Impact of the therapy by renin-angiotensin system targeting antihypertensive agents perindopril versus telmisartan on prothrombotic state in essential hypertension.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of therapy by perindopril or telmisartan on endothelial/platelet function and on coagulation/fibrinolysis in 20 and 16 hypertensive patients, respectively. The measurements were carried out before and after 1 month of therapy. Both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were reduced (P<0.

[Complex therapy of chronic hepatic encephalopathy supplemented with probiotic: comparison of two studies].

Background: Several reports about usefulness of probiotics, including Enterococcus faecium in the treatment of chronic hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis have been recently published. The results obtained by the administration of Enterococcus faecium M-74 + selenium will be evaluated and compared with those published by Loguercio et al. for Enterococcus faecium SF 68.

[Bone changes in patients after partial gastric resection].

Metabolic diseases of the bones may be a serious complication of gastrectomy. The pathogenesis of osseous changes is multifactorial. The most important causes include a reduced intake of dairy products, their fastened passage through the stomach and reduced calcium and vitamin D absorption.

Effect of the new centrally acting antihypertensive agent rilmenidine on endothelial and platelet function in essential hypertension.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of therapy by rilmenidine on endothelial and platelet function in 23 patients with the early stages of untreated essential hypertension. The measurements were carried out before therapy, after 1 week of placebo administration, after 1 week, after 1 month and after 3 months of therapy. After 1 week of therapy both systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were reduced (P < 0.

Thrombomodulin as a marker of endothelium damage in some clinical conditions.

Background: Thrombomodulin (TM) is a membrane glycoprotein in the vascular endothelium. It may be cleaved from endothelial cells and released into the circulation. The plasma TM level depends on the integrity of the endothelium and the clearance of the molecule.

[Endogenous levels of somatostatin, C-peptide and insulin in acute pancreatitis].

The authors compared in seven patients with acute pancreatitis the levels of endogenous somatostatin, insulin and C-peptide to assess their mutual correlation and relation to the development of the disease and serum amalyse levels. The results were compared with values recorded in 11 healthy volunteers. The levels of endogenous somatostatin were in patients with acute pancreatitis significantly higher (p < 0.

[Bone changes in ulcerative colitis].

One of the complications of ulcerative colitis with frequent relapses is mineral deficiency (potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus). The objective of the present work is to examine the bone density and laboratory parameters of bone metabolism in 25 patients with a medium severe and severe form of ulcerative colitis. In patients with ulcerative colitis a significantly reduced bone density was found in the era of neck of the femur (p < 0.

[Diurnal changes in blood pressure, albuminuria and urinary excretion of retinol-binding protein in type I diabetics].

We studied 24-h ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), 16-h daytime and 8-h nighttime urinary excretion of albumin (UAE) and retinol-binding protein (URBP) in 20 type 1 diabetic patients (group 1) with normoalbuminuria (UAE < 20 micrograms/min) and 20 type 1 diabetic patients (group 2) with microalbuminuria and low proteinuria (UAE 20-500 micrograms/min). The groups were comparable in age, diabetes duration and actual glycaemic control. Daytime and nighttime SBP and DBP were higher in group 2 compared to group 1 (p < 0.

[Cortisol and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract].

Cortisol is the hormone reacting to endogenous and exogenous stress. An important role is ascribed to stress in the genesis and development of malignant and inflammatory diseases of the GIT. The authors examined in their investigation the 24-hour secretion of cortisol in patients with gastric affections, polyps of the large bowel and compared them mutually and with groups of patients with ulcerative colitis and healthy probands.

[Serum gastrin and somatostatin in diseases of the stomach].

Gastrin and somatostatin are enterohormones which influence several physiological processes in the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrin has a pro-malignant and pro-ulcerogenic effect, while somatostatin deficiency has a similar effect. The authors examined in their investigation the 24-hour secretion of both hormones in patients with gastric ulcer and atypical gastric conditions.

Circadian rhythmicity and cross correlation of plasma gastrin, cortisol and somatostatin levels in ulcerative colitis patients and healthy subjects.

Gastrin, somatostatin and cortisol circadian (24 hours) rhythmicity was confirmed in healthy subjects. Gastrin and cortisol circadian rhythmicity was studied and also established in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). UC patients were found to have a lower 24-hour amplitude of plasma cortisol and a shorter acrophase of plasma gastrin.

Effect of the exercise test on albuminuria, blood pressure and blood glucose in type I (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients.

Twenty-nine male type I diabetic patients (age range 16-46 years) and thirteen healthy men (age range 18-43 years) were exercised on a cycling ergometer at 75 W and 100 W after having achieved a steady state of water diuresis. Diabetic patients were subdivided into Group A (n = 19, resting urinary albumin excretion rate - UAER less than or equal to 16 micrograms/min) and Group B (n = 10, 16 less than resting UAER less than 126 micrograms/min). The groups were comparable in weight, serum creatinine, duration of diabetes and glycosylated hemoglobin.

The effect of small doses of guanfacine (Estulic Sandoz) on the lipid levels and catecholamine excretion in patients with essential hypertension.

During three-month therapy with small doses of guanfacine (Estulic Sandoz) that were sufficient to control blood pressure in patients with stage II essential hypertension and led to a decrease in excretion of noradrenaline and vanillylmandelic acid, the authors found a decrease in the level of blood cholesterol in patients with hyperlipidaemia. There was no adverse effect on the levels of triglycerides, beta, pre-beta and alpha lipoproteins. The authors conclude that Estulic therapy is indicated in patients who, in addition to essential hypertension, have hyperlipidaemia.