American journal of therapeutics
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Despite progress in recent years in the prevention, detection, and treatment of high blood pressure (BP), hypertension remains an important public health challenge. Hypertension affects approximately 1 billion individuals worldwide. High BP is associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity from stroke, coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, and end-stage renal disease; it also has a negative impact on the quality of life. ⋯ DNA testing for genetic polymorphism and determining the genotype of a patient may predict response to a certain class of antihypertensive agent and thus optimize therapy in individual patients. In this regard, there are some studies that report the effectiveness of antihypertensive therapy based upon the genotype of selected patients. Treatment of human hypertension with vaccines is feasible but is not likely to be available in the near future.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Metformin plus low-dose glimeperide significantly improves Homeostasis Model Assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA(IR)) and beta-cell function (HOMA(beta-cell)) without hyperinsulinemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance and defects in insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells, which have been studied by using euglycemic/hyperinsulinemic clamps. However, it is difficult to study insulin resistance and beta-cell failure by these techniques in humans. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different antidiabetic therapeutic regimens on insulin resistance and beta-cell activity by using a mathematical model, Homeostasis Model Assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA(IR)) and beta-cell function (HOMA(beta-cell)). ⋯ Metformin plus low-dose glimepiride (plus ADA diet and physical activity) is a more effective treatment for type 2 diabetes than either metformin plus ADA diet and physical activity or ADA diet and physical activity alone. Determination of HOMA(IR) and HOMA(beta-cell) values is an inexpensive, reliable, less invasive, and less labor-intensive method than other tests to estimate insulin resistance and beta-cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A double-blind, controlled, multicenter, randomized study comparing the antihypertensive effectiveness and tolerance of a daily dose of two nifedipine formulations: nifedipine microgranules versus nifedipine osmotic pump.
Controlled clinical studies have clearly established the advantages of blood pressure (BP) reduction. However, optimal control of BP in the population is still not adequate. Monotherapy is ineffective in the majority of hypertensive patients, and multidrug therapy increases costs. ⋯ Target BP was reached in more than 70% of patients receiving monotherapy with either formulation. Both formulations were tolerated well.
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Hypertensive emergencies are life-threatening conditions because their course is complicated with acute target organ damage. They can present with neurological, renal, cardiovascular, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and obstetric complications. After diagnosis, they require the immediate reduction of blood pressure (in <1 hour) with intravenous drugs such as sodium nitroprusside, administered in an intensive care unit. ⋯ Hypertensive urgencies are severe elevations of blood pressure without evidence of acute and progressive dysfunction of target organs. They demand adequate control of blood pressure within 24 hours to several days with use of orally administered agents. The purpose of this review is to provide a rational approach to hypertensive crisis management.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Oat-derived beta-glucan significantly improves HDLC and diminishes LDLC and non-HDL cholesterol in overweight individuals with mild hypercholesterolemia.
To investigate the effect of bread formulated with 6 g of beta-glucan (oat soluble fiber) on serum lipids in overweight normotensive subjects with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. ⋯ Six grams of beta-glucan from oats added to the AHA Step II diet and moderate physical activity improved lipid profile and caused a decrease in weight and, thus, reduced the risk of cardiovascular events in overweight male individuals with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. The diet with added beta-glucan was well accepted and tolerated.