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Biomedical subjects

K Mitani

Publications and source records attributed to K Mitani.

255 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

Placental transfer of heavy metals in normal pregnant Japanese women.

To investigate the interrelation of heavy metals and the influence on next generation, total mercury and methylmercury, lead, cadmium, manganese, copper, zinc, and iron were determined in the maternal blood, placenta, umbilical cord, and umbilical cord blood. Samples were collected at delivery from 231 pregnant women who were living in the city of Nagoya, located in the central district of Japan, during 1974 and 1978. Total mercury and methylmercury, cadmium, and iron were higher in cord blood than in maternal blood, whereas copper and zinc were lower. Significant positive correlations were observed between maternal and cord blood with regard to total mercury and methylmercury, lead, cadmium, and manganese contents. Significant correlations were also observed between many pairs of metals, particularly in umbilical cord and its blood.

Air Pollutants↗

Effect of perindopril on 24-hour blood pressure levels and hemodynamic responses to physical and mental stress in elderly hypertensive patients.

This study assessed the effects of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, perindopril, on the 24-hour blood pressure (BP) profile and hemodynamic responses to isometric exercise and mental stress in elderly hypertensive patients. We performed ambulatory BP monitorings and echocardiographic studies during hand-grip exercises and a mental stress test before and after the 10-week administration of perindopril in 11 elderly patients (mean age, 71.8 years). Office BP was significantly decreased by perindopril treatment. Both daytime and nighttime systolic BP decreased significantly without any change in circadian pattern (P < 0.05). Daytime diastolic BP was also significantly decreased by perindopril (P < 0.05); nighttime diastolic pressure was decreased, but this result was not statistically significant. The reduction in 24-hour BP was associated with a decreased left ventricular end-systolic dimension (P < 0.01) and an increased fractional shortening (P < 0.01), suggesting reduced afterload due to arterial dilatation. The left ventricular mass index was not changed by perindopril therapy, and neither were systolic and diastolic BP responses to the handgrip exercises. The increases in systolic BP during mental stress was augmented after perindopril therapy, although systolic BP during mental stress after treatment was significantly lower than before treatment (P < 0.05). These results indicate that perindopril is effective in reducing ambulatory 24-hour BP levels and is associated with improved systolic function caused by dilatation of resistance vessels.

Aged↗