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Biomedical subjects

Sante D Pierdomenico

Publications and source records attributed to Sante D Pierdomenico.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Blood pressure variability and cardiovascular risk in treated hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: The independent prognostic value of blood pressure (BP) variability in treated hypertension is not yet clear. We investigated the relationship between BP variability, evaluated by noninvasive monitoring, and cardiovascular outcome in treated hypertensive patients. METHODS: The occurrence of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events was evaluated in 1472 treated patients. Subjects with the standard deviation of daytime or night-time systolic BP below or above the median of the population were classified as having low or high BP variability. Specifically, 738 and 734 patients had low and high daytime BP variability, respectively, and 739 and 733 subjects had low and high night-time BP variability, respectively. RESULTS: During follow-up (4.88 +/- 2.9 years, range 0.2-11.6 years) there were 119 events. The event rates per 100 patient-years in subjects with low and high BP variability according to daytime BP were 1.18 and 2.01, respectively, and in those with low and high BP variability according to night-time BP were 1.2 and 2.05, respectively. Event-free survival was significantly different between the low and high BP variability groups (P = .006 for both daytime and night-time BP). However, after adjustment for other covariates in a Cox multivariate analysis, the adverse prognostic relevance of high BP variability was no longer detectable, whereas age, smoking habit, LDL cholesterol, diabetes, previous events, LV hypertrophy, and daytime or night-time systolic BP resulted independent predictors of risk. CONCLUSIONS: Increased BP variability is associated with higher incidence of cardiovascular events, but also with other relevant prognostic factors. Indeed, in multivariate analysis the possible adverse prognostic impact of BP variability is no longer evident. Thus, in treated hypertension, BP variability evaluated by noninvasive monitoring is not an independent predictor of outcome.

Aged↗

Cardiovascular risk in patients receiving double therapy with false and true nonresponder hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular risk in hypertensive patients receiving double therapy with false and true nonresponder hypertension. METHODS: The occurrence of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events was evaluated in 730 patients receiving double therapy with uncontrolled clinic blood pressure. Two hundred and seventy had false nonresponder hypertension (clinic blood pressure > or =140 or 90 mmHg and daytime blood pressure <135/85 mmHg) and 460 had true nonresponder hypertension (clinic blood pressure > or =140 or 90 mmHg and daytime blood pressure > or =135 or 85 mmHg). RESULTS: During the follow-up (4.77+/-2.9 years, range 0.2-11.7 years), 55 cardiovascular events occurred. The event rates per 100 patient-years in patients with false and true nonresponder hypertension were 1.03 and 1.9, respectively. Event-free survival was significantly different between the groups (P<0.05). After adjustment for several covariates, including clinic blood pressure (forced into the model), Cox regression analysis showed that cardiovascular risk was significantly higher in true than in false nonresponder hypertension (relative risk 2.33, 95% confidence interval 1.14-4.77, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that, among treated hypertensive patients receiving double therapy with uncontrolled clinic blood pressure those with true nonresponder hypertension are at higher cardiovascular risk. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring should be performed in this population to achieve a better prognostic stratification.

Aged↗

Sensitivity disturbances in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia.

BACKGROUND: Although visceral hypersensitivity is a common feature among patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), studies on somatic sensitivity have given controversial results. AIM: To assess visceral sensitivity in response to isotonic rectal distensions and somatic sensitivity at different layers of the body wall (skin, subcutis, and muscle) in patients with IBS and fibromyalgia (FM), within and outside the area of abdominal pain referral. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 10 patients with IBS, 5 patients with FM, 9 patients with IBS+FM, and 9 healthy controls. Rectal distensions were performed by increasing tension at 4 g steps up to 64 g or discomfort. Pain thresholds to electrical stimulation were measured within and outside the areas of abdominal pain referral. RESULTS: Patients with IBS and IBS+FM demonstrated rectal hypersensitivity in comparison to controls. The threshold of discomfort was 44 +/- 5 g in IBS and 36 +/- 5 in IBS+FM patients, while patients with FM and healthy controls tolerated all distensions without discomfort. In the areas of pain referral, pain thresholds of all three tissues of the body wall were lower than normal in all patients groups (p < 0.001). In control areas, the pain thresholds were normal in skin, and lower than normal in subcutis and muscle in IBS (p < 0.001). FM and IBS+FM demonstrated somatic hypersensitivity at all sites (p < 0.001 vs healthy). CONCLUSION: Our observations seem to indicate that, although sharing a common hypersensitivity background, multiple mechanisms may modulate perceptual somatic and visceral responses in patients with IBS and FM.

