Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0020538 (hypertension)
 170,190 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Acute myocardial infarction is a very rare event during pregnancy and bears the problem of misdiagnosis. However, about 150 cases have been published worldwide with a preponderance of anterior wall infarcts. With more women delaying childbearing until an older age and increasing prevalence of smoking in young women, it can be expected that all forms of coronary artery disease--including acute myocardial infarction--will be seen more often in the future. Among the causes of coronary artery occlusion in pregnancy are (1) rupture of very small coronary artery plaques triggered by different events, e.g., hypertension; (2) plain coronary artery disease; (3) dissection of coronary arteries; (4) coronary artery spasms with/without arterial thrombosis. Prompt diagnosis and immediate therapy are necessary to lower the high mortality of mother and fetus. The gold standard in the therapy of acute myocardial infarction during pregnancy is immediate coronary angiography and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with or without stent implantation. Application of thrombolytics (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator [rt-PA], r-PA, streptokinase [SK], urokinase [UK]) has been reported in single patients but should be limited to cases where acute PTCA is not available and where the infarct occurs before the 14th week of pregnancy because of possible embryopathy. If the patient is in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy, anticipation of delivery should be part of the medical planning. Consultation with an obstetrician must be obtained as soon as the patient enters the hospital. Besides bleeding complications, venous thrombosis with pulmonary embolism is among the most common causes of death during pregnancy. Pregnancy-related changes in physiology - increase in the resistance to flow from the lower extremities to the heart - and congenital coagulation abnormalities are most important to be recognized. This leads to the fact that superficial and deep venous thromboses occur more often in pregnancy than in the nonpregnant state. Among the coagulation abnormalities found in pregnancy are hypercoagulability (increased levels of fibrinogen, factor VII, factor VIII, factor X), decreased fibrinolytic activity due to an increased level of plasminogen activator inhibitor, increased adhesion and aggregation of platelets, decreased level of protein C and of the APC (activated protein C) ratio. Individual risks factors justifying diagnostic screening include contraception, smoking, immobilization, infection, adiposity, placental insufficiency, and a family history of thrombosis. It is even more important to establish/rule out the diagnosis of thrombosis in pregnancy than in the nonpregnant state, because the use of anticoagulants carries certain risks during pregnancy. Doppler vein studies should be used for diagnosis. If necessary, venography may be used with shielding of the maternal abdomen. Therapy consists of subcutaneous application of heparin, compression, and early mobilization. Alternatively, especially for long-term management, treatment with low molecular weight heparins is feasible. Thrombolytic treatment is contraindicated in most cases due to the high risk of bleeding complications. However, the application of thrombolytics can be contemplated in single cases after careful consideration of the pros and cons. Most cases of pulmonary embolism should also be handled conservatively with heparin. Only in massive pulmonary embolism with severe hemodynamic compromise, thrombolytic treatment is indicated. To guide future therapy in the patients, it is necessary to establish the lifetime risk of recurrent events by determining: APC resistance, prothrombin mutation 20210 A, homocysteine, AT III, protein C and S, antiphospholipid antibodies, and anticardiolipin antibodies.
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PMID:[Myocardial infarction and thromboembolism during pregnancy]. 1275 75

The adipose tissue plays a fundamental role in maintaining the energy balance in mammals. During periods of high energy intake, the adipocytes store energy in the form of fat (triglycerides), which can be mobilized as free fatty acids during energy deprivation. Adipose tissue can no longer be considered only as a passive tissue that simply stores energy. Some recent discoveries have made it evident that this is a very active endocrine tissue that secretes important molecules related to different processes such as the immune response (TNF alpha) the regulation of food intake and expenditure of energy (leptin, Acrp30/adipoQ) and the vascular function (angiotensin and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1). Alterations in the growth, development and function of the adipose tissue might therefore be involved in the development of different pathologies such as obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis. A deeper understanding of the adipose tissue (morphology, development-adipogenesis, role in the metabolism and in the regulation of body weight, endocrine functions.) is needed for an adequate study of the underlying aspects in the development of obesity.
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PMID:[Adipose tissue: a storage and secretory organ]. 1286 Dec 68

