Sample records for i-ii essential hypertension

  1. Essential hypertension vs. secondary hypertension among children.

    PubMed

    Gupta-Malhotra, Monesha; Banker, Ashish; Shete, Sanjay; Hashmi, Syed Sharukh; Tyson, John E; Barratt, Michelle S; Hecht, Jacqueline T; Milewicz, Diane M; Boerwinkle, Eric

    2015-01-01

    The aim was to determine the proportions and correlates of essential hypertension among children in a tertiary pediatric hypertension clinic. We evaluated 423 consecutive children and collected demographic and clinical history by retrospective chart review. We identified 275 (65%) hypertensive children (blood pressure >95th percentile per the "Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents") from 423 children referred to the clinic for history of elevated blood pressure. The remainder of the patients had normotension (11%), white coat hypertension (11%), prehypertension (10%), and pending diagnosis (3%). Among the 275 hypertensive children, 43% (n = 119; boys = 56%; median age = 12 years; range = 3-17 years) had essential hypertension and 57% (n = 156; boys = 66%; median age = 9 years; range = 0.08-19 years) had secondary hypertension. When compared with those with secondary hypertension, those with essential hypertension had a significantly older age at diagnosis (P = 0.0002), stronger family history of hypertension (94% vs. 68%; P < 0.0001), and lower prevalence of preterm birth (20% vs. 46%; P < 0.001). There was a bimodal distribution of age of diagnosis in those with secondary hypertension. The phenotype of essential hypertension can present as early as 3 years of age and is the predominant form of hypertension in children after age of 6 years. Among children with hypertension, those with essential hypertension present at an older age, have a stronger family history of hypertension, and have lower prevalence of preterm birth. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2014. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  2. Essential hypertension and oxidative stress: New insights

    PubMed Central

    González, Jaime; Valls, Nicolás; Brito, Roberto; Rodrigo, Ramón

    2014-01-01

    Essential hypertension is a highly prevalent pathological condition that is considered as one of the most relevant cardiovascular risk factors and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Despite the fact that mechanisms underlying hypertension are not yet fully elucidated, a large amount of evidence shows that oxidative stress plays a central role in its pathophysiology. Oxidative stress can be defined as an imbalance between oxidant agents, such as superoxide anion, and antioxidant molecules, and leads to a decrease in nitric oxide bioavailability, which is the main factor responsible for maintaining the vascular tone. Several vasoconstrictor peptides, such as angiotensin II, endothelin-1 and urotensin II, act through their receptors to stimulate the production of reactive oxygen species, by activating enzymes like NADPH oxidase and xanthine oxidase. The knowledge of the mechanism described above has allowed generating new therapeutic strategies against hypertension based on the use of antioxidants agents, including vitamin C and E, N-Acetylcysteine, polyphenols and selenium, among others. These substances have different therapeutic targets, but all represent antioxidant reinforcement. Several clinical trials using antioxidants have been made. The aim of the present review is to provide new insights about the key role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension and new clinical attempts to demonstrate the usefulness of antioxidant therapy in the treatment of hypertension. PMID:24976907

  3. Essential hypertension--is erroneous receptor output to blame?

    PubMed

    Ufnal, Marcin

    2012-04-01

    Hypertension is a chronic medical condition in which systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. About 80-90% of diagnosed hypertension is considered essential (idiopathic), which means there is no obvious cause of the increase in blood pressure. My hypothesis states that part of idiopathic hypertension results from erroneous information that the brain receives from receptors involved in the regulation of arterial blood pressure, i.e. if, despite high systemic blood pressure, the brain receives false "low-arterial pressure input" from cardiovascular receptors. As a result the brain centres which control blood pressure reset and produce an inappropriate output to the effectors (heart, blood vessels, kidneys and glands). The information errors may result from: (i) structural and/or functional impairment of cardiovascular receptors, (ii) changes in cardiovascular receptors activity, which are caused by other factors than changes in blood pressure, and (iii) impaired transmission in afferent fibres. I assume that in contrast to the lack of input from damaged or denervated cardiovascular receptors, an erroneous input will impair the control of arterial blood pressure. This will apply especially to false input which imitates "low-arterial pressure input". Higher priority of "low-arterial pressure input" over "high-arterial pressure input" or none input may be explained by the evolutionary adaptation, i.e. low blood pressure, mostly due to haemorrhage, used to be a more common condition than high blood pressure and constitute a major threat to humans. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Management of Essential Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Ferdinand, Keith C; Nasser, Samar A

    2017-05-01

    The treatment of essential hypertension is one of the most critical interventions to decrease cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of hypertension in the US varies across race/ethnicity with African Americans having the highest prevalence and overall less control among racial/ethnic minorities compared with non-Hispanic whites. Therapeutic lifestyle modifications are the bedrock of essential hypertension control, but most patients with hypertension will require pharmacotherapy, usually with multiple medications often in combination. Overall, the principal drug classes recommended as initial pharmacotherapy are thiazide-type diuretics, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Inflammation in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Montecucco, Fabrizio; Pende, Aldo; Quercioli, Alessandra; Mach, François

    2011-01-01

    In spite of the huge amount of research recently performed in this area, the pathogenesis of human hypertension remains elusive. Thus, hypertension has to be defined as "essential" for the majority of patients with high blood pressure. Given the lack of animal models useful to investigate essential hypertension, we analyze and discuss both clinical and basic research studies indicating that essential hypertension should be considered as a potential multifactorial inflammatory disease. The pathophysiology of essential hypertension might result from interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Morphological abnormalities in the renal parenchyma and arteries have also been shown to determine hypertension. Inflammatory processes might induce renal vasoconstriction, ischemia and injury that can sustain systemic hypertension. Arterial and tubulointerstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells in response to renal damage might further increase renal and vascular alterations through the production of oxidants and other soluble inflammatory mediators. The present review gives an update regarding the latest research on the possible direct role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension.

  6. Cholecalciferol administration blunts the systemic renin-angiotensin system in essential hypertensives with hypovitaminosis D.

    PubMed

    Carrara, Davide; Bernini, Matteo; Bacca, Alessandra; Rugani, Ilaria; Duranti, Emiliano; Virdis, Agostino; Ghiadoni, Lorenzo; Taddei, Stefano; Bernini, Giampaolo

    2014-03-01

    Vitamin D plasma levels are negatively associated with blood pressure and cardiovascular mortality, and vitamin D supplementation reduces cardiovascular events. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) suppression may be one of the mechanisms involved. However, there are no interventional prospective studies demonstrating a reduction in circulating RAS components after vitamin D treatment. Fifteen consecutive drug-free patients with essential hypertension and hypovitaminosis D underwent therapy with an oral dose of 25000 I.U. of cholecalciferol once a week for two months, while maintaining a constant-salt diet. In basal conditions and at the end of the study, RAS activity (plasma angiotensinogen, renin, PRA, angiotensin II, aldosterone and urinary angiotensinogen) was investigated, in addition to blood pressure and plasma vitamin D levels (25(OH)D). After cholecalciferol administration, all patients exhibited normalized plasma 25(OH)D values. At the end of the study, a reduction (p < 0.05) in plasma renin and aldosterone, and a decrement, although not significant, of PRA and angiotensin II, was observed. No difference was found in plasma and urinary angiotensinogen or blood pressure values. Our data indicate that in essential hypertensives with hypovitaminosis D, pharmacological correction of vitamin D levels can blunt systemic RAS activity.

  7. Common genetic variations of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and response to acute angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibition in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Hannila-Handelberg, Tuula; Kontula, Kimmo K; Paukku, Kirsi; Lehtonen, Jukka Y; Virtamo, Jarmo; Tikkanen, Ilkka; Hiltunen, Timo P

    2010-04-01

    In order to get insight into possible genetic determinants of antihypertensive drug action, we analysed the relations between polymorphisms of the genes of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and acute effects of ACE inhibition on blood pressure as well as circulating renin and aldosterone levels in hypertensive patients. A total of 315 hypertensive patients referred for problems in drug treatment were given a single 50 mg dose of captopril. Plasma renin and aldosterone were measured before and 60 min after the drug administration. Four DNA variants, including angiotensin type I receptor (AGTR1) 1166 A/C, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D, angiotensinogen (AGT) M235T and AGT -217 G/A, were genotyped in the patients and normotensive men (n = 175). A replication study on the relation between AGTR1 1166 A/C and plasma renin and aldosterone levels was carried out in the 244 hypertensive men of the pharmacogenetic GENRES Study. Referred hypertensive patients with the AGTR1 CC genotype had higher aldosterone at baseline (P = 0.02) and after 60 min of captopril administration (P = 0.01) compared with the AA genotype. Replicate analysis in the GENRES patients showed a similar trend. When the two studies were combined (315 and 244 patients, respectively), plasma aldosterone level (P = 0.007) as well as aldosterone/renin ratio (P = 0.04) were significantly higher in the CC genotype (n = 13) than in the AA genotype (n = 370). Transfection studies in cultured HEK293 cells indicated that the 1166C allele was associated with higher mRNA levels than the 1166A allele. The AGTR1 1166C allele when present in homozygous form may be associated with a form of essential hypertension characterized by high plasma aldosterone and low plasma renin levels, possibly due to increased AGTR1 mRNA levels and augmented angiotensin II action.

  8. The interplay between Angiotensin II, TLR4 and hypertension.

    PubMed

    Biancardi, Vinicia Campana; Bomfim, Gisele Facholi; Reis, Wagner Luis; Al-Gassimi, Sarah; Nunes, Kenia Pedrosa

    2017-06-01

    Hypertension is a multifactorial disease. Although a number of different underlying mechanisms have been learned from the various experimental models of the disease, hypertension still poses challenges for treatment. Angiotensin II plays an unquestionable role in blood pressure regulation acting through central and peripheral mechanisms. During hypertension, dysregulation of the Renin-Angiotensin System is associated with increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species causing kidney damage, endothelial dysfunction, and increase in sympathetic activity, among other damages, eventually leading to decline in organ function. Recent studies have shown that these effects involve both the innate and the adaptive immune response. The contribution of adaptive immune responses involving different lymphocyte populations in various models of hypertension has been extensively studied. However, the involvement of the innate immunity mediating inflammation in hypertension is still not well understood. The innate and adaptive immune systems intimately interact with one another and are essential to an effectively functioning of the immune response; hence, the importance of a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms mediating innate immune system during hypertension. In this review, we aim to discuss mechanisms linking Angiotensin II and the innate immune system, in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The newest research investigating Angiotensin II triggering toll like receptor 4 activation in the kidney, vasculature and central nervous system contributing to hypertension will be discussed. Understanding the role of the innate immune system in the development of hypertension may bring to light new insights necessary to improve hypertension management. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Angiotensin I-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism and adrenergic response to exercise in hypertensive patients.

    PubMed

    Jalil, Jorge E; Córdova, Samuel; Ocaranza, Marí a; Schumacher, Erwin; Braun, Sandra; Chamorro, Gastón; Fardella, Carlos; Lavandero, Sergio

    2002-08-01

    The insertion/deletion ACE polymorphism (ACE I/D) regulates different levels of circulating and tissue ACE activities, which may induce diverse adrenergic responses to physiological stimuli. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the ACE I/D polymorphism on the adrenergic response to isotonic exercise in middle-aged hypertensive patients. Submaximal exercise (on a treadmill, using the Naughton protocol at 75% of maximal heart rate) was performed in 34 patients homozygous for the ACE I/D polymorphism (ACE II and ACE DD) with untreated essential hypertension (II = 19, DD = 15). Plasma venous adrenaline and noradrenaline were measured at rest and at submaximal exercise. Plasma ACE activity was significantly higher in the hypertensive patients carrying the ACE DD genotype compared with the ACE II group. Left atrium size, as well as LV dimensions, mass, and function, were similar in both groups. Total exercise time, baseline and 75% maximal heart rate (MHR) and blood pressure were similar in both groups. Baseline plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were similar in both groups and increased significantly (p<0.05) by ca. 300% at submaximal exercise without differences between groups. The presence of the D allele on the ACE gene in middle-aged hypertensive patients determines higher circulating ACE activity but not increased sympathetic activity in response to submaximal exercise.

  10. Functional analysis of UMOD gene and its effect on inflammatory cytokines in serum of essential hypertension patients.

    PubMed

    Jian, Liguo; Fa, Xian'en; Zhou, Zheng; Liu, Shichao

    2015-01-01

    The study aimed to investigate the function of uromodulin (UMOD) gene and its effect on inflammatory cytokines in serum of essential hypertension patients. The online database and software of computer were used for bioinformatics analysis on UMOD gene as well as the structure and function of its encoding proteins. Moreover, radioimmunoassay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was adopted to validate the content of urine UMOD protein of essential hypertension patients and their serum inflammatory cytokines. As an alkaline and hydrophilic protein, UMOD has no transmembrane region, but it does have a signal peptide sequence. It is mainly located extracellularly, belonging to a secreted protein, whose secondary structure was based mainly on Random coil which account for 58.44%. According to function prediction, it is found that the UMOD protein has stress response which may be participate in the inflammatory reaction. It has been observed from the experiment which was designed on the basis of the correlation between inflammation reaction and essential hypertension that the content of urine UMOD protein of essential hypertension patients who is in stage I was (28.71 ± 10.53) mg/24 h and when compared with the control group's content (30.15 ± 14.10 mg/24 h), the difference was not obviously; The content of urine UMOD protein of essential hypertension patients who's in stage II and III was (18.24 ± 6.12) mg/24 h and (9.43 ± 3.16) mg/24 h, respectively, which were obviously lower than that of the control group (P<0.01). Additionally, the serum inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL1-α content of essential hypertension patients were all markedly higher than that of control group (P<0.05). For essential hypertension patients, there's a close relationship between the expression level of UMOD gene and inflammatory cytokines, which were manifested as the negative correlation between the level of the gene's expression and inflammatory cytokines. That has

  11. Improving cardiovascular risk stratification in essential hypertensive patients by indexing left ventricular mass to height(2.7).

    PubMed

    Cuspidi, Cesare; Giudici, Valentina; Negri, Francesca; Meani, Stefano; Sala, Carla; Zanchetti, Alberto; Mancia, Giuseppe

    2009-12-01

    Clinical abnormalities associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) only defined by left ventricular mass (LVM) indexed to height(2.7) are still undefined. We investigated the prevalence, clinical correlates and extracardiac organ damage of such a cardiac phenotype in essential hypertensive patients. Subclinical organ damage was searched in 3719 untreated and treated hypertensive patients. LVH was defined by two sets of sex-specific criteria, namely, LVM indexed to height(2.7) (left ventricular mass index >49/45 g/m in men and women, respectively) and LVM indexed to body surface area (BSA; left ventricular mass index >125/110 g/m in men and women, respectively). Patients were categorized into three groups, according to the absence of LVH by both criteria (n = 1912, group I), presence of LVH by the height(2.7) criterion only (n = 784, group II) and presence of LVH by both criteria (n = 997, group III). A fourth group (n = 26, <1%), positive for LVH only by the BSA criterion, was excluded from the analysis as being too small. Group II included a higher number of female, obese patients and individuals with metabolic syndrome than the other groups. Moreover, in group II, absolute LVM values and the extent of extracardiac organ damage, as assessed by carotid intima-media thickness, carotid plaques, microalbuminuria and retinal changes were intermediate between group I and III. Our data indicate that a consistent portion of essential hypertensive patients are positive for LVH by the criterion of LVM indexed to height(2.7), but not to BSA; this population is characterized by an unhealthy metabolic profile as well as by the presence of extracardiac organ damage. They also suggest that, in order to improve cardiovascular stratification, LVM should be routinely indexed to both BSA and height(2.7) and patients categorized according to the consistency of both criteria.

  12. Hypoactivation of reward motivational system in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension grade I-II.

    PubMed

    Aftanas, L I; Brak, I V; Gilinskaya, O M; Korenek, V V; Pavlov, S V; Reva, N V

    2014-08-01

    In patients with newly diagnosed untreated grade I-II hypertension, EEG oscillations were recorded under conditions activation of the two basic motivational systems, defensive motivational system and positive reinforcement system, evoked by recall of personally meaningful emotional events. The 64-channel EEG and cardiovascular reactivity (beat-by-beat technology) were simultaneously recorded. At rest, hypertensive patients had significantly reduced platelet serotonin concentrations in comparison with healthy individuals. The patients experiencing emotional activation were characterized by significantly lower intensity of positive emotions associated with more pronounced suppression of EEG activity in the delta (2-4 Hz) and theta (ranges of frequency 4-6 and 6-8 Hz) oscillators in the parieto-occipital cortex (zones P and PO) in both hemispheres of the brain. The findings attest to insufficient function of the brain serotonin system and hypoactivation of the reward/reinforcement system in patients with primary hypertension.

  13. Association of angiotensin-converting-enzyme gene polymorphism with the depressor response to mild exercise therapy in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Zhang, B; Sakai, T; Miura, S; Kiyonaga, A; Tanaka, H; Shindo, M; Saku, K

    2002-10-01

    We studied the association of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism with the depressor response to exercise therapy in 64 Japanese subjects with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Each subject performed 10 weeks of mild (lactate threshold intensity: approximately 50% maximum oxygen consumption) exercise therapy on a bicycle ergometer. Systolic blood pressure (SPB), diastolic blood pressure (DPB), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were significantly decreased by exercise therapy in subjects with the ACE-II and ID genotypes but not in DD subjects. The time-by-genotype interaction effects were significant for DBP and MAP. According to a multiple logistic regression analysis, the age- and baseline plasma renin activity-adjusted relative risk (odds ratio) for the lack of a depressor response conferred by the D allele (assuming an additive effect) was 2.72 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-6.91; p = 0.034]; for DD genotypes, as compared with the DI and II genotypes (assuming that the D allele is recessive), it was 11.7 (95% CI, 2.25-60.6; p = 0.003). ACE gene I/D polymorphism is associated with the depressor response of essential hypertensives to mild exercise therapy, which suggests that genetic features may underlie, at least in part, the heterogeneity of the depressor response in essential hypertensives to mild exercise therapy.

  14. Human GRK4γ142V Variant Promotes Angiotensin II Type I Receptor-Mediated Hypertension via Renal Histone Deacetylase Type 1 Inhibition.

    PubMed

    Wang, Zheng; Zeng, Chunyu; Villar, Van Anthony M; Chen, Shi-You; Konkalmatt, Prasad; Wang, Xiaoyan; Asico, Laureano D; Jones, John E; Yang, Yu; Sanada, Hironobu; Felder, Robin A; Eisner, Gilbert M; Weir, Matthew R; Armando, Ines; Jose, Pedro A

    2016-02-01

    The influence of a single gene on the pathogenesis of essential hypertension may be difficult to ascertain, unless the gene interacts with other genes that are germane to blood pressure regulation. G-protein-coupled receptor kinase type 4 (GRK4) is one such gene. We have reported that the expression of its variant hGRK4γ(142V) in mice results in hypertension because of impaired dopamine D1 receptor. Signaling through dopamine D1 receptor and angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) reciprocally modulates renal sodium excretion and blood pressure. Here, we demonstrate the ability of the hGRK4γ(142V) to increase the expression and activity of the AT1R. We show that hGRK4γ(142V) phosphorylates histone deacetylase type 1 and promotes its nuclear export to the cytoplasm, resulting in increased AT1R expression and greater pressor response to angiotensin II. AT1R blockade and the deletion of the Agtr1a gene normalize the hypertension in hGRK4γ(142V) mice. These findings illustrate the unique role of GRK4 by targeting receptors with opposite physiological activity for the same goal of maintaining blood pressure homeostasis, and thus making the GRK4 a relevant therapeutic target to control blood pressure. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

  15. Randomized Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Structured Educational Program for Patients With Essential Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Perl, Sabine; Niederl, Ella; Kos, Cornelia; Mrak, Peter; Ederer, Herbert; Rakovac, Ivo; Beck, Peter; Kraler, Elisabeth; Stoff, Ingrid; Klima, Gert; Pieske, Burkert M; Pieber, Thomas R; Zweiker, Robert

    2016-07-01

    Adherence to medication and lifestyle interventions are essential keys for the management of hypertension. In this respect, a structured educational program for hypertensive patients has got remarkable merits (herz.leben). In order to determine the isolated effect of participation in the educational program, neglecting the possible impact of more intense care, this prospective multicenter randomized controlled study was designed (NCT00453037). A total of 256 patients in 13 centers were enrolled and randomly assigned to 2 groups (G). G-I (n = 137) underwent the educational program immediately (T-0), G-II (n = 119) after 6 months (T-6). Follow-up visits were done after 6 (T-6) and 12 (T-12) months. Primary endpoint was a difference in office blood pressure (BP) at T-6, when only G-I had undergone the educational program. Patients' baseline characteristics were comparable. At T-6, systolic office and home BP were significantly lower in G-I compared to G-II: office BP systolic 139 (134-150) mm Hg vs. 150 (135-165) mm Hg (P < 0.01); diastolic 80 (76-85) mm Hg vs. 84 (75-90) mm Hg (ns); home BP systolic 133 (130-140) mm Hg vs. 142 (132-150) mm Hg (P < 0.01); diastolic 80 (75-85) mm Hg vs. 80 (76-89) mm Hg (ns)). At T-12, when all patients had undergone the educational program differences in BP disappeared. The results of this multicenter randomized controlled study provide significant evidence for benefit by participation in a structured educational program. Positive effects seem to be mediated by better adherence and life style changes due to higher levels of information and patient empowerment. Therefore, educational strategies should be considered as standard of care for hypertensive patients. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  16. Intravital Förster resonance energy transfer imaging reveals elevated [Ca2+]i and enhanced sympathetic tone in femoral arteries of angiotensin II-infused hypertensive biosensor mice

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Youhua; Chen, Ling; Wier, W Gil; Zhang, Jin

    2013-01-01

    Artery narrowing in hypertension can only result from structural remodelling of the artery, or increased smooth muscle contraction. The latter may occur with, or without, increases in [Ca2+]i. Here, we sought to measure, in living hypertensive mice, possible changes in artery dimensions and/or [Ca2+]i, and to determine some of the mechanisms involved. Ca2+/calmodulin biosensor (Förster resonance energy transfer-based) mice were made hypertensive by s.c. infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II, 400 ng kg−1 min−1, 2–3 weeks). Intravital fluorescence microscopy was used to determine [Ca2+]i and outer diameter of surgically exposed, intact femoral artery (FA) of anaesthetized mice. Active contractile FA ‘tone’ was calculated from the basal-state diameter and the passive (i.e. Ca2+-free) diameter (PD). Compared to saline control, FAs of Ang II-infused mice had (1) ∼21% higher active tone and (2) ∼78 nm higher smooth muscle [Ca2+]i, but (3) the same PDs. The local Ang II receptor (AT1R) blocker losartan had negligible effect on tone or [Ca2+]i in control FAs, but reduced the basal tone by ∼9% in Ang II FAs. Both i.v. hexamethonium and locally applied prazosin abolished the difference in FA tone and [Ca2+]i, suggesting a dominant role of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA). Changes in diameter and [Ca2+]i in response to locally applied phenylephrine, Ang II, arginine vasopressin, elevated [K+]o and acetylcholine were not altered. In summary, FAs of living Ang II hypertensive mice have higher [Ca2+]i, and are more constricted, due, primarily, to elevated SNA and some increased arterial AT1R activation. Evidence of altered artery reactivity or remodeling was not found. PMID:23981717

  17. Intravital Förster resonance energy transfer imaging reveals elevated [Ca2+]i and enhanced sympathetic tone in femoral arteries of angiotensin II-infused hypertensive biosensor mice.

