EH Group Research Articles

Abstract 17413: Influence of Endothelial Function and Rho-Associated Kinase Activity in Patients With Primary Aldosteronism

Background: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a most common cause of secondary hypertension and patients are divided into two subtypes in clinically, aldosterone producing adenoma (APA) and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). Hypertension is associated with endothelial dysfunction. It is well known that endothelial dysfunction is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. Rho-associated kinases (ROCKs), one of the first downstream targets of the small GTP-binding protein Rho A, mediate various cellular physiologic functions. It has been reported that an increase in ROCK activity is associated with cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. However, there is little information on the relationship between subtype of PA and the grade of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the vascular function and ROCK activity in patients with PA. Methods: Vascular function, including peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) and ROCK activity in peripheral leukocytes were evaluated in 18 patients with APA group (49.5±15.5 years, 7 males), 14 patients with IHA group (56.1±11.0 years, 8 males), and 23 age-, gender-, and blood pressure-matched EH group (55.6 ± 9.9 years, 13 males). Results: PAT ratio was significantly lower in the APA and IHA groups than in the EH group (0.62±0.23 vs. 0.62±0.24 and 0.79±0.28, P<0.05, respectively), whereas there was no significant difference in PAT ratio between the APA group and IHA group. ROCK activity was significantly higher in the APA group than in the IHA group and EH group (1.36±0.58 vs. 0.95±0.51 and 0.80±0.39, P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively), whereas there was no significant difference in ROCK activity between the IHA group and EH group. PAT ratio correlated with plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) (r=-0.36, P<0.01) and plasma renin activity ratio (ARR) (r=-0.26, P=0.05). ROCK activity correlated with serum potassium (r=-0.27, P=0.05), PAC (r=0.39, P<0.01) and ARR (r=0.49, P<0.01). Conclusions: APA and IHA were associated with endothelial dysfunction and APA increased ROCK activity compared with those in IHA and EH. These findings suggest that APA may have a higher risk of future cardiovascular events.

Abstract P228: Endothelial Dysfunction Markers and Coagulation Factors Are Elevated in Individuals With Hypertensive Emergency

Introduction: Hypertensive crisis (HC) is characterized as sudden and symptomatic elevation of diastolic blood pressure (BP) > 120mmHg. HC can be classified in emergency (HE), condition that presents target organ damage (TOD) and hypertensive urgency (HU), situation without TOD. Evidences have shown that the coagulation markers and endothelial dysfunction (ED) play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic elevation of BP. However, scarce studies have demonstrated the involvement of these markers in the complications of acute elevation of BP. Objectives: To characterize biochemical profile of HU and HE, and to evaluate the participation of C-reactive protein (CRP), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and coagulation factors (fibrinogen and PAI-1) in subjects with HC. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study with 74 normotensive (NT), 74 controlled hypertensive (CH), 50 with HU and 78 individuals with HE. It was used MULTIPLEX technique for evaluating the clotting factors. Analysis of variance was used for comparative study among the groups, with significant p-value<0.05. Results: The diastolic BP and heart rate were higher in the HC group (120mmHg and 85bpm, respectively) compared to the CH group (75mmHg and 68 bpm, respectively). Individuals with HE were older. Glycaemia was significantly higher in the HE group (113mg/dL) in comparison to NT and CH (91mg/dL and 98mg/dL, respectively; p<0.05). It was also higher in the HU group (109mg/dL) compared with NT. Potassium was significantly lower in HE group (4,2mEq/l) compared to NT, CH and HU groups (4.5, 4.4 and 4.4mEq/L, respectively). CRP, fibrinogen, and PAI-1 were significantly higher in patients with HE (0.75, 0.04 and 2.46, respectively) in comparison to NT (0.19, 0.01 and 2.1, respectively) and CH (0.14, 0.01 and 2.25, respectively) groups, except ICAM-1. Logistic regression showed that CRP and fibrinogen were markers for HC development with odds ratios of 2.6 (1.24 to 5.50) and 8.72 (4.07 to 18.68), respectively. Conclusions: Individuals with HC present biochemical changes. Markers of ED and coagulation factors are higher in EH group compared to controls. This suggests the role of ED markers and coagulation factors in the pathogenesis of acute hypertensive event.

