Serum Of Hypertensive Patients Research Articles

LncRNA Myocardial Infarction-Associated Transcript (MIAT)/miR-505-5p Axis Regulates Proliferation and Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells of Hypertension Mice

To clarify the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MIAT in regulating proliferative and migratory abilities in VSMCs extracted from hypertension mice via downregulating microRNA-505-5p (miR-505-5p). Serum levels of MIAT and miR-505-5p in enrolled 20 hypertension patients and 20 healthy volunteers were detected. VSMCs were extracted from hypertension mice and healthy mice. Regulatory effects of MIAT and miR-505-5p on proliferative and migratory abilities in VSMCs were examined. At last, the interaction between MIAT and miR-505-5p was explored by dual-luciferase reporter assay and rescue experiments. Serum level of MIAT was higher in hypertension patients than those of healthy subjects, while miR-505-5p was downregulated. MIAT level was negatively correlated to miR-505-5p level in serum of hypertension patients. Knockdown of MIAT suppressed proliferative and migratory abilities in VSMCs extracted from hypertension mice. In addition, knockdown of MIAT upregulated E-cadherin and downregulated Vimentin and Snail-1. MiR-505-5p was verified to be the target binding MIAT. Knockdown of miR-505-5p reversed regulatory effects of MIAT on VSMCs phenotypes. LncRNA MIAT stimulates VSMCs in hypertension mice to proliferate and migrate through downregulating miR-505-5p, which may be a promising target for diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.

Oxidative Stress Marker Malondialdehyde and Glutathione Antioxidant in Hypertensive Patients

The study included measuring the average concentration of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione for hypertensive patients in Iraq, specifically Basra Governorate, where the study group reached 50 patients (26males and 24 females), and the patients were divided according to age, gender, family history, period of illness, medication, and diet in comparison. With 40 healthy cases (19males and 21 females) as a control group. The results of the study showed a significant increase in lipid peroxide measured by (MDA) in the serum of hypertensive patients at a significant level (P<0.0001) compared with the control group. Also, its level increased significantly at (P<0.0001) with advancing age and according to the sex factor among the study group. And its level increased significantly at the level of significance (P<0.05) with the length of the disease period. The results also did not show significant differences for patients who have a family history, patients who are being treated with antihypertensive drugs, and patients who adhere to a healthy diet. The results also showed a significant decrease in the average concentration of (GSH) as an antioxidant at a level (P<0.0001) in the blood of hypertensive patients compared to the control group. This decline increases with age and in both sexes, males, and females. While the results did not show significant differences in the level of (GSH) in patients who have a family history, length of illness, medication, and adherence to a healthy diet. Moreover, a negative correlation was observed between the level of (GSH) and the level of (MDA) in the study group .We conclude through the results of the study that the presence of a defect in patients in the rate of concentration of (GSH) indicates an increase in free radicals, and that an increase in the level of (MDA) indicates an increase in the active types of (ROS), and this increase accompanies a decrease in antioxidants such as (GSH).

The Expression of miR-365 in Serum of Hypertension Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Was Up-Regulated, Which Was Positively Correlated with Left Ventricular Mass Index.

ObjectiveThe present study aims to investigate micro ribonucleic acid-365 (miR-365) serum expression and its correlation with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with hypertension (HT).MethodsEighty-four patients were selected as study subjects and divided into three groups: the experimental group (n = 28), the observation group (n = 29), and the control group (n = 27). The experimental group included patients with LVH-accompanied HT who were treated in the People’s Hospital of Hebei Province between November 2019 and November 2020, the observation group included patients with HT unaccompanied by LVH, and the control group included healthy age and gender-matched subjects who underwent health examinations in our physical examination center. The cardiac echocardiography, 24-h Holter electrocardiogram, and circulating miR-365 levels in all subjects were measured. The differences in circulating miR-365 expression levels among the three groups were compared, and the correlations between the miR-365 expression levels and the blood pressure parameters (24-h mean systolic blood pressure [SBP] and 24-h mean diastolic blood pressure [DBP]), inter-ventricular septal thickness (IVST), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPWT), left ventricular internal diameter (LVID), left ventricular mass (LVM), LVM index (LVMI), and LVH-related indicators were analyzed.ResultsThe relative miR-365 expressions in the experimental, observation, and control groups were 2.08 (1.60, 2.34), 0.62 (0.44, 0.83), and 0.66 (0.35, 0.86), respectively. Patient miR-365 expression was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the observation group and the control group; the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.000). Furthermore, miR-365 expression was significantly correlated with SBP, DBP, IVST, LVPWT, LVID, LVM, and LVMI; the greatest correlation was with LVMI. Further univariate linear regression analysis revealed that miR-365 expression was linearly and positively correlated with LVMI and that miRNA-365 expression increased with the LVMI value.ConclusionThe miR-365 serum expression in patients with LVH-accompanied HT was increased compared with the observation group and the control group and positively correlated with the LVH degree.