    PubMed

    Wang, Youhua; Chen, Ling; Wier, W Gil; Zhang, Jin

    2013-11-01

    Artery narrowing in hypertension can only result from structural remodelling of the artery, or increased smooth muscle contraction. The latter may occur with, or without, increases in [Ca(2+)]i. Here, we sought to measure, in living hypertensive mice, possible changes in artery dimensions and/or [Ca(2+)]i, and to determine some of the mechanisms involved. Ca(2+)/calmodulin biosensor (Förster resonance energy transfer-based) mice were made hypertensive by s.c. infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II, 400 ng kg(-1) min(-1), 2-3 weeks). Intravital fluorescence microscopy was used to determine [Ca(2+)]i and outer diameter of surgically exposed, intact femoral artery (FA) of anaesthetized mice. Active contractile FA 'tone' was calculated from the basal-state diameter and the passive (i.e. Ca(2+)-free) diameter (PD). Compared to saline control, FAs of Ang II-infused mice had (1) ∼21% higher active tone and (2) ∼78 nm higher smooth muscle [Ca(2+)]i, but (3) the same PDs. The local Ang II receptor (AT1R) blocker losartan had negligible effect on tone or [Ca(2+)]i in control FAs, but reduced the basal tone by ∼9% in Ang II FAs. Both i.v. hexamethonium and locally applied prazosin abolished the difference in FA tone and [Ca(2+)]i, suggesting a dominant role of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA). Changes in diameter and [Ca(2+)]i in response to locally applied phenylephrine, Ang II, arginine vasopressin, elevated [K(+)]o and acetylcholine were not altered. In summary, FAs of living Ang II hypertensive mice have higher [Ca(2+)]i, and are more constricted, due, primarily, to elevated SNA and some increased arterial AT1R activation. Evidence of altered artery reactivity or remodeling was not found.

  18. Fundus autofluorescence in chronic essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Ramezani, Alireza; Saberian, Peyman; Soheilian, Masoud; Parsa, Saeed Alipour; Kamali, Homayoun Koohi; Entezari, Morteza; Shahbazi, Mohammad-Mehdi; Yaseri, Mehdi

    2014-01-01

    To evaluate fundus autofluorescence (FAF) changes in patients with chronic essential hypertension (HTN). In this case-control study, 35 eyes of 35 patients with chronic essential HTN (lasting >5 years) and 31 eyes of 31 volunteers without history of HTN were included. FAF pictures were taken from right eyes of all cases with the Heidelberg retina angiography and then were assessed by two masked retinal specialists. In total, FAF images including 35 images of hypertensive patients and 31 pictures of volunteers, three apparently abnormal patterns were detected. A ring of hyper-autofluorescence in the central macula (doughnut-shaped) was observed in 9 (25.7%) eyes of the hypertensive group but only in 2 (6.5%) eyes of the control group. This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.036) between two groups. Hypo- and/or hyper-autofluorescence patches outside the fovea were the other sign found more in the hypertensive group (22.9%) than in the control group (6.5%); however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.089). The third feature was hypo-autofluorescence around the disk noticed in 11 (31.4%) eyes of hypertensive patients compared to 8 (25.8%) eyes of the controls (P = 0.615). A ring of hyper-autofluorescence in the central macula forming a doughnut-shaped feature may be a FAF sign in patients with chronic essential HTN.

  19. Epigenetic Modifications in Essential Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Wise, Ingrid A.; Charchar, Fadi J.

    2016-01-01

    Essential hypertension (EH) is a complex, polygenic condition with no single causative agent. Despite advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of EH, hypertension remains one of the world’s leading public health problems. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that epigenetic modifications are as important as genetic predisposition in the development of EH. Indeed, a complex and interactive genetic and environmental system exists to determine an individual’s risk of EH. Epigenetics refers to all heritable changes to the regulation of gene expression as well as chromatin remodelling, without involvement of nucleotide sequence changes. Epigenetic modification is recognized as an essential process in biology, but is now being investigated for its role in the development of specific pathologic conditions, including EH. Epigenetic research will provide insights into the pathogenesis of blood pressure regulation that cannot be explained by classic Mendelian inheritance. This review concentrates on epigenetic modifications to DNA structure, including the influence of non-coding RNAs on hypertension development. PMID:27023534

  20. The effect of magneto-treated blood autotransfusion on central hemodynamic values and cerebral circulation in patients with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Alizade, Ilgar G; Karayeva, Nigar T

    2002-05-01

    The work was carried out to study the effect of magneto-treated blood autotransfusion on the values of central and cerebral hemodynamics in patients with essential hypertension. Sixty-six patients with stage II essential hypertension aged 31-60 years who underwent magneto-treated blood autotransfusion were evaluated and treated, at the Cardiology Department, Hospital of Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Azerbaijan Republic, over a period of 8 years. The diagnosis was based on clinical examination and generally accepted criteria of essential hypertension stages proposed in 1978 by the World Health Organization. Sixty-six patients with stage II essential hypertension with stable drop in blood pressure, simultaneously showed a positive clinical effect. Central hemodynamic changes in the process of magneto-treated blood autotransfusion were different and depended on the initial state of circulation. High clinical effect showed the patients with hyperkinetic type of hemodynamics. Their blood pressure were significantly lower than the patients with hypokinetic type of circulation. Rheoencephalographic study demonstrated that magneto-treated blood autotransfusion possessed insignificant effect on cerebral hemodynamics, mainly expressed by the reduction of arterial blood flow tension in the patients with hypokinetic type of hemodynamics.

  1. Salt and essential hypertension: pathophysiology and implications for treatment.

    PubMed

    Garfinkle, Michael A

    2017-06-01

    Essential hypertension is common and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, questions remain as to the exact physiological mechanisms underlying this disease. First, we discuss how essential hypertension may be largely a result of a maladaptation to a high-salt diet and that high blood pressure, rather than being an inactive side effect of high salt intake, may be an adaptive mechanism to improve salt secretion. Next, we explain how any physiological state that reduces urinary sodium concentrating ability may increase an individual's risk for salt-induced hypertension. Finally, we conclude that natriuresis is a crucial criterion for effective long-term pharmacologic treatment of essential hypertension. Copyright © 2017 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. [The effect of a single moderate physical exertion on serum leptin levels in patients with essential hypertension (preliminary results)].

    PubMed

    Zyśko, D; Gajek, J; Jołda-Mydłowska, B

    2000-08-01

    Leptin is a product of the ob gene and is secreted by the adipose tissue. It takes part in regulation of nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine system and renal functions. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of short term moderate exercise on serum leptin levels in patients with arterial hypertension. The study group consisted of 34 patients with essential hypertension: 15 women (48.9 +/- 12.1 years old) and 19 men (43.5 +/- 14.6 years old). There were 7 patients with stage I of hypertension, 17 patients with stage II of hypertension and 10 patients with stage III of hypertension. The blood samples were taken before and after the exercise test. Serum leptin levels were assessed by radioimmunoassay. Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in women then in men. The logarithm of serum leptin levels after the exercise was significantly lower than before (0.8 +/- 0.4 and 0.9 +/- 0.5 respectively). The moderate, short term exercise decreases serum leptin levels in the hypertensive patients.

  3. Structural and functional changes of the coronary arteries in elderly senile patients with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Hu, Jun; Zhu, Fu; Xie, Jun; Cheng, Xinhai; Chen, Guiyu; Tai, Haifen; Fan, Shaohua

    2013-11-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aging on the changes to the structure and function of coronary arteries in senile elderly patients with essential hypertension. Patients (aged 60-80 years) were divided into three groups. The 195 hypertensive patients were divided into four sub-groups according to the duration of hypertension. The changes to the coronary arteries (left and right) of all those patients were tested using the following index by 64 coronary computed tomography (CT) scans. The 24 h systolic blood pressure (SBP) and other blood biochemical parameters were assayed for all patients. We found that the value of the body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) were lower, but age and high density lipoproteins (HDL) were higher in the group of very elderly patients with hypertension (Group I; P<0.05) compared with those of a group of elderly patients with hypertension (Group III). The left anterior descending branch calcification score (CSLAD), total calcification score (CST), pulse pressure (PP), the left main branch calcification score (CSLM), the left circumflex branch calcification score (CSLCX) were significantly increased in Group I compared with Group III (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). In addition, the 24 h SBP value for Group I was higher than in the 'very elderly without hypertension' group (Group II). Hence, in elderly patients, a decrease in the levels of BMI, HDL, TC and LDL accompanies aging. Furthermore, the decline of arterial compliance and increase in arterial stiffness develops with age. Aging is more likely to lead to atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries, particularly in the left main coronary artery and its main branches. Aging is an uncontrollable risk factor, which plays a crucial role in coronary artery atherosclerosis.

  4. The evaluation of arterial stiffness of essential hypertension and white coat hypertension in children: a case-control study.

    PubMed

    Tokgöz, Semiha Terlemez; Yılmaz, Dilek; Tokgöz, Yavuz; Çelik, Bülent; Bulut, Yasin

    2018-03-01

    The aim of this study was to determine and compare cardiovascular risks by assessing arterial stiffness in children with essential hypertension and white coat hypertension. Paediatric patients followed up with essential hypertension and white coat hypertension diagnoses and with no established end organ damage were involved in the study. Arterial stiffness in children included in the study was evaluated and compared by using the oscillometric device (Mobil-O-Graph) method. A total of 62 essential hypertension (34 male, 28 female), 38 white coat hypertension (21 male, 17 female), and 60 healthy controls (33 male, 27 female) were assessed in the present study. Pulse wave velocity of the essential hypertension, white coat hypertension, and control group was, respectively, as follows: 5.3±0.6 (m/s), 5.1±0.4 (m/s), 4.3±0.4 (m/s) (p<0.001); augmentation index outcomes were, respectively, determined as follows: 21.3±6.5, 19.3±6.4, 16.0±0.3 (p<0.001). Pulse wave velocity and augmentation index values of children with essential hypertension and white coat hypertension were found to be higher compared with the control group. This level was identified as correlated with the duration of hypertension in both patient groups (p<0.01). Arterial stiffness in children with essential hypertension and white coat hypertension was impaired compared with healthy children. This finding has made us think that white coat hypertension is not an innocent clinical situation. This information should be taken into consideration in the follow-up and treatment approaches of the patients.

  5. Physiologic rationale for calcium antagonist therapy in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Resnick, L M

    1998-01-01

    Two basic concepts that are relevant to hypertensive cardiovascular disease are often ignored despite being central to a proper understanding and clinical approach to our patients. First, high blood pressure is an abnormal physical sign; a 'vital' sign, as are temperature, pulse, and respiration. Although people often consider hypertension as a disease, it is itself not a disease, but rather one sign of a disease: a warning manifestation of a disease. Approximately 90% of the time, the underlying cause(s) of this sign are unknown and, thus, the condition itself is named according to its sign, as essential hypertension. Commonly, physicians are told that by eliminating the messenger bearing the bad news--i.e., by merely suppressing the blood pressure, the excess morbidity and mortality associated with the underlying disease process will be reversed. Unfortunately, the cumulative experience of over two decades of world-wide clinical trials indicates that getting rid of only one aspect of hypertensive disease, the elevated blood pressure, gets rid of only part of the excess cardiovascular risk associated with hypertension. By contrast, we now appreciate that what we call hypertension carries with it other peripheral manifestations present in other body systems, such as left ventricular hypertrophy, that may exist prior to and progress independently of the hypertension itself; and insulin resistance, reflecting the same underlying pathophysiology in skeletal muscle, fat, and other tissues. Thus, the disease we call hypertension is not just a 'numbers' game. As such, a reasonable goal not yet attained would be to identify common factors underlying not only the elevations of blood pressure, but the other multisystemic aspects of hypertensive cardiovascular disease as well. Focusing on such underlying factors would allow treatment of the disease process itself, rather than just the level of blood pressure. A second concept, also often overlooked but quite obvious, is the

  6. Association between angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene polymorphism and essential hypertension: the Ohasama Study.

    PubMed

    Sugimoto, Ken; Katsuya, Tomohiro; Ohkubo, Takayoshi; Hozawa, Atsushi; Yamamoto, Koichi; Matsuo, Akiko; Rakugi, Hiromi; Tsuji, Ichiro; Imai, Yutaka; Ogihara, Toshio

    2004-08-01

    Gene targeting approaches have suggested that the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) is involved in blood pressure (BP) regulation and modulation of the effect of angiotensin II. The A1166C polymorphism of the AT1 receptor gene (AT1R/A1166C) is associated with hypertension in Caucasians, but not in Japanese. The goal of this study, the Ohasama Study, was to examine the association between AT1R/A1166C and hypertension, especially home BP, in the Japanese general population. The Ohasama Study was a cohort study based on Japanese rural residents of Ohasama Town in the northern part of Japan. Subjects who gave informed consent to the study protocol and genetic analysis were recruited. Home BP was measured twice in the morning within 1 h of waking up and in the evening just before going to bed. The TaqMan polimerase chain reaction (PCR) method clearly determined AT1R/A1166C genotypes (n =1,207). The genotype distribution of AT1R/A1166C was as follows: AA 84%; AC 15%; CC 1%. There was almost no difference in baseline characteristics among the AT1R genotypes (AA, AC, CC). In the subjects not receiving antihypertensive medication (n =817), both casual BP and home BP were not different among the AT1R genotypes after adjusting for confounding factors (age, sex, body mass index, current smoking habit and current alcohol consumption). The frequency of hypertension showed no difference among AT1R genotypes after adjusting for confounding factors, though the AC and CC genotypes were more frequent in hypertensives than in normotensives. Our data suggested that the AT1R/A1166C polymorphism is not a major genetic predisposing factor for hypertension in Japanese.

  7. Analogy of cardiac and renal complications in essential hypertension and aged SHR or L-NAME/SHR.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Xiaoyan; Frohlich, Edward D

    2007-01-01

    Hypertension plays major causative roles in development of cardiac failure and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Cardiac and renal involvements in hypertension and relevant pharmacological interventions have been extensively studied in our laboratories. Our findings demonstrated that aged spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) developed reduced coronary flow reserve, increased coronary vascular resistance and cardiac fibrosis, and impaired cardiac function. Moreover, aged SHR naturally developed glomerular hypertension and ischemia, proteinuria, and glomerular sclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. These naturally-occurring cardiac and renal involvements in aged SHR are very similar to these target organ changes in essential hypertension. Furthermore, we have been able to reproduce similar derangements in younger adult SHR by nitric oxide synthesis inhibition. These changes are identical to the pathophysiological alterations in heart and kidney found in old SHR as well as clinically. Antihypertensive therapeutic interventions provided cardiac and renal protection and, perhaps even prevention in the aged SHR and younger adult SHR with suppressed nitric oxide synthesis. Recent clinical trails have translated these pathophysiological observations demonstrating that angiotensin II inhibition affords remarkable cardiac and renal benefits to patients with essential hypertension. Thus, both the aged SHR as well as younger adult SHR with suppressed nitric oxide synthesis very closely mimic the cardiac and renal outcomes seen in patients with essential hypertension. They accordingly have become extremely useful experimental models of hypertensive heart disease and ESRD seen with severe nephrosclerosis. The latter hypertensive rat model with induced endothelial dysfunction is recommended enthusiastically for its foregoing as well as time-saving and economic values.

  8. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of azilsartan with that of candesartan cilexetil in Japanese patients with grade I-II essential hypertension: a randomized, double-blind clinical study.

    PubMed

    Rakugi, Hiromi; Enya, Kazuaki; Sugiura, Kenkichi; Ikeda, Yoshinori

    2012-05-01

    Azilsartan is a novel angiotensin receptor blocker being developed for hypertension treatment. This 16-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study compared the efficacy and safety of azilsartan (20-40 mg once daily by forced titration) and its ability to provide 24-h blood pressure (BP) control, with that of candesartan cilexetil (candesartan; 8-12 mg once daily by forced titration) in 622 Japanese patients with grade I-II essential hypertension. Efficacy was evaluated by clinic-measured sitting BP, and by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) at week 14. Participants (mean age: 57 years, 61% males) had a mean baseline sitting BP of 159.8/100.4 mm Hg. The mean change from baseline in sitting diastolic BP at week 16 (primary endpoint) was -12.4 mm Hg in the azilsartan group and -9.8 mm Hg in the candesartan group, demonstrating a statistically significant greater reduction with azilsartan vs. candesartan (difference: -2.6 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval (CI): -4.08 to -1.22 mm Hg, P=0.0003). The week 16 (secondary endpoint) mean change from baseline in sitting systolic BP was -21.8 mm Hg and -17.5 mm Hg, respectively, a significant decrease with azilsartan vs. candesartan (difference: -4.4 mm Hg, 95% CI: -6.53 to -2.20 mm Hg, P<0.0001). On ABPM, the week 14 mean changes from baseline in diastolic and systolic BP were also significantly greater with azilsartan over a 24-h period, and during the daytime, night-time and early morning. Safety and tolerability were similar among the two groups. These data demonstrate that once-daily azilsartan provides a more potent 24-h sustained antihypertensive effect than that of candesartan but with equivalent safety.

  9. Platelet activation in essential hypertension during exercise: pre- and post-treatment changes with an angiotensin II receptor blocker.

    PubMed

    Gkaliagkousi, Eugenia; Gavriilaki, Eleni; Yiannaki, Efi; Markala, Dimitra; Papadopoulos, Nikolaos; Triantafyllou, Areti; Anyfanti, Panagiota; Petidis, Konstantinos; Garypidou, Vasileia; Doumas, Michael; Ferro, Albert; Douma, Stella

    2014-04-01

    Acute exercise may exert deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system through a variety of pathophysiological mechanisms, including increased platelet activation. However, the degree of exercise-induced platelet activation in untreated hypertensive (UH) individuals as compared with normotensive (NT) individuals has yet to be established. Furthermore, the effect of antihypertensive treatment on exercise-induced platelet activation in essential hypertension (EH) remains unknown. Study 1 consisted of 30 UH and 15 NT subjects. UH subjects who received treatment were included in study 2 and were followed-up after a 3-month treatment period with an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB; valsartan). Circulating monocyte-platelet aggregates (MPA) and platelet P-selectin were measured as platelet activation markers at baseline, immediately after a treadmill exercise test, and 10, 30, and 90 minutes later. Maximal platelet activation was observed at 10 minutes after peak exercise in both groups. In UH subjects, MPA levels remained increased at 30 minutes after peak exercise, despite BP fall to baseline levels. MPA levels were significantly higher in UH subjects than NT subjects at maximal exercise and at 10 and 30 minutes of recovery. Post-treatment MPA levels increased significantly only at 10 minutes into recovery and were similar to those of NT subjects. Acute high-intensity exercise exaggerates platelet activation in untreated patients with EH compared with NT individuals. Angiotensin II receptor blockade with adequate BP control greatly improves exercise-induced platelet activation in EH. Further studies are needed to clarify whether this phenomenon depends purely on BP lowering or benefits also from the pleiotropic effects of ARBs.

  10. Essential hypertension: racial/ethnic differences in pathophysiology.

    PubMed

    Douglas, J G; Thibonnier, M; Wright, J T

    1996-01-01

    Essential hypertension is a complex polygenetic disorder with different "intermediate phenotypes" among diverse racial/ethnic groups. Differences have been identified in the renin-angiotensin system, prevalence of salt sensitivity, ion-transport mechanisms, and calcium homeostasis, yet no unifying hypothesis as to the genetic mechanisms responsible for the excess prevalence and severity of hypertension among African Americans has emerged. Environmental factors, such as access to health care, socioeconomic status, stress, diet, and obesity, account for some of the differences in the prevalence of hypertension worldwide.

  11. Effect of azilsartan versus candesartan on nocturnal blood pressure variation in Japanese patients with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Rakugi, Hiromi; Kario, Kazuomi; Enya, Kazuaki; Igeta, Masataka; Ikeda, Yoshinori

    2013-09-01

    Abnormal variations in night-time hypertension such as "non-dipping" type (< 10% decrease in nocturnal systolic blood pressure [SBP] from daytime SBP) are a risk factor for cardiovascular events independent of 24-h BP. As part of a randomized, double-blind study of azilsartan (20-40 mg once daily) and candesartan (8-12 mg once daily) in Japanese patients with essential hypertension, an exploratory analysis was performed using ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) at baseline and Week 14. Effects of study drugs on nocturnal BP variations according to patients' nocturnal SBP dipping status were evaluated. ABPM data were available for 273 patients treated with azilsartan and 275 with candesartan. In the dipping group (≥ 10% decrease from daytime SBP), azilsartan produced a greater reduction from baseline in daytime than in night-time SBP (- 14.1 and - 10.9 mmHg, respectively), and the change in daytime SBP was significantly greater with azilsartan than with candesartan (p = 0.0077). In the non-dipping group, azilsartan produced a greater reduction from baseline in night-time than in daytime SBP (- 20.2 and - 9.9 mmHg, respectively), and reductions in both night-time SBP (p = 0.02) and daytime SBP (p = 0.0042) were significantly greater with azilsartan than with candesartan. Once-daily azilsartan improved non-dipping night-time SBP to a greater extent than candesartan in Japanese patients with grade I-II essential hypertension.

  12. Patterns of left ventricular remodeling among patients with essential and secondary hypertension.

    PubMed

    Radulescu, Dan; Stoicescu, Laurentiu; Buzdugan, Elena; Donca, Valer

    2013-12-01

    High blood pressure causes left ventricular hypertrophy, which is a negative prognostic factor among hypertensive patients. To assess left ventricular geometric remodeling patterns in patients with essential hypertension or with hypertension secondary to parenchymal renal disease. We analyzed data from echocardiograms performed in 250 patients with essential hypertension (150 females) and 100 patients with secondary hypertension (60 females). The interventricular septum and the left ventricular posterior wall thickness were measured in the parasternal long-axis. Left ventricular mass was calculated using the Devereaux formula. The most common remodeling type in females and males with essential hypertension were eccentric and concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (cLVH), respectively. Among patients with secondary arterial hypertension, cLVH was most commonly observed in both genders. The prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy was higher among patients with secondary hypertension. The left ventricular mass index and the relative left ventricular wall thickness were higher in males and also in the secondary hypertension group. Age, blood pressure values and the duration of hypertension, influenced remodeling patterns. We documented a higher prevalence of LVH among patients with secondary hypertension. The type of ventricular remodeling depends on gender, age, type of hypertension, blood pressure values and the duration of hypertension.

  13. Clopidogrel preserves whole kidney autoregulatory behavior in ANG II-induced hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Osmond, David A.; Zhang, Shali; Pollock, Jennifer S.; Yamamoto, Tatsuo; De Miguel, Carmen

    2014-01-01

    This study tested the hypothesis that P2Y12 receptor blockade with clopidogrel preserves renal autoregulatory ability during ANG II-induced hypertension. Clopidogrel was administered orally to male Sprague-Dawley rats chronically infused with ANG II. After 14 days of treatment, whole kidney autoregulation of renal blood flow was assessed in vivo in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats using an ultrasonic flow probe placed around the left renal artery. In ANG II-vehicle-treated rats, decreasing arterial pressure over a range from 160 to 100 mmHg resulted in a 25 ± 5% decrease in renal blood flow, demonstrating a significant loss of autoregulation with an autoregulatory index of 0.66 ± 0.15. However, clopidogrel treatment preserved autoregulatory behavior in ANG II-treated rats to levels indistinguishable from normotensive sham-operated (sham) rats (autoregulatory index: 0.04 ± 0.14). Compared with normotensive sham-vehicle-treated rats, ANG II infusion increased renal CD3-positive T cell infiltration by 66 ± 6%, induced significant thickening of the preglomerular vessels and glomerular basement membrane and increased glomerular collagen I deposition, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, damage to the proximal tubular brush border, and protein excretion. Clopidogrel significantly reduced renal infiltration of T cells by 39 ± 9% and prevented interstitial artery thickening, ANG II-induced damage to the glomerular basement membrane, deposition of collagen type I, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, despite the maintenance of hypertension. These data demonstrate that systemic P2Y12 receptor blockade with clopidogrel protects against impairment of autoregulatory behavior and renal vascular injury in ANG II-induced hypertension, possibly by reducing renal T cell infiltration. PMID:24477682

  14. Evaluation and Treatment of Essential Hypertension During Short Duration Space Flight

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rossum, Alfred C.; Baisden, Dennis L.

