Medical principles and practice : international journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre
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Non-dipper hypertension (HT) confers greater risk compared with dipper HT. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) recently emerged as a novel and independent marker of cardiovascular disease, both in diagnostic and prognostic scopes. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship of circadian blood pressure (BP) pattern with serum GDF-15 level in newly diagnosed HT patients without left ventricular hypertrophy. ⋯ Our results showed GDF-15 upregulation in the non-dipper HT group. GDF-15 and nighttime diastolic BP were independently associated with the non-dipping pattern. This study may suggest possible utilization of GDF-15 in the prediction of non-dipper HT.
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The use of laparoscopic management as a first choice for the treatment of duodenal perforation is gaining ground but is not routine in many centers. In this report, we aim to report our experience with laparoscopy as the first approach for the repair of duodenal perforation. ⋯ Laparoscopy in the treatment of perforated duodenal ulcer is safe and can be utilized as a routine approach for the treatment of this pathology.
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To evaluate the association between peripheral artery disease (PAD) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in the Arabian Gulf. ⋯ PAD was significantly associated with MACE in ACS patients in the Arabian Gulf.
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Recent studies have demonstrated that angiogenesis is impaired in patients with celiac disease (CD). In this study, we evaluated the levels of the novel antiangiogenic factor pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in CD patients. ⋯ Our data indicate that PEDF levels are significantly higher in CD patients than those in the healthy controls. This result suggests that PEDF negatively affects angiogenesis in CD. Although we did not observe any differences of PEDF levels among celiac patients, additional studies including more patients could clarify this issue.
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Diabetic complications involve multiple pathological pathways, including hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and inflammation. Combination therapy is usually employed to improve treatment outcomes and to lower potential adverse effects. In this study, we evaluated the effects of antidiabetic and antihypertensive agents, glibenclamide (GLI) and losartan (LT), on diabetes mellitus (DM)-associated metabolic changes in rats. ⋯ Adding LT to GLI therapy revealed prospective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, while no synergistic or additive effects were observed.