Effects of irbesartan on phenotypic alterations in monocytes and the inflammatory status of hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy

BackgroundCirculating monocytes and tissue macrophages play complex roles in the pathogenesis of hypertension and the resulting target organ damage. In this study, we observed alterations in the monocyte phenotype and inflammatory state of hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and studied the effects of irbesartan in these patients. This study might reveal a novel mechanism by which irbesartan alleviates LVH, and it could provide new targets for the prevention and treatment of hypertensive target organ damage.MethodsCD163 and CD206 expression on monocytes and IL-10 and TNF-α levels in the serum of hypertensive patients with or without LVH and of healthy volunteers were detected. Furthermore, we treated monocytes from the LVH group with different concentrations of irbesartan, and then, CD163, CD206, IL-10 and TNF-α expression was detected.ResultsWe found, for the first time, that the expression of CD163, CD206 and IL-10 in the LVH group was lower than that in the non-LVH group and healthy control group, but the TNF-α level in the LVH group was significantly higher. Irbesartan upregulated the expression of CD163 and CD206 in hypertensive patients with LVH in a concentration-dependent manner. Irbesartan also increased the expression of IL-10 and inhibited the expression of TNF-α in monocyte culture supernatants in a concentration-dependent manner.ConclusionsOur data suggest that inflammation was activated in hypertensive patients with LVH and that the monocyte phenotype was mainly proinflammatory. The expression of proinflammatory factors increased while the expression of anti-inflammatory factors decreased. Irbesartan could alter the monocyte phenotype and inflammatory status in hypertensive patients with LVH. This previously unknown mechanism may explain how irbesartan alleviates LVH.Trail registration The study protocols were approved by the Ethical Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. Each patient signed the informed consent form.

Serum NT-proBNP and TUG1 as novel biomarkers for elderly hypertensive patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) account for ~50% of all cases of heart failure and their clinical prognosis is poor. The present study attempted to investigate the diagnostic value of circulating long non-coding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) for HFPEF in subjects with hypertension. Between January 2017 and January 2019, 80 aged/elderly hypertensive patients with or without HFPEF were recruited for the present study. The concentration of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the serum was measured using ELISA and TUG1 expression levels were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Echocardiography was used for the determination of cardiac function. The results indicated that the levels of NT-proBNP and TUG1 were increased in the serum of hypertensive patients with HFPEF. Pearson analysis demonstrated that NT-proBNP and TUG1 were positively correlated with the left atrial diameter and negatively correlated with the ratio of the peak flow velocity in the early diastolic phase to the peak flow velocity in the late diastolic phase. In addition, a positive correlation was confirmed between TUG1 and NT-proBNP levels. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that TUG1 and NT-proBNP were useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of HFPEF. In conclusion, it was observed that NT-proBNP and TUG1 were increased in the serum of hypertensive patients with HFPEF. Furthermore, TUG1 and NT-proBNP were indicated to be useful plasma biomarkers for the diagnosis of HFPEF.

Expression of lncRNA TUG1 in hypertensive patients and its relationship with change state of an illness.