    2000-01-01

    During the last four decades of manned space flight, two individuals have successfully flown in space with the preflight diagnosis of essential hypertension (HTN). Treatment of this disease process in the astronaut population warrants special consideration particularly when selecting medication for a mission. A retrospective review of data offers two different clinical scenarios involving the treatment, or lack thereof, for essential hypertension during space flight. Case I; A Caucasian quinquagenerian diagnosed with HTN one year prior to the mission obtained flight certification after a negative diagnostic workup. The patient was placed on a diuretic. Preflight isolated blood pressure (BP) measurements averaged 138/102. Inflight, the patient electively declined medication. A 36-hour BP monitor revealed an average value of 124/87. Postflight, BP measurements returned to preflight BP values. Case II: A Caucasian quatrogenerian diagnosed with HTN 6 months prior to launch completed flight training after a negative diagnostic workup. The patient was placed on an ACE inhibiter. Preflight BP measurements averaged 130/80. Inflight, isolated BP measurements were considerably less. Normotensive values were obtained postflight. In both cases, BP values inflight were lower than pre or postflight values. Yelle et al has confirmed similar findings in the normotensive astronaut population. Spaceflight may result in fluid shifting, mild dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, orthostatic hypotension, and increased heart rates. Based on these factors, certain classes of antihypertensive agents such as vasodilators, beta-blockers, and diuretics are excluded from consideration as a primary therapeutic modality. To date, Ace Inhibitors are viewed as the more acceptable drug of choice during spaceflight. Newer classes of drugs may also provide additional choices. Presently, astronauts developing uncomplicated HTN may continue their careers when treated with the appropriate class of

  15. Renovascular hypertension in spontaneous hypertensive rats: an experimental model of renal artery stenosis superimposed on essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Rosenthal, T; Bass, A; Grossman, E; Shani, M; Griffel, B; Adar, R

    1987-09-01

    Renovascular hypertension superimposed on essential hypertension, a condition encountered in the elderly, was studied. An experimental animal model consisting of a two-kidney one-clip Goldblatt preparation in the spontaneous hypertensive (SHR) rat, that would simulate this condition, was designed. A 0.25 mm silver clip was placed on the left renal artery of SHR male rats. The same procedure performed on WKY rats served as control. All experiments were performed on low, normal, and rich sodium diet. Systolic blood pressure (BP) was measured by tail-cuff method. Plasma renin concentration (PRC) was determined before and after clipping of the renal artery. Results were as follows: Mean systolic BP increased significantly in clipped rats fed with normal and rich sodium diets. SHR showed an increase from 144 +/- 3 (mean + s.e.m.) to 168 +/- 3 mmHg, and WKY rats showed an increase from 120 +/- 2 to 139 +/- 5 mmHg. There was a two- to threefold rise in PRC. A low-salt diet given prior to clipping prevented the appearance of renovascular hypertension despite a significant rise in PRC. We concluded that renal artery narrowing plays a significant role in the rise of BP in the basically essential type of hypertension.

  16. Role of Kidneys in Sex Differences in Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Wang, Lei; Wang, Ximing; Qu, Helena Y; Jiang, Shan; Zhang, Jie; Fu, Liying; Buggs, Jacentha; Pang, Bo; Wei, Jin; Liu, Ruisheng

    2017-12-01

    The significance of kidneys in regulation of sodium and water balance and hemodynamics has been demonstrated both in patients and animal models. In the present study, we tested our hypothesis that kidneys play an essential role in control of sex differences in angiotensin II (Ang II)-dependent hypertension. Kidney transplantations (KTXs) were performed between male (M) and female (F) C57BL/6 mice (donor→recipient: F→F, M→M, F→M, and M→F). Radiotelemetry transmitters were implanted for measurement of mean arterial pressure during the infusion of Ang II (600 ng·kg -1 ·min -1 ). Gene expressions and inflammatory responses in the transplanted grafts were assessed. We found that same-sex-KTX mice still exhibited sex differences in Ang II-dependent hypertension (31.3±0.8 mm Hg in M→M versus 12.2±0.6 mm Hg in F→F), which were reduced between males and females when they received kidneys of the opposite sex (32.9±1 mm Hg in M→F versus 22.3±0.7 mm Hg in F→M). The sex differences in gene expressions, including AT 1 R (angiotensin II receptor, type 1), AT 1 R/AT 2 R, ET-1 (endothelin-1), ETA (endothelin receptor type A), NHE3 (sodium-hydrogen exchanger 3), α-ENaC (α-epithelial sodium channel), and γ-ENaC, were unaltered in same-sex KTXs and much lessened in cross-sex KTXs. In addition, the cross-sex KTXs exhibited more robust inflammatory responses reflected by higher expression of IL-6 (interleukin 6), TNFα (tumor necrosis factor α), and KC (keratinocyte-derived chemokine) than same-sex KTX. Our results indicate that kidneys play an essential role in sex differences of Ang II-dependent hypertension. KTX of male kidneys to females augmented the blood pressure response, whereas KTX of female kidneys to males attenuated the blood pressure response. The host's extrarenal systems modulate expressions of many genes and inflammatory response, which may also contribute to the sex differences in blood pressure regulation. © 2017 American Heart

  17. Histone deacetylase and GATA-binding factor 6 regulate arterial remodeling in angiotensin II-induced hypertension.

    PubMed

    Kim, Gwi Ran; Cho, Soo-Na; Kim, Hyung-Seok; Yu, Seon Young; Choi, Sin Young; Ryu, Yuhee; Lin, Ming Quan; Jin, Li; Kee, Hae Jin; Jeong, Myung Ho

    2016-11-01

    Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been reported to improve essential and secondary hypertension. However, the specific HDAC that might serve as a therapeutic target and the associated upstream and downstream molecules involved in regulating hypertension remain unknown. Our study was aimed at investigating whether a selective inhibitor of class II HDAC (MC1568) modulates hypertension, elucidating the underlying mechanism. Hypertension was established by administering angiotensin II (Ang II) to mice before treatment with MC1568. SBP was measured. Treatment with MC1568 reduced elevated SBP; attenuated arterial remodeling in the kidney's small arteries and thoracic aorta; and inhibited cell cycle regulatory gene expression, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation, DNA synthesis, and VSMC hypertrophy in vivo and in vitro. Ang II enhanced the expression of phosphorylated HDAC4 and GATA-binding factor 6 (GATA6) proteins, which were specifically localized in the cytoplasm of cells in the arteries of kidneys and in aortas. Forced expression and knockdown of HDAC4 increased and decreased, respectively, the proliferation and expression of cell cycle genes in VSMCs. GATA6, a newly described binding partner of HDAC4, markedly enhanced the size and number of VSMCs. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IIα (CaMKIIα), but not HDAC4, translocated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in response to Ang II. CaMKIIα and protein kinase D1 were associated with VSMC hypertrophy and hyperplasia via direct interaction with HDAC4. MC1568 treatment weakened the association between HDAC4 and CaMKIIα. These results suggest that class II HDAC inhibition attenuates hypertension by negatively regulating VSMC hypertrophy and hyperplasia via the CaMKIIα/protein kinase D1/HDAC4/GATA6 pathway.

  18. [Differences of blood plasma renin activity, angiotensin II and aldosterone levels in essential or secondary hypertension].

    PubMed

    Song, Ai-ling; Zeng, Zheng-pei; Tong, An-li; Lu, Lin; Chen, Shi; Li, Ming; Fu, Chun-li; Wang, Yong-hui; Sun, Mei-li

    2012-04-01

    To study on the difference of plasma renin activity (PRA), angiotensin II (Ang II), and aldosterone levels in patients with essential hypertension (EH) or primary aldosteronism (PA) or pheochromocytoma (PHEO), and to analyze the sensitivity and specificity on the diagnosis of PA among patients with hypertension with aldosterone/PRA ratio (ARR). The plasma aldosterone, Ang II and PRA concentrations in supine and upright positions were measured by radioimmunoassay from 413 patients including idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA, n = 111), aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA, n = 118), PHEO (n = 98) and EH (n = 86). ARR was calculated. Plasma aldosterone concentrations in both of supine and upright positions in PHEO group [374 (294, 465) pmol/L and 629 (449, 997) pmol/L] and PA group [471 (346, 632) pmol/L and 673 (499, 825) pmol/L] were higher than those in EH group [277 (224, 332) pmol/L and 427 (341, 501) pmol/L] (P < 0.01). They were also higher in APA group [576 (416, 731) pmol/L and 726 (554, 906) pmol/L] than those in IHA group [399 (313, 504) pmol/L and 609 (485, 776) pmol/L] (P < 0.01). Ang II levels in both positions were lower in PA group [43.2 (26.4, 74.4) ng/L and 60.1 (38.5, 103.6) ng/L] than in EH group [56.7 (43.3, 78.9) ng/L and 84.3 (61.3, 108.4) ng/L] or PHEO group [54.3 (29.9, 101.5) ng/L and 102.8 (49.9, 167.0) ng/L] (all P values < 0.01), and there was no difference between IHA and APA group (P > 0.05). The PRA level in both positions of each group were PHEO group [0.3 (0.2, 1.0) µg · L(-1) · h(-1) and 1.4 (0.6, 3.4) µg · L(-1) · h(-1)] > EH group [0.2 (0.1, 0.4) µg · L(-1) · h(-1) and 0.6 (0.4, 1.0) µg · L(-1) · h(-1)] (P < 0.01) > PA group [0.1 (0.1, 0.1) µg · L(-1) · h(-1) and 0.2 (0.1, 0.3) µg · L(-1) · h(-1)] (P < 0.01), and APA group [0.1 (0.1, 0.1) µg · L(-1) · h(-1) and 0.1 (0.1, 0.3) µg · L(-1) · h(-1)] < IHA group [0.1 (0.1, 0.2) µg · L(-1) · h(-1) and 0.2 (0.1, 0.3) µg · L(-1) · h(-1)] (supine P < 0

  19. Hypercontrols in genotype-phenotype analysis reveal ancestral haplotypes associated with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Balam-Ortiz, Eros; Esquivel-Villarreal, Adolfo; Huerta-Hernandez, David; Fernandez-Lopez, Juan Carlos; Alfaro-Ruiz, Luis; Muñoz-Monroy, Omar; Gutierrez, Ruth; Figueroa-Genis, Enrique; Carrillo, Karol; Elizalde, Adela; Hidalgo, Alfredo; Rodriguez, Mauricio; Urushihara, Maki; Kobori, Hiroyuki; Jimenez-Sanchez, Gerardo

    2012-04-01

    The angiotensinogen gene locus has been associated with essential hypertension in most populations analyzed to date. Increased plasma angiotensinogen levels have been proposed as an underlying cause of essential hypertension in whites; however, differences in the genetic regulation of plasma angiotensinogen levels have also been reported for other populations. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms and haplotypes with plasma angiotensinogen levels and the risk of essential hypertension in the Mexican population. We genotyped 9 angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms in 706 individuals. Four polymorphisms, A-6, C4072, C6309, and G12775, were associated with increased risk, and the strongest association was found for the C6309 allele (χ(2)=23.9; P=0.0000009), which resulted in an odds ratio of 3.0 (95% CI: 1.8-4.9; P=0.000006) in the recessive model. Two polymorphisms, A-20C (P=0.003) and C3389T (P=0.0001), were associated with increased plasma angiotensinogen levels but did not show association with essential hypertension. The haplotypes H1 (χ(2)=8.1; P=0.004) and H5 (χ(2)=5.1; P=0.02) were associated with essential hypertension. Using phylogenetic analysis, we found that haplotypes 1 and 5 are the human ancestral haplotypes. Our results suggest that the positive association between angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms and haplotypes with essential hypertension is not simply explained by an increase in plasma angiotensinogen concentration. Complex interactions between risk alleles suggest that these haplotypes act as "superalleles."

  20. Hypercontrols in Genotype-Phenotype Analysis Reveal Ancestral Haplotypes Associated With Essential Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Balam-Ortiz, Eros; Esquivel-Villarreal, Adolfo; Huerta-Hernandez, David; Fernandez-Lopez, Juan Carlos; Alfaro-Ruiz, Luis; Muñoz-Monroy, Omar; Gutierrez, Ruth; Figueroa-Genis, Enrique; Carrillo, Karol; Elizalde, Adela; Hidalgo, Alfredo; Rodriguez, Mauricio; Urushihara, Maki; Kobori, Hiroyuki; Jimenez-Sanchez, Gerardo

    2012-01-01

    The angiotensinogen gene locus has been associated with essential hypertension in most populations analyzed to date. Increased plasma angiotensinogen levels have been proposed as an underlying cause of essential hypertension in whites; however, differences in the genetic regulation of plasma angiotensinogen levels have also been reported for other populations. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms and haplotypes with plasma angiotensinogen levels and the risk of essential hypertension in the Mexican population. We genotyped 9 angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms in 706 individuals. Four polymorphisms, A-6, C4072, C6309, and G12775, were associated with increased risk, and the strongest association was found for the C6309 allele (χ2 = 23.9; P = 0.0000009), which resulted in an odds ratio of 3.0 (95% CI: 1.8–4.9; P = 0.000006) in the recessive model. Two polymorphisms, A-20C (P = 0.003) and C3389T (P = 0.0001), were associated with increased plasma angiotensinogen levels but did not show association with essential hypertension. The haplotypes H1 (χ2 = 8.1; P = 0.004) and H5 (χ2 = 5.1; P = 0.02) were associated with essential hypertension. Using phylogenetic analysis, we found that haplotypes 1 and 5 are the human ancestral haplotypes. Our results suggest that the positive association between angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms and haplotypes with essential hypertension is not simply explained by an increase in plasma angiotensinogen concentration. Complex interactions between risk alleles suggest that these haplotypes act as “superalleles.” PMID:22371359

  1. Exercise-induced pulse wave velocity changes in untreated patients with essential hypertension: the effect of an angiotensin receptor antagonist.

    PubMed

    Gkaliagkousi, Eugenia; Gavriilaki, Eleni; Nikolaidou, Barbara; Triantafyllou, George; Douma, Stella

    2014-07-01

    This study investigates arterial stiffness changes after acute exercise in young patients with untreated, recently diagnosed grade I essential hypertension (UH) compared with normotensive (NT) individuals and the effect of antihypertensive treatment on this phenomenon. Study 1 consisted of 25 UH and 15 NT patients. UH patients who received treatment were included in study 2 and were followed-up after a 3-month treatment period with an angiotensin II receptor blocker. Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) was assessed at baseline, at maximal exercise, and at 10, 30, and 60 minutes later. In UH patients, PWV increased significantly at maximal exercise and 10 and 30 minutes of recovery, despite blood pressure fall to baseline levels. No significant PWV changes were observed in NT patients. Post-treatment PWV levels were significantly decreased and similar to those of NT patients. Arterial stiffness is impaired following high-intensity acute exercise even in the early stages of hypertension. Antihypertensive treatment ameliorates these effects. ©2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  2. Genetic Risk Score for Essential Hypertension and Risk of Preeclampsia.

    PubMed

    Smith, Caitlin J; Saftlas, Audrey F; Spracklen, Cassandra N; Triche, Elizabeth W; Bjonnes, Andrew; Keating, Brendan; Saxena, Richa; Breheny, Patrick J; Dewan, Andrew T; Robinson, Jennifer G; Hoh, Josephine; Ryckman, Kelli K

    2016-01-01

    Preeclampsia is a hypertensive complication of pregnancy characterized by novel onset of hypertension after 20 weeks gestation, accompanied by proteinuria. Epidemiological evidence suggests that genetic susceptibility exists for preeclampsia; however, whether preeclampsia is the result of underlying genetic risk for essential hypertension has yet to be investigated. Based on the hypertensive state that is characteristic of preeclampsia, we aimed to determine if established genetic risk scores (GRSs) for hypertension and blood pressure are associated with preeclampsia. Subjects consisted of 162 preeclamptic cases and 108 normotensive pregnant controls, all of Iowa residence. Subjects' DNA was extracted from buccal swab samples and genotyped on the Affymetrix Genome-wide Human SNP Array 6.0 (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA). Missing genotypes were imputed using MaCH and Minimac software. GRSs were calculated for hypertension, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) using established genetic risk loci for each outcome. Regression analyses were performed to determine the association between GRS and risk of preeclampsia. These analyses were replicated in an independent US population of 516 cases and 1,097 controls of European ancestry. GRSs for hypertension, SBP, DBP, and MAP were not significantly associated with risk for preeclampsia (P > 0.189). The results of the replication analysis also yielded nonsignificant associations. GRSs for hypertension and blood pressure are not associated with preeclampsia, suggesting that an underlying predisposition to essential hypertension is not on the causal pathway of preeclampsia. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  3. [Density of beta-adrenergic receptors and left ventricular mass in patients with primary essential hypertension].

    PubMed

    Gajek, J; Zyśko, D; Spring, A

    2000-08-01

    Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is one of the more important risk factors for sudden death. There are multiple factors for development of LVH in patients with hypertension. Sympathetic nervous system may play a key role causing afterload increase and neurohumoral mechanisms activation. The aim of the study was to determine beta-adrenergic receptors density and its relations to left ventricular mass in hypertensive subjects. The study was carried out in 63 patients (23 women and 40 men), mean age 43.3 +/- 11.6 yrs with primary hypertension: stage I--42 pts and stage II--21 pts. The control group consisted of 26 healthy persons matched for age and sex. We evaluated the density of beta-adrenergic receptors using 125I-cyanopindolol radioligand labeling method. Left ventricular dimensions were assessed by echocardiography (Hewlett-Packard 77010 CF) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was calculated. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and LVMI was significantly higher in hypertension group 156.7 +/- 12.5 vs. 119.8 +/- 8.8 mmHg, p < 0.0001, 95.9/5.5 vs. 78.8 +/- 6.5 mmHg, p < 0.0001, 126.5 +/- 41.9 vs. 93.1 +/- 19.9 g/m2, p < 0.001 respectively. Beta-adrenergic receptors density was 40.7 +/- 29.9 fmol/ml in the hypertensive vs. 37.2 +/- 17.8 fmol/ml in control group (p = NS). There was no correlation between beta-adrenergic receptors density and LVMI. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between LVMI and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.44, p < 0.05; r = 0.60, p < 0.01 respectively). 1. Beta-adrenergic receptors density was unchanged in patients with hypertension and did not correlate with LVMI. 2. A high positive correlation between blood pressure values and LVMI, but only in stage II hypertension was revealed.

  4. Variability of NT-proBNP and Its Relationship with Inflammatory Status in Patients with Stable Essential Hypertension: A 2-Year Follow-Up Study

    PubMed Central

    Roselló-Lletí, Esther; Calabuig, Jose R.; Morillas, Pedro; Cortés, Raquel; Martínez-Dolz, Luis; Almenar, Luis; González-Juanatey, Jose R.; Lauwers, Catheline; Salvador, Antonio; Portolés, Manuel; Bertomeu, Vicente; Rivera, Miguel

    2012-01-01

    Background The variability of NT-proBNP levels has been studied in heart failure, yet no data exist on these changes over time in hypertensive patients. Furthermore, studies on the relationship between natriuretic peptides and inflammatory status are limited. Methodology/Principal Findings 220 clinically and functionally asymptomatic stable patients (age 59±13, 120 male) out of 252 patients with essential hypertension were followed up, and NT-proBNP was measured at baseline, 12 and 24 months. No differences in NT-proBNP were found with respect to the basal stage in the hypertrophic group, but significant changes were found in non-hypertrophic subjects. The reproducibility of NT-proBNP measurements was better in patients with hypertrophy than in the non-hypertrophic group for the three intervals (stage I-basal; stage II-stage I; stage II-basal) with a reference change value of 34%, 35% and 41%, respectively, in the hypertrophic group. A more elevated coefficient of correlation was obtained in the hypertrophic group than in patients without hypertrophy: basal versus stage I (r = 0.79, p<0.0001 and r = 0.59, p<0.0001) and stage I versus stage II (r = 0.86, p<0.0001 and r = 0.56, p<0.0001). Finally, levels of NT-proBNP significantly correlated with sTNF-R1 (p<0.0001) and IL-6 (p<0.01) during follow-up. A multivariate linear regression analysis showed that sTNF-R1 is an independent factor of NT-proBNP. Conclusions/Significance This work shows that there is good stability in NT-proBNP levels in a follow-up study of asymptomatic patients with stable hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. As a consequence, assessment of NT-proBNP concentrations may be a useful tool for monitoring the follow-up of hypertensive patients with hypertrophy. Measured variations in peptide levels, exceeding 35% in a 12-month follow-up and 41% in a 24-month follow-up, may indicate an increase in cardiovascular risk, and therefore implies adjustment in the medical treatment

  5. Polymorphisms of APLN-APLNR system are associated with essential hypertension in Mexican-Mestizo individuals.

    PubMed

    Esteban-Martínez, Rosa Lilia; Pérez-Razo, Juan Carlos; Vargas-Alarcón, Gilberto; Martínez-Rodríguez, Nancy; Cano-Martínez, Luis Javier; López-Hernández, Luz Berenice; Rojano-Mejía, David; Canto, Patricia; Coral-Vazquez, Ramón Mauricio

    2016-08-01

    The aim of this study was to evaluate if polymorphisms of APLN and APLNR genes may play a role as susceptibility markers for hypertension in a group of Mexican-Mestizo patients. A case-control study was carried out including normotensive and hypertensive individuals. For these, two polymorphisms of APLN (rs3761581 and rs56204867) and two of APLNR () genes were genotyped by 5' exonuclease TaqMan assay in 400 normotensive individuals and 383 patients. The results showed that, under an additive model adjusted by BMI, HDL, triglycerides, glucose and family history of essential hypertension, the rs7119375 and rs10501367 polymorphisms of APLNR gene were associated significantly with a decreased risk of essential hypertension (P=0.039 and P=0.029, respectively). Besides, the haplotypes analysis of these polymorphisms showed that H1 haplotype was associated with an increased risk of essential hypertension (P=0.026), while the H2 haplotype was associated with a decreased risk (P=0.032). Contrary, the rs3761581 and rs56204867 polymorphisms of APLN gene were not associated with essential hypertension (P=0.1707 and P=0.0769, respectively). The data suggest that APLNR rs7119375 and rs10501367 are associated with a decreased risk of essential hypertension in our Mexican-Mestizo studied group, but further studies are warranted. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Serum uric acid and target organ damage in essential hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Ofori, Sandra N; Odia, Osaretin J

    2014-01-01

    Background Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, as it acts through its effects on target organs, such as the heart and kidneys. Hyperuricemia increases cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension. Objective To assess the relationship between serum uric acid and target organ damage (left ventricular hypertrophy and microalbuminuria) in untreated patients with essential hypertension. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 130 (85 females, 45 males) newly diagnosed, untreated patients with essential hypertension. Sixty-five healthy age- and sex-matched non-hypertensive individuals served as controls for comparison. Left ventricular hypertrophy was evaluated by cardiac ultrasound scan, and microalbuminuria was assessed in an early morning midstream urine sample by immunoturbidimetry. Blood samples were collected for assessing uric acid levels. Results Mean serum uric acid was significantly higher among the patients with hypertension (379.7±109.2 μmol/L) than in the controls (296.9±89.8 μmol/L; P<0.001), and the prevalence of hyperuricemia was 46.9% among the hypertensive patients and 16.9% among the controls (P<0.001). Among the hypertensive patients, microalbuminuria was present in 54.1% of those with hyperuricemia and in 24.6% of those with normal uric acid levels (P=0.001). Similarly, left ventricular hypertrophy was more common in the hypertensive patients with hyperuricemia (70.5% versus 42.0%, respectively; P=0.001). There was a significant linear relationship between mean uric acid levels and the number of target organ damage (none versus one versus two: P=0.012). Conclusion These results indicate that serum uric acid is associated with target organ damage in patients with hypertension, even at the time of diagnosis; thus, it is a reliable marker of cardiovascular damage in our patient population. PMID:24833906

  7. Serum uric acid and target organ damage in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Ofori, Sandra N; Odia, Osaretin J

    2014-01-01

    Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, as it acts through its effects on target organs, such as the heart and kidneys. Hyperuricemia increases cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertension. To assess the relationship between serum uric acid and target organ damage (left ventricular hypertrophy and microalbuminuria) in untreated patients with essential hypertension. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 130 (85 females, 45 males) newly diagnosed, untreated patients with essential hypertension. Sixty-five healthy age- and sex-matched non-hypertensive individuals served as controls for comparison. Left ventricular hypertrophy was evaluated by cardiac ultrasound scan, and microalbuminuria was assessed in an early morning midstream urine sample by immunoturbidimetry. Blood samples were collected for assessing uric acid levels. Mean serum uric acid was significantly higher among the patients with hypertension (379.7±109.2 μmol/L) than in the controls (296.9±89.8 μmol/L; P<0.001), and the prevalence of hyperuricemia was 46.9% among the hypertensive patients and 16.9% among the controls (P<0.001). Among the hypertensive patients, microalbuminuria was present in 54.1% of those with hyperuricemia and in 24.6% of those with normal uric acid levels (P=0.001). Similarly, left ventricular hypertrophy was more common in the hypertensive patients with hyperuricemia (70.5% versus 42.0%, respectively; P=0.001). There was a significant linear relationship between mean uric acid levels and the number of target organ damage (none versus one versus two: P=0.012). These results indicate that serum uric acid is associated with target organ damage in patients with hypertension, even at the time of diagnosis; thus, it is a reliable marker of cardiovascular damage in our patient population.

