Search Results
Search for other papers by Eva Novoa in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Marcel Gärtner in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Christoph Henzen in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Objective
The study aimed to assess the possible systemic effects of intratympanic dexamethasone (IT-Dex) on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, inflammation, and bone metabolism.
Design
A prospective cohort study including 30 adult patients of a tertiary referral ENT clinic treated with 9.6 mg IT-Dex over a period of 10 days was carried out.
Methods
Effects on plasma and salivary cortisol concentrations (basal and after low-dose (1 μg) ACTH stimulation), peripheral white blood cell count, and biomarkers for bone turnover were measured before (day 0) and after IT-Dex (day 16). Additional measurements for bone turnover were performed 5 months after therapy. Clinical information and medication with possible dexamethasone interaction were recorded.
Results
IT-Dex was well tolerated, and no effect was detected on the HPA axis (stimulated plasma and salivary cortisol concentration on day 0: 758±184 and 44.5±22.0 nmol/l; day 16: 718±154 and 39.8±12.4 nmol/l; P=0.58 and 0.24 respectively). Concentrations of osteocalcin (OC) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) did not differ after dexamethasone (OC on days 0 and 16 respectively: 24.1±10.5 and 23.6±8.8 μg/l; BSAP on day 0, 16, and after 5 months respectively: 11.5±4.2, 10.3±3.4, and 12.6±5.06 μg/l); similarly, there was no difference in the peripheral white blood cell count (5.7×1012/l and 6.1×1012/l on days 0 and 16 respectively).
Conclusions
IT-Dex therapy did not interfere with endogenous cortisol secretion or bone metabolism.
Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Search for other papers by Sylvia Thiele in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Anke Hannemann in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Search for other papers by Maria Winzer in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Search for other papers by Ulrike Baschant in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Search for other papers by Heike Weidner in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Matthias Nauck in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Rajesh V Thakker in
Google Scholar
PubMed
DFG Research Center and Cluster of Excellence for Regenerative Therapies, Technical University, Dresden, Germany
Search for other papers by Martin Bornhäuser in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
DFG Research Center and Cluster of Excellence for Regenerative Therapies, Technical University, Dresden, Germany
Search for other papers by Lorenz C Hofbauer in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Center for Healthy Aging, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
Search for other papers by Martina Rauner in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Glucocorticoids (GC) are used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including various forms of arthritis. However, their use is limited, amongst others, by adverse effects on bone. The Wnt and bone formation inhibitor sclerostin was recently implicated in the pathogenesis of GC-induced osteoporosis. However, data are ambiguous. The aim of this study was to assess the regulation of sclerostin by GC using several mouse models with high GC levels and two independent cohorts of patients treated with GC. Male 24-week-old C57BL/6 and 18-week-old DBA/1 mice exposed to GC and 12-week-old mice with endogenous hypercortisolism displayed reduced bone formation as indicated by reduced levels of P1NP and increased serum sclerostin levels. The expression of sclerostin in femoral bone tissue and GC-treated bone marrow stromal cells, however, was not consistently altered. In contrast, GC dose- and time-dependently suppressed sclerostin at mRNA and protein levels in human mesenchymal stromal cells, and this effect was GC receptor dependent. In line with the human cell culture data, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n = 101) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR, n = 21) who were exposed to GC had lower serum levels of sclerostin than healthy age- and sex-matched controls (−40%, P < 0.01 and −26.5%, P < 0.001, respectively). In summary, sclerostin appears to be differentially regulated by GC in mice and humans as it is suppressed by GCs in humans but is not consistently altered in mice. Further studies are required to delineate the differences between GC regulation of sclerostin in mice and humans and assess whether sclerostin mediates GC-induced osteoporosis in humans.
