Sep
01
2003

Poor Lungs And Heart Attacks Related To Leptin Levels

By | Heart Disease, Lung Disease

It is known from the medical literature that poor lung function can often lead to heart attacks making it one of the important causes of premature death for patients with poor lungs (due to emphysema, chronic bronchitis, COPD etc.).

A research team led by Dr. Don Sin from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, asked the question recently whether there may be a circulating factor that would be responsible for this association of poor lung function and increased cardiovascular disease.

They studied serum leptin and a variety of other inflammatory markers such as C reactive protein, leukocytes, and fibrinogen in 2808 participants in the Third National Health, Nutrition, and Examination Survey. Apart from blood tests they also measured lung function by spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 second, called FEV1). The leptin levels found in these patients were then divided into 5 groups from low to high levels. They also carefully adjusted the data for body mass index, sex, age and other factors. They compared the group with the lowest leptin concentration (lowest quintile) with the highest group of leptin concentration (highest quintile) and looked for any significant differences in any of the markers.

Results: The highest quintile group (high leptin in blood samples) had also the highest other inflammatory markers in their blood (C-reactive protein, leukocytes and fibrinogen). This group was the one that was associated with advanced lung diseases as well as heart disease. The authors of this study, which was recently published in a medical journal (Thorax 2003;58:695-698), concluded that leptin plays an important role, if not the major role, in the development of both chronic lung disease and cardiovascular complications.

Poor Lungs And Heart Attacks Related To Leptin Levels

Poor Lungs And Heart Attacks Related To Leptin Levels

Links to lung disease: http://www.nethealthbook.com/articles/chronicobstructivepulmonarydisease.php
Links to heart attacks:

http://www.nethealthbook.com/articles/cardiovasculardisease_heartdisease.php

Last edited December 9, 2012

May
01
2003

Early SARS Treatment In Hong Kong Reduces Death Rate Dramatically

By | Infectious Disease, Lung Disease

Dr. Loletta Kit-Ying So from the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Hongkong reported on May 10, 2003 in the medical journal The Lancet (Lancet 2003;361:1615-1617) about their experience with early SARS treatment. Key to the success of this group is early recognition and early treatment of SARS. They found that high doses of corticosteroids to control the inflammatory reaction of the airways coupled with the antiviral antibiotic ribavirin has meant a breakthrough in the treatment of SARS. They have treated 50 patients with the new combination protocol.

Medication protocol:

Initially the patient is started on the fluoroquinolone antibiotic levofloxacine 500 mg once per day. This has an immunomodulating effect and keeps the virus at bay. Methylprednisolone at 1 mg per kg of body weight given three times per day is the corticosteroid used for 5 days, the gradually tapered to nothing over 16 days. The virus itself is treated with the antiviral drug ribavirin 400mg three times daily intravenously for three days or until the patient becomes stable, followed by tablets (1200mg twice per day) by mouth.

Outcome:

The good news with this protocol is that 70% of patients have left the hospital and are recovered; 27% are treated and are stable; three patients are mechanically ventilated (on a respirator), but stable. One patient who was an elderly diabetic patient has died of a heart attack.

Early SARS Treatment In Hong Kong Reduces Death Rate Dramatically

Early SARS Treatment In Hong Kong Reduces Death Rate Dramatically

There are no major side-effects of the treatment protocol. Some modifications are made with patients who have tuberculosis and with patients who are pregnant.

Here is an overview of SARS with links to the CDC.

Last edited October 26, 2014

Apr
01
2003

Flu Shots Prevent Heart Disease, Lung Disease, Strokes And Deaths

By | Heart Disease, Infectious Disease, Lung Disease, Prevention, Stroke

It has been known for some time that flu shots would be beneficial. But it was not known until now whether in larger field studies people who are 65 years or older would benefit significantly and to what degree from yearly influenza vaccinations (“flu shots”).

The April 3rd, 2003 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine published the answer to this question. Dr. Nichol from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and his collegues have followed 140,055 patients of whom 55.5% were vaccinated against the flu in the 1998/1999 flu season.

They also followed 146,328 subjects during the 1999-2000 flu season of whom 59.7% were vaccinated against the flu. Below is a breakdown how they fared when compared to non-immunized controls (see table).

Flu Shots Prevent Heart Disease, Lung Disease, Strokes And Deaths

Flu Shots Prevent Heart Disease, Lung Disease, Strokes And Deaths

The examiners of this study concluded that high risk patients (asthma patients, patients with diabetes, cancer, elderly patients, arthritic patients and patients with high blood pressure) should have a yearly Flu vaccination.