  8. Evaluation of the dose-response relationship of amlodipine and losartan combination in patients with essential hypertension: an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, factorial, phase II, multicenter study.

    PubMed

    Park, Chang-Gyu; Youn, Ho-Joong; Chae, Shung-Chull; Yang, Joo-Young; Kim, Moo-Hyun; Hong, Taek-Jong; Kim, Cheol Ho; Kim, Jae Joong; Hong, Bum-Kee; Jeong, Jin-Won; Park, Si-Hoon; Kwan, Jun; Choi, Young-Jin; Cho, Seung-Yun

    2012-02-01

    Despite recommendations for more intensive treatment and the availability of several effective treatments, hypertension remains uncontrolled in many patients. The aim of this study was to determine the dose-response relationship and assess the efficacy and safety of amlodipine or losartan monotherapy and amlodipine camsylate/losartan combination therapy in patients with essential hypertension. This was an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, factorial design, phase II, multicenter study conducted in outpatient hospital clinics among adult patients aged 18-75 years with essential hypertension. At screening, patients received placebo for 2-4 weeks. Eligible patients (n=320) were randomized to one of eight treatment groups: amlodipine 5 mg or 10 mg, losartan 50 mg or 100 mg, amlodipine camsylate/losartan 5 mg/50 mg, 5 mg/100 mg, 10 mg/50 mg, or 10 mg/100 mg. The assumption of strict superiority was estimated using the mean change in sitting diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at 8 weeks. Safety was monitored through physical examinations, vital signs, laboratory test results, ECG, and adverse events. The reduction in DBP at 8 weeks was significantly greater in patients treated with the combination therapies compared with the respective monotherapies for all specified comparisons except amlodipine camsylate/losartan 10 mg/100 mg versus amlodipine 10 mg. The incidence of adverse events in the group of patients treated with the amlodipine camsylate/losartan 10 mg/50 mg combination tended to be higher than for any other group (27.9%, 12/43); however, the effect was not statistically significant. Combination amlodipine camsylate/losartan (5 mg/50 mg, 5 mg/100 mg and 10 mg/50 mg) resulted in significantly greater BP lowering compared with amlodipine or losartan monotherapy, and was determined to be generally safe and tolerable in patients with essential hypertension. Registered at clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00942344.

  9. Aldosterone acting through the central nervous system sensitizes angiotensin II-induced hypertension.

    PubMed

    Xue, Baojian; Zhang, Zhongming; Roncari, Camila F; Guo, Fang; Johnson, Alan Kim

    2012-10-01

    Previous studies have shown that preconditioning rats with a nonpressor dose of angiotensin II (Ang II) sensitizes the pressor response produced by later treatment with a higher dose of Ang II and that Ang II and aldosterone (Aldo) can modulate each other's pressor effects through actions involving the central nervous system. The current studies tested whether Aldo can cross-sensitize the pressor actions of Ang II to enhance hypertension by employing an induction-delay-expression experimental design. Male rats were implanted for telemetered blood pressure recording. During induction, subpressor doses of either subcutaneous or intracerebroventricular Aldo were delivered for 1 week. Rats were then rested for 1 week (delay) to assure that any exogenous Aldo was metabolized. After this, Ang II was given subcutaneously for 2 weeks (expression). During induction and delay, Aldo had no sustained effect on blood pressure. However, during expression, Ang II-induced hypertension was greater in the groups receiving subcutaneous or intracerebroventricular Aldo during induction in comparison with those groups receiving vehicle. Central administration of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist blocked sensitization. Brain tissue collected at the end of delay and expression showed increased mRNA expression of several renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system components in cardiovascular-related forebrain regions of cross-sensitized rats. Cultured subfornical organ neurons preincubated with Aldo displayed greater increases in [Ca2+]i after Ang II treatment, and there was a greater Fra-like immunoreactivity present at the end of expression in cardiovascular-related forebrain structures. Taken together, these results indicate that Aldo pretreatment cross-sensitizes the development of Ang II-induced hypertension probably by mechanisms that involve the central nervous system.

  10. Mechanisms of disease: the role of GRK4 in the etiology of essential hypertension and salt sensitivity.

    PubMed

    Felder, Robin A; Jose, Pedro A

    2006-11-01

    Hypertension and salt sensitivity of blood pressure are two conditions the etiologies of which are still elusive because of the complex influences of genes, environment, and behavior. Recent understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern sodium homeostasis is shedding new light on how genes, their protein products, and interacting metabolic pathways contribute to disease. Sodium transport is increased in the proximal tubule and thick ascending limb of Henle of the kidney in human essential hypertension. This Review focuses on the counter-regulation between the dopaminergic and renin-angiotensin systems in the renal proximal tubule, which is the site of about 70% of total renal sodium reabsorption. The inhibitory effect of dopamine is most evident under conditions of moderate sodium excess, whereas the stimulatory effect of angiotensin II is most evident under conditions of sodium deficit. Dopamine and angiotensin II exert their actions via G protein-coupled receptors, which are in turn regulated by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). Polymorphisms that lead to aberrant action of GRKs cause a number of conditions, including hypertension and salt sensitivity. Polymorphisms in one particular member of this family-GRK4-have been shown to cause hyperphosphorylation, desensitization and internalization of a member of the dopamine receptor family, the dopamine 1 receptor, while increasing the expression of a key receptor of the renin-angiotensin system, the angiotensin II type 1 receptor. Novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for identifying at-risk subjects, followed by selective treatment of hypertension and salt sensitivity, might center on restoring normal receptor function through blocking the effects of GRK4 polymorphisms.

  11. Gallic acid attenuates calcium calmodulin-dependent kinase II-induced apoptosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

    PubMed

    Jin, Li; Piao, Zhe Hao; Liu, Chun Ping; Sun, Simei; Liu, Bin; Kim, Gwi Ran; Choi, Sin Young; Ryu, Yuhee; Kee, Hae Jin; Jeong, Myung Ho

    2018-03-01

    Hypertension causes cardiac hypertrophy and leads to heart failure. Apoptotic cells are common in hypertensive hearts. Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is associated with apoptosis. We recently demonstrated that gallic acid reduces nitric oxide synthase inhibition-induced hypertension. Gallic acid is a trihydroxybenzoic acid and has been shown to have beneficial effects, such as anti-cancer, anti-calcification and anti-oxidant activity. The purpose of this study was to determine whether gallic acid regulates cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis in essential hypertension. Gallic acid significantly lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and H&E staining revealed that gallic acid reduced cardiac enlargement in SHRs. Gallic acid treatment decreased cardiac hypertrophy marker genes, including atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), in SHRs. The four isoforms, α, β, δ and γ, of CaMKII were increased in SHRs and were significantly reduced by gallic acid administration. Gallic acid reduced cleaved caspase-3 protein as well as bax, p53 and p300 mRNA levels in SHRs. CaMKII δ overexpression induced bax and p53 expression, which was attenuated by gallic acid treatment in H9c2 cells. Gallic acid treatment reduced DNA fragmentation and the TUNEL positive cells induced by angiotensin II. Taken together, gallic acid could be a novel therapeutic for the treatment of hypertension through suppression of CaMKII δ-induced apoptosis. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine.

  12. [The magnetotherapy of hypertension patients].

    PubMed

    Ivanov, S G; Smirnov, V V; Solov'eva, F V; Liashevskaia, S P; Selezneva, L Iu

    1990-01-01

    A study was made of the influence of the constant MKM2-1 magnets on patients suffering from essential hypertension. Continuous action of the magnetic field, created by such magnets, on the patients with stage II essential hypertension was noted to result in a decrease of arterial pressure without the occurrence of any side effects and in a simultaneous reduction of the scope of drug administration. Apart from that fact, magnetotherapy was discovered to produce a beneficial effect on the central hemodynamics and microcirculation. The use of the MKM2-1 magnets may be regarded as a feasible method of the treatment of essential hypertension patients at any medical institution.

  13. Intracellular sodium concentration and transport in red cells in essential hypertension, hyperthyroidism, pregnancy and hypokalemia.

    PubMed

    Gless, K H; Sütterlin, U; Schaz, K; Schütz, V; Hunstein, W

    1986-01-01

    Intracellular sodium content ([Nai]), ouabain-sensitive ('Na-K ATPase') and ouabain-insensitive ('passive permeability') sodium efflux, Na-K cotransport and Na-Li ('Na-Na') countertransport were estimated in erythrocytes in 39 control subjects, 20 patients with essential hypertension, 14 patients with hypokalemia of renal or unknown etiology, 13 hyperthyroid patients and 19 pregnant women. In normokalemic essential hypertension there was only a moderate, but significant elevation of the activity of the Na-Li countertransport system. In the group of patients with hypokalemia, there was a significant increase of [Nai], ouabain-insensitive sodium efflux and Na-Li countertransport. In hyperthyroidism, a marked decrease of Na-Li countertransport was associated with a marked elevation of [Nai], in pregnancy an elevation of the Na-Li countertransport with a [Nai] 43% lower than the control values. The ouabain-sensitive sodium efflux was elevated in hyperthyroidism and hypokalemia, in which [Nai] was increased. In the control subjects there was a positive linear correlation between ouabain-sensitive sodium efflux and [Nai]. The sodium component of the Na-K cotransport was decreased to about one third of the unchanged furosemide-sensitive potassium component during pregnancy. The changes of cellular sodium metabolism in essential hypertension are of minor degree as compared to those in the other conditions studied. Cellular sodium metabolism in blood cells is influenced by thyroid hormones and metabolic disorders. Na-Li countertransport, i.e. Na-Na countertransport, seems to be involved in the regulation of [Nai]: an increase of its activity diminishes [Nai] (pregnancy); a decrease elevates [Nai] (hyperthyroidism). Ouabain-sensitive sodium efflux, i.e. 'Na-K ATPase', is mainly regulated by its substrate, [Nai].

  14. Investigation of chromosome 17q as a locus for human essential hypertension in African Caribbeans.

    PubMed

    Knight, J; Gardner, G T; Clark, A J; Caulfield, M J

    2000-06-01

    Essential hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease in humans, and originates from both genetic and environmental factors. Data from animal and more recently human studies have indicated the presence of a gene influencing blood pressure on human chromosome 17. This study tested for linkage of markers located on chromosome 17q to essential hypertension in African Caribbean hypertensive families. No support of linkage was found between the markers studied and hypertension, however only genes of a lamda sib value of less than 1.8 could be excluded Journal of Human Hypertension (2000) 14, 385-387

  15. Positive association between KCNJ5 rs2604204 (A/C) polymorphism and plasma aldosterone levels, but also plasma renin and angiotensin I and II levels, in newly diagnosed hypertensive Chinese: a case-control study.

    PubMed

    Wang, H; Weng, C; Chen, H

    2017-07-01

    Variants in G protein-coupled inward rectifier K + channels 4 (GIRK4 also known as KCNJ5) gene are associated with primary aldosteronism, which is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. The KCNJ5 rs2604204 variant was shown to be common (minor allele frequency=32.5%) in Chinese patients with essential hypertension (EH). The relationship between KCNJ5 variant and plasma aldosterone (ALD) levels in EH patients has not been reported. We collected 229 patients with newly diagnosed EH without any antihypertensive agents. According to the median standing plasma ALD, high-ALD and control groups were divided. Clinical data and blood samples were collected. KCNJ5 rs2604204 genotype was determined by PCR. The results showed that the levels of triglyceride, uric acid, insulin, insulin resistance (IR) index, renin, angiotensin I (Ang I), angiotensin II (Ang II), cortisol, 24 h mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and daytime mean SBP were significantly increased in the high-ALD group than those in the control group, as well as 24 h s.d. of SBP and diastolic BP (DBP), and 24 h coefficient of variance of SBP and DBP. Notably, the distribution frequency of AC and CC genotypes, and the C allele of KCNJ5 were also significantly higher in the high-ALD group. Logistic regression analysis showed that the C allele of KCNJ5 rs2604204 was one risk factor for increased plasma ALD in Chinese EH patients (P=0.008, odds ratio=2.2 (95% confidence interval 1.2-4.1)). Our findings indicated that the variation of plasma ALD might be associated with increased IR and BP variability. Moreover, KCNJ5 rs2604204 polymorphism was related to increased plasma ALD level, but also plasma renin, Ang I and II levels in newly diagnosed, never-treated EH patients.

  16. Association of ACE, FABP2 and GST genes polymorphism with essential hypertension risk among a North Indian population.

    PubMed

    Abbas, Shania; Raza, Syed Tasleem; Chandra, Anu; Rizvi, Saliha; Ahmed, Faisal; Eba, Ale; Mahdi, Farzana

    2015-01-01

    Hypertension has a multi-factorial background based on genetic and environmental interactive factors. ACE, FABP2 and GST genes have been suggested to be involved in the development of hypertension. However, the results have been inconsistent. The present study was carried out to investigate the association of ACE (rs4646994), FABP2 (rs1799883) and GST (GSTM1 null or positive genotype and GSTT1 null or positive genotype) genes polymorphism with essential HTN cases and controls. This study includes 138 essential hypertension (HTN) patients and 116 age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched control subjects. GST (GSTM1 null or positive genotype and GSTT1 null or positive genotype) genes polymorphisms were evaluated by multiplex PCR, ACE (rs4646994) gene polymorphisms by PCR and FABP2 (rs1799883) gene polymorphisms by PCR-RFLP method. Significant differences were obtained in the frequencies of ACE DD, II genotype (p = 0.006, 0.003), GSTT1 null, GSTM1 positive genotype (p = 0.048, 0.010) and FABP2 Ala54/Ala54 genotype (p = 0.049) between essential HTN cases and controls. It is concluded that ACE (rs 4646994), FABP2 (rs1799883) and GST (GSTM1 null or positive genotype and GSTT1 null or positive genotype) genes polymorphism are associated with HTN. Further investigation with a larger sample size may be required to validate this study.

  17. A system view and analysis of essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Botzer, Alon; Grossman, Ehud; Moult, John; Unger, Ron

    2018-05-01

    The goal of this study was to investigate genes associated with essential hypertension from a system perspective, making use of bioinformatic tools to gain insights that are not evident when focusing at a detail-based resolution. Using various databases (pathways, Genome Wide Association Studies, knockouts etc.), we compiled a set of about 200 genes that play a major role in hypertension and identified the interactions between them. This enabled us to create a protein-protein interaction network graph, from which we identified key elements, based on graph centrality analysis. Enriched gene regulatory elements (transcription factors and microRNAs) were extracted by motif finding techniques and knowledge-based tools. We found that the network is composed of modules associated with functions such as water retention, endothelial vasoconstriction, sympathetic activity and others. We identified the transcription factor SP1 and the two microRNAs miR27 (a and b) and miR548c-3p that seem to play a major role in regulating the network as they exert their control over several modules and are not restricted to specific functions. We also noticed that genes involved in metabolic diseases (e.g. insulin) are central to the network. We view the blood-pressure regulation mechanism as a system-of-systems, composed of several contributing subsystems and pathways rather than a single module. The system is regulated by distributed elements. Understanding this mode of action can lead to a more precise treatment and drug target discovery. Our analysis suggests that insulin plays a primary role in hypertension, highlighting the tight link between essential hypertension and diseases associated with the metabolic syndrome.

  18. Essential Oils, Part I: Introduction.

    PubMed

    de Groot, Anton C; Schmidt, Erich

    2016-01-01

    Essential oils are widely used in the flavor, food, fragrance, and cosmetic industries in many applications. Contact allergy to them is well known and has been described for 80 essential oils. The relevance of positive patch test reactions often remains unknown. Knowledge of the chemical composition of essential oils among dermatologists is suspected to be limited, as such data are published in journals not read by the dermatological community. Therefore, the authors have fully reviewed and published the literature on contact allergy to and chemical composition of essential oils. Selected topics from this publication will be presented in abbreviated form in Dermatitis starting with this issue, including I. Introduction; II. General aspects; III. Chemistry; IV. General aspects of contact allergy; V. Peppermint oil, lavender oil and lemongrass oil; VI: Sandalwood oil, ylang-ylang oil, and jasmine absolute.

  19. Serum uric acid levels among Nigerians with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Emokpae, Abiodun M; Abdu, Aliyu

    2013-06-30

    There is an ongoing debate on the role of serum uric acid as an independent risk factor for hypertension and renal disease. This study determined the serum uric acid levels of Nigerians with essential hypertension and also evaluated the association between serum uric acid levels and blood pressure of these patients. A retrospective case-control study of three hundred and fifty one patients with essential hypertension seen at the hypertension clinic of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano between January 2004 and December 2008. The control group comprised of one hundred apparently healthy non hypertensive subjects. The clinical characteristics including blood pressure measurement, serum uric acid, urea, creatinine, lipid profile and glucose were evaluated.The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the male patients were 156mmHg and 101mmHg respectively, while those of the male controls were 120 ± 6.0 and 80 ± 5 respectively. The mean serum uric acid, fasting blood glucose, urea and creatinine were 483umol/L, 5.7mmol/L,6.61mmol/L, 93umol/l respectively compared to those of the male controls which were 326 ±10μmol/l, 5.0± 0.5mmol/l, 4.2± 0.12mmol/l, 5.16mmol/l ± 0.12 and 69±2.71μmol/l respectively. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures of the female patients were 158mmHg and 101mmHg, while those of the female controls were 101±2 and 62±9 respectively. The mean serum uric acid, fasting blood glucose, urea and creatinine of the female patients were 434umol/L, 5.3mmol/L 6.20mmol/L, and 88umol/L respectively while those for the female controls were 290±9μmol/l, 4.8±0.5mmol/l, 5.02±0.28 mmol/l, 62±0.36μmol/l respectively. Hyperuricaemia was observed in 59.3% of the male study patients and 62% of the female study patients. Serum uric acid correlated positively with both systolic blood pressure (r=0.192, p<0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.216; p<0.001). Hyperuricaemia is common among Nigerian patients with essential hypertension

  20. Acute eprosartan-induced intrarenal vasodilation in hypertensive humans is not influenced by dietary sodium intake or angiotensin II co-infusion.

    PubMed

    van Twist, Daan J L; Houben, Alfons J H M; de Leeuw, Peter W; Kroon, Abraham A

    2016-08-01

    Angiotensin II (Ang II) is thought to play an important role in the development of hypertension. Nevertheless, knowledge on the angiotensin II type-1-receptors (AT1Rs) in the hypertensive kidney and the influence of sodium intake and renin-angiotensin system activity on intrarenal AT1R blockade is scarce. To improve our understanding of renal AT1Rs in hypertensive patients, we studied the effects of acute, local administration of AT1R-blocker eprosartan in kidneys of patients with essential hypertension (off medication). In 73 hypertensive patients who were scheduled for diagnostic renal angiography, we measured renal blood flow (Xenon washout method) before and during intrarenal infusion of two incremental doses of eprosartan (3 and 10 μg/kg/min for 15 min per dose). We hypothesized that the vasodilatory effects of eprosartan would be enhanced by low sodium intake and would be reduced during Ang II co-infusion. Therefore, we allocated the patients to either a high or a low sodium diet and coinfused Ang II (1 ng/kg/min) in a subgroup. Eprosartan infusion resulted in intrarenal vasodilation in all groups. No differences in the magnitude of this effect were found between the groups. No correlation was found between 24-h urinary sodium excretion (a proxy for dietary sodium intake) and the effect of eprosartan. Eprosartan-induced vasodilation is not influenced by sodium intake and/or co-infusion of Ang II. These rather unexpected findings could be explained by differences between circulating and tissue Ang II levels, variations in AT1R expression, and/or stimulation of other vasodilatory pathways.

  1. Effect of azilsartan versus candesartan on morning blood pressure surges in Japanese patients with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Rakugi, Hiromi; Kario, Kazuomi; Enya, Kazuaki; Sugiura, Kenkichi; Ikeda, Yoshinori

    2014-06-01

    Morning blood pressure (BP) surge is reported as a risk factor for cardiovascular events and end-organ damage independent of the 24-h BP level. Controlling morning BP surge is therefore important to help prevent onset of cardiovascular disease. We compared the efficacy of azilsartan and candesartan in controlling morning systolic BP (SBP) surges by analyzing relevant ambulatory BP monitoring data in patients with/without baseline BP surges. As part of a 16-week randomized, double-blind study of azilsartan (20-40 mg once daily) and candesartan (8-12 mg once daily) in Japanese patients with essential hypertension, an exploratory analysis was carried out using ambulatory BP monitoring at baseline and week 14. The effects of study drugs on morning BP surges, including sleep trough surge (early morning SBP minus the lowest night-time SBP) and prewaking surge (early morning SBP minus SBP before awakening), were evaluated. Patients with sleep trough surge of at least 35 mmHg were defined by the presence of a morning BP surge (the 'surge group'). Sleep trough surge and prewaking surge data were available at both baseline and week 14 in 548 patients, 147 of whom (azilsartan 76; candesartan 71) had a baseline morning BP surge. In surge group patients, azilsartan significantly reduced both the sleep trough surge and the prewaking surge at week 14 compared with candesartan (least squares means of the between-group differences -5.8 mmHg, P=0.0395; and -5.7 mmHg, P=0.0228, respectively). Once-daily azilsartan improved sleep trough surge and prewaking surge to a greater extent than candesartan in Japanese patients with grade I-II essential hypertension.