New Sports Nutritious Food for Health Improvement and Antioxidant Function

The research aimed to explore the influence of new sports nutritious food (Hydrogen Water) on exerciseinduced oxidative stress injury and athletic ability of power organic skeletal muscle that is susceptible to oxidation attacks and in vivo basis and possible mechanism of hydrogen water in the process of selective oxidation. This study randomly divided 80 healthy male SD rats into 8 groups of quiet control group (EC, group A), exercise control group (EE, group B), hydrogen water injection before exercise group (EH, group C) and joint hydrogen water injections before and after exercise group (EM, group D), with 10 rats in each group. The rest groups conducted adaptive low intensive treadmill running for 1 time every day before a week of the experiment except EC (group A). EH (group C) conducted intraperitoneal injection of hydrogen water with 10 mL/kg before 1 min of exercise before formal experiment. EM (group D) conducted intraperitoneal injection of hydrogen water immediately in 1 min before and after exercise. EE (group B) conducted intraperitoneal injection with same volume normal saline. EE, EH and EM group conducted a one-time heavy intensive exhausted treadmill running by using Marra project. Group B, C, D conducted quantitative treadmill running, detected 3-NT, 8-OHdG value of skeletal muscle after 3 h of exercise in group A, B, C, D using Elisa method and measured MDA, SOD, GSH, T-AOC and level of O2-, H2O2 and •OH using chemical colorimetry. The results showed that hydrogen water can significantly prolong the duration of exercise to exhaustion of rats, which had significant anti-fatigue effect; and can significantly inhibit the aggravation of motility of O2-, H2O2 and •OH, remove in vivo cytotoxic substances •OH effectively, improve SOD and GSH, enhance T-AOC, improve minicirculation and reduce the damage of cells; joint hydrogen water injections before and after exercise had synergistic effect for the prevention and control of exercise-induced oxidative stress injury. These results confirm that hydrogen water has anti-fatigue effect and protective effect of exercise-induced oxidative stress injury, which is conducted through multiple targets on the basis of selective antioxidant effect of hydrogen water.

Hyperglycemia in patients with primary aldosteronism

Objective To investigate the prevalence of hyperglycemia in patients with primary aldosteronism. Methods Thirty two patients diagnosed as primary aldosteronism(PA) in our hospital from 2010 to 2013 (PA group), and 40 patients as essential hypertension (EH group). Two groups were measured and compared, including blood pressure, plasma aldosterone, urine aldosterone, and plasma potassium. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR) were calculated. Results The prevalence of hyperglycemia was 43.75% in PA group, including 25% patients of glucose intolerance and 18.75% patients of diabetes mellitus, which was significantly higher than those of EH group (25%, 12.5%, and 12.5%, respectively). PA group's fasting and 2-hour postprandial insulin levels and insulin resistance index were higher than that of EH group. Conclusions The present study indicated that patients with PA had a significantly high prevalence of glucose metabolism disturbance and insulin resistance. Screening test should be performed and avoid missed diagnosis. Key words: Hyperaldosteronism/CO; Hyperglycemia/CO/EP; Prevalence

Correlation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function and Left Ventricular Geometry in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation of the left ventricular diastolic function and the left ventricular geometry in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) by echocardiography. The 181 patients diagnosed with OSAS were divided into the normal geometry group (NG), the concentric remodelling group (CR), the eccentric hypertrophy group (EH) and the concentric hypertrophy group (CH). Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed toward the correlation of the left ventricular diastolic function and the left ventricular geometry. The E peak in the EH and CH group was significantly reduced, with significant difference; the E/A, Em, Am and Em/Am was reduced in the order of the CR, EH and CH groups, while E/Em was increased, and the difference was significant. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the Em/Am showed significant negative correlations with the left ventricular mass index (LVMI) [r = -0.419] and relative wall thickness (RWT) [r = -0.289], while the E/Em was significantly positively correlated with the LVMI (r = 0.638) and RWT [r = 0.328] (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that LVMI and RWT had influence on the Em/Am and E/Em (r2 = 0.402, r2 = 0.107, p < 0.001). The left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was the worst in the CH group. There was correlation between the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and the changes in cardiac geometry.

