Usefulness of dynamic reno-scintigraphy in the follow-up of patients treated by surgery or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for renovascular hypertension.

The aim of this study was to assess the role of dynamic reno-scintigraphy (DRS) in follow-up of 21 hypertensive patients who underwent surgery or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) for renal artery stenosis. Dynamic reno-scintigraphy was recorded following injection of 0.12 mCi/kg 99Tcm-glucoheptonate i.

Pharmacokinetics of oral and rectal flurbiprofen in children.

Eight subjects, aged 6-12 years and weighing 18.8-36.7 kg, received single doses of flurbiprofen 50 or 75 mg (corresponding to 1.

Peripheral and renal vein plasma renin activity in hypertensive urological patients.

Upright plasma renin activity (PRA) was measured in 112 patients suffering from urological diseases associated with hypertension, and was found to be predominantly low. In 40 cases with normal or elevated peripheral PRA, renal venous PRA was measured and their ratios calculated. There was a significant decrease of blood pressure in 14 patients who had undergone surgery and both ratios were significant.

HLA and hormonal data for identification of heterozygotes in 11 beta- and 17 alpha-hydroxylase deficiency syndromes.

1. In previous studies, baseline and ACTH-stimulated hormone levels, plus HLA genotyping, have been used to detect heterozygous carriers in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHDS). 2.

Inhibitory effect of somatostatin on the aldosterone response to angiotensin II: in vitro studies.

It has been demonstrated that somatostatin (SRIF) can suppress hypophyseal and extrahypophyseal hormones; moreover, many studies have shown that SRIF inhibits frusemide-induced hyperreninemia in normal man, and renin and aldosterone in renovascular hypertension, possibly through a beta-adrenergic block. To further investigate the possible aldosterone-inhibiting effect of somatostatin, we have carried out in vitro studies using isolated perfused rat zona glomerulosa cells suspended in Bio-gel. Paired columns were set up and the cells stimulated using either angiotensin II, ACTH, serotonin or potassium.

Delta infection and liver disease in hemophilic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen.

The prevalence of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated delta (delta) agent was assessed in 277 treated hemophiliacs (primarily adolescents and adults) and 24 treated hemophilic children. Hemophiliacs who carry hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are at high risk of delta infection. Antibody to delta (anti-delta) was found in 14 (49%) of 29 HBsAg-positive adult or adolescent hemophiliacs and four (25%) of 16 HBsAg-positive hemophilic children; it was identified in none of the patients without serologic evidence of exposure to HBV and only occasionally and in low titers in hemophiliacs convalescent from HBV infection.

Circadian secretion of ACTH, cortisol, and mineralocorticoids in Cushing's syndrome.

The behaviour of plasma levels of ACTH was studied in five untreated patients with pituitary-dependent Cushing's syndrome, with blood samples taken every half an hour for a total period of 24 hours; plasma cortisol, corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and aldosterone were also measured simultaneously. In all cases, above normal secretory impulses of ACTH and cortisol, at approximately the same height, were present throughout the day, while between these peaks the levels were in the normal range. Few peaks of ACTH and cortisol were simultaneous and rare secretory impulses of corticosterone, and deoxycorticosterone were in synchrony with those of ACTH or cortisol.

Effect of angiotensin II and converting enzyme inhibitor (captopril) on blood pressure, plasma renin activity and aldosterone in primary aldosteronism.

1. Patients with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) show a response of aldosterone to posture which is not present in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). We have determined whether this could be explained by a different sensitivity to angiotensin II.

Genetic and hormonal characterization of cryptic 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

Cryptic 21-hydroxylase deficiency has been previously described in asymptomatic family members of patients with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). These family members were detected by high baseline 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels found in the course of family studies. The hormonal responses to ACTH of the family members with cryptic 21-hydroxylase deficiency were determined and compared to the responses of patients with CAH, patients with acquired adrenal hyperplasia, family members predicted to be heterozygous for CAH, family members predicted to be unaffected, and the general population.

Cell-mediated immunity to HBcAg and HBsAg in patients with chronic hepatitis.

The leukocyte adherence technique (LAT) has been utilized to assess cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to HBcAg and HBsAg in patients with chronic (CH) and acute viral (AVH) hepatitis. All patients with AVH type B and 91.6% of patients with HBV-related CH displayed reactivity to both HBcAg and HBsAg, whereas healthy controls and patients with liver disease not related to HBV failed to show reactivity to these antigens.

HLA genotypes and HLA-linked genetic markers in Italian patients with classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

HLA genotype and HLA-linked marker data for 40 unrelated patients from central Italy and 2 unrelated patients from Sardinia with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OH-def) were analyzed. The results confirm that the HLA-linked 21-OH-def gene is associated with several different HLA determinants and complete HLA haplotypes, although the only determinant with significantly increased frequency was the complement C2 allele C2B. The HLA antigens B8 and DR3 were found in significantly decreased frequencies.

[Surgical and medical treatment of renovascular hypertension (author's transl)].

We have studied a group of 47 patients with unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis; 27 of them have been operated, while 20 have been subjected to medical treatment. Among the surgically treated patients, 18 out of the 22 cases with an unilateral stenosis had satisfactory results and didn't assume any treatment after surgical cure. All the 5 cases of bilateral stenosis presented a regular blood pressure after surgery.

Cryptic 21-hydroxylase deficiency in families of patients with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Serum androgens and 17-hydroxyprogesterone concentrations and HLA genotypes were determined in 124 families of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CAH). In 8 pedigrees, we discovered 16 pubertal or postpubertal family members of either sex who had biochemical evidence of 21-hydroxylase deficiency but were without clinical symptoms of excess virilism, amenorrhea, or infertility. We designated these family members as individuals with cryptic 21-hydroxylase deficiency.

A radioisotopic leukocyte adherence test.

A modification of the leukocyte adherence inhibition method is described which utilizes 51Cr-labeled blood mononuclear cells placed in microwells. The test is reproducible, objective, employs approximately 2,000 cells per well, and allows multiple replicates of several antigens. With the two antigens tested, SK-SD and PPD, both increases and decreases of leukocyte adherence are observed.

[Diaxozide-induced acute stimulation of plasma renin activity in renal veins for diagnosis and prognosis in hypertensive patients (author's transl)].

Vena cava and renal veins PRA were measured and their ratios calculated (Ra/Rc and Rc/P) in 15 hypertensive patients before and after diazoside infusion (300 mg i.v.).