  2. Adipokine CTRP6 improves PPARγ activation to alleviate angiotensin II-induced hypertension and vascular endothelial dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chi, Liyi; Departments of Cardiology, The 451st Hospital of People's Liberation Army; Hu, Xiaojing

    Angiotensin II (AngII) is the most important component of angiotensin, which has been regarded as a major contributor to the incidence of hypertension and vascular endothelial dysfunction. The adipocytokine C1q/TNF-related protein 6 (CTRP6) was recently reported to have multiple protective effects on cardiac and cardiovascular function. However, the exact role of CTRP6 in the progression of AngII induced hypertension and vascular endothelial function remains unclear. Here, we showed that serum CTRP6 content was significantly downregulated in SHRs, accompanied by a marked increase in arterial systolic pressure and serum AngII, CRP and ET-1 content. Then, pcDNA3.1-mediated CTRP6 delivery or CTRP6 siRNAmore » was injected into SHRs. CTRP6 overexpression caused a significant decrease in AngII expression and AngII-mediated hypertension and vascular endothelial inflammation. In contrast, CTRP6 knockdown had the opposite effect to CTRP6 overexpression. Moreover, we found that CTRP6 positively regulated the activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a recently proven negative regulator of AngII, in the brain and vascular endothelium of SHRs. Finally, CTRP6 was overexpressed in endothelial cells, and caused a significant increase in PPARγ activation and suppression in AngII-mediated vascular endothelial dysfunction and apoptosis. The effect of that could be rescued by the ERK inhibitor PD98059. In contrast, silencing CTRP6 suppressed PPARγ activation and exacerbated AngII-mediated vascular endothelial dysfunction and apoptosis. In conclusion, CTRP6 improves PPARγ activation and alleviates AngII-induced hypertension and vascular endothelial dysfunction. - Highlights: • Serum CTRP6 was significantly decreased in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). • CTRP6 positively regulated the activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. • CTRP6 negatively regulates PPARγ mediated Angiotensin II

  3. Angiotensin II or epinephrine hemodynamic and metabolic responses in the liver of L-NAME induced hypertension and spontaneous hypertensive rats

    PubMed Central

    Kimura, Debora Conte; Nagaoka, Marcia Regina; Borges, Durval Rosa; Kouyoumdjian, Maria

    2017-01-01

    AIM To study hepatic vasoconstriction and glucose release induced by angiotensin (Ang)II or Epi in rats with pharmacological hypertension and spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). METHODS Isolated liver perfusion was performed following portal vein and vena cava cannulation; AngII or epinephrine (Epi) was injected in bolus and portal pressure monitored; glucose release was measured in perfusate aliquots. RESULTS The portal hypertensive response (PHR) and the glucose release induced by AngII of L-NAME were similar to normal rats (WIS). On the other hand, the PHR induced by Epi in L-NAME was higher whereas the glucose release was lower compared to WIS. Despite the similar glycogen content, glucose release induced by AngII was lower in SHR compared to Wistar-Kyoto rats although both PHR and glucose release induced by Epi in were similar. CONCLUSION AngII and Epi responses are altered in different ways in these hypertension models. Our results suggest that inhibition of NO production seems to be involved in the hepatic effects induced by Epi but not by AngII; the diminished glucose release induced by AngII in SHR is not related to glycogen content. PMID:28660012

  4. Obligatory Role for B Cells in the Development of Angiotensin II-Dependent Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Chan, Christopher T; Sobey, Christopher G; Lieu, Maggie; Ferens, Dorota; Kett, Michelle M; Diep, Henry; Kim, Hyun Ah; Krishnan, Shalini M; Lewis, Caitlin V; Salimova, Ekaterina; Tipping, Peter; Vinh, Antony; Samuel, Chrishan S; Peter, Karlheinz; Guzik, Tomasz J; Kyaw, Tin S; Toh, Ban-Hock; Bobik, Alexander; Drummond, Grant R

    2015-11-01

    Clinical hypertension is associated with raised serum IgG antibodies. However, whether antibodies are causative agents in hypertension remains unknown. We investigated whether hypertension in mice is associated with B-cell activation and IgG production and moreover whether B-cell/IgG deficiency affords protection against hypertension and vascular remodeling. Angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion (0.7 mg/kg per day; 28 days) was associated with (1) a 25% increase in the proportion of splenic B cells expressing the activation marker CD86, (2) an 80% increase in splenic plasma cell numbers, (3) a 500% increase in circulating IgG, and (4) marked IgG accumulation in the aortic adventitia. In B-cell-activating factor receptor-deficient (BAFF-R(-/-)) mice, which lack mature B cells, there was no evidence of Ang II-induced increases in serum IgG. Furthermore, the hypertensive response to Ang II was attenuated in BAFF-R(-/-) (Δ30±4 mm Hg) relative to wild-type (Δ41±5 mm Hg) mice, and this response was rescued by B-cell transfer. BAFF-R(-/-) mice displayed reduced IgG accumulation in the aorta, which was associated with 80% fewer aortic macrophages and a 70% reduction in transforming growth factor-β expression. BAFF-R(-/-) mice were also protected from Ang II-induced collagen deposition and aortic stiffening (assessed by pulse wave velocity analysis). Finally, like BAFF-R deficiency, pharmacological depletion of B cells with an anti-CD20 antibody attenuated Ang II-induced hypertension by ≈35%. Hence, these studies demonstrate that B cells/IgGs are crucial for the development of Ang II-induced hypertension and vessel remodeling in mice. Thus, B-cell-targeted therapies-currently used for autoimmune diseases-may hold promise as future treatments for hypertension. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

  5. Two anomalous cardiovascular responses to active standing in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Bettencourt, M Joaquina; Pinto, Basílio Gomes; de Oliveira, E Infante; Silva-Carvalho, L

    2008-05-01

    In a previous work we studied, non-invasively, autonomic nervous system control of circulation in healthy subjects, observing the hemodynamic reaction to active standing. We now propose to extend this analysis to essential hypertension (EH), investigating possible autonomic dysfunction. The cardiovascular response to postural change from the supine position to active standing of 48 EH patients, of both sexes, with and without medication, was compared with that obtained for healthy subjects. We evaluated arterial systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, stroke volume (SV), inotropic index (INOI), total vascular resistance (TVR), cardiac work (W), stroke work (SW), arterial compliance (AC) and heart rate (HR), using the entirely non-invasive BoMed NCCOM3 thoracic electrical bioimpedance monitor and sphygmomanometry. We found two patient groups characterized by different linear relationships between values of cardiovascular variables in active standing and in supine positions. Except for HR, in both groups these regression lines differed from normal. Compared to the supine position, in active standing, one group (EH-I) presented increased TVR, diminished SV, INOI, W, SW, and AC, and normal HR; the other group (EH-II) presented diminished TVR and HR and increased SV, INOI, W, SW and AC. The two patient groups could be separated on the basis of their age, but not on the basis of their systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures, gender or medication. The younger patient group (EH-I) included 28 subjects aged 24 to 69 years (50+/-10), of whom 11 were unmedicated, and the older patient group (EH-II) included 20 subjects aged 35 to 75 years (62+/-11), of whom 7 were unmedicated. Our results show a depressed response in postural change for older patients, which in the autonomic control of circulation expresses carotid baroreflex impairment, and conversely an enhanced response for younger patients, which can be caused by a maladjustment of the influence

  6. [Antihypertensive treatment for patients with hypertension and diabetes type II--current clinical research].

    PubMed

    Rajzer, Marek; Kawecka-Jaszcz, Kalina; Wojciechowska, Wiktoria

    2003-01-01

    The frequency of arterial hypertension occurrence in polish population amounts to 30-40%, among diabetics is significantly higher-70%. According to the WHO/ISH Guidelines all hypertensive patients with diabetes are included into the "high risk group" independent of hypertension stage. Pharmacological treatment of hypertension is this group of patients has a particular meaning. Among hypertensive patients the degree of blood pressure lowering is more effective for cardiovascular risk reduction than choice of drug. This fact is well documented in clinical trials comparing antihypertensive efficacy of old and new antihypertensive drugs (for example UKPDS, STOP 2, INSIGHT). From the other point of view renal protection and metabolic benefits, as well as reduction of target organ damage are more advantageous for angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists and calcium antagonists than for diuretics and beta-blockers. Despite fast progress in clinical research on new antihypertensive drugs (especially AT1 receptor inhibitors) ACE-I seem to still remain still the "first choice" for hypertensive diabetics. Adequate blood pressure control among diabetic hypertensives is of special importance and usually needs appropriate combined antihypertensive therapy. Our review presents detailed information about treatment advantages and disadvantages of drugs from different antihypertensive classes in light of current clinical trials and international guidelines.

  7. Lipoprotein lipase variants associated with an endophenotype of hypertension: hypertension combined with elevated triglycerides.

    PubMed

    Chen, Pei; Jou, Yuh-Shan; Fann, Cathy S J; Chen, Jaw-Wen; Chung, Chia-Min; Lin, Chin-Yu; Wu, Sheng-Yeu; Kang, Mei-Jyh; Chen, Ying-Chuang; Jong, Yuh-Shiun; Lo, Huey-Ming; Kang, Chih-Sen; Chen, Chien-Chung; Chang, Huan-Cheng; Huang, Nai-Kuei; Wu, Yi-Lin; Pan, Wen-Harn

    2009-01-01

    Previously, we observed that young-onset hypertension was independently associated with elevated plasma triglyceride(s) (TG) levels to a greater extent than other metabolic risk factors. Thus, focusing on the endophenotype--hypertension combined with elevated TG--we designed a family-based haplotype association study to explore its genetic connection with novel genetic variants of lipoprotein lipase gene (LPL), which encodes a major lipid metabolizing enzyme. Young-onset hypertension probands and their families were recruited, numbering 1,002 individuals from 345 families. Single-nucleotide polymorphism discovery for LPL, linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis, transmission disequilibrium tests (TDT), bin construction, haplotype TDT association and logistic regression analysis were performed. We found that the CC- haplotype (i) spanning from intron 2 to intron 4 and the ACATT haplotype (ii) spanning from intron 5 to intron 6 were significantly associated with hypertension-related phenotypes: hypertension (ii, P=0.05), elevated TG (i, P=0.01), and hypertension combined with elevated TG (i, P=0.001; ii, P<0.0001), according to TDT. The risk of this hypertension subtype increased with the number of risk haplotypes in the two loci, using logistic regression model after adjusting within-family correlation. The relationships between LPL variants and hypertension-related disorders were also confirmed by an independent association study. Finally, we showed a trend that individuals with homozygous risk haplotypes had decreased LPL expression after a fatty meal, as opposed to those with protective haplotypes. In conclusion, this study strongly suggests that two LPL intronic variants may be associated with development of the hypertension endophenotype with elevated TG. Copyright 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  8. Bilateral sphenopalatine ganglion block reduces blood pressure in never treated patients with essential hypertension. A randomized controlled single-blinded study.

    PubMed

    Triantafyllidi, Helen; Arvaniti, Chrysa; Schoinas, Antonios; Benas, Dimitris; Vlachos, Stefanos; Palaiodimos, Leonidas; Pavlidis, George; Ikonomidis, Ignatios; Batistaki, Chrysanthi; Voumvourakis, Costas; Lekakis, John

    2018-01-01

    Sympathetic fibers connect sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) with the central nervous system. We aimed to study the effect of SPG block in blood pressure (BP) in never treated patients with stage I-II essential hypertension. We performed bilateral SPG block with lidocaine 2% in 33 hypertensive patients (mean age 48±12years, 24 men) and a sham operation with water for injection in 11 patients who served as the control group (mean age 51±12years, 8 men). All patients have been subjected to 24h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring prior and a month after the SBG block in order to estimate any differences in blood pressure parameters. We defined as responders to SBG block those patients with a 24h SBP decrease ≥5mmHg. We found that 24h and daytime DBP (p=0.02) as well as daytime DBP load (p=0.03) were decreased in the study group a month after SPG block. In addition, a significant response was noted in 12/33 responders (36%) regarding: a. SBP and DBP during overall 24h and daytime (p<0.001) and night-time periods, b. pre-awake and early morning SBP and c. SBP (daytime and night-time) and DBP (daytime) load. No differences regarding BP were found in the sham operation group. SPG block is a promising, minimally invasive option of BP decrease in hypertensives, probably through SNS modulation. Additionally, due to its anesthetic effect, SPG block might act as a method of selection for those hypertensive patients with an activated SNS before any other invasive antihypertensive procedure. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Long-Term Reduction of High Blood Pressure by Angiotensin II DNA Vaccine in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

    PubMed

    Koriyama, Hiroshi; Nakagami, Hironori; Nakagami, Futoshi; Osako, Mariana Kiomy; Kyutoku, Mariko; Shimamura, Munehisa; Kurinami, Hitomi; Katsuya, Tomohiro; Rakugi, Hiromi; Morishita, Ryuichi

    2015-07-01

    Recent research on vaccination has extended its scope from infectious diseases to chronic diseases, including Alzheimer disease, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The aim of this study was to design DNA vaccines for high blood pressure and eventually develop human vaccine therapy to treat hypertension. Plasmid vector encoding hepatitis B core-angiotensin II (Ang II) fusion protein was injected into spontaneously hypertensive rats using needleless injection system. Anti-Ang II antibody was successfully produced in hepatitis B core-Ang II group, and antibody response against Ang II was sustained for at least 6 months. Systolic blood pressure was consistently lower in hepatitis B core-Ang II group after immunization, whereas blood pressure reduction was continued for at least 6 months. Perivascular fibrosis in heart tissue was also significantly decreased in hepatitis B core-Ang II group. Survival rate was significantly improved in hepatitis B core-Ang II group. This study demonstrated that Ang II DNA vaccine to spontaneously hypertensive rats significantly lowered high blood pressure for at least 6 months. In addition, Ang II DNA vaccines induced an adequate humoral immune response while avoiding the activation of self-reactive T cells, assessed by ELISPOT assay. Future development of DNA vaccine to treat hypertension may provide a new therapeutic option to treat hypertension. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

  10. Effects of slow breathing rate on heart rate variability and arterial baroreflex sensitivity in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Li, Changjun; Chang, Qinghua; Zhang, Jia; Chai, Wenshu

    2018-05-01

    This study is to investigate the effects of slow breathing on heart rate variability (HRV) and arterial baroreflex sensitivity in essential hypertension.We studied 60 patients with essential hypertension and 60 healthy controls. All subjects underwent controlled breathing at 8 and 16 breaths per minute. Electrocardiogram, respiratory, and blood pressure signals were recorded simultaneously. We studied effects of slow breathing on heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory peak, high-frequency (HF) power, low-frequency (LF) power, and LF/HF ratio of HRV with traditional and corrected spectral analysis. Besides, we tested whether slow breathing was capable of modifying baroreflex sensitivity in hypertensive subjects.Slow breathing, compared with 16 breaths per minute, decreased the heart rate and blood pressure (all P < .05), and shifted respiratory peak toward left (P < .05). Compared to 16 breaths/minute, traditional spectral analysis showed increased LF power and LF/HF ratio, decreased HF power of HRV at 8 breaths per minute (P < .05). As breathing rate decreased, corrected spectral analysis showed increased HF power, decreased LF power, LF/HF ratio of HRV (P < .05). Compared to controls, resting baroreflex sensitivity decreased in hypertensive subjects. Slow breathing increased baroreflex sensitivity in hypertensive subjects (from 59.48 ± 6.39 to 78.93 ± 5.04 ms/mm Hg, P < .05) and controls (from 88.49 ± 6.01 to 112.91 ± 7.29 ms/mm Hg, P < .05).Slow breathing can increase HF power and decrease LF power and LF/HF ratio in essential hypertension. Besides, slow breathing increased baroreflex sensitivity in hypertensive subjects. These demonstrate slow breathing is indeed capable of shifting sympatho-vagal balance toward vagal activities and increasing baroreflex sensitivity, suggesting a safe, therapeutic approach for essential hypertension.

  11. Nitric oxide improves membrane fluidity of erythrocytes in essential hypertension: An electron paramagnetic resonance investigation.

    PubMed

    Tsuda, K; Kimura, K; Nishio, I; Masuyama, Y

    2000-09-07

    It has been shown that rheological abnormality might be an etiological factor in hypertension. Recent studies have revealed that human erythrocytes possess a nitric oxide (NO) synthase and that this activation might be involved in the regulation of rheological properties of erythrocytes. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of NO in the regulation of membrane functions of erythrocytes in patients with essential hypertension by means of an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and spin-labeling method. The NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) decreased the order parameter (S) for 5-nitroxide stearate (5-NS) and the peak height ratio (h(0)/h(-1)) for 16-NS obtained from EPR spectra of erythrocyte membranes in a dose-dependent manner. The finding indicated that the NO donor increased the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes. In addition, the effect of SNAP was significantly potentiated by 8-bromo-cyclic guanosine monophosphate. By contrast, the change of the fluidity induced by SNAP was reversed in the presence of L-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester and asymmetric dimethyl L-arginine. In patients with essential hypertension, the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes was significantly lower than in the normotensive subjects. The effect of SNAP was more pronounced in essential hypertension than in normotensive subjects. These results showed that NO increased the membrane fluidity and decreased the rigidity of cell membranes. Furthermore, the greater effect of NO on the fluidity in essential hypertension suggests that NO might actively participate in the regulation of rheological behavior of erythrocytes and have a crucial role in the improvement of microcirculation in hypertension. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

  12. Renal Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Is Essential for the Hypertension Induced by Nitric Oxide Synthesis Inhibition

    PubMed Central

    Giani, Jorge F.; Janjulia, Tea; Kamat, Nikhil; Seth, Dale M.; Blackwell, Wendell-Lamar B.; Shah, Kandarp H.; Shen, Xiao Z.; Fuchs, Sebastien; Delpire, Eric; Toblli, Jorge E.; Bernstein, Kenneth E.; McDonough, Alicia A.

    2014-01-01

    The kidney is an important source of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in many species, including humans. However, the specific effects of local ACE on renal function and, by extension, BP control are not completely understood. We previously showed that mice lacking renal ACE, are resistant to the hypertension induced by angiotensin II infusion. Here, we examined the responses of these mice to the low-systemic angiotensin II hypertensive model of nitric oxide synthesis inhibition with L-NAME. In contrast to wild-type mice, mice without renal ACE did not develop hypertension, had lower renal angiotensin II levels, and enhanced natriuresis in response to L-NAME. During L-NAME treatment, the absence of renal ACE was associated with blunted GFR responses; greater reductions in abundance of proximal tubule Na+/H+ exchanger 3, Na+/Pi co-transporter 2, phosphorylated Na+/K+/Cl− cotransporter, and phosphorylated Na+/Cl− cotransporter; and greater reductions in abundance and processing of the γ isoform of the epithelial Na+ channel. In summary, the presence of ACE in renal tissue facilitates angiotensin II accumulation, GFR reductions, and changes in the expression levels and post-translational modification of sodium transporters that are obligatory for sodium retention and hypertension in response to nitric oxide synthesis inhibition. PMID:25012170

  13. The effect of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Haji Faraji, M; Haji Tarkhani, A

    1999-06-01

    Considering the high prevalence of hypertension, its debilitating end organ damage, and the side effects of chemical drugs used for its treatment, we conducted this experimental study to evaluate the effect of sour tea (Hibiscus sabdariffa) on essential hypertension. For this purpose, 31 and 23 patients with moderate essential hypertension were randomly assigned to an experimental and control group, respectively. Patients with secondary hypertension or those consuming more than two drugs were excluded from the study. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured before and 15 days after the intervention. In the experimental group, 45% of the patients were male and 55% were female, and the mean age was 52.6 +/- 7.9 years. In the control group, 30% of the patients were male, 70% were female, and the mean age of the patients was 51.5 +/- 10.1 years. Statistical findings showed an 11.2% lowering of the systolic blood pressure and a 10.7% decrease of diastolic pressure in the experimental group 12 days after beginning the treatment, as compared with the first day. The difference between the systolic blood pressures of the two groups was significant, as was the difference of the diastolic pressures of the two groups. Three days after stopping the treatment, systolic blood pressure was elevated by 7.9%, and diastolic pressure was elevated by 5.6% in the experimental and control groups. This difference between the two groups was also significant. This study proves the public belief and the results of in vitro studies concerning the effects of sour tea on lowering high blood pressure. More extensive studies on this subject are needed.

  14. State-of-the-art treatment of hypertension: established and new drugs.

    PubMed

    Burnier, Michel; Vuignier, Yann; Wuerzner, Gregoire

    2014-03-01

    The treatment of essential hypertension is based essentially on the prescription of four major classes of antihypertensive drugs, i.e. blockers of the renin--angiotensin system, calcium channel blockers, diuretics and beta-blockers. In recent years, very few new drug therapies of hypertension have become available. Therefore, it is crucial for physicians to optimize their antihypertensive therapies with the drugs available on the market. In each of the classes of antihypertensive drugs, questions have recently been raised: are angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors superior to angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB)? Is it possible to reduce the incidence of peripheral oedema with calcium antagonists? Is hydrochlorothiazide really the good diuretic to use in combination therapies? The purpose of this review is to discuss these various questions in the light of the most recent clinical studies and meta-analyses. These latter suggest that ACE inhibitors and ARB are equivalent except for a better tolerability profile of ARB. Third generation calcium channel blockers enable to reduce the incidence of peripheral oedema and chlorthalidone is certainly more effective than hydrochlorothiazide in preventing cardiovascular events in hypertension. At last, studies suggest that drug adherence and long-term persistence under therapy is one of the major issues in the actual management of essential hypertension.

  15. Hypertension in response to autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1-AA) in pregnant rats: role of endothelin-1.

    PubMed

    LaMarca, Babbette; Parrish, Marc; Ray, Lillian Fournier; Murphy, Sydney R; Roberts, Lyndsay; Glover, Porter; Wallukat, Gerd; Wenzel, Katrin; Cockrell, Kathy; Martin, James N; Ryan, Michael J; Dechend, Ralf

    2009-10-01

    Agonistic autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1-AA) and endothelin -1 (ET-1) are suggested to be important links between placental ischemia and hypertension during preeclampsia. Activation of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) increases endothelial cell production of ET-1; however, the importance of ET-1 in response to AT1-AA-mediated AT1 R activation during preeclampsia is unknown. Furthermore, the role of AT1-AA-mediated increases in blood pressure during pregnancy remains unclear. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that AT1-AA, increased to levels observed in preeclamptic women and placental ischemic rats, increases mean arterial pressure (MAP) by activation of the ET-1 system. Chronic infusion of purified rat AT1-AA into normal pregnant (NP) rats for 7 days increased AT1-AA from 0.68+/-0.5 to 10.88+/-1.1 chronotropic units (P<0.001). The increased AT1-AA increased MAP from 99+/-1 to 119+/-2 mm Hg (P<0.001). The hypertension was associated with significant increases in renal cortices (11-fold) and placental (4-fold) ET-1. To determine whether ET-1 mediates AT1-AA-induced hypertension, pregnant rats infused with AT1-AA and NP rats were treated with an ET(A) receptor antagonist. MAP was 100+/-1 mm Hg in AT1-AA+ET(A) antagonist-treated rats versus 98+/-2 mm Hg in ET(A) antagonist-treated rats. Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that one potential pathway whereby AT1-AAs increase blood pressure during pregnancy is by an ET-1-dependent mechanism.

  16. Cholecalciferol treatment downregulates renin-angiotensin system and improves endothelial function in essential hypertensive patients with hypovitaminosid D.

    PubMed

    Carrara, Davide; Bruno, Rosa Maria; Bacca, Alessandra; Taddei, Stefano; Duranti, Emiliano; Ghiadoni, Lorenzo; Bernini, Giampaolo

    2016-11-01

    Vitamin D deficiency is related to an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system suppression and vascular dysfunction are considered among the main mechanisms implicated in this association. However, interventional studies demonstrating that vitamin D replacement reduces circulating renin-angiotensin-aldosterone components and improves vascular function in humans are still lacking. Thirty-three consecutive patients with essential hypertension and hypovitaminosis D underwent therapy with cholecalciferol 50 000 IU/week orally for 8 weeks. Thirty-three hypertensive patients with normal vitamin D levels and 20 normotensive individuals were also enrolled as control groups. At baseline and at the end of the study, we evaluated plasma renin activity, circulating renin, angiotensin II, aldosterone and plasma vitamin D levels. Endothelial function [flow-mediated dilation (FMD)], carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and augmentation index, peripheral and central blood pressure were also acquired. After 8-week cholecalciferol administration, all treated patients normalized plasma 25(OH)D values. Furthermore, a reduction in plasma levels of plasma renin activity (1.17 ± 0.3 vs 1.51 ± 0.4 ng/ml per h, P = 0.02), renin (13.4 ± 1.7 vs 19.2 ± 2.9 pg/ml, P < 0.001), angiotensin II (11.6 ± 1.6 vs 15.8 ± 2.7 pg/ml, P = 0.02) was observed at the end of the study. FMD was significantly increased after cholecalciferol treatment (4.4 ± 2.6 vs 3.3 ± 2.1%, P < 0.05), in the absence of changes of brachial artery diameter and endothelium-independent vasodilation. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and augmentation index were not modified, as well peripheral and central blood pressure. The restoration of normal vitamin D levels after 8-week cholecalciferol treatment is able to inhibit peripheral renin-angiotensin system and improve FMD in essential hypertensive patients with

  17. Cytochrome P450 1B1 contributes to angiotensin II-induced hypertension and associated pathophysiology.

    PubMed

    Jennings, Brett L; Sahan-Firat, Seyhan; Estes, Anne M; Das, Kanak; Farjana, Nasreen; Fang, Xiao R; Gonzalez, Frank J; Malik, Kafait U

    2010-10-01

    Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, and angiotensin II is one of the major components of the mechanisms that contribute to the development of hypertension. However, the precise mechanisms for the development of hypertension are unknown. Our recent study showing that angiotensin II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell growth depends on cytochrome P450 1B1 led us to investigate its contribution to hypertension caused by this peptide. Angiotensin II was infused via miniosmotic pump into rats (150 ng/kg per minute) or mice (1000 μg/kg per day) for 13 days resulting in increased blood pressure, increased cardiac and vascular hypertrophy, increased vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictor agents, increased vascular reactive oxygen species production, and endothelial dysfunction in both species. The increase in blood pressure and associated pathophysiological changes were minimized by the cytochrome P450 1B1 inhibitor 2,3',4,5'-tetramethoxystilbene in both species and was markedly reduced in Cyp1b1(-/-) mice. These data suggest that cytochrome P450 1B1 contributes to angiotensin II-induced hypertension and associated pathophysiological changes. Moreover, 2,3',4,5'-tetramethoxystilbene, which prevents both cytochrome P450 1B1-dependent and -independent components of angiotensin II-induced hypertension and inhibits associated pathophysiological changes could be clinically useful in the treatment of hypertension and associated cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.

  18. CYTOCHROME P450 1B1 CONTRIBUTES TO ANGIOTENSIN II-INDUCED HYPERTENSION AND ASSOCIATED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

    PubMed Central

    Jennings, Brett L.; Sahan-Firat, Seyhan; Estes, Anne M.; Das, Kanak; Farjana, Nasreen; Fang, Xiao R.; Gonzalez, Frank J.; Malik, Kafait U.

