No abstract available.
Calcium* ; Fetal Blood* ; Phosphorus*

No abstract available.
Calcium* ; Fetal Blood* ; Phosphorus* ; Umbilical Cord*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We performed this study to compare the endothelial function of the patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension(EH) to age and sex-matched normal subjects or patients with known coronary artery disease(CAD) and to evaluate the effect of calcium channel blockers(amlodipine) on the endothelial dysfunction in patients with EH. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The endothelial function, expressed as percent brachial artery diameter changes at hyperemic phase compared to resting state, using high-resolution ultrasound was measured before taking amlodipine and 3 to 4 months after taking amlodipine(5 to 10 mg daily), when the high blood pressure(BP) was well controlled(129/83 mmHg), in patients with EH(mean age; 53 yrs, n=2). We also measured the endothelial function in normal subjects(mean age; 54 yrs, n=5) and patients with proven CAD(mean age; 56 yrs, n=0). RESULTS: The mean BP of the patients with EH, CAD, and normal subjects were 172/108 mmHg, 110/69 mmHg, and 113/72 mmHg, respectively. There were no significant differences among the study groups in regard to the serum glucose and various lipid levels. The endothelial function of the patients with EH(6.6+/-2.3%) was significantly(p=.000) lowered when compared to the normal subjects(14.3+/-3.3%), but did not show any significant differences when compared to the patients with CAD(8.6+/-3.4%). The endothelial function in patients with EH was significantly(p=.007) improved from 6.6+/-2.3 % to 11.0+/-2.7 % 3 to 4 months after taking the amlodipine. CONCLUSION: Calcium channel blockers, especially amlodipine, can improve endothelial dysfunction in patients with EH as well as controlling high BP.
Amlodipine ; Blood Glucose ; Brachial Artery ; Calcium Channel Blockers* ; Calcium Channels* ; Calcium* ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We performed this study to compare the endothelial function of the patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension(EH) to age and sex-matched normal subjects or patients with known coronary artery disease(CAD) and to evaluate the effect of calcium channel blockers(amlodipine) on the endothelial dysfunction in patients with EH. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The endothelial function, expressed as percent brachial artery diameter changes at hyperemic phase compared to resting state, using high-resolution ultrasound was measured before taking amlodipine and 3 to 4 months after taking amlodipine(5 to 10 mg daily), when the high blood pressure(BP) was well controlled(129/83 mmHg), in patients with EH(mean age; 53 yrs, n=2). We also measured the endothelial function in normal subjects(mean age; 54 yrs, n=5) and patients with proven CAD(mean age; 56 yrs, n=0). RESULTS: The mean BP of the patients with EH, CAD, and normal subjects were 172/108 mmHg, 110/69 mmHg, and 113/72 mmHg, respectively. There were no significant differences among the study groups in regard to the serum glucose and various lipid levels. The endothelial function of the patients with EH(6.6+/-2.3%) was significantly(p=.000) lowered when compared to the normal subjects(14.3+/-3.3%), but did not show any significant differences when compared to the patients with CAD(8.6+/-3.4%). The endothelial function in patients with EH was significantly(p=.007) improved from 6.6+/-2.3 % to 11.0+/-2.7 % 3 to 4 months after taking the amlodipine. CONCLUSION: Calcium channel blockers, especially amlodipine, can improve endothelial dysfunction in patients with EH as well as controlling high BP.
Amlodipine ; Blood Glucose ; Brachial Artery ; Calcium Channel Blockers* ; Calcium Channels* ; Calcium* ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVESTo study on the changes of intracellular calcium and magnesium in cirrhosis and its clinical significance.

METHODSThe calcium and magnesium were determined in serum (SCa, SMg), platelets (PCa, PMg), mononuclear cells (MNCCa, MNCMg), polymorphonuclear cells (PMNCa, PMNMg) and erythrocytes (RCa, RMg) of 50 patients with uncompensative cirrhosis (group A) and of 35 patients with compensative cirrhosis (group B). 35 health persons were the control group.

