Journal of internal medicine
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A genetic polymorphism in connexin 37 as a prognostic marker for atherosclerotic plaque development.
Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease, in part characterized by chronic inflammatory changes in the vessel wall and loss of normal physical and biochemical interactions between endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Previous studies [Hu J., Cotgreave IA. J Clin Invest; 99: 1-5] have provided molecular links between inflammation and myoendothelial communication via gap junctions, suggesting that these structures may be important in the development of the atherosclerotic vessel phenotype. In order to strengthen this premise, the aim of the present work was to probe for structural polymorphisms in connexin 37, a gap junctional protein uniquely expressed in endothelial cells, and to assess for potential genotypic segregation in individuals displaying atherosclerotic plaque. ⋯ These data suggest that the C1019-T polymorphism in cx37 may provide 'single gene marker', which could be useful in assessing atherosclerotic plaque development, particularly in cardiovascular risk groups such as those with borderline hypertension.
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Genetic studies in inbred obese mice have revealed the ob gene, its product leptin and the leptin receptor as important factors in the regulation of both appetite and energy expenditure. Treatment with recombinant leptin has resulted in a marked weight reduction in obese animals with ob gene mutations as well as in normal mice. Also mutations in the Ob receptor gene result in marked obesity in rodents. ⋯ Further support of leptin being involved in regulation of obesity in man comes from the observation that inactivating mutations in the human ob gene lead to profound early onset obesity. However, the role of leptin and its feedback system in man is still only partly revealed. This review focuses on our present knowledge and hypotheses about the leptin pathway in humans and its potential importance in the clinic of obesity.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Insulin-like growth factor-I lowers fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels without affecting chylomicron clearance in healthy men.
To study whether IGF-I treatment alters the postprandial lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. ⋯ IGF-I treatment reduces the triglyceride levels most probably by decreasing insulin secretion and the production of VLDL particles, and possibly by increasing their turnover. IGF-I treatment has no significant effect on the metabolism of intestine-derived triglyceride-rich lipoproteins after a high fat meal in healthy young men.
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Multicenter Study
Panic disorder in chest pain patients referred for cardiological outpatient investigation.
The aims of the study were to: (i) determine the prevalence of panic disorder (PD) in patients referred to cardiological outpatient clinics for evaluation of chest pain; (ii) compare psychiatric comorbidity, psychological distress, pain characteristics and suicidal ideation in PD and non-PD patients: (iii) compare the prevalence of coronary risk factors and medical comorbidity in PD and non-PD patients; and (iv) describe current PD treatment and need for PD treatment as expressed by PD patients. ⋯ PD commonly occurs in this chest pain population. Thus, there is a need to educate physicians caring for these patients about PD identification and treatment.