[Vitamin D supply in adults with hypertension]. / Zaopatrzenie organizmu w witamine D u chorych z nadcisnieniem tetniczym.

The discovery of a receptor for vitamin D in most cells suggested a role in other body systems, not only the impact on the body's calcium economy. Epidemiological studies found that lower levels of cholecalciferol coexists with cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the factors influencing the serum concentration of vitamin in the population of the region of Cracow and to assess and compare the rate of consumption of food products rich in vitamin D in patients with hypertension and with normal blood pressure. In the studied population, the higher the age of the subjects, and the later the month of the year the sample was taken, the lower the vitamin D serum concentrations. Low body mass index and body fat were associated with higher levels of cholecalciferol. Additionally, deficiency of vitamin D was caused by insufficient supply of food products rich in cholecalciferol.

Assessment of sleep disorders among patients with hypertension and coexisting metabolic syndrome.

PURPOSE: The coexistence of hypertension, abdominal obesity, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disturbances favors the acceleration of other disease entities - also apart from cardiovascular system disorders. This study was planned to estimate the relationship between the presence of metabolic syndrome and sleep disorders among a group of hypertensive patients. PATIENTS/METHODS: The study was conducted on unselected group of 261 patients from the Outpatient Hypertension Clinic. The standardized questionnaire was used to collect the data on medical history, prescribed drugs and lifestyle. Sleep disorders were diagnosed based on the Athens Insomnia Scale and STOP-Bang Questionnaire. According to the study protocol, anthropometric parameters (weight, height, waist and neck circumferences), blood pressure, serum lipids and fasting glucose laboratory measurements were performed. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to IDF criteria. RESULTS: Sleep disorders were recognized in 183 participants of the study - significantly more frequently (P=0.03) among patients with diagnosed metabolic syndrome (120; 75%) in comparison with participants without this disturbance (63; 62.38%). Male gender, poor financial situation, tingling sensations before falling asleep and combination therapy of hypertension significantly increased the risk of sleep disorder occurrence in the group of patients with metabolic syndrome. Night food intake, aging, hypertension combination therapy and poor socioeconomic status were the factors increasing the risk of sleep problems among participants without metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disorders often coexist with metabolic syndrome in hypertensive patients. A number of factors increase the probability of occurrence of sleep disorders, but most of them are modifiable.

Vitamin D and vitamin D receptor activators in treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin D plays an essential role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, but recent research has exposed a larger spectrum of biological actions that also includes induction of cell proliferation, immunomodulation, and control of other hormonal systems. Many cells that play an important role in the cardiovascular system express the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and respond to 1,25-(OH)2D (the active product of vitamin D conversion by hydroxylase) with cell-specific function and gene regulation. These cells include cardiomyocytes, vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, phagocytes, and cells of the nephron, which produce renin. VDR activators (calcitriol and paricalcitol) are available for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency, which can result from inadequate cutaneous production and/or low dietary intake. Vitamin-D deficient patients present a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than the general population. Recent clinical observations have shown that VDR activator therapy provides survival benefit and also has a positive impact on cardiovascular function. Compelling results have arisen from previous studies of mice with disrupted genes of the vitamin D signaling pathways. In mice lacking VDR or CYP27B1 (1α-hydroxylase - an enzyme, which converts vitamin D to its active form), in addition to the expected phenotype (hypocalcaemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteomalacia), development of hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy were also observed. Moreover, these mice presented with overexpression of renin and atrial natriuretic peptide. VDR may play a role in regulating smooth-muscle-cell (SMC) proliferation, thrombosis, fibrinolysis and vessel relaxation. The influence of VDR activators on the modulation of renin expression and vascular function may reduce mortality, organ damage, and cardiovascular morbidity in VDR-activator-treated patients with hypertension. Since clinical use of calcitriol is largely limited, because of the side effect of hypercalcemia, calcitriol analogues have been synthesized to obtain compounds with better therapeutic profiles. The main purpose of this article is to review the role of vitamin D and vitamin D receptor activators in cardiovascular diseases, especially hypertension and its treatment. Due to the high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among patients with high cardiovascular risk, vitamin D supplementation therapy may be warranted in this population.