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Query: UMLS:C0042373 (vascular disease)
 17,070 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

A unique peripheral vascular disorder called 'blackfoot disease' is endemic in a limited area on the south-west coast of Taiwan. Clinically, the signs and symptoms of blackfoot disease (BFD) are similar to those of arteriosclerosis and Buerger's disease. A destruction of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) takes place at an early stage in the affected limbs. Currently, the cause of BFD is believed to be artesian drinking water containing a high concentration of arsenic and/or humic substances, although the mechanism of EC destruction is not entirely understood. The purpose of the present study was to examine the factors related to EC damage in BFD. Thus, we investigated the effects of purified IgG collected from patients with BFD (BFD-IgG) and from normal controls (N-IgG) on cultured EC. We found that: (1) EC binding activity of BFD-IgG was significantly higher than that of N-IgG; (2) BFD-IgG, at a concentration higher than 100 microg/ml but not N-IgG, induced concentration-dependent EC cytotoxicity; (3) BFD-IgG at a concentration of 100 microg/ml stimulated neither the release of von Willebrand factor nor the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 by EC. Fluorescent video microscopic examination revealed an increase in transcapillary and interstitial diffusion of nailfold capillary loops in clinically normal fingers of BFD patients. These findings strongly suggested that immunological mechanisms played a significant role in the pathogenesis of BFD. We propose that only persons who produce the IgG anti-endothelial cell antibody are potential victims of BFD.
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PMID:In vitro cytotoxicity of IgG antibodies on vascular endothelial cells from patients with endemic peripheral vascular disease in Taiwan. 956 46

Authors deal in detail with the pathophysiology of the osmolal regulation. Besides hyperosmolality the secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in increased by hypovolemia and hypotension. Secretion of ADH is lowered in hypoosmolal states. All other mechanisms are preferebly volume regulating and they influence mainly retention and excretion of sodium. Authors discuss homeostatic effects of the renin-angiotensin-aldosteron system, effects of renal failure with prevailing glomerular or tubular function disorder, impact of diuretics, natriuretic peptides, digitalis-like hormone, urodilantin and influence of the other solutes. Disorders of the effective osmolality regulation are frequent in the cerebral affections that originate from trauma, vascular disease, inflammation or tumors. Hypoosmolality and hyponatremia are presented in two different conditions: Inappropriate Vasopressin Secretion Syndrome (IADHS) and Cerebral Salt Wasting Syndrome (CSWS). Quick differential diagnose is important because the treatment of both syndromes is essentially different. Typical cause of hypernatremia is central diabetes insipidus (DI). The group of available calculated renal function parameters is applied in the differential diagnosis of these syndromes. They are creatinin clearance, excretion fraction of water and sodium, electrolyte clearance and electrolyte free water clearance. Investigation of ADH and natriuretic peptide could be even misleading. Pathophysiologic consequence of the state given by inappropriate elevation of one hormone can be the elevation of the second one.
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PMID:[Disturbances of effective osmolality regulation in disorders of the central nervous system and possible methods of monitoring]. 974 51

This study was designed to assess the value of MRI of the postmortem brain specimens by comparing MRI findings with neuropathological findings. Postmortem MRI was performed in 17 consecutive formalin-fixed whole brains comprisig 3 with primary CNS neoplasm, 1 with metastatic brain tumor, 6 with cerebral vascular disease (CVD), 1 with degenerative disease, 1 with spongy state in thalamus, and 5 with no abnormality. Postmortem T2WI detected all neuropathological abnormalities but sparsely distributed tumor cells without edema. In one case of CNS neoplasm, the tumor lesions with little necrosis or edema showed isointensity to brain tissue, while others with large amounts of necrosis and edema showed high signal intensity on T2WI. In the cases of CVD, the major signal changes on T2WI were due to edema, necrosis, and damage of the organization as observed on neuropathological studies. There was one case in which both MRI and neuropathological examination showed an abnormality, which was pathologically unexplainable. In two cases, findings of postmortem MRI were more apparent than those of macroscopic examination. Postmortem MRI appeared different from premortem MRI in one of the rest three cases whereas the postmortem MRI correlated well with neuropathological findings. Progression of the disease immediately before death may have caused this difference. In conclusion, the correlations between MRI and neuropathological findings facilitate understanding the mechanisms responsible for MRI abnormalities. An increase in free water in edema, necrosis, and damage in brain tissue can explain an increased signal intensity on T2WI. Postmortem MRI may contribute to the effective pathological examination by pointing out subtle abnormalities before brain cutting.
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PMID:[A comparative study of postmortem MR imaging and pathological examination of human brain specimens]. 984 79

