MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in Patients with Heart Failure and Chronic Kidney Disease.

The aim of the study was to assess MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase-2) and TIMP-2 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2) serum levels in patients with diverse types of heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). 101 patients with chronic HF were enrolled. Each patient has assessed the serum levels of MMP-2, TIMP-2, and NT-proBNP.

Expression of Proinflammatory Factors, Proangiogenic Factors and Endostatin in Patients with Heart Failure and Different Grades of Collateral Circulation Development.

Background: The process of collateral vessel maturation is stimulated by numerous factors affecting the endothelium and smooth muscle cells building the vessel wall. Looking for arteriogenesis stimulating factors means looking for a potential innovative heart failure treatment method in the patients unresponsive to traditional therapies.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory factor IL-6, growth factors FGF (FGFa, FGFb, FGFbH), HGF, VEGF and endostatin in heart failure patients in relation to the coronary collaterals development stage.

Impact of nebivolol on levels of serum nitric oxide, plasma von Willebrand factor and exercise stress testing parameters in hypertensive and ischemic heart disease patients.

Background: The dysfunction of vascular endothelium precedes the development of atherosclerosis in patients with arterial hypertension. Nebivolol is a very specific beta-blocker, which can be characterized by a strong endothelial vasodilatative effect. The aim of the study was the assessment of changes in concentrations of serum nitric oxide (NO), plasma von Willebrand factor (vWf) and selected parameters of electrocardiographic exercise tests after 4-week nebivolol treatment.

[Plasma urotensin II level in patients with chronic congestive heart failure].

Urotensin II (UTII) is recently discovered neurohumoral factor influencing function and structure of the myocardium and remodeling of the vessels, and it may contribute to pathogenesis of chronic congestive heart failure. The aim of the study was estimation of plasma concentration of UTII in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. The investigations were performed on 79 patients (37 women and 42 men) aged 43-87 yr.

[The leptin concentration in patients with primary arterial hypertension].

Unlabelled: Leptin seems to play a role in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension by activation of the sympathetic nervous system, influencing water - electrolyte balance and vascular remodeling. It is not known whether leptin is a factor participating in the pathogenesis of primary arterial hypertension or its higher concentration in patients with arterial hypertension reflects only the presence of other factors leading to increased blood pressure. The aim of the study was to try to estimate the leptin participation in the development of the arterial hypertension, to evaluate the concentration of leptin in blood serum of patients with mild, moderate and severe arterial hypertension and to determine the relationships between the observed leptin concentration, arterial hypertension degree according to WHO criteria and body mass.