Oral vitamin C administration reduces early recurrence rates after electrical cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation and attenuates associated inflammation
Inflammation and oxidative stress have been recently implicated in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of this study was to examine the potential benefit of vitamin C on the early recurrence rates and on inflammatory indices after successful cardioversion of persistent AF, as well as to investigate the time course of changes in these indices post-cardioversion.
These findings suggest that vitamin C reduces the early recurrence rates after cardioversion of persistent AF and attenuates the associated low-level inflammation. These effects indicate that therapeutic approaches targeting at inflammation and oxidative stress may exert favourable effects on atrial electrical remodeling.
Effects of vitamin C supplementation on essential hypertension. A systematic review and meta-analysis
Vitamin C as a supplement to treat hypertension has been proposed. However, it remains controversial whether vitamin C can improve blood pressure in patients with primary hypertension.
Vitamin C supplementation resulted in a significant reduction of blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.
Zinc and cardiovascular disease
Zinc is a vital element in maintaining the normal structure and physiology of cells. The fact that it has an important role in states of cardiovascular diseases has been studied and described by several research groups. It appears to have protective effects in coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy. Intracellular zinc plays a critical role in the redox signaling pathway, whereby certain triggers such as ischemia and infarction lead to release of zinc from proteins and cause myocardial damage. In such states, replenishing with zinc has been shown to improve cardiac function and prevent further damage. Thus, the area of zinc homeostasis is emerging in cardiovascular disease research.
Association of Serum Zinc Level With Prognosis in Patients With Heart Failure
Zinc is an intracellular ion, stored mainly in the skeletal muscles and bones, and is associated with cell growth and differentiation as a catalytic and structural cofactor.
Zinc-deficient heart failure (HF) patients experience high cardiac and all-cause mortality accompanied by ongoing myocardial damage (troponin I), inflammation (C-reactive protein), fewer micronutrients (sodium, magnesium, calcium, and iron), and impaired exercise capacity.
Based on these findings, an interventional trial of zinc repletion should be considered to improve outcomes in HF.
Methods for reducing cholesterol using bacillus coagulans spores, systems and compositions
The invention describes therapeutic compositions including a lactic acid-producing bacteria, such as isolated Bacillus coagulans, in combination with a bifidogenic oligosaccharides or other cholesterol-reducing agents for use in reducing LDL cholesterol and serum triglycerides. Also described are therapeutic methods using the compositions and systems containing the therapeutic compositions.