Erythrocyte susceptibility to lipid peroxidation in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

In recent years it has been reported that free oxygen radicals play an important role in the pathogenesis of degenerative diseases and that antioxidant vitamins such as vitamins E or C prevent their harmful effects. In this study, we evaluated the following: Erythrocyte susceptibility to lipid peroxidation; the role of erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) as an antioxidant; plasma lipid fractions; and the relationship between plasma lipid peroxides and antioxidant vitamin levels. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) levels were measured to determine the levels of plasma lipid peroxides and the susceptibility to lipid peroxidation when erythrocytes were stressed by hydrogen peroxide for 2 h in vitro. Erythrocyte TBARS production was significantly higher in patients with coronary atherosclerosis than in the controls. On the other hand, the levels of plasma high-density lipoproteins, vitamin C, vitamin E and erythrocyte GSH were significantly lower, and the levels of plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins and TBARS were significantly higher in the patients with coronary atherosclerosis than in the controls. In conclusion, our results indicate that erythrocytes from patients with coronary atherosclerosis are more susceptible to oxidation than those of controls and that these patients have lowered antioxidant capacity as revealed by decreased plasma levels of vitamins C and E.</p

Magnetic resonance imaging based kidney volume assessment for risk stratification in pediatric autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

IntroductionIn the pediatric context, most children with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) maintain a normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR) despite underlying structural kidney damage, highlighting the critical need for early intervention and predictive markers. Due to the inverse relationship between kidney volume and kidney function, risk assessments have been presented on the basis of kidney volume. The aim of this study was to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based kidney volume assessment for risk stratification in pediatric ADPKD and to investigate clinical and genetic differences among risk groups.MethodsThis multicenter, cross-sectional, and case-control study included 75 genetically confirmed pediatric ADPKD patients (5–18 years) and 27 controls. Kidney function was assessed by eGFR calculated from serum creatinine and cystatin C using the CKiD-U25 equation. Blood pressure was assessed by both office and 24-hour ambulatory measurements. Kidney volume was calculated from MRI using the stereological method. Total kidney volume was adjusted for the height (htTKV). Patients were stratified from A to E classes according to the Leuven Imaging Classification (LIC) using MRI-derived htTKV.ResultsMedian (Q1-Q3) age of the patients was 6.0 (2.0–10.0) years, 56% were male. There were no differences in sex, age, height-SDS, or GFR between the patient and control groups. Of the patients, 89% had PKD1 and 11% had PKD2 mutations. Non-missense mutations were 73% in PKD1 and 75% in PKD2. Twenty patients (27%) had hypertension based on ABPM. Median htTKV of the patients was significantly higher than controls (141 vs. 117 ml/m, p = 0.0003). LIC stratification revealed Classes A (38.7%), B (28%), C (24%), and D + E (9.3%). All children in class D + E and 94% in class C had PKD1 variants. Class D + E patients had significantly higher blood pressure values and hypertension compared to other classes (p &gt; 0.05 for all).DiscussionThis study distinguishes itself by using MRI-based measurements of kidney volume to stratify pediatric ADPKD patients into specific risk groups. It is important to note that PKD1 mutation and elevated blood pressure were higher in the high-risk groups stratified by age and kidney volume. Our results need to be confirmed in further studies

Endothelial Dysfunction and Hypertension

In the past, endothelium was thought to be only a mechanical barrier. Today, endothelium is known to be a tissue regulating vascular tone, cell growth and the interaction between the leukocytes, thrombocytes and the vessel wall. It also synthesizes growth factors and thrombo-regulatory molecules and responds to physical and chemical signals. Even though the term "endothelial dysfunction" is generally used for deterioration of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation; the term also includes the abnormalities between endothelium and leukocytes, thrombocytes and regulatory molecules and conditions resulting in aberrant endothelium activation. Healthy endothelium is essential for cardiovascular control. Thus, it plays an important role in pathogenesis of many diseases and cardiovascular problems such as atherosclerosis, systemic and pulmonary hypertension, cardiomyopathies and vasculitides. The aim of this chapter is to explain endothelial dysfunction and the circulating molecules of endothelial cells as they become potential targets of therapeutic approach for hypertension. This chapter reviews the roles of endothelial dysfunction in hypertension by addressing (1) the nature of endothelial function, (2) mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction and its relationship with the diseases (3) also endothelial function testing (4) the role of endothelial dysfunction and hypertension and (4) the effects of antihypertensive therapeutic options on the endothelial dysfunction. In addition to these, the role of endothelial dysfunction in white coat hypertension has been discussed. The key connections between hypertension and endothelial dysfunction are vitally important for future studies to permit new interventions to be designed and released

