Jerzy Mosiewicz

Left Ventricular Geometry in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Coexisting with Treated Systemic Hypertension

Background: Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is a common consequence of systemic hypertension (SH) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, little is known about the degree of LV involvement in patients with OSA coexisting with treated SH. Objectives: Our study was designed in order to assess the prevalence of distinct types of LV geometry in treated hypertensive OSA patients. Methods: Patients: 183 patients with treated SH were enrolled to the study. Group 1 consisted of 38 patients with newly-diagnosed OSA and ineffectively treated SH. The remaining 145 patients with effectively treated SH were divided into three groups: group 2 – 70 patients with newly-diagnosed OSA, group 3 – 31 patients with OSA treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and group 4 – 44 patients without OSA.Overnight sleep studies and M-mode echocardiography were performed. Results: LV mass index did not differ between the study groups. Mean values of LV end-diastolic diameter (LVED) were 55.4 ± 6.8 mm in group 1 and 53.6 ± 6.9 mm in group 2 and were significantly increased in comparison to subjects treated with CPAP and controls (49.8 ± 6.8 mm and 50.1 ± 64.7 mm, respectively; p = 0.001). LVED correlated positively with the apnea-hypopnea index and desaturation index. LV eccentric hypertrophy was the commonest type of LV geometry in newly-diagnosed OSA patients. Conclusions: The major finding of our study is the predominance of LV eccentric hypertrophy in newly-diagnosed OSA patients. We suggest that a relatively moderate degree of LV involvement in hypertensive OSA patients may depend on the cardioprotective effect of concomitant antihypertensive therapy, ameliorating OSA-dependent neurohumoral abnormalities.

Changes in the activity of connective tissue matrix enzymes in the metabolic syndrome

Introduction Early atherosclerotic changes in the endothelium associated with metabolic syndrome are generated with the participation of inflammatory cells, cytokines and enzymes of the extracellular matrix. The study is aimed at a comparison between the activity of inflammatory agents, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and the enzymes of the connective tissue matrix in the blood of healthy female patients as well as those suffering from the metabolic syndrome. Material and methods The examination included 35 women with metabolic syndrome (MS). The control group (C) comprised 35 healthy women. Lipidogram, C-reactive protein level (CRP), fasting glucose level (FGL), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and -9 activity, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and TNF-α levels in blood were determined. Results As compared with the control group, the level of inflammatory factors and the activity of extracellular matrix enzymes in the metabolic syndrome were statistically higher (p < 0.05) and concerned the following parameters: TNF-α (pg/ml): MS 6.59 ±3.18, C 4.78 ±2.91; CRP (mg/dl): MS 2.18 ±2.04, C 1,26 ±1.35; TIMP-1 (ng/ml): MS 265.5 ±2.9, C 205.4 ±72.6; MMP-9 (ng/ml): MS 198.2 ±138.6, C 138.6 ±116.1. Statistically significant correlations were also found between TIMP-1 and the following factors: BMI (R = 0.400, p < 0.001), waist/hip ratio (WHR) (R = 0.278, p < 0.05), waistline (R = 0.417, p < 0.001), FGL (R = 0.290, p < 0.05), HDL cholesterol (R = –0.253, p < 0.05) and triglycerides (R = 0.269, p < 0.05).There were positive correlations of MMP-9 with FGL (R = 0.446, p < 0.001) and waistline (R = 0.260, p < 0.05); MMP-8 with FGL (R = 0.308, p < 0.05); and CRP with BMI (R = 0.370, p < 0.01), WHR (R = 0.325, p < 0.01) and waistline (R = 0.368, p < 0.01). Conclusions Metabolic syndrome is connected with higher activity of cytokines (TNF-α), inflammatory markers (CRP) and matrix enzymes (MMP-9, MMP-8, TIMP-1).

Rational for statin use in psoriatic patients.

Psoriasis represents a common skin disease which is clinically manifested by chronic cutaneous lesions. It has been observed that psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, which is contributed to the inappropriate lipid metabolism. Statins are commonly used in clinical practice to lower cholesterol concentration and, accordingly, decrease the individual risk of developing a cardiovascular episode. There have been reports that statin administration could also result in better management of psoriasis. The observed beneficial effects are contributed to the effects on lipid metabolism, including that in skin, as well as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of statins. Simvastatin and atorvastatin were found to improve the clinical outcome in patients with psoriatic skin lesions. Clinically, the effectiveness of this novel treatment was confirmed by the significant reduction in PASI score. To date several cases have been reported in which atorvastatin or pravastatin worsened psoriasis. Based on these results, it seems that statins represent a promising class of medications which could be extensively used in psoriasis.

Effects of cigarette smoking, metabolic syndrome and dehydroepiandrosterone deficiency on intima-media thickness and endothelial function in hypertensive postmenopausal women

Summary Background Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between smoking and arterial hypertension as well as endothelial dysfunction in postmenopausal women without clinically manifested symptoms of atherosclerosis. Material/Methods The study groups consisted of 35 current smokers and 45 nonsmokers. The thickness of intima-media complex (IMT), a marker of atherosclerosis, was measured in carotid arteries. Plasma concentrations of fasting glucose, insulin, lipoproteins, inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, intercellular adhesion molecule-1), matrix metalloproteinases (metalloproteinase-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1), insulin, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) were measured. Results Smokers compared with nonsmokers showed lower fasting glucose levels in blood (87.0±10.9 and 93.2±13.6 mg/dl, p<0.05), higher mean systolic (131.1±15.9 vs. 123.0±10.9 mm Hg, p<0.05) and diastolic (81.7±11.4 vs. 75.2±9.2 mm Hg, p<0.05) blood pressure during daytime, and higher average heart rate during the daytime (78.2±9.3/min vs. 71.5±9.5/min, p<0.01) and at night (67.2±10.6/min vs. 61.7±7.7/min, p<0.05), respectively. The IMT in the right carotid artery was significantly higher in smokers than in nonsmokers (0.96±0.16 mm vs. 0.82±0.21, p<0.05) and was positively correlated with smoking intensity (R=0.36) and habit duration (R=0.35). The comparison of inflammatory markers, metalloproteinases, and DHEA-S concentrations in plasma did not reveal significant differences between the 2 groups. A significant negative correlation between DHEA-S concentration in plasma and IMT in right carotid artery was found in smokers. Conclusions Smoking in hypertensive postmenopausal women is associated with lower fasting blood glucose and BMI values, but higher arterial pressure and heart rate, and increases in IMT in right carotid artery.

