Current Hypertension Reviews - Volume 6, Issue 1, 2010

Leptin is a peptide hormone secreted by white adipose tissue which is primarily involved in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. Recent studies suggest that leptin contributes to the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension associated with the metabolic syndrome. Plasma leptin concentration is increased in obese individuals. Moreover, chronic leptin administration or transgenic overexpression increases blood pr Read More

Microalbuminuria measurement is now widely available, but its use during and after pregnancy has not been clearly defined. This review will present a brief overview of microalbuminuria measurement and screening outside pregnancy, and discuss the diagnosis of microalbuminuria in pregnancy, the potential role of microalbuminuria in pregnancy for prediction and diagnosis of pre-eclampsia and for post partum asses Read More

Isolated systolic hypertension is the most common form of essential hypertension in patients over 65 years old and is not well controlled by current antihypertensive therapies. Current antihypertensive pharmacology is focused on reducing peripheral resistance and ventricular ejection. However, the increase of systolic blood pressure is mainly a consequence of large artery stiffening. This pathological process seems to be the resu Read More

Hypertension is a major global public health problem. Exercise decreases blood pressure (BP) 5-7 mmHg among those with hypertension. Thus, exercise is recommended to prevent, treat, and control hypertension with a generic “one size fits all” approach. Yet, there is considerable individual variability in the BP response to exercise due to genetic and environmental factors that are not well understood. There is a significant ge Read More

Hypertension is a very common finding in hemodialysis patients and one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in dialysis. The discontinuous nature of hemodialysis gives blood pressure a unique profile and makes the pathogenesis of hypertension complex in this population. Water and sodium retention play a pivotal role; increased activity of vasoconst Read More

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the site of synthesis and maturation of proteins, designed for secretion, and the cell membrane. Various types of stress from both inside and outside of cells disturb ER function, and unfolded or misfolded proteins accumulate in the ER. The accumulation of these abnormal proteins in the ER further disturbs ER function and cell survival can be threatened. To improve and maintain ER function Read More

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the site of lipid and protein synthesis, protein folding and maturation, and storage of free calcium in eukaryotic cells. All proteins destined for the extracellular space, plasma membrane or other intracellular compartments are folded and assembled in the ER. Disruption of the ER homeostatic mechanisms, such as perturbations in intracellular calcium homeostasis, alteration of redox status and Read More