To better understand potentially reversible causes of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), also known as pseudotumor cerebri, and an apparent association of IIH with polycystic-ovary syndrome (PCOS), we assessed associations of IIH with coagulation disorders and with PCOS in 38 women with well-documented IIH. Fifteen women were found to have PCOS; 14 of them were obese, with a body-mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m(2), and 10 were extremely obese (BMI > or = 40). Factor VIII concentration was high (>150%) in 9 of 38 (24%) IIH cases, compared with 0 of 40 healthy adults controls (P(f) =.0009). Familial aggregation of high concentrations of factor VIII, associated with thrombophilia, was documented in all 5 of the 9 high-level factor VIII probands' families who were sampled. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was prolonged (> or =31.5 seconds) in 10 of 38 (26%) IIH cases, compared with 1 of 32 (3%) controls (P(f) =.009) and, in 4 of these cases, was accompanied by the lupus anticoagulant. Plasminogen activator inhibitor activity (PAI-Fx) was high (>21.1 U/mL) in 9 of 38 cases (24%), compared with 1 of 40 controls (3%) (P(f) =.006). Lipoprotein A was high (> or =35 mg/dL) in 13 of 37 cases (35%), compared with 5 of 40 controls (13%) (P(f) =.03). IIH cases did not differ (P >.05) from controls for homocysteine, proteins C and S, free S, antithrombin III, ACLAs IgG and IgM, dilute Russell's viper venom time, Factor XI, factor V Leiden G1691A, G20210A prothrombin, C677T MTHFR, plasminogen activator inhibitor 4G/5G, or platelet glycoprotein PL A1A2 mutations. Exogenous estrogens (n = 23), clomiphene (n = 1), or pregnancy (n = 4) accompanied the first appearance of IIH in 28 women. PCOS and coagulation disorders, often augmented by exogenous estrogens or pregnancy, are associated with IIH.
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PMID:Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: associations with coagulation disorders and polycystic-ovary syndrome. 1287 84

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is a relatively common disease, often associated with the presence of diseases related to internal medicine. It is well known that RVO is associated with common systemic vascular disorders such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis and diabetes. Several studies using hospital-based controls have shown an increased risk of RVO in patients with arteriopathy, or high levels of plasma glucose and arterial blood pressure. Patients are categorized into six types of RVO based on the site of occlusion and on the type of consequent vascular damage. Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) is the most frequently-occurring and clinically relevant type of RVO. In addition to the well-known classical risk factors, new haemostasis-related ones have been investigated in patients affected by CRVO. While data concerning a number of parameters remain contradictory, high levels of type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and hyperhomocysteinemia appear to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Although based on a limited number of studies, this new knowledge could eventually provide important indications regarding prognosis and therapeutic strategies. There is no established treatment for CRVO. Treatment consists primarily of managing any identified underlying systemic disease. The increasing role of hypercoagulability in patients with CRVO supports the use of antithrombotic drugs in the treatment of this disease. Vitamin treatment to correct hyperhomocysteinemia should also be taken into consideration. However, the approach to CRVO treatment with antithrombotic drugs is not evidence-based yet. There is urgent need of intervention trials to evaluate the role of these drugs in CRVO patients.
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PMID:Retinal vein thrombosis: risk factors, pathogenesis and therapeutic approach. 1367 63

Central retinal vein occlusion is associated with systemic conditions, such as arterial hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, but also with certain hypercoagulability states (thrombophilia). Growing evidence indicates, that the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies and elevated plasma homocysteine levels predispose to central retinal vein occlusion. In younger patients, factor V Leiden (Arg506Gln) could increase the risk of this disease. Other probable causes of thrombophilia related to retinal vein occlusion include increased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and lipoprotein (a), which impair fibrinolysis.
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PMID:[Thrombophilia as a risk factor for central retinal vein occlusion]. 1455 91

Candidate gene polymorphisms related to inflammation, thrombosis and lipid metabolism have been implicated in the development of ischemic stroke. Using DNA samples collected at baseline in a prospective cohort of 14 916 initially healthy American men, we genotyped 92 polymorphisms from 56 candidate genes among 319 individuals who subsequently developed ischemic stroke and among 2092 individuals who remained free of reported cardiovascular disease over a mean follow-up period of 13.2 years to prospectively determine whether candidate gene polymorphisms contribute to stroke risk. After adjustment for multiple comparisons and age, smoking, body mass index, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, two related to inflammation [a val640leu polymorphism in the P-selectin gene (OR=1.63, 95% CI 1.22-2.17, P=0.001) and a C582T polymorphism in the interleukin-4 gene (OR=1.40, 95% CI 1.13-1.73, P=0.003)] were found to be independent predictors of thrombo-embolic stroke. In bootstrap replications, the inclusion of genetic information from these two polymorphisms improved prediction models for stroke based upon traditional risk factors alone (ROC 0.67 versus 0.64). Two polymorphisms related to thrombosis (an arg353gln polymorphism in the factor VII gene and a T11053G polymorphism in the plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 gene) and one related to lipid metabolism [a C(-482)T polymorphism in the apolipoprotein CIII gene] achieved nominal significance, but were not found to be independent predictors after multiple comparison adjustment. Two inflammatory candidate gene polymorphisms were identified which were independently associated with incident stroke. These population-based data demonstrate the ability of prospective, epidemiological studies to test candidate gene associations for athero-thrombotic disease.
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PMID:Polymorphism in the P-selectin and interleukin-4 genes as determinants of stroke: a population-based, prospective genetic analysis. 1468 4

