Expression of endothelin-1, endothelin-converting enzyme, and endothelin receptors in chronic heart failure.

Background: Elevated plasma levels of endothelin (ET)-1 have been reported in association with heart diseases, including heart failure. Furthermore, it has been suggested that ET-1 acts as a local autocrine/paracrine factor with biological activities such as vasoconstriction, mitogenesis, and inotropic effects on the heart. This study investigated alterations of ET-1, ET receptor, and endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) expression in left ventricular myocardium from patients with end-stage heart failure.

A case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in an adult treated with vincristine.

The case of a woman with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura refractory to prolonged treatment with plasma exchange and steroid treatment is described. The addition of vincristine yielded a complete response, which has been maintained for 9 months up to the time of this report.

Vascular beta-adrenergic receptor adenylyl cyclase system from renin-transgenic hypertensive rats.

In transgenic rats harboring the mouse Ren-2d gene [TG(mREN2)27], downregulation of the myocardial beta-adrenergic receptor adenylyl cyclase system has been demonstrated previously. Because a reduced vasodilatory reactivity may significantly contribute to hypertension in this model of an activated tissue renin-angiotensin system, the present study investigated alterations of the vascular beta-adrenergic receptor adenylyl cyclase system. In freshly harvested aortas from transgenic rats, the activity of adenylyl cyclase was reduced significantly (P<.

Investigation of the negative inotropic effects of 17 beta-oestradiol in human isolated myocardial tissues.

1. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of 17 beta-oestradiol in human myocardium. The effects of 17 beta-oestradiol, progesterone and testosterone on force of contraction were investigated in electrically driven isolated atrial trabeculae and ventricular papillary muscles from human hearts in the presence and absence of Bay K 8644, a calcium channel agonist.

[Rickettsiosis of the typhus fever type. Its joint appearance with a left-ventricular thrombus and single-vessel coronary disease].

A 44-year-old German fell ill in Libya, where he had been living for 10 years, with high fever, rigor and a nonitching centrifugally spreading macular rash, which had spared the head, hands and soles. In addition, a systolic cardiac murmur was heard. The Weil-Felix reaction had a titre rising within 3 days from 1:160 to 1:640, confirming the diagnosis of rickettsial disease, the total clinical picture indicating typhus.

Bioequivalence of two atenolol formulations in healthy volunteers. Evaluation and prediction of effect kinetics at beta-adrenoceptors in vivo by means of a radioreceptor assay.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of single oral doses of 200 mg of two atenolol formulations (Tenormin, atenolol (T) and Duraatenolol, atenolol (D)) were assessed in eight male healthy volunteers for 48 h (double-blind crossover design). Both formulations were bioequivalent in terms of pharmacokinetic parameters (AUC, tmax, Cmax, t1/2) as detected by gas liquid chromatography. By means of a radioreceptor assay (RRA) any significant contribution of beta 2-adrenoceptors and active metabolites to effects observed in vivo was ruled out.