Prospective epidemiologic study of arterial hypertension in an organized population of Novosibirsk

Dependence of the incidence and detectability of arterial hypertension on some risk factors was examined in middle-aged males in a three-year prospective study of a random representative sample of an organized Novosibirsk population. Age at first examination, arterial BP rise to a marginal level, excessive body weight and aggravated heredity affected considerably the detectability of recent arterial hypertension.     

Iron supplementation in female blood donors deferred by copper sulfate screening

Female blood donors with low hematocrit levels detected by copper sulfate screening were selected randomly to receive either 75 mg of iron per day, as ferrous gluconate, or a calcium phosphate placebo. Their ferritin, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity, zinc protoporphyrin, and hemoglobin values, as well as their suitability to donate blood, were determined initially (Visit 1) and at four follow-up visits (Visits 2-5). By the second visit, the serum ferritin and iron values of donors receiving iron supplementation differed significantly from those of donors receiving placebo. By the fifth visit, a less marked but significant increase in hemoglobin had occurred in the iron group, but not in the placebo group. At no time was there a significant difference between the groups' suitability to donate blood, with each group donating at almost half of their visits. The authors conclude that iron supplementation at this dose level in deferred female blood donors improves their iron status and hemoglobin levels, but does not significantly increase their suitability to donate blood as compared with the suitability of placebo-treated donors.     

Role of hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal axis in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension in patients with prolactinoma of the anterior lobe of the hypophysis

AIM: To elucidate mechanisms underlying arterial hypertension (AH) in patients with hyperprolactinemia, prolactin-secreting adenoma of the anterior lobe of the hypothesis, in particular. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 9 females with microprolactin-secreting and 4 females with macroprolactin-secreting adenoma of the anterior lobe of the hypophysis (mean age 33.8 +/- 3.7 years) were examined using radioimmunoassay of the hormones, computed tomography, MR-tomography of the adrenals and brain. RESULTS: Humoral regulation of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal-adrenal axis was found different in patients with microadenoma due to dopaminergic insufficiency of the hypothalamus and in patients with macroadenoma--tumor of the hypophyseal genesis. Patients with microadenoma were diagnosed to have low-renin diastolic arterial hypertension with clinical symptoms of hyperaldosteronism and high levels of plasma aldosterone. Patients with macroadenoma had normal arterial pressure, aldosterone levels and plasma renin activity. Treatment with parlodel, agonist of dopaminergic receptors, reduced arterial pressure, prolactin level, plasma aldosterone and raised plasma renin activity in patients with microadenoma. Such changes were not observed in patients with macroadenoma. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that one of the causes of AH in patients with microprolactin-secreting hypophyseal adenoma lies in hyperaldosteronemia which develops as a result of dopaminergic insufficiency of the hypothalamus and hyperprolactinemia.     

Levels of biologically active substances in the blood of patients resistant and nonresistant to antihypertensive therapy

AIM: To clarify the role of differences in the levels of some biologically active substances (BAS) in plasma of patients with resistance to therapy or without it measured before treatment, during treatment and application of plasmapheresis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Resistance to therapy was assessed clinically and according to 24-h monitoring in 35 patients aged 35-56 years with essential hypertension (n = 19), related to chronic pyelonephritis (n = 13) and glomerulonephritis (n = 3). Plasma BAS were studied by radio- and enzyme immunoassays. RESULTS: Blood pressure monitoring provided more precise determination of the treatment responders than clinical tests. Initially, responders to therapy had higher level of endothelin-1 and low of hydrocortisone. CONCLUSION: Responders to antihypertensive therapy were distinguished by a significant decrease of plasma aldosterone within a year vs aldosterone levels before the treatment. Nonresponders had no significant decrease of plasma aldosterone. No other marked differences in plasma BAS between the responders and nonresponders to antihypertensive treatment were found.     

Total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) and exercise

The relationship between physical activity, physical fitness and total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) was examined in the Northern Ireland Health and Activity Survey. This was a cross-sectional population study (n = 1600) using a two-stage probability sample of the population. TRAP was calculated using the sum of the individual serum antioxidant concentrations (urate, protein thiols, ascorbate, alpha tocopherol and bilirubin) multiplied by their respective stoichiometric values. Physical fitness was determined by estimation of VO2max by extrapolation from submaximal oxygen uptake, and physical activity was recorded by computer-assisted interview. Mean serum TRAP concentrations were significantly higher in males (653 +/- 8.2 mumol/l, mean +/- SEM) compared to females (564 +/- 8.0 mumol/l) (p < 0.0001). Both male and female smokers had significantly lower TRAP values than non-smokers (males p < 0.0001, females p = 0.02). In females, there was a positive relationship of TRAP with age (p < 0.001) and body mass index (p < 0.001) but a negative relationship with physical fitness (p < 0.05). The known beneficial effects of exercise and activity do not appear to be directly mediated through increased antioxidant status.