We measured apolipoprotein A (ApoA), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), and lipid levels in 115 hypertensive patients and 100 normal subjects in order to evaluate the risk of atherosclerotic heart disease in hypertensive patients. The hypertensive patients were divided into the following subgroups: blood pressure controlled (A) and uncontrolled hypertensive subgroup (B), and without complication (C) and with complication (D).In the hypertensive group, the mean plasma ApoA, ApoB, total cholesterol, triglyceride and beta-lipoprotein (LpB) levels were significantly higher than in the normal control group. The plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) level was not significantly different between the hypertensive group and the normal control group. ApoB/A ratio in the hypertensive group was higher than in the normal control group, but the difference was not significant statistically.In the hypertensive subgroups, plasma Apo A was higher in all the hypertensive subgroups compared to normal control group, but these differences were not statistically significant. In subgroup B, C and D, the plasma ApoB level increased significantly as compared to the normal control group, but not so in the subgroup A. All of the subgroups had significantly higher levels of triglyceride and LpB level than the normal control group. HLD cholesteol level of all of the subgroups did not show any significant difference as compared to the normal control group. In subgroup B, C and D, the ApoB/A ratio was not significantly different from the normal control group. In the subgroup A, ApoB/A ratio was lower than in the normal control group, this was not significant statistically. Between subgroup A and B, and subgroup C and D, all of the plasma lipids and apolipoproteins did not show significant differences.Thus our results showed that ApoB, LpB and triglyceride, which are closely related to atherosclerotic heart disease, were significantly increased in any of hypertensive subgroups compared to the normal control group.

A patient with isolated left coronary ostial stenosis proved by coronary angiography is presented. Isolated left coronary ostial stenosis is a rare condition of unknown etiology.Unique clinical and angiographic profiles are discussed in detail with a review of the literature, along with a suggestion of a natural history distinct from that usually seen in atherosclerotic coronary diseases.

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To evaluate the clinical values of serum fructosamine and HbAlc, serum fructosamine and HbAlc were assessed in 50 normal controls and 36 patients with NIDDM (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus). And we studied 10 patients selected at random among the 36 patients with NIDDM.The values of serum fructosamine and HbAlc in controls were 2.1 mmol/L and 5.3%, respectively. The levels of serum fructosamine and HbAlc were significantly higher in NIDDM patients (3.27 mmol/L and 8.8%, respectively, p<0.005) compared with those in the controls. The serum fructosamine was significantly correlated with fasting plasma glucose and HbAlc (r=0.78, p<0.78, p<0.001; r=0.76, p<0.005, respectively). Also, in retrograde study, serum fructosamine concentration had a significant correlation to fasting plasma glucose determined 2 weeks before (r=0.72, p<0.002), and 4 weeks before (r=0.54, p<0.005).It is concluded that serum fructosamine measurement may be useful in monitoring short-term control of plasma glucose in patients with NIDDM.