Urotensin II (U II ) is currently the most potent vasoconstrictor. G-protein coupled receptor 14 ( GPR-14) is its specific receptor. This review mainly discribes the structure and distribution of U II and GPR14, the activities that U II and GPR14 stimulates proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and vasoconstriction, as well as its mechanism.
Animals ; Arteriosclerosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Hypertension ; etiology ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; chemistry ; metabolism ; physiology ; Urotensins ; chemistry ; metabolism ; physiology ; Vasoconstrictor Agents ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pharmacology

Cardiovascular bioactive peptides constitute life activity of human beings. They play important roles in regulating the development of cardiovascular system, and controlling disease progression. Recently, interests have arised on the adjusting effects of cardiovascular bioactive peptides on endocrine metabolism, its changes during disease course, influence on disease pathogenesis, as well as its effects on the diagnosis, treatment, and early interventions. New advances have been increasingly achieved in basic and clinical researches. It has become one of the most active areas in life sciences.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; physiopathology ; Endocrine System Diseases ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; physiology ; Peptide Hormones ; physiology

Serum cortisol and plasma ACTH were determined in 10 patients with severe sepsis and 12 with septic shock on day 1,3,5 after diagnosis were made,and the data were compared with 12 control patients. To evaluate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis function in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock,1?g ACTH stimulation test was applied after hormone concentrations were obtained on day 1.Compared with the control patients,ACTH level was significantly higher in patients with severe sepsis and lower in septic shock(P

3-Iodobenzylguanidine ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pheochromocytoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Radionuclide Imaging

AIMTo explore effects of intrathecal injection of U0126 on morphine withdrawal response and the spinal Phospho-CREB expression in morphine-induced withdrawal rats.

METHODSAll the rats were divided into 5 groups: control group, dependence group, withdrawal group, U0126 group (5 microg, it) and DMSO group. Morphine withdrawal score, touch evoked agitation scores(TEA score), immunohistochemical and Western-blotting technique were used to evaluate morphine withdrawal response and the expression of Phospho-CREB in the spinal cord.

RESULTSIntrathecal injection of MEK inhibitor U0126 significantly alleviated morphine withdrawal symptoms. Morphine withdrawal scores in U0126 group (22.5 +/- 4.09) were significantly lower than that of withdrawal group (28.6 +/- 4.89, P < 0.05). TEA score of withdrawal group was 13.5 +/- 2.55, which was significantly higher than that of U0126 group (10.0 +/- 2.76, P < 0.05). Phospho-CREB positive neurons in the spinal dorsal horn of withdrawal group were 380 +/- 71, which is higher than that of U0126 group (293 +/- 47, P < 0.05). Compared with withdrawal group, level of Phospho-CREB protein detected by Western blot in spinal cord of U0126 group was significantly lower.

CONCLUSIONMEK inhibitors U0126 could suppress expression of Phospho-CREB in the spinal cord.

Animals ; Butadienes ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; metabolism ; Injections, Spinal ; Male ; Morphine Dependence ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Nitriles ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of retroperitoneal laparoscopic resection for pheochromocytoma.

METHODSThe clinical data of 107 cases of pheochromocytoma in PUMCH from 2003 to 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 58 males and 49 females with an age range from 8 to 77 years (mean 44 years) in this cohort. One hundred and two cases were intra-adrenal and 5 extra-adrenal. Of the 102 intra-adrenal tumors, 43 tumors were located in left adrenal, 51 in right adrenal and 8 in both sides. All of the 5 extra-adrenal tumors were at para-abdominal aorta. Retroperitoneal laparoscopic resection was performed for the 107 cases. This period was separated to 3 stages based on the degrees of the practical ability for retroperitoneal laparoscopic resection, such as tentative and exploratory stage, accumulative stage, and mature stage.

