Differential regulation of TNF receptors in maternal leukocytes is associated with severe preterm preeclampsia.

We tested the hypothesis that maternal peripheral blood leukocytes contribute to elevated levels of soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR) in preeclampsia (PE) with concomitant intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). TNFR1 and TNFR2 were evaluated in a cross-sectional study comparing preeclamptic (n = 15) with or without IUGR versus normotensive pregnant women (PREG, n = 30), and non-pregnant controls (Con; n = 20). Plasma levels of sTNFR1 were higher in PE (1675.

Maternal and fetal epoxyeicosatrienoic acids in normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies.

Background: Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) are cytochrome P450 metabolites of arachidonic acid posited to act in the circulatory adaptation to pregnancy and the development of preeclampsia. Red blood cells (RBCs) may function as major contributors of cis- and trans-EETs.

Methods: We performed paired analyses of EETs, dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs), and 20-HETE in RBCs, plasma, and urine from preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant and nonpregnant women.

Tobacco addiction and smoking status in heroin addicts under methadone vs. buprenorphine therapy.

Aims of the present investigation were: (i) to assess the prevalence of current smokers and relative smoking status among a large number of heroin addicts attending opioid-substitution therapy prevalence; (ii) to evaluate the relationship between the type (methadone, buprenorphine) and dosage of opioid substitution therapy and nicotine dependence. Three hundred and five (305) heroin addicts under opioid-substitution therapy were recruited at five Addiction Units. All participants completed a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic information, type and dose of opioid-substitution therapy, smoking history and status, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and the Zung Self-Rating Depression scale (SDS).

Endothelial progenitor cells in patients with essential hypertension.

Objective(s): The eventual role of blood pressure on the endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) has rarely been evaluated and data collected so far relate to patients with co-existing coronary heart disease.

Methods: We have studied the number and functional activity of EPC as well as the number of EPC endothelial colony-forming units (CFU) in a carefully selected group of 36 patients with essential hypertension and 24 normotensive control subjects.

Results: In patients with essential hypertension, the EPC number was not statistically different from that found in control subjects (mean +/- SD, essential hypertension 58 +/- 29, controls 53 +/- 20; EPC/high power field).