Psychophysiological typological aspects in relation to the risk for coronary heart disease and to the work load.

The application of Jenkins activity survey allowed to assess the behavior pattern of 76 managers (white collar workers) exposed to professional stress. In 54-82% of the subjects the type A behavioral pattern was found; conventional risk factors for coronary heart disease existed in more than 50% of the cases. Individual advices to prevent or restrain the coronary risk were given.

Effect of propranolol on hypophosphatemia in overweight.

A negative correlation was found in 54 hypertensive overweight patients between the excess body weight and the level of serum inorganic phosphorus. The effect of propranolol upon the serum concentration of phosphorus, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium in 20 of the above mentioned patients as well as in five normal weight, normotensive subjects was studied. After 10 d of treatment with propranolol (160-240 mg/24 h) the concentration of serum phosphate rose from 0.76 +/- 0.02 mmol/l to 0.98 +/- 0.06 mmol/l (P less than 0.02) in the 20 overweight hypertensive patients and remained unchanged in the five control subjects with initial normal phosphate levels. No propranolol induced changes of other serum electrolytes was noted. There is no obvious explanation of the above mentioned findings. An increased uptake of glucose and inorganic phosphate by the enlarged adipose tissue and an impairment of this mechanisms by propranolol might be however suggested.

Serum zinc and copper in patients with cerebral vascular disease.

Serum Zn and Cu was investigated in 67 patients with cerebral infarction (CI), in 10 with cerebral hemorrhage (CH), in 14 with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and in 58 control subjects (C). Serum Zn concentration is significantly lower in patients with CH than in C (p < 0.001), and serum Cu is significantly higher than in C in patients with CI (p < 0.005). In patients with CI and in C serum Zn concentration decreased with advancing age. The serum Zn concentration decreased significantly in patients with CI during hospitalisation (p < 0.001), probably due to low intake and insufficient absorption. In patients with CI a significant correlation was found between low levels in serum Zn, on the one hand, and serum cholinesterase and proteinemia, on the other hand. This suggests a diminution of hepatic synthesis of proteins in these patients.

Serum concentration of Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Zn and Cu in patients with essential arterial hypertension.

Serum concentration of Na, K, Ca, Mg and inorganic phosphate as well as serum levels of Zn and Cu were determined in control subjects and in patients with essential arterial hypertension (EAH) divided according to the stage of the disease. No significant differences were found between the serum mean levels of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Cu in controls and in patients with EAH. A significant decrease of the serum Zn was noted in the third stage of EAH. A number of cases with hypomagnesemia and/or hypopotassemia probably caused by a long term uncontrolled therapy was also detected. The concentration of inorganic phosphate was significantly lower in patients with EAH associated with overweight than in hypertensive patients with normal body weight and in controls. It is considered that a sustained study of the complex interrelationship between electrolyte interaction and the functional aspects of the arterial wall could still contribute to a better understanding of pathogenic aspects of EAH and of its complications including those subsequent to modern diuretic therapy.