RESULTSAt tentative and exploratory stage from June 2003 to December 2003, 10 cases underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery, of which 3 cases were converted to open surgery. The mean diameter was 4.2 cm (range in diameter from 2.5 cm to 6.0 cm). The mean operation time was 105 min (range from 60 min to 230 min). The mean volume of blood loss during operation was 620 ml (range from 150 ml to 1800 ml). At accumulative stage from January 2004 to December 2006, 66 cases underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery with none converted to open surgery. The mean diameter was 5.7 cm (range in diameter from 2.1 cm to 8.7 cm), and the diameter was above 6.0 cm in 19 cases. The mean operation time was 95 min (range from 40 min to 210 min). The mean volume of blood loss during operation was 350 ml (range from 50 ml to 1800 ml). At mature stage from January 2007 to June 2008, 31 cases, including 5 extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas, underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery. The mean diameter was 6.5 (range in diameter from 1.5 cm to 12.3 cm). The mean operation time was 75 min (range from 40 min to 160 min). The mean volume of blood loss during operation was 180 ml (range from 50 ml to 800 ml). No peri-operative death occurred. Follow up period was ranging from 1 to 62 months (the mean was 34 months), and 7 failed to be followed up, 3 cases recurred. And there was no distant metastases and death case.

CONCLUSIONSRetroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery for pheochromocytoma is feasible and safe. This procedure will be more and more performed as the advancement of the skill and accumulation of experience. The dimension, recurrence and location of tumor are not the absolute contraindication of retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery for pheochromocytoma.

Adolescent ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pheochromocytoma ; surgery ; Retroperitoneal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo discuss the standards for clinical functional gradation and preoperative preparation of pheochromocytoma.

METHODSAccording to the preoperative clinical manifestations and 24 hr urine catecholamine, 172 cases of pheochromocytomas were divided into 4 grades. Functionary grade 0 including 22 patients was given no volume expansion. Functionary Grade 1 consisted of 17 cases, 10 of which were given phenoxybenzamine orally 5 - 10 mg/d for 1 week (therapeutic group), the rest were control group; the results were analyzed by the chi(2) test. Functionary Grade 2 including 120 patients had phenoxybenzamine orally 30 - 240 mg/d for 4 weeks, hemodynamics and microcirculation image were standards for evaluating volume expansion. Functionary Grade 3 consisted of 13 patients including 1 with acute heart failure, 2 and 10 patients with past history of cerebral hemorrhage and hypertensive crisis respectively, they were treated with enough phenoxybenzamine and other emergent measures.

RESULTSThe perioperative blood pressure of Functionary Grade 0 had no fluctuation. The blood pressure of therapeutic group of Functionary Grade 1 had small range fluctuation (< 20 mm Hg), that of the control group was large (> 40 mm Hg). Chi(2) = 13.12, P < 0.01. The hemodynamics of Functionary Grade 2 and Grade 3 recovered within 24 hours postoperatively and no complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONAccording to the function of pheochromocytoma, it is safe and efficient to use different preoperative preparations. Hemodynamics and microcirculation image are golden standards for evaluating preoperative preparations.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Dopamine ; blood ; Epinephrine ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; Norepinephrine ; blood ; Phenoxybenzamine ; therapeutic use ; Pheochromocytoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Premedication ; Preoperative Care ; standards ; Vasodilator Agents ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo compare the mRNA expression of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in human subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues.

METHODSTotal RNA was extracted from 12 human subcutaneous adipose tissues, 12 perirenal adipose tissue and 9 periadrenal adipose tissues. The expressions of angiotensinogen ( AGT) , renin, angiotensin converting enzyme ( ACE) , angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), angiotensin I1 receptor type 1 (AT1), angiotensin II receptor type 2 (AT2 ), CYP11 B2, and their internal reference glyceraldehyde phosphate (GAPDH) were studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The ratios of each target genes were used to evaluate the expression levels of AGT, renin, ACE, ACE2, AT1, AT2, and CYP11B2 in different adipose tissues.

