Jim Codde

New findings in the fatty acid composition of individual platelet phospholipids in man after dietary fish oil supplementation

Nine healthy male volunteers were given 15 Max EPA fish oil capsules providing 2.67 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20∶5ω3) and 1.72 g of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22∶6ω3) daily for 3 wk. Measurements were taken at baseline, at the end of the fish-oil period, and at 2 and 6 wk postsupplementation. The effect of fish oil on plasma lipids and the fatty acid composition of individual platelet phospholipids was studied. In general, the proportions of 20∶5ω3 and 22∶6ω3 in platelet phosphoglycerides were substantially increased mainly at the expense of arachidonic acid (AA, 20∶4ω6). A large and significant increase in the relative EPA content of phosphatidylcholine (PC) (P<0.001) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (P<0.001) was noted at the end of the 3 wk supplementation. We have also shown for the first time a small but significant (P<0.001) incorporation of EPA in phosphatidylserine (PS). Incorporation of DHA was also detected in PC, PE and PS, whereas the relative AA content of these phospholipids was significantly reduced. Fish oil supplementation led to a significant increase of 22∶5ω3 in PS and decreases of 20∶3ω6 in PC and 22∶4ω6 in PE. Postsupplementation measurements showed a gradual return of all fatty acids to baseline levels. The fatty acid composition of the phosphatidylinositol (PI) fraction remained unchanged throughout the trial period. We conclude that in humans ω3 fatty acids are incorporated into platelet membrane phospholipid subclasses with a high degree of specificity.

Can transfers from residential aged care facilities to the emergency department be avoided through improved primary care services? Data from qualitative interviews.

Aim:  To explore the factors that influence the transfer of patients from residential aged care facilities (RACF) to hospital emergency departments (ED), and describe features of improved primary care in RACF that could result in reduced transfer.

Independent effects of socioeconomic status and place of residence on the incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes in Western Australia.

Objective: To analyze the incidence of type 1 diabetes in 0‐ to 14‐year olds in Western Australia, from 1985 to 2002, by region and socioeconomic status.

Evaluation of ion-exchange microspheres as carriers for the anticancer drug doxorubicin : in-vitro studies

Abstract— A comparison study of doxorubicin loading, release characteristics and stability within sodium and hydrogen forms of ion‐exchange resin microspheres has been performed. It was demonstrated that resins in the Na+ form, although having lower drug loading capacity, showed similar release profiles to resins in the H+ form but still maintain all the drug activity. Resins in the H+ form, despite having high drug loading capacity, caused drug degradation within microspheres due to their strong acidic nature. Therefore, in comparison with the H+ form, resins in the Na+ form can be considered as better carriers for doxorubicin in terms of sustaining the release of drug and maintaining drug activity. Other factors such as the degree of resin cross‐linkage and drug/resin mixing time have also been examined in relation to drug loading and release characteristics. Overall, this study demonstrated the significance of the characteristics of matrix materials and their influence on the drug activity and microsphere performance in‐vitro.

Burden of Stroke in Indigenous Western Australians A Study Using Data Linkage

Background and Purpose— Despite the disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease among indigenous Australians, information on stroke is sparse. This article documents the incidence and burden of stroke (in disability-adjusted life years) in indigenous and non-indigenous people in Western Australia (1997–2002), a state resident to 15% of indigenous Australians comprising 3.4% of the population of Western Australia. Methods— Indigenous and non-indigenous stroke incidence and excess mortality rates were estimated from linked hospital and mortality data, with adjustment for nonadmitted events. Nonfatal burden was calculated from nonfatal incidence, duration (modeled from incidence, excess mortality, and remission), and disability weights. Stroke death counts formed the basis of fatal burden. Nonfatal and fatal burden were summed to obtain disability-adjusted life years, by indigenous status. Results— The total burden was 55 099 and 2134 disability-adjusted life years in non-indigenous and indigenous Western Australians, respectively. The indigenous to non-indigenous age-standardized stroke incidence rate ratio (≥15 years) was 2.6 in males (95% CI, 2.3–3.0) and 3.0 (95% CI, 2.6–3.5) in females, with similar rate ratios of disability-adjusted life years. The burden profile differed substantially between populations, with rate ratios being highest at younger ages. Conclusions— The differential between indigenous and non-indigenous stroke burden is considerable, highlighting the need for comprehensive intersectoral interventions to reduce indigenous stroke incidence and improve outcomes. Programs to reduce risk factors and increase access to culturally appropriate stroke services are required. The results here provide the quantitative basis for policy development and monitoring of stroke outcomes.

