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Biomedical subjects

Josef Flammer

Publications and source records attributed to Josef Flammer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

30 Hz-flicker mfERG in primary open-angle glaucoma patients : 30 Hz-flicker-mfERG in POAG.

PURPOSE: This study was performed in an attempt to gain more information on whether the 30 Hz-flicker mfERG indeed provides a sensitive measure of dysfunction in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) as has been suggested previously. METHODS: Eighteen POAG patients with visual field defects (MD > 2.2 dB) and glaucomatous optic neuropathies as well as 10 control subjects underwent mfERG recording as follows: 30 Hz-flicker mfERG, LED stimulus screen, 61 hexagons, Lmax: 180 cd/m2, Lmin: 0 cd/m2, recording time: approximately 5 min, filter setting: 10-200 Hz. The 30 Hz response (also called the fundamental or the first harmonic response (1HW) and the second harmonic wave at 60 Hz (2HW) were analysed as an overall response and in quadrants, as well as in 4 small neighbouring areas per quadrant. The patients' mfERGs were compared to those of the control group and to the mean defect values (MD) of the corresponding quadrants of the Octopus perimetry. RESULTS: Neither in the overall response, nor in the quadrants, nor in the smaller areas examined did amplitudes and phases of the 1HW and the 2HW or the amplitude ratio of the 2HW to the 1HW (DFT-ratio) differ from the controls (P > 0.05-ANOVA). There was no significant correlation between mfERG values and the MD (Spearman-test, Bonferroni). CONCLUSION: Thus, the 30 Hz-flicker mfERG does not seem to be sensitive enough to separate glaucoma patients from normal.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Effect of hospitalization on intraocular pressure in patients with high tension and normal tension glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of hospitalization on intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: IOP was measured on three consecutive days in 26 high-tension (HTG) and 13 normal-tension (NTGwm) glaucoma patients under IOP-lowering treatment, and in 28 normal-tension glaucoma patients without IOP-lowering treatment (NTGnm), and change was compared by analysis of variance. RESULTS: IOP decreased significantly, but comparably, in the three groups and between right and left eyes, although, the relative change to IOP on day 1 was significantly less pronounced in the group without treatment on day 2 and 3 compared with the treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: Glaucoma patients showed a significant decrease in IOP during hospitalization. Although this decrease was more pronounced among the treated patients, it was also present in nontreated patients. Consequently, other factors than improved compliance during hospitalization must play a role in this phenomenon.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Thermoregulatory effects of melatonin in relation to sleepiness.

Thermoregulatory processes have long been implicated in the initiation of human sleep. In this paper, we review our own studies conducted over the last decade showing a crucial role for melatonin as a mediator between the thermoregulatory and arousal system in humans. Distal heat loss, via increased skin temperature, seems to be intimately coupled with increased sleepiness and sleep induction. Exogenous melatonin administration during the day when melatonin is essentially absent mimics the endogenous thermophysiological processes occurring in the evening and induces sleepiness. Using a cold thermic challenge test, it was shown that melatonin-induced sleepiness occurs in parallel with reduction in the thermoregulatory set-point (threshold); thus, melatonin may act as a circadian modulator of the thermoregulatory set-point. In addition, an orthostatic challenge can partially block the melatonin-induced effects, suggesting an important role of the sympathetic nervous system as a link between the thermoregulatory and arousal systems. A topographical analysis of finger skin temperature with infrared thermometry revealed that the most distal parts of the fingers, i.e., fingertips, represent the important skin regions for heat loss regulation, most probably via opening the arteriovenous anastomoses, and this is clearly potentiated by melatonin. Taken together, melatonin is involved in the fine-tuning of vascular tone in selective vascular beds, as circulating melatonin levels rise and fall throughout the night. Besides the role of melatonin as "nature's soporific", it can also serve as nature's nocturnal vascular modulator.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

The pathogenesis of optic disc splinter haemorrhages: a new hypothesis.

