Association of soluble E-selectin and morning blood pressure surge in patients with essential hypertension

Background: Elevated soluble E-selectin which reflect a state of endothelial activation with subsequent vasoconstriction may elevate morning blood pressure (BP) surge. This study aimed to analyze soluble E-selectin serum concentrations in patients with essential hypertension against normotensive healthy individuals and to find a role of such molecule in the phenomenon of morning BP surge. Material and methods: In this case-control study, a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring with recording of morning BP surge and serum soluble E-Selectin levels were measured for a total 90 patients (60 patients with essential hypertension and 30 normotensive subjects as a control). Results: Hypertensive patients had higher body mass index in comparison to control subjects (30.7 ± 2.3 kg/m2 versus 27 ± 3.2 kg/m2, p <0.001). Serum uric acid levels were higher in hypertensive patients than control subjects (7.26 ± 2.60 mg/dl versus 5.92 ± 1.15 mg/dl, p=0.028). Hypertensive patients had higher LV mass index (110.5 ± 19.2 g/m2 versus 99.8 ± 9.5 g/m2, p=0.001). Patients with essential hypertension have higher level of soluble E-selectin than normotensive participants (180.6 ± 96.1 versus 75.9 ± 31.5 ng/ml, p<0.001). Soluble E-Selectin was positively correlated with morning BP surge (r= 0.696, P= <0.001). Conclusion: Patients with essential hypertension have higher level of soluble E-selectin than normotensive. Soluble E-selectin was positively correlated with morning BP surge

Association of neuropeptide-Y -399 (T/C) gene polymorphism and its level with the risk of type-2 diabetes mellitus

Neuropeptide-Y (NPY) is widely distributed centrally and peripherally and plays an important role in regulating glucose metabolism, energy metabolism and vascular function. Several studies had found that NPY is involved in the pathophysiology of type-2 diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of NPY -399 (T/C) gene polymorphism and its serum level with susceptibility to T2DM. Seventy diabetic patients and seventy age and gender matched healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Serum NPY was measured by ELISA and NPY rs16147(-399 T/C) polymorphism was analyzed using the TaqMan allelic discrimination assay technique. Results showed significant statistical differences between the two studied groups regarding serum NPY level and NPY rs16147 (-399T/C) genotype distribution with increased serum NPY level and increased frequency of the CC and TC genotype in patients with diabetes mellitus. Conclusion: CC genotypes of NPY (-399 T/C) gene polymorphism and its associated high serum NPY level might be a genetic risk factor for T2DM.Keywords: Type-2 diabetes mellitus, neuropeptide-Y, insulin resistance, gene polymorphism