[Non-traditional atherosclerosis risk factors in patients with renal artery stenosis and hypertension]. / "Nietradycyjne" czynniki ryzyka miazdzycy u chorych ze zwezeniem tetnicy nerkowej i nadcisnieniem tetniczym.

The most investigated novel risk factors of atherosclerosis are: fibrinogen (Fb), homocysteine (Hcy), lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), markers of inflammation and infectious factors. Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS) is a manifestation of generalized atherosclerosis and often coexist with hypertension and renal failure. The aim of the study was to assess plasma concentration of Hcy, von Willebrand factor (VWF), (Lp(a), Fb, PAI-1, and assessment of ACE gene polymorphism in pts with RAS and hypertension. The study included 15 patients with RAS (mean age 51.4 +/- 16.5 yrs) and 27 healthy volunteers (C) (mean age 42.9 +/- 9.5 yrs). Plasma concentrations of Hcy were significantly higher in RAS (11.0 +/- 3.9 mumol/L) than in C (6.8 +/- 1.3 mumol/L). Plasma concentration of VWF was also significantly higher in RAS than C (104.7 +/- 40 vs 73.6 +/- 20%) as was FB concentration (325.9 +/- 70.0 vs 256.2 +/- 54.7 mg%). DD genotype was present in 45% of RAS pts and in 12% of controls. In patients with atherosclerotic RAS novel markers of atherosclerosis may be an additional risk factor in the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions.

Do catecholamines influence the level of plasma leptin in patients with phaeochromocytoma?

The relationship between plasma leptin and catecholamine concentrations during chronic and acute catecholamine excess is studied. Patients with phaeochromocytoma, divided according to gender, were examined under basal conditions (n = 18) and at selected time-points during surgical removal of the tumour (n = 12). Appropriate controls were used (n = 23) for the basal study. Plasma leptin was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and plasma noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Statistical evaluation employed Student's t-test, Wicoxon test and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Gender-related differences in plasma leptin in normal subjects was confirmed, and these were maintained in the patients. Phaeochromocytoma patients had normal plasma leptin levels in the basal state and decreased levels following the massive catecholamine surge provoked by surgery. Plasma leptin concentration did not correlate with plasma NA or A in either group studied. In the patients with phaeochromocytoma, acute but not chronic catecholamine excess affected plasma leptin, suggesting a role for sympathetic activity in modulating leptin release.

Do catecholamines influence the level of plasma leptin in patients with phaeochromocytoma?

The relationship between plasma leptin and catecholamine concentrations during chronic and acute catecholamine excess is studied. Patients with phaeochromocytoma, divided according to gender, were examined under basal conditions (n=18) and at selected time-points during surgical removal of the tumour (n=12). Appropriate controls were used (n=23) for the basal study. Plasma leptin was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and plasma noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Statistical evaluation employed Student's t-test, Wicoxon test and Spearman's correlation coefficient. Gender-related differences in plasma leptin in normal subjects was confirmed, and these were maintained in the patients. Phaeochromocytoma patients had normal plasma leptin levels in the basal state and decreased levels following the massive catecholamine surge provoked by surgery. Plasma leptin concentration did not correlate with plasma NA or A in either group studied. In the patients with phaeochromocytoma, acute but not chronic catecholamine excess affected plasma leptin, suggesting a role for sympathetic activity in modulating leptin release.