Search

Aim: Behcet's disease (BD) is a systemic disorder characterized by vasculitis, resulting in thickened vascular walls that reduce elasticity and impair function. BD can involve the cardiovascular system in three ways: cardiac, arterial, and venous. In this study, our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of pulmonary arterial stiffness (PAS) and pulmonary pulse transit time (PPTT) measures in demonstrating right ventricular functions in asymptomatic BD patients. We aimed to objectively evaluate right ventricular function in patients with BD using four‐dimensional echocardiography (4DE). Method: This study included 40 patients diagnosed with BD and 40 healthy subjects. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic parameters were compared. In addition to standard transthoracic echocardiographic evaluation, right ventricle quantification (RVQ) by using the 4DE and 2D‐speckle tracking echocardiography were performed. Results: The sPAP, 4D RVQ, and right ventricular strain values exhibited significant differences between the BD and control groups. Right ventricular end‐diastolic diameter (RVDD), right ventricular end‐systolic diameter (RVSD), right atrium (RA) area, right ventricular myocardial performance index (RVMPI), and PAS were increased in BD patients compared to the control group. Right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), Tricuspid S', and PPTT were decreased in BD patients compared to control subjects. PPTT correlated with right ventricular free wall strain (RV‐FWS) and PAS. In a multivariate linear regression analysis, PAS and RVFAC were found to be independent predictors of RVFWS. In addition, RVFAC and TAPSE are independent predictors for PPTT. Conclusion: Patients with BD may have elevated pulmonary arterial stiffness (PAS) in correlation with decreased PPTT. To ascertain the prognosis for these individuals, right ventricular (RV) functions must be evaluated. Measurements of RVFAC and RVEF via 4DE and deformation imaging techniques may be more useful in identifying subclinical impairment of RV. Individuals with BD, PAS, and PPTT may suggest a link between early pulmonary vascular remodeling and RV subclinical impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress can contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Isoproterenol (ISO), a synthetic catecholamine, is used to study the effects of drugs on cardiotoxicity. Agmatine (AGM) is a type of biogenic amine produced through the decarboxylation of arginine. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of AGM against ISO-induced cardiotoxicity due to the described roles of AGM in cardiovascular disease. Four groups of thirty-two Wistar Albino rats were divided equally as control, ISO, AGM+ISO, and ISO+AGM. ISO was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) twice at a dose of 150 mg/kg, at 24-hour intervals. Prior to and after ISO injection, 20 mg/kg of AGM was injected i.p. Hemodynamic measurements and serum and tissue biochemical analyses were evaluated at the end of the experiment. The levels of glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the tissue were measured. In the ISO group, levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) were increased significantly (p<0.05). Co-administration of ISO and AGM significantly reduced CK and LDH levels (p<0.05). MDA levels increased in the ISO-treated group but decreased in the AGM-treated groups (p<0.05). Notably, there was a reduction in the CAT level in the ISO treatment group (p<0.05). CAT was found to be significantly increased (p<0.05) in the groups that received AGM compared to the ISO group. AGM+ISO group had a reduced density of degenerated cardiomyocytes and granulation tissue compared to the ISO group (p<0.05). Although granulation tissue demonstrated a significant reduction in the ISO+AGM group in comparison to the ISO group (p<0.05). In this study, the results indicate that AGM treatment can potentially inhibit ISO-induced myocardial injury and vascular dysfunction by preserving vascular integrity. Notably, the protective effects of AGM on cardiac damage appear to outweigh its therapeutic benefits, as shown by histopathological analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline derivative used for treatment of malignancies; however, its clinical use is limited by its cardiotoxicity. We investigated the effects of angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonist compound 21 (C21) on DOX induced heart failure in rat heart. We compared C21 with losartan (LOS), an AT 1 receptor antagonist used for treating heart failure. We allocated 40 rats into five groups of eight: saline treated control group, DOX group administered a single 20 mg/kg dose of DOX, DOX + C21 group administered 0.3 mg/kg C21 for 21 days following the 20 mg/kg dose of DOX, DOX + losartan (LOS) group administered a 21 day regimen of 20 mg/kg LOS following the single dose of DOX, and a DOX + LOS + C21 group administered 0.3 mg/kg C21 and 20 mg/kg LOS for 21 days following the single dose of DOX. We assessed histopathology and conducted echocardiograpic and hemodynamic measurements. Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) was reduced only in the DOX treated group. C21, LOS and C21 + LOS therapy prevented decreased EF due to DOX. Less histopathology was observed in the DOX + LOS + C21 group than for the other treatment groups. Application of C21 decreased DOX induced cardiac injury similar to LOS. Combined use of C21 and LOS was most beneficial for DOX induced heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a type of chemotherapy drug frequently used to treat different malignancies. However, one of the most serious adverse effects of DOX usage is the potential of cardiotoxicity. Cardioprotective medications may be used to reduce cardiac damage because of DOX therapy. Glycyrrhizin (GL) is found in high amounts in the roots of the 'Licorice' plant from the Glycyrrhiza species. Due to its possible effects on blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular health, GL has attracted attention concerning the heart. Oxidative stress and inflammatory process have been shown to be responsible for DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC). For this reason, in consequence of its possible pharmacological benefits, such as antiinflammatory and antioxidant GL has been researched in this study. Here in, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of GL on DIC. Materials and Methods: In this study, thirty-two male Wistar albino adult male rats were used. Four groups of rats were assigned at randomly: Control, DOX, GL+DOX, and GL groups. DOX was given 20 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) and 100 mg/kg GL was administered orally (p.o.) once a day for 14 days. Electrocardiography (ECG) and BP records of the rats were obtained. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels in the tissue were measured. Histopathological analyses were performed on the myocardium and descending aorta. Results: In the DOX group, mean and diastolic BP were higher than in the control group (p<0.05). In the GL+DOX group, diastolic BP was lower than in the DOX group (p<0.05). Pathological ECG changes such as ST segment changes and T negativity were observed in DOX-treated groups. MDA, SOD, CAT, and GSH levels studied in heart tissue were similar in all groups (p>0.05). GSH level in descending aorta was significantly lower in the GL+DOX group compared to the other groups (p<0.05). In the DOX group, degenerated cardiomyocyte density, interstitial edema, and severity of congestion-hemorrhage were statistically significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.05). On the other hand, degenerated cardiomyocyte density was found to be significantly decreased in the GL+DOX group compared to the DOX group (p<0.05). In the DOX group, thinning of elastic lamellae and loss of myofibrils in muscle cells were observed in the descending aorta. Therefore, the histopathological alterations identified in the DOX group exhibited a significant statistical improvement in the GL+DOX group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the study's findings, GL can regulate high BP caused by DOX and also alleviate the toxic effects of DOX on both the myocardium and descending aorta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Aortic stiffness is an important risk factor that reflects the mechanical tension and elasticity of the aorta and predicts cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. However, it has been found that aortic stiffness contributes to both symptom burden and clinical outcomes in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). In our study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) on aortic elasticity parameters by echocardiography in patients with severe aortic stenosis, especially with preserved ejection fraction. Materials and Methods: A total of 55 consecutive patients with symptomatic severe AS who underwent TAVI were included in the study. Demographic data, echocardiographic and aortic elasticity measurements of all patients were measured before and 6 months after the procedure. To evaluate the elastic properties of the aorta, aortic strain, distensibility and stiffness index were calculated. Results: Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (p < 0.001) and aortic stiffness (p < 0.001) were decreased, while aortic strain (p < 0.001) and aortic distensibility (p < 0.001) were found to be increased in the measurements performed at 6 months after TAVI. In the regression analysis, age and LVMI were found to be independent predictors for predicting improvement in aortic stiffness; on the other hand, LVMI also independently predicted the increase in aortic distensibility. Conclusion: Improvement in aortic elastic properties and left ventricular functions were found in patients who underwent TAVI. Age and LVMI were observed to predict the improvement in stiffness and distensibility of the aorta in patients undergoing TAVI, especially in AS patients with preserved ejection fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]