Biomedical subjects

H de León

Publications and source records attributed to H de León.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

Angiotensin II-induced hypertension increases heme oxygenase-1 expression in rat aorta.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the in vivo effects of angiotensin (Ang) II-induced hypertension on heme oxygenase (HO) mRNA and protein expression, activity, and localization in rat aortas. METHODS AND RESULTS: Infusion of Ang II (0.7 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) increased HO-1 mRNA levels to 169+/-31%, 251+/-47%, 339+/-26%, and 370+/-74% of the control level at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after operation, respectively. The HO-1 protein level at 7 days was markedly upregulated, as was HO activity. Treatment with either losartan (25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or hydralazine (15 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), both of which prevented the Ang II-induced hypertension, blocked HO-1 mRNA upregulation. Norepinephrine infusion (2.8 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) produced a degree of hypertension and degree of HO-1 mRNA upregulation similar to those of Ang II infusion, which was again blocked by treatment with hydralazine (382+/-18% and 150+/-30% of the control level, respectively). Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that HO-1 is expressed in medial smooth muscle and adventitial cells in normotensive rat aortas, and this is markedly increased in adventitial and endothelial cells in Ang II-induced hypertensive rat aortas. In contrast, HO-2 protein expression was not changed in hypertensive rat aortas. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that HO-1 is upregulated in hypertensive rat aortas, apparently by mechanisms unique to Ang II and by hemodynamic stress.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1996

[Intravaginal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence].

OBJECTIVES: This analyzes the usefulness of transvaginal endosonography before and after surgery in patients with stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: We evaluated the bladder contour in 50 patients by transvaginal endosonography and the distance from the bladder neck to the pubis was measured with and without stress. If the distance was greater than 1 cm, it was presumed that the patient had stress urinary incontinence. RESULTS: In these 50 patients, the distance between the bladder neck and the pubis without stress ranged from 15 mm to 28 mm (mean 32 mm). In 47 patients (94%), we observed a displacement of the bladder base and neck to the pubis greater than 1 cm, indicating stress urinary incontinence. Transvaginal endosonography was performed four weeks later and proved to be useful in patient evaluation postoperatively, regardless of the surgical technique utilized. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal endosonography is a useful in the preoperative evaluation of patients with stress urinary incontinence and in evaluating the results of colposuspension.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Decreased ANF atrial content and vascular reactivity to ANF in spontaneous and renal hypertensive rats.

The relationship between ANF activity and hypertension was determined by measuring ANF atrial content and vascular reactivity in two different models: spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and renal hypertensive rats (RHR). Atrial extracts and aortic strips were prepared from hypertensive and normotensive animals. Relaxant activities of extracts, synthetic ANF and nitroglycerin were assayed on superfused aortic strips previously contracted by norepinephrine. ANF atrial content was statistically significantly lower in both models of hypertension, presumably by increased ANF release into the circulation which results in depletion of tissue storage sites. Vascular subsensitivity to ANF and nitroglycerin was found in both models of hypertension. Diminished ANF vascular reactivity in hypertension could be due to receptor down-regulation and/or to a decrease in the ability of cGMP to induce relaxation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[An assessment of prostatic weight by ultrasound].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the utility of transvesical ultrasound in the estimation of prostate weight. METHODS: A study was conducted on 50 patients with symptomatic prostatism, aged 54-82 years (mean 60). All the patients had a prostate volume estimation by ultrasound 15 days before surgery using the following formulas: AP x T x Cc x 0.52 cm; AP + T + Cc + 3 mm. All patients underwent surgery for benign obstructive prostatic disease; 25 by TURP and 25 by open surgery. The prostate tissue removed was compared with the US estimation. RESULTS: AP x T x Cc x 0.52 cm was found to be the most accurate formula for prostates weighing less than 50 gm and AP + T + Cc + 3 mm the most accurate for prostates greater than 50 gm. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that not all formulas are applicable to all prostate sizes.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Atrial natriuretic factor].

The atrial natriuretic factor represents a group of atrial peptides structurally and functionally related. These peptides produce the following effects: natriuresis, diuresis, vasodilation and inhibition of aldosterone release. Its discovery in 1981 opened a new horizon in the studies on body sodium and water homeostasis, as well as on blood pressure regulation. In a few years there have been spectacular advances in the knowledge of this new hormone. However, there are still many doubts and controversies concerning its exact physiological role. Its effects on renal function, vascular contractility and its relationship with other physiological systems are not completely understood. The versatility of functions in which atrial natriuretic factor participates has pointed new trends in the research of important clinical entities such as arterial hypertension and cardiac failure, and could be a starting point for the development of novel therapeutic agents. In this work, the experimental findings dealing with the participation of atrial natriuretic factor in several biological events are reviewed.

Animals↗