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Aims High salt intake markedly enhances hypertension induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). We explored central and peripheral slow-pressor mechanisms which may be activated by Ang II and salt. Methods and results In protocol I, Wistar rats were infused subcutaneously with low-dose Ang II (150 ng/kg/min) and fed regular (0.4%) or high salt (2%) diet for 14 days. In protocol II, Ang II-high salt was combined with intracerebroventricular infusion of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) blockers (eplerenone, spironolactone), epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) blocker (benzamil), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) blocker (losartan) or vehicles. Ang II alone raised mean arterial pressure (MAP) ∼10 mmHg, but Ang II-high salt increased MAP ∼50 mmHg. Ang II-high salt elevated plasma corticosterone, aldosterone and endogenous ouabain but not Ang II alone. Both Ang II alone and Ang II-high salt increased mRNA and protein expression of CYP11B2 (aldosterone synthase gene) in the adrenal cortex but not of CYP11B1 (11-β-hydroxylase gene). In the aorta, Ang II-high salt increased sodium-calcium exchanger-1 (NCX1) protein. The Ang II-high salt induced increase in MAP was largely prevented by central infusion of MR blockers, benzamil or losartan. Central blockades significantly lowered plasma aldosterone and endogenous ouabain and markedly decreased Ang II-high salt induced CYP11B2 mRNA expression in the adrenal cortex and NCX1 protein in the aorta. Conclusion These results suggest that in Ang II-high salt hypertension, MR-ENaC-AT1R signalling in the brain increases circulating aldosterone and endogenous ouabain, and arterial NCX1. These factors can amplify blood pressure responses to centrally-induced sympatho-excitation and thereby contribute to severe hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Gastrointestinal lymphoma is the most common type of extranodal non-Hogkin's lymphoma. The proportion and different types of primary extranodal gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are different in various geographic locations. Therefore, in this study we tried to evaluate the various types of extranodal gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in affiliated hospitals of the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences as the largest referral center in the southern Iran., Design: During 5 years (2005 - 2010), the pathology archives and clinical charts of all patients diagnosed with primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the affiliated hospitals of the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were evaluated. All demographic and pathologic findings were recorded., Results: During these 5 years, there were 110 cases with the diagnosis of primary gastrointestinal lymphoma. The most common location was stomach followed by small intestine and colon. The most common type was diffuse large B cell type. There were only two cases of immunoproliferative small intestinal lymphoma., Conclusion: The pattern of gastrointestinal lymphoma in Iran is very similar to the Western countries. Compared with 40 years ago, it seems that the epidemiology of this lymphoma has changed.