Detection of dihydropyridine- and voltage-sensitive intracellular Ca(2+) signals in normal human parathyroid cells.

We recently showed dihydropyridine- and voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) entry in cultured parathyroid cells from patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. To determine whether normal parathyroid cells have a similar extracellular Ca(2+) entry system, cells were isolated from normal (non-hyperplastic) human parathyroid glands. Fluorescence signals related to the cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)]I) were examined in these cells.

Low-grade endotoxemia contributes to chronic inflammation in hemodialysis patients: examination with a novel lipopolysaccharide detection method.

Chronic inflammation has recently been proposed to play a major role in the development of cardiovascular disease and mortality among advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients; however, why advanced CKD promotes chronic inflammation is still unclear. We hypothesized that a very low level of plasma endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) contributes to chronic inflammation in advanced CKD patients. We measured the plasma LPS levels using a novel LPS detection method (ESP method, a method for endotoxin detection using laser scattering photometry) concurrently with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and various blood tests in 17 stable hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Dihydropyridine- and voltage-sensitive Ca2+ entry in human parathyroid cells.

Patch-clamp and fluorescence measurements of cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) were performed to directly detect extracellular Ca(2+) entry into cultured parathyroid cells from patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Cells loaded with fluo-3 AM or fluo-4 AM showed a transient increase in fluorescence (Ca(2+) transient) following 10 s exposure to 150 mm K(+) solution in the presence of millimolar concentrations of external Ca(2+). The Ca(2+) transient was completely inactivated after 30-40 s exposure to the high-K(+) solution, was reduced by dihydropyridine antagonists and was enhanced by FPL-64176, an L-type Ca(2+) channel agonist.

Morning blood pressure at home predicts erythropoietin-induced hypertension in patients with chronic renal diseases.

Background: Correction of anemia by erythropoietin (EPO) is often associated with a rise in blood pressure (BP; EPO-induced hypertension). Most studies regarding EPO-induced hypertension have involved evaluation using office/clinic BP (OBP). However, recent investigations suggest that BP measured at home (HBP) may be of more importance for clinical practice in hypertension.

Pseudoaldosteronism due to the concurrent use of two herbal medicines containing glycyrrhizin: interaction of glycyrrhizin with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.

A 77-year-old man with a history of hypertension and hyperuricemia was admitted to our hospital complaining of limb weakness, persistent constipation, and worsening hypertension. He had been taking a Chinese herbal remedy for allergic rhinitis for the past 10 years, together with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I; enalapril, 20 mg daily). After the dosage of enalapril had been reduced to 10 mg daily about 1(1/2) years before the current admission, he had developed persistent constipation.

Morning blood pressure predicts hypertensive organ damage in patients with renal diseases: effect of intensive antihypertensive therapy in patients with diabetic nephropathy.

Blood pressure (BP) measured at home early in the morning (HBP) has been recognized as a useful predictor for organ damage and has been viewed as an important therapeutic target in patients with hypertension. The present study was aimed to determine whether this notion holds true in patients with progressive renal disease. The study enrolled patients with mild to moderate renal impairment.

[Syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH) induced by pramipexole in a patient with Parkinson's disease].

An 85-year-old woman with Parkinson's disease was admitted to our hospital to conduct a further work-up for progressive gait disturbance. She had been on medications for the disease for more than a decade prior to admission. In order to improve her condition, she was newly administered pramipexole, a dopamine agonist, from day 3 in addition to the preceding anti-Parkinson's therapy.

[The role of phosphatonin in phosphate metabolism].

PTH and active vitamin D are well known as classical phosphate regulating hormones. However, presence of some phosphaturic factors is assumed from investigations about TIO, XLH, ADHR. Those diseases cause hypophsophatemia, hyperphosphaturia, low vitamin D and rickets/ostepmalacia.

[Antihypertensive therapy for refractory morning hypertension in patients on peritoneal dialysis].

Due to excessive salt and water retention, hypertension often becomes refractory in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Management of high blood pressure (BP) appears to be of particular importance in such patients because of its substantial impact on the patients' prognosis. However, attempts to control hypertension in PD patients have not been successful in most cases.