    2010-01-01

    Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, and angiotensin II is one of the major components of the mechanisms that contribute to the development of hypertension. However, the precise mechanisms for the development of hypertension are unknown. Our recent study that angiotensin II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell growth is dependent on cytochrome P450 1B1 led us to investigate its contribution to hypertension caused by this peptide. Angiotensin II was infused via miniosmotic pump into rats (150 ng/kg/min) or mice (1000 μg/kg/day) for 13 days resulting in increased blood pressure, increased cardiac and vascular hypertrophy, increased vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictor agents, increased reactive oxygen species production, and endothelial dysfunction in both species. The increase in blood pressure and associated pathophysiological changes were minimized by the cytochrome P450 1B1 inhibitor, 2,3′,4,5′-tetramethoxystilbene in both species and was markedly reduced in Cyp1b1-/- mice. These data suggest that cytochrome P450 1B1 contributes to angiotensin II-induced hypertension and associated pathophysiological changes. Moreover, 2,3′,4,5′-tetramethoxystilbene which prevents both cytochrome P450 1B1-dependent and independent components of angiotensin II-induced hypertension and inhibits associated pathophysiological changes could be clinically useful in the treatment of hypertension and associated cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases. PMID:20805442

  19. Evidence for the involvement of type I interferon in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

    PubMed

    George, Peter M; Oliver, Eduardo; Dorfmuller, Peter; Dubois, Olivier D; Reed, Daniel M; Kirkby, Nicholas S; Mohamed, Nura A; Perros, Frederic; Antigny, Fabrice; Fadel, Elie; Schreiber, Benjamin E; Holmes, Alan M; Southwood, Mark; Hagan, Guy; Wort, Stephen J; Bartlett, Nathan; Morrell, Nicholas W; Coghlan, John G; Humbert, Marc; Zhao, Lan; Mitchell, Jane A

    2014-02-14

    Evidence is increasing of a link between interferon (IFN) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Conditions with chronically elevated endogenous IFNs such as systemic sclerosis are strongly associated with PAH. Furthermore, therapeutic use of type I IFN is associated with PAH. This was recognized at the 2013 World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension where the urgent need for research into this was highlighted. To explore the role of type I IFN in PAH. Cells were cultured using standard approaches. Cytokines were measured by ELISA. Gene and protein expression were measured using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The role of type I IFN in PAH in vivo was determined using type I IFN receptor knockout (IFNAR1(-/-)) mice. Human lung cells responded to types I and II but not III IFN correlating with relevant receptor expression. Type I, II, and III IFN levels were elevated in serum of patients with systemic sclerosis associated PAH. Serum interferon γ inducible protein 10 (IP10; CXCL10) and endothelin 1 were raised and strongly correlated together. IP10 correlated positively with pulmonary hemodynamics and serum brain natriuretic peptide and negatively with 6-minute walk test and cardiac index. Endothelial cells grown out of the blood of PAH patients were more sensitive to the effects of type I IFN than cells from healthy donors. PAH lung demonstrated increased IFNAR1 protein levels. IFNAR1(-/-) mice were protected from the effects of hypoxia on the right heart, vascular remodeling, and raised serum endothelin 1 levels. These data indicate that type I IFN, via an action of IFNAR1, mediates PAH.

  20. Lifestyle in progression from hypertensive disorders of pregnancy to chronic hypertension in Nurses' Health Study II: observational cohort study.

    PubMed

    Timpka, Simon; Stuart, Jennifer J; Tanz, Lauren J; Rimm, Eric B; Franks, Paul W; Rich-Edwards, Janet W

    2017-07-12

    Objectives  To study the association between lifestyle risk factors and chronic hypertension by history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP: gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia) and investigate the extent to which these risk factors modify the association between HDP and chronic hypertension. Design  Prospective cohort study. Setting  Nurses' Health Study II (1991-2013). Participants  54 588 parous women aged 32 to 59 years with data on reproductive history and without previous chronic hypertension, stroke, or myocardial infarction. Main outcome measure  Chronic hypertension diagnosed by a physician and indicated through nurse participant self report. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the development of chronic hypertension contingent on history of HDP and four lifestyle risk factors: post-pregnancy body mass index, physical activity, adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and dietary sodium/potassium intake. Potential effect modification (interaction) between each lifestyle factor and previous HDP was evaluated with the relative excess risk due to interaction. Results  10% (n=5520) of women had a history of HDP at baseline. 13 971 cases of chronic hypertension occurred during 689 988 person years of follow-up. Being overweight or obese was the only lifestyle factor consistently associated with higher risk of chronic hypertension. Higher body mass index, in particular, also increased the risk of chronic hypertension associated with history of HDP (relative excess risk due to interaction P<0.01 for all age strata). For example, in women aged 40-49 years with previous HDP and obesity class I (body mass index 30.0-34.9), 25% (95% confidence interval 12% to 37%) of the risk of chronic hypertension was attributable to a potential effect of obesity that was specific to women with previous HDP. There was no clear evidence of effect modification by physical activity, DASH diet

  1. Superoxide scavenging effects of N-acetylcysteine and vitamin C in subjects with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Schneider, Markus P; Delles, Christian; Schmidt, Bernhard M W; Oehmer, Sebastian; Schwarz, Thomas K; Schmieder, Roland E; John, Stefan

    2005-08-01

    It is not known whether the beneficial effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in conditions associated with increased oxidative stress are caused by direct superoxide scavenging. We therefore compared the acute superoxide scavenging efficacy of NAC against vitamin C (VITC) on impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation in subjects with essential hypertension. In a cross-over randomized study, the effects of intra-arterial administration of either NAC (48 mg/min) or VITC (18 mg/min) were examined in 15 subjects with essential hypertension and in 15 normotensive control subjects. Both endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation were determined as forearm blood flow (FBF) response to the intra-arterial administration of acetylcholine (Ach) and sodium nitroprusside (NP) in doses of 12 and 48 mug/min and 3.2 and 12.8 mug/min, respectively. Subjects with essential hypertension had impaired responses to both doses of Ach (Delta% FBF to higher dose of Ach: 325 +/- 146 in subjects with essential hypertension v 540 +/- 199 in control subjects; P = .02) and an impaired response to the higher dose of NP (330 +/- 108 v 500 +/- 199; P = .03). The intra-arterial administration of NAC had no effect on these responses (higher dose of Ach: 325 +/- 146 without v 338 +/- 112 with NAC, NS). In contrast, intra-arterial VITC improved both the response to Ach (320 +/- 132 without v 400 +/- 185 with VITC, P = .05) and to NP (383 +/- 162 v 447 +/- 170, P = .05). We found that NAC showed no statistically significant effect on either endothelium-dependent or endothelium-independent vasodilation in hypertensive subjects, whereas VITC did. We conclude that NAC is therefore not an effective superoxide scavenger in vivo. Other, nonimmediate effects such as the generation of glutathione may explain the beneficial effects of NAC in conditions associated with oxidative stress.

  2. Angiotensin II, hypertension and angiotensin II receptor antagonism: Roles in the behavioural and brain pathology of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

    PubMed

    Wiesmann, Maximilian; Roelofs, Monica; van der Lugt, Robert; Heerschap, Arend; Kiliaan, Amanda J; Claassen, Jurgen Ahr

    2017-07-01

    Elevated angiotensin II causes hypertension and contributes to Alzheimer's disease by affecting cerebral blood flow. Angiotensin II receptor blockers may provide candidates to reduce (vascular) risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. We studied effects of two months of angiotensin II-induced hypertension on systolic blood pressure, and treatment with the angiotensin II receptor blockers, eprosartan mesylate, after one month of induced hypertension in wild-type C57bl/6j and AβPPswe/PS1ΔE9 (AβPP/PS1/Alzheimer's disease) mice. AβPP/PS1 showed higher systolic blood pressure than wild-type. Subsequent eprosartan mesylate treatment restored this elevated systolic blood pressure in all mice. Functional connectivity was decreased in angiotensin II-infused Alzheimer's disease and wild-type mice, and only 12 months of Alzheimer's disease mice showed impaired cerebral blood flow. Only angiotensin II-infused Alzheimer's disease mice exhibited decreased spatial learning in the Morris water maze. Altogether, angiotensin II-induced hypertension not only exacerbated Alzheimer's disease-like pathological changes such as impairment of cerebral blood flow, functional connectivity, and cognition only in Alzheimer's disease model mice, but it also induced decreased functional connectivity in wild-type mice. However, we could not detect hypertension-induced overexpression of Aβ nor increased neuroinflammation. Our findings suggest a link between midlife hypertension, decreased cerebral hemodynamics and connectivity in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Eprosartan mesylate treatment restored and beneficially affected cerebral blood flow and connectivity. This model could be used to investigate prevention/treatment strategies in early Alzheimer's disease.

  3. Changes of vasoactive polypeptides during postoperative hypertensive crisis in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.

    PubMed

    Wang, Zhi; Wang, Xue-feng; Wang, Chao; Luan, Wen-zhong

    2007-12-05

    Hypertensive crisis could be found after operation in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). The aim of this study was to explore the changes and the roles of some vasoactive polypeptides during postoperative hypertensive crisis in patients with HICH. A total of 31 patients, who were admitted for craniotomy, were enrolled into this study. After the operation, the patients were divided into three groups. Group I consisted of 9 patients with postoperative hypertensive crisis, and group II was composed of 13 patients without postoperative hypertensive crisis. Nine patients, who denied history of hypertension or HICH, were set as group III. The levels of some vasoactivators in the three groups were measured before and after the operation. The differences in the results among the groups were analyzed using the ANOVA. The data collected before and after the operation in the group I was compared by Wilcoxon test. The concentration of endothelin in group I was significantly higher than that in group III (P < 0.05). The level of thromboxane A2 and the ratio of thromboxane B2 to 6-keto-PGF1a in group I were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P < 0.05). In group I, the levels of plasma renin activity, angiotensin II, aldosterone, catecholamine, and endothelin before the operation were significantly higher than those determined after the operation (P > 0.05). Postoperative hypertensive crisis may be due to the increased thromboxane A2 and relatively inadequate prostacyclin, especially 6-keto-PGF1a. The increased level of endothelin and intraoperative stimulation also play a certain role in the development of postoperative hypertensive crisis.

  4. Childhood-Onset Essential Hypertension and the Family Structure.

    PubMed

    Gupta-Malhotra, Monesha; Hashmi, Syed Shahrukh; Barratt, Michelle S; Milewicz, Dianna M; Shete, Sanjay

    2016-05-01

    The prevalence and effect of single-parent families in childhood-onset essential hypertension (EH) is unknown. Children with EH and age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched controls were enrolled. Family structure data were obtained by in-person interview. A total of 148 families (76 hypertension probands, 72 control probands; median 14 years) were prospective-ly enrolled in the study. Single-parent status was seen in 42% of the families--with and without EH (38% vs 46%, P=.41; odds ratio, 0.7; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-1.4). After multivariable analysis, a statistically significant sociofamilial contributor to the development of childhood-onset EH was not identified. A significant number of single-parent families (42%), the majority with single mothers, were found in our pedigree study. Sociofamilial factors are known to contribute to the expression of adult-onset EH, but findings in our study suggest that they appear to contribute less in the expression of childhood-onset EH. ©2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. Brain-Targeted (Pro)Renin Receptor Knockdown attenuates Angiotensin II-Dependent Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Li, Wencheng; Peng, Hua; Cao, Theresa; Sato, Ryosuke; McDaniels, Sarah. J.; Kobori, Hiroyuki; Navar, L. Gabriel; Feng, Yumei

    2012-01-01

    The (pro)renin receptor is a newly discovered member of the brain renin-angiotensin system. To investigate the role of brain (pro)renin receptor in hypertension, adeno-associated virus-mediated (pro)renin receptor shRNA was used to knockdown (pro)renin receptor expression in the brain of non-transgenic normotensive and human renin-angiotensinogen double transgenic hypertensive mice. Blood pressure was monitored using implanted telemetric probes in conscious animals. Real-time PCR and immunostaining were performed to determine (pro)renin receptor, angiotensin II type 1 receptor and vasopressin mRNA levels. Plasma vasopressin levels were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay. Double transgenic mice exhibited higher blood pressure, elevated cardiac and vascular sympathetic tone, and impaired spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity. Intracerebroventricular delivery of (pro)renin receptor shRNA significantly reduced blood pressure, cardiac and vasomotor sympathetic tone, and improved baroreflex sensitivity compared to the control virus treatment in double transgenic mice. (Pro)renin receptor knockdown significantly reduced angiotensin II type 1 receptor and vasopressin levels in double transgenic mice. These data indicate that (pro)renin receptor knockdown in the brain attenuates angiotensin II-dependent hypertension and is associated with a decrease insympathetic tone and an improvement of the baroreflex sensitivity. In addition, brain-targeted (pro)renin receptor knockdown is associated with down-regulation of angiotensin II type 1 receptor and vasopressin levels. We conclude that central (pro)renin receptor contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension in human renin-angiotensinogen transgenic mice. PMID:22526255

  6. CNS neuroplasticity and salt-sensitive hypertension induced by prior treatment with subpressor doses of ANG II or aldosterone.

    PubMed

    Clayton, Sarah C; Zhang, Zhongming; Beltz, Terry; Xue, Baojian; Johnson, Alan Kim

    2014-06-15

    Although sensitivity to high dietary NaCl is regarded to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the causes of salt-sensitive hypertension remain elusive. Previously, we have shown that rats pretreated with subpressor doses of either ANG II or aldosterone (Aldo) show sensitized hypertensive responses to a mild pressor dose of ANG II when tested after an intervening delay. The current studies investigated whether such treatments will induce salt sensitivity. In studies employing an induction-delay-expression experimental design, male rats were instrumented for chronic mean arterial pressure (MAP) recording. In separate experiments, ANG II, Aldo, or vehicle was delivered either subcutaneously or intracerebroventricularly during the induction. There were no sustained differences in BP during the delay prior to being given 2% saline. While consuming 2% saline during the expression, both ANG II- and Aldo-pretreated rats showed significantly greater hypertension. When hexamethonium was used to assess autonomic control of MAP, no differences in the decrease of MAP in response to ganglionic blockade were detected during the induction. However, during the expression, the fall was greater in sensitized rats. In separate experiments, brain tissue that was collected at the end of delay showed increases in message or activation of putative markers of neuroplasticity (i.e., brain-derived neurotrophic factor, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and cAMP response element-binding protein). These experiments demonstrate that prior administration of nonpressor doses of either ANG II or Aldo will induce salt sensitivity. Collectively, our findings indicate that treatment with subpressor doses of ANG II and Aldo initiate central neuroplastic changes that are involved in hypertension of different etiologies. Copyright © 2014 the American Physiological Society.

  7. Effects of catgut-embedding acupuncture technique on nitric oxide levels and blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Suhana; Srilestari, A.; Marbun, M. B. H.; Mihardja, H.

    2017-08-01

    Hypertension is common a health problem and its prevalence in Indonesia is quite high (31.7%). Catgut embedding—an acupuncture technique—is known to reduce blood pressure; however, no study has confirmed the underlying mechanism. This study examines the effect of catgut embedding on serum nitric oxide (NO) concentration and blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. Forty hypertension patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the control group received anti-hypertensive drugs whereas the case group received anti-hypertensive drugs and catgut embedding. Results showed a statistically significant mean difference in NO concentration (p < 0.05) and statistically and clinically significant mean difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the two groups (p < 0.05). The results confirm that catgut embedding can influence serum NO concentration and blood pressure in essential hypertension patients.

  8. Exposure to Cigarette Smoke and the Carotid Arteries Calcification Index in Patients with Essential Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Gać, Paweł; Jaźwiec, Przemysław; Mazur, Grzegorz; Poręba, Rafał

    2017-07-01

    The arteries calcification index is a quantitative, mathematically estimated parameter characterizing the total amount of calcium within atherosclerotic plaques in the walls of arteries. The objective is to determine a relationship between exposure to cigarette smoke and the carotid arteries calcification index in patients with essential hypertension. The tested group included 66 patients with essential hypertension: 19 active smokers (subgroup A), 20 non-smokers, environmentally exposed to cigarette smoke (subgroup B) and 27 persons without exposure to cigarette smoke (subgroup C). The tested group was subjected to computed tomography angiography of carotid arteries. Evaluation of the carotid arteries calcification indexes was conducted. The average value of the total calcification index of the carotid arteries (CAci) amounted to 368.28 ± 384.21. In subgroup A and B in relation to subgroup C, CAci was significantly higher. In summary, active and passive smoking in patients with essential hypertension may be associated with a higher calcification index of carotid arteries.

  9. [Essential hypertension and stress. When do yoga, psychotherapy and autogenic training help?].

    PubMed

    Herrmann, J M

    2002-05-09

    Psychosocial factors play an important role in the development and course of essential hypertension, although "stress" can account for only 10% of blood pressure variance. A variety of psychotherapeutic interventions, such as relaxation techniques (autogenic training or progressive muscular relaxation), behavioral therapy or biofeedback techniques, can lower elevated blood pressure by an average of 10 mmHg (systolic) and 5 mmHg (diastolic). As a "secondary effect", such measures may also prompt the hypertensive to adopt a more health-conscious lifestyle.

  10. Racial differences in red cell cation transport and their relationship to essential hypertension

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Woods, K.L.; Beevers, D.G.; West, M.J.

    1981-01-01

    Red cell cation transport has been studied in normotensive and essential hypertensive groups of white and black (West Indian) subjects. In vitro uptake of the potassium analogue 86Rb was measured during short-term incubation of erythrocytes in the presence and absence of ouabain. Sodium pump activity was significantly greater (p less than 0.0005) in white hypertensives than in white normotensives. No such difference was observed between black hypertensive and normotensives. 86Rb uptake was significantly lower in black than in white normotensive individuals; this racial differences was not due to a difference in sodium pump activity.

  11. A novel mechanism of angiotensin II-regulated placental vascular tone in the development of hypertension in preeclampsia.

    PubMed

    Gao, Qinqin; Tang, Jiaqi; Li, Na; Zhou, Xiuwen; Li, Yongmei; Liu, Yanping; Wu, Jue; Yang, Yuxian; Shi, Ruixiu; He, Axin; Li, Xiang; Zhang, Yingying; Chen, Jie; Zhang, Lubo; Sun, Miao; Xu, Zhice

    2017-05-09

    The present study tested the hypothesis that angiotensin II plays a role in the regulation of placental vascular tone, which contributes to hypertension in preeclampsia. Functional and molecular assays were performed in large and micro placental and non-placental vessels from humans and animals. In human placental vessels, angiotensin II induced vasoconstrictions in 78.7% vessels in 155 tests, as referenced to KCl-induced contractions. In contrast, phenylephrine only produced contractions in 3.0% of 133 tests. In non-placental vessels, phenylephrine induced contractions in 76.0% of 67 tests, whereas angiotensin II failed to produce contractions in 75 tests. Similar results were obtained in animal placental and non-placental vessels. Compared with non-placental vessels, angiotensin II receptors and β-adrenoceptors were significantly increased in placental vessels. Compared to the vessels from normal pregnancy, angiotensin II-induced vasoconstrictions were significantly reduced in preeclamptic placentas, which was associated with a decrease in angiotensin II receptors. In addition, angiotensin II and angiotensin converting enzyme in the maternal-placenta circulation in preeclampsia were increased, whereas angiotensin I and angiotensin1-7 concentrations were unchanged. The study demonstrates a selective effect of angiotensin II in maintaining placental vessel tension, which may play an important role in development of hypertension in preeclampsia.

  12. Increased Sensitivity to Angiotensin II is Present Postpartum in Women with History of Hypertensive Pregnancy

    PubMed Central

    Saxena, Aditi R.; Karumanchi, S. Ananth; Brown, Nancy J.; Royle, Caroline M.; McElrath, Thomas F.; Seely, Ellen W.

    2010-01-01

    Pregnancies complicated by new onset hypertension are associated with increased sensitivity to angiotensin II, but it is unclear if this sensitivity persists postpartum. We studied pressor response to infused angiotensin II in 25 normotensive postpartum women in both high and low sodium balance. Ten women had history of hypertensive pregnancy (five with preeclampsia; five with transient hypertension of pregnancy) and 15 women had history of uncomplicated, normotensive pregnancy. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, aldosterone and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) levels were measured before and after angiotensin II infusion in both dietary phases. In high sodium balance, women with history of hypertensive pregnancy were normotensive but had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures than controls (115 vs. 104 mmHg and 73 vs. 65 mmHg, respectively, p<0.05). Women with history of hypertensive pregnancy had pressor response to salt loading, demonstrated by increase in systolic blood pressure on high salt diet. They also had greater systolic pressor response (10 vs. 2 mmHg, p=0.03), greater increase in aldosterone (56.8 vs. 30.8 ng/dL, p=0.03) and increase in sFlt-1 levels (11.0 vs. -18.9 pg/mL, p=0.02) after infusion of angiotensin II in low sodium balance, compared with controls. Thus, women with history of hypertensive pregnancy demonstrated salt sensitivity of blood pressure and had increased pressor, adrenal and sFlt-1 responses to infused angiotensin II in low sodium balance. Increased sensitivity to angiotensin II observed during pregnancy in women with hypertensive pregnancy is present postpartum; this feature may contribute to future cardiovascular risk in these women. PMID:20308605

  13. LCZ696, Angiotensin II Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor, Ameliorates High-Salt-Induced Hypertension and Cardiovascular Injury More Than Valsartan Alone.

    PubMed

    Kusaka, Hiroaki; Sueta, Daisuke; Koibuchi, Nobutaka; Hasegawa, Yu; Nakagawa, Takashi; Lin, BoWen; Ogawa, Hisao; Kim-Mitsuyama, Shokei

    2015-12-01

    LCZ696, an angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor, has recently been demonstrated to exert more beneficial effects on hypertensive or heart failure patients than conventional renin-angiotensin system blockers. However, the mechanism underlying the benefit of LCZ696 remains to be understood. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of LCZ696 compared with valsartan on hypertension and cardiovascular injury. (i) Using telemetry, we compared the hypotensive effect of LCZ696 and valsartan in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) that were fed a high-salt diet followed by a low-salt diet. (ii) We also examined the comparative effect of LCZ696 and valsartan on salt loaded SHRcp, a model of metabolic syndrome. (i) LCZ696 exerted a greater blood pressure (BP) lowering effect than valsartan in SHR regardless of high-salt or low-salt intake. Additive BP reduction by LCZ696 was associated with a significant increase in urinary sodium excretion and sympathetic activity suppression. (ii) LCZ696 significantly ameliorated cardiac hypertrophy and inflammation, coronary arterial remodeling, and vascular endothelial dysfunction in high-salt loaded SHRcp compared with valsartan. LCZ696 caused greater BP reduction than valsartan in SHR regardless of the degree of salt intake, which was associated with a significant enhancement in urinary sodium excretion and sympathetic activity suppression. Furthermore, an additive BP lowering effect of LCZ696 led to greater cardiovascular protection in hypertensive rats. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  14. Association of insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene among Malay male hypertensive subjects in response to ACE inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Heidari, Farzad; Vasudevan, Ramachandran; Mohd Ali, Siti Zubaidah; Ismail, Patimah; Etemad, Ali; Pishva, Seyyed Reza; Othman, Fauziah; Abu Bakar, Suhaili

    2015-12-01

    Several studies show that the insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been associated with hypertension in various populations. The present study sought to determine the association of the I/D gene polymorphism among Malay male essential hypertensive subjects in response to ACE inhibitors (enalapril and lisinopril). A total of 72 patients with newly diagnosed hypertension and 72 healthy subjects were recruited in this study. Blood pressure was recorded from 0 to 24 weeks of treatment with enalapril or lisinopril. Genotyping of the I/D polymorphism was carried out using a standard PCR method. Statistically significant association of the D allele of the ACE gene was observed between the case and control subjects (p < 0.01). There was a decrease in blood pressure in the patients carrying the DD genotype (SBP=18.5±8.1 mmHg, DBP=15.29±7.1 mmHg) rather than the ID (SBP=4.1±3.3 mmHg, DBP=9.1±3.5 mmHg) and II genotypes (SBP= 3.0±0.2 mmHg, DBP 0.11±6.1 mmHg) of the ACE gene. Patients carrying the DD genotype had higher blood pressure-lowering response when treated with ACE inhibitors enalapril or lisinopril than those carrying ID and II genotypes, suggesting that the D allele may be a possible genetic marker for essential hypertension among Malay male subjects. © The Author(s) 2014.