Cytisine inhibits the anticonvulsant activity of phenytoin and lamotrigine in mice

BACKGROUND Cytisine (CYT), the most commonly used drug for smoking cessation in Poland, was experimentally found to induce convulsions. There is a lack of studies on the influence of CYT on the anticonvulsant activity of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). METHODS The effects of CYT on the anticonvulsant activity of six AEDs were examined in maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizures in mice. RESULTS Single intraperitoneal (ip) administration of CYT in a subthreshold dose of 2 mg/kg antagonized the protective activity of ip phenytoin and lamotrigine against MES-induced seizures in mice. A dose of 1 mg/kg did not reverse the protective activity of phenytoin and lamotrigine. CYT in a dose of 2 mg/kg had no effect on the anticonvulsive activity of carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, and valproate magnesium. CONCLUSION CYT ability to antagonize the anticonvulsive activity of phenytoin and lamotrigine can be of serious concern for epileptic smokers, who might demonstrate therapeutic failure to these drugs resulting in possible breakthrough seizure attacks.

Dyspnea as a dominant clinical manifestation in a patient with takotsubo cardiomyopathy treated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hyperthyroidism.

This paper discusses the case of a female patient treated for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hyperthyroidism, who also had takotsubo cardiomyopathy with dyspnea at rest as a dominant clinical manifestation.

Bullous pyoderma gangrenosum associated with pancytopenia of unknown origin.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis of unknown origin. Clinically it starts with a pustule, nodule or bulla that rapidly progresses and turns into a painful ulcer with raised, undermined borders. The etiopathogenesis of PG remains unknown. However it is frequently associated with systemic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), haematological disorders or arthritis. The latest multicentric retrospective analysis published by Ghazal et al. shows that anaemia has been observed very often in German patients suffering from PG (in 45.6% of 259) so this disorder is supposed to be a possible cofactor in the pathogenesis of PG. According to its progressive course, patients require intensive diagnostic procedures and rapid initiation of the treatment. In this article, we report a case of bullous pyoderma gangrenosum in association with pancytopenia of unknown origin, according to its diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties.

Cardiovascular disease in psoriatic post-menopausal women.

It is generally accepted that the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women is significantly increased after the menopause. Hormonal changes associated with the menopausal transition may also alter the course of autoimmune diseases. It has been reported that menopause may exacerbate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis and giant cell arteritis, but attenuate the course of systemic lupus erythemathosus. There is a growing body of literature indicating that the course of psoriasis may be altered by menopausal hormone changes. Considering the fact that both psoriasis and menopause are independent risk factors for CVD, and that menopause may exacerbate the course of psoriasis, a possible additive effect between these two conditions may be crucial for proper monitoring and treatment of peri‐ and post‐menopausal psoriatic patients.

Risk Factors in Normal-Tension Glaucoma and High-Tension Glaucoma in relation to Polymorphisms of Endothelin-1 Gene and Endothelin-1 Receptor Type A Gene

The aim of the research is to analyse the influence of polymorphisms of endothelin-1 gene and endothelin-1 receptor type A gene on the clinical condition of patients with primary open angle glaucoma. Methods. 285 Polish patients took part in the research (160 normal-tension glaucoma and 125 high-tension glaucoma). DNA was isolated by standard methods and genotype distributions of four polymorphisms in genes encoding endothelin-1 (K198N) and endothelin-1 receptor type A polymorphisms (C1222T, C70G, and G231A) were determined. Genotype distributions were compared between NTG and HTG groups. The clinical condition of participants was examined for association with polymorphisms. Results. A similar frequency of occurrence of the polymorphic varieties of the studied genes was observed in patients with NTG and HTG. There is no relation between NTG risk factors and examined polymorphisms. NTG patients with TT genotype of K198N polymorphism presented with the lowest intraocular pressure in comparison to GG + GT genotype (p = 0.03). In NTG patients with CC genotype of C1222T polymorphism (p = 0.028) and GG of C70G polymorphism (p = 0.03) the lowest values of mean blood pressure were observed. Conclusions. The studied polymorphic varieties (K198N, C1222T) do have an influence on intraocular pressure as well as arterial blood pressure in NTG patients.

Psoriasis and unreported excessive alcohol intake – a simple screening approach

Psoriasis is a chronic immune‐mediated skin disease of complex aetiology. Alcohol overuse has long been suspected to contribute to psoriasis pathology, and the knowledge of individual’s drinking pattern may be of substantial importance for managing the disease. Unfortunately, a number of patients fail to admit to their true alcohol consumption and there is no single sign, symptom or laboratory parameter adequate for alcohol abuse diagnosis. However, there are some laboratory findings that, when present, should raise physician’s suspicion that alcohol may be a problem. The aim of this article was to present simple, widely available and relatively reliable laboratory markers that might effectively assist physicians in establishing patient’s drinking status. A possible screening approach is illustrated by two distinct reports of psoriatic patients who initially concealed having the problem with alcohol.