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Biomedical subjects

Z Reiner

Publications and source records attributed to Z Reiner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Is lipoprotein(A) a risk factor for atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries?

Elevated plasma Lp(a) has been linked to development of coronary artery disease (CAD). There is no data about plasma Lp(a) and atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries. Therefore the purpose of this study was to assess the risk of retinal vessels atherosclerosis conferred by elevated plasma Lp(a) levels in 73 adult males. The results were compared with those in 45 matched apparently healthy males with no retinal vessel changes. The atherosclerotic changes of the retinal vessels were determined by direct ophthalmoscopy and graded (1-4) according to Scheie. Plasma levels of Lp(a) were measured by radial immunodiffusion. The results were compared using chi-square test. Although a very weak correlation between plasma Lp(a) levels and the incidence of retinal atherosclerosis was found, no significant association between the degree of atherosclerotic changes and plasma Lp(a) levels could be proven. Thus it could be concluded that plasma Lp(a) level is not a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed2002

Plasma cortisol in men--relationship with atherosclerosis of retinal arteries.

The production of cortisol increases in acute stress but the effects of chronic stress on plasma cortisol are still controversial. Stress on the other hand plays a role in coronary artery disease (CAD) and carotid atherosclerosis. Since there is no data about plasma cortisol and atherosclerosis of the retinal arteries, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between plasma cortisol in 101 adult males with the degree of their retinal vessels atherosclerosis. The results were compared with those in 47 matched apparently healthy men with no retinal vessels changes. The atherosclerotic changes of retinal vessels were determined by direct ophthalmoscopy and graded (1-4) according to Scheie. Morning plasma cortisol levels were determined by radioimmunoassay using commercial kits. The results were compared by using chi-square test. No association between morning plasma cortisol concentrations and retinal vessels atherosclerosis could be found. The results of this study do not support a role for physiological levels of plasma cortisol in the development of atherosclerosis, at least of the retinal arteries, in men.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2001

Effect of simvastatin on micropulmonary red cell mass in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia.

The purpose of this study was to compare the macrocirculatory and microcirculatory effects of simvastatin in hyperlipemic patients. In vitro measurements of lipoprotein levels and macrocirculatory hemorheology were complemented by in vivo measurements of the pulmonary capillary red cell volume (RCVpc) before and after 6 weeks of treatment with 40 mg of simvastatin daily in 30 male patients with hyperlipoproteinemia type IIa. RCVpc was assessed from the vascular component of the lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, using the modification of the Roughton-Forster's method. RCVpc was increased in patients (60.9+/-9 versus 40+/-9 ml in healthy controls) and it decreased to 47+/-6 ml after treatment (P=5x10(-11)). The decreases in RCVpc correlated to concomitant decreases in peripheral hematocrit (R=0.68) and serum total cholesterol (-34% on average; R=0.59). Membrane diffusing capacity was normal in patients and not affected by the therapy; suggesting that increased RCVpc was due to increased micropulmonary hematocrit. Thus, it appears that viscosity in microcirculation is greatly increased in hyperlipemic patients and that simvastatin is able to normalize it. Since microcirculatory conditions can only partly be inferred from in vitro measurements the use of lung diffusional parameters was advocated, which enable in vivo assessment of hemorheology in microcirculation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Plasma lipids, lipoprotein Lp(a), apolipoproteins, and hemostatic risk factors distributions in postmenopausal women.

