Lovastatin, a competitive inhibitor of the rate limiting enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis was administered to 34 patients with primary hypertlipidemia, 20 mg once daily with the evening meal. Patients experienced mean total and LDL cholesterol reductions of 30.9% and 34.0% respectively. HDL cholesterol level was significantly increased by 15.4% and plasma triglyceride level was decreased by 11.2%. maximal hypocholesterolemic effects were evident at 8 weeks, after which the effects were stable. Adverse effects were noted in 2 patients who had mild gastrointestinal symptoms, that subsided after discontinuing the drug. We concluded that lovastatin is a well tolerated and effective agent for the treatment of primary hyperlipidemia.
Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias* ; Lovastatin ; Meals ; Plasma* ; Triglycerides

No abstract available.
Leiomyoma* ; Stomach*

No abstract available.
Astrocytes* ; Gene Expression* ; Humans* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

Brain Ischemia* ; Hemodilution* ; Intracranial Embolism ; Rabbits*

No abstract available.
Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Myositis*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of combination therapy with curcumin and alendronate on spine fusion surgery in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Thirty-two female Sprague-Dawley rats (12 weeks old) underwent bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). Eight weeks after surgery, animals underwent intertransverse spine fusion at L4–5. The rats were randomly distributed amongst 4 groups; untreated OVX group, curcumin administered group, alendronate administered group, and the combination therapy group. At 8 weeks after fusion surgery, the animals were sacrificed and the fusion mass was assessed by manual palpation, radiographic scan, and micro-computed tomographic scan. In addition, mechanical strength was determined by a 3-point bending test. RESULTS: Based on the results of manual palpation testing and 3-dimensional micro-computed tomography scanning, solid bone fusion rate was 50% (4 of 8) in the OVX group, 75% (6 of 8) in the alendronate-only and curcumin-only group, and 87.5% (7 of 8) in the combination therapy group, respectively. The combination therapy group had a higher fusion rate compared with the other treatment groups, though not statistically significantly (p>0.05). And the combination therapy group had a significant increase in fusion volume at 8 weeks after spine fusion surgery compared with curcumin-only group (p=0.039). The 3-point bending test showed that combination therapy group had a significantly greater maximal load value compared to that of curcumin-only group (p=0.024). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that additional treatment of curcumin and alendronate after spine fusion surgery in rat can promote higher fusion volume, and improve bone mechanical strength.
Alendronate* ; Animals ; Curcumin* ; Female ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Ovariectomy ; Palpation ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spine* ; Therapeutic Uses*

No abstract available.
Pulmonary Artery*

We report a case of perigastric histiocytic sarcoma (HS) involving the lesser omental sac in a 30-year-old man. HS is an exceedingly rare malignancy of mature tissue histiocyte. The tumor was a multi-lobulated, bulging enhancing mass in the lesser omentum with metastasis to lymph nodes and liver. The tumor consisted of diffuse non-cohesive proliferation of pleomorphic large oval to round neoplastic cells with giant cells showing vesicular chromatin and ample eosinophilic cytoplasm. In some areas, the tumor cells showed spindling with elongation of the nuclei and cellular shapes. Many of the tumor cells, especially giant forms contained phagocytosed lymphocytes. Immunohistochemical analysis of the tumor cells showed expression of leukocyte common antigen, CD68, lysozyme, vimentin, CD4, and CD163. Ki-67 index was 50-60%. After the operation, he was treated with chemotherapy, but the response was poor.
Adult ; Antigens, CD45 ; Chromatin ; Cytoplasm ; Eosinophils ; Giant Cells ; Histiocytes ; Histiocytic Sarcoma ; Humans ; Liver ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphocytes ; Muramidase ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Omentum ; Sarcoma ; Vimentin

Adventitial cystic disease of the popliteal artery is a rare disorder that causes localized stenosis or occlusion by compression of the vessel lumen. The disease produces lower extremity claudication, typically in young and middle-aged men. We report a case of the adventitial cystic disease of the popliteal artery in a 55-year-old man with symptom of left calf claudication. Diagnosis was done by ultrasound, angiography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was treated with resection of the diseased popliteal artery followed by interposition of saphenous vein graft. Postoperatively, the symptom and sign resolved completely.
Angiography ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Popliteal Artery* ; Saphenous Vein ; Transplants ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Mesenteric Cyst*