To investigate the expression of LncRNA TUG1 in hypertensive patients and its relationship with the change state of illness. A prospective analysis was carried out. Eighty-two patients with hypertension admitted to our hospital from March 2016 to February 2019 were regarded as a research group, and 79 healthy people admitted to our hospital during the same period were regarded as a control group. The serum LncRNA TUG1, platelet activating factor (PAF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and the relationship between the expression of LncRNA TUG1 and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with hypertension in the two groups were detected, and finally, the risk factors of hypertension were analyzed. The expression levels of LncRNA TUG1, PAF, ET-1, TNF-α, and hsCRP in the serum of patients in research group were significantly higher than those in control group (p<0.05). LncRNA TUG1 has a positive correlation with the severity of an illness of hypertensive patients (r=0.881, p<0.001), and also has a positive correlation with the expression levels of PAF, ET-1, TNF-α, and hsCRP (r=0.735, p<0.001; r=0.756, p<0.001; r=0.712, p<0.05; r=0.723, p<0.05). The expression of LncRNA TUG1 in the serum of patients with hypertension was related to hypertension mode, severity of disease, hyperlipidemia, and obesity (p<0.05). Obesity (OR: 3.469, 95% CI: 2.175-4.095), drinking (OR: 3.677, 95% CI: 1.695-4.892), hyperlipidemia (OR: 3.374, 95% CI: 1.759-6.988), and the high expression of TUG1 (OR: 2.693, 95% CI: 1.679-7.472) are independent risk factors for the attack of hypertension. LncRNA TUG1 is highly expressed in the serum of hypertensive patients and it is closely related to the progression of hypertension. Also, it may be one of the independent risk factors for hypertension and a new molecular target for hypertension treatment.

Angiotensin II-Induced vascular remodeling and hypertension involves cathepsin L/V- MEK/ERK mediated mechanism

The development of hypertension involves extensive arterial wall remodeling, in which cysteine proteases play an essential role. Cathepsin L/V has been reported to be a cysteine protease that is closely intertwined with the tissue inflammatory response and extracellular matrix accumulation, allowing it to regulate arterial remodeling. The aim of this study was to determine the role of cathepsin L/V and its regulatory pathway in vascular remodeling in hypertension. We showed that cathepsin L/V and its endogenous inhibitor cystatin C, as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) phosphorylation, were upregulated in the mesenteric arteries and serum of hypertensive patients. Using a model of angiotensin II-induced hypertension, we observed an increase in aortic artery media thickness, cathepsin L activity, blood pressure and MEK phosphorylation. Treatment with the cathepsin L inhibitor Z-FF-FMK or the genetic deletion of cathepsin L significantly attenuated angiotensin II-induced hypertension, arterial remodeling, cathepsin L activation and MEK phosphorylation. In addition, siRNA-cathepsin V significantly blocked angiotensin II-induced MEK and extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation but not cell proliferation in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). Further treatment with the ERK phosphorylation inhibitor U0126 also blocked angiotensin II-induced HASMCs proliferation. The results indicate that the inhibition of cathepsin L prevents arterial remodeling and hypertension, in part by inhibiting the MEK-ERK signaling-mediated regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation in the vessel wall.

Estimation of Nitric Oxide, Malondialdehyde, and Adenosine Deaminase in Serum of Hypertensive Patients and Normotensive Individuals in Erbil City

This study was aimed to estimate nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and adenosine deaminase (ADA) in the serum of hypertensive patients. Fifty patients (25 males and 25 females) age 40-70 diagnosed with hypertension involved in the study. Fifty healthy individuals, who had no hypertension in the last year, were identified as the control group. NO, MDA and ADA have performed accordingly. MDA was higher with aging and gender in hypertensive patients. Serum level of MDA was higher in females compared with male due to oxidative stress more in female than a male with aging. ADA was higher among hypertensive with aging, though no significant differences among gender. Serum level of NO was lower with aging with no significant differences among gender.

MicroRNA-34a promotes hypertension-induced vascular injury by targeting B-lymphocytoma-2