PURPOSE: To describe a hypothesized relationship between optic disc haemorrhages (ODHs) and primary vascular dysregulation (PVD). METHODS: Observational case report of a patient with classical PVD and five bilateral recurrent ODHs RESULTS: The ODHs were superotemporal in the right eye and inferotemporal in the left; the eyes were otherwise normal. Intraocular pressure (IOP) never exceeded 17 mmHg. Visual fields were normal. Increased blood flow resistivity, a reduced blood flow of the extraocular vessels, a low systemic blood pressure, a cold-induced flow stop of the nailfold capillaries, and elevated endothelin-1 plasma levels were found, all confirming the diagnosis of vascular dysregulation. CONCLUSIONS: Optic disc haemorrhages may be due to a disturbed blood-retina barrier rather than to a mechanical rupture of the vessel. This barrier dysfunction may occur in the context of PVD.

Blood Flow Velocity↗
PubMed2006

Effect of cAMP on porcine ciliary transepithelial short-circuit current, sodium transport, and chloride transport.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of 8-bromo-cAMP (cAMP) on porcine ciliary transepithelial short-circuit current (Isc) and transport of chloride (Cl-) and sodium (Na+). METHODS: With Ussing-type chambers, cAMP-induced changes in Isc, electrical resistance (ER), and transepithelial 36Cl- and 22Na+ fluxes were measured. Drugs were applied to the nonpigmented epithelium (NPE) and/or pigmented epithelium (PE) side(s). The effect of IBMX (1, 5, or 10 microM; 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine) on Isc-increase induced by 8-bromo-cAMP on the PE side was also tested. RESULTS: On the NPE side, a single concentration (10 microM, 100 microM, or 1 mM) of 8-bromo-cAMP induced a biphasic (transient peak followed by sustained plateau) Isc increase. On the PE side, 8-bromo-cAMP induced a similar but delayed biphasic Isc increase at 1 mM, a slight plateau-Isc increase at 100 microM, and no Isc increase at 10 microM. In the concentration-response curve, the cAMP-induced peak-Isc increase became significant at a concentration 10,000 times lower on the NPE than on the PE side. At 10 microM, the cumulative cAMP-induced Isc-increase reached its maximum on the NPE side, but was virtually nonexistent on the PE side. IBMX (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor) but not 8-CPT-6-Phe-cAMP (higher permeability than 8-bromo-cAMP) significantly increased the peak-Isc concentration-response curve induced by 8-bromo-cAMP (10 nM-1 mM) on the PE side. On the NPE but not the PE side, 10 microM 8-bromo-cAMP induced a significant but transient increase in net PE-to-NPE 36Cl- flux (1.03 +/- 0.18 microEq/min per square centimeter; P < 0.001). Neither ER nor transepithelial 22Na+ flux was changed after cAMP exposure. CONCLUSIONS: In porcine ciliary processes, apparently on the NPE side, cAMP triggers a biphasic (transient peak followed by a sustained plateau) Isc increase. Only the peak-Isc increase involves an increase in net PE-to-NPE Cl- transport.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed2006

Vasoactive responses of U46619, PGF2alpha, latanoprost, and travoprost in isolated porcine ciliary arteries.

PURPOSE: To compare the vasoactive properties of the prostanoids U46619 (thromboxane A2 analogue), prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)), latanoprost free acid, and travoprost free acid in isolated porcine ciliary arteries. METHODS: In a myograph system (isometric force measurement), quiescent vessels were exposed (cumulatively) to U46619, PGF(2alpha), latanoprost, or travoprost (0.1 nM-0.1 mM). Experiments were also conducted in the presence of SQ 29548 (TP-receptor antagonist; 3-10 microM) or AL-8810 (FP-receptor antagonist; 3-30 microM). Contractions were expressed as the percentage of 100 mM potassium chloride-induced contractions. RESULTS: In quiescent vessels, contractions (concentration-response curves) induced by (0.1 mM) PGF(2alpha) (87.9% +/- 3.5%), U46619 (66.7% +/- 4.1%), and latanoprost (62.9% +/- 3.6%) were more pronounced (P < or = 0.001) than those induced by travoprost (23.0% +/- 4.4%). Concentration-response curves for PGF(2alpha), latanoprost, and travoprost were preceded by a smaller contraction peak (0.1 microM) that was higher (P < or = 0.05) for travoprost (24.4% +/- 2.8%) than for PGF(2alpha) (12.9% +/- 4.6%), but not different (P = 0.58) from latanoprost (22.0% +/- 3.0%). The 50% maximal contraction (PD50: negative log M concentration) of U46619 (-8.05 +/- 0.13) was lower (P < or = 0.001) than those of latanoprost (-5.65 +/- 0.10), PGF(2alpha) (-5.49 +/- 0.14), and travoprost (-5.12 +/- 0.52). Contractions were inhibited (P < or = 0.05-0.001) either by SQ 29548 or AL-8810. CONCLUSIONS: In isolated porcine ciliary arteries, all prostanoids tested induced contractions. Among them, travoprost appeared to be the least potent and U46619 the most efficient.