RESULTSThe SCa and SMg of group A were lower significantly than those of both group B and control group. The MNCCa, PMNCa, RCa, PMg, MNCMg, PMNMg, RMg of group A [(4.76+/-1.91) micromol/10(9), (7.56+/-2.88) micromol/10(9), (0.66+/-0.13) mmol/L, (5.53+/-2.25) micromol/10(11), (6.64+/-3.53) micromol/10(9), (10.12+/-4.32) micromol/10(9), (2.02+/-0.76) mmol/L] and those of group B [(5.34+/-2.41) micromol/10(9), (8.32+/-2.34) micromol/10(9), (0.67+/-0.11) mmol/L, (5.55+/-2.67) micromol/10(11), (6.56+/-3.44) micromol/10(9), (10.95+/-4.45) micromol/10(9), (2.21+/-0.74) mmol/L] were lower significantly than those of control group [(6.86+/-2.02) micromol/10(9), (9.89+/-3.23) micromol/10(9), (0.72+/-0.10) mmol/L, (7.43+/-2.78) micromol/10(11), (8.68+/-4.1) micromol/10(9), (13.96+/-5.76) micromol/10(9), (2.74+/-0.92) mmol/L]; t (group A vs. control group)=4.88, 3.48, 2.31, 3.45, 2.46, 3.52, 4.00, 0.01, 0.01, 0.05, 0.01, 0.02, 0.01, 0.01; t (group B vs. control group)=2.87, 2.34, 2.00, 2.89, 2.33, 2.45, 2.65, 0.01, 0.05, 0.05, 0.01, 0.05, 0.02, 0.02. The PCa of the patients with hepatic encephalopathy was higher, the SMg, PMg, MNCMg, PMNMg and RMg were lower than those of the patients without hepatic encephalopathy significantly. The SCa, SMg, PMg, MNCMg, PMNMg and RMg of the patients in Child stage C were lower significantly than those of the patients in Child stage B. There were no significant differences of PCa, MNCCa, PMNCa and RCa between Child stage C and Child stage B. There were no significant differences of SCa, MNCCa, PMNCa and RCa between the patients with and without hepatic encephalopathy. The ratios of PCa/SCa, MNCCa/SCa and PMNCa/SCa of the patients with decreased SMg were lower than those of control group. The SMg, MNCMg, PMNMg and RMg were correlated directly with the level of serum albumin.

CONCLUSIONThere are calcium and magnesium deficiencies in the patients with uncompensative cirrhosis and compensative cirrhosis, this deficiency aggravates with the severity of the disease. There is relative increase of intracellular calcium. The magnesium deficiency may be one of the reasons for both hepatic encephalopathy and relative increase of intracellular calcium.

Adult ; Blood Cells ; chemistry ; Calcium ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; Magnesium ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged

Calcium ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Iron ; blood ; Male ; Trace Elements ; blood ; Zinc ; blood

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Efonidipine hydrochloride, an L- and T-type dual calcium channel blocker, is suggested to have a heart rate (HR)-slowing action in addition to a blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of efonidipine on HR and BP in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In a multi-center, prospective, open-labeled, single-armed study, we enrolled 53 patients who had mild-to-moderate hypertension {sitting diastolic BP (SiDBP) 90-110 mmHg}. After a 2-week washout, eligible patients were treated with efonidipine (40 mg once daily for 12 weeks). The primary end point was the change in HR from baseline to week 12. The secondary end-point included the change in trough sitting BP and 24-hour mean BP between baseline and week 12. Laboratory and clinical adverse events were monitored at each study visit (4, 8, and 12 weeks). RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. After 12 weeks of treatment with efonidipine, the resting HR decreased significantly from baseline to week 12 {from 81.5+/-5.3 to 71.8+/-9.9 beats/minute (difference, -9.9+/-9.0 beats/minute), p<0.0001}. The trough BP {sitting systolic blood pressure (SiSBP) and SiDBP} and 24-hour mean BP also decreased significantly (SiSBP: from 144.6+/-8.2 to 132.9+/-13.5 mmHg, p<0.0001; SiDBP: from 96.9+/-5.4 to 88.3+/-8.6 mmHg, p<0.0001, 24-hour mean systolic BP: from 140.4+/-13.5 to 133.8+/-11.6 mmHg, p<0.0001; 24-hour mean diastolic BP: from 91.7+/-8.7 to 87.5+/-9.5 mmHg, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Efonidipine was effective in controlling both HR and BP in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.
Blood Pressure ; Calcium ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; Calcium Channels ; Dihydropyridines ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Nitrophenols ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; Prospective Studies