Using the laser Doppler technique we measured finger blood flow velocity in 25 untreated primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), 22 untreated low-tension glaucoma (LTG) and 19 age-matched normal subjects. Four blood flow measurements were recorded: baseline flow, after immersion in warm water for 2 min (40 degrees C maximum flow), after 10 s exposure to cold water (4 degrees C minimum flow) and time to recover to baseline flow after cold immersion. Significant differences between the LTG group and both the normal and POAG groups were found in a greater maximum flow (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively), a lower minimum flow (p = 0.04 and p = 0.03, respectively) and a longer recovery time to baseline flow (p = 0. 0001 for both the normal and POAG groups). A longer recovery time to baseline flow (p = 0.008) in POAG was the only difference between the normal and POAG groups. Both glaucoma groups had more systemic vascular disease than normal, and there were more smokers in the POAG group than normals. Subgroup assessment performed with migraine, vascular disease and smoking subjects excluded from the analysis did not alter the overall results. We conclude that systemic vasospasm is a strong feature of low-tension glaucoma.
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PMID:Blood flow velocity in the peripheral circulation of glaucoma patients. 1020 86

Blackfoot disease was prevalent in a limited area on the southwest coast of Taiwan, where artesian well water containing arsenic (median = 0.78 ppm arsenic) had been used for many years. Previous studies of arsenic exposure in the blackfoot disease endemic area have been focused on malignant tumors. We, therefore, conducted this study to analyze mortality of all death causes in blackfoot disease endemic areas and to determine other neglected cancers or noncancer diseases related to artesian well water containing high levels of arsenic. We calculated standardized mortality ratios for cancer and noncancer diseases, by sex, during the period from 1971 to 1994 and compared them to the local reference group (i.e, Chiayi-Tainan County) and the national reference group (i.e., Taiwan population). The results revealed marked standardized mortality ratio differences for the 2 reference groups. Greater mortality was found for males and females with bladder, kidney, skin, lung, nasal-cavity, bone, liver, larynx, colon, and stomach cancers, as well as lymphoma than in the local reference population. With respect to noncancer diseases, we found greater mortality for males and females who had vascular disease, ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and bronchitis than in the local reference group. Mortalities for other diseases--including rectal cancer, cerebrovascular disease, and other diseases--were higher among cases than the local reference group. Our results indicated that the hazardous effect of arsenic is systemic. Diseases related to arsenic exposure included those reported previously by other investigators, as well as diseases reported in the present study.
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PMID:Mortality for certain diseases in areas with high levels of arsenic in drinking water. 1044 40

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a widely studied hormonal system that comprises substrate-enzyme interactions, the end result of which is production of the active peptide angiotensin II (Ang II). Because Ang II affects blood pressure control, sodium and water homeostasis, and cardiovascular function and structure, a great deal of research effort has been directed toward blocking the RAS. Angiotensin II may also be involved in end-organ damage in hypertension, heart failure, and vascular disease. At least two subtypes of angiotensin II receptors have been identified: AT1 and AT2. The AT1 mediates all of the known actions of Ang II on blood pressure control. Additionally, research has indicated that the AT1 receptor modulates cardiac contractility and glomerular filtration, and increases renal tubular sodium reabsorption, and cardiac and vascular hypertrophy. Less is known regarding the function of the AT2 receptor. Evidence suggests that the AT2 receptor inhibits cell proliferation and reverses AT1-induced hypertrophy. Indeed, these receptors are thought to exert opposing effects. Angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonists (AT1RA) inhibit the RAS at the receptor level by specifically blocking the AT1 receptor subtype. These drugs induce a dose-dependent blockade of Ang II effects, resulting in reduced blood pressure, urinary protein, and glomerular sclerosis. It is postulated that AT1RA may provide end-organ protection by blocking Ang II effects via the AT1 receptor, yet leaving the AT2 receptor unopposed. Consequently, these agents may reduce the morbidity and mortality that result from myocardial infarction (MI) and other conditions resulting from structural alterations in the heart, kidney, and vasculature.
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PMID:Angiotensin II receptor blockade and end-organ protection. 1061 95

Elevated levels of arsenite, the trivalent form of arsenic, in drinking water correlates with increased vascular disease and vessel remodeling. Previous studies from this laboratory demonstrated that environmentally relevant concentrations of arsenite caused oxidant-dependent increases in nuclear transcription factor levels in cultured porcine vascular endothelial cells. The current studies characterized the reactive species generated in these cells exposed to levels of arsenite that initiate cell signaling. These exposures did not deplete 5'-triphosphate, nor did they affect basal or bradykinin-stimulated intracellular free Ca2+ levels, indicating that they were not lethal. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, including spin trapping with carboxy-PTIO (cPTIO), demonstrated that 5 microM or less of arsenite did not increase *NO levels over a 30-min period relative to *NO release stimulated by bradykinin. However, these same levels of arsenite rapidly increased both oxygen consumption and superoxide formation, as measured by EPR oximetry and spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), respectively. Pretreatment of the cells with DPI, apocynin, or superoxide dismutase abolished arsenite-stimulated DMPO-OH adduct formation. Finally arsenite increased extracellular accumulation of H2O2, measured as oxidation of homovanillic acid, with the same time and dose dependence, as seen for superoxide formation. These data suggest that superoxide and H2O2 are the predominant reactive species produced by endothelial cells after arsenite exposures that stimulate cell signaling and activate transcription factors.
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PMID:Stimulation of reactive oxygen, but not reactive nitrogen species, in vascular endothelial cells exposed to low levels of arsenite. 1064 35