15-Hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5↗
PubMed2006

On pulse-wave propagation in the ocular circulation.

PURPOSE: To measure the oscillation phase delay between retinal arterioles and venules in order to analyze pulse wave propagation in the ocular circulation of vasospastic and nonvasospastic subjects and a change thereof during the cold pressor test in another group of healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty-four young, healthy women, 12 vasospastic and 12 nonvasospastic, were analyzed. A retinal vessel analyzer was used to obtain 1-minute recordings of the ocular fundus. A phase delay between the arteriole and venule pulsations was assessed at three sites, one (proximal) in the close retinal vicinity of the disc, one (middle) 1 to 2 disc diameters away from the disc, and a third (distal) 3 to 4 disc diameters away from the disc; and, assuming that venules are counterphased to the choroidal circulation, a choroid-to-retina pulse delay was calculated. In addition, the change in these parameters was analyzed during the modified cold-pressor test in 10 healthy subjects (five women, five men). RESULTS: Pulse oscillations in arterioles led those in venules by 95.0 degrees +/- 39.0 degrees , 60.5 degrees +/- 57.5 degrees , and 47.5 degrees +/- 64.0 degrees in vasospastic subjects, and 76.0 degrees +/- 58.0 degrees , 31.5 degrees +/- 60.0 degrees , and 2.5 degrees +/- 80.5 degrees in nonvasospastic subjects in the proximal, middle, and distal measuring sites, respectively. Calculated choroid-to-retina pulse delays in vasospastic subjects were 0.20 +/- 0.10, 0.28 +/- 0.14, and 0.30 +/- 0.11 seconds and in nonvasospastic subjects 0.25 +/- 0.15, 0.35 +/- 0.11, and 0.43 +/- 0.2 seconds at the proximal, middle, and distal measuring sites, respectively. The difference was significant between vasospastic and nonvasospastic subjects (P = 0.033) and among the measuring sites (P = 0.0023). During exposure to cold, the choroid-to-retina pulse delays changed from 0.31 +/- 0.08, 0.40 +/- 0.16, and 0.51 +/- 0.26 seconds to 0.26 +/- 0.12, 0.30 +/- 0.10, and 0.33 +/- 0.14 seconds at the proximal, middle, and distal measuring sites, respectively (P = 0.024 for the change from baseline to cold exposure, and P = 0.022 for measuring sites). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal vessels in vasospastic subjects demonstrate an altered pattern of oscillation phase delay between arterioles and venules. Vessels in vasospastic subjects seem to conduct pulse waves faster and are thus stiffer than those in nonvasospastic subjects. The pattern of oscillation demonstrates changes during the cold pressor test in healthy subjects, indicating faster pulse-wave propagation.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Short-term retinal vessel diameter variability in relation to the history of cold extremities.