The Lipid Parameters and Lipoprotein(a) Excess in Hashimoto Thyroiditis.

Objective. The risk of atherosclerotic heart disease is increased in autoimmune thyroiditis, although the reason is not clear. Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) excess has been identified as a powerful predictor of premature atherosclerotic vascular diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between Lp(a) levels and thyroid hormones in Hashimoto patients. Method. 154 premenopausal female Hashimoto patients (48 patients with overthypothyroid (OH), 50 patients with subclinical hypothyroid (SH), and 56 patients with euthyroid Hashimoto to (EH)) were enrolled in this study. The control group consists of 50 age matched volunteers. In every group, thyroid function tests and lipid parameters with Lp(a) were measured. Lp(a) excess was defined as Lp(a) > 30 mg/dL. Results. Total-C, LDL-C, TG, and Lp(a) levels were increased in Hashimoto group. Total-C, LDL-C, and TG levels were higher in SH group than in the control group. Total-C and LDL-C levels were also higher in EH group compared to controls. Lp(a) levels were similar in SH and EH groups with controls. However, excess Lp(a) was more common in subclinical hypothyroid and euthyroid Hashimoto group than in the control group. Conclusion. The Total-C and LDL-C levels and excess Lp(a) were higher even in euthyroid Hashimoto patients. Thyroid autoimmunity may have some effect on Lp(a) and lipid metabolism.

Left ventricle geometry affects coronary flow reserve in diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between coronary flow reserve (CFR) and left ventricle (LV) geometric patterns in patients with newly-diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM). We studied 116 patients with newly-diagnosed DM and 31 healthy control subjects. Echocardiographic examination was performed on all subjects. Four different geometric patterns were identified in diabetic patients, according to LV mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT) [NG: Normal geometry; CR: Concentric remodeling; EH: Eccentric hypertrophy; CH: Concentric hypertrophy]. CFR was calculated as the hyperemic to resting coronary diastolic peak velocities ratio. Compared with controls, CFR was decreased in diabetic patients (p<0.05). The lowest CFR values were observed in the CH group compared with control and other groups (p<0.05, for all). Also, CFR values of the CR and EH groups were lower than NG and the control group (p<0.05, for all). CFR was associated with LV geometry (r=-0.449, p=0.001), LVMI (r=-0.401, p<0.001), RWT (r=-0.247, p=0.008), HbA1c (r=-0.576, p<0.001) and mitral valve E/A ratio (r=0.239, p=0.01) in bivariate analysis. CFR was independently associated with LV geometry (ß=-0.449, p<0.001), LVMI (ß=-0.192, p=0.016), and HbA1c (ß=-0.576, p<0.001) in multivariate analysis. CFR was impaired in newly-diagnosed DM. The degree of this deformation increases from normal geometry towards to concentric hypertrophy. This condition suggests that myocardial structural remodeling due to diabetes might be effective on CFR.

Relationship between extent and complexity of coronary artery disease and different left ventricular geometric patterns in patients with coronary artery disease and hypertension.

