuries ; etiology ; Carotid Artery, Common ; pathology ; Carotid Stenosis ; etiology ; pathology ; therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hypercholesterolemia ; complications ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; pathology ; Paeonia ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Secondary Prevention

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of fosinopril and valsartan on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and nitric oxide (NO) induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

METHODSThe levels of NO, ICAM-1, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were determined using the nitrate reductase method, ELISA, immunohistochemical and image analyses.

RESULTSThe ox-LDL can significantly increase the expression of ICAM-1 and inhibit the expression of NO and NOS in a dose-dependent manner. Fosinopril and valsartan can significantly inhibit these roles of ox-LDL. The roles of fosinopril and valsartan were not significantly different.

CONCLUSIONFosinopril and valsartan inhibit oxidized LDL-induced expression of ICAM-1 and increase the expression of NO in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, which is one of the mechanisms of antiatherosclerosis.

Arteriosclerosis ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelium, Vascular ; chemistry ; cytology ; drug effects ; Fosinopril ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; analysis ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; analysis ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; drug effects ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Valsartan