RESULTSThe mRNA expressions of AGT, ACE, ACE2, AT1, and AT2 were detected in human subcutaneous, perirenal, and periadrenal adipose tissues. However, CYPI B2 mRNA expression was not found in these three adipose tissues. The mRNA expressions of renin was only detected in perirenal and periadrenal adipose tissues, which was significantly higher in perirenal adipose tissues than in periadrenal adipose tissues ( P < 0. 05 ). The mRNA expressions of ACE and ACE2 in perirenal adipose tissues were significantly higher than that in subcutaneous adipose tissues ( P < 0. 05). The mRNA expressions of ACE were significantly higher than that of ACE2 in subcutaneous, perirenal, and periadrenal adipose tissues (P <0. 05). The mRNA expressions of AT1 were significantly lower than that of AT2 in periadrenal adipose tissues (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONLocal renin-angiotensin system exists in the adipose tissues; however, aldosterone is not synthesized in the adipose tissues.

Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Aldosterone ; physiology ; Angiotensinogen ; biosynthesis ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP11B2 ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; biosynthesis ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; biosynthesis ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 ; biosynthesis ; Renin ; biosynthesis ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; physiology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo compare the expressions of transforming growth factor alpha (TGFalpha), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) between pheochromocytoma (PHEO) tissues and normal adrenal medulla tissues.

METHODSThe mRNA expressions of TGFalpha, TNFalpha, and VEGF detected by RT-PCR, were compared between 22 PHEO tissues and 18 normal adrenal medulla tissues (according with the principle of medical ethnics). Immunohistochemistry staining was performed on 27 PHEO tissues and 14 normal adrenal medulla tissues. The comparisons of the protein expression of TGFalpha, TNFalpha, and VEGF were analyzed in both of PHEO tissues and normal adrenal medulla tissues.

RESULTSCompared with normal adrenal medulla tissues, the expressions of TGFalpha and TNFalpha mRNA and protein were higher in PHEO tissues, and VEGF145 mRNA expression was also higher in PHEO tissues, while there was no significant difference of the mRNA expression of VEGF121 and VEGF165 between these two tissues. Positive staining rates for VEGF of endothelial cells and tumor cells were higher in PHEO tissues than in normal adrenal medulla tissues. Expressions of the TGFalpha, TNFalpha, and VEGF protein were higher in extra-adrenal PHEO than in adrenal PHEO. The TNFalpha immunohistochemistry staining rate was higher in the malignant or multiple PHEO than in the benign or single PHEO.

CONCLUSIONSThe mRNA and protein expressions of TGFalpha, TNFalpha, and VEGF are higher in PHEO tissues than those in normal adrenal medulla tissues. Expressions of these cytokines vary in PHEO with different characteristic.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Adrenal Medulla ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pheochromocytoma ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors ; biosynthesis ; genetics

Objective To analyze and compare the MRI appearances of ovarian thecoma with pathologic findings in order to improve the knowledge of the disease.Methods Nineteen cases of ovarian thecoma confirmed by histopathology were analyzed.MRI morphological characteristics and signal intensity of the lesions were observed and compared with findings of pathomorphology.Correlation analysis between tumor size and amount of ascites was made.Results Ovarian thecoma displayed iso-or hypointense signal on T_1WI and significant hypointensity in the focal lesion on T_2WI.Hyperintensity occurred when cystic degeneration of the lesions existed.Fibrous septation was detected in some lesions.After enhancement,most lesions showed mild early enhancement with slight increase on the delayed phase.Pathological necrosis and cystic degeneration were seen in 9 cases which corresponded to the number and shape of the cystic lesions on MRI.A large amount of collagen hyperplastic was found between the oncocytes microscopically in 15 cases, which displayed significant hypointensity in the focal lesion on T_2WI;another 4 cases showed relatively less amounts of collagen hyperplastic and more oncocytes,which appeared moderate intensity in the focal leisom on T_2WI.The amount of ascites was not significantly correlated with the lesion size(r=0.43,P=0.10). Conclusions Hypointensity on T_2WI and mild enhancement pattern due to poor blood supply are the characteristics of ovarian thecoma.The MR findings can reflect the pathologic features of the tumor,which is helpful in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.