Objective:The relationship between severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and left ventricler (LV) hypertrophy in hypertensive patients is well known. However, the association between the extent and complexity of CAD assessed with SYNTAX score (SS) and different LV geometric patterns has not been investigated. We aimed to investigate the association between SYNTAX score and different LV geometric patterns in hypertensive patients.Methods:The study had been made in our clinic between January 2013 and August 2013. We studied 251 CAD patients who had hypertension and who underwent coronary angiography (147 males, 104 females; mean age 61.61±9.9 years). Coronary angiography was performed based on clinical indications. SS was determined in all patients. Echocardiographic examination was performed in all subjects. Four different geometric patterns were determined in patients according to LV mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT) (Groups: NG-normal geometry, CR-concentric remodeling, EH-eccentric hypertrophy, and CH-concentric hypertrophy). Biochemical markers were measured in all participants.Results:The highest SS values were observed in the CH group compared with the NG, CR, and EH groups (p<0.05 for all). Also, the SS values of the EH group were higher than in the NG and CR groups (p<0.05 for all). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that SS was independently associated with LV geometry (β=0.316, p=0.001), as well as age (β=0.163, p=0.007) and diabetes (β=-0.134, p=0.022).Conclusion:SYNTAX score is independently related with LV geometry in hypertensive patients. This result shows that LV remodeling is parallel to the increase in the extent and complexity of CAD in our study patients.

Analysis of Heart Rate Variability in Masked Hypertension

To investigate heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with masked hypertension (MH), participants were classified based on clinic and 24-h ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring: essential hypertension (EH, n = 40; MH, n = 36) and normotension (NT, n = 48). The HRV parameters were observed using a 24-h Holter monitor. Compared with NT controls, the parameters of HRV (SDNN, SDANN, SDNN Index, RMSSD, HF) and parameters in EH and MH patients had significantly decreased. No statistically significant difference in the HRV parameters was found between the EH and MH groups. The changes in HRV parameters show cardiac autonomic nerve dysfunction in patients with MH.

The relationship between red-cell distribution width and abnormal left ventricle geometric patterns in patients with untreated essential hypertension

Abnormal left ventricle (LV) geometric patterns are associated with an increased risk of vascular complications of hypertension (HT). The association between red-cell distribution width (RDW) and HT has been recently investigated; however, the relationship between abnormal LV geometric patterns and RDW has not been studied before. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between RDW and abnormal LV geometric patterns in patients with untreated essential HT. Measurements were obtained from 139 patients with untreated essential HT (mean age=51.3±16.3 years). Four different geometric patterns (NG, normal geometry; CR, concentric remodeling; EH, eccentric hypertrophy; CH, concentric hypertrophy) were determined according to the LV mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWT). RDW, lipid parameters and other biochemical markers were measured in all patients. While the highest RDW values were detected in the CH group (P<0.05, for all), it was similar among the NG, CR and EH groups (P>0.05, for all). RDW was associated with age, LVMI and LV geometry in bivariate analysis (P<0.05, for all). In a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, a level of RDW>14.5 predicted CH with 81% sensitivity and 59% specificity. Age (beta=0.309, P=0.001), LV geometry type (beta=0.228, P=0.01) and RWT (beta=-0.278; P=0.25) were independent predictors of high RDW in multiple linear regression analysis. In conclusion, the highest RDW values were observed in the CH group in the untreated essential HT patients. RDW seems to be a useful tool for the prediction of end-organ damage in patients with untreated essential HT.

Food and water intake and selective feeding in rabbits on four feeding regimes

Diet plays an important role in maintaining rabbit health. Feeding an incorrect diet, particularly a low fibre diet, has been linked with digestive, dental and urinary tract disease. However, food intake and dietary requirements have been poorly studied in pet rabbits. This study assessed the effects of two commonly fed pet rabbit diets [extruded nuggets with hay (EH) and muesli with hay (MH)] alongside hay only (HO) and muesli only (MO) on food and water intake in 32 Dutch rabbits. Dry matter (DM) intake was greater in the HO group and lower in the MO group than in the EH and MH groups (p<0.001). The portion of the diet made of hay was greater in the EH group than in the MH group (p<0.001). Water intake was positively correlated with DM intake and was greatest in the HO group (p<0.001). Selective feeding occurred in all rabbit groups fed muesli, whether or not hay was also available. Pellets were rejected, and grains and extrudates selected. The presence of selective feeding in all rabbits fed muesli leads to the consumption of an unbalanced diet. In addition, hay intake and water intake were lower when muesli was fed. Conclusions drawn from this study are based on general recommendations for pet rabbits, and clinical disease may have developed by feeding the study diets over a longer time period, as many diet-related conditions typically present in older rabbits. However, the study demonstrates that the feeding of muesli diets cannot be recommended.