Adult↗

Blood pressure variability and prognosis in uncomplicated mild hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The independent prognostic value of blood pressure (BP) variability in essential hypertension and particularly in uncomplicated mild hypertension is not yet completely clear. We investigated the relationship between BP variability, evaluated by noninvasive monitoring, and cardiovascular outcome in uncomplicated mild hypertension patients. METHODS: The occurrence of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events was evaluated in 1088 uncomplicated mild hypertension patients, 626 with low BP variability (SD of daytime systolic BP below the mean of the study population) and 462 with high BP variability (SD of daytime systolic BP above the mean of the study population). RESULTS: During the follow-up (4.74 +/- 2.4 years, range 0.5-9.7 years), the event rates per 100 patient-years in subjects with low and high BP variability were 0.72 and 1.5, respectively. Event-free survival was significantly different between the groups (P = .01). However, after adjustment for other covariates in a Cox multivariate analysis, the adverse prognostic relevance of high BP variability was no longer detectable, whereas age, daytime systolic BP, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and smoking habit resulted as independent predictors of cardiovascular events. CONCLUSIONS: In uncomplicated mild hypertension population, BP variability evaluated by noninvasive monitoring is not an independent predictor of outcome.

Blood Pressure↗

Cardiovascular outcome in treated hypertensive patients with responder, masked, false resistant, and true resistant hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiovascular outcome in apparently responder hypertensive patients with responder and masked hypertension, and in apparently resistant hypertensive patients with false and true resistant hypertension. METHODS: The occurrence of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events was evaluated in 340 patients with responder hypertension (clinic blood pressure [BP] <140/90 mm Hg and daytime BP <135/85 mm Hg), 126 with masked hypertension (clinic BP <140/90 mm Hg and daytime BP >135 or 85 mm Hg), 146 with false resistant hypertension (clinic BP >or=140 or 90 mm Hg and daytime BP <135/85 mm Hg), and 130 with true resistant hypertension (clinic BP >or=140 or 90 mm Hg and daytime BP >135 or 85 mm Hg). RESULTS: During follow-up period (4.98 +/- 2.9 years), the event-rate per 100 patient-years was 0.87, 2.42, 1.2, and 4.1 in patients with responder, masked, false resistant, and true resistant hypertension, respectively. After adjustment for several covariates, including clinic BP (forced into the model), Cox regression analysis showed that cardiovascular risk was significantly higher in masked hypertension (masked versus responder hypertension, relative risk [RR] 2.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-4.7, P < .05) and in true resistant hypertension (true resistant versus responder hypertension, RR 2.94, 95% CI 1.02-8.41, P < .05), whereas there was no significant difference between false resistant and responder hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that patients with masked hypertension are at higher risk than those with responder hypertension, and that those with false resistant hypertension are at lower risk than those with true resistant hypertension. Ambulatory BP monitoring should be performed in treated hypertensive patients to obtain a better prognostic stratification.

Aged↗

Cardiovascular and renal events in uncomplicated mild hypertensive patients with sustained and white coat hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of white coat hypertension (WCH) in uncomplicated patients with mild hypertension is not yet completely clear. We investigated cardiovascular outcomes in patients with mild hypertension and without left ventricular hypertrophy, diabetes mellitus, and associated cardiovascular and renal disease, with sustained hypertension (SH) and WCH. METHODS: The occurrence of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events was evaluated in 1038 patients with mild hypertension and 241 normotensive subjects. The presence of WCH was defined as clinic hypertension and daytime blood pressure <135/85 mm Hg. RESULTS: During follow-up (4.5 +/- 2.3 years, range 0.5 to 9.2 years) the event rates per 100 patient-years in subjects with normotension, WCH, and SH were 0.27, 0.38, and 1.39, respectively. After adjustment for other covariates, Cox regression analysis showed that SH was an independent predictor of cardiovascular events (SH versus WCH, RR 5.17, 95% CI 2.04 to 13.1, P = 0 .001), whereas there was no significant difference between normotension and WCH (normotension versus WCH, RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.22 to 3.98, P = .92). At the end of follow-up, drug therapy was less frequent and intensive in WCH than in SH. CONCLUSIONS: In this study of individuals with mild hypertension and without left ventricular hypertrophy, diabetes mellitus, and associated cardiovascular and renal disease, subjects with WCH, despite less frequent and intensive drug therapy, had a significantly better prognosis than those with sustained hypertension.