PURPOSE: To test whether the regularity and short-term changes of retinal vessel diameter are related to the history of cold hands and feet and to nailfold circulatory response to cooling. METHODS: In 13 vasospastic and 13 nonvasospastic young healthy women (based on their history of cold extremities and nailfold capillaroscopy) 20- to 30-second recordings of the ocular fundus was obtained with a retinal vessel analyzer. The spatial regularity of arterioles and venules was analyzed by means of the coefficient of variation of vessel diameter and by exploratory Fourier analysis of spatial frequencies. Temporal variability was analyzed as excursion amplitude of the vessel diameter, as a correlation of means and standard deviations of vessel diameter within a defined time period, and by Fourier analysis of temporal diameter change in the heartbeat frequency range. RESULTS: Mean diameters of selected segments of arterioles (129.9 +/- 15.3 and 124.4 +/- 24.4 microm) and venules (150.8 +/- 14.6 and 149.3 +/- 19.6 microm) were not different between the vasospastic and nonvasospastic groups, respectively. Spatial variability: The coefficient of variation in arterioles was 8.8% +/- 2.8% and 6.1% +/- 1.7%, in venules 3.8% +/- 1.4%, and 3.6% +/- 0.9% in the vasospastic and nonvasospastic groups, respectively (difference by ANOVA, P = 0.017). Fourier analysis revealed differences between arterioles in the two groups, with relative Fourier power spectrum amplitudes of spatial frequencies higher in vasospastic eyes (Mann-Whitney P = 0.029). Temporal variability: The excursion amplitudes of vessel diameters were comparable in the two groups. Individual coefficients of correlation of successive means and standard deviations of the vessel diameter were 0.11 +/- 0.23 and 0.09 +/- 0.23 in the nonvasospastic group, and 0.25 +/- 0.40 and 0.24 +/- 0.22 in the vasospastic group, in the arterioles and venules, respectively (ANOVA: vasospastic versus nonvasospastic; P = 0.038). Fourier analysis in the heartbeat frequency range revealed differences in relative power spectrum amplitudes of temporal frequencies between arterioles in the two groups (higher in the vasospastic group, Mann-Whitney P = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal arterioles in healthy vasospastic women show higher spatial irregularity and an increased vessel diameter variation within the temporal frequency of the heartbeat than do arterioles in nonvasospastic women.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Analysis of retinal vasodilation after flicker light stimulation in relation to vasospastic propensity.

PURPOSE: To explore the maximum retinal vasodilation in response to repeated flicker light stimulation in relation to vasospastic propensity in healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty-four young healthy women were grouped as vasospastic and nonvasospastic, based on their history of cold extremities and on the results of nailfold capillaroscopy. A retinal vessel analyzer was used to obtain recordings of the ocular fundus during still illumination and three flicker light stimulations. Retinal vessels were analyzed in the immediate vicinity of the optic nerve head and 2 to 3 disc diameters away from the disc. The maximum dilatory amplitudes were always the highest 1-second mean vessel diameter in response to each of the three flicker light stimuli. RESULTS: Maximum dilatory amplitude (in percent) was, in the proximal measurement site in the arterioles, 6.2 +/- 2.6, 4.8 +/- 2.1, and 6.6 +/- 3.9 in the vasospastic group, and 7.9 +/- 3.2, 8.6 +/- 4.1, and 9.1 +/- 4.7 in the nonvasospastic group in three repeated flicker stimulations. Corresponding values for distal measurement sites were 6.7 +/- 2.5, 4.8 +/- 3.4, and 4.7 +/- 4.4 and 9.0 +/- 3.7, 11.0 +/- 5.2, and 12.3 +/- 7.7. The maximum amplitude was significantly lower in the vasospastic group (P = 0.001). The maximum venule dilation was also significantly lower in the vasospastic group (P = 0.037). Vessel diameters failed to stabilize at the original baseline level during the 80-second recovery period, and this baseline offset had opposite signs in the arterioles in the vasospastic (remained below the original baseline) and nonvasospastic (remained above the original baseline) groups. CONCLUSIONS: The maximum dilatory amplitude was significantly lower in vessels in the vasospastic group. An augmentation of the maximum vasodilation was observed in the nonvasospastic group after repeated flicker stimulations, a phenomenon that was missing in arterioles of vasospastic subjects. It seems that such different behavior is due to the opposite baseline offsets in interflicker periods in the two groups.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Retinal vascular diameter in young subjects with a vasospastic propensity.