Objective To investigate the level of microRNA (miRNA, miR)-34a in serum of hypertensive patients and its effect on proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by targeting B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (bcl-2), and clarify the underlying mechanism of hypertension-induced vascular injury. Methods Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the level of miR-34a in serum of 98 hypertensive patients and 65 healthy controls; the potential targets of miR-34a was predicted by TargetScan; the interaction between miR-34a and bcl-2 was measured by dual luciferase reporter assay, western blot and qPCR; the effect of miR-34a on proliferation and apoptosis of HUVECs was detected by methyl thiazol tetrazolium (MTT) and flow cytometry. Results The level of miR-34a in serum of 98 hypertensive patients (2.432±0.201) was significantly higher than that of 65 healthy controls (0.996±0.112, P 0.05). The protein and mRNA level of bcl-2 in HUVECs after overexpressing miR-34a (0.403±0.041, 0.206±0.018) decreased significantly than that in Blank group (1.000±0.098, 1.000±0.067) and miR-NC group (0.996±0.087, 1.012±0.049). The proliferation of HUVECs after overexpressing miR-34a (48 h: 0.269±0.021, 72 h: 0.324±0.028) decreased significantly than that of the Blank group (48 h: 0.324±0.025, 72 h: 0.458±0.044) and miR-NC group (48 h: 0.335±0.028, 72 h: 0.469±0.051, P<0.05), and apoptosis (23.54±2.65) was significantly higher than that of Blank (6.45±0.42) and miR-NC (7.32±0.54, P<0.05). Conclusion MiR-34a is overexpressed in serum of hypertensive patients. Overexpressing miR-34a can inhibit proliferation of HUVECs by targeting bcl-2 expression, which may be one of the potential mechanisms of vascular injury in hypertensive patients and provide experimental basis for using miR-34a as a new target to diagnose and treat hypertension in the future. Key words: MicroRNA-34a; B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2; Hypertension; Vascular injury

Lipid Profile and Fatty-Acid Composition of Human Serum in Hypertension Patients

The aim of this study was designed to determine the effect of hypertension on the level of lipid fractions and percentage of fatty acids in serum . The study included( 50) patients with hypertension ,blood was taken after( 10-12) hour fasting . The age of patients was between (60-80) year. Blood samples from (50) normal subject with the same age were collected as control .The patients samples collection were from the medical word . A number of biochemical parameters were measured using enzymatic kits methods also the analysis and the measurement of percentage of fatty acids in fatty component of serum (cholesterol ester, phospholipids ,triglyceride) separated by thin layer chromatography(TLC) followed by transmethylation of fatty acids and measurement of fatty acids percentage using Capillary Gas Chromatography (CGC).The result of this study showed that there is a significant differences in the level of studied biochemical parameter and fatty acids percentage in hypertension patients compared with the control group. The results of this study also showed that a significant increase in level of (TG) in serum of hypertension patients . The result showed that a significant increase in percentage of (PUFA) in (PL) part

Differential expression of microRNA in endothelial cells incubated with serum of hypertension patients with blood-stasis syndrome.

To screen out blood-stasis syndrome (BSS)-associated microRNA and therefore determine the possible target for treating hypertension. A high-energy sequencing method and digital gene expression sequencing theory were adopted to sequence microRNA (miRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA), and to determine differential expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells incubated with serum samples from hypertension patients with or without BSS, and healthy controls. The results were confirmed using gene prediction software. A total of 13 miRNAs and 11 mRNAs showed statistical difference both in the BSS/normal groups and BSS/non-BSS groups, respectively. Four pairs of target mRNA/miRNA were identified: FRMD4A/hsa-miR-34a, MAP3K14/hsa-miR-34a, PER1/hsa-miR-34a, and FGF2/hsa-miR-132. Four mRNA/miRNA pairs mentioned above seem to be involved in pathogenesis and maintenance of hypertension with BSS.

Constructing protein-protein interaction network of hypertension with blood stasis syndrome via digital gene expression sequencing and database mining

To construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network in hypertension patients with blood-stasis syndrome (BSS) by using digital gene expression (DGE) sequencing and database mining techniques. DGE analysis based on the Solexa Genome Analyzer platform was performed on vascular endothelial cells incubated with serum of hypertension patients with BSS. The differentially expressed genes were filtered by comparing the expression levels between the different experimental groups. Then functional categories and enriched pathways of the unique genes for BSS were analyzed using Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) to select those in the enrichment pathways. Interologous Interaction Database (I2D) was used to construct PPI networks with the selected genes for hypertension patients with BSS. The potential candidate genes related to BSS were identified by comparing the number of relationships among genes. Confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), gene ontology (GO) analysis was used to infer the functional annotations of the potential candidate genes for BSS. With gene enrichment analysis using DAVID, a list of 58 genes was chosen from the unique genes. The selected 58 genes were analyzed using I2D, and a PPI network was constructed. Based on the network analysis results, candidate genes for BSS were identified: DDIT3, JUN, HSPA8, NFIL3, HSPA5, HIST2H2BE, H3F3B, CEBPB, SAT1 and GADD45A. Verified through qRT-PCR and analyzed by GO, the functional annotations of the potential candidate genes were explored. Compared with previous methodologies reported in the literature, the present DGE analysis and data mining method have shown a great improvement in analyzing BSS.