In the present study, the effect of hormone replacement therapy on lipid metabolism, apolipoproteins and hemostatic risk factors for cardiovascular disease was assessed in 216 Croatian postmenopausal women. There were 156 current users divided in to two groups according to the duration of therapy. The short-term study of < 10 months (X +/- SD 5.31 +/- 2.69) included 49 users, and long-term study of > 11 months (X +/- SD 22.06 +/- 10.95) included 107 users of hormone replacement therapy. Sixty nonusers served as a control group. In the short-term study, current users had a significant increase in serum HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, A-II and a decrease in total/HDL cholesterol ratio, apoB and antithrombin III (p < 0.05). No significant differences were recorded for total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, lipoprotein Lp(a) and plasminogen. In the long-term study, a significant increase in HDL cholesterol, apo A-I and total/HDL cholesterol ratio, and a decrease in AT III were observed. Results of the study showed favorable effects of hormone replacement therapy on serum lipid profile and apolipoproteins as a protective regimen from cardiovascular disease in both treatment groups of postmenopausal women. There are conflicting reports regarding increased fibrinolytic activity. The clinical relevance of the observed changes in antithrombin III concentrations as an important coagulation inhibitor is doubtful and should be considered in a more extensive evaluation of the potential hemostatic risk factors for cardiovascular risk and thromboembolism.

Antithrombin III↗
PubMed1999

Extracorporeal treatment for refractory hyperlipidemia.

Radical, non-pharmacological, methods of treatment should never be used until it has first been shown that conventional therapy either fails to control hyperlipidemia or cannot be tolerated by the patient. In general, the use of extracorporeal techniques will be restricted to patients with severe familial hypercholesterolemia, although occasionally they may be resorted to in other categories of hyperlipidemia. Seven different procedures are available today for routine clinical practice: unselective plasma exchange, semi-selective double filtration and its modifications as well as the highly selective procedures of immunoadsorption, chemo-adsorption onto dextran sulfate, heparin induced LDL precipitation lipoprotein(a) column, and LDL hemoperfusion (direct adsorption of lipids--DALI). Large-scale regression studies were performed with five highly selective treatment modalities. Control coronary angiograms obtained after about two years of treatment showed that atherosclerotic plaques on coronary arteries had not enlarged or had even been reduced in 80% to 90% of patients.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1997

Influence of erythropoietin treatment on dialyzer reuse.

The effects of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) administration on adequacy of hemodialysis (HD) during single-use versus multiple-reuse of hemophan hollow-fiber dialyzers were assessed in 16 stable end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. After 12 months of r-HuEPO treatment and maintenance HD with low-flux single-use dialyzers, in the same group of ESRD patients the effectiveness of automated dialyzer reprocessing using peroxyacetic acid was evaluated. Comparison between r-HuEPO-treated patients dialyzed with single-use devices and those treated with reused dialyzers revealed no significant differences in urea kinetic modelling and nutritional status. However, the duration of HD and heparin dosage were significantly (p < 0.05) increased, and the number of dialyzer uses was properly limited during the reuse program. When dialyzer reprocessing was performed, the r-HuEPO dosage and hemoglobin level remained unchanged if compared with the subgroup treated with single-use dialyzers. It was demonstrated that r-HuEPO treatment did not affect the adequacy of HD, even in case of dialyzer reuse.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Dialyzer reprocessing with peroxyacetic acid as sole cleansing and sterilizing agent.

In a prospective study, the effectiveness of a newly available peroxyacetic acid solution (Dialox) as a cleansing and sterilizing agent for the reuse of conventional hollow-fiber hemophan dialyzers was evaluated. The effects of reprocessing dialyzers with peroxyacetic acid on leukocyte and platelet counts, dialyzer performance, acute intradialytic symptoms and cost effectiveness were studied. A total of 250 sessions using new dialyzers and 3,227 sessions employing reused dialyzers were monitored. Dialyzers were withdrawn after a maximum of 21 sessions, and the mean number of uses was 13.9 +/- 5.1. It was found that peroxyacetic acid reprocessing of hemophan dialyzer membranes improved hemodialysis leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. It was also proved that, compared to new ones, the reused dialyzers were associated with significantly fewer intradialytic symptoms. Clearances of small molecules and ultrafiltration rate after multiple dialyzer reprocessing remained within the acceptable limits. The duration of hemodialysis has been prolonged 30 min after the 10th dialyzer reuse and dialysis adequacy remained unaffected. About 100,000 DEM were saved during the one year due to the reuse procedure. The authors conclude that automated dialyzer reprocessing with peroxyacetic acid as a sole cleansing and sterilizing agent is a safe, efficacious and money-saving method.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[The effects of androgens and other sex hormones on serum lipoproteins].

