Use of manufactured foods enriched with fish oils as a means of increasing long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake

The objectives of the present study were to determine the feasibility of using manufactured foods, enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as a means of increasing the intake of these n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and to determine the effect of the consumption of these foods on postprandial lipaemia and other metabolic responses to a high-fat mixed test meal. Nine healthy, normotriacylglycerolaemic, free-living male volunteers (aged 35-60 years) completed the randomized, controlled, single-blind, crossover study. The study consisted of two periods (each of 22 d) of dietary intervention, separated by a 5-month washout period. During these two periods the subjects were provided with the manufactured foods enriched with EPA and DHA (n-3 enriched) or identical but unenriched foods (control). A mixed test meal containing 82 g fat was given to the fasted subjects on day 22 of each dietary intervention period. Two fasting, and thereafter hourly, blood samples were collected from the subjects for an 8 h period postprandially. Plasma triacylglycerol, total and HDL-cholesterol, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose and immunoreactive insulin levels, post-heparin lipoprotein lipase (EC 3.1.1.34) activity and the plasma free fatty acid and phospholipid fatty acid compositions were measured. A mean daily intake of 1.4 g EPA+DHA (0.9 g EPA, 0.5 g DHA) was ingested during the n-3-enriched dietary period, which was significantly higher than the intake during the habitual and control periods (P < 0.001) assessed by a 3 d weighed food intake. A significantly higher level of EPA+DHA enrichment of the plasma fatty acids and phospholipids (P < 0.001) after the n-3-enriched compared with the control intervention periods was also found. The energy intake on both of the dietary intervention periods was found to be significantly higher than on the habitual diet (P < 0.001), with an increase in body weight of the subjects, which reached significance during the n-3 PUFA-enriched dietary intervention period (P < 0.04). The palatability of the enriched foods was not significantly different from that of the control foods. Significantly higher fasting plasma HDL-cholesterol and glucose concentrations were found after the n-3 PUFA-enriched compared with the control intervention period (P < 0.02 and P < 0.05 respectively). No significant differences were found for the postprandial lipid and hormone measurements, except for significantly lower levels of NEFA at 60 min after the n-3-enriched intervention period (P < 0.04). Enriched manufactured foods were a feasible vehicle for increasing n-3 PUFA intake. However the nature of the foods provided as the n-3 vehicle may have contributed to the increased body weight and higher energy intakes which were adverse consequences of the intervention. These factors, together with the short duration of the study may have been responsible for the failure to observe significant plasma triacylglycerol reductions in response to daily intakes of 1.4 g EPA+DHA.

Meal frequency; does it determine postprandial lipaemia?

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of altering meal frequency on postprandial lipaemia and associated parameters.

DESIGN

A randomized open cross over study to examine the programming effects of altering meal frequency. A standard test meal was given on three occasions following: (i) the normal diet; (ii) a period of two weeks on a nibbling and (iii) a period of two weeks on a gorging diet.

SETTING

Free living subjects associated with the University of Surrey.

SUBJECTS

Eleven female volunteers (age 22 +/- 0.89 y) were recruited.

INTERVENTIONS

The subjects were requested to consume the same foods on either a nibbling diet (12 meals per day) or a gorging diet (three meals per day) for a period of two weeks. The standard test meal containing 80 g fat, 63 g carbohydrate and 20 g protein was administered on the day prior to the dietary intervention and on the day following each period of intervention.

MAJOR OUTCOME MEASURES

Fasting and postprandial blood samples were taken for the analysis of plasma triacylglycerol, non-esterified fatty acids, glucose, immunoreactive insulin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide levels (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), fasting total, low density lipoprotein (LDL)- and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentrations and postheparin lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity measurements. Plasma paracetamol was measured following administration of a 1.5 g paracetamol load with the meal as an index of gastric emptying.

