Identification and distribution of atrial natriuretic polypeptide in ventricular myocardium of humans with myocardial infarction

Article Abstract:

The expression of atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP), a circulating hormone which regulates body fluids and electrolyte balance, increases urinary excretion of sodium and maintains vascular homeostasis, was studied using immunohistochemical methods on tissue from the heart ventricle obtained at autopsy. Ventricular tissues from old myocardial infarctions (MI), with or without congestive heart failure (CHF), and with acute or subacute MI were examined. In addition, the mechanism of the augmentation of ANP expression in the ventricle, its distribution in the ventricle and the timing of its increased expression after MI onset were studied. Twenty-six autopsied human hearts were selected that met appropriate criteria. Control tissues were obtained from heart tissue from noncardiac deaths. Tissue sections were taken from the middle area of serially cut hearts, stained and examined by light microscopy. The infarct size was determined and the MI percentage, the ratio of the infarcted area to the total tissue area, was calculated. To evaluate the extent of ventricular dilatation, the area of the left ventricular cavity was measured, and the ratio of the cavity area to the cavity area plus the left ventricular tissue area was calculated as the left ventricular cavity percentage area. ANP was immunohistochemically demonstrated in the myocytes of all of the old infarcted heart tissues with and without CHF and not in any of the controls. ANP was also identified in subacute MIs and not in any of the acute MI tissues. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Heart attack, Natriuretic peptides

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Lymphocytic infundibuloneurohypophysitis as a cause of central diabetes insipidus

Article Abstract:

Lymphocytic infundibuloneurohypophysitis may be one of the causes of diabetes insipidus. Diabetes insipidus is a metabolic disorder caused by an injury to the neurohypophysial system. The neurohypophysis is the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Seventeen patients with diabetes insipidus had different endocrinologic studies and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hypothalamic-neurohypophysis system. Two patients had a biopsy of the neurohypophysis or the pituitary stalk. MRI scans revealed thickening of the pituitary stalk, enlargement of the hypothalamus or both in nine patients. These patients also did not have the hyperintense signal found in MRI scans of the normal neurohypophysis. The other eight patients did not have thickening of the pituitary stalk or enlargement of the hypothalamus, but they also lacked the hyperintense signal. Chronic inflammation was found in the two patients who had a biopsy. The inflammation was accompanied by infiltration of white blood cells and plasma cells.

Abnormalities, Causes of, Hypothalamus, Diabetes insipidus, Pituitary gland

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A novel antidiabetic drug, troglitazone - reason for hope and concern

Article Abstract:

The drug troglitazone appears to be effective in lowering blood sugar levels in patients with non-insulin-dependent, or type 2, diabetes. It reduces resistance to insulin by promoting the uptake of blood sugar by muscle. Other drugs such as sulfonylureas reduce blood sugar by inhibiting its production. Troglitazone can be used alone or together with other drugs and insulin. Patients who take it may be able to reduce their dose of insulin. However, the drug can damage the liver, so patients who take it must be closely monitored.

Health aspects, Editorial, Drug therapy, Type 2 diabetes, Insulin resistance, Troglitazone

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