Metabolic syndrome is a group of factors which increase the risk for development of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and includes insulin resistance, abdominal adiposity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and other disorders. Changes in prothrombotic and proinflammatory markers have been observed. Aim of this study was to asses the concentration of fibrinogen and other humoral markers of metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic patients. 77 patients both sexes, age 46-83 years have been included. Based on ATP III criteria patients were divided in two groups. Group I - diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome and Group II - diabetic patients without metabolic syndrome. Each group was divided in two subgroups, males and females. The plasma concentration of fibrinogen and humoral markers of metabolic syndrome (triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose) have been evaluated. There were 49.4% patients out of total who met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Patients in Group I weight in average more then the patients in Group II. Average systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were in all groups and subgroups higher than recommended. Humoral markers of metabolic syndrome were significantly higher (p<0.05) in Group I (triglycerides 2.7+/-0,2 mmol/L, total cholesterol 6.0+/-0.2 mmol/L) compared to Group II (triglycerides up to 1,7 mmol/L, total cholesterol in serum up to 5,2 mmol/L ). Concentration of glucose in both groups was significantly higher compared to referral values. Average plasma fibrinogen concentration was 4.0+/-0.1 g/Lwithout significant differences between Group I and II. Females from Group I had significantly higher fibrinogen concentration (p=0.003) then the males from the same group (females 4.4+/-0.2 g/L vs. males 3.7+/-0.1 g/L). There was no difference in fibrinogen concentration between female and male patients in Group II. Fibrinogen plasma concentration is elevated in all type 2 diabetic patients without significant differences between subjects with or without metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a group of factors which increase the risk for development of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and includes insulin resistance, abdominal adiposity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and other disorders. Changes in prothrombotic and proinflammatory markers have been observed. Aim of this study was to asses the concentration of fibrinogen and other humoral markers of metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetic patients. 77 patients both sexes, age 46-83 years have been included. Based on ATP III criteria patients were divided in two groups. Group I - diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome and Group II - diabetic patients without metabolic syndrome. Each group was divided in two subgroups, males and females. The plasma concentration of fibrinogen and humoral markers of metabolic syndrome (triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose) have been evaluated. There were 49.4% patients out of total who met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Patients in Group I weight in average more then the patients in Group II. Average systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were in all groups and subgroups higher than recommended. Humoral markers of metabolic syndrome were significantly higher (p<0.05) in Group I (triglycerides 2.7+/-0,2 mmol/L, total cholesterol 6.0+/-0.2 mmol/L) compared to Group II (triglycerides up to 1,7 mmol/L, total cholesterol in serum up to 5,2 mmol/L ). Concentration of glucose in both groups was significantly higher compared to referral values. Average plasma fibrinogen concentration was 4.0+/-0.1 g/Lwithout significant differences between Group I and II. Females from Group I had significantly higher fibrinogen concentration (p=0.003) then the males from the same group (females 4.4+/-0.2 g/L vs. males 3.7+/-0.1 g/L). There was no difference in fibrinogen concentration between female and male patients in Group II. Fibrinogen plasma concentration is elevated in all type 2 diabetic patients without significant differences between subjects with or without metabolic syndrome.

Studies indicate that inflammatory mechanisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). C-reactive protein (CRP), marker and mediator of inflammation, has been detected in lesions typical for the affected areas of AD brain. There have been conflicting reports on serum CRP concentration in AD. Scarce data exist on association of CRP and measures of adiposity in AD patients. Thus, we investigated serum CRP concentration in fifteen overweight institutionalized patients with probable AD and fifteen age-matched control subjects. Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) were calculated for each subject included in the study. Age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, BMI and WHR did not differ significantly between the two groups. Serum CRP concentration was significantly higher in patients with AD compared to controls (p<0.0001). Although not significant, positive correlations between serum levels of CRP and BMI and WHR were found. Obtained results support the notion that low-grade inflammation is present in patients with AD. Absence of significant association between CRP and measures of total and central adiposity in overweight AD patients needs further investigation and explanation.

Physical effort is a strong physiological stimulus that provokes an increase in blood growth hormone (GH) concentration. Interactions between GH and body composition are very complex. Seven athletes and seven age-matched controls completed a single 30-min bout of upright cycling exercise (5 % of VO(2max).) in order to estimate the influence of body composition on serum GH concentration during exercise. The serum GH concentration was measured in blood samples by standard immunoradiometric (IRMA) method. Anthropometric measurements were used for the calculation of body composition. There were no significant differences in total body mass or body mass index between the groups. The athletes had significantly less fat and higher bone and muscle mass. Serum GH concentration was 2.39 times higher in the athlets versus the control in the period of rest. During acute exercise, the serum GH concentration increased in both groups. No statistically significant differences between the groups in serum GH concentration were found either during the exercise or in the recovery. No correlation between body composition and serum GH concentration was found. Body composition depends on the level of physical activities but if the total body mass is in physiologycal range it does not influence the serum GH response to acute exercise.