RESULTS

The compliance to the two dietary regimes was high and there were no significant differences between the nutrient intakes on the two intervention diets. There were no significant differences in fasting or postprandial plasma concentrations of triacylglycerol, non-esterified fatty acids, glucose, immunoreactive insulin, GIP and GLP-1 levels, in response to the standard test meal following the nibbling or gorging dietary regimes. There were no significant differences in fasting total or LDL-cholesterol concentrations, or in the 15 min postheparin lipoprotein lipase activity measurements. There was a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol in the subjects following the gorging diet compared to the nibbling diet.

DISCUSSION

The results suggest that previous meal frequency for a period of two weeks in young healthy women does not alter the fasting or postprandial lipid or hormonal response to a standard high fat meal.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study did not confirm the previous studies which suggested that nibbling is beneficial in reducing the concentrations of lipid and hormones. The rigorous control of diet content and composition in the present study compared with others, suggest reported effects of meal frequency may be due to unintentional alteration in nutrient and energy intake in previous studies.

Postprandial lipid and hormone responses to meals of varying fat contents: modulatory role of lipoprotein lipase?

OBJECTIVE

Substrate and hormone responses to meals of differing fat content were evaluated in normal subjects in order to investigate mechanisms underlying the regulation of postprandial lipoprotein concentration.

DESIGN

A randomised cross-over study with three different meals on three occasions.

SETTING

Free-living subjects associated with Surrey University.

SUBJECTS

Ten male volunteers (aged 18-23 years) were recruited.

INTERVENTIONS

Three test meals containing 20, 40 or 80 g fat but identical carbohydrate and protein content were randomly allocated to volunteers.

MAJOR OUTCOME MEASURES

Pre- and postprandial blood samples were taken for the analysis of plasma triacylglycerol, non-esterified fatty acids, glucose, immunoreactive insulin and glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide levels and postheparin lipoprotein lipase activity measurements.

RESULTS

Peak triacylglycerol concentrations and lipoprotein lipase activity measurements were significantly higher following the 80 g than the 20 g fat meal (P = 0.009 and P = 0.049 respectively). Areas under the glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide time-response concentration curves were significantly higher following the 80 g compared with the 20 g fat meal (P = 0.04), but no differences in insulin response to the meals were seen. The 30-360 min decrease in the non-esterified fatty acid concentration was less following the 80 g than the 20 g meal (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide may mediate increased lipoprotein lipase activity in response to fat-containing meals and may play a role in circulating lipoprotein homeostasis. This mechanism may be overloaded with high fat meals with adverse consequences on circulating triacylglycerol and NEFA concentrations.

Comparative study of the angiographic morphology of coronary artery lesions treated with PTCA, directional coronary atherectomy, or high-speed rotational ablation

To evaluate trends in morphology-based intervention selection, series of 110 consecutive procedures of each of three devices, percutaneous transluminal balloon coronary angioplasty (PTCA), directional coronary atherectomy (DCA), or high-speed rotational ablation (HSRA), were reviewed. PTCA was used mainly in discrete, concentric, smooth, ACC/AHA type A and B1 lesions. PTCA was used less frequently on a bend, branching points or in calcified lesions. Using PTCA as a reference, DCA was used more often for the treatment of discrete, proximal, eccentric, and noncalcified lesions, often complicated with thrombus and located on straight segments. HSRA was used more frequently in diffuse, calcified multiple complicated and B2+C type lesions with frequent side branches and bend points. These results suggest that directional atherectomy and rotational ablation may be helpful in expanding the capacity of the operator to approach prognostically unfavorable lesions.

Group remotivation therapy for the 90s

The authors assert that some of the most regressed, treatment-resistant clients with persistent mental illness will show a favorable response to a group approach called remotivation therapy. The remotivation therapy techniques of the 1950s have been updated by psychiatric nurses and a social work clinician in one VA setting. The authors assert that remotivation therapy approaches are easy to implement, personally rewarding, and effective in promoting interaction in such clients.

Triple vessel revascularization: coronary angioplasty versus coronary artery bypass surgery: initial results and five-year follow-up. Comparative costs and loss of working days and wages

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to compare early and late outcomes in patients undergoing PTCA or CABG for triple vessel disease.

