C‐type natriuretic peptide in prostate cancer

C‐type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is expressed in the male reproductive organs in pigs. To examine whether the human prostate also expresses the CNP gene, we measured CNP and N‐terminal proCNP in prostate cancer tissue extracts and performed immunohistochemical biopsy staining. Additionally, proCNP‐derived peptides were quantitated in plasma from patients with prostate cancer. Blood was collected from healthy controls and patients before surgery for localized prostate cancer. Tissue extracts were prepared from tissue biopsies obtained from radical prostatectomy surgery. N‐terminal proCNP, proCNP (1–50) and CNP were measured in plasma and tissue extracts. Biopsies were stained for CNP‐22 and N‐terminal proCNP. Tissue extracts from human prostate cancer contained mostly N‐terminal proCNP [median 5.3 pmol/g tissue (range 1.0–12.9)] and less CNP [0.14 pmol/g tissue (0.01–1.34)]. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the presence of the peptides in prostatic epithelial cells. The N‐terminal proCNP concentrations in plasma were marginally lower in patients with localized prostate cancer compared with control subjects [13.8 pmol/l (11.0–17.2) vs. 15.1 pmol/l (10.4–23.2), p=0.002] but not enough to justify the use of N‐terminal proCNP as a cancer marker. Further research is needed to establish whether measurement of proCNP‐derived peptides may offer clinical information.     

Estrogen receptor-mediated down-regulation of corticotropin-releasing hormone gene expression is dependent on a cyclic adenosine 3＇ ,5＇-monophosphate regulatory element in human placental syncytiotrophoblast cells

Placental CRH plays a major role in the mechanisms controlling human pregnancy and parturition. Understanding how placental CRH production is regulated is therefore of importance. Previously we have shown that placental expression of CRH peptide and mRNA are inhibited by estrogens, in contrast to the stimulatory effects of estrogen on hypothalamic CRH production. Our current study found that in placental cells cotransfected with a CRH promoter construct and an estrogen receptor-alpha expression vector results in a differential regulation whereby 17beta estradiol (E2) decreased and the putative pure estrogen antagonist, ICI 182780,     

Polyarteritis nodosa in children: radiological aspects and diagnostic correlation

The radiological findings in 14 children with polyarteritis nodosa (PN) were evaluated in relation to clinical, laboratory, and histological findings. In this series, there were two major groups of radiological findings, one associated with renal insufficiency and the other with intestinal vascular insufficiency. No radiographic finding was pathognomonic. Two patients were suspected of having small bowel intussusception (SBI), and SBI was documented at laparotomy in a third patient. The diagnosis and management of PN in children is dependent upon the correlation of clinical and laboratory findings. Associated pertinent radiological features which may be useful in the management of children with PN are reviewed.     

Urinary Excretion of Kallikrein before and after Operation for Aldosterone-producing Adenoma

ABSTRACT. Hesse B, Rasmussen S, Lund JO, Christensen P, Damkjær Nielsen M. (Department of Clinical Physiology, Glostrup Hospital, and Institute for Experimental Medicine, Copenhagen, Denmark.) Urinary excretion of kallikrein before and after operation for aldosterone-producing adenoma. Urinary kallikrein excretion (UKal), determined by the esterase method, was measured in 10 normotensive volunteers, 10 patients with essential hypertension and in 7 patients with primary aldosteronism before and after operative removal of the adenoma. UKal values were low in 5 of the patients with essential hypertension. Preoperative UKal values in the patients with aldosteronism did not differ significantly from those of the normal subjects, but decreased in all after operation in parallel with changes in urinary excretion of tetrahydroaldosterone and plasma aldosterone concentration. The study supports the assumption of an association between the renal kallikrein-kinin system and the mineralo-corticoid state in man.     

PSEUDOHYPOALDOSTERONISM Clinical, Biochemical and Morphological Studies in a Long-term Follow-up

ABSTRACT. A boy with pseudohypoaldosteronism was followed from birth to the age of 7 years. Failure to thrive, vomiting, dehydration, hyponatraemia and urinary sodium loss were prominent findings. Urinary excretion of corticosteroid metabolites was normal. Before treatment, excessively high plasma renin concentration was found, associated with a marked activation of aldosterone secretion. A renal biopsy showed pronounced hypertrophy of the juxtaglomerular apparatus. Persisting metabolic acidosis and an insufficient urinary acidifying capacity suggested the presence of distal renal tubular acidosis. Treatment with sodium bicarbonate and sodium chloride from 19 to 31 months of age resulted in normal growth and normal physical and mental development. The plasma electrolytes were normalized but a pronounced activation of the renin–aldosterone system persisted after therapy, and on sodium restriction this system responded with a considerable further activation.