Fetal and maternal peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma2 Pro12Ala does not influence birth weight.

The association between the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma2 Pro12Ala polymorphism and insulin resistance is reported to depend on low birth weight. Low birth weight itself has been linked to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. We assessed whether the PPARgamma2 Pro12Ala polymorphism determines body size at birth and whether metabolic differences between the genotypes are already detectable in the newborn.

Impact of genetic variation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on gestational hypertension.

Background: The mechanisms responsible for the pathogeneses of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia are unclear. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a pro-inflammatory Th(1)-type cytokine. TNFA gene is located in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class III region of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on chromosome 6.

Angiotensin II sensitivity of afferent glomerular arterioles in endothelin-1 transgenic mice.

Background: Although endothelin I (ET-1) is a very potent vasoconstrictor, ET-1 transgenic (ET-1 tg) mice are not hypertensive. This might be due to higher bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) in ET-1 tg, which counteracts the effect of vasoconstrictors. We hypothesized lower angiotensin II (Ang II) sensitivity of afferent arterioles in ET-1 tg.

Inhibition of both neutral endopeptidase and endothelin-converting enzyme by SLV306 reduces proteinuria and urinary albumin excretion in diabetic rats.

Diabetic nephropathy is a serious complication of diabetes associated with a poor prognosis which deteriorates to end-stage renal disease. Increased urinary excretion of protein and albumin are early clinical markers for diabetic renal disease and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Diabetes causes activation of the renal endothelin system inducing renal damage.

Systemic cardiovascular disease in uremic rats induced by 1,25(OH)2D3.

Objective: Vitamin D may contribute to cardiovascular disease in the absence of hypercalcemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Methods: We investigated the effects of long-term (6-week) treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3, at a non-hypercalcemic dosage (0.25 microg/kg per day per orally) in 5/6 nephrectomized rats: (i) vehicle-treated, sham-operated rats; (ii) 1,25(OH)2D3-treated, sham-operated rats; (iii) vehicle-treated, 5/6 nephrectomized rats; and (iv) 1,25(OH)2D3-treated, 5/6 nephrectomized rats.

Endothelin B receptor-deficient mice develop endothelial dysfunction independently of salt loading.

Background: Rodents without a functional endothelin B (ETB) receptor develop salt-sensitive hypertension. The underlying mechanisms, however, are so far unknown. The ETB receptor is involved in endothelial function by modulating the activity of the endothelial nitric oxide synthesis as well as contributing to the control of endothelial prostacyclin synthesis.

Different impact of biomarkers as mortality predictors among diabetic and nondiabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis demonstrate much worse survival rates than do nondiabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis. To search for risk predictors, a prospective cohort study was performed with 245 hemodialysis patients, including 84 with diabetes mellitus, for 2 yr. C-reactive protein, troponin T (TnT), total, HDL, LDL, and lipoprotein(a) cholesterol, apoA2, apoB, triglyceride, fibrinogen, D-dimer, albumin, and creatinine levels and clinical characteristics at the time of entry were recorded.