Effects of antihistamine treatment on immune function in rats with experimental hepatitis

To investigate the effects of antihistamine treatment on immune function in rats with experimental hepatitis. Thirty Wistar rats were randomly allocated into three groups:experimental hepatitis group (EH group), antihistamine treatment group (AH group) and normal control group (NC group). Rats in the EH group received the subcutaneous injection of 40% carbon tetrachloride oil solution and were fed on diet with low-protein, low-choline, high-fat and high-alcohol,while rats in the AH group received antihistamine treatment(ketotifen + vitamin C) additionally.They were sacrificed after 4 weeks, and the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT), total bilirubin (TBil), histamine(HA), IFNgamma, IL-12, IL-4 and IL-10 were determined. The levels of IL-12 mRNA and IFN-gamma mRNA in liver tissue were determined via real-time reverse transcriptional polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). (1) Compared to the NC group, in the EH group, the levels of ALT, TBil, and circulating and intrahepatic HA were significantly increased(P less than 0.05); intrahepatic HA were significantly decreased(P less than 0.05) after antihistamine treatment. (2) Compared to the NC group, in the EH group, the levels of IL-4, IL-10 were significantly increased((0.504+/-0.202)ng/ml and (29.025+/-1.478) pg/ml vs (0.811+/-0.244)ng/ml and (33.72+/-4.293)pg/ml respectively, P less than 0.05), and the levels of IL-12 were decreased ((6.515+/-2.893)pg/ml vs (3.519+/-1.113)pg/ml, P less than 0.05); and after antihistamine treatment the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly decreased (were (0.423+/-0.168)ng/ml and (30.412+/-3.275)pg/ml, P less than 0.05), the levels of IL-12 were significantly increased (P less than 0.05), but the level of IFNgamma had no significance (P more than 0.05). The levels of intrahepatic IL-12 mRNA and IFNgamma mRNA had similar results. Antihistamine treatment may improve liver function and correct Th1/Th2 unbalance.

Elevated prevalence of abnormal glucose metabolism in patients with primary aldosteronism: a meta-analysis

To conduct a meta-analysis of studies assessing abnormal glucose metabolism (AGM) prevalence among patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), calculating a combined pooled prevalence and summarizing metabolic parameters associated the pooled prevalence for comparative group. Four electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ISI-Web of Science) were systematically retrieved with no language and time restriction. Studies about elevated level of glucose metabolism in primary aldosteronism were included. Data were available in 16 studies. The pooled analysis revealed that the prevalence of elevated glucose in PA was 22.41 % (95 % CI 16.77-28.05 %), the retrospectively calculated prevalence was 31.20 % (95 % CI 15.81-46.60 %) for impaired fasting glucose, 26.19 % (95 % CI 15.17-37.21 %) for impaired glucose tolerance, 15.22 % (95 % CI 9.93-20.51 %) for diabetes mellitus. Prevalence of AGM in PA was higher than that in essential hypertension (OR = 1.55, 95 % CI 1.01-2.36, p = 0.04). From comparative groups, patients with primary aldosteronism had a lower level of insulin sensitivity indicators in comparison with normal group (p < 0.01). On the other hand, insulin resistance which presented by HOMA index was stronger in PA group than in normal control group (WMD = 0.41, 95 % CI 0.17, 0.65; p = 0.001), whereas it was weaker than that in EH group (WMD = -0.37, 95 % CI -0.62, -0.13; p = 0.003). There is a significant prevalence of elevated level of glucose metabolism in patients with PA. Awareness and treatment of this pre-diabetic or diabetic state are necessary.