Adult↗

Prognostic value of left ventricular concentric remodeling in uncomplicated mild hypertension.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of left ventricular (LV) concentric remodeling in essential hypertension, and particularly in uncomplicated mild hypertension, is not yet completely clear. We investigated cardiovascular outcome in uncomplicated mild hypertensive patients with normal LV geometry and LV concentric remodeling. METHODS: The occurrence of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events was evaluated in 1088 uncomplicated mild hypertensive patients, 751 with normal LV geometry (LV mass index <125 g/m(2) in men and <110 g/m(2) in women and relative wall thickness <0.45) and 337 with LV concentric remodeling (LV mass index <125 g/m(2) in men and <110 g/m(2) in women and relative wall thickness >/=0.45). RESULTS: During follow-up (4.74 +/- 2.4 years, range 0.5 to 9.7 years) the event rates per 100 patient-years in subjects with normal LV geometry and LV concentric remodeling were 0.69 and 1.87, respectively. After adjustment for other covariates, Cox regression analysis showed that LV concentric remodeling (LV concentric remodeling versus normal LV geometry, RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.02 to 3.1, P < .05) was an independent predictor of cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION: In a population with uncomplicated mild hypertension, patients with LV concentric remodeling have a worse prognosis than those with normal LV geometry.

Adult↗

Aortic glutathione metabolic status: time-dependent alterations in fat-fed rabbits.

Little is known about the vascular metabolic status of glutathione (GSH), which is crucial in cell antioxidant protection, in experimental conditions like high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis. This issue was, therefore, investigated in two groups of seven rabbits fed a 0.5% cholesterol-, 5% lard- and 5% peanut oil-enriched diet for 18 and 80 days, which, respectively, raised the plasma values of total cholesterol by factors of about 12 and 37, and those of triglycerides by factors of 3 and 13; rabbits fed a standard diet for the same periods served as controls. Total GSH and the activities of the GSH level-maintaining enzymes glutathione reductase (GSSG-Red), gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) were specifically assessed in the aortic tissue, which was also assayed for fluorescent damage products of lipid peroxidation (FDPL). Sudan red staining of the aortic intima surface was also performed in two other groups of six controls and six fat-fed rabbits. After 18 days of fat feeding, a significant decrement of aortic GSSG-Red activity, associated with gamma-GCS activation, increased GSH levels and normal gamma-GT activity, was observed; FDPL were only moderately enhanced, and atherosclerotic lesions did not occur. After 80 days of atherogenic diet, aortic GSH content was significantly decreased in concomitance with a marked depression of gamma-GT activity, while GSSG-Red and gamma-GCS activities were not significantly changed with respect to 18 days of fat feeding; FDPL underwent further considerable augmentation, and extensive Sudan red-stained atherosclerotic lesions were evident. Thus, short-term fat feeding induces gamma-GCS-dependent GSH biosynthesis of the rabbit aorta; prolonged high-fat intake and hyperlipidemic burden result instead in vascular gamma-GT dysfunction with GSH depletion, eventually favoring oxidative atherogenic effects.

Analysis of Variance↗

Transmural distribution of iron in the hypoxic and reoxygenated rabbit left ventricular myocardium.

Transmural distribution of low molecular weight iron (LMWI), total iron, and protein carbonyls (PC) was investigated in the perfused rabbit heart under aerobic conditions, and after 60 min hypoxia followed or not by 3 min reoxygenation. In the aerobic perfused hearts, LMWI, total iron and PC did not show significant transmural differences. Hypoxia increased LMWI and PC levels, which were significantly higher in the subendocardium than in the subepicardium; further significant changes were not observed after reoxygenation. Total iron showed no transmural difference and was not significantly affected by both hypoxia and reoxygenation. Free iron was undetectable in the myocardial effluent of all experimental groups. Thus, hypoxia favors myocardial iron decompartmentalisation and oxidative stress, which are significantly greater in the inner than in the outer ventricular layers. Such findings may add further insight into the problem of the vulnerability of the mammalian subendocardium to injury induced by oxygen deprivation.