Free radical are highly reactive chemical species with an unpaired electron in an atomic or molecular orbital. In biological systems, the most important free radicals are superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide; in the presence of transition metals such as iron, copper and manganese both these free radicals produce hydroxyl radicals. Free radicals attack proteins, nuclei acids and membranes containing large quantities of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Because of their toxicity, the organism has developed ways to deactivate them. The superoxide dismutase enzyme (SOD) catalyzes dismutation of the superoxide radical into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen hydrogen peroxide is in turn reduced to water and oxygen by peroxidase glutathione and catalase enzymes. The production of radicals in the brain is due to catecholamine metabolism such as dopamine and norepinephrine and is increased by the presence of transition metals and by a deficiency of antioxidant agents such as vitamin E. Two main groups of dementia exist in older age: the multi-infarctual dementias, caused by cerebrovascular disorders and the primary degenerative disorders such as Alzheimer, where no vascular disease is evident. Free radicals play an important role in Parkinson's disease, in Alzheimer's disease and in stroke. The value of SOD and CAT activity following the above mentioned degenerative diseases differ among the various studies carried out. In Alzheimer's disease, the value of SOD activity probably increases in the neuropathologically involved areas. In stroke, the SOD value does not vary either in the ischemic area or in the peri-infarctual one during the first 24 hrs after lesion, while the CAT value decreases.
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PMID:Free radicals: important cause of pathologies refer to ageing. 1070 16

Vitamin B6, is necessary for normal membrane function and stability. Here we studied both the function and ultrastructure of aortic and arterial endothelial cells (ECs) in vitamin B6 deficient mice induced by vitamin B6 antagonists, 4-deoxypyridoxine x HCl (dPN x HCl), and isonicotinylhydrazide (INH). Mice were fed with normal laboratory chow and divided into three groups according to their drinking water. Mice in group I had distilled water and served as a control; group II had 0.1 mg dPN x HCl/mL H2O; and group III had 0.4 mg INH/mL H2O. After 5 mo, plasma concentrations of B6 vitamers pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxal (PL) were analyzed by HPLC. With the arachidonic acid (AA) as a precursor, prostacyclin (PGI2) production from ECs assayed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was used as an indicator of endothelial function. Aorta and arteriole from foot pad were removed, stained with osmium tetraoxide, and examined under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to study the ultrastructure of ECs. The results showed that plasma concentrations of PLP, PL, and total B6 were the lowest for mice fed with INH. followed by that with dPN x HCl, compared with that of control. PGI2 production was paralleled with the plasma vitamin B6 status, with the lowest level for INH, followed by the dPN-treated group. Abnormalities in the ultrastructure of ECs were found in both dPN x HCl and INH groups, including cells detached from underlying elastic tissue, with prominent pinocytotic vesicles and swelling and/or indistinct cristae of mitochondria. These results suggest that vitamin B6 antagonists induce a deficient status that alters the function and the ultrastructure of ECs detrimental to vascular disease.
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PMID:Vitamin B6 antagonists alter the function and ultrastructure of mice endothelial cells. 1118 49

Carthamus tinctorius L. is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine used in the treatment of uterine congestion, cardio-vascular disease, thrombosis and so on. Eight flavonoids have been isolated from its flowers. A reversed phase HPLC method for the separation and determination of the three flavonols: rutin (I), quercetin(II) and kaempferol(III) in the flowers of Carthamus tinctorius L. is described. The column was 25 cm x 4.6 mm ID, packed with YWG-C18(10 microns). The mobile phase was a mixture of MeOH-H2O-H3PO4(48.5:51.5:0.25, pH 3.5). The flow rate was 1.0 ml.min-1. Daidzein was used as an internal standard. UV detection was performed at 360 nm. The relative standard deviation of the method was 1.1-2.6%. The calibration curves showed good linearity over the range of 0.11-0.80 microgram, gamma = 0.9995-0.9998 and detection limits were 2.0-20.0 ng. The recoveries were 97.8%-98.9% for the three flavonols. The method is simple, fast, sensitive and accurate and has been applied to the analysis of Carthamus tinctorius L. of different sources. It can also be used for the quality control of safflower preparations for clinical uses.
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PMID:[Separation and determination of flavonols in the flowers of Carthamus tinctorius by RP-HPLC]. 1124 95


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