Patients after Flu vaccinations. How did they do?
(based on 1998/99 and 1999/2000 flu seasons)
Complications: Observation:
 Comments:
Heart disease: reduced 19% this included heart failure and heart attacks
Hospitalization for stroke: reduced 16% to 23% often hospitalization for stroke patients can be weeks and months, often resulting in other complications due to bacterial superinfections, falls or clots
Pneumonia and
influenza rate: 		reduced
29% to 32%		 this can lead to heart attacks and deaths from bacteria in the blood
Death rates: reduced 48% to 50% all of the deadly complications from getting the Flu remarkably reduced by Flu shots!

However, in my opinion anybody would benefit from regular Flu vaccinations as this boosts the immune system in general protecting against other infections and colds as well.

Here is a link to a chapter on the flu in Net Health Book.

Last edited October 25, 2014

Mar
01
2003

The New Hot Asthma Treatment: Bronchial Thermoplasty

By | Asthma, Lung Disease, Prevention

There is a new concept in the treatment of asthma, a mechanical solution rather than the familiar pharmacological solution. As is outlined in the lung disease chapter of my nethealthbook.com, the treatment of asthma is usually a combination of inhaled and oral medications that have as a target the smooth muscular envelope of the bronchial tubes, which is depicted in this link. In addition to the spasm of the bronchial tubes some anti-inflammatory steroid inhalers are also needed to control the swelling of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which can obstruct the air flow from inside.

Dr. John Miller has done research with the Alair catheter system at Broncus Technologies Inc. in Mountain View, CA (San Francisco Bay Area). Dr. Miller helped to develop this bronchoscopic instrument with a concealed expandable wire basket that can be heated. In cooperation with Dr. Gerard Cox from the Respiratory Division of McMaster University in Hamilton/Ontario/Canada they tested this procedure on a small group of 14 mild to moderately severe asthma patients. The procedure consisted of a 30 minute bronchoscopy during which several heat cuts were made through the muscle layer of the bronchial tubes using this instrument (the heat used is only as hot as a cup of coffee). The smooth muscle layer of the bronchial tubes remains relaxed after this. A total of four such treatments were given, 3 weeks apart. The result was surprising in that the breathing performance doubled, which would have been considered to be a good drug effect, if this result had been achieved with the help of medication. However, this effect is permanent and medication can still be used on top of this, if necessary.

The New Hot Asthma Treatment Is Bronchial Thermoplasty

The New Hot Asthma Treatment Is Bronchial Thermoplasty

The researchers will now start a larger multinational trial including a total of 110 moderate to severe asthma patients from Canada, England and Scotland, Germany and Denmark. Results of this study are expected to be published in 2004. (Based on The Medical Post, Feb.11, 2003, page 37).

Last edited December 10, 2012

Dec
01
2002

Study Shows Echinacea Not Effective For The Common Cold

By | Infectious Disease, Lung Disease, Prevention

A study shows echinacea not effective for the common cold. 148 college students participated in this experiment at the University of Wisconsin. The researchers wanted to see whether Echinacea was more effective than placebo (“fake pills” with no herb in it). The Annals of Internal Medicine (Ann Intern Med 2002;
137:939-946,1001-1002) published this study recently.

How they did the experiment

The students were given 1 Gram capsules of a mixture of Echinacea herbs that can he bought in health food stores. With the onset of the common cold the students were given 1 capsule 6 times daily for the first day and three times daily from the second to the 10th day. The researchers examined all the students in the placebo group and the Echinacea group for symptoms, duration of the cold and the severity of the cold. The mean duration for both groups was 6 days. None of the criteria in measuring the severity of the cold symptoms were different in both groups. Dr. Barrett, the lead investigator concluded that there was no measurable difference between the two groups, but added that the findings of this trial should not be “the last word” on Echinacea. More studies need to investigate this matter.

Study Shows Echinacea Not Effective For The Common Cold

Study Shows Echinacea Not Effective For The Common Cold

Conclusion

Here is the problems with the study.  The investigators assumed that a placebo pill would not have an effect. However, countless other studies have shown that a placebo often has a 15% to 20% effect. On the other hand it is difficult to have another control for this by not taking any pill. It would be obvious to the subject in the trial that they are the negative control. A negative placebo effect would kick in. So, don’t stop taking Echinacea yet, if you have been taking this normally to treat a common cold. But those of you never took it in the past, you may want to wait first. See what other studies will say in future regarding Echinacea.

Last edited September 16, 2018