Ghrelin, a newly discovered bioactive peptide, is a natural endogenous ligand of the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor and initially identified as a strong stimulant for the release of GH. Subsequent research has shown that ghrelin and its various receptors are ubiquitous in many other organs and tissues. Moreover, they participate in the regulation of appetite, energy, bodyweight, meta...

NOD-like receptors (NLRs) constitute a recently identified family of macromolecules that participate in regulation of innate immune responses. To date, 23 members of the NLR family are identified in humans. Diverse NLRs are stimulated by a broad range of pathogen- or danger-associated molecular patterns, and collectively function as intracellular pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). The most s...

83 Received April 23, 2012; revision accepted for publication May 9, 2012. doi: 10.1620/tjem.227.83 Correspondence: Yutaka Kagaya, M.D., Ph.D., Comprehensive Education Center for Community Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8574, Japan. e-mail: [email protected] Dr. Yutaka Kagaya is a recipient of the 2007 Gold Prize, Toh...

The increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has stimulated research for substances that could improve cardiovascular health. Among them, resveratrol (RES), a polyphenolic compound notably present in grapes and red wine, has been involved in the "French paradox". RES is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and for its ability to upregulate endothelial NO synth...

In a previous post mortem study on sudden death from coronary artery disease in white males it was noted that individuals in sedentary occupations tended to have their fatal attacks more often at a younger age than those in more physically active occupations.1 Previously Morris in England had reported that the coronary occlusion attack rate was higher in the sedentary bus drivers as compared to...

To the Editor: Malinow et al,1 in their recent review on homocysteine and cardiovascular diseases, correctly state that based on the available evidence, it is premature to conclude that total homocysteine (tHcy) plasma levels are predictive of the development of cardiovascular events. Their conclusion is mostly based on the analysis of the results of prospective cohort studies of tHcy in cardio...

DEFINITION Ascites secondary to pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) is one of the most important causes of mortality in broiler chicken flocks. It is associated with rapid growth and a high metabolic rate. OCCURRENCE Ascites occurs worldwide in rapidly growing broiler chicken flocks. HISTORICAL INFORMATION Ascites was first reported in 1968 in broiler chickens raised at a high altitude. Howev...

The cardiovascular system is regulated by the autonomic nervous system, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, nitric oxide (NO) and other factors including neuropeptides. Research in neurohumoral factors has led to the development of many cardiovascular drugs. Adrenomedullin (ADM), initially isolated from the adrenal gland, has diverse physiological and pathophysiological functions in the c...