Arquivos brasileiros de cardiologia最新文献

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent liver disease worldwide. MASLD can progress to fibrosis and related complications, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death in affected individuals. Carotid atherosclerosis markers can predict cardiovascular outcomes, underscoring the relevance of their association with liver fibrosis.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between liver fibrosis in MASLD and subclinical atherosclerosis by assessing carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), vascular age (VA), and the presence of atherosclerotic plaques.

Methods: This prospective study included participants at risk for MASLD. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were assessed via ultrasound and liver elastography using controlled attenuation parameter measurements. Carotid atherosclerosis was evaluated through carotid ultrasound, cIMT measurements, and VA. A significance level of 5% (p < 0.05) was adopted.

Results: A total of 114 participants were included, with a median age of 64 years (IQR: 55-68), and 96 (84%) were women. Steatosis was identified in 99 participants (86.8%) and fibrosis in 31 (27.2%). Atherosclerotic plaques were present in 33 participants (28.9%), with no significant difference in frequency between groups. However, the fibrosis group showed higher cIMT and elevated VA. In a subgroup analysis of 85 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 27 (31.8%) had fibrosis. These individuals had a higher cIMT (0.742 mm vs. 0.653 mm; p < 0.05), and VA exceeded chronological age by 9 years in the fibrosis group compared to those without fibrosis (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that individuals with MASLD and liver fibrosis exhibit greater vascular aging and increased cardiovascular risk, as reflected by elevated cIMT and VA.

Background: Menopause is a natural physiological process that can impact various systems and organs, often leading to increased blood pressure. The combination of Panax ginseng and Angelica keiskei (Pg + Ak) is a formulation known to improve vascular function.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo effects of these combined plants on cardiovascular parameters in female rats experiencing menopause induced by ovariectomy.

Methods: Twenty-four 70-day-old female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups: sham-operated (Sham), ovariectomized (OVX), and ovariectomized with Pg + Ak treatment (OVX + Pg + Ak). The rats in the Pg + Ak treatment group received an intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg/day for two weeks. Blood pressure was measured using tail plethysmography, and endothelial function was assessed through vascular reactivity tests.

Results: At the end of the treatment, mean blood pressure in the SH group was lower than in the control group (OVX), and the Pg + Ak treatment improved the endothelial dysfunction caused by ovariectomy. This was evident in the restored endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the aortic rings of the OVX rats treated with Pg + Ak compared to untreated OVX rats.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the Pg + Ak combination effectively reduces blood pressure and reverses endothelial dysfunction in ovariectomized rats.

Background: Previous studies have observed a correlation between mortality rates from ischemic heart diseases (IHDs), cerebrovascular diseases (CBVDs), and the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). However, doubts persist about the association between the overall SVI and its dimensions and mortality stratified by sex, ethnicity, and population clusters.

Objective: To analyze the evolution of the overall SVI and its dimensions and correlate it with mortality rates due to IHD and CBVD in Brazil and its Federative Units (FUs) from 2000 to 2021.

Methods: Ecological study of time series of standardized mortality rates (using the direct method with the Brazilian population in 2000) due to IHD and CBVD categorized by age, sex, and FUs between 2000 and 2021, correlated with the SVI and its dimensions. Data on the underlying causes of death were obtained from the Mortality Information System, while SVI data were sourced from the Social Vulnerability Atlas. Spearman correlation (considered significant if p<0.05) was employed to calculate each analyzed stratum.

Results: The SVI and its Human Capital (SVI-HC) dimension and Income and Employment (SVI-IE) dimension in 2010 showed a strong correlation with variations in mortality rates due to CBVD and IHD (SVI x CBVD: Rho(p)=0.85; SVI x IHD: Rho(p)=0.75; SVI-HC x CBVD: Rho(p)=0.84; SVI-HC x IHD: Rho(p)=0.84; SVI-IE x CBVD: Rho(p)=0.81; SVI-IE x IHD: Rho(p)=0.71). The Urban Infrastructure dimension (SVI-UI) showed a weak correlation with CBVD and IHD, respectively (SVI-UI x CBVD: Rho(p)=0.33; SVI-UI x IHD: Rho(p)=0.25).

Conclusion: Both SVI-HC and SVI-IE demonstrated strong correlations with variations in mortality rates from IHD and CBVD.