Partial hypopituitarism and Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

A case of multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis with pituitary involvement nearly 20 years after initial presentation. A 48-year-old man had histiocytosis X 22 years ago initially involving the groin; subsequently his external auditory meatus, scalp, gum, mandibular bone, perineum and axilla were involved and treated. The pituitary gland was involved 4 years ago.

Treatment of hypertension in diabetes.

Patients with type I and II diabetes mellitus represent a population at high risk of the cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and renal effects of hypertension. Antihypertensive therapy should be considered for those with blood pressures above 130/85 mmHg with the aim to reduce levels below 125/75 especially for those with microalbummuria or diabetic nephropathy. Hypertension tends to occur on a background of multiple other risk factors.

The thiazolidinedione rosiglitazone (BRL-49653) lowers blood pressure and protects against impairment of endothelial function in Zucker fatty rats.

Human obesity is associated with insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and a predisposition to hypertension and vascular disease, the origin of which may lie in impairment of endothelial function. We tested the effects of the thiazolidinedione rosiglitazone on blood pressure and endothelial function in insulin-resistant fatty Zucker rats, which display hypertension and abnormal endothelial cell function. We studied fatty Zucker rats given rosiglitazone maleate (50 micromol/kg diet; n = 8) for 9-12 weeks (treated fatty), untreated fatty rats (n = 8), and lean rats (n = 8) given diet alone.