Perfil de riesgo cardiovascular en mujeres de tres entornos de la Provincia de Tucumán - Argentina / Cardiovascular risk profile in women from three different areas of the Province of Tucumán, Argentina

RESUMEN Introducción : El rol del entorno sobre la salud en la población femenina de Tucumán está poco estudiado. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el perfil de riesgo cardiovascular de mujeres de los entornos rural, periurbano y urbano de la provincia de Tucumán (Argentina). Material y métodos : Se efectuó un estudio analítico transversal en 3 grupos de mujeres de Tucumán: rural (n=125), periurbano (n= 50) y urbano (n=112). Resultados : La presión arterial (PA) fue menor en el grupo rural; el grupo urbano presentó mayor frecuencia cardíaca y menor circunferencia de cuello. El 29,7% de las mujeres presentaron sobrepeso y el 42,4% obesidad, sin diferencia significativa entre los 3 grupos. La circunferencia de cuello estuvo aumentada en el 62% de las mujeres del grupo rural, 79% del periurbano y 41% del urbano (p<0,001). El grupo urbano presentó más frecuentemente tabaquismo. En los grupos urbano y periurbano fue mayor la proporción de mujeres con estudios superiores (p <0,001). El nivel educativo se correlacionó positivamente con la frecuencia cardíaca. Conclusiones : Independientemente del entorno las mujeres de Tucumán presentan sobrepeso u obesidad asociados a otros factores de riesgo para enfermedad cardiovascular. Ello debe ser tenido en cuenta para la elaboración de políticas y la toma de conductas a fin de mejorar su pronóstico.

ABSTRACT Background : The role of the environment on female population health in Tucumán has been little studied. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular risk profile in women from rural, peri-urban and urban areas in the province of Tucumán (Argentina) and to analyse their differences. Methods : An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 3 groups of women from Tucumán: rural (n = 125), peri-urban (n = 50) and urban (n = 112). Results : Blood pressure (BP) was lower in the rural group; the urban group showed higher heart rate and smaller neck cir cumference. Of the studied women, 29.7% were overweight and 42.4% obese, and no significant differences were found in the 3 groups. Increased neck circumference was observed in 62% of women in the rural group, 79% in the peri-urban group and 41% in the urban group (p <0.001). Smoking was more frequent in the urban group. In the urban and peri-urban groups, the proportion of women with higher education level was greater (p <0.001). Education level was positively correlated with heart rate. Conclusion : Regardless of the environment, women from Tucumán are overweight or obese and have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This should be considered when planning policies and making decisions in order to improve their prognosis.

A novel endothelium-independent effect of insulin on basal vascular tone in cafeteria diet-induced hypertensive rats.

Insulin vasorelaxant effect in metabolic syndrome has been shown on precontracted vessels. However, the insulin effects on basal vascular tone and its interrelationship with nitric oxide (NO) and K-channels are unknown. To test the effect of insulin on the basal vascular tone in isolated aortic rings from the cafeteria diet-induced hypertensive rats and to determine the role of NO and K-channels on this insulin effect. Male Wistar rats were randomized into two groups: one group fed with a cafeteria diet (CafR) and another fed with a standard chow diet (control rats: CR). Then, in isolated aortic rings, the insulin effect on the basal tone and the role of K-channels were evaluated. Also, the endothelial function, NO levels, and resting membrane potential were measured. CafR increased blood pressure (138 ± 6.2 mmHg; n = 9 vs. CR: 109 ± 1.4 mmHg; n = 9; p < 0.001) and vascular basal tone. Insulin 400 mU/ml reduced basal tone in aortic rings (-284 ± 47 mg; n = 9). This effect was unaffected by endothelium removal or NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) treatment. Likewise, CafR showed low NO levels and a hyperpolarized resting membrane potential. Insulin decreased the resting membrane potential and the KCa and Kv channels blockers abolished this effect. In CafR, endothelial dysfunction is accompanied by an increased basal tone. Insulin reduced it by Kv and KCa channels dependent mechanisms, using an endothelium-independent pathway. These results highlight a novel insulin effect on basal tone of aortic rings from animals with metabolic syndrome and endothelial dysfunction, pathophysiological conditions associated with human hypertension.

Disparate Effect of Antioxidant Supplements on the Basal Tone and Vascular Remodeling of the Aorta in Hypertensive Rats.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the vascular tone in hypertension; however, the mechanisms remain unclear. AIM: This study aimed to determine the antioxidant effect of tempol and vitamin C (Vit-C) on the basal tone and vascular remodeling of the aorta in nitric oxide (NO) deficiency-induced hypertensive rats. METHOD: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were induced to hypertension by Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Animals were randomized as follows: vehicle (Control: CR), CR-tempol, CR-Vit-C, L-NAME, L-NAME-tempol, and L-NAME-Vit-C. After 6 weeks of treatment, the basal aortic tone was evaluated by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and calcium-free medium. Endothelial function, NO, reduced-to-oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio, resting membrane potential (mP), and vascular remodeling were also measured. RESULTS: L-NAME rats showed an increased basal tone that was blunted by both SNP (-547 ± 69; n = 7 vs. CR: -7.5 ± 6.7 mg; n = 7; p < 0.001) and calcium-free medium. Tempol or Vit-C did not reverse hypertension, and the high basal tone was decreased only with tempol. In L-NAME rats, only tempol partially improved endothelial function, GSH-to-GSSG ratio, mP values, and vascular remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: Tempol decreased calcium-dependent basal aortic tone and improved vascular homeostasis in L-NAME rats. Vit-C did not lead to a similar effect, suggesting that alterations in the superoxide dismutase pathway may play a role in the basal aortic tone.

