Endocrine Abstracts

Hypertension is one of the most common risk factors for cardiovascular disease and is well known to have a substantial heritable component. The mineralocorticoid aldosterone plays a key role in the regulation of BP and excess production can lead to hypertension. Therefore, much attention has focused on the genes mediating its biosynthesis.The terminal stage of aldosterone production is catalysed by the aldosterone synthase enzyme, encoded by the CYP1...

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most frequent form of secondary hypertension and results in an increased incidence of cardiovascular complications, independent of blood pressure. PA has two main causes: unilateral aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA, Conn’s syndrome) and bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia (BAH). The distinction is important because adrenalectomy for APA has the potential for cure. In order to identify an APA adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is advocated by ...

25–30% of normotensive people have salt-sensitive blood pressure, which is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality. The underlying mechanisms are not clear but impaired renal salt excretion and vascular (endothelial) dysfunction are currently viewed as important processes for salt-sensitivity.To add complexity, non-modulation of the hierarchical control systems that regulate renal and vascular function are critical to the development...