Biomedical subjects

Urs Eriksson

Publications and source records attributed to Urs Eriksson.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Just the beginning: novel functions for angiotensin-converting enzymes.

Cardiovascular disease is predicted to be the commonest cause of death worldwide by the year 2020. Diabetes, smoking and hypertension are the main risk factors. The renin-angiotensin system plays a key role in regulating blood pressure and fluid and electrolyte homeostasis in mammals. The discovery of specific drugs that block either the key enzyme of the renin-angiotensin system, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), or the receptor for its main effector angiotensin II, was a major step forward in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. In recent years, however, the renin-angiotensin system has been shown to be a far more complex system than initially thought. It has become clear that additional peptide mediators are involved. Furthermore, a new ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), has been discovered which appears to negatively regulate the renin-angiotensin system. In the heart, ACE2 deficiency results in severe impairment of cardiac contractility and upregulation of hypoxia-induced genes. We shall discuss the interplay of the various effector peptides generated by angiotensin-converting enzymes ACE and ACE2, highlighting the role of ACE2 as a negative regulator of the renin-angiotensin system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2002

Cytokines that regulate autoimmune myocarditis.

A growing body of evidence suggests that autoimmune responses are involved in the pathogenesis of myocarditis and postinfectious cardiomyopathy. Autoimmunity may also arise after ischaemic or traumatic damage to heart tissue. Myocarditis leading to heart failure can be mimicked in rodents by immunisation with cardiac alpha myosin and peptides derived from it. Cytokines and chemokines, produced mainly by T-cells and antigen-presenting cells, control immune responses by acting as either potentiating or inhibitory agents. Gene targeting and experiments with antibodies and/or antagonists blocking cytokines and their receptors have uncovered mechanisms whereby such regulatory molecules are involved in the pathogenesis of myocarditis. Identification of regulatory key cytokines and the associated pro- or anti-inflammatory pathways involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac inflammation may have important implications for therapeutic strategies and vaccine design in the future.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Prevention of contrast media-associated nephropathy: randomized comparison of 2 hydration regimens in 1620 patients undergoing coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: The administration of radiographic contrast agents remains an important cause of acute renal failure. The optimal infusion for hydration has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of contrast media-associated nephrotoxicity with isotonic or half-isotonic hydration. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label study. METHODS: Patients scheduled for elective or emergency coronary angioplasty were randomly assigned to receive isotonic (0.9% saline) or half-isotonic (0.45% sodium chloride plus 5% glucose) hydration beginning the morning of the procedure for elective interventions and immediately before emergency interventions. An increase in serum creatinine of at least 0.5 mg/dL (44 micromol/L) within 48 hours was defined as contrast media-associated nephrotoxicity. Secondary end points were cardiac and peripheral vascular complications. RESULTS: A total of 1620 patients were assigned to receive isotonic (n = 809) or half-isotonic (n = 811) hydration. Primary end point analysis was possible in 1383 patients. Baseline characteristics were well matched. Contrast media-associated nephropathy was significantly reduced with isotonic (0.7%, 95% confidence interval, 0.1%-1.4%) vs half-isotonic (2.0%, 95% confidence interval, 1.0%-3.1%) hydration (P =.04). Three predefined subgroups benefited in particular from isotonic hydration: women, persons with diabetes, and patients receiving 250 mL or more of contrast. The incidence of cardiac (isotonic, 5.3% vs half-isotonic, 6.4%; P =.59) and peripheral vascular (isotonic, 1.6% vs half-isotonic, 1.5%, P =.93) complications was similar between the 2 hydration groups. CONCLUSION: Isotonic hydration is superior to half-isotonic hydration in the prevention of contrast media-associated nephropathy.

Acute Kidney Injury↗