Search for other papers by Liubov G Yanevskaya in
Google Scholar
PubMed
First Pavlov State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
Search for other papers by Tatiana Karonova in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ilya V Sleptsov in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Marina Evgenevna Boriskova in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Aluza Ramilevna Bakhtiyarova in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Roman A Chernikov in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Karina Aleksandrovna Pogosian in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Alena Timurovna Andreeva in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Denis Andreevich Lebedev in
Google Scholar
PubMed
First Pavlov State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
Search for other papers by Elena Nikolaevna Grineva in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by John P Bilezikian in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Objective
The aim of our study was to investigate the distribution of the PHPT clinical manifestations and biochemical features in patients who underwent parathyroidectomy.
Materials and methods
Medical records of 449 patients from three Medical Centers (Saint-Petersburg, Russia), hospitalized during a period from 2011 to 2018, were reviewed. History and anthropometric data, laboratory results (iPTH, total and iCa, phosphorus, ALP, 24-h urinary calcium, 25(OH)D) and imaging data (ultrasonography, scintigraphy, CT/MRI scan, DXA) were analyzed.
Results
Three hundred ninety-four patients were included in the final analysis. Median age was 60 years with 94.2% being women. Symptomatic disease was evident in 222 (56.4%) patients, asymptomatic in 172 (43.6%). Skeletal involvement was more common for women, while frequency of other manifestations did not differ in both genders. There was no difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in age. Serum iPTH level was higher in symptomatic patients (202.9 and 181.0 pg/mL, P = 0.022). Serum 25(OH)D level was estimated in few patients and negatively correlated with PTH (r = ¯0.294, P = 0.005), iCa (r = ¯0.268, P = 0.010) and total Ca (r = ¯0.284, P = 0.014) levels. Manifestations of CVD were observed in 67.7% of cases and affected equally both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (70.7 and 63.4%, P = 0.076). Both age and BMI were higher in patients with CVD, whether or not they were symptomatic (62 and 53 years, P < 0.0001; 30.4 vs 26.0 kg/m2, P < 0.0001, respectively).
Conclusions
This experience illustrates that symptomatic phenotype is still the most common form of PHPT.
Search for other papers by Bekir Cakir in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by F Neslihan Cuhaci Seyrek in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Oya Topaloglu in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Didem Ozdemir in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ahmet Dirikoc in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Cevdet Aydin in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Sefika Burcak Polat in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Berna Evranos Ogmen in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ali Abbas Tam in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Husniye Baser in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Aylin Kilic Yazgan in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Mehmet Kilic in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Afra Alkan in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Reyhan Ersoy in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Background
Despite significant improvement in imaging quality and advanced scientific knowledge, it may still sometimes be difficult to distinguish different parathyroid lesions. The aims of this prospective study were to evaluate parathyroid lesions with ultrasound elastography and to determine whether strain index can help to differentiate parathyroid lesions.
Methods
Patients with biochemically confirmed hyperparathyroidism and localised parathyroid lesions in ultrasonography were included. All patients underwent B-mode US and USE examination. Ultrasound elastography scores and strain index of lesions were determined. Strain index was defined as the ratio of strain of the thyroid parenchyma to the strain of the parathyroid lesion.
Results
Data of 245 lesions of 230 patients were analysed. Histopathologically, there were 202 (82.45%) parathyroid adenomas, 26 (10.61%) atypical parathyroid adenomas, and 17 (6.94%) cases of parathyroid hyperplasia. Median serum Ca was significantly higher in atypical parathyroid adenoma patients than parathyroid hyperplasia patients (P = 0.019) and median PTH was significantly higher in APA compared to PA patients (P < 0.001). In 221 (90.2%) of the parathyroid lesions, USE score was 1 or 2. The median SI of atypical parathyroid adenomas was significantly higher than parathyroid adenomas and hyperplasia lesions (1.5 (0.56–4.86), 1.01 (0.21–8.43) and 0.91 (0.26–2.02), respectively, P = 0.003).
Conclusion
Our study revealed that SI of parathyroid lesions as well as serum calcium, parathyroid hormone levels, and B-mode US features may help to predict the atypical parathyroid adenoma. Ultrasound elastography can be used to differentiate among parathyroid lesions and guide a surgical approach.
