[Atypical subacute thyroiditis in combination with Grave's disease:Diagnostic difficulties in a case report].

Subacute thyroiditis is a common inflammatory disorder of the thyroid gland, possibly of viral etiology, that typically presents with neck pain, fever and tenderness on palpation of the thyroid gland. Graves' disease is an autoimmune thyroid disorder caused by stimulation of the thyroid gland by thyrotropin receptor antibodies (TRAb). The development of Graves´ disease and subacute thyroiditis simultaneously is an uncommon condition and only a few cases have been reported.

Brain natriuretic peptide is a potent vasodilator in aged human microcirculation and shows a blunted response in heart failure patients.

Background: Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is normally present in low levels in the circulation, but it is elevated in parallel with the degree of congestion in heart failure subjects (CHF). BNP has natriuretic effects and is a potent vasodilator. It is suggested that BNP could be a therapeutic alternative in CHF.

Deteriorated function of cutaneous microcirculation in chronic congestive heart failure.

Background: Chronic congestive heart failure is a complex condition that leads to dysfunction in the peripheral microcirculation. We have previously shown that vascular reactivity is reduced with increasing age. In this study, we examined a group of very old patients with severe chronic heart failure to test the hypothesis that vascular function is further compromised by a combination of heart failure and aging.

Endothelin ETA and ETB receptor expression in the human trigeminal ganglion.

Objectives: Endothelin is a potent peptide mediator that is synthesized by a number of cells. Previous studies have revealed the occurrence of endothelin in nerve cell bodies of some peripheral ganglia. Endothelin mediates its effects via two distinct receptor subtypes ETA and ETB.

Triptan-induced contractile (5-HT1B receptor) responses in human cerebral and coronary arteries: relationship to clinical effect.

Triptans are agonists at 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D (where 5-HT is 5-hydroxytryptamine; serotonin) receptors and cause vasoconstriction of isolated blood vessels. The aim of the present study was to determine vasoconstrictor potency (EC50) of triptans in human coronary and cerebral arteries and to examine whether there was any relationship with the maximal plasma concentrations (Cmax; nM) of the drugs achieved following oral administration of clinically relevant doses to man using values reported in the literature. We also examined the expression of 5-HT1B receptors in atherosclerotic and normal coronary arteries.

Role of mitogen-activated protein kinases in endothelin ETB receptor up-regulation after organ culture of rat mesenteric artery.

Organ culture of isolated arteries results in increased levels of endothelin ET(B) (ET(B)) receptor mRNA and in enhanced ET(B) receptor mediated contraction. The present study was designed to pinpoint the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) subtype involved in up-regulation of ET(B) receptors after organ culture of rat mesenteric arteries. Western blot and selective antibodies towards constitutional and phosphorylated MAPKs revealed the appearance of phosphorylated MAPK of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2 type at 3 h of organ culture.

Analysis of the time course for organ culture-induced endothelin ET B receptor upregulation in rat mesenteric arteries.

In contrast to the constitutively expressed endothelin ET(A) receptor, the distribution of endothelin ET(B) receptors is more variable. The aim of the present study was to investigate the kinetics of organ culture-induced upregulation of contractile endothelin ET(B) receptors in rat mesenteric arteries at both mRNA and functional levels. Assessment of mRNA expression revealed low levels of endothelin ET(B) receptor mRNA relative to endothelin ET(A) receptor mRNA after 3 h of culture, which gradually increased to reach a plateau level after 24 h.

Protein kinase C inhibitors decrease endothelin ET(B) receptor mRNA expression and contraction during organ culture of rat mesenteric artery.

The effect of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors on the induction of endothelin ET(B) receptors during organ culture was examined in isolated segments of the rat mesenteric artery. After 24 h of organ culture, the endothelin ET(B) receptor agonist sarafotoxin 6c (S6c) induced a strong contraction compared to fresh segments. The contractile response after 24-h organ culture to S6c was studied in presence (30-min preincubation) or absence, after 24-h treatment, of the PKC inhibitors staurosporine, K252a and Ro31-7549.

Cerebral ischemia upregulates vascular endothelin ET(B) receptors in rat.

Background And Purpose: Elevated levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) have been reported in cerebral ischemia. A role for ET may prove more important if the vascular receptors were changed. We addressed whether there is any change in ET receptor expression in cerebral ischemia.