The prostacyclin analogue beraprost sodium prevents development of arterial stiffness in elderly patients with cerebral infarction

Prostacyclin (PGI(2)) inhibits platelet aggregation, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and vasoconstriction. Arterial stiffness assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV) predicts mortality in various cardiovascular diseases. To study the preventive effects of a prostacyclin analogue, beraprost sodium, on arterial PWV values in elderly patients with cerebral infarction. Forty-four patients with a history of cerebral infarction received beraprost sodium (120 microg/day p.o.) or no beraprost sodium (control) for 3 months. Arterial PWV and ankle brachial indices (ABI) were determined prior to starting the medication and after 3 months of medication. Initially, there were no differences in age, blood pressure, and body mass index. Further, PWV or ABI did not differ between the beraprost sodium group (n = 22) and the control group (n = 22). After 3 months, PWV in beraprost sodium group was significantly reduced (-123 +/- 282) when compared with the control group (147 +/- 274)(P = 0.006). ABI was not significantly different when comparing the two groups at 3 months. Long-term administration of beraprost sodium prevents the decline in arterial biomechanics in elderly patients with cerebral infarction.     

2型糖尿病的系统性血管保护治疗策略

在最新研究发现的系统性血管保护的优化治疗策略表明,血管损伤机制与胰岛素抵抗、糖尿病肾病及外周动脉疾病(PAD)的发病机理相关。胰岛素抵抗机制在血管损伤方面主要表现为大血管和微血管病变。系统性动脉硬化性疾病的及时诊断和干预是至关重要的。并且,治疗方面不仅仅是改善现有疾病状况,也应注意减少心血管事件的风险。这些努力有助于降低心血管事件的风险和死亡率。PAD的治疗包括药物治疗、血管内治疗和血管重建,以及运动疗法。经典治疗药物包括血管舒张剂,如贝前列素和抗血小板药物。值得注意的是,贝前列素除血管舒张活性外还有几个其他治疗作用,包括保护血管内皮、抗血小板和抗炎作用。最近的前期临床研究表明,贝前列素不仅通过其舒张血管活性改善四肢缺血,同时改善了影响血管内皮功能的胰岛素抵抗。贝列前素的应用,在早期疾病阶段维持血管内皮功能,减少血管事件的发生率,发挥其系统性血管保护作用。这样,贝列前素最终将有助于改善患者的生存质量并可能增加PAD患者的寿命。     

Effect of beraprost sodium (BPS) in a new rat partial unilateral ureteral obstruction model

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is a representative model for investigating the common mechanism of decreasing renal function in chronic renal failure. In this study, we present a new partial UUO model in adult rats and evaluated the effect of beraprost sodium (BPS: stable prostaglandin I₂ (PGI₂) analog). We could make reproductive and uniform partial UUO by ligating the left ureter together with a 0.5 mm diameter stainless steel wire with nylon thread, and withdrawing the stainless wire. One week later, the ureteral obstruction was released. After 3 weeks from the release of UUO, all animals of control group, without BPS administration, developed basophilic degeneration of tubular epithelium, tubular dilatation and interstitial fibrosis. The areas of tubular degeneration and fibrosis were significantly reduced in the BPS group, orally administered BPS 300 μg/kg twice a day from the next day of the release of obstruction, than in control group.In conclusion, we can established the adult rat partial UUO-release model and revealed that BPS can inhibit renal tubular damage and tubulointerstitial fibrosis.