  15. Maternal Gestational Hypertension-Induced Sensitization of Angiotensin II Hypertension Is Reversed by Renal Denervation or Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition in Rat Offspring.

    PubMed

    Xue, Baojian; Yin, Haifeng; Guo, Fang; Beltz, Terry G; Thunhorst, Robert L; Johnson, Alan Kim

    2017-04-01

    Numerous findings demonstrate that there is a strong association between maternal health during pregnancy and cardiovascular disease in adult offspring. The purpose of the present study was to test whether maternal gestational hypertension modulates brain renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and proinflammatory cytokines that sensitizes angiotensin II-elicited hypertensive response in adult offspring. In addition, the role of renal nerves and the RAAS in the sensitization process was investigated. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses of structures of the lamina terminalis and paraventricular nucleus indicated upregulation of mRNA expression of several RAAS components and proinflammatory cytokines in 10-week-old male offspring of hypertensive dams. Most of these increases were significantly inhibited by either renal denervation performed at 8 weeks of age or treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, in drinking water starting at weaning. When tested beginning at 10 weeks of age, a pressor dose of angiotensin II resulted in enhanced upregulation of mRNA expression of RAAS components and proinflammatory cytokines in the lamina terminalis and paraventricular nucleus and an augmented pressor response in male offspring of hypertensive dams. The augmented blood pressure change and most of the increases in gene expression in the offspring were abolished by either renal denervation or captopril. The results suggest that maternal hypertension during pregnancy enhances pressor responses to angiotensin II through overactivity of renal nerves and the RAAS in male offspring and that upregulation of the brain RAAS and proinflammatory cytokines in these offspring may contribute to maternal gestational hypertension-induced sensitization of the hypertensive response to angiotensin II. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

  16. INTRARENAL GHRELIN RECEPTOR INHIBITION AMELIORATES ANGIOTENSIN II-DEPENDENT HYPERTENSION IN RATS.

    PubMed

    Kemp, Brandon A; Howell, Nancy L; Padia, Shetal H

    2018-06-20

    The intrarenal ghrelin receptor (GR) is localized to collecting duct (CD) cells where it increases αENaC-dependent sodium reabsorption in rodents. We hypothesized that chronic GR inhibition with intrarenal GR siRNA lowers blood pressure (BP) in Angiotensin II-dependent hypertension via reductions in αENaC-dependent sodium reabsorption. Uninephrectomized Sprague-Dawley rats (N=121) received subcutaneous osmotic pumps for chronic systemic delivery of Angiotensin II or vehicle (5% dextrose in water). Rats also received intrarenal infusion of vehicle, GR siRNA, or scrambled (SCR) siRNA. In rats receiving intrarenal vehicle or intrarenal SCR siRNA, systemic Angiotensin II infusion increased sodium retention and BP on day 1, and BP remained elevated throughout the 5-day study. These rats also demonstrated increased CD GR expression after 5 days of infusion. However, intrarenal GR siRNA infusion prevented Angiotensin II-mediated sodium retention on day 1, induced a continuously negative cumulative sodium balance compared with Angiotensin II alone, and reduced BP chronically. Glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow remained unchanged in GR siRNA-infused rats. Systemic Angiotensin II infusion also increased serum aldosterone levels, CD αENaC and pSGK1 expression in rats with intrarenal SCR siRNA; however these effects were not observed in the presence of intrarenal GR siRNA, despite exposure to the same systemic Angiotensin II. These data demonstrate that chronic inhibition of intrarenal GR activity significantly reduces αENaC -dependent sodium retention, resulting in a negative cumulative sodium balance, thereby ameliorating Angiotensin II-induced hypertension in rats. Renal GRs represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension and other sodium-retaining states.

  17. Effects of olmesartan on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system for patients with essential hypertension after cardiac surgery--investigation using a candesartan change-over study.

    PubMed

    Sezai, Akira; Soma, Masayoshi; Hata, Mitsumasa; Yoshitake, Isamu; Unosawa, Satoshi; Wakui, Shinji; Shiono, Motomi

    2011-01-01

    Various angiotensin II receptor blockers are widely used for the treatment of hypertension in recent years. The results of large-scale clinical studies have shown that they have various efficacies: not only hypotensive effects but also organ protective effects. In this study, the effects of a change-over from candesartan to olmesartan on renin-angiotensin-aldsterone system, cardiomegaly and peripheral circulation were studied. Participants enrolled in this trial were outpatients with essential hypertension after cardiac surgery who had received candesartan for more than one year. Fifty-six patients switched from candesartan to olmesartan. The primary endpoints were 1) renin activity, angiotensin II, aldosterone, and 2) left ventricular mass index (LVMI). It was clear that angiotensin II and aldosterone are decreased by the potent hypotensive effects of olmesartan in a change-over from candesartan to olmesartan. Since LVMI and BNP were decreased, inhibitory effects on myocardial hypertrophy were also confirmed. In the present study, left ventricular hypertrophy and on arterial compliance were inhibited by a decrease in angiotensin II and aldosterone due to the change-over to olmesartan. In the future, protective effects on organs will be clarified by long-term observations.

  18. Homology modeling, binding site identification and docking study of human angiotensin II type I (Ang II-AT1) receptor.

    PubMed

    Vyas, Vivek K; Ghate, Manjunath; Patel, Kinjal; Qureshi, Gulamnizami; Shah, Surmil

    2015-08-01

    Ang II-AT1 receptors play an important role in mediating virtually all of the physiological actions of Ang II. Several drugs (SARTANs) are available, which can block the AT1 receptor effectively and lower the blood pressure in the patients with hypertension. Currently, there is no experimental Ang II-AT1 structure available; therefore, in this study we modeled Ang II-AT1 receptor structure using homology modeling followed by identification and characterization of binding sites and thereby assessing druggability of the receptor. Homology models were constructed using MODELLER and I-TASSER server, refined and validated using PROCHECK in which 96.9% of 318 residues were present in the favoured regions of the Ramachandran plots. Various Ang II-AT1 receptor antagonist drugs are available in the market as antihypertensive drug, so we have performed docking study with the binding site prediction algorithms to predict different binding pockets on the modeled proteins. The identification of 3D structures and binding sites for various known drugs will guide us for the structure-based drug design of novel compounds as Ang II-AT1 receptor antagonists for the treatment of hypertension. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  19. Cluster analysis: a new approach for identification of underlying risk factors for coronary artery disease in essential hypertensive patients.

    PubMed

    Guo, Qi; Lu, Xiaoni; Gao, Ya; Zhang, Jingjing; Yan, Bin; Su, Dan; Song, Anqi; Zhao, Xi; Wang, Gang

    2017-03-07

    Grading of essential hypertension according to blood pressure (BP) level may not adequately reflect clinical heterogeneity of hypertensive patients. This study was carried out to explore clinical phenotypes in essential hypertensive patients using cluster analysis. This study recruited 513 hypertensive patients and evaluated BP variations with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Four distinct hypertension groups were identified using cluster analysis: (1) younger male smokers with relatively high BP had the most severe carotid plaque thickness but no coronary artery disease (CAD); (2) older women with relatively low diastolic BP had more diabetes; (3) non-smokers with a low systolic BP level had neither diabetes nor CAD; (4) hypertensive patients with BP reverse dipping were most likely to have CAD but had least severe carotid plaque thickness. In binary logistic analysis, reverse dipping was significantly associated with prevalence of CAD. Cluster analysis was shown to be a feasible approach for investigating the heterogeneity of essential hypertension in clinical studies. BP reverse dipping might be valuable for prediction of CAD in hypertensive patients when compared with carotid plaque thickness. However, large-scale prospective trials with more information of plaque morphology are necessary to further compare the predicative power between BP dipping pattern and carotid plaque.

  20. Cluster analysis: a new approach for identification of underlying risk factors for coronary artery disease in essential hypertensive patients

    PubMed Central

    Guo, Qi; Lu, Xiaoni; Gao, Ya; Zhang, Jingjing; Yan, Bin; Su, Dan; Song, Anqi; Zhao, Xi; Wang, Gang

    2017-01-01

    Grading of essential hypertension according to blood pressure (BP) level may not adequately reflect clinical heterogeneity of hypertensive patients. This study was carried out to explore clinical phenotypes in essential hypertensive patients using cluster analysis. This study recruited 513 hypertensive patients and evaluated BP variations with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Four distinct hypertension groups were identified using cluster analysis: (1) younger male smokers with relatively high BP had the most severe carotid plaque thickness but no coronary artery disease (CAD); (2) older women with relatively low diastolic BP had more diabetes; (3) non-smokers with a low systolic BP level had neither diabetes nor CAD; (4) hypertensive patients with BP reverse dipping were most likely to have CAD but had least severe carotid plaque thickness. In binary logistic analysis, reverse dipping was significantly associated with prevalence of CAD. Cluster analysis was shown to be a feasible approach for investigating the heterogeneity of essential hypertension in clinical studies. BP reverse dipping might be valuable for prediction of CAD in hypertensive patients when compared with carotid plaque thickness. However, large-scale prospective trials with more information of plaque morphology are necessary to further compare the predicative power between BP dipping pattern and carotid plaque. PMID:28266630

  1. Endothelial Mineralocorticoid Receptor Mediates Parenchymal Arteriole and Posterior Cerebral Artery Remodeling During Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Diaz-Otero, Janice M; Fisher, Courtney; Downs, Kelsey; Moss, M Elizabeth; Jaffe, Iris Z; Jackson, William F; Dorrance, Anne M

    2017-12-01

    The brain is highly susceptible to injury caused by hypertension because the increased blood pressure causes artery remodeling that can limit cerebral perfusion. Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonism prevents hypertensive cerebral artery remodeling, but the vascular cell types involved have not been defined. In the periphery, the endothelial MR mediates hypertension-induced vascular injury, but cerebral and peripheral arteries are anatomically distinct; thus, these findings cannot be extrapolated to the brain. The parenchymal arterioles determine cerebrovascular resistance. Determining the effects of hypertension and MR signaling on these arterioles could lead to a better understanding of cerebral small vessel disease. We hypothesized that endothelial MR signaling mediates inward cerebral artery remodeling and reduced cerebral perfusion during angiotensin II (AngII) hypertension. The biomechanics of the parenchymal arterioles and posterior cerebral arteries were studied in male C57Bl/6 and endothelial cell-specific MR knockout mice and their appropriate controls using pressure myography. AngII increased plasma aldosterone and decreased cerebral perfusion in C57Bl/6 and MR-intact littermates. Endothelial cell MR deletion improved cerebral perfusion in AngII-treated mice. AngII hypertension resulted in inward hypotrophic remodeling; this was prevented by MR antagonism and endothelial MR deletion. Our studies suggest that endothelial cell MR mediates hypertensive remodeling in the cerebral microcirculation and large pial arteries. AngII-induced inward remodeling of cerebral arteries and arterioles was associated with a reduction in cerebral perfusion that could worsen the outcome of stroke or contribute to vascular dementia. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

  2. Detection of essential hypertension with physiological signals from wearable devices.

    PubMed

    Ghosh, Arindam; Torres, Juan Manuel Mayor; Danieli, Morena; Riccardi, Giuseppe

    2015-08-01

    Early detection of essential hypertension can support the prevention of cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of death. The traditional method of identification of hypertension involves periodic blood pressure measurement using brachial cuff-based measurement devices. While these devices are non-invasive, they require manual setup for each measurement and they are not suitable for continuous monitoring. Research has shown that physiological signals such as Heart Rate Variability, which is a measure of the cardiac autonomic activity, is correlated with blood pressure. Wearable devices capable of measuring physiological signals such as Heart Rate, Galvanic Skin Response, Skin Temperature have recently become ubiquitous. However, these signals are not accurate and are prone to noise due to different artifacts. In this paper a) we present a data collection protocol for continuous non-invasive monitoring of physiological signals from wearable devices; b) we implement signal processing techniques for signal estimation; c) we explore how the continuous monitoring of these physiological signals can be used to identify hypertensive patients; d) We conduct a pilot study with a group of normotensive and hypertensive patients to test our techniques. We show that physiological signals extracted from wearable devices can distinguish between these two groups with high accuracy.

  3. Evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of fixed-dose combination therapy of azilsartan and amlodipine besylate in Japanese patients with grade I to II essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Rakugi, Hiromi; Nakata, Emi; Sasaki, Emma; Kagawa, Tomoya

    2014-05-01

    Guidelines for the management of hypertension recommend using drugs with different mechanisms of action in antihypertensive regimens that include simple single-pill fixed-dose combination (FDC) products. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and tolerability of the FDC of azilsartan (AZI) and amlodipine besylate (AML) with those of AZI monotherapy and AML monotherapy in Japanese patients with grade 1 to 2 essential hypertension. This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. After receiving placebo during a 4-week run-in period in a single-blind manner, patients were randomized to receive 1 of the following 5 treatments for 8 weeks: FDC containing AZI 20 mg and AML 5 mg (AZI/AML 20/5 mg), FDC containing AZI 20 mg and AML 2.5 mg (AZI/AML 20/2.5 mg), AZI 20 mg, AML 5 mg, or AML 2.5 mg once daily in a fasting or fed state. The primary end point was the change from baseline (week 0) in the seated trough diastolic blood pressure at week 8 (last observation carried forward [LOCF]), and the secondary end point was the change from baseline in the seated trough systolic blood pressure at week 8 (LOCF). Tolerability was assessed based on adverse events, vital signs, and physical examination findings. Of the 800 patients who provided informed consent, 603 were randomized to receive AZI/AML 20/5 mg (150 patients), AZI/AML 20/2.5 mg (151 patients), AZI 20 mg (151 patients), AML 5 mg (75 patients), or AML 2.5 mg (76 patients). The mean baseline systolic/diastolic blood pressure was 160.7/100.3 mm Hg. The mean change from baseline in seated blood pressure at week 8 (LOCF) was -35.3/-22.3 mm Hg in the AZI/AML 20/5 mg group and -31.4/-19.2 mm Hg in the AZI/AML 20/2.5 mg group, indicating a reduction significantly greater than that in corresponding monotherapy groups (-21.5/-13.9 mm Hg in the AZI 20 mg group, -26.4/-15.5 mm Hg in the AML 5 mg group, and -19.3/-11.6 mm Hg in the AML 2.5 mg group; p < 0.0001 for all contrast tests). No

  4. Role of inflammation in the development of renal damage and dysfunction in Angiotensin II-induced hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Liao, Tang-Dong; Yang, Xiao-Ping; Liu, Yun-He; Shesely, Edward G.; Cavasin, Maria A.; Kuziel, William A.; Pagano, Patrick J.; Carretero, Oscar A.

    2008-01-01

    Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension is associated with an inflammatory response that may contribute to development of target organ damage. We tested the hypothesis that in Angiotensin II-induced hypertension, CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) activation plays an important role in development of renal fibrosis, damage and dysfunction by causing: a) oxidative stress, b) macrophage infiltration, and c) cell proliferation. To test this hypothesis we used CCR2 knockout mice (CCR2−/−). The natural ligand of CCR2 is monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a chemokine important for macrophage recruitment and activation. CCR2−/− and age-matched wild-type (CCR2+/+) C57BL/6J mice were infused continuously with either Ang II (5.2 ng/10 g/min) or vehicle via osmotic mini-pumps for 2 or 4 weeks. Ang II infusion caused similar increases in systolic blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy in both strains of mice. However, in CCR2−/− mice with Ang II-induced hypertension, oxidative stress, macrophage infiltration, albuminuria and renal damage were significantly decreased and glomerular filtration rate was significantly higher than in CCR2+/+ mice. We concluded that in Ang II-induced hypertension, CCR2 activation plays an important role in development of hypertensive nephropathy via increased oxidative stress and inflammation. PMID:18541733

  5. Dependence of morphological changes of the carotid arteries on essential hypertension and accompanying risk factors.

    PubMed

    Zizek, B; Poredos, P

    2002-03-01

    to evaluate morphological changes (intima-media thickness, IMT) of the carotid arteries in patients being treated for essential hypertension (EH), and to discover whether this abnormality can be detected in normotensive offspring of subjects with EH (familial trait, FT); and to investigate the interrelationship between IMT and accompanying risk factors. cross-sectional study. angiology department, university teaching hospital. the study encompassed 172 subjects, of whom 46 were treated hypertonics aged 40-55 (49) years, and 44 age matched, normotensive volunteers as controls. We also investigated 41 normotensives with FT for essential hypertension aged 20-30 (25) years and 41 age- and sex-matched controls without FT. the hypertensive subjects were being treated either with long-acting calcium-channel antagonists or ACE-inhibitors. using high resolution ultrasound, IMT of the carotid bifurcation and of the common carotid artery was measured. In the hypertensives, the mean IMT was greater than that in the controls (0.92 (0.10) mm vs 0.72 (0.07) mm; p<0.00005). The IMT was independently related to accompanying risk factors: a positive family history of hypertension, age of the patient, duration of EH and the level of systolic/diastolic blood pressure (BP), body mass index and total/LDL-cholesterol. In subjects with FT, IMT was also greater compared to the control group (0.60 (0.05) mm vs 0.55 (0.04) mm; p<0.00005). IMT was not related to BP values. In treated essential patients with the EH, the IMT was increased. Individuals with FT also had greater IMT in the absence of elevated BP. The IMT in hypertensives was related to accompanying risk factors, which could be pathogenetic determinants of EH and/or its complications.

  6. CHBPR: ANGIOTENSIN II, INDEPENDENT OF PLASMA RENIN ACTIVITY, CONTRIBUTES TO THE HYPERTENSION OF AUTONOMIC FAILURE

    PubMed Central

    Arnold, Amy C.; Okamoto, Luis E.; Gamboa, Alfredo; Shibao, Cyndya; Raj, Satish R.; Robertson, David; Biaggioni, Italo

    2013-01-01

    At least half of primary autonomic failure patients exhibit supine hypertension, despite profound impairments in sympathetic activity. While the mechanisms underlying this hypertension are unknown, plasma renin activity is often undetectable suggesting renin-angiotensin pathways are not involved. However, because aldosterone levels are preserved, we tested the hypothesis that angiotensin II is intact and contributes to the hypertension of autonomic failure. Indeed, circulating angiotensin II was paradoxically increased in hypertensive autonomic failure patients (52±5 pg/ml, n=11) compared to matched healthy controls (27±4 pg/ml, n=10; p=0.002), despite similarly low renin activity (0.19±0.06 versus 0.34±0.13 ng/ml/hr, respectively; p=0.449). To determine the contribution of angiotensin II to supine hypertension in these patients, we administered the AT1 receptor blocker losartan (50 mg) at bedtime in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (n=11). Losartan maximally reduced systolic blood pressure by 32±11 mmHg at 6 hours after administration (p<0.05), decreased nocturnal urinary sodium excretion (p=0.0461), and did not worsen morning orthostatic tolerance. In contrast, there was no effect of the captopril on supine blood pressure in a subset of these patients. These findings suggest that angiotensin II formation in autonomic failure is independent of plasma renin activity, and perhaps angiotensin converting enzyme. Furthermore, these studies suggest that elevations in angiotensin II contribute to the hypertension of autonomic failure, and provide rationale for the use of AT1 receptor blockers for treatment of these patients. PMID:23266540

  7. Central cardiovascular action of urotensin II in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

    PubMed

    Lin, Yingzi; Tsuchihashi, Takuya; Matsumura, Kiyoshi; Fukuhara, Masayo; Ohya, Yusuke; Fujii, Koji; Iida, Mitsuo

    2003-10-01

    We have previously reported that urotensin II acts on the central nervous system to increase blood pressure in normotensive rats. In the present study, we have determined the central cardiovascular action of urotensin II in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of urotensin II elicited a dose-dependent increase in blood pressure in both SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The changes in mean arterial pressure induced by ICV urotensin II at doses of 1 and 10 nmol in the WKY were 8 +/- 2 and 23 +/- 3 mmHg, respectively. ICV administration of urotensin II caused significantly greater increases in blood pressure in SHR (16 +/- 3 mmHg at 1 nmol and 35 +/- 3 mmHg at 10 nmol, respectively) compared with those in WKY. Urotensin II (10 nmol) elicited significant and comparable increases in heart rate in SHR (107 +/- 10 bpm) and WKY (101 +/- 21 bpm). Plasma epinephrine concentrations after ICV administration of 10 nmol urotensin II were 203 +/- 58 pmol/ml in SHR and 227 +/- 47 pmol/ml in WKY, which tended to be higher than those in artificial cerebrospinal fluid-injected rats (73+/- 7 and 87 +/- 28 pmol/ml, respectively, p < 0.1). The immunoreactivity of urotensin II receptor GPR 14 was expressed extensively in the glial cells within the brainstem, hypothalamus, and thalamus. These results suggest that central urotensin II may play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension in SHR. Since GPR 14 was expressed in the glial cells of the brain, urotensin II may act as a neuromodulator to regulate blood pressure.

  8. Anti-inflammatory Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Inhibitors in Angiotensin-II Dependent Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Ulu, Arzu; Harris, Todd R; Morisseau, Christophe; Miyabe, Christina; Inoue, Hiromi; Schuster, Gertrud; Dong, Hua; Iosif, Ana-Maria; Liu, Jun-Yan; Weiss, Robert H; Chiamvimonvat, Nipavan; Imig, John D; Hammock, Bruce D

    2013-01-01

    The mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive effects of long chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are still unclear. The epoxides of an ω-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid (epoxyeicosatrienoic acids; EETs) also exhibit anti-hypertensive and anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, we hypothesized that the major ω-3 PUFAs including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may lower blood pressure and attenuate renal markers of inflammation through their epoxide metabolites. Here, we supplemented mice with an ω-3 rich diet for three weeks in a murine model of angiotensin-II dependent hypertension. Also, since EPA and DHA epoxides are metabolized by soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), we tested the combination of a sEH inhibitor and the ω-3 rich diet. Our results show that ω-3 rich diet in combination with the sEH inhibitor lowered Ang-II increased blood pressure, further increased renal levels of EPA and DHA epoxides, reduced renal markers of inflammation (i.e. prostaglandins and MCP-1), down-regulated an epithelial sodium channel and up-regulated Angiotensin converting enzyme-2 message (ACE-2) and significantly modulated cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolic pathways. Overall, our findings suggest that epoxides of the ω-3 PUFAs contribute to lowering SBP and attenuating inflammation in part by reduced prostaglandins and MCP-1 and by up-regulation of ACE-2 in angiotensin-II dependent hypertension. PMID:23676336

  9. Biofeedback and Self-Regulation in Essential Hypertension.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1977-09-20

    SI n.c... ~ y aid ld.ruity by Mock numb.,) Biofeedback Operant condition ing Behav i oral factors in hypertension Re l axa ti on Meditation • 20...preliminary findings of a clini- cal study in which two types of biofeedback training were compared to a form of meditation in the treatment of borderline...behav ioral methods not involving the use of complex feedback techniques include progressive relaxation, medita- tion, yogic practices, autogenic

  10. Increased sensitivity to angiotensin II is present postpartum in women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy.

    PubMed

    Saxena, Aditi R; Karumanchi, S Ananth; Brown, Nancy J; Royle, Caroline M; McElrath, Thomas F; Seely, Ellen W

    2010-05-01

    Pregnancies complicated by new-onset hypertension are associated with increased sensitivity to angiotensin II, but it is unclear whether this sensitivity persists postpartum. We studied pressor response to infused angiotensin II in 25 normotensive postpartum women in both high- and low-sodium balance. Ten women had a history of hypertensive pregnancy (5 with preeclampsia; 5 with transient hypertension of pregnancy), and 15 women had a history of uncomplicated, normotensive pregnancy. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, aldosterone, and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 levels were measured before and after angiotensin II infusion in both dietary phases. In high sodium balance, women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy were normotensive but had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures than controls (115 versus 104 mm Hg and 73 versus 65 mm Hg, respectively; P<0.05). Women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy had a pressor response to salt loading, demonstrated by an increase in systolic blood pressure on a high-salt diet. They also had greater systolic pressor response (10 versus 2 mm Hg; P=0.03), greater increase in aldosterone (56.8 versus 30.8 ng/dL; P=0.03), and increase in soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 levels (11.0 versus -18.9 pg/mL; P=0.02) after infusion of angiotensin II in low-sodium balance compared with controls. Thus, women with a history of hypertensive pregnancy demonstrated salt sensitivity of blood pressure and had increased pressor, adrenal, and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 responses to infused angiotensin II in low-sodium balance. Increased sensitivity to angiotensin II observed during pregnancy in women with hypertensive pregnancy is present postpartum; this feature may contribute to future cardiovascular risk in these women.

