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Showing papers by "Luis M. Ruilope published in 1987"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There are reports indicating that calcium blockers are particularly effective in a subgroup of patients with essential hypertension who exhibit subtle but detectable alterations in calcium metabolism, which is proved to be effective for the treatment of essential hypertension with normal maintenance of renal function.
Abstract: Characterization of the renal effects of calcium entry blockers has not been easy because the inhibition of Ca2+ cellular influx alters several regulatory functions. The ability of calcium blockers to dilate renal vasculature and to increase glomerular filtration rate is largely determined by the preexisting vascular tone. However, the increments in sodium excretion could occur without alterations in renal hemodynamics. Calcium blockers could increase sodium excretion by inducing a redistribution of renal blood flow toward juxtamedullary nephrons, by inhibiting tubuloglomerular feedback responses, or by a direct action on the tubular transport of sodium. These effects are poorly understood at present. In vitro studies show that the blockade of calcium entry enhances renin secretion and decreases prostaglandin synthesis. This dissociation has not been found during long-term administration, which has been proved to be effective for the treatment of essential hypertension with normal maintenance of renal function. In this respect, there are reports indicating that calcium blockers are particularly effective in a subgroup of patients with essential hypertension who exhibit subtle but detectable alterations in calcium metabolism. Further studies are needed to determine whether this significant response to calcium blockers is due to correction of an early defect of calcium cellular kinetics that initiated the increase in blood pressure.

105 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results indicate that the renal hemodynamic effects of amino acid infusion are strongly influenced by angiotensin II and prostaglandin formation.

74 citations


01 Oct 1987
TL;DR: In this series of RT three cases of diffuse NRH of the liver were found, characterized by nodules of regenerative hepatocytes distributed throughout the liver without fibrosis, and this entity should be thought of in the differential diagnosis of PH following RT.
Abstract: In our series of RT three cases of diffuse NRH of the liver were found. This rare entity is characterized by nodules of regenerative hepatocytes distributed throughout the liver without fibrosis. The incidence was 12.5% and probably is underestimated. Clinically, hepatomegaly, moderate thrombopenia and an elevation of GGT were present, but no case was previously suspected. NRH can lead to PH, and we should think of this entity in the differential diagnosis of PH following RT.

17 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 1987-Nephron
TL;DR: An enzymatic study showed the existence of a partial hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) deficit (less than 1% of HPRT normal activity); this possibility should be considered whenever an ARF is accompanied by disproportionate high levels of serum uric acid.
Abstract: A 12-year-old boy presented with acute renal failure (ARF) accompanied by a disproportionate increase of serum uric acid level and massive uric acid crystalluria. After alkalinization and allopurinol therapy, serum uric acid and renal function returned to normal values. A further enzymatic study showed the existence of a partial hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT) deficit (less than 1% of HPRT normal activity). Although ARF is an exceptional form of presentation of HPRT deficiency, this possibility should be considered whenever an ARF is accompanied by disproportionate high levels of serum uric acid.

14 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: DFO therapy should be considered in haemodialysis patients with severe anaemia and increased blood transfusion requirements, as the tolerance to DFO was excellent.
Abstract: We have prospectively investigated the effect of desferrioxamine (DFO) administration (2 gi.v. after every haemodialysis session for 6 months) on the normocytic and normochromic anaemia of seven haemodialysis patients. None had either clinical or analytical data characteristic of chronic aluminium intoxication. At the end of DFO therapy, the haematocrit had increased from 20.5 +/- 2.7% to 30.4 +/- 7.7% (P less than 0.005), and the transfusional requirements decreased from 3.5 +/- 2.2 units (range 1-8 units) in the 6 months prior to DFO, to 0.7 +/- 0.9 units (range 0-2 units) during DFO administration (P less than 0.01). No transfusion was required during the second half of the DFO therapy period. Serum ferritin decreased from 105g +/- 532 nmol/l (2649 +/- 1331 ng/ml) to 507 +/- 403 nmol/l (1268 +/- 1008 ng/ml) (P less than 0.025). Two months after DFO withdrawal the haematocrit value fell significantly to 22.2 +/- 1.6% (P less than 0.01). DFO therapy was restarted in one patient at a lower dose (1 gi.v. after every haemodialysis session) and an increase of haematocrit from 23.8% to 40.2% was again observed after 3 months of treatment. The tolerance to DFO was excellent. We conclude that DFO therapy should be considered in haemodialysis patients with severe anaemia and increased blood transfusion requirements.

11 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The effect of dopamine agonists and H2-receptor antagonists on aldosterone secretion in normal volunteers as well as in different clinical situations characterized by an increased production of ald testosterone opens a new field of investigation for the therapy of a Aldosterone secretion alterations.

7 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Serum levels of vitamin A were measured in hemodialysis patients and in normal controls to indicate that prolonged VA intake in HD patients is followed by an increase of serum CA, a decrease of serum P and PTH and a hepatic accumulation of VA.
Abstract: Serum levels of vitamin A (VA) were measured in 71 hemodialysis (HD) patients and in 30 normal controls. 65 of the 71 patients were taking multivitamin preparations (MP) containing VA. The HD patients had significantly greater values: 7.81 +/- 2.86 mumol/l (224 +/- 82 micrograms/dl) versus 3.97 +/- 0.97 mumol/l (114 +/- 28 micrograms/dl; p less than 0.0005); those taking MP with large doses of VA showed the highest levels. Patients were divided as having normal (group I, n = 21) or elevated (group II, n = 50) serum levels of VA. Patients of group II had higher levels of serum calcium (Ca) and lower of serum phosphate (P) and PTH than those of group I. Four months after the withdrawal of oral VA, the serum levels of VA and Ca fell significantly in group II, while the serum P increased. On the contrary, in group I serum levels of VA, Ca and P remained unchanged. Serum triglycerides (TG) were significantly higher in group II but did not change after the withdrawal of VA. No differences between both groups of patients were observed for age, time on HD, residual diuresis, residual renal function, serum levels of cholesterol (CL) or anemia. A retrospective study of 18 hepatic biopsies of HD patients disclosed hyperplasia of Ito cells (VA-storaging cells) in 7 of them. These 7 biopsies belonged to patients who had taken large amounts of oral VA. Our data indicate that prolonged VA intake in HD patients is followed by an increase of serum CA, a decrease of serum P and PTH and a hepatic accumulation of VA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

7 citations



01 Oct 1987
TL;DR: FENa values could probably be an index of CyA nephrotoxicity in the EPP and the lower the level of FENa, the higher the prolongation of renal failure.
Abstract: We reviewed the evolution of FENa in the EPP (first 4 weeks) in a group of CyA-treated patients as well as Aza-treated patients who did not present with acute rejection during this period of time. The CyA-treated patients showed lower values of FENa than did Aza-treated patients. Values of FENa below 1% were found in 51% of CyA- and 0% Aza-treated patients (P less than .01) before RFR. The finding of low FENa values was accompanied by more prolonged oliguric and RFR phases. Furthermore, the lower the level of FENa, the higher the prolongation of renal failure. We concluded that FENa values could probably be an index of CyA nephrotoxicity in the EPP.

4 citations