Comparison of plasma viscosity as a marker of endothelial dysfunction with nitric oxide and asymmetric dimethylarginine in subjects with dyslipidemia

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to investigate the alterations in plasma viscosity and whether there was a relationship between plasma viscosity and endothelial dysfunction markers such as nitric oxide (NOx), asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA) and oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein (oxLDL) in dyslipidemic subjects

Urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion in urolithiasis

Urinary glycosaminoglycan (GAG) excretion was measured in children with idiopathic urolithiasis (15 girls and 10 boys; mean (SD) age 6.2 (2.4) years) and in healthy controls (10 girls and 14 boys; mean (SD) age 6.8 (3.8) years). GAG excretion was expressed as a GAG/creatinine (mg/g) ratio and was evaluated using dimethylmethylene blue. In healthy control children, the mean (SD) GAG/creatinine ratio was 31.67 (12.76) and it was similar in girls and boys, The children with idiopathic urolithiasis had significantly lower mean (SD) GAG/creatinine ratios than controls (22.59 (7.35)). Therefore, urinary GAG excretion may be important in the disease process in children with urolithiasis, as it is in adults

The relationship between plasma asymmetrical dimethyl-L-arginine and inflammation and adhesion molecule levels in subjects with normal, impaired, and diabetic glucose tolerance

Increasing evidence suggests that the postprandial state is a contributing factor to the development of atherosclerosis. To evaluate the effects of acute hyperglycemia on endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, plasma asymmetrical dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and secretory phospholipase A, (sPLA,) activities were measured in subjects with normal (n = 35), impaired (IGT) (n = 25), and diabetic (DGT) (n = 20) glucose tolerance. At baseline, plasma ADMA, sICAM-1, and CRP concentrations and plasma sPLA(2) activities were higher in both the IGT and DGT groups than in the normal glucose tolerance group (for each comparison, each P <.001). Patients with DGT have higher plasma ADMA and sICAM-1 concentrations than patients with IGT (for each, P <.001). Two hours after glucose loading, plasma ADMA and CRP concentrations and sPLA, activities were significantly elevated in the 3 groups when compared with baseline levels (for each comparison, P <.001). Plasma vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and sICAM-1 concentrations were found to be elevated from baseline levels after glucose loading in the IGT and DGT groups (for each comparison, P <.001). Correlation analysis at baseline suggested that there was a significant relationship between ADMA and inflammation and soluble adhesion markers in the studied groups. In conclusion, plasma concentrations of ADMA and of inflammation and adhesion molecules were elevated in the prediabetic state. A complex interrelation could exist between ADMA and inflammation, and mechanisms involved in endothelial dysfunction are multifactorial at the prediabetic and diabetic state. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Plasma viscosity as a cardiovascular risk marker in patients with proteinuria

Plasma viscosity is a major determinant of capillary blood flow. It has been suggested that alteration in plasma viscosity contributes to impaired blood flow and to increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma viscosity levels and its possible role in the cardiovascular risk in patients with low grade nephrotic proteinuria. 20 patients with low-grade nephrotic proteinuria (mean age: 35+/-5 years) and 20 healthy controls (mean age: 33+/-4 years) were participated in the study. Plasma viscosity was measured by Harkness capillary viscometer. Biochemical analysis were measured by commercial enzymatic kits. Plasma viscosity, plasma levels of creatinine, fibrinogen and triglyceride were increased in patients with proteinuria than in the healthy controls (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). The plasma levels of total protein and albumin were significantly lower in patients with low grade nephrotic proteinuria than in healthy controls (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Plasma viscosity was negatively correlated with plasma albumin (r=-0.835, p<0.001) and total protein (r=-0.862, p<0.001) in proteinuric patients. When the correlation analyses were performed a significant positive correlation was found between plasma viscosity and fibrinogen (r=0.636, p<0.001). In the stepwise multiple regression analysis plasma viscosity was found to be related with plasma total protein (t=-6.456, p<0.001) in the patients. When the stepwise multiple regression analysis were performed in healthy controls, the significant relationship was only found between plasma viscosity and fibrinogen (t=+2.202, p<0.01). These results suggested that altered plasma composition associated with low-grade nephrotic proteinuria may be involving the determination of plasma viscosity. Thus, the plasma viscosity in patients with low-grade nephrotic proteinuria may have a prognostic value in assessing cardiovascular risk in this group

Plasma leptin and its relationship with lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide in obese female patients with or without hypertension

Background. Recent evidence suggested that leptin-induced oxidative stress in human endothelial cells in vivo and increased oxidative stress in human essential hypertension may further contribute to both the development of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. We investigated the association of plasma leptin levels with plasma lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) in obese hypertensive atherosclerosis model