PURPOSE: Retinal vascular diameters have recently been shown not to be related to an increased risk of open-angle glaucoma. Because vasospastic propensity has been suggested to represent a risk factor for various ocular diseases, especially glaucoma, the steady-state retinal vascular diameter in subjects with a propensity for systemic vascular dysregulation was compared with a group of age-matched gender-matched controls. METHODS: Thirty healthy non-smoking individuals [female/male 26/4; mean +/- SD age 22.8+/-3.4 (range 18-31) years] were enrolled into the study. Subjects were classified as having vasospasm (15 subjects) if they related a clear history of frequently cold hands and as healthy subjects (15 subjects) if they denied such a history. Vasospastic propensity or the absence of it had to be confirmed by nail-fold capillaroscopy. Vascular diameter of retinal vessels was measured repeatedly on two days with the retinal vessel analyser and corrected for perfusion pressure, age, and refraction. RESULTS: Neither retinal arteriole diameter (P=0.30) or retinal venule diameter (P=0.49), nor retinal arteriole-to-venule ratio (P=0.96), differed between the two experimental groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although vasospastic propensity has been suggested to represent a risk factor in various ocular diseases, the steady-state retinal vessel diameters are not altered in healthy vasospastic subjects. It is probable that the steady-state retinal vessel diameters are no adequate risk indicators for the haemodynamic risk in diseases such as glaucoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Blood flow in glaucoma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness in the world, is characterized by progressive visual field loss and distinctive excavation of the optic nerve head. Although elevated intraocular pressure is the major risk factor, there is increasing evidence that the pathogenesis of glaucoma is also linked to altered ocular blood flow. This review summarizes the recent publications relevant to blood flow in glaucoma. RECENT FINDINGS: Several studies indicate that a perfusion instability, rather than a steady reduction of ocular blood flow, might contribute to glaucomatous optic neuropathy. The main cause of the instability is a disturbed autoregulation in the context of a general vascular dysregulation. The underlying mechanism of such a vascular dysregulation is not known. A dysfunction of both the autonomic nervous system and vascular endothelial cells is discussed. SUMMARY: The mechanical and vascular theories are not mutually exclusive; on the contrary, a vascular dysregulation increases the susceptibility to intraocular pressure. Therapeutically, therefore, both an intraocular pressure reduction and an improvement of the ocular blood flow might be considered.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Circulatory response to blood gas perturbations in vasospasm.

PURPOSE: To investigate the response of the optic nerve head and the choroidal circulation to blood gas perturbations in otherwise healthy subjects with a history of cold hands. METHODS: Thirty-five healthy subjects were selected and grouped according to the related history of cold hands. All 12 selected male subjects, aged 21 to 38 years (mean +/- SD = 28 +/- 5.2 years) had a negative history of cold hands. Female subjects were almost equally divided between the groups with a negative (11 subjects, aged 18-36 years; mean, 25.7 +/- 5.5) or positive (12 subjects, aged 19-45 years; mean, 25 +/- 6.8) history of cold hands. Blood gas perturbations were created by having subjects breath a gas mixture consisting of 21% O(2), 74% N(2), and 5% CO(2). The partial pressures pCO(2) and pO(2) were continuously monitored transcutaneously. Choroidal and optic nerve head blood flow response was evaluated by means of laser Doppler flowmetry. RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP at baseline, three-group average: 111.2/71.9 mm Hg), heart rate (HR; 70.3 bpm), and intraocular pressure (IOP; 14.7 mm Hg) increased during the blood gas perturbation phase (123.1/77.7 mm Hg, 78.5 bpm, and 15.6 mm Hg, respectively) and returned to baseline in the recovery phase (109.9/73.4 mm Hg, 69.5 bpm, and 13.5 mm Hg, respectively). There was no difference between groups (one-way ANOVA of the percentage change from baseline for SBP, P = 0.75; DBP, P = 0.36; HR, P = 0.95; and IOP, P = 0.72). pCO(2) increased from 5.52 to 6.59 kPa and returned to 5.50 kPa. pO(2) increased from 10.64 to 13.12 kPa and returned to 10.73 kPa. Again, there was no difference between groups (one-way ANOVA for the percentage change: pCO(2), P = 0.17; pO(2), P = 0.78). In the women with vasospasm, optic nerve head blood flow increased 17.1% and the choroidal blood flow decreased -3.6%, whereas in the women and men without vasospasm the optic nerve head blood flow decreased -5.8% and -4.8%, and the choroidal blood flow increased 13.3% and 18.3%, respectively (two-way ANOVA interaction; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The pCO(2) increase was accompanied by a pO(2) increase. Blood pressure and HR increased comparably in all groups, indicating sympathetic arousal. The women with vasospasm demonstrated an inverse response pattern of choroidal and optic nerve head circulation to blood gas perturbation compared with the women without vasospasm and compared with the men.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Expression and amplification of therapeutic target genes in retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE: We set out to evaluate alterations of the therapeutic target genes KIT (CD 117), EGFR, and HER-2 in human retinoblastoma. METHODS: Ninety-five formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded retinoblastomas were brought into a tissue microarray (TMA) format. Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze the expression of CD117, EGFR, and HER-2. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was utilized for detection of EGFR amplifications. Three tumors with strong CD117 positivity were sequenced for KIT exon 11 mutations. RESULTS: Detectable CD117 expression was seen in 19% of all interpretable cases. Sequence analysis of the three tumors with the strongest CD117 expression revealed no mutations. EGFR was positive in 14% of all cases. No EGFR amplification was observed by FISH, however. All tumors were negative for HER-2 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that selected cases of retinoblastoma may be candidates for anti-EGFR and imatinib mesylate (STI571) therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Measurement procedures in confocal choroidal laser Doppler flowmetry.

