Nah DY, et al. Korean Circ J. 2009 Oct;39(10):393-398. http://dx.doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2009.39.10.393

The present study evaluated the reliability of equations using spot urine (SU) samples in the estimation of 24-hour urine sodium excretion (24-HUNa). Equations estimating 24-HUNa from SU samples were derived from first-morning SU of 101 participants (52.4 ± 11.1 years, range 24–70 years). Equations developed by us and other investigators were validated with SU samples from a separate group of participants (n = 224, 51.0 ± 10.9 years, range 24–70 years). Linear, quadratic, and cubic equations were derived from first-morning SU samples because these samples had a sodium/creatinine ratio having the highest correlation coefficient for 24-HUNa/creatinine ratio (r = 0.728, p < 0.001). In the validation group, the estimated 24-HUNa showed significant correlations with measured 24-HUNa values. The estimated 24-HUNa by the linear, quadratic, and cubic equations developed from our study were not significantly different from measured 24-HUNa, while estimated 24-HUNa by previously developed equations were significantly different from measured 24-HUNa values. The limits of agreement between measured and estimated 24-HUNa by six equations exceeded 100 mmol/24-hour in the Bland-Altman analysis. All equations showed a tendency of under- or over-estimation of 24-HUNa, depending on the level of measured 24-HUNa. Estimation of 24-HUNa from single SU by equations as tested in the present study was found to be inadequate for the estimation of an individual’s 24-HUNa.

Chun WJ, et al. Korean Circ J. 2015 May;45(3):234-241. http://dx.doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2015.45.3.234

Hypertension and dyslipidemia are major risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the co-administration of fimasartan and rosuvastatin in patients with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. We conducted a randomized double-blind and parallel-group trial. Patients who met eligible criteria after 4 weeks of therapeutic life change were randomly assigned to the following groups. 1) co-administration of fimasartan 120 mg/rosuvastatin 20 mg (FMS/RSV), 2) fimasartan 120 mg (FMS) alone 3) rosuvastatin 20 mg (RSV) alone. Drugs were administered once daily for 8 weeks. Of 140 randomized patients, 135 for whom efficacy data were available were analyzed. After 8 weeks of treatment, the FMS/RSV treatment group showed greater reductions in sitting systolic (siSBP) and diastolic (siDBP) blood pressures than those in the group receiving RSV alone (both p < 0.001). Reductions in siSBP and siDBP were not significantly different between the FMS/RSV and FMS alone groups (p = 0.500 and p = 0.734, respectively). After 8 weeks of treatment, FMS/RSV treatment showed greater efficacy in percentage reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level from baseline than that shown by FMS alone treatment (p < 0.001). The response rates of siSBP with FMS/RSV, FMS alone, and RSV alone treatments were 65.22, 55.56, and 34.09%, respectively (FMS/RSV vs. RSV, p = 0.006). The LDL-C goal attainment rates with FMS/RSV, RSV alone, and FMS alone treatments were 80.43%, 81.82%, and 15.56%, respectively (FMS/RSV vs. FMS, p < 0.001). Incidence of adverse drug reactions with FMS/RSV treatment was 8.33%, which was similar to those associated with FMS and RSV alone treatments. This study demonstrated that the co-administration of fimasartan and rosuvastatin to patients with both hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was efficacious and safe. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02166814 . 16 June 2014

Background: Active compounds from plants and herbs are increasingly incorporated into modern medical systems to address cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Foeniculum vulgare Mill., commonly known as fennel, is an aromatic medicinal plant and culinary herb that is popular worldwide. Methods: Protective effects against cellular damage were assessed in the H9C2 cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) experimental model. The identities of phytochemicals in FVSE were determined by GC-MS analysis. The phytochemical’s potential for nutrients and pharmacokinetic properties was assessed by ADMET analysis. Results: GC-MS analysis of the ethanol extracts of F. vulgare identified 41 bioactive compounds, with four prominent ones: anethole, 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-propanone, ethoxydimethylphenylsilane, and para-anisaldehyde diethyl acetal. Among these, anethole stands out due to its potential for nutrients and pharmacokinetic properties assessed by ADMET analysis, such as bioavailability, lipophilicity, flexibility, and compliance with Lipinski’s Rule of Five. In the H/R injury model of H9C2 heart myoblast cells, FVSE and anethole suppressed H/R-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA double-strand break damage, nuclear condensation, and the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Conclusions: These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of FVSE and its prominent component, anethole, in the treatment of CVDs, particularly those associated with hypoxia-induced damage.