Pregnancy augments nitric oxide-dependent dilator response to acetylcholine in the human uterine artery

The influence of pregnancy on the dilator effects of acetylcholine in the isolated human uterine artery was investigated. Acetylcholine (0.1 nM to 0.1 microM) produced concentration- and endothelium-dependent relaxation of norepinephrine (3 microM)-induced contraction. The relaxation was greater in arteries from pregnant patients (P arteries) than from non-pregnant patients (NP arteries). The maximal relaxation was 53.5+/-3.4% (n=21) in P arteries and 23.5+/-2.5% (n=35) in NP arteries. In both P and NP arteries the cholinergic relaxation was increased in the presence of superoxide dismutase and greatly reduced in the presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, NG-mono-methyl L-arginine (L-NMMA) and L-nitro-arginine-methylester (L-NAME). The effect of these nitric oxide synthase inhibitors was reversed by L- arginine. We conclude that pregnancy enhances acetylcholine-induced nitric oxide synthesis and release in the human uterine artery.      

Hypertrophy of left ventricular myocardium as modifiable risk factor: novel possibilities of correction

Hypertrophy of left ventricular myocardium observed in 15-20% of patients with arterial hypertension is an independent factor which elevates considerably risk of complications of hypertension (ischemic heart disease, chronic heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias). Regression of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) at the background of hypotensive therapy is associated with additional lowering of cardiovascular risk. This should be taken into consideration in selection of a hypotensive preparation. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) are believed to have most pronounced ability to cause reverse development of LVH. It has been shown in recently finished PIXEL trial that administration of fixed combination of ACEI perindopril and diuretic indapamide reduced LVH more effectively than monotherapy with high doses of ACEI enalapril and provided better blood pressure control. Therefore in a patient with hypertension and LVH it is expedient to consider combined therapy with ACEI and diuretic including use of their fixed combinations as treatment of choice.     

Hyperplastic changes and aldosterone content in the adrenal cortex in essential hypertension and primary aldosteronism]

Autopsy and operative material (adrenalectomy for hyperaldosteronism) was studied to elucidate morphology, incidence of nodules, aldosterone content in the adrenal of patients with essential hypertension (EH). It was established than nodular masses in the adrenals in the form of micro and macronodules are present in 80% of EH patients. Aldosterone content in the adrenals in both nodules and in the adjacent cortex is significantly higher than in the adrenals of patients without EH. This fact as well as increased cell nuclei size in the fascicular and glomerular zones indicate high secretory activity of the adrenals in EH. Clinicomorphological comparisons in patients after adrenalectomy because of hyperaldosteronism syndrome allow to conclude that grave forms of EH may be followed by aldosteronism syndromes with nodular hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex being the basis of the syndrome. Indications to adrenalectomy require clear criteria of differential diagnosis with primary aldosteronism.