We report for the first time that autofluorescent signals were found in the kidney of Long Evans Cinnamon rats, a model for Wilson s disease, under the excitation at 488 nm using a confocal laser microscopy. Autofluorescence signal was observed in lysosome-like organelle in proximal convoluted tubule cells of S1 and S2 adjacent to glomerulus in the cortex as described previously. In addition, the emission was able to be observed after fixation by formaldehyde. The visualization principle of the autofluorescent emission from Cu-MT and the availability of the presented technique using a confocal laser microscopy are discussed. Trace Elements and Electrolytes, Vol.
Endothelial function is impaired in patients with essential hypertension.
A relation between endothelial dysfunction and parathyroid hormone has been shown recently in patients after renal transplantation. Since an association of hypertension and plasma concentrations of parathyroid hormone has been reported, we determined a possible relation of parathyroid hormone and calcium phosphate metabolism to endothelial dysfunction in essential hypertensive patients. Levels of iPTH, calcium and phosphate were not significantly different between groups. Parathyroid hormone appears not to contribute to disturbed endothelial function in normocalcemic patients with essential hypertension. Trace Elements and Electrolytes, Vol.