Search for other papers by Mirjam M Oosterwerff in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Rosa Meijnen in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Natasja M Van Schoor in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Dirk L Knol in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Mark H H Kramer in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Mireille N M Van Poppel in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Paul Lips in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by E Marelise W Eekhoff in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among non-western immigrants in The Netherlands and associated with poor physical performance. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on physical performance, exercise capacity, and daily physical activity in vitamin D-deficient, overweight non-western immigrants. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to assess the effect of vitamin D on physical performance. A total of 130 participants were included. Eligibility criteria included overweight (BMI >27 kg/m2), 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) ≤50 nmol/l, and an age range of 20–65 years. The intervention group received 1200 IU vitamin D3 daily for 4 months; the control group received placebo. Both groups received 500 mg calcium daily. Outcome measures included physical performance (physical performance score), exercise capacity (a 6-min walk test (6-MWT)), and daily physical activity (questionnaire and accelerometer). There was no significant effect on physical performance, exercise capacity, or physical activity in the intention to treat analysis. In an explorative post hoc analysis restricted to participants reaching a serum 25(OH)D concentration of >60 nmol/l after intervention, there was an improvement of 19 m in the 6-MWT compared with the control group (P=0.053). Moderate dose vitamin D supplementation did not significantly improve physical performance, exercise capacity, or physical activity. However, when 25(OH)D concentrations reached >60 nmol/l after intervention, there was a borderline significant improvement in exercise capacity. Although the clinical relevance is not clear, this is a promising result, as all participants were overweight and did not improve their overall activity levels.
Department of Oncology–Pathology, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Department of Surgery #4, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for other papers by Felix Haglund in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Oncology–Pathology, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Department of Surgery #4, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Department of Oncology–Pathology, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Department of Surgery #4, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for other papers by Gustaf Rosin in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Inga-Lena Nilsson in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Oncology–Pathology, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Department of Surgery #4, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for other papers by C Christofer Juhlin in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ylva Pernow in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Sophie Norenstedt in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Oncology–Pathology, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Department of Surgery #4, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Department of Oncology–Pathology, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Department of Surgery #4, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for other papers by Andrii Dinets in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Oncology–Pathology, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Department of Surgery #4, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for other papers by Catharina Larsson in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Oncology–Pathology, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Department of Surgery #4, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for other papers by Johan Hartman in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Oncology–Pathology, Cancer Centre Karolinska, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Department of Surgery #4, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Search for other papers by Anders Höög in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrinopathy, frequently caused by a parathyroid adenoma, rarely by a parathyroid carcinoma that lacks effective oncological treatment. As the majority of cases are present in postmenopausal women, oestrogen signalling has been implicated in the tumourigenesis. Oestrogen receptor beta 1 (ERB1) and ERB2 have been recently identified in parathyroid adenomas, the former inducing genes coupled to tumour apoptosis. We applied immunohistochemistry and slide digitalisation to quantify nuclear ERB1 and ERB2 in 172 parathyroid adenomas, atypical adenomas and carcinomas, and ten normal parathyroid glands. All the normal parathyroid glands expressed ERB1 and ERB2. The majority of tumours expressed ERB1 (70.6%) at varying intensities, and ERB2 (96.5%) at strong intensities. Parathyroid carcinomas expressed ERB1 in three out of six cases and ERB2 in five out of six cases. The intensity of tumour nuclear ERB1 staining significantly correlated inversely with tumour weight (P=0.011), and patients whose tumours were classified as ERB1-negative had significantly greater tumour weight as well as higher serum calcium (P=0.002) and parathyroid hormone levels (P=0.003). Additionally, tumour nuclear ERB1 was not expressed differentially with respect to sex or age of the patient. Levels of tumour nuclear ERB2 did not correlate with clinical characteristics. In conclusion, decreased ERB1 immunoreactivity is associated with increased tumour weight in parathyroid adenomas. Given the previously reported correlation with tumour-suppressive signalling, selective oestrogen receptor modulation (SERMs) may play a role in the treatment of parathyroid carcinomas. Future studies of SERMs and oestrogen treatment in PHPT should consider tumour weight as a potential factor in pharmacological responsiveness.