BACKGROUND

Although early results of PTCA/CABG randomized trials have recently become available, at present little data exists on long-term medical and socioeconomic effects of these treatment modalities in patients with triple vessel revascularization.

METHODS

During 1986-87, 76 patients undergoing triple vessel PTCA and 85 patients having triple vessel CABG were selected from a consecutive series of patients having multivessel revascularization. Initial results and 5 year outcome, hospital stay and charges and out-of-work time were assessed from prospectively collected data.

RESULTS

Clinical and morphological factors were similar in the PTCA and CABG groups. Hospital success and complications were also similar, except for higher mortality in the CABG cohort (0 vs. 3.5%). Five year follow-up showed no differences in survival, nonfatal infarction and angina-free status; however, there was a difference in need for repeat revascularization (PTCA 55.4% vs. CABG 6.3%, p less than 0.001). Repeat PTCA accounted for 49% of the revascularization in the PTCA cohort. Crossovers were similar (PTCA[CABG 6.8%; CABG[PTCA 6.3%, pNS). Predictors of late death in the entire population were female gender (p less than 0.0001), diabetes (p<0.05) and depressed LVEF (p less than 0.05). The choice of revascularization procedure (PTCA vs. CABG) was not an independent predictor of late death or MI. Analysis of initial hospital charges showed a 2:1 advantage in favor of PTCA but this advantage was lost in late followup due to the need for repeat revascularization in the PTCA group. However, the PTCA cohort lost fewer working days than CABG patients (3017 vs 5874 days) and therefore, lost less wages ($7,022 vs. $14,685).

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that for selected triple vessel disease patients, PTCA and CABG results are comparable after 5 years, though repeat revascularization (mainly due to restenosis) was necessary in the PTCA group to maintain these favorable results. After 5 years, hospital charges are similar in the 2 groups, though out-of-work time and lost wages were 2:1 in favor of PTCA.

Coronary stenting with a new ultra-short balloon expandable device: early and late animal results

The early and late effects of a new balloon-expandable coronary stent (Boneau II) were studied in 16 adult mongrel dogs. Thirty-three balloon-expandable stents were deployed using standard transfemoral coronary angioplasty technique. Single stents were placed in eight dogs and multiple (two to four) stents were placed in eight dogs. Intravenous heparin (3,000 units) was administered at the beginning of the procedure. Aspirin, dipyridamole, dextran, and warfarin were not administered before or after the procedure. All stent deployments were successful. Angiographic or pathologic examinations were performed within 24 hr of deployment on two of the dogs, at 2 weeks on two of the dogs, at 2 months on three of the dogs, at 6 months on six of the dogs, and at 1 year on three of the dogs. All successfully deployed stents were noted to be widely patent. There was no evidence of side-branch vessel occlusion. There was no evidence of acute or late vessel thrombosis. Histologic examination at 2 months showed a mean intimal thickness of 153 microns. The stainless steel Boneau II coronary stent is relatively short and easily deployed. This balloon-expandable coronary stent was successfully deployed in normal canine arteries without the use of anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy before or after the procedure. The Boneau II intracoronary stent has a very low thrombogenic potential in dogs.

Pretranslational regulation of the expression of the lipoprotein lipase (EC 3.1.1.34) gene by dietary fatty acids in the rat