The Effect of Dietary Fish Oil and Salt on Blood Pressure and Eicosanoid Metabolism of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary modification of prostaglandin (PG) synthesis on blood pressure regulation in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats under conditions of normal and elevated salt intake. Forty rats from both strains were placed on either a two-series PG inhibitory diet of Max eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) fish oil or a control diet of saturated fat for an initial period of 4 weeks. The groups were then divided into two, so that half of each received 1.5% saline in place of their drinking water for 1 week. Blood pressure of the SHR and WKY were unaffected by dietary fat before the addition of saline, but with salt loading, the Max EPA-fed SHRs showed a mean blood pressure increase of 21 mmHg relative to the EPA-fed SHR with access to water. Rats fed EPA showed impaired ability to generate serum thromboxane (TXB2) and in the groups with access to water, diminished excretion of urinary 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and PGE2. Salt loading increased prostanoid synthesis and excretion. Spontaneously hypertensive rats had greater serum TXB2 generating capacity than WKYs, but diminished urinary PGE2 excretion in those animals with access to water. The increased blood pressure observed in the salt-loaded SHR on the Max EPA-diet may be explained by reduced PG synthesis resulting in either mild sodium retention and/or increased vascular reactivity.

Quantification of the proportion of transfers from residential aged care facilities to the emergency department that could be avoided through improved primary care services

Aim:  To describe elderly patient transfers from residential aged care facilities (RACF) to hospital emergency departments (ED), and to estimate the proportion of transfers that may be avoidable with improved primary care service to RACF.

Transfers from residential aged care facilities to the emergency department are reduced through improved primary care services: An intervention study

Aim:  To assess the impact of an enhanced primary care service for residential aged care facilities (RACF) on the transfer of patients from RACF to a hospital emergency department (ED).

Effect of dietary fish oils on the formation of leukotriene B4 and B5, thromboxane and platelet activating factor by rat leukocytes.

1. This study investigates the effect of dietary eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), in the form of ‘Max EPA’ fish oil, on leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production in ionophore‐stimulated rat leukocytes. Male Wistar rats (200–250 g) were fed for 3 weeks on a synthetic chow supplemented with either 10% by weight Max EPA oil or a coconut oil/safflower oil mixture.

Dissociation of Effects of Dietary Fatty Acids on Blood Pressure and Prostanoid Metabolism in Goldblatt Hypertensive Rats

To study the influence of dietary modification of prostaglandin synthesis on blood pressure regulation, the effects of dietary enrichment with linoleic acid were compared with standard rat chow in three groups of 24 rats before and after renal artery constriction and contralateral nephrectomy. Dietary supplementation with 40 energy% sunflower seed oil or linseed oil respectively caused incorporation of linoleic or linolenic acids into tissue phospholipids. Relative to the sunflower seed oil, the linseed oil diet led to inhibition of prostanoid synthesis in kidney, serum or aorta in vitro and urine in vivo. Rats on both oil-rich diets had lower blood pressures than rats on a standard diet. Thus, partial suppression of prostaglandin synthesis did not accelerate one-kidney, one clip Goldblatt hypertension, nor did sunflower oil protect against hypertension in a way that could be specifically ascribed to changes in prostaglandin synthesis.