BackgroundConsidering the crucial role of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration in determining cardiovascular risk, the accuracy of LDL-C estimation is essential. To date, various types of formulae have been introduced, albeit their accuracy has not been assessed in varied populations. In this study, the accuracy of eight formulae for LDL-C estimation was evaluated in an Iranian population.MethodsA data set of 2752 individuals was included in the study and all samples were analyzed in term of lipid profiles using direct homogeneous assay. The population was divided into various subgroups based on the triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), fasting blood sugar (FBS) and age values and estimated LDL-C values by Friedewald, Chen, de Cordova, Vujovic, Anandaraja, Hattori, Ahmadi, and Puavillai equations were compared to the directly measured LDL-C in each subgroup.ResultsEstimated LDL-C values by Puavillai formulae showed an insignificant difference compared to the directly measured LDL-C in subjects with high level of TG. However, for TG range < 3.38 mmol/L and high levels of HDL-C, the difference between the means of estimated LDL-C by Hattori and de Cordova formulas, and directly measured LDL-C was relatively lower than other equations. In addition, estimated LDL-C by Hattori and de Cordova formulae had insignificant differences as compared to the direct LDL-C at some levels of cholesterol, the normal level of FBS and some age ranges.ConclusionsTherefore, it seems that Hattori and de Cordova formulas can be considered as the best alternatives for LDL-C direct measurement in the Iranian population, especially for healthy subjects.

The cardiotoxic effects of emetine dihydrochloride on mechanical and electrical activity were studied in isolated preparations (papillary muscles, sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes, ventricular myocytes) of the guinea‐pig heart. Force of contraction was measured isometrically, action potentials and maximum rate of rise of the action potential were recorded by means of the intracellular microelectrode technique. Single channel L‐type calcium current (Ba2+ ions as charge carrier) was studied with the patch‐clamp technique in the cell‐attached mode. Emetine dihydrochloride (8–256 μm) reduced force of contraction in papillary muscles and spontaneous activity of sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes concentration‐dependently; the negative inotropic effect was abolished when the extracellular Ca2+ concentration was increased. Maximum diastolic potential, action potential amplitude, maximum rate of rise of the action potential and the slope of the slow diastolic depolarization were decreased by emetine in sinoatrial as well as atrioventricular nodes, while action potential duration was prolonged in both preparations (1–64 μm). The amplitude of the L‐type calcium single channel current was not altered by emetine dihydrochloride, while average open state probability was decreased concentration‐dependently (10, 30 and 60 μm). The most prominent effect of emetine dihydrochloride on single channel current was an increase of sweeps without activity. At 60 μm, emetine dihydrochloride caused a decrease of the mean open time and an increase of the mean closed time. The number of openings per record and number of bursts per record were reduced. It is concluded that emetine dihydrochloride produces an L‐type calcium channel block which might contribute to its cardiac side effects.

The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a potent vasoactive and a marker of trigeminal inflammation, has been considered as an important mediator in various types of migraine such as pure menstrual migraine. Earlier studies have shown that CGRP can modulate the synthesis and release of other inflammatory factor including nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) from trigeminal ganglion glial cells. Exogenous melatonin protects the tissues from inflammatory damages. The goal of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of melatonin on the CGRP expression, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity, NO, and IL-1β release in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from pure menstrual migraine patients and healthy subjects. This study was performed on 12 pure menstrual migraine patients and 12 age-and sex-matched healthy subjects. PBMCs were isolated and treated with melatonin for 12 h at pharmacological dose. Gene expression was evaluated by real-time PCR. CGRP and IL-1β proteins in culture supernatant were determined by ELISA method. iNOS activity in PBMCs was determined by colorimetric assays. Total nitrite as an indicator of NO concentrations in the culture supernatants was measured using Griess method. We found that melatonin treatment significantly decreases mRNA expression of CGRP release, NO production, and iNOS activity in the patient groups. Taken together, it appears that melatonin reduces inflammation through decreasing CGRP level and iNOS activity in the patients with migraine; however, further studies are needed in this regard.

Emetine is used in the therapy of special forms of amebiasis and is abused as syrup of ipecac by persons with bulimia. Severe cardiac side effects were reported. Thus the intracellular microelectrode technique and the patch-clamp technique in the cell-attached mode were used to study the effects of emetine on the action potential and upstroke velocity (Vmax) in papillary muscles and Purkinje fibers of guinea pigs as well as on macroscopic and (S)-DPI 201-106-modified and unmodified single-sodium-channel current (I(Na)) of guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. Emetine caused a tonic block of Vmax and reduced I(Na) independent of frequency. Hill plots were linear, with slopes ranging from 0.96 to 1.06, suggestive of a first-order reaction. The current-voltage relation was not influenced, indicating a voltage-independent blockade of the sodium channels. The most prominent effects were an increase of sweeps without activity, a decrease of the fast component of the open-time distribution, an increase of the slow component of the closed-time distribution, and a reduction in the number of bursts per record. The amplitude of the unitary current was not changed. From the results, we conclude that I(Na) blockade contributes to the cardiotoxicity of emetine.

Background and Aims: Non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non- HDL-C), which reflects all cholesterol present in potentially atherogenic lipoprotein particles, might be a useful marker of atherosclerosis in diabetic subjects. In the present study, we evaluated the prevalence of high non-HDL-C in patients with dyslipidemia in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects following LDL-C assessment as the first goal of therapy. Materials and Methods: A data set of 2142 individuals was included in the study. All values of lipid profile were compared between non-diabetic and diabetic groups and the prevalence of dyslipidemia was evaluated in two groups. Results and Conclusions: According to the results, 48% of patients with diabetes achieved combined LDL-C ≤2.5 mmol/L and non-HDL ≤3.3 mmol/L targets, and 58.2% of diabetic patients achieved LDL-C goal while only 50.2% attained non-HDL-C goal. Also, the results indicated that non-HDL-C significantly heightened in patients with diabetes. Therefore, non-HDL-C needs to be calculated as a routine assessment in patients with diabetes.