This review summarizes recent data on the effects of endogenous and exogenous androgens, estrogens and progesterone on serum lipoproteins levels and composition in humans. Sex steroid hormones modulate serum lipoprotein metabolic mechanisms and influence atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. In general, androgens lower HDL and raise LDL levels and Lp(a) thus promoting the atherogenic process. As it is true with estrogens, the lipoprotein effects of androgens are more pronounced with oral than with parenteral administration. Millions of women use oral contraception and postmenopausal women use more and more some form of hormone replacement therapy. The HDL-raising effect of estrogen replacement seems to be mediated by an increase in apoprotein AI production and not by a decrease in the clearance rate. Estrogens lower LDL levels by accelerating the rate of LDL catabolism which is due to an increase in the number of hepatic LDL receptors. They also improve endothelium-dependent vasodilatation which might be mediated by an antioxidant action of estrogens. These facts could explain well known cardioprotective effects of estrogens. Androgen progestins, especially older such as norgestrel, lower HDL and raise LDL thus diminishing or eliminating the benefits of estrogens on cardiovascular system while newer progestins have a lesser effect on circulating lipoproteins.

Androgens↗
PubMed1996

[National consensus on hyperandrogenemia].

Croatian Endocrine Society and Croatian Academy of Medical Sciences organized Symposium on Hyperandrogenaemia on March 22nd, 1996. Different aspects of this syndrome were discussed: epidemiology, classification and clinical features, steroid biosynthesis in the adrenal gland and ovarium, the genetics of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), clinical significance of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone metabolism, androgen excess and metabolic syndrome (syndrome X), insulin disturbances in PCOS, increased risk for development of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, androgen effects on serum lipoproteins, insulin like growth factors and function of ovarium, Doppler parameters in PCOS, treatment of hyperandrogenaemia, skin changes in PCOS, tests for adrenal and ovarial function, arterial hypertension and hyperinsulinism. National Board of Hyperandrogenaemia has been elected.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

An increase in micropulmonary red cell mass in hyperlipidaemic patients.

It is known that pulmonary microcirculation rheology is partly affected by plasma levels of lipoproteins, but only a few data are available for humans. Therefore, in a sample of 30 normal volunteers and 90 patients with various types of primary hyperlipoproteinaemia, the plasma levels of total cholesterol (Chol), low density cholesterol (LDL), the high density cholesterol (HDL), triglyceride (Tg) and fibrinogen (Fib) were measured in conjunction with determinations of plasma viscosity (PV) and the pulmonary capillary red cell volume (RCVc). RCVc was estimated from measurements of the vascular component of the single-breath-diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide, using our own modification of the Roughton-Forster's method. By stepwise regression analysis, the variation in RCVc was almost completely accounted for (r2 = 0.87) by variations in PV, Chol, Tg and the anthropometric confounding factors. The proposed explanations for increased pulmonary capillary red cell mass (up to 151% of the predicted value) in hyperlipidaemic patients included the hypothesis of increased pulmonary microhaematocrit, which agrees with the observed in-vitro lipoprotein-dependent increase in erythrocyte aggregability.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The effects of cortisol, 11-epicortisol, and lysine vasopressin on DNA and RNA synthesis in isolated human adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting pituitary tumor cells.

The effects of cortisol, its steric analog 11-epicortisol, and lysine vasopressin (LVP) on DNA and RNA synthesis in isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone-secreting human pituitary tumor cells obtained by transsphenoidal surgery were studied using [3H]thymidine incorporation in DNA and [3H]uridine in RNA. Cortisol suppressed RNA and, to a greater extent, DNA synthesis in these cells. This could explain the slow growth of pituitary tumors in patients with Cushing's disease and the rapid growth of Nelson's pituitary tumors after bilateral adrenalectomy. 11-Epicortisol also suppressed RNA synthesis, but it had a stimulatory effect on DNA synthesis, which indicates a high specificity of glucocorticoid receptors. When applied together with cortisol, 11-epicortisol antagonized the suppressive effects of cortisol on DNA synthesis. Although LVP stimulated RNA synthesis, it suppressed DNA synthesis in most of the tumor cells.