Pulsatile ocular blood flow(POBF) System can measure the ocular blood flow easily and reliably. We attempted to investigate if oral calcium-channel blockers such as nifedipine and verapamil used for treatment of normal tension glaucoma increase the ocular blood flow in normal eyes by using above instrument. Twelve normal volunteers who have no ocular and systemic disorder history were involved in this study, and their ocular blood flow, intraocular pressure, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate were measured. We performed the same study for 14 normal volunteers using verapamil. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were decreased significantly after administration of calcium-channel blockers(P<0.05), but ocular blood flow did not change with administration of calcium-channel blockers(P>0.05). The intraocular pressure did not vary after administration of verapamil, but elevated in mean by 1.1mmHg after administration of nifedipine(P<0.05). Our study showed oral calcium-channel blockers, nifedipine and verapamil, did not increase the ocular blood flow in normal subjects with use of POBF.
Blood Pressure ; Calcium Channel Blockers* ; Calcium Channels* ; Calcium* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Heart Rate ; Intraocular Pressure ; Low Tension Glaucoma ; Nifedipine ; Verapamil

OBJECTIVETo investigate calcium, iron and magnesium intakes of preterm infants' mothers before and during pregnancy and calcium, iron and magnesium levels of preterm infants and their mothers in order to provide basis for studying the effect of nutritional factors on the occurrence of prematurity.

METHODSTwo hundred and forty matched cases (preterm infants and their mothers) and controls (term infants and their mothers) were recruited. A nutritional survey of calcium, iron and magnesium intakes was performed in the mothers before and during pregnancy. Calcium, iron and magnesium levels in maternal plasma and in cord blood, placenta, breast milk, meconium, and amniotic fluid were measured with axial view inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).

RESULTSIron and magnesium intakes in preterm infants' mothers were significantly less than those in term infants' mothers before pregnancy (P<0.05). Iron and calcium intakes in preterm infants' mothers were also significantly less than those in term infants' mothers during pregnancy (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis of variance showed that iron and calcium levels of preterm infants' mothers were significantly lower than those of term infants' mothers (P<0.05). The preterm infants showed significantly lower iron and magnesium levels than term infants (P<0.05). Plasma levels of calcium, iron and magnesium in infants were positively correlated to maternal plasma levels of calcium, iron and magnesium (r=0.517, 0.622, 0.518, respectively; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe iron and calcium levels of preterm infants' mothers were lower than those of term infants' mothers, and the iron and magnesium levels of preterm infants were lower than those of term infants. The exact relationship between calcium, iron and magnesium levels and intakes before and during pregnancy needs to be explored further.

Calcium ; blood ; Calcium, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; blood ; Iron ; blood ; Iron, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Magnesium ; administration & dosage ; blood ; Pregnancy ; blood

BACKGROUND: Bevantolol HCl was developed as the first antihypertensive agent that has selective beta1 and alpha1 blocking effects with an additional calcium antagonistic activity. It's expected that antihypertensive effect is comparable to other beta-blockers without any significant adverse effect on lipid and glucose metabolism observed in other drugs, and It has less negative inotropic effect due to peripheral vasodilatation mediated through alpha1 and calcium channel blocking effects. To evaluate the antihypertensive effect and safety of bevantolol HCl, we investigated 73 patients with mild to moderately severe essential hypertension. METHODS: Patients who showed either systolic blood pressure 150-209 mmHg or diastolic pressure 95-119 mmHg, were enrolled in this study. Following placebo period of 2weeks, bevantolol HCl was administered in daily dose of 100-200 mg for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Of the 73 patients, 55 patients who were able to receive bevantolol HCl were observed for the safety and 45 patients who completed this study were evaluated for the antihypertensive effect of the drug. 1) Antihypertensive effect: The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased from 156.7+/-11.7 mmHg to 144.0+/-16.7 mmHg and from 101.6+/-6.4 mmHg to 93.2+/-9.7 mmHg in two weeks of observation in 37/45 patients (82.2%) and was consistently effective for 12 weeks (p<0.01). Blood pressure under 139/89 mmHg was achieved in 20 out of 45 patients (44.4%). The heart rate also declined from 74.9+/-10.5/min to 69.1+/-14.2/min and the effect lasted for 12 weeks (p<0.01). 2) Safety: Mild adverse effects were observed in 27 out of 55 patients. Only one patient developed a significant bradycardia with heart rate of 40/min, which required withdrawal of the drug. No significant changes in the lipid profiles were observed. CONCLUSION: Bevantolol HCl is highly effective and generally well tolerated with an acceptable safety profile in patients with mild to moderately severe essential hypertension.
Blood Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Calcium ; Calcium Channels ; Glucose ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Metabolism ; Vasodilation