The effect of nebivolol and ramipril on selected biochemical parameters, arterial stiffness, and circadian profile of blood pressure in young men with primary hypertension: A 12-week prospective randomized, open-label study trial.

Background: The pleiotropic effects of hypotensive drugs should always be taken into consideration. There is limited data on the effect of such drugs on reducing global cardiovascular risk in young hypertensives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nebivolol and ramipril on biochemical parameters, arterial stiffness, and circadian profile of blood pressure (BP) in young men undergoing treatment for hypertension (HT).

Impact of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, free and bioavailable fractions of vitamin D, and vitamin D binding protein levels on metabolic syndrome components.

Introduction: Various forms of vitamin D and factors involved in their metabolism can play a role in the etiopathogenesis of metabolic disorders. This paper aims to define the relationship between concentration of the hydroxylated form of vitamin D (25(OH)D), the fraction of free and bioavailable vitamin D, and of vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) levels on the one hand and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome components on the other.

Material And Methods: The studies were conducted on 79 people, including 52 with metabolic syndrome (MetS+) and 27 without it (MetS-).

The effect of orlistat versus metformin on body composition and insulin resistance in obese premenopausal women: 3-month randomized prospective open-label study.

Introduction: Our aim was to evaluate the effects of metformin and orlistat on body composition and glucose-insulin homeostasis in obese premenopausal women.

Material And Methods: Seventy-three obese premenopausal Caucasian women aged 32.4 ±8.

Concentrations of omentin and vaspin versus insulin resistance in obese individuals.

Introduction: Omentin and vaspin are adipokines manifesting a potentially protective action against obesity-associated metabolic disturbances.

Aim: Evaluation of relationship between serum concentrations of omentin and vaspin on one hand and indices of insulin resistance and anthropometric parameters in obese individuals on the other.

Material And Methods: The studies were conducted on 64 individuals.

Effects of endurance and endurance-strength exercise on biochemical parameters of liver function in women with abdominal obesity.

Introduction: Obesity is a risk factor of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Although the standard therapy for obesity involves physical exercise, well-planned studies of the changes in liver function in response to different exercise intensities in obese subjects are scarce. The aim of the present study was to examine a question of how does exercise mode affect the liver function.

The effect of L-arginine and ascorbic acid on the visceral fat and the concentrations of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in high-fat-diet rats.

Introduction: L-arginine (L-arg) and vitamin C supplementation may decrease fat accumulation and have a favourable effect on carbohydrate metabolism. This is partly caused by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are involved in adipocyte development and remodelling. Our study evaluated the effects of L-arg and vitamin C supplementation on the content of visceral fat (VF%), activity of MMPs, and insulin resistance (IR) in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

Effects of the lercanidipine-enalapril combination vs. the corresponding monotherapies on home blood pressure in hypertension: evidence from a large database.

Objective: To compare a combination of a dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor vs. monotherapy with one or the other drug and placebo for their effects on home blood pressure (HBP).

Methods: After a 2-week placebo wash-out, patients with an elevated office blood pressure (BP) (diastolic 100-109 and systolic <180 mmHg) and HBP (diastolic ≥85 mmHg) were randomized double-blind to a 10-week treatment with placebo, lercanidipine, 10 or 20 mg daily, enalapril, 10 or 20 mg daily, or the four possible combinations.

Effect of L-arginine supplementation on insulin resistance and serum adiponectin concentration in rats with fat diet.

Object: The purpose of this study was to determine whether supplementation with L-arginine, a substrate used in the production of nitric oxide, had an effect on adiponectin concentration in rats fed a high-fat diet. The influence of L-arginine on insulin resistance was also evaluated.

Materials And Methods: The experiment was performed using 36 Wistar rats divided into three groups: group 1 was fed a standard diet, group 2 a high-fat (HF) diet, group 3 a HF diet supplemented with L-arginine.

Effects of Endurance and Endurance Strength Training on Body Composition and Physical Capacity in Women with Abdominal Obesity.

Aims: To compare the effects of endurance training with endurance strength training on the anthropometric, body composition, physical capacity, and circulatory parameters in obese women.

Methods: 44 women with abdominal obesity were randomized into groups A and B, and asked to perform endurance (A) and endurance strength training (B) for 3 months, 3 times/week, for 60 min. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and Graded Exercise Test were performed before and after training.

[The analysis of the influence of short term physical effort on selected endothelial function parameters and blood vessels stiffness features among young and healthy men].

Unlabelled: Endothelium dysfunction is well established factor contributing to the development of atheroslerotic plaque. It is characterized by, among other, impaired vasodilatation and increased expression of adhesion molecules. The aim of the study was to estimate changes of serum selectin levels and blood vessels stiffness under the influence of short term physical effort in young healthy men characterized by various lifestyles.

Effects on office and home blood pressure of the lercanidipine-enalapril combination in patients with Stage 2 hypertension: a European randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combinations of lercanidipine (L) and enalapril (E) at different doses on office and home blood pressure (BP) in patients with Stage 2 hypertension.

