Relation of urinary prostaglandin E2 levels to uteroplacental blood flow and renal functions in preeclampsia

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between urinary prostaglandin E2 [PGE2] levels and uteroplacental blood flow and to test whether PGE2 contributes to the vasospasm and altered renal functions in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. Serum and urine samples of 63 pregnant women [29 preeclamptic and 34 normotensive] were investigated by means of PGE2 levels and urea, creatinine and creatinine clearance values. To all participants of the study, uteroplacental blood flow was assessed by uterine artery Doppler sonography flow patterns. Data from preeclamptic patients were compared with normotensive pregnancies as controls. Mean urinary PGE2 levels were significantly lower in preeclamptic patients than in normotensive women [2.67 +/- 0.65 vs. 4.35 +/- 0.89 pg/g creatinine, respectively, P < 0.001]. Preeclamptic patients had significantly higher serum urea and creatinine concentrations, and significantly lower creatinine clearance values compared to normal controls. Preeclamptic patients also showed significantly higher mean uterine artery resistance index [RI] values than controls. Correlation analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between urinary PGE2 levels and uterine artery RI values [r = -0.84, P < 0.001]. Prostaglandin E2 [PGE2] is a relevant mediator of uteroplacental blood flow and its deficiency suggests a possible role in the vasospasm of preeclampsia. PGE2 deficiency is of relevance to preeclampsia by leading to reduced uteroplacental blood flow and altered renal functions

Hormonas vasodilatadoras en la insuficiencia cardíaca crónica: efecto de la inhibición de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina / Vasodilator hormones in chronic heart failure: effect of the inhibition of angiotensine converting enzyme

To evaluate the chronic effect of enalapril, in addition to digitalis and diuretics, in patients with chronic heart failure, nine patients with an idopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (8 males, aged 48 to 76 years old) under treatment with digitalis and diuretics, received enalapril 20 mg bid during eigth weeks. Before and after this treatment period resting left ventricular ejection fraction, functional class, plasma levels of atrial natriuretic factor and bradykinins (BK) and urinary excretion of kalikreins (BK) and prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) were measured. After enalapril therapy, there was a significant increase in maximal O2 consumption (14.8ñ1.2 to 18.6ñ1.5 ml/kg/min, p<0.05) and radionuclide LV ejection fraction (27.4ñ1.1 to 31.4ñ0.9 percent p<0.05). This was associated with a significant decrease in plasma ANP levels (559ñ158 to 178ñ54.8 pg/ml) and UK (391ñ112 to 243ñ92 Cu/24 h). The decrease in ANP levels, which is a well known marker of prognosis in CHF, could contribute to explain the sustained clinical benefits observed with ACE inhibitors in patients with CHF

Study of urinary excretion of leukotriene B4 and prostaglandin E2 in patients with glomerulonephritis and bilharziasis

Estimation of urinary excretion of prostaglandin E2 [PGE2] and leukatriene B4 [LTB4] was studied in chronic liver disease patients with and without chronic glomerulonephritis [GN]. 44 chronic liver disease patients [Schistosomal or non-schistosomal] were divided into two groups: group A [21 patients] associated with chronic glomerulonephritis; group B [23 patients] without detectable urinary abonrmality. 10 adults [group C] served as healthy controls. PGE2 and LTB4 were estimated in 24 hours urine by radioimmunoassay technique. Urinary PGE2 was significantly higher in liver disease patients associated with chronic glomerulonephritis [group A] than patients with liver disease only [group B]. The latter group showed a significant higher PGE2 than the normal controls. Increased urinary LTB4 excretion was found in chronic liver disease patients associated with chronic glomerulonephritis compared to nromal adults. While no detectable difference was found in LTB4 excretion between patients with liver disease [group B] compared to normal adults. We concluded that urinary PGE2 and LTB4 excretion increase with the development of G.N yet the explanation for this increase is postulated to be different. Increased manry PGE2 excretion is a translation to an endosgenous renal protective mechanism, while the increase in LTB4 excretion reflects the severity of the inflammatory process of the kidney

Renal function conscious one kidney-one clip hypertensive rats. Effect on indomethacin

Los presentes experimentos han analizado: a) la Presión Arterial (PA) y la función renal en ratas un riñón-un clip (IRIC) dos semanas después de la estenosis arterial; b) efecto de la inhibición de la ciclooxigenasa (CO) sobre la PA y la regluación de la función renal durante el período hipertensivo. Se estudiaron tres grupos de ratas utilizando animales sin anestesia, con libertad de movimiento y crónicamente instrumentados: grupo "Sham" (con operación simulada), Clip 0.31mm de luz, Clip 0.29mm de luz. Los animales fueron examinados antes (período Control) y durante la infusión de indometacina (IND, 5 mg/Kg por la cánula aórtica, n = 11 en cada grupo). La efectiva inhibición de la CO por IND fue confirmada por la determinación de prostaglandín E2 (PGE) en orina. La PA Control (mmH, media ñ ES) difirió significativamente entre los grupos (P < 0.001): Sham, 114 ñ 3; Clip 0.31, l35 ñ 2; Clip 0.29, 154 ñ 4 y los valores no variaron la infusión de IND, sugiriendo que la participación de los eicosanoides derivados de la CO, particularmente la PGE2, en la regulación de la hemodinamia renal de las ratas sham e hipertensas no es significativa. La excreción de sodio fue menor en el período Control de las ratas Clip 0.29 (P<0.01). El significativo efecto natriurético observado en este grupo Clip 0.29 por la infusión de IND sugiere la contribución de um metabolito del AA para el manejo renal del sodio en la hipertensión renovascular más severa