Although there have been a number of studies of effects of diet and hormones on lipoprotein lipase (EC 3.1.1.34; LPL) activity and levels of LPL mRNA (Raynolds et al. 1990), there have been no studies which have investigated effects of different dietary fatty acids on LPL gene expression. In the present study male Wistar Albino rats were pair-fed diets containing 50 g fat/kg of different fatty acid composition for 2 weeks. The diets fed were (1) a mixed oil (450 g saturated fatty acids, 420 g monounsaturated fatty acids, 130 g polyunsaturated fatty acids/kg; n 8), (2) maize oil (n 8), or (3) fish oil (n 8). Animals were killed, RNA was extracted from liver and perirenal and epididymal fat pads, and analysed by 'Northern methodology'. Samples were hybridized to a human cDNA probe for LPL (Gotoda et al. 1989). Two transcripts were identified in epididymal and perirenal adipose tissue which were approximately 3.7 and 1.7 kb in size. The results suggested that (1) fish oil-fed animals had significantly greater production of LPL mRNA in epididymal adipose tissue compared with maize oil-fed animals (P < 0.05), (2) maize oil-fed animals had significantly greater production of LPL mRNA in perirenal fat compared with the other dietary groups (P < 0.05), (3) expression in the liver was not significant. Rats fed on a fish oil diet had significantly reduced plasma triacylglycerol concentrations compared with the mixed-oil group (P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in plasma cholesterol. The differences in LPL could not be explained directly by the changes in plasma immunoreactive-insulin and glucose-dependent insulinotrophic polypeptide levels in the three groups.

Late outcome of multivessel coronary artery disease after angioplasty or bypass surgery

Background. Results from randomized trials to determine optimal treatment for patients with multivessel coronary disease are not yet available. Thus, the early and late outcomes of 191 PTCA and 221 CABG patients done in 1985-86 were evaluated. Methods and Results. CABG patients selected had more coronary risk factors and more severe coronary artery disease compared to PTCA patients. Comparison of the initial outcome showed that clinical success without major cardiovascular events was similar (93.7% for PTCA vs. 90.0% for CABG; p=n.s.). Five year followup was obtained in 99.0% of PTCA patients and 94.4% of CABG patients. In the PTCA group, 89.8% were alive, 4.8% had sustained an MI, and repeat revascularization was required in 46.8%. In the CABG group, 87.1% were alive, 3.2% had had a MI, and 3.5% required repeat revascularization. Statistical comparison demonstrated no difference between the groups in survival or late cardiac events, but rate of repeat revascularization was significantly higher for PTCA patients (p less than 0.0001). Incompleteness of revascularization (p<0.01) was independently associated with an increased need for repeat revascularization in the PTCA group. In the CABG group, depressed left ventricular function (p less than 0.001) and female sex (p<0.01) were associated with lower survival rates. An analysis of cost per patient showed that the strategies were comparable. Conclusions. PTCA and CABG in multivessel disease patients have similar early results and comparable rates of survival and late cardiac events. Significantly more repeat revascularization is required in PTCA patients to maintain these results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The evolution of a clinical database to evaluate the treatment of coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

The field of invasive cardiology has evolved rapidly since the initial use of catheters for treatment of coronary artery disease in the late 1970's. The pace of this change coupled with the complexity of the clinical setting and proliferation of devices and drugs used for therapy have made it extremely difficult to construct and maintain a viable clinical database.

METHODS

Using a standard hardware and software system with the direct clinical input from a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses and biostatisticians, a clinical database was developed that is capable of tracking complex in-hospital and longterm follow-up data in patients undergoing treatment of coronary artery disease.

RESULTS

The database has provided the basis for in-depth analysis of angioplasty results in patients with vessels and lesions of varying morphology, showing greater than 90% success in most complex lesion morphology using contemporary balloon technology and/or new devices. Longterm analysis (14 years) of patients after angioplasty has demonstrated that 76% survived without major cardiac events. Other analyses of various clinical and morphologic subsets have shown favorable results with angioplasty. The databases for angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery have been combined, showing comparable survival and freedom from cardiac events in multivessel disease patients treated with these procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of a dynamic and clinically relevant database that has evolved has contributed valuable information to the understanding and effective management of patients with coronary artery disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coronary rotational ablation: initial experience in 302 procedures

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the utility of percutaneous transluminal coronary rotational ablation in the treatment of coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND

Although numerous advances have been made in the treatment of coronary artery disease, there are lesions with complex morphology that are not amenable to current intravascular therapy.

