Jae Ki Ko

Coadministration of Angiopoietin-1 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Enhances Collateral Vascularization

Using growth factors to induce vasculogenesis is a promising approach in the treatment of ischemic legs and myocardium. Because the vasculogenesis requires a cascade of growth factors, their receptors, and intracellular signals, such therapies may require the application of more than a single growth factor. We examined the effect of 2 endothelial cell–specific growth factors, angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), on primary cultured porcine coronary artery endothelial cells. VEGF, but not Ang1, increased DNA synthesis and cell number. Ang1 or VEGF induced migration and sprouting activity, increased plasmin and matrix metalloproteinase-2 secretion, and decreased tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase type 2 secretion. A combination of the submaximal doses of Ang1 and VEGF enhanced these effects and was more potent than the maximal dose of either alone. In a rabbit ischemic hindlimb model, a combination of Ang1 and VEGF gene delivery produced an enhanced effect on resting and maximal blood flow and capillary formation that was greater than that of either factor alone. Angiographic analyses revealed that larger blood vessels were formed after gene delivery of Ang1 or Ang1 plus VEGF than after VEGF gene delivery. These results suggest that combined treatment of Ang1 and VEGF could be used to produce therapeutic vascularization.

Beneficial Effects of Korean Traditional Diets in Hypertensive and Type 2 Diabetic Patients

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and diabetes has been increasing rapidly in Korea. The rate of increase has paralleled the replacement of Korean traditional diets (KTD), which emphasize vegetables and fermented foods, with western style dietary patterns that are rich in animal foods and saturated fat. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of the KTD in controlling fasting plasma glucose, blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease risk factors in hypertensive and type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients. Forty-one patients (61.8±1.5 years) who were taking medications prescribed for respective diseases were recruited from the Chonbuk National University Hospital for participation in a 12-week, parallel, controlled clinical trial. The control group (n=20) was advised to eat as usual, whereas the experimental KTD diet group (n=21) was fed the KTD three times a day for 12 weeks. At the end of the trial, both groups had lower body mass index, % body fat, and waist-hip ratio compared to the baseline values (P<.05). Compared to the control group, the KTD group had a greater mean change (P<.05) from the baseline for glycated hemoglobin (HbA₁c) (-0.72% vs. -0.25%) and heart rate (-7.1 vs. +1.6). Regular consumption of the KTD for 12 weeks by hypertensive and T2D patients resulted in favorable changes in cardiovascular risk factors.

Elevated coronary whole blood viscosity in acute coronary syndrome patients

OBJECTIVESnAs most clinical studies measure whole blood viscosity (WBV) from peripheral samples, potential differences in WBV obtained from the coronary arteries are often ignored. This study investigated differences in WBV measured from coronary artery specimens in patients with and without acute coronary syndrome (ACS).nnnMETHODS AND RESULTSnConsecutive patients with chest pain who underwent diagnostic coronary angiography were divided into two groups [non-ACS (n = 16), ACS (n = 22)]. The ACS group consisted of unstable angina (n = 13) and acute myocardial infarction (n = 9) patients. Two blood samples were obtained from each patient at the both coronary artery ostia prior to coronary angiography. Low-shear and high-shear blood viscosities (BVs) were measured at shear rates of 1 and 300 s-1, respectively, by a scanning capillary tube viscometer (Bio-Visco Inc., South Korea). Both low-shear and high-shear BVs obtained from peripheral, left and right coronary arteries were not different in both groups. Mean coronary low-shear WBV values obtained in ACS group were 29.2% higher than those in non-ACS group (295.3 ± 87.2 mP vs. 228.5 ± 69.2 mP, p = 0.016). Mean coronary high-shear WBV values obtained in ACS group were 15.6% higher than those in non-ACS group (42.9 ± 10.0 mP vs. 37.1 ± 4.6 mP, p = 0.036).nnnCONCLUSIONSnDirect measurement of WBV from the coronary artery showed no differences with peripheral samples. Future larger studies are needed to clarify our results.