The most investigated novel risk factors of atherosclerosis are: fibrinogen (Fb), homocysteine (Hcy), lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), markers of inflammation and infectious factors. Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS) is a manifestation of generalized atherosclerosis and often coexist with hypertension and renal failure. The aim of the study was to assess plasma concentration of Hcy, von Willebrand factor (VWF), (Lp(a), Fb, PAI-1, and assessment of ACE gene polymorphism in pts with RAS and hypertension. The study included 15 patients with RAS (mean age 51.4 +/- 16.5 yrs) and 27 healthy volunteers (C) (mean age 42.9 +/- 9.5 yrs). Plasma concentrations of Hcy were significantly higher in RAS (11.0 +/- 3.9 mumol/L) than in C (6.8 +/- 1.3 mumol/L). Plasma concentration of VWF was also significantly higher in RAS than C (104.7 +/- 40 vs 73.6 +/- 20%) as was FB concentration (325.9 +/- 70.0 vs 256.2 +/- 54.7 mg%). DD genotype was present in 45% of RAS pts and in 12% of controls. In patients with atherosclerotic RAS novel markers of atherosclerosis may be an additional risk factor in the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions.
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PMID:[Non-traditional atherosclerosis risk factors in patients with renal artery stenosis and hypertension]. 1497 71

We administered placebo, losartan 100 mg/day, irbesartan 300 mg/day, and candesartan 16 mg/day during 2 months to 122 patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Compared with placebo, angiotensin II type-1 receptor blockers significantly improved the percent flow-mediated dilator response to hyperemia (p = 0.019 by analysis of variance [ANOVA]) and reduced plasma levels of malondialdehyde (p = 0.005 by ANOVA). However, only irbesartan and candesartan therapies significantly lowered plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 antigen (p <0.001 by ANOVA) with no differences between the 2, and only candesartan therapy significantly lowered plasma levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (p = 0.004 by ANOVA).
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PMID:Comparison of effects of losartan, irbesartan, and candesartan on flow-mediated brachial artery dilation and on inflammatory and thrombolytic markers in patients with systemic hypertension. 1516 34

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common medical condition that occurs in approximately 5% to 15% of the population. The pathophysiology of OSA is characterized by repetitive occlusions of the posterior pharynx during sleep that obstruct the airway, followed by oxyhemoglobin desaturation, persistent inspiratory efforts against the occluded airway, and termination by arousal from sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with daytime sleepiness and fatigue, likely due to fragmented sleep from recurrent arousals. Substantial evidence shows that patients with OSA have an increased incidence of hypertension compared with individuals without OSA and that OSA is a risk factor for the development of hypertension. Recent studies show that OSA may be implicated in stroke and transient ischemic attacks. Obstructive sleep apnea appears to be associated with coronary heart disease, heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias. Pulmonary hypertension may be associated with OSA, especially in patients with preexisting pulmonary disease. Although the exact cause that links OSA with cardiovascular disease is unknown, there is evidence that OSA is associated with a group of proinflammatory and prothrombotic factors that have been identified to be important in the development of atherosclerosis. Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased daytime and nocturnal sympathetic activity. Autonomic abnormalities seen in patients with OSA include increased resting heart rate, decreased R-R interval variability, and increased blood pressure variability. Both atherosclerosis and OSA are associated with endothelial dysfunction, increased C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, fibrinogen, and plasminogen activator inhibitor, and reduced fibrinolytic activity. Obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with enhanced platelet activity and aggregation. Leukocyte adhesion and accumulation on endothelial cells are common in both OSA and atherosclerosis. Clinicians should be aware that OSA may be a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease.
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PMID:Obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. 1530 32

Patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are at high risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular complications, and hypoglycaemia increases this risk. Furthermore, other metabolic parameters exacerbate cardiovascular risk in these patients. The aim of the study was to compare the metabolic effects of glimepiride and metformin in patients with T2DM. We evaluated 164 patients with T2DM (80 males, 84 females) in a multicentre, randomised, controlled, open, parallel group study comparing glimepiride with metformin. Eighty-one patients (aged 56+/-10 yr) received glimepiride (3+/-1 mg/d); 83 patients (aged 58+/-9 yr) received metformin (2500+/-500 mg/d). Patients had been diagnosed for < or = 6 months; they were non-smokers; had no hypertension or coronary heart disease; were not taking hypolipidaemic drugs, diuretics, beta-blockers or thyroxin; and had normal renal function. Metabolic parameters were measured after 6 and 12 months of treatment. Glimepiride significantly lowered lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and homocysteine levels (HCT) at 6 and 12 months. Both glimepiride and metformin lowered plasminogen activator inhibitor Type 1 (PAI-1) at 12 months and significantly improved levels of glycosylated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose and post-prandial plasma glucose after 6 and 12 months. Metformin significantly lowered fasting plasma insulin and postprandial plasma insulin. Glimepiride and metformin also reduced levels of other metabolic parameters in patients with T2DM. In particular, glimepiride significantly reduced HCT, Lp(a), and PAI-1 levels, important metabolic risk factors for atherosclerotic vascular disease. These reductions may be owing to improved glucose metabolism, but it cannot be excluded that these drugs have a direct effect on additional metabolic parameters.
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PMID:Metabolic variations with oral antidiabetic drugs in patients with Type 2 diabetes: comparison between glimepiride and metformin. 1533 91


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