(−)-Epicatechin (E) is a flavanol found in green tea and cocoa and has been shown to attenuate tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-mediated inflammation, improve nitric oxide levels, promote endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and inhibit NADPH oxidase. This study investigated the effect of 28 days of low epicatechin dosing (1 mg/kg/day) on the cardiovascular function of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. Wistar rats (n = 120, 8 weeks of age) underwent uninephrectomy and were randomised into four groups (uninephrectomy (UNX), UNX + E, DOCA, DOCA + E). DOCA and DOCA + E rats received 1% NaCl drinking water along with subcutaneous injections of 25 mg deoxycorticosterone-acetate (in 0.4 mL of dimethylformamide) every fourth day. UNX + E and DOCA + E rats received 1 mg/kg/day of epicatechin by oral gavage. Single-cell micro-electrode electrophysiology, Langendorff isolated-heart assessment and isolated aorta and mesenteric organ baths were used to assess cardiovascular parameters. Serum malondialdehyde concentration was used as a marker of oxidative stress. Myocardial stiffness was increased and left ventricular compliance significantly diminished in the DOCA control group, and these changes were attenuated by epicatechin treatment (p < 0.05). Additionally, the DOCA + E rats showed significantly reduced blood pressure and malondialdehyde concentrations; however, there was no improvement in left ventricular hypertrophy, electrophysiology or vascular function. This study demonstrates the ability of epicatechin to reduce blood pressure, prevent myocardial stiffening and preserve cardiac compliance in hypertrophied DOCA-salt rat hearts.

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sand management of FH among coronary care staff including registrars, cardiology fellows and cardiac nurses. Data was collected using a structured anonymised questionnaire and the results tabulated and analysed by Excel Microsoft 2013.Results: There were 45 participants with 84% response rate; 68% considered themselves as at least modestly familiar with FH, 50% adequately described FH and 55% correctly identified the associated lipid profile, however; only 31% were aware of lipid guidelines. Concerning prevalence of FH in CCU, the rate of coronary events recurrence in FH, the definition of premature coronary artery disease, familiarity with novel lipid therapies correct responses were 18%, 27%, 10% and 26% respectively. 79% of responders rated GPs as the first and cardiologists (37%) as the second most efficient health care provider in diagnosis and management of FH. 63% selected a form of adopted alerting system in laboratory report would facilitate diagnosis of FH.Conclusion: This study suggests there are a marked knowledge and awareness deficit in diagnosis and management of FH. To complement the proposed model of care for FH in Australia, extensive education and clinical training are crucial.http://dx.Evidence suggests low vitamin D levels may be associated with the onset of statin-induced myopathy (SIM), however, physiological and biochemical assessments verifying this are lacking. This study aimed to quantify changes in cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscle integrity in a rodent model of SIM and determine whether vitamin D 3 (VitD) treatment could prevent these alterations. 10-12 week-old female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of six treatment groups: control, control + VitD (12.5 g/kg), vehicle-treated control, SIM model (80 mg/kg of simvastatin), SIM + VitD and vehicletreated SIM. Treatments were administered orally for two weeks after which assessments of cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscle functionality were performed. The onset of SIM significantly impacted upon the mass and functionality of fast twitch-skeletal and cardiac muscle, the latter of which was evident by increased left ventricular mass, hydroxyproline levels (control 2.6 mg/ml; SIM 6.83 mg/ml) and prolonged action potential duration at 90% of repolarisation (control 91.79msec SIM 157.67msec). Statin-induced changes in the myocardium were prevented by the co-administration of VitD (hydroxyproline 4.79 mg/ml; APD90% 90.47msec). Notably the functionality of the vasculature was not significantly impacted by the onset of SIM or co-administration of VitD. Findings from this study suggest the onset of SIM can impact upon myocardial function, whilst the protective effects of statins in the vasculature remain unaffected by the onset of this side effect. Additionally the co-administration of VitD partially prevented these pathological changes, suggesting reduced levels of this lipid soluble hormone may be involved in the onset of SIM.Objective: Sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation is a common feature in various metabolic disord...

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