PURPOSE: To estimate a practical number of measurements within a series of recordings with a confocal choroidal laser Doppler flowmeter, capable of providing an adequate statistical power for future studies. METHODS: Ten independent measurements of choroidal blood flow were obtained within 30 minutes in one randomly selected eye of 24 subjects. In 12 subjects, subsequent series of 10 measurements were also obtained 2 and 7 days after baseline assessment. Average and median values of these series were calculated for the choroidal blood flow parameters velocity, volume, and flux, using either the first 3, the first 4, the first 5, the first 6, the first 7, the first 8, the first 9, or all 10 measurements. The variance between the series was analyzed using non-parametric tests. RESULTS: The average values of a series of independent measurements decreased with an increasing number of independent measurements. More than 5-7 independent recordings did not markedly influence the estimate of the average value of choroidal blood flow parameter for an individual. Baseline measurements showed markedly higher values than subsequent series. Average values obtained with 6 independent measurements seem to provide a reasonable level of statistical power for paired comparisons, 13 subjects providing a 80% power at a probability level of 0.05 to find a significant difference of 15% between two means. CONCLUSION: It seems recommendable that experimental measurements with a confocal choroidal laser Doppler flowmeter are preceded by a session of familiarization and that average values of series of at least 6 measurements are used.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinases in mononuclear blood cells of normal-tension glaucoma patients.

PURPOSE: Glaucomatous optic neuropathy involves tissue remodeling by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In this study we investigated MMP gene expression in circulating leukocytes isolated from normal tension glaucoma (NTG) patients in comparison to healthy controls. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 6 glaucoma patients and 6 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Leukocytes were separated using Ficoll-Hypaque gradient. mRNA pools were used for subtractive hybridization to identify genes with altered expression. The subtracted genes were sequenced and individual mRNA pools were quantified using semiquantitative RT-PCRs. Target PCR products were confirmed using sequence-based restriction analysis. In this study we focused on MMPs. RESULTS: MMP-9 and MT1-MMP (MMP-14) were subtracted as upregulated genes in the group of NTG patients. Upregulation of these genes was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western-blot analysis in all 6 patients. The expression of the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases TIMP-1 was slightly enhanced in patients as compared with controls. Expression of MMP-2 was not detected in leukocytes either in glaucoma patients or in healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: A simultaneous upregulation of both MMP-9 and MT1-MMP gene expression and only slightly enhanced expression of TIMP-1 suggest an increased enzymatic matrix metalloproteinase activity delivered by mononuclear blood cells in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Reduced thirst in patients with a vasospastic syndrome.

PURPOSE: To compare thirst, drinking behaviour, and endothelin-1 (ET-1) plasma levels between vasospastic and non-vasospastic subjects. METHODS: We compared 67 subjects with a primary vasospastic syndrome with 64 age- and sex-matched non-vasospastic control subjects. A detailed medical history was recorded, including a questionnaire containing queries about thirst and drinking behaviour, history of migraine or unspecific headache, history of episodes of low blood pressure, and smoking habits. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and blood samples were drawn for ET-1 measurements. RESULTS: Subjects with a vasospastic syndrome reported a reduced desire to drink and a lower estimated quantity of daily fluid intake, more often forgot to drink, more often had both migraine and unspecific headache, more often had episodes of low blood pressure, and had an increased plasma level of ET-1. These features differed statistically significantly between the two groups. There was also a non-significant trend among vasospastic subjects to smoke less and to have a smaller BMI. CONCLUSION: A reduced desire to drink is found frequently among vasospastic subjects.

Adult↗