Homocysteine-induced endothelin-1 release is dependent on hyperglycaemia and reactive oxygen species production in bovine aortic endothelial cells.

Background: Elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) is a risk factor for coronary disease. The objective of this study was to investigate whether Hcy either alone or in high glucose conditions induces endothelin-1 (ET-1) synthesis via the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Methods: Bovine aortic endothelial cells were grown in high (25 mmol/l) and low (5 mmol/l) glucose medium.

Plasma tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 levels are elevated in essential hypertension and related to left ventricular hypertrophy.

Background: Essential hypertensive patients have an increased heart and arterial collagen concentration. Increased collagen synthesis can be assessed using procollagen III N peptide (PIIINP) and reduced collagen degradation measured using tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1).

Methods: Plasma TIMP-1 and PIIINP levels were measured in 31 patients with essential hypertension and in 17 normotensive control subjects.