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Stimulation of the region antero-ventral to the third cerebral ventricle (AV3V) by a cholinergic drug, carbachol, and lesions of the AV3V have been demonstrated in previous studies to either augment or decrease sodium excretion, respectively. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) dramatically increases renal sodium excretion and has been localized to brain areas previously shown to be involved in control of sodium excretion. Consequently, to evaluate a possible role of brain ANP in evoking the changes in renal sodium excretion that follow stimulations or lesions of the AV3V, we determined the effect of injection of carbachol into the AV3V of rats on the concentration of plasma ANP and its content in several neural tissues, the pituitary gland, lungs, and atria. Conversely, the effect of lesions in the AV3V on plasma ANP and the content of the polypeptide in the various organs was determined. Injection of carbachol into the AV3V produced the expected natriuresis, which was accompanied within 20 min by a dramatic rise in the plasma ANP concentration and a rise in ANP content in the medial basal hypothalamus, the neurohypophysis, and particularly the anterior hypophysis but without alterations in the content of ANP in the lungs or the right or left atrium. Conversely, there was a dramatic decline in plasma ANP at both 24 and 120 hr after the AV3V lesions had been placed. This was accompanied by a slight decline in the content of the peptide in the lungs. There was no change in its content in the right atrium at 24 hr after lesions, but there was a significant increase at 120 hr. There was a small decline in the content in the left atrium at 24 hr, followed by a rebound to slightly elevated levels at 120 hr. These small changes contrasted sharply with the dramatic decline in content of the peptide in the medial basal hypothalamus, median eminence, neurohypophysis, choroid plexus, anterior hypophysis, and olfactory bulb. These declines persisted or became greater at 120 hr; except in the olfactory bulb in which the decline was no longer significant. The dramatic increase in plasma ANP after carbachol stimulation of the AV3V that was accompanied by marked elevations in content of the peptide in basal hypothalamus and neuro-and adenohypophysis suggests that the natriuresis resulting from this stimulation is brought about at least in part by release of ANP from the brain. Conversely, the dramatic decline in plasma ANP after AV3V lesions was accompanied by very dramatic declines in content of ANP in these same structures, which suggests that the previously shown decrease in sodium excretion obtained after these lesions may be at least in part due to a decrease in release of ANP from the brain. In view of the much larger quantities of the peptide stored in the atria, it is still possible that changes in atrial release may contribute to the alterations in plasma ANP observed after stimulation or ablation of the AV3V region; however, these results suggest that the dramatic changes in plasma ANP that followed these manipu...

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IntroductionDepression may increase the likelihood of adopting behaviors risky to health. Population studies investigating the association between depressive symptoms and behavior-related risk factors are lacking in Italy. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of various self-reported behavior-related risk factors and to study their associations with current depressive symptoms in the Italian adult general population.MethodsData collected in 2013 from people aged 18 to 69 years participating in the Italian behavioral risk factor surveillance system were used for the analysis. Indicators of no leisure-time physical activity, obesity, cigarette smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption were investigated. Depressive symptoms were explored through the Patient Health Questionnaire-2.ResultsIn the survey sample of 39,463 participants, 34.4% of adults engaged in no leisure-time physical activity, 26.2% were cigarette smokers, 11.5% were excessive alcohol consumers, and 10.3% were obese. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 6.2%. People with depressive symptoms were more likely to be physically inactive (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR], 1.13), cigarette smokers (APR, 1.34), obese (APR, 1.27) and excessive alcohol consumers (APR, 1.43) than those without depressive symptoms.ConclusionThe contribution of this study to the existing evidence lies not just in confirming the association between depression and behavior-related risk factors in the Italian context but also in suggesting that programs for simultaneously improving people’s mental and physical health should be developed and implemented.

In Italy interventions to drive more smokers to quit should be focused in particular on disadvantaged groups. Initiatives have to be studied not only to incentive more smokers to try to quit, but also to maintain abstinence over time.

Population-based surveillance systems tracking the prevalence of depressive symptoms and associated risk factors and behaviours may offer needed information for planning, implementing and evaluating promotion and prevention interventions capable of reducing the number of people who go on to experience depressive episodes.

Italian adults with CRDs are more likely to be exposed to aggravating factors but are also knowledgeable of their condition and amenable to behaviour change. Since effective interventions for modifying these factors are available, there is an opportunity to reduce the significant disease burden of CRDs through specifically targeted health promotion interventions.

Background Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are a major cause of the disease burden worldwide and contribute substantially to health care costs, in particular in people with diabetes. Their incidence can be reduced by multi-factorial interventions. This study intends to describe the occurrence of CV risk and protective/preventive factors in the adult population resident in Italy, to better target public health interventions. Methods Data collected in 2016–19 from adults aged 18–69 years, participating in the Italian Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (PASSI) based on a cross-sectional design, were used. The frequency of CV risk/protective factors was estimated in people with and without diabetes. The contribution of socioeconomic level (SEL) to CV risk was also explored. Results Among 129 989 respondents, 4.7% received a diagnosis of diabetes. Many CV risk factors were significantly more frequent in people with diabetes, who often presented multiple risk factors. At the same time, they adopted protective behaviours and received treatments and preventive interventions more often than those without diabetes. Relevant disparities were observed between SEL groups in diabetic people, with the least advantaged showing a worse risk profile. Conclusions Adults resident in Italy with diabetes are exposed to CV risk factors more often than those without diabetes. However, they show an increased attention to control these factors and receive more frequent health care, although less than ideal in absolute terms. There is an opportunity to reduce the important CV disease burden in the population through preventive/health promotion targeted interventions, prioritizing people with diabetes and of lower SEL.