Gentamicin is still widely used in clinical practice in spite of its renal toxicity. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in that process is not completely elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma level of NO and the histopathological changes of kidney in acute tubular necrosis (ATN) induced by gentamicin in rats. Study was carried out in Albino-Wistar rats, both sexes (n=16), average body weight 200-250 g. divided in two equal groups: control and gentamicin group. The control group was injected with 0.9% NaCl i.p. and gentamicin group was injected with gentamicin in the dose of 80 mg/kg/day i.p. in a period of 5 consecutive days. NO plasma level was determined by the production of nitrates and nitrites using classical colorimetrical Griess reaction. Kidney specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) and Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain. Semiquantitative histological analysis was used for the evaluation of the level of kidney damage. Both, the plasma NO level and the level of kidney damage were statistically higher in rats with gentamicin-induced ATN in comparison to the control group. In spite of that the correlation between plasma NO level and the level of kidney damage was not found. The rise of plasma level NO in gentamicin induced ATN in rats could possibly indicate on the role of NO in renal damage caused by gentamicin.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in blood pressure regulation not only in the state of rest, but also during physical exercise. The aim of this study was to estimate the serum ACE activity in response to acute dynamic exercise. The study involved a group of young, healthy, male volunteers (average 22 years of age). Exercise testing was carried out on ergometer bicycle according to the protocol of individually adjusted continuous, constant workload (3 W/kg). The activity of ACE in serum was measured in venous blood, in the period of rest, in 4th, 8th and 12th minute of exercise and 1st, 3rd and 6th minute of recovery by spectrophotometric method. Marked inter-individual differences in basal serum ACE activity were determined (range 8, 31-63, 72 U/L). Serum ACE activity did not significantly vary during exercise and in the period of recovery. Systolic blood pressure changed during exercise compared to values during rest period in accordance with the applied type of dynamical exercise. Diastolic blood pressure did not vary considerably during exercise. Statistically significant correlation between mean arterial blood pressure and ACE activity in the serum was not found. The lack of increase of ACE activity in the serum, in spite of changes in blood pressure values, most likely shows the presence of alternative ACE independent pathway involved in the production of vasoactive substances that have important role in the regulation of cardiovascular system response to acute dynamic exercise.

Long term stress exposure results in somatisation symptoms appearance. Cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and muscle-bone symptoms arise because of intensified activity of autonomic nervous system caused by chronic stress. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between long term war stress exposure and appearance of somatisation. 40 students of health-care faculties in Sarajevo, of both sexes, were included in investigation and divided in two groups-somatisation and control. Somatisation group subjects (N=20) lived in B&H under war conditions, from 1992-1995. Control subjects (N=20) spent the same period outside B&H. For evaluation of somatisation symptoms we used SCL-90-R test. The obtained data were statistically evaluated using Student's t-test and chi2 test. Confidence level was set at p < 0.05. Our results showed statistically significant difference in somatisation level between somatisation and control subjects group. Different intensity of appearance of certain symptoms in male and female was established. The score of somatisation dimension between somatisation and control group showed statistically significant level (p < 0.0001). Study results confirmed correlation of chronic stress exposure (living in war environment) and somatisation symptom appearance. Individual organic systems had various level of symptom expression. The influence of sex on intensity of individual symptoms of somatisation is possible.

There is no clear evidence about the influence of programmed physical activity (training) on growth hormone (GH) response to acute physical exercise. The aim of this study was to estimate the relationship between the level of physical activity and the serum growth hormone concentration in response to acute physical exercise. The study was performed on 20, healthy male subjects. Based on the level of their physical activities they were divided in two groups of equal size: group 1, trained, and group 2, untrained subjects. All subjects performed one boot of exercise on cycle ergometer, lasting 30 minutes. Work intensity was approx. 65% of VO2 max, and the rate of cycling was 60/min. Serum GH concentrations were measured by IRMA (immunoradiometric assays) method in blood samples obtained in the period of rest, during exercise and in the recovery period. There were marked differences in the dynamics of changes in the serum GH concentrations during exercise period between the groups of various level of physical activity despite the lack of the significant differences in basal level and maximal level of serum GH concentration at the end of exercise. Untrained subjects showed faster increase in serum GH concentration than trained subjects, but in trained subjects the restoration of the basal values in the recovery period was faster. These results indicate that the level of physical activities in young, healthy male subjects has no influence on GH response to acute physical exercise.

Endothelin is a recently discovered peptide composed of 21 amino acids. There are three endothelin isomers: endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin-2 (ET-2) and endothelin- 3 (ET-3). In humans and animals levels of ET-1, ET-2, ET-3 and big endothelin in blood range from 0,3 to 3 pg/ml. ET-1, ET-2 and ET-3 act by binding to receptors. Two main types of the receptors for endothelins exist and they are referred to as A and B type receptors. Different factors can stimulate or inhibit production of endothelin by endothelial cells. Mechanical stimulation of endothelium, thrombin, calcium ions, epinephrine, angiotensin II, vasopressin, dopamine, cytokines, growth factors stimulate the production of endothelin whereas nitric oxide, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, atrial natriuretic peptide, prostacyclin, bradykinin inhibit its production. Endothelins have different physiological roles in human body but at the same time their actions are involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases. The aim of this review was to present some of, so far, the best studied physiological roles of endothelin and to summarize evidence supporting the potential role of ET in the pathogenesis of certain diseases.

