Publications by authors named "G E Vrentzos"
Background: Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) predisposes to the future development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and may also be associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Hypertension is an established CVD risk factor.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of IFG and the associated anthropometric and metabolic disturbances in patients with hypertension.
Purpose/objective: While hypertension is an important contributor to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its treatment has well-established mortality benefits, there is uncertainty as regards the management of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH). Furthermore, the association of ISH with CVD and mortality has been established, but the metabolic characteristics of the affected population have not as yet been adequately described. The aim of this study was to describe the metabolic profiles of patients with ISH.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCell-penetrating peptides are used extensively to deliver molecules into cells due to their unique characteristics such as rapid internalization, charge, and non-cytotoxicity. Amyloid fibril biomaterials were reported as gene transfer or retroviral infection enhancers; no cell internalization of the peptides themselves is reported so far. In this study, we focus on two rationally and computationally designed peptides comprised of β-sheet cores derived from naturally occurring protein sequences and designed positively charged and aromatic residues exposed at key residue positions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlatelets contain abundant microRNAs (miRs) that regulate gene expression and protein synthesis and may reflect platelet activation. We assessed platelet levels of miR-223, miR-126, and miR-22 in 82 patients with essential hypertension and 28 healthy individuals, using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and evaluated their relation with the patients' clinical profile. Hypertensives had significantly lower platelet miR-22 and miR-223 levels (97.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Catecholamines are significant in the development of atherothrombotic issues related to essential hypertension, with a focus on the role of alpha-adrenergic receptors (α2B-ARs) in platelet behavior.
- In a study involving 59 well-controlled hypertensive patients and 26 normal individuals, researchers found that the expression of α2B-AR genes in platelets was significantly higher in hypertensive patients.
- Additionally, there was a positive correlation between arterial stiffness (measured by pulse wave velocity) and the gene expression levels of α2B-ARs, suggesting a potential link that warrants further investigation.