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

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

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

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

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

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: Calcium antagonists are highly effective agents for lowering high blood pressure and play a very important role in the treatment of Patient with ischemic heart disease and various other cardiovascular disorder. Manidipine, a dihydropyridine-type ccalcium channel blocker, is a potent relaxant of the arteriolar smooth muscle. We studied ths new calcium channel blocker to evaluated the efficacy and safety in patients with essectial hypertension. METHODS: Twenty patients(ten women and ten men;range of age, 30-66 years old)with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension were enrolled in this study. After a placebo run-in phase of two weeks duration, 5mg-20mg manidipine once daily orally was administered for eight weeks. RESULTS: 1) At the end of 8 weeks of manidipine therapy, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced from 160.1+/-11.8/105.5+/-5.1mmHG in sitting, 160.1+/-12.1/104.5+/-5.4mmHG in supine, 157.1+/-17.0/104.1+/-5.3mmHg in standing to 128.4+/-10.1/85.2+/-5.7mmHg in sitting, 129.1+/-10.2/84.2+/-5.9mmHg in supine, 128.1+/-12.8/86.7+/-5.9mmHg in standing(p<0.01). 2) The pulse rate did dnot change significantly. 3) The reduction of mean systolic and diastolic blood pressur at the end of 8 weeks were 31.5+/-14.5/20.3+/-7.4mmHg in sitting. 4) There was no serious side effect except mild symptom, mild headache(6 casem 30%) and facial flushing(1 case, 5%). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that manidipine is an effective and safe antihypertensive agent in the treatment of mild and moderate essential hypertension.
Blood Pressure ; Calcium ; Calcium Channels ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myocardial Ischemia