Interaction between breeder age and hatching time affects intestine development and broiler performance

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of breeder age and hatching time on hatching performance, morphological changes in jejunum and post-hatch performances until slaughter age. A total of 544 eggs were obtained from two Ross broiler breeder flocks at 32 (young, Y) and 49 (old, O) weeks of age. Eggs from each breeder age were placed in 8 egg trays and incubated under standard incubation conditions. Between 480 and 504h of incubation, eggs were checked individually to record hatched chicks. According to hatching time, chicks were marked and divided into two groups as early hatched (EH, from 480 to 485h of incubation) and late hatched (LH, from 495 to 500h of incubation). Sixteen chicks from each breeder age and hatching time were randomly selected at 3h after hatching, weighed and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Weights of residual yolk sac, heart, spleen and bursa of fabricius, lengths of digestive tract, jejunum, and villus height and width were obtained. Hatching performance was determined. Chicks from each breeder age and hatching time were reared up to 35d. Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly, then feed conversion ratio was calculated.Hatching distribution of the chicks from Y breeders was concentrated in the EH stage of the incubation. Chick weight was significantly influenced by hatching time, where LH chicks registered heavier weight compared to chicks on EH group. Chicks from Y breeders had the shortest villus height in comparison to the other groups when hatched at EH stage of the incubation. From 7 to 21d, O chicks hatched at LH had the heaviest body weight than the others. Feed intake of chicks from O breeders was higher than Y breeders from 1 to 21d, while feed conversion ratio was not influenced along the experimental period. We concluded that breeder age should be taken into consideration in the management of hatching eggs during incubation.

GW24-e3975 Plasma brain natriuretic peptide lever between dynamic blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy in elderly hyperension

ObjectivesTo study the relationship between parameters of 24 hour dynamic blood pressure (BP) and plasma brain natriuretic peptide and left ventricular hypertrophy in elderly Hyperension patients.MethodsAmbulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) for...

Stability of external and internal implant connections after a fatigue test.

Objective:The objective of this study was to compare the torque and detorque values of screw intermediates of external hexagon, internal hexagon, and Morse taper implants in single restorations before and after mechanical cycling.Materials and Methods:The study sample was divided into three groups (n = 10) as follows: group EH – external hexagon implant, group IH – internal hexagon implant, and group MT – Morse taper implant. Universal abutments were screwed on the implants, and metal crowns were cemented onto the abutment. The samples were submitted to a mechanical testing of 1 million cycles, with a frequency of 8 cycles per second under a 400 N load. The application and registration of the screw torque (T0) and detorque (T1) values of the intermediate were performed before and after the test. The results were statistically evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (α = 0.05).Results:There was no difference between the values of T0 and T1 in the intra-group samples. However, the inter-group difference in T0 between the EH (12.8 N cm) and MT (18.6 N cm) groups and in T1 between the EH (10.4 N cm) and IH (13.8 N cm), EH and MT (19.4 N cm), and MT and IH (P = 0.001) groups were significant. The MT group showed a lower variation of T0 and T1.Conclusion:The internal implants, particularly MT, showed better stability in these cases when used for single restorations.

ASSA13-14-27 The Impact of Blood Pressure Levels, Gender and Age on Within-Visit Systolic Blood Pressure Variability