Gestión en salud y su articulación con el sector científico en la atención primaria de la salud / Health management and its articulation with the scientific sector in the primary health care

Objetivos: Determinar los programas y proyectos de investigación e intervención, incluyendo diagnósticos de salud, entre Abril de 2001 a Diciembre del 2007, en la Provincia de Tucumán, Argentina. Materiales y Métodos: Para los proyectos de investigación científica en salud se utilizó la base de datos del Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y la Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT). Para las investigaciones socio-sanitarias se realizaron entrevistas a actores claves involucrados en la gestión del conocimiento, funcionarios del gobierno del Ministerio de Salud y de la Secretaría de Ciencia y Técnica de Innovación Productiva de la Provincia, Ministerio de Desarrollo Social y a autoridades del Sistema Provincial de Salud. Resultados: Medicina representó el 4,9% del total de Proyectos financiados por la Universidad y el 1,9% del total de Programas aprobados por la Secretaría de Ciencia y Técnica de la UNT. Una situación similar se describe para nuestra provincia en relación a los subsidios otorgados por CONICET con el 2% del total de financiamiento. La Investigación Clínica y Epidemiológica fueron los temas más investigados de acuerdo a la clasificación presentada. De acuerdo con la encuesta, el 32% de los entrevistados opinó que “articula bastante” la investigación científica con los programas de la Atención Primaria de la Salud. Conclusiones: Hay escaso conocimiento sobre los proyectos de investigación en salud financiados por entidades públicas en las diferentes áreas geográficas estudiadas (Metropolitana, Agroindustrial y SILOS). Se observó que a nivel institucional universitario el área de Ciencias de la Salud y especialmente Medicina, es un área de vacancia.

Aim: To determine programs and projects of research and intervention, including diagnosis of health, during April 2001 to December 2007, in the Province of Tucuman, Argentina. Material and Methods: Data were obtained from public organisms of the Province of Tucuman. For research in health were used the data base of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council - Argentina (CONICET) and the National University of Tucuman (UNT). For research in Health and social care were realized interviews to key actors directly involved in knowledge management, Government officials of the Ministry of Health and the Secretary of Science and Technology of Productive Innovation of the Province of Tucuman, and Ministry of Social Development and the officials of the Health System of Tucuman. Results: Medicine accounted 4.9% of all projects funded by the University and 1.9% of total approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology of UNT. A similar situation is described for our province in relation to grants from CONICET with the 2% of total funding. Clinical and Epidemiological Research were the most investigated according to the classification presented. According to the survey, 32% of respondents felt that “articulates quite” the scientific research programs with Primary Health Care. Conclusions: There is little knowledge about health research projects funded by public entities in different geographical areas studied (Metropolitan, Agroindustrial and SILOS). It was noted that in a university institutional area, Health Sciences, and Medicine in particular, is an area of vacancy.

Reactivity of isolated toad aortic rings to angiotension II: the role of nitric oxide.

Little is known about the vascular actions of angiotensin II (Ang II) and nitric oxide (NO) in Amphibia. This study investigated (1) Ang II contractility, (2) NO concentrations, and (3) correlations between Ang II contractility, NO concentration and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in isolated Bufo arenarum toad aortic rings. Contractility was measured in isometric conditions, NO concentrations were determined by the Griess reaction, and MAP was determined by a direct method. In isolated toad aortic rings, Ang II produced a contractile response (292.7 +/- 89.2 mg; n = 20). Furthermore, a contractile response to norepinephrine (NE) was also obtained. A significant correlation between both the Ang II and NE contractile responses was found (r = 0.89; n = 11; P < 0.01). Administration of Ang II increased MAP values (Basal 16.8 +/- 1.7; n = 19 vs. Ang II 28.4 +/- 1.8 mmHg; n = 19; P < 0.001), and the increase of MAP by Ang II was positively correlated with the Ang II contractile response (P < 0.01). Administration of L-NAME also increased MAP values, and this effect was higher in those toads that presented a lower pressure response to Ang II (Pearson r = -0.68; P < 0.05). NO was present in all aortic rings, and its concentrations were negatively related to the Ang II contractile response (P < 0.036) and pressure response (Pearson r = -7.08; P < 0.001). These findings suggest that, in the B. arenarum toad, the NO system contra-regulates both the contractile and pressure Ang II responses, although its action could be different in each specimen.