Immunomorphogenesis in Degenerative Disc Disease: The Role of Proinflammatory Cytokines and Angiogenesis Factors.

Back pain (BP) due to degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a severe, often disabling condition. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the expression level of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17), angiogenesis markers (VEGF-A and CD31) in intervertebral disc (IVD) tissue and IVD degeneration in young people with discogenic BP. In patients who underwent discectomy for a disc herniation, a clinical examination, magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine, histological and immunohistochemical analyses of these factors in IVD were performed in comparison with the parameters of healthy group samples (controls).

Comparison of rilmenidine and lisinopril on ambulatory blood pressure and plasma lipid and glucose levels in hypertensive women with metabolic syndrome.

Objective: In previous studies, the I1 imidazoline specific agonist rilmenidine effectively lowered office blood pressure (BP) in patients with metabolic syndrome, improved glucose metabolism and did not demonstrate unfavourable effects on plasma lipids. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of 12weeks therapy with rilmenidine compared with the ACE inhibitor lisinopril on ambulatory BP, plasma lipid and fasting glucose levels in women with metabolic syndrome.

Research Design: Prospective randomised open-label, blinded end-points study.

Relationships between erythrocyte membrane properties and components of metabolic syndrome in women.

Background: Membrane structure in metabolic syndrome has not been fully investigated. The aim of our study was to determine the relationship between structural parameters of the erythrocyte membrane and blood pressure, indices of obesity, plasma lipids, and glucose levels in female patients with metabolic syndrome.

Material/methods: In 23 women with metabolic syndrome and 12 control normotensive women, anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and serum lipids were evaluated and an oral glucose tolerance test was performed.