METHODS

A consecutive series of 242 patients having 302 coronary rotational ablation procedures was analyzed. One hundred nineteen (49%) of the patients had previously undergone attempted coronary angioplasty, which was unsuccessful in 31 patients (13%). The left ventricular ejection fraction was normal in 196 patients (81%). The ablation procedure was attempted in 308 vessels and 346 lesions. Of the 346 lesions treated, 26 (7.5%) were classified as American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association type A, and 320 (92.5%) as either type B or type C.

RESULTS

Procedural success was achieved in 284 (94%) of the 302 procedures and 330 (95.4%) of the 346 lesions in which ablation was attempted. Five procedures (1.7%) were unsuccessful, but no cardiac event occurred during the hospital stay. A major cardiac event occurred in 13 cases (4.3%); 9 (3%) of these complications were due to the ablation procedure. Six patients sustained a Q wave myocardial infarction alone, two had a Q wave infarction and required emergency surgery and one needed emergency surgery but did not have a Q wave infarction. No procedural deaths were attributed to the ablation procedure. Follow-up has been obtained in 182 of the 242 patients at a mean interval of 9 +/- 5 months. Of the 182 patients, 174 (95.6%) were alive and free of myocardial infarction. Angiographic follow-up is available thus far in 87 patients. By combining angiographic and clinical outcome, an overall estimated restenosis rate of 37.4% (68 of 182) was calculated.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that coronary rotational ablation can be performed on lesions with a variety of morphologic features with high initial success rates. The overall rate of restenosis is similar to that of balloon angioplasty.

Rotational ablation of balloon angioplasty failures

In this series, we evaluated the use of rotational ablation in stenoses that were previously refractory to balloon angioplasty. Forty-one stenoses were treated; in 26, the balloon did not adequately expand within the lesion and in 15 the balloon could not be delivered to the stenosis. Rotational ablation was technically successful in 40 of 41 (97.6%) of the lesions attempted. Twenty-four patients have been followed (mean time = 9 +/- 5 months) and the restenosis rate was similar to that of balloon angioplasty. Rotational ablation appears well suited and may be the treatment of choice for heavily calcified, severely angulated, and diffusely diseased vessels.

Lesion morphology and coronary angioplasty: current experience and analysis

From July 1, 1990 to February 28, 1991, 533 consecutive patients with 764 target vessels and 1,000 lesions underwent coronary angioplasty. Procedural success was achieved in 92.3%, untoward (major cardiac) events occurred in 3% (0.8% myocardial infarction, 1.3% emergency coronary bypass grafting and 0.9% both; there were no deaths). An unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome occurred in 4.7%. Lesion analysis using a modified American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association classification system showed that 8% were type A, 47.5% were type B and 44.5% were type C (36% of type B and 11% of type C were occlusions). Angioplasty success was achieved in 99% of type A, 92% of type B and 90% of type C lesions (A vs. B, p less than 0.05; B vs. C, p = NS; A vs. C, p less than 0.01). Untoward events occurred in 1.2% of type A, 1.9% of type B and 2% of type C lesions (p = NS). An unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome occurred in 0% of type A, 6% of type B and 7% of type C lesions (A vs. B, p less than 0.05; B vs. C, p = NS; A vs. C, p less than 0.05). Among the unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome group, occlusion occurred in 49%: 38% of type B and 59% of type C lesions. With B1 and B2 subtypes, success was obtained in 95% and 89.5% and untoward events occurred in 1.5% and 2.3% and an unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome in 3.7% and 8%, respectively. C1 and C2 subtyping showed success in 91% and 86%, untoward events in 1.3% and 6% and an unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome in 7.5% and 8.5%, respectively. Among the 764 vessels, success was obtained in 89.5% and untoward events occurred in 2.5% and an unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome in 8%. Assessment of lesion-vessel combinations showed a less favorable outcome with type C lesions and combinations of A-B, B-C and multiple (more than three lesions) type B and C vessels. Statistical analysis of morphologic factors associated with angioplasty success included absence of (old) occlusion (p less than 0.0001) and unprotected bifurcation lesion (p less than 0.001), decreasing lesion length (p less than 0.003) and no thrombus (p less than 0.03). The only significant factor associated with untoward events was the presence of thrombus (p less than 0.003). Predictors of an unsuccessful uncomplicated outcome included old occlusion (p less than 0.0001) and increasing lesion length (greater than 20 mm) (p less than 0.001), unprotected bifurcation lesion (p less than 0.05) and thrombus (p less than 0.03).