Study Design: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, factorial study conducted in 100 centres from seven countries. Patients with office DBP 100-109 mmHg and home DBP at least 85 mmHg at the end of a 2-week placebo run-in period were randomized to a 10-week treatment with placebo, L (10 or 20 mg), E (10 or 20 mg) or the four L-E combinations.

[Effect of physical exercise on endothelial function, indicators of inflammation and oxidative stress].

Endothelium plays an important role in regulation of the activity of inflammation and oxidative stress. Numerous studies have shown that physical training affects endothelial function. It is proven that regular physical activity reduces the seventy of inflammation and the risk of cardiovascular events.

Primary systemic amyloidosis as a real diagnostic challenge - case study.

Primary amyloidosis (AL) is a rare variety of plasma cell dyscrasia, the diagnosis of which is often difficult to establish. Pathogenesis of amyloidosis involves extracellular deposition of insoluble protein fibrils in tissues, leading to insufficiency of affected organs. According to various sources, mean survival rate of patients with primary amyloidosis ranges from 12 to 24 months, making primary amyloidosis a disease with a very poor prognosis.

The effects of L-arginine, alone and combined with vitamin C, on mineral status in relation to its antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties in male rats on a high-fat diet.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the intake of L-arginine alone and of L-arginine with vitamin C on mineral concentration in rats fed with a high-fat diet, and to assess the lipid glucose, insulin, and total antioxidant status (TAS) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha serum levels that result. Wistar rats were assigned to groups fed with either a standard control diet (C), a diet high in fat (FD), a diet high in fat with L-arginine, or a diet high in fat with L-arginine and vitamin C. After 6 weeks, the length and weight of the rats were measured, and the animals were euthanized.

Changes in mineral status are associated with improvements in insulin sensitivity in obese patients following L-arginine supplementation.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term influence of L-arginine intake on mineral concentration in patients with obesity and to assess the changes in lipid serum levels, fat content, and insulin resistance that result.

Methods: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted. 88 obese patients were randomly assigned to receive either 9 g of L-arginine or placebo daily, for 6 months.

An assessment of dietary intake and state of nutritional in hypertensive patients from rural and urban areas of Greater Poland.

The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional factors connected with the prevalence of hypertension in rural and urban areas of Greater Poland. The study consisted of 308 people aged 35-62, with essential hypertension but without any other coexisting disorders. The studied group consisted of 154 residents of Poznań (79 women and 75 men) and 152 inhabitants of rural areas in Greater Poland (78 women and 74 men).

Influence of short-term L-arginine supplementation on carbohydrate balance in rats with ischemia-reperfusion syndrome.

Background: There are studies showing stimulative effect of arginine on insulin secretion. This mechanism is not fully explained. The effects of the impact of arginine on carbohydrate balance under the conditions of ischemia and reperfusion remain to be determined.

Green tea extract reduces blood pressure, inflammatory biomarkers, and oxidative stress and improves parameters associated with insulin resistance in obese, hypertensive patients.

Green tea (GT) consumption is known to be associated with enhanced cardiovascular and metabolic health. The purpose of this study is to examine the hypothesis that supplementation with GT alters insulin resistance and associated cardiovascular risk factors in obese, hypertensive patients. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 56 obese, hypertensive subjects were randomized to receive a daily supplement of 1 capsule that contained either 379 mg of GT extract (GTE) or a matching placebo, for 3 months.

Plasma total homocysteine is a determinant of carotid intima-media thickness and circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy), prevalent in hypertensive patients, affects oxidant/antioxidant balance of the body, and is linked to the development of atherosclerosis, inflammation, and endothelium injury. Our objective was to examine a hypothesis that Hcy is a predictor of total antioxidant status (TAS) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), important in the repair of injured endothelium, in hypertensive patients.

Methods: This study was conducted with newly diagnosed essential hypertension patients (n=42) and healthy controls (n=20).

Effects of green tea supplementation on elements, total antioxidants, lipids, and glucose values in the serum of obese patients.

The consumption of green tea has been associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. There have been some studies on the influence of green tea on the mineral status of obese subjects, but they have not yielded conclusive results. The aim of the present study is to examine the effects of green tea extract on the mineral, body mass, lipid profile, glucose, and antioxidant status of obese patients.

The influence of hypotensive drugs on the taste sensitivity in patients with primary hypertension.

Numerous hypotensive drugs result in decreasing the taste sensitivity or total loss of taste perception. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of selected groups of hypotensive drugs used in combined treatment of the taste sensitivity in patients suffering from primary arterial hypertension. The study was conducted in a group of 84 patients aged 30-60, including 43 women and 41 men.

Short-term effects of sibutramine on mineral status and selected biochemical parameters in obese women.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of sibutramine on mineral status and selected biochemical parameters in obese women. The study was conducted on 24 patients who received 15 mg daily doses of sibutramine for 12 weeks, and on 20 patients who received placebo. At the baseline, after the sixth and twelfth weeks of treatment, body weight and blood pressure were measured, the BMI was calculated, and samples of blood and of first morning urine were collected.