[PI-3 kinase/AKT/PKB signal transduction pathway in kidneys mediates angiotensin II-induced hypertension]. / PPI-3 kinaza/AKT/PKB put transdukcije signala u bubregu posreduje razvoj angiotenzin II-inducirane hipertenzije.

INTRODUCTION: The activation of PI-3 kinase/AKT/PKB signal transduction pathway has implicated in the cell growth regulation and proliferation. AIM: To determine a role of PI-3 kinase/AKT/PKB signal transduction pathway in the kidney of Angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats. METHODS: NZW (New Zealand White) rats have been infused by Angiotensin II using osmotic minipump for six days (n = 8). Control group was untreated rats (n = 6). PI-3 inase and AKT/PKB activities were measured in the presence or absence of different inhibitors. RESULTS: Angiotensin II elevated mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) to 182 +/- 2 mm Hg (p < 0.001) vs untreated control rats (95 +/- 3 mm Hg). Ras-GTPase and PI-3 Kinase activities were elevated in angiotensin II-treated group. Ras inhibitors FPT III and BMS/191563 attenuated MABP to 122 +/- 2 and 127 +/- 4 mm Hg (p < 0.05) and abolished Ras-GTPase and PI-3 Kinase activities. AKT/PKB activity followed the PI-3 kinase activity. CONCLUSION: PI-3 kinase/AKT/PKB signal transduction pathway in the kidney is activated and mediates Angiotesin II-induced hypertension.

[Disorders of diastolic function in patients on hemodialysis]. / Poremecaji dijastolne funkcije u pacijenata na hemodijalizi.

INTRODUCTION: Impaired cardiac function is frequently present in patients on maintenance haemodialysis. AIM: To assess the left ventricular diastolic function in patients on haemodialysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used 2D and pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography to evaluate the left ventricular diastolic function in 40 patients on haemodialysis and compared those to healthy controls. RESULTS: Majority of Doppler parameters were changed in patients on haemodialysis. Diastolic dysfunction was present in 77.5% patients. In comparison to the healthy controls haemodialysis patients showed significant increase in peak velocity of late diastolic filling, (A wave, 76.82 +/- 23.76 cm/s vs. 58.46 +/- 9.65 cm/s p < 0.001) and reduction in the E/A ratio (1.00 +/- 0.26 vs. 1.26 +/- 0.31 p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was significant impairment in left ventricular diastolic function in patients on haemodialysis.

[Morphologic changes in the interventricular septum and the posterior wall of the left ventricle in patients on hemodialysis]. / Morfoloske promjene interventrikularnog septuma i straznjeg zida lijevog ventrikula u pacijenata na hemodijalizi.

Left ventricular hypertrophy is dominant finding in patients with chronic renal failure. In our work we have analysed the interventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall in thirty patients on chronic hemodialysis, using an echocardiography. Increased thickness of interventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall were found in 70% patients. We have also confirmed correlation between these parameters and value of systolic arterial blood pressure. Echocardiography is very useful and powerful method for the assessment of morphological cardiac disorders in patients on hemodialysis.

[Effect of hemodialysis on functional parameters of the left ventricle]. / Uticaj hemodijalize na funkcionalne parametre lijevog ventrikula.

Many cardiac functional disorders are developed in chronic renal failure. The aim of our work was the echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular functional parameters in patients on haemodialysis. We observed that left ventricular end-diastolic volume, left ventricular end-systolic volume and stroke volume significantly decreased after haemodialysis. Left ventricular ejection fraction increased after haemodialysis, but not significantly. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly after haemodialysis while heart rate increased significantly. During the haemodialysis, many haemodynamic changes are observed. Analysis of cardiac functional status is essential before the haemodialysis starts.