Surgical repair of aortic root aneurysms in 280 patients

Bentall's technique for repair of annuloaortic ectasia has been associated with postoperative bleeding and with false aneurysms at the anastomotic site between the coronary orifices and valve-containing graft. To reduce the incidence of these complications, we modified the Bentall procedure, using a simplified technique to implant the graft and to create a fistula between the closed perigraft space and right atrium to control bleeding. A continuous suture of monofilament polypropylene was used to implant the prosthetic valve ring and to anastomose the coronary orifices to the Dacron fabric. In some instances, a brief period of hypothermic circulatory arrest was needed to perform the distal aortic anastomosis. Among 562 patients undergoing operation for aneurysm of the ascending aorta between January 1, 1980, and February 28, 1990, 280 underwent graft replacement with a valve-containing composite conduit. Most (82%) had annuloaortic ectasia. In 267, we performed a classic Bentall procedure with direct anastomosis between the coronary orifices and fabric graft. The remaining 13 patients underwent other procedures for coronary connection. Early mortality was 5.0%. Reoperation for bleeding was needed in 13.2% of patients who underwent operation before we used the right atrial fistula technique and in 4.4% after we began to use the technique (p = 0.044). Actuarial survival was 71% at 5 years and 65% at 7 years. For hospital survivors, it was 76% at 5 years and 70% at 7 years. During follow-up, only 9 patients have required reoperation. A false aneurysm at the coronary anastomosis, which was associated with prosthetic valve endocarditis, developed in 1 patient. No permanent fistulas have developed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Causes and correlates of death after unsupported coronary angioplasty: implications for use of angioplasty and advanced support techniques in high-risk settings

To better understand the factors predisposing a patient to death after elective percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and to gain insight into indications for high-risk PTCA both with and without adjunctive use of support devices, the outcomes of 8,052 consecutive procedures were reviewed. Death occurred after 32 procedures (0.4%) and was directly related to coronary artery closure in 26 (81%) of these cases. Left ventricular failure due to vessel closure at the dilated site, the most common cause of death, was independently correlated with female sex (p less than 0.001), "jeopardy score" (p less than 0.001) and PTCA of a proximal right coronary artery site (p = 0.002), but not with left ventricular ejection fraction or presence of multivessel disease. Right ventricular failure after closure of the proximal right coronary artery, and left main coronary dissection accounted for the majority of the remaining deaths. Systolic blood pressure immediately after coronary artery closure was also closely correlated with jeopardy score, and cardiogenic shock was frequent in women with scores greater than or equal to 3.5 and in men with scores greater than or equal to 5.0. These data highlight the superiority of the jeopardy score versus ejection fraction in the determination of risk, stress the importance of gender in determining outcome and point to the need for better means of right ventricular protection from severe ischemia. Therefore, an initial framework for rational use of PTCA and support devices in the high-risk setting is established.

Multiple coronary artery aneurysms in an adult associated with extensive thrombus formation resulting in acute myocardial infarction: successful treatment with intracoronary urokinase, intravenous heparin, and oral anticoagulation

A 37-yr-old white female was admitted to hospital with an evolving anterior myocardial infarction. Coronary arteriography revealed multiple aneurysms in the left anterior descending (and right) coronary arteries. In the left anterior descending artery, there was evidence of extensive thrombus formation. The patient was successfully treated with intracoronary urokinase, intravenous heparin, and oral warfarin. There was partial thrombolysis in 16 hr and complete thrombolysis noted 6 wk later. This case of multiple coronary aneurysms, secondary to presumed Kawasaki disease, is the first documentation of antemortem intra-aneurysmal coronary thrombosis treated successfully by thrombolytic and anticoagulant therapy.