Animals↗

Antioxidant properties of ursodeoxycholic acid.

We have investigated potential antioxidant properties of the clinically relevant bile acid UDCA, which reaches therapeutic concentrations up to 0.09 and 29 mM, respectively, in human plasma and bile. UDCA was an excellent scavenger of OHz.rad; generated by FeCl(3)-EDTA, H(2)O(2) and ascorbate in the deoxyribose oxidation test, showing IC(min) and IC(50) values of 0.02 and 0.2 mM, respectively, and a second-order rate constant for reaction with OHz.rad; of 2+/-0.1 x 10(10)M(-1)s(-1). Notably, the drug could enhance at 1.5 mM concentration the antioxidant capacity of human bile against OHz.rad;-induced deoxyribose oxidation. UDCA also showed antioxidant effects in the deoxyribose test performed with nonchelated iron ions, such as Fe(2+) plus H(2)O(2) (IC(min): 7 mM, IC(50): 20 mM) or Fe(3+) plus H(2)O(2) and ascorbate (IC(min): 0.3 mM, IC(50): 5 mM), and inhibited ferrozine-Fe(2+) and desferrioxamine-Fe(3+) complexes formation with IC(50) values of, respectively, 12 and 0.3 mM, indicating that the drug interacts more with iron(III) than with iron(II). Moreover, UDCA significantly inhibited phospholipid liposome peroxidation induced by the OHz.rad;-generating system FeCl(3)-EDTA, H(2)O(2) and ascorbate (IC(min): 0.75 mM, IC(50): 3 mM), and by peroxyl radicals generated in the aqueous phase by AAPH (IC(min): 8 mM, IC(50): 14 mM). UDCA, even at 25 mM concentration, was ineffective on the lipoperoxidation mediated by Fe(2+) alone, but at the same concentration counteracted significantly that by Fe(3+) plus ascorbate, further pointing to its preferential antioxidant interaction with iron(III). In conclusion, UDCA has direct antioxidant properties, which are especially relevant against Fe(3+)- and OHz.rad;-dependent biomolecular oxidative damage; such properties are evident at therapeutically relevant drug concentrations, suggesting that UDCA could act as an antioxidant in vivo.

Antioxidants↗

Vanadyl as a catalyst of human lipoprotein oxidation.

Lipoprotein oxidation, which is relevant to atherogenesis, can be induced by redox-active transition metals, such as copper. Vanadium is a metal usually used as vanadyl to improve metabolic control in diabetic patients; given its redox-active properties, we have investigated possible oxidative effects of the metal on lipoproteins from healthy and diabetic subjects. Beginning from 10 microM, vanadyl, but not vanadate, induced oxidation of the non-HDL fraction, which was inhibited by EDTA, butylated hydroxytoluene and Vitamins E and C, but not by mannitol, SOD and catalase. Differently from copper, vanadyl could oxidize directly lipoprotein lipids, although it showed a lower oxidant activity against critical tryptophan residues of the lipoprotein protein moiety. Moreover, the non-HDL fraction of diabetic patients was more susceptible to vanadyl-dependent oxidation than that of controls. Thus, vanadium, in its reduced form which may be used in humans, can oxidize the non-HDL fraction through oxidative effects exerted especially on lipoprotein lipids; the specific pro-oxidant activity of vanadyl is more evident with lipoproteins of diabetic patients. Given also the tissue accumulating capacity of vanadium conceivably in a reduced form, its prolonged administration to humans, especially to diabetic patients without adequate antioxidant supplementation, needs caution.