Adenoma, Basophil↗
PubMed1990

Symptomatic hypomagnesemia associated with gentamicin therapy.

Seven patients (3 females, 4 males) developed symptomatic hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, and hypokalemia following gentamicin therapy. The excessive and inappropriate urinary excretion of magnesium and potassium in the presence of subnormal serum concentrations was noted. A significant correlation was found between the total cumulative dose of gentamicin and serum Mg concentration (r = 0.76, p less than 0.05), as well as between the renal wasting of Mg and the total cumulative dose of gentamicin administered (r = 0.89, p less than 0.01). The gentamicin-induced Mg depletion is a very rare but important complication which is most likely to occur when the drug is given to older patients in large doses over extended periods of time.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Plasminogen polymorphism in swine.

1. Plasminogen polymorphism in swine (Sus scrofa) plasma was demonstrated by immunoblotting. 2. Eleven plasminogen phenotypic patterns, including a null pattern, were detected. 3. The null pattern was associated with extremely low plasma triglyceride and increased unesterified cholesterol levels. 4. Changes in plasminogen polymorphic patterns from the fetal to neonate status were observed after nursing commenced.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Cytoplasmic steroid receptors in cancer of the larynx.

There are many data that suggest that the larynx is a target organ for steroid hormones, especially androgens. Since laryngeal cancers occur much more often in males, it is conceivable that androgens might be the growth-stimulating factor for such tumors. In order to test this concept further, neoplastic tissues from 68 patients (64 males, 4 females) were obtained during planned total laryngectomies and were tested for the presence of androgen (AR) and estrogen (ER) receptors. In 18 cases progesterone receptors (PgR) were also quantified. The dextran-coated charcoal technique was used to determine hormone receptors and the number of the binding sites and the equilibrium constant of dissociation were calculated according to Scatchard. 3H-R1881 was used as the ligand for the measurement of AR, 3H-estradiol for ER, and 3H-R5020 for PgR. AR was present in 11 tumor specimens (1 female, 10 males) and the concentration varied from 2.8 to 17.1 fmol/mg proteins. ER were found in 6 tumors (1 female, 5 males) in concentrations of 2.9-11.2 fmol/mg proteins. Three tumor specimens contained both AR and ER. All tumors analyzed lacked PgR. These results suggest that at least some laryngeal carcinomas might be hormone dependent, indicating that certain patients could benefit from antiandrogen therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Characterization of a monoclonal antibody that binds equally to all apolipoprotein and lipoprotein forms of human plasma apolipoprotein B. I. Specificity and binding studies.

A stable mouse hybridoma cell line has been developed that produces monoclonal antibody to human plasma apolipoprotein B. This antibody was proven to be specific for apolipoprotein B immunoblotting and an enzyme immunoassay using apolipoprotein B and other apolipoproteins. The antibody bound with comparable affinities to soluble apolipoprotein B, chylomicrons, very-low-density (VLDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Coupled to agarose, this antibody allowed complete removal of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins from normolipidemic, hypertriglyceridemic and hypercholesterolemic plasma. Desialyzation and deglycosylation had no effect on its binding to LDL. The described antibody had no effect on the receptor-mediated binding of radiolabeled LDL to the human hepatoma cells (HepG2) in culture. Analysis of 25 different samples of human plasma indicated identical expression of the corresponding epitope in these individuals. The described monoclonal antibody, most likely, binds to a rather stable domain of apolipoprotein B that is not altered by the interaction with lipids or polymorphism of the apolipoprotein B. We propose that this antibody be called 'Pan B' antibody.

Animals↗