Search for other papers by Fernanda A Correa in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ericka B Trarbach in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Cintia Tusset in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ana Claudia Latronico in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Luciana R Montenegro in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Luciani R Carvalho in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Marcela M Franca in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Aline P Otto in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Everlayny F Costalonga in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Vinicius N Brito in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ana Paula Abreu in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Mirian Y Nishi in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Alexander A L Jorge in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ivo J P Arnhold in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Yisrael Sidis in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Nelly Pitteloud in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Berenice B Mendonca in
Google Scholar
PubMed
The genetic aetiology of congenital hypopituitarism (CH) is not entirely elucidated. FGFR1 and PROKR2 loss-of-function mutations are classically involved in hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (HH), however, due to the clinical and genetic overlap of HH and CH; these genes may also be involved in the pathogenesis of CH. Using a candidate gene approach, we screened 156 Brazilian patients with combined pituitary hormone deficiencies (CPHD) for loss-of-function mutations in FGFR1 and PROKR2. We identified three FGFR1 variants (p.Arg448Trp, p.Ser107Leu and p.Pro772Ser) in four unrelated patients (two males) and two PROKR2 variants (p.Arg85Cys and p.Arg248Glu) in two unrelated female patients. Five of the six patients harbouring the variants had a first-degree relative that was an unaffected carrier of it. Results of functional studies indicated that the new FGFR1 variant p.Arg448Trp is a loss-of-function variant, while p.Ser107Leu and p.Pro772Ser present signalling activity similar to the wild-type form. Regarding PROKR2 variants, results from previous functional studies indicated that p.Arg85Cys moderately compromises receptor signalling through both MAPK and Ca2 + pathways while p.Arg248Glu decreases calcium mobilization but has normal MAPK activity. The presence of loss-of-function variants of FGFR1 and PROKR2 in our patients with CPHD is indicative of an adjuvant and/or modifier effect of these rare variants on the phenotype. The presence of the same variants in unaffected relatives implies that they cannot solely cause the phenotype. Other associated genetic and/or environmental modifiers may play a role in the aetiology of this condition.
Metabolism Laboratory, Department of Endocrinology, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
Metabolism Laboratory, Department of Endocrinology, School of Medicine and Medical Sciences, St Vincent's University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
Search for other papers by Malachi J McKenna in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Barbara F Murray in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Myra O'Keane in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Mark T Kilbane in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Background
The Institute of Medicine 2011 Report on Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D specified higher intakes for all age groups compared to the 1997 report, but also cautioned against spurious claims about an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency and against advocates of higher intake requirements. Over 40 years, we have noted marked improvement in vitamin D status but we are concerned about hypervitaminosis D.
Objective
We sought to evaluate the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) trend over 20 years.
Design
We retrieved all results of serum 25OHD from 1993 to 2013 (n=69 012) that was trimmed to one sample per person (n=43 782). We conducted a time series analysis of the monthly averages for 25OHD using a simple sequence chart and a running median smoothing function. We modelled the data using univariate auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and forecast 25OHD levels up to 2016.
Results
The time series sequence chart and smoother function demonstrated a steady upward trend with seasonality. The yearly average 25OHD increased from 36.1 nmol/l in 1993 to 57.3 nmol/l in 2013. The ARIMA model was a good fit for the 25OHD time series; it forecasted monthly average 25OHD up to the end of 2016 with a positive stationary R 2 of 0.377.
Conclusions
Vitamin D status improved over the past 40 years, but there remains a dual problem: there are groups at risk of vitamin D deficiency who need public health preventative measures; on the other hand, random members of the population are taking unnecessarily high vitamin D intakes for unsubstantiated claims.