Apolipoproteins B↗

Endothelial function in sustained and white coat hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction is a frequent finding in essential hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess endothelial function, by evaluating circulating nitric oxide metabolites, nitrate plus nitrite (NOx), and endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDD), in white coat hypertension in comparison with sustained hypertension and normotension. METHODS: We selected 22 sustained hypertensive, 22 white coat hypertensive, and 22 normotensive subjects matched for age, gender, body mass index, and occupation. Women were also matched for menopausal status. Subjects with smoking habit, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study. White coat hypertension was defined as clinical hypertension and daytime ambulatory blood pressure (BP) <135/85 mm Hg. Groups received for 2 days a low-nitrate diet before obtaining blood samples for laboratory measurements. The NOx levels were measured by using the Griess reagent after enzymatic conversion of all nitrate to nitrite. Subjects also underwent brachial artery study by ultrasonography to evaluate EDD and endothelium-independent vasodilation. RESULTS: White coat hypertensive subjects had significantly higher levels of NOx than sustained hypertensive patients (30.8 +/- 12 v 22 +/- 8.5 micromol/L, P <.05) and significantly higher EDD (7.8% +/- 3.1% v 4.6% +/- 3.0%, P <.05). No significant difference was observed between white coat hypertensive and normotensive subjects regarding these parameters. Endothelium-independent vasodilation was not significantly different among sustained hypertensives, white coat hypertensives, and normotensives (18% +/- 4.2% v 18.3% +/- 3.9% v 18.6% +/- 4.8%, respectively, P = not significant). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that middle-aged white coat hypertensive subjects without other cardiovascular risk factors do not show endothelial dysfunction in contrast with sustained hypertensive patients.

Adult↗

Heart rate in hypertensive patients treated with ACE inhibitors and long-acting dihydropyridine calcium antagonists.

Rapid heart rate (HR) has been reported to be a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ACE inhibitors and long-acting dihydropyridine calcium antagonists on clinic and ambulatory HR in patients with essential hypertension. We selected 292 hypertensive patients treated with ACE inhibitors and 198 hypertensive patients treated with dihydropyridine calcium antagonists. Groups were balanced for age, gender, body mass index, baseline blood pressure (BP) and HR, treatment duration and occupation. Patients had been submitted to clinic evaluation and noninvasive monitoring of BP and HR at baseline and during chronic therapy. Clinic and ambulatory BP were significantly and similarly reduced in patients treated with ACE inhibitors and calcium antagonists. Globally, clinic and 24-h HR were significantly reduced in patients treated with ACE inhibitors and remained unchanged in those treated with calcium antagonists. When patients were grouped according to baseline clinic HR (< 65 beats/min, 65-74 beats/min, 75-84 beats/min, and >85 beats/min), ACE inhibitors did not significantly change HR in subjects with baseline clinic HR <74 beats/min but significantly reduced clinic, 24-h, daytime and nighttime HR in those with baseline HR >75 beats/min and particularly in those with baseline HR >85 beats/min. Calcium antagonists did not significantly change clinic, 24-h, daytime and nighttime HR in various subgroups. Our study shows that ACE inhibitors reduce both clinic and ambulatory HR in hypertensive patients with faster HR, who seem to be at higher risk, and that long-acting dihydropyridine calcium antagonists do not induce significant changes in HR during chronic treatment (neither decrease nor increase). Whether this aspect is associated with a better prognostic impact of ACE inhibitors in essential hypertension should be determined in prospective studies.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and early development of nephropathy in type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possible role of hyperglycemia-dependent monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 biosynthesis in the pathophysiology of early nephropathy in type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied 30 patients with type 1 diabetes (15 with and 15 without microalbuminuria) compared with matched healthy control subjects. Plasma MCP-1 and plasma oxidant status (vitamin E, fluorescent products of lipid peroxidation [FPLPs], malondialdehyde [MDA]), HbA(1c), and albumin excretion rate [AER]) were evaluated at baseline. Furthermore, MCP-1, vitamin E, AER, and HbA(1c) were also analyzed in the microalbuminuric diabetic patients and in the healthy volunteers after 8 weeks of high-dose (600 mg b.i.d.) vitamin E treatment. RESULTS: FPLPs, MDA, and MCP-1 were significantly higher, whereas vitamin E was significantly lower in patients with microalbuminuria and poorer glycemic control as compared with normoalbuminuric patients and healthy control subjects. Plasma MCP-1 was positively correlated with HbA(1c), FPLPs, MDA, and AER, whereas plasma MCP-1 showed an inverse correlation with vitamin E. Interestingly, both MCP-1 and AER decreased significantly after vitamin E treatment, despite no changes in HbA(1c) values. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that prolonged hyperglycemia may lead to early renal complications in type 1 diabetes by inducing MCP-1 biosynthesis via enhanced oxidative stress. Long-term treatment of high-dose vitamin E significantly decreased MCP-1, thus providing a rationale basis for evaluating vitamin E supplementation as therapy adjuvant to conventional insulin treatment in type 1 diabetic patients in whom an acceptable glycemic control is difficult to achieve despite appropriate insulin treatment.

Adult↗