title: Resection of Carotid Body Tumors reduces arterial blood pressure. An underestimated neuroendocrine syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carotid Body Tumors (CBTs) are Paragangliomas (PGLs) located in the head and neck region which usually do not cause overt neuroendocrine symptoms and hypertension. Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) have shown a strong correlation between CBTs and their clinical behavior. Aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between changes in arterial blood pressure and metalloproteinases levels after surgical resection of CBTs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a multicenter clinical study on 17 patients with benign and malignant CBTs (5 males; 12 females). Tumors were completely resected and biopsies, obtained at the time of surgery, were lysed for Western blot analysis to determine MMPs levels in tissues. An enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) kit was used to determine the concentration of MMPs in plasma fluid. Blood pressure values were measured at admission and at 10 days after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the time of the admission, blood pressure values were higher in patients with CBTs respect to control patients; moreover in patients with malignant CBTs blood pressure values were higher (P < 0.01) respect to patients with benign CBTs. 10 days after the surgery, we documented a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in blood pressure values and in MMPs levels in all patients with CBTs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that, despite the CTBs are considered non-functional tumors, an "underestimated" neuroendocrine activity on arterial blood pressure may be detected.
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, Headquarters: University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: de Franciscis
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grande
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Butrico
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, Headquarters: University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buffone
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, University of Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gallelli
authors.affiliation: Unit of Vascular Surgery, Annunziata Hospital, Cosenza, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scarcello
authors.affiliation: Unit of Vascular Surgery, S. Anna Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco Giuseppe
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Caliò
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Vito
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, Headquarters: University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Compagna
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.affiliation: University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Corso Canal Grande, 41011 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fugetto
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, Headquarters: University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gasbarro
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, Headquarters: University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples "Federico II", Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.affiliation: Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, Headquarters: University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Italy. Electronic address: rserra@unicz.it.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serra
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002345:Carotid Body Tumor / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases
keywords: Arterial blood pressure; Carotid Body Tumor; Metalloproteinases; Neuroendocrine syndrome; Surgery