UNLABELLED Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is commonly present in hemodialysis patients (HD pts) and is considered as an independent risk factor for high mortality. Many studies have confirmed sound connection between anemia and LVH in this patients. OBJECTIVE To analyse dystolic function of LVH in uraemic pts during the 6 months human recombinant erythropoectin (rHu-Epo) treatment of anemia, with emphasis on the role of nitric oxide (NO), whose role in regulation of LV diastolic distensibility has been hinted in some recent studies. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 20 HD pts, aged 39.6 +/- 5.3 yrs, with the same condition of HD treatment, signs of anemia and echocardiographically verified LVH. Pulse Doppler echocardiography confirmed LV diastolic function as a ratio of early to late diastolic mitral flow velocity (E/A). Nitrate concentration was determined by colorimetric method using Greiss reagent. Renal anemia was treated with rHuEpo. RESULTS Six months rHuEpo treatment of anemia in HD pts with LVH caused significant reduction of LV mass index (p = 0.008). However, we observed unfavourable fall in LV diastolic function (E/A = 0.83, p = 0.007). In the same time, it was found that the serum NO level was higher for 11.8% in HD pts with LVH as compared with the pts with normal LV mass. Also, the significant positive correlation was found between the level of NO and LV mass index before (p = 0.004) and after rHuEpo therapy (p = 0.03), as well as a significant positive correlation between NO and E/A in the same conditions (p = 0.002) and p = 0.049). Level of NO negatively correlates with blood hemoglobin level, but without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS Correction of anemia with rHuEpo leads to the significant partial regression of LVH. Reduction of diastolic function of LV, observed after diminished LV mass index, could be related to the significant fall of NO level and damaged response of LV to NO. The results of the study strongy suggest that NO can present an important determinant of LV diastolic function in uraemic pts.

INTRODUCTION Anemia has been shown to be a key component of renal failure, as well as of the occurrence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), with special attention paid to the paracrine mechanism of left ventricular remodelling. AIM The aim of the study was to analyze possible association of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and LVH in hemodialysis patients with anemia treated with human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEpo) during six months. METHOD LV geometry was determined by echocardiographic analysis in 20 hemodialysis patients before and after erythropoietin treatment. Serum ACE activity was measured by spectrophotometric method using hippyril-l-histidyl-l-leucin as a substrate. RESULTS Serum ACE activity increased to 47.3% in hemodialysis patients with LVH as compared to patients with normal LV mass. A significant positive correlation was found between the level of ACE activity and LV mass index (p=0.004). Six-month erythropoietin treatment of anemia led to a significant reduction of LV mass index (p<0.008) and serum ACE activity (p=0.003) from the initial values. CONCLUSION The levels of serum ACE activity are associated with LV geometry. Our findings suggested the possibility of simultaneous and modest modulation of LV mass and serum ACE activity with rHuEpo correction of renal anemia.

The qualitative and quantitative study of renal cortical structures was performed seven days after unilateral nephrectomy. Adult Wistar rats (10 male and 10 female) were ether-anaesthetized and the kidneys were removed by dorsolateral approach. Renal hypertrophy was determined by measurement of kidney dry mass. The samples of renal tissue were embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 6 microns and stained by azan and haematoxylineosin methods. The volume densities of renal corpuscles, the epithelium of tubules, luminal space of tubules and cortical interstitial structures were calculated using Weibel's multipurpose test system M 42. The qualitative analysis was performed to determine possible structural sex differences of cortical parenchyma during compensatory hypertrophy. There was no significant difference in volume densities of renal corpuscles and distal tubules between control and hypertrophic kidney. The volume density of the epithelium of proximal tubules and interstitial blood vessels were statistically significant increased in hypertrophic kidney compared to the values determined in control kidney. The volume density of luminal space of proximal tubules and interstitial tissues were statistically significant decreased in hypertrophy compared to control kidney. The data from present studies shows that the increase in epithelial volume of proximal tubules and interstitial blood vessels volume have the primary role in compensatory kidney enlargement after unilateral nephrectomy, while renal corpuscles do not participate significantly.

Average values of heart rate (HR) and the average duration of electrocardiograph parameters were investigated (RR interval, P wave, PQ interval, QRS complex and QT interval) in healthy, adult Wistar rats of both sexes (n=86). Electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded by Shiller Resting ECG, and for analysis of recordings SEMA-200 Vet computer program was used. Prior to registration animals were exposed to light ether anesthesia. Mean value of HR was 203.03+/-3.09 beats/min in whole sample. Observed differences in mean values of heart rate and duration of followed ECG parameters between sexes were not statistically significant. Results gathered in our study could serve as standard values for electrocardiograph parameters in future research where will be used Wistar rats in conditions of registration and analysis of ECG that are described in our paper.