Y. A. Kesäniemi

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in drug-treated hypertensive patients and control subjects

Objectives. To determine the prevalence of the metabolic abnormalities associated with hypertension and to define the predictors of the metabolic syndrome by different definitions in random population‐based samples.

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and the metabolic syndrome.

Abstract. Rantala AO, Lilja M, Kauma H, Savolainen MJ, Reunanen A, Kesäniemi YA (University of Oulu, Oulu; and The National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland). Gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase and the metabolic syndrome. J Intern Med 2000; 248: 230–238.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene Glu298Asp polymorphism and blood pressure, left ventricular mass and carotid artery atherosclerosis in a population‐based cohort

Abstract.u2002Karvonen J, Kauma H, Kervinen K, Rantala M, Ikäheimo M, Päivänsalo M, Savolainen MJ, Kesäniemi YA (University of Oulu, Oulu; Finland). Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene Glu298Asp polymorphism and blood pressure, left ventricular mass and carotid artery atherosclerosis in a population‐based cohort. J Intern Med 2002; 251: 102–110.

Lack of association between polymorphisms of catalase, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD), extracellular SOD and endothelial nitric oxide synthase genes and macroangiopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract.u2002Ukkola O, Erkkilä PH, Savolainen MJ, Kesäniemi YA (University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland). Lack of association between polymorphisms of catalase, copper–zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD), extracellular SOD and endothelial nitric oxide synthase genes and macroangiopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Intern Med 2001; 249: 451–459.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene polymorphisms are associated with carotid atherosclerosis in men

The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is involved in the reverse cholesterol transport and is therefore a candidate gene for atherosclerosis.

Variation at the cholesteryl ester transfer protein gene in relation to plasma high density lipoproteins cholesterol levels and carotid intima-media thickness

Background Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a major role in lipoprotein metabolism. We have screened the CETP gene for mutations and polymorphisms regulating high density lipoproteins cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels and the development of atherosclerosis, and found some polymorphisms (I405V and R451Q) to have minor effects.

Preproghrelin Leu72Met polymorphism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract Ukkola O, Kesäniemi YA (University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland). Preproghrelin Leu72Met polymorphism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Intern Med 2003; 254: 391–394.

Tyrosine phosphatase 1B and leptin receptor genes and their interaction in type 2 diabetes.

Objectives.u2002 The association between three tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) gene polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes was examined by comparing the prevalence rates of these polymorphisms in type 2 diabetic patients and healthy control subjects. Furthermore, the association of the polymorphisms and PTP1B and leptin receptor (LepR) gene–gene interactions with complications of type 2 diabetes were examined in type 2 diabetic patients.

Prevalence and geographical distribution of major LDL receptor gene rearrangements in Finland

Abstract. In order to determine the prevalence of major rearrangements of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene in Finland, DNA samples of 199 unrelated Finnish patients with the heterozygous form of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) were examined by Southern blot analysis. The FH‐Helsinki mutation, characterized by a 9.5‐kb deletion in the 3′‐end of the LDL receptor gene, was found in 75 (38%) of the patients. The prevalence of this mutation ranged from 26–58% in different areas of Finland. A striking exception was the north karelia region, where only one out of 26 (4%) FH patients was found to carry the FH‐Helsinki allele. Two patients were found to carry other types of large nucleotide rearrangements of the LDL receptor gene. One mutation was a 7.5‐kb deletion eliminating exons 7 to 10, and the other was a 13‐kb deletion covering exons 11 to 16 of the LDL receptor gene. Serum lipoprotein levels were very similar in each category of mutation, i.e. in patients with the FH‐Helsinki gene, those with the two other types of deletion, and the remaining patients with as yet unknown types of LDL receptor gene defects. These results show that, even in genetically uniform populations, FH may be heterogeneous at the DNA level. DNA techniques enable an unequivocal diagnosis for almost 40% of the Finnish patients with the heterozygous form of FH.

Dietary and other non-pharmacological treatments in patients with drug-treated hypertension and control subjects.

Abstract. Silaste M‐L, Junes R, Rantala AO, Kauma H, Lilja M, Savolainen MJ, Reunanen A, Kesäniemi YA (University of Oulu, Oulu, and The National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland). Dietary and other non‐pharmacological treatments in patients with drug‐treated hypertension and control subjects. J Intern Med 2000; 247: 318–324.