<h3>Objective</h3> The study aims to investigate the variability in three blood pressure (BP) readings within one measurement (within-visit BPV) and the relevant influencing factors. <h3>Methods</h3> Three BP readings were taken at 2-min interval in 2092 adults (1028 males and 1064 females) with mercurial sphygmomanometer. The average of three BP readings was used as the mean BP. The standard deviation (SD) of three BP readings and coefficient of variation (CV: SD/mean BP) were calculated for evaluating within-visit BPV. According to the history of hypertension and use of antihypertensive drugs, the participants were divided into hypertensive (EH group, 756 cases) and normotensive groups (NT group,). Multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to analyse the relevant influencing factors. <h3>Results</h3> 1. A positive relationship existed between the mean SBP rank and SD(r = 0.168, P &lt; 0.01) in the whole population. Although the SBP and SD were higher in EH group than in NT group, no significant difference of CV was found between two groups. 2. The SD and CV were significantly higher in females than in males although lower SBP in female. 3 Positive relationship was found between age rank and SD (r = 0.129, P &lt; 0.01) and between age rank and CV (r = 0.153, P &lt; 0.01), with stronger relationship in females (r = 0.137 and 0.166, both P &lt; 0.05) than in males (r = 0.098 and 0.122, both P &lt; 0.05). <h3>Conclusions</h3> The mean SBP, female and ageing are related with higher within-visit SBP variability, but female and ageing are independent facilitating factors.

Ganoderma tsugae Hepatoprotection against Exhaustive Exercise-Induced Liver Injury in Rats

Several studies have been shown that accelerated apoptosis is involved in post-exercise lymphocytopenia and tissue damage after high-intensity exercise. Ganoderma tsugae (GT) is one of the well-known medicinal mushrooms that possess various pharmacological functions. This mushroom has traditionally been used for health promotion purposes. This study investigates the hepatoprotective effects of GT on exhaustive exercise-induced liver damage. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups and designated as exhaustive exercise only (E), exhaustive exercise with low dosage (EL), medium dosage (EM) and high dosage (EH) GT at 0, 0.1875, 0.9375 and 1.875 g/kg/day, respectively. After 30 days all rats were euthanized immediately after an exhaustive running challenge on a motorized treadmill. The rat livers were immediately harvested. Evidence of apoptotic liver cell death was revealed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and caspases mediated cascade events. DNA fragmentation, an apoptosis process, can be examined using TUNEL assay. A few TUNEL-positive hepatocytes, compared to the exercise only group, were observed in the livers from exhaustive animals supplemented with GT. Immunoblot analysis also showed that caspase-6-mediated specific cleavage of lamin A/C was increased significantly in the livers of group E, but was significantly decreased in the EM and EH groups. Our observations demonstrate that GT possesses anti-apoptotic and hepatoprotective potential after exhaustive exercise.

Mean platelet volume and abnormal left ventricle geometric patterns in patients with untreated essential hypertension

Abnormal left ventricle (LV) geometric patterns are associated with a greater risk of hypertensive vascular complications. The mean platelet volume (MPV) reflects the platelet activity, and is associated with overall vascular mortality. Although association between MPV and LV hypertrophy in hypertensive patients has been investigated, relation between abnormal LV geometric patterns and MPV was not studied so far. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between MPV and abnormal LV geometric patterns in hypertensive patients. Measurements were obtained from 223 patients with untreated essential hypertension (Mean age = 52.1 ± 5.2 years). Four different geometric patterns (NG; normal geometry, CR; concentric remodelling, EH; eccentric hypertrophy, CH; concentric hypertrophy) were determined according to the LV mass index (LVMI) and relative wall thickness (RWth). MPV, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and other biochemical markers were measured in all patients. The highest MPV values were determined in CH group compared with NG, CR and EH groups (p < 0.05, for all). MPV values were similar among the NG, CR and EH groups (p > 0.05, for all). MPV was associated with age, glucose, hsCRP, RWth, LVMI and LV geometry in bivariate analysis (p < 0.05, for all). Age (β = 0.110, p = 0.033), LVMI (β = 0.471, p < 0.001) and hsCRP (β = 0.525, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of high MPV in multiple linear regression analysis. The highest MPV values were observed in the CH group. This result may be associated with increased inflammation and LV hypertrophy in this geometric pattern.

ANALYSING THE RELATIVE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE IN PRIMARY ALDOSTERONISM.

ObjectivesTO analyse the risk factors related to low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in aldosteronism and to comparing the value of glomerular filtration rate between patients with primary aldosteronism and with...