Clinical Management of Primary Aldosteronism: An Update.

Despite carrying an excess risk of cardiovascular events, primary aldosteronism (PA) is a commonly overlooked secondary form of arterial hypertension. An increased awareness of its high prevalence and broader screening strategies are urgently needed to improve its detection rate and allow early diagnosis and targeted treatment. For patients with unilateral PA, these measures can correct hyperaldosteronism and ensure cure of hypertension, even when resistant to drug treatment, thus preventing adverse cardiovascular events.

Water and Electrolyte Content in Salt-Dependent HYpertension in the SKIn (WHYSKI): Effect of Surgical Cure of Primary Aldosteronism.

Unlabelled:  INTRODUCTION: This study will test the hypothesis that primary aldosteronism (PA) involves alterations in Na, K, and water content in the skin that are corrected by adrenalectomy.

Aim And Methods: In skin biopsies, we will measure the content of Na, K, water, by physical-chemical methods and the osmotic-stress-responsive transcription factor Tonicity-responsive Enhancer Binding Protein (TonEBP, NFAT5) mRNA copy number by droplet digital PCR, in sex-balanced cohorts of 18 -75-year-old consecutive consenting patients with unilateral and bilateral PA, primary (essential) hypertension, and normotension. Before surgery, the patients with unilateral PA will receive the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) canrenone at doses that correct hypokalemia and high blood pressure values.

Endocrine disruptors and arterial hypertension: A developing story.

Endocrine disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are substances that interfere with hormones by several mechanisms including receptor activation or antagonism, changes in gene and protein expression, modification of signal transduction, and/or epigenetic modifications in hormone-producing cells. A survey conducted by the European Union in a Northern Italian region led to the discovery of a large environmental contamination of drinking water by perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). As the exposed population showed a high prevalence of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular disease, we decided to investigate if PFAS could enhance the biosynthesis of aldosterone.