CE, with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin as chiral selector, for separation and determination of the enantiomers of amloclipine in the serum of hypertension patients

CE, with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin as chiral selector, for separation and determination of the enantiomers of amloclipine in the serum of hypertension patients

CE, with Hydroxypropyl-β-Cyclodextrin as Chiral Selector, for Separation and Determination of the Enantiomers of Amlodipine in the Serum of Hypertension Patients

A capillary electrophoretic method for separation of the enantiomers of amlodipine in the serum of hypertension patients has been established and validated. The two enantiomers were separated in a fused-silica capillary with phosphate running buffer (75 mmol L−1, pH 2.5) containing 15 mmol L−1 hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD). The effects on the separation of buffer pH and concentration, separation potential, and concentration of HP-β-CD were investigated. The range of quantitation for both enantiomers was 2.0–16.0 μg mL−1. Intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD; n = 5) was 85%. Results from enantiomer separation and quantification showed that concentrations of the enantiomers of amlodipine in serum from an elderly patient were higher than in serum from a young patient administered the same dose. The method was useful for determining the concentration of the enantiomers of amlodipine in hypertension patient serum and for monitoring the transition behavior of the enantiomers in humans. The method proved suitable for application to the separation of the enantiomers of amlodipine and analysis of clinical samples.

Association of carotid disease with vasoactivators in hypertension patients

Discuss the influence of the change of vasoactivors such as nitric oxide and endothelin on the carotid disease when the patients got the hypertension therapy. After the carotid ultrosound examination, we divide the 120 patients into 4 groups according to their carotid disease. Normal group(30 cases), endothelial thickness group(30 cases), hard plaque group(30 cases) and soft plaque group(30 cases). Measure the concentration of nitric oxide and endothelin in serum of hypertension patients before and after therapy. Compared with non-plaque group, soft plaque group had lower levels of nitric oxide. The difference was notability (P<0.05). So was the hard plaque group (P<0.05). After our therapy, the number of reach aim blood pressure: (1)normal group is 23, (2)endothelia thickness is 25,(3)hard plaque is 28, (4)soft plaque is 21. The number of stroke after 2 years: (1)normal group is 2, (2)endothelia thickness is 3,(3) hard plaque is 2, (4)soft plaque is 7. We use long-time calcium antagonist to treat those patients. But we found no difference on stroke between the team up to scrath and the team no up to scrath. The difference is evidence between the form of carotid plaque and the endodermis trauma of hypertension. So if we want to give the best protest to the vascular, we must therapy his hypertension first. (See Table) The change of vasoactivators before and after therapy #P < 0.05:P < 0.01 compared with post-treament. The change of vasoactivators before and after therapy #P < 0.05:P < 0.01 compared with post-treament.

酸化Lp (a) 測定の有用性高血圧患者血清中の酸化Lp (a) について

酸化Lp (a) 測定の有用性高血圧患者血清中の酸化Lp (a) について

Effects of ramipril on the hormone concentrations in serum of hypertensive patients.

The effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril on thirteen endocrinological tests were evaluated. These tests comprised serum follitropin, lutropin, prolactin, thyrotropin, free thyroxine, total thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, parathyrin, cortisol, testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. Eleven hypertensive outpatients, 9 men and 2 women, treated at the department of internal medicine in Turku University Central Hospital, received 5 mg of ramipril once a day for the study period of four weeks. The above mentioned endocrinological tests were performed before and at the end of the ramipril treatment. Ramipril decreased the value of free thyroxine statistically significantly, p = 0.011, from the mean value of 17.1 pmol/l to the mean value of 16.0 pmol/l when measured with Amerlex-MAB* free thyroxine kit. The mean within-subject difference was -1.10 pmol/l with a 95% confidence interval of -1.87 - -0.33 pmol/l. With the AutoDELFIA free thyroxine kit and with the reference method dialysis+RIA no effect was detected. Other endocrinological tests examined were not affected by ramipril. Since the decreasing effect of ramipril on free thyroxine was detected only with Amerlex-MAB* but neither with AutoDELFIA nor with dialysis+RIA, the effect was concluded to be analytical. The underlying mechanism and the component ultimately interfering with the analysis is unknown.