Search for other papers by Adriana J van Ballegooijen in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, Department of General Practice, Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Search for other papers by Marjolein Visser in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Marieke B Snijder in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Jacqueline M Dekker in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Giel Nijpels in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Coen D A Stehouwer in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Michaela Diamant in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Ingeborg A Brouwer in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Objective
A disturbed vitamin D–parathyroid hormone (PTH)–calcium axis may play a role in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Therefore, we investigated whether lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and higher PTH are cross sectionally and after 8 years of follow-up associated with higher B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in older men and women.
Design and methods
We measured baseline 25(OH)D, PTH, and BNP in 502 subjects in 2000–2001 in the Hoorn Study, a population-based cohort. Follow-up BNP was available in 2007–2009 in 278 subjects. Subjects were categorized according to season- and sex-specific quartiles of 25(OH)D and PTH at baseline. We studied the association of 25(OH)D and PTH quartiles with BNP using linear regression analyses adjusting for confounders. Analyses were stratified by kidney function estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; ≤60 ml/min per 1.73 m2) because of significant interaction.
Results
At baseline, subjects had a mean age of 69.9±6.6 years, mean 25(OH)D level was 52.2±19.5 nmol/l and mean PTH 6.1±2.4 pmol/l. Cross sectionally, 25(OH)D was associated with BNP in subjects with impaired kidney function (eGFR ≤60 ml/min) only. The association attenuated after adjustment for PTH. PTH was cross sectionally associated with BNP, also in subjects with impaired kidney function only: regression coefficient of highest quartile 9.9 pmol/l (95% confidence interval 2.5, 17.4) with a significant trend across quartiles. Neither 25(OH)D nor PTH was associated with BNP in longitudinal analyses.
Conclusion
This study showed overall no strong association between 25(OH)D and BNP. However, PTH was associated with BNP in subjects with impaired kidney function and may point to a potential role in myocardial function.
Search for other papers by Lasse Oinonen in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Clinical Physiology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
Search for other papers by Antti Tikkakoski in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Internal Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
Search for other papers by Jenni Koskela in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Arttu Eräranta in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Clinical Physiology, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
Search for other papers by Mika Kähönen in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Onni Niemelä in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Internal Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
Search for other papers by Jukka Mustonen in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Department of Internal Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
Search for other papers by Ilkka Pörsti in
Google Scholar
PubMed
Parathyroid hormone has been related with the risk of hypertension, but the matter remains controversial. We examined the association of parathyroid hormone with central blood pressure and its determinants in 622 normotensive or never-treated hypertensive subjects aged 19–72 years without diabetes, cardiovascular or renal disease, or cardiovascular medications. The methods were whole-body impedance cardiography and analyses of pulse wave and heart rate variability. Cardiovascular function was examined in sex-specific tertiles of plasma parathyroid hormone (mean concentrations 3.0, 4.3 and 6.5 pmol/L, respectively) during head-up tilt. Explanatory factors for haemodynamics were further investigated using linear regression analyses. Mean age was 45.0 (s.d. 11.7) years, BMI 26.8 (4.4) kg/m2, seated office blood pressure 141/90 (21/12) mmHg, and 309 subjects (49.7%) were male. Only five participants had elevated plasma parathyroid hormone and calcium concentrations. Highest tertile of parathyroid hormone presented with higher supine and upright aortic diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.01) and augmentation index (P < 0.01), and higher upright systemic vascular resistance (P < 0.05) than the lowest tertile. The tertiles did not present with differences in pulse wave velocity, cardiac output, or measures of heart rate variability. In linear regression analyses, parathyroid hormone was an independent explanatory factor for aortic systolic (P = 0.005) and diastolic (P = 0.002) blood pressure, augmentation index (P = 0.002), and systemic vascular resistance (P = 0.031). To conclude, parathyroid hormone was directly related to central blood pressure, wave reflection, and systemic vascular resistance in subjects without cardiovascular comorbidities and medications. Thus, parathyroid hormone may play a role in the pathophysiology of primary hypertension.