Elevated Serum Activity of N-Acetyl-β-Glucosaminidase in Essential Hypertension: Diagnostic Value and Reversal to Normal Values After Antihypertensive Therapy

Previous studies have shown that urinary N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) is elevated in patients with hypertension, even without renal disease. To elucidate the value of measuring NAG, both in urine and serum of hypertensive patients, we measured NAG activity in the serum, plasma, and 24-hour urine by the fluorimetric method in 84 patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension before and after 6 months of effective treatment. NAG activities of these hypertensive patients were compared with those of 102 healthy normotensive subjects and 97 patients with various renal diseases and controlled hypertension. Serum NAG activity was clearly greater in patients with essential hypertension (427 +/- 124 U/mL) than in normotensive subjects (380 +/- 109 U/mL) or patients with renal disorders (393 +/- 115 U/mL) (P less than or equal to 0.004). The greater was the diastolic pressure in the hypertensive group, the greater was serum NAG activity (r = +0.30, P = 0.004). Hypertensive patients with high serum NAG activity were further characterized by a more exaggerated increase in systolic pressure (34 +/- 16 v 25 +/- 15 mm Hg, P = 0.051) and total peripheral resistance (19% +/- 18% v 12% +/- 13%, P = 0.042) in response to the cold pressor test and by a greater increase in systolic pressure (56 +/- 15 v 45 +/- 13 mm Hg, P = 0.009) and diastolic pressure (11 +/- 7 v 6 +/- 9, P = 0.043) in response to bicycle exercise testing than the group with low serum NAG activity. In contrast, urinary NAG activity tended to be only slightly higher in patients with essential hypertension than in the normotensive control group (33 +/- 31 v 23 +/- 29 U/mg creatinine [cr], P = 0.062), whereas patients with renal diseases had clearly increased urinary NAG activity (87 +/- 105 U/mg cr) (P less than 0.001). Following effective antihypertensive therapy, serum NAG activity decreased in patients with essential hypertension to values of normotensive control subjects (from 427 +/- 124 U/mL to 386 +/- 106 U/mL, P less than 0.01). A significant decrease in serum NAG activity was observed in patients with both initially high as well as low pretreatment serum NAG activities (P less than 0.001 and P less than 0.02, respectively). Urinary NAG activity overall was unchanged by antihypertensive treatment. We conclude that in patients with mild essential hypertension, serum NAG activity was already elevated (whereas urinary NAG activity was not) and was normalized by effective antihypertensive treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Serum Digoxin-Like Substances in Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension

1. Endogenous digoxin-like immunoreactivity (EDLI) was measured in the serum of 85 normotensive pregnant (NTP) women and 77 women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) by a radioimmunoassay (New England Nuclear). All women were in the third trimester. 2. EDLI, which was undetectable in serum from non-pregnant women, was present in NTP and PIH and was significantly higher in PIH. EDLI correlated with gestational age in NTP, but not in PIH. 3. Ouabain-sensitive Na+ transport was estimated in normal peripheral blood leucocytes after incubation with sera from 50 NTP and 42 PIH women. Significant inhibition of active Na+ transport occurred only with the serum of hypertensive patients without proteinuria. 4. EDLI did not correlate with the effect of the sera on active Na+ transport. The radioimmunoassay therefore provides a poor index of Na+ transport inhibitory activity in PIH.

Raised levels of immunoglobulins in serum of hypertensive patients.

In a series of 84 hypertensive patients, 50 men and 34 women, the levels of serum immunoglobulins were examined. Levels of the immunoglobulins were found to be increased in about 30 per cent of the patients. The study supports the view that immunological factors are involved in at least some cases of essential hypertension. The antigens against which the immunoglobulins are directed have not yet been identified.