  11. Src Family Kinases (SFK) Mediate Angiotensin II-Induced Myosin Light Chain Phosphorylation and Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Qin, Bo; Zhou, Junlan

    2015-01-01

    Angiotensin (Ang) II is the major bioactive peptide of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS); it contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension by inducing vascular contraction and adverse remodeling, thus elevated peripheral resistance. Ang II also activates Src family kinases (SFK) in the vascular system, which has been implicated in cell proliferation and migration. However, the role of SFK in Ang II-induced hypertension is largely unknown. In this study, we found that administration of a SFK inhibitor SU6656 markedly lowered the level of systemic BP in Ang II-treated mice, which was associated with an attenuated phosphorylation of the smooth-muscle myosin-light-chain (MLC) in the mesenteric resistant arteries. In the cultured human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs), pretreatment with SU6656 blocked Ang II-induced MLC phosphorylation and contraction. These results for the first time demonstrate that SFK directly regulate vascular contractile machinery to influence BP. Thus our study provides an additional mechanistic link between Ang II and vasoconstriction via SFK-enhanced MLC phosphorylation in SMCs, and suggests that targeted inhibition of Src may provide a new therapeutic opportunity in the treatment of hypertension.

  12. [Various immunological aspects of essential and symptomatic hypertension].

    PubMed

    Shkhvatsabaia, I K; Rudnev, V I; Suvorov, Iu I; Domba, G Iu; Osipov, S G

    1988-01-01

    131 patients with essential hypertension (EH) and 30 patients with secondary hypertension (SH) of renal genesis were examined, all of them Russian inhabitants of Moscow, aged 20-56. In patients with EH increased rate of HLA-B13 and B22 antigens was determined. The highest rate of HLA-B13 antigen in this group was registered in patients without IHD, while patients with IHD had the highest rate of HLA-B22 antigen compared to controls. Patients with SH demonstrated no significant difference in HLA antigens distribution from that in controls. Besides, patients with EH had significantly increased serum concentration of circulating immune complexes (CIC), of IgA and beta 2-microglobulins as well as of three complement components (C3c, C4 and B factor). Similar changes were observed in patients with SH, excluding CIC and C3c, concentration of which did not differ from that in the control group. No strict dependence between the level of immunity humoral factors and presence of HLA-B13 and -B22 antigens was observed. The data gained suggest possible association of HLA system with EH development.

  13. Brain-Mediated Dysregulation of the Bone Marrow Activity in Angiotensin II-induced Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Jun, Joo Yun; Zubcevic, Jasenka; Qi, Yanfei; Afzal, Aqeela; Carvajal, Jessica Marulanda; Thinschmidt, Jeffrey S; Grant, Maria B.; Mocco, J; Raizada, Mohan K

    2012-01-01

    Oxidative stress in the brain is implicated in increased sympathetic drive, inflammatory status and vascular dysfunctions, associated with development and establishment of hypertension. However, little is known about the mechanism of this impaired brain-vascular communication. Here, we tested the hypothesis that increased oxidative stress in the brain cardioregulatory areas, such as the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus, is driven by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) and leads to increased inflammatory cells (ICs) and decreased/dysfunctional endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), thereby compromising vasculature repair and accelerating hypertension. Chronic angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion resulted in elevated blood pressure and sympathetic vasomotor drive, decreased spontaneous baroreflex gain, and increased microglia activation in the PVN. This was associated with 46% decrease in BM EPCs and 250% increase in BM ICs, resulting in 5 fold decrease of EPCs/ICs ratio in the BM. Treatment with mitoTEMPO, a scavenger of mitochondrial O2−• intracerebroventricularly but not subcutaneously, attenuated Ang II-induced hypertension, decreased activation of microglia in the PVN, and normalized EPCs/ICs. This functional communication between the brain and BM was confirmed by retrograde neuronal labeling from the BM with GFP-tagged pseudorabies virus (PRV). Administration of GFP-PRV into the BM resulted in predominant labeling of PVN neurons within 3 days, with some fluorescence in the NTS, RVLM and SFO. Taken together, these data demonstrate that inhibition of mitochondrial ROS attenuates Ang II-induced hypertension and corrects the imbalance in EPCs/ICs in the BM. They suggest that an imbalance in vascular reparative and ICs may perpetuate vascular pathophysiology in this model of hypertension. PMID:23045460

  14. Angiotensin II receptor blocker-based therapy in Japanese elderly, high-risk, hypertensive patients.

    PubMed

    Ogawa, Hisao; Kim-Mitsuyama, Shokei; Matsui, Kunihiko; Jinnouchi, Tomio; Jinnouchi, Hideaki; Arakawa, Kikuo

    2012-10-01

    It is unknown whether high-dose angiotensin II receptor blocker therapy or angiotensin II receptor blocker + calcium channel blocker combination therapy is better in elderly hypertensive patients with high cardiovascular risk. The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy of these treatments in elderly, high-risk Japanese hypertensive patients. The OlmeSartan and Calcium Antagonists Randomized (OSCAR) study was a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-end point study of 1164 hypertensive patients aged 65 to 84 years with type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Patients with uncontrolled hypertension during treatment with olmesartan 20 mg/d were randomly assigned to receive 40 mg/d olmesartan (high-dose angiotensin II receptor blocker) or a calcium channel blocker + 20 mg/d olmesartan (angiotensin II receptor blocker + calcium channel blocker). The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular events and noncardiovascular death. During a 3-year follow-up, blood pressure was significantly lower in the angiotensin II receptor blocker + calcium channel blocker group than in the high-dose angiotensin II receptor blocker group. Mean blood pressure at 36 months was 135.0/74.3 mm Hg in the high-dose angiotensin II receptor blocker group and 132.6/72.6 mm Hg in the angiotensin II receptor blocker + calcium channel blocker group. More primary end points occurred in the high-dose angiotensin II receptor blocker group than in the angiotensin II receptor blocker + calcium channel blocker group (58 vs 48 events, hazard ratio [HR], 1.31, 95% confidence interval, 0.89-1.92; P=.17). In patients with cardiovascular disease at baseline, more primary events occurred in the high-dose angiotensin II receptor blocker group (HR, 1.63, P=.03); in contrast, fewer events were observed in the subgroup without cardiovascular disease (HR, 0.52, P=.14). This treatment-by-subgroup interaction was significant (P=.02). The angiotensin II receptor blocker and

  15. Gender difference in the response to valsartan/amlodipine single-pill combination in essential hypertension (China Status II): An observational study

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Huan; Chen, Hui

    2016-01-01

    Background: The China STATUS II is a prospective, multicentre, open-label, post-marketing, observational study including Chinese adults (aged ⩾ 18 years) with essential hypertension who were prescribed once-daily valsartan/amlodipine (Val/Aml 80/5 mg) single-pill combination. In order to examine gender differences in treatment response to Val/Aml, we further analysed data from the China STATUS II study. Methods: A total of 11,312 patients (6456 (57%) men and 4856 (43%) women) received the Val/Aml treatment for 8 weeks. After the treatment, we compared the proportion of patients not achieving the target systolic blood pressure (SBP: < 140 mm Hg) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP: < 90 mm Hg) in different age groups (by Fisher exact probability test) and estimated the changes in blood pressure (BP) according to age and gender, using a mixed model. Results: At enrolment, mean SBP was higher in the female versus the male patients (160.0 ± 12.71 versus 159.3 ± 12.31 mm Hg; p = 0.003), whereas the mean DBP was higher in the male versus the female patients (96.4 ± 10.65 versus 94.5 ± 10.72 mm Hg; p < 0.001). The overall proportion of women not achieving the target BP was less than that of men (57.41% versus 59.59%; p < 0.05) at 4 weeks and (22.22% versus 23.78%; p < 0.05) at 8 weeks after the Val/Aml treatment. Among both men and women, the proportion of patients not achieving the target SBP increased with age; however, the proportion not achieving the target DBP decreased with age. The mixed-model analysis showed that the changes in SBP were closely related to gender, indicating that the SBP-lowering effect after Val/Aml treatment might be better in women. In addition, the changes in DBP were closely related to age. Conclusions: Gender might be a factor for consideration in the decision-making process of individualised antihypertensive therapy, in the future. PMID:27127102

  16. Gender difference in the response to valsartan/amlodipine single-pill combination in essential hypertension (China Status II): An observational study.

    PubMed

    Wang, Huan; Chen, Hui

    2016-01-01

    The China STATUS II is a prospective, multicentre, open-label, post-marketing, observational study including Chinese adults (aged ⩾ 18 years) with essential hypertension who were prescribed once-daily valsartan/amlodipine (Val/Aml 80/5 mg) single-pill combination. In order to examine gender differences in treatment response to Val/Aml, we further analysed data from the China STATUS II study. A total of 11,312 patients (6456 (57%) men and 4856 (43%) women) received the Val/Aml treatment for 8 weeks. After the treatment, we compared the proportion of patients not achieving the target systolic blood pressure (SBP: < 140 mm Hg) or diastolic blood pressure (DBP: < 90 mm Hg) in different age groups (by Fisher exact probability test) and estimated the changes in blood pressure (BP) according to age and gender, using a mixed model. At enrolment, mean SBP was higher in the female versus the male patients (160.0 ± 12.71 versus 159.3 ± 12.31 mm Hg; p = 0.003), whereas the mean DBP was higher in the male versus the female patients (96.4 ± 10.65 versus 94.5 ± 10.72 mm Hg; p < 0.001). The overall proportion of women not achieving the target BP was less than that of men (57.41% versus 59.59%; p < 0.05) at 4 weeks and (22.22% versus 23.78%; p < 0.05) at 8 weeks after the Val/Aml treatment. Among both men and women, the proportion of patients not achieving the target SBP increased with age; however, the proportion not achieving the target DBP decreased with age. The mixed-model analysis showed that the changes in SBP were closely related to gender, indicating that the SBP-lowering effect after Val/Aml treatment might be better in women. In addition, the changes in DBP were closely related to age. Gender might be a factor for consideration in the decision-making process of individualised antihypertensive therapy, in the future. © The Author(s) 2016.

  17. Oxidative stress exaggerates skeletal muscle contraction-evoked reflex sympathoexcitation in rats with hypertension induced by angiotensin II.

    PubMed

    Koba, Satoshi; Watanabe, Ryosuke; Kano, Naoko; Watanabe, Tatsuo

    2013-01-01

    Muscle contraction stimulates thin fiber muscle afferents and evokes reflex sympathoexcitation. In hypertension, this reflex is exaggerated. ANG II, which is elevated in hypertension, has been reported to trigger the production of superoxide and other reactive oxygen species. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that increased ANG II in hypertension exaggerates skeletal muscle contraction-evoked reflex sympathoexcitation by inducing oxidative stress in the muscle. In rats, subcutaneous infusion of ANG II at 450 ng·kg(-1)·min(-1) for 14 days significantly (P < 0.05) elevated blood pressure compared with sham-operated (sham) rats. Electrically induced 30-s hindlimb muscle contraction in decerebrate rats with hypertension evoked larger renal sympathoexcitatory and pressor responses [+1,173 ± 212 arbitrary units (AU) and +35 ± 5 mmHg, n = 10] compared with sham normotensive rats (+419 ± 103 AU and +13 ± 2 mmHg, n = 11). Tempol, a SOD mimetic, injected intra-arterially into the hindlimb circulation significantly reduced responses in hypertensive rats, whereas this compound had no effect on responses in sham rats. Tiron, another SOD mimetic, also significantly reduced reflex renal sympathetic and pressor responses in a subset of hypertensive rats (n = 10). Generation of muscle superoxide, as evaluated by dihydroethidium staining, was increased in hypertensive rats. RT-PCR and immunoblot experiments showed that mRNA and protein for gp91(phox), a NADPH oxidase subunit, in skeletal muscle tissue were upregulated in hypertensive rats. Taken together, hese results suggest that increased ANG II in hypertension induces oxidative stress in skeletal muscle, thereby exaggerating the muscle reflex.

  18. Tai Chi for Essential Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Jie; Feng, Bo; Yang, Xiaochen; Liu, Wei; Teng, Fei; Li, Shengjie; Xiong, Xingjiang

    2013-01-01

    Objectives. To assess the current clinical evidence of Tai Chi for essential hypertension (EH). Search Strategy. 7 electronic databases were searched until 20 April, 2013. Inclusion Criteria. We included randomized trials testing Tai Chi versus routine care or antihypertensive drugs. Trials testing Tai Chi combined with antihypertensive drugs versus antihypertensive drugs were also included. Data Extraction and Analyses. Study selection, data extraction, quality assessment, and data analyses were conducted according to the Cochrane standards. Results. 18 trials were included. Methodological quality of the trials was low. 14 trials compared Tai Chi with routine care. 1 trial compared Tai Chi with antihypertensive drugs. Meta-analysis all showed significant effect of TaiChi in lowering blood pressure (BP). 3 trials compared Tai Chi plus antihypertensive drugs with antihypertensive drugs. Positive results in BP were found in the other 2 combination groups. Most of the trials did not report adverse events, and the safety of Tai Chi is still uncertain. Conclusions. There is some encouraging evidence of Tai Chi for EH. However, due to poor methodological quality of included studies, the evidence remains weak. Rigorously designed trials are needed to confirm the evidence. PMID:23986780

  19. Renal denervation attenuates aldosterone expression and associated cardiovascular pathophysiology in angiotensin II-induced hypertension.

    PubMed

    Hong, Mo-Na; Li, Xiao-Dong; Chen, Dong-Rui; Ruan, Cheng-Chao; Xu, Jian-Zhong; Chen, Jing; Wu, Yong-Jie; Ma, Yu; Zhu, Ding-Liang; Gao, Ping-Jin

    2016-10-18

    The sympathetic nervous system interacts with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributing to cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we sought to determine if renal denervation (RDN) inhibits aldosterone expression and associated cardiovascular pathophysiological changes in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension. Bilateral RDN or SHAM operation was performed before chronic 14-day Ang II subcutaneous infusion (200ng/kg/min) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Bilateral RDN blunted Ang II-induced hypertension and ameliorated the mesenteric vascular dysfunction. Cardiovascular hypertrophy in response to Ang II was significantly attenuated by RDN as shown by histopathology and transthoracic echocardiography. Moreover, Ang II-induced vascular and myocardial inflammation and fibrosis were suppressed by RDN with concurrent decrease in fibronectin and collagen deposition, macrophage infiltration, and MCP-1 expression. Interestingly, RDN also inhibited Ang II-induced aldosterone expression in the plasma, kidney and heart. This was associated with the reduction of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the adrenal gland. Ang II promoted aldosterone secretion which was partly attenuated by CGRP in the adrenocortical cell line, suggesting a protective role of CGRP in this model. Activation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway was both inhibited by RDN especially in the heart. These results suggest that the regulation of the renal sympathetic nerve in Ang II-induced hypertension and associated cardiovascular pathophysiological changes is likely mediated by aldosterone, with CGRP involvement.

  20. Renal denervation attenuates aldosterone expression and associated cardiovascular pathophysiology in angiotensin II-induced hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Dong-Rui; Ruan, Cheng-Chao; Xu, Jian-Zhong; Chen, Jing; Wu, Yong-Jie; Ma, Yu; Zhu, Ding-Liang; Gao, Ping-Jin

    2016-01-01

    The sympathetic nervous system interacts with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributing to cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we sought to determine if renal denervation (RDN) inhibits aldosterone expression and associated cardiovascular pathophysiological changes in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension. Bilateral RDN or SHAM operation was performed before chronic 14-day Ang II subcutaneous infusion (200ng/kg/min) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Bilateral RDN blunted Ang II-induced hypertension and ameliorated the mesenteric vascular dysfunction. Cardiovascular hypertrophy in response to Ang II was significantly attenuated by RDN as shown by histopathology and transthoracic echocardiography. Moreover, Ang II-induced vascular and myocardial inflammation and fibrosis were suppressed by RDN with concurrent decrease in fibronectin and collagen deposition, macrophage infiltration, and MCP-1 expression. Interestingly, RDN also inhibited Ang II-induced aldosterone expression in the plasma, kidney and heart. This was associated with the reduction of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the adrenal gland. Ang II promoted aldosterone secretion which was partly attenuated by CGRP in the adrenocortical cell line, suggesting a protective role of CGRP in this model. Activation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway was both inhibited by RDN especially in the heart. These results suggest that the regulation of the renal sympathetic nerve in Ang II-induced hypertension and associated cardiovascular pathophysiological changes is likely mediated by aldosterone, with CGRP involvement. PMID:27661131

  1. Association of ACE gene A2350G and I/D polymorphisms with essential hypertension in the northernmost province of China.

    PubMed

    Sun, Feifei; He, Ning; Zhang, Keyong; Wu, Nan; Zhao, Jingbo; Qiu, Changchun

    2018-01-01

    Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene, as a strong candidate gene for essential hypertension(EH), has been extensively studied. In this study, we carried out a population-based case-control study to explore whether ACE gene I/D and A2350G polymorphisms could consider to be risk factors for EH. A total of 2040 subjeces were recruited from Chinese Han in this study, out of which 1010 were cases and 1030 were normotensive individuals. ACE gene A2350G and I/D polymorphisms were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and A2350G polymorphism was detected after restriction enzyme digestion with BstuI. Besides, we choosed 10% samples randomly sequencing to verify the accuracy of results. Genotype and allele frequencies distribution of I/D and A2350G in EH and control groups were significantly different. After grouped by sex or age, there were still statistical significances for two polymorphisms. In dominant and recessive model of A2350G, we found significant differences between two groups, respectively. For ACE I/D polymorphism, we observed that the existence of dramatical difference in dominant model between two groups, while in recessive model, marginally significant difference was found. Among the four haplotypes composed by ACE gene A2350G and I/D, haplotype G-D reached the statistical significance in two groups, and exhibited to be a risk factor for the development of EH, whose P < 0.001 and OR 95%CI = 1.639(1.435-1.872), while the other haplotypes were the protective factors and decreased the susceptibility to EH(P < 0.05). ACE gene A2350G and I/D polymorphisms were associated with increasing the risk of suffering from EH in the northernmost province of China individuals, with D allele and G allele individuals had a higher risk of EH(OR = 1.443, 95%CI = 1.273-1.636 and OR = 1.481, 95%CI = 1.303-1.684).

  2. Azilsartan medoxomil: a review of its use in hypertension.

    PubMed

    Perry, Caroline M

    2012-09-01

    Azilsartan medoxomil (Edarbi®; Ipreziv™) is an orally administered angiotensin II receptor type 1 antagonist (blocker) used in the treatment of adults with essential hypertension. This article reviews data on the clinical efficacy and tolerability of azilsartan medoxomil in adults with essential hypertension and provides a summary of its pharmacological properties. Azilsartan medoxomil is a prodrug that undergoes rapid hydrolysis in the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration to the bioactive moiety azilsartan, before systemic absorption. Azilsartan medoxomil produces antihypertensive effects by selectively blocking the binding of angiotensin II to the angiotensin type 1 (AT(1)) receptor, thereby antagonizing the pressor response activity of angiotensin II. In vitro, azilsartan produced greater and more sustained AT(1) receptor binding/blockade activity than several comparator angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Azilsartan medoxomil reduces blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive adults. In addition, the drug has been shown to have pleiotropic effects (i.e. effects beyond AT(1) receptor blockade). In adults with essential hypertension, azilsartan medoxomil 20, 40 or 80 mg effectively reduced BP over a 24-hour period with once-daily administration in three major, randomized, controlled trials in which the primary endpoints were changes from baseline in 24-hour mean systolic BP (SBP) at week 6 (two trials) or week 24, assessed by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). In the two 6-week trials, azilsartan medoxomil showed dose-dependent efficacy over all evaluated dosages and was more effective than placebo in lowering SBP. At the maximum approved dosage of 80 mg once daily, azilsartan medoxomil was significantly more effective than maximum dosages of olmesartan medoxomil (40 mg once daily) or valsartan (320 mg once daily), based on primary endpoint assessments. Mean reductions in clinic measurements of SBP and diastolic BP (DBP) measurements were also generally

  3. Efficacy and Tolerability of Nilvadipine in Combination with an Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist in Patients with Essential Hypertension: A Multicenter, Open-Label, Uncontrolled Study

    PubMed Central

    Noda, Keita; Ideishi, Munehito; Tashiro, Eiichiro; Nakashima, Yoshiyuki; Imamura, Mitsuhide; Seki, Masahiko; Fujino, Masanori; Sou, Toshimitsu; Kohara, Masaki; Kanaya, Hisashi; Saku, Nishiki; Kamei, Ritsu; Yamasaki, Misao; Sakai, Hiroshi; Gondo, Naoki; Saku, Keijiro

    2003-01-01

    Background: Combination therapy with different classes of antihypertensive drugs often is needed to achieve controlled blood pressure (BP). The combination of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (AIIA) and a calcium antagonist is a preferred option for reducing uncontrolled BP. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and tolerability of nilvadipine, a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, in combination with an AIIA. Methods: Patients with essential hypertension whose BP was not controlled by an AIIA alone were eligible for this multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled study. One of 3 AIIAs (candesartan cilexetil, losartan potassium, or valsartan) was given for at least 10 weeks before the addition of nilvadipine (daily dose, 4 or 8 mg orally). This combination therapy was given for 8 weeks. BP and heart rate were measured between 2 and 4 weeks before and 0, 4, and 8 weeks after the start of combination therapy. Adverse events were monitored at each visit. Results: Thirty-one patients (18 women [58.1%], 13 men [41.9%]; mean [SD] age, 58.5 [10.5] years) were enrolled. At weeks 4 and 8 of combination therapy, mean systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were significantly decreased (P<0.01) (at week 8, by 22.0 mm Hg and 12.5 mm Hg, respectively). The mean BP-lowering effect did not differ significantly between the 3 AIIAs tested. Pulse pressure also decreased significantly at week 8, by 9.6 mm Hg (P<0.01). The responder rate (ie, the percentage of patients with DBP <90 mm Hg or a decrease in DBP ≥10 mm Hg) was 72.0% at week 8. Three patients experienced a total of 4 adverse events: mild or severe flushing, mild headache, and mild palpitation. All of these symptoms resolved after nilvadipine treatment was discontinued. Conclusions: Nilvadipine in combination with an AIIA showed good antihypertensive efficacy and was well tolerated in the hypertensive patients in this study. This combination also significantly decreased pulse pressure

  4. Oxidative stress-related biomarkers in essential hypertension and ischemia-reperfusion myocardial damage.

    PubMed

    Rodrigo, Ramón; Libuy, Matías; Feliú, Felipe; Hasson, Daniel

    2013-01-01

    Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, with hypertension being a major risk factor. Numerous studies support the contribution of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the pathogenesis of hypertension, as well as other pathologies associated with ischemia/reperfusion. However, the validation of oxidative stress-related biomarkers in these settings is still lacking and novel association of these biomarkers and other biomarkers such as endothelial progenitor cells, endothelial microparticles, and ischemia modified albumin, is just emerging. Oxidative stress has been suggested as a pathogenic factor and therapeutic target in early stages of essential hypertension. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure correlated positively with plasma F2-isoprostane levels and negatively with total antioxidant capacity of plasma in hypertensive and normotensive patients. Cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation causes an ischemia/reperfusion event associated with increased lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation, two biomarkers associated with oxidative damage of cardiac tissue. An enhancement of the antioxidant defense system should contribute to ameliorating functional and structural abnormalities derived from this metabolic impairment. However, data have to be validated with the analysis of the appropriate oxidative stress and/or nitrosative stress biomarkers.

  5. Plk1 is essential for proper chromosome segregation during meiosis I/meiosis II transition in pig oocytes.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Zixiao; Chen, Changchao; Ma, Liying; Yu, Qiuchen; Li, Shuai; Abbasi, Benazir; Yang, Jiayi; Rui, Rong; Ju, Shiqiang

    2017-08-29

    Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), as a characteristic regulator in meiosis, organizes multiple biological events of cell division. Although Plk1 has been implicated in various functions in somatic cell mitotic processes, considerably less is known regarding its function during the transition from metaphase I (MI) to metaphase II (MII) stage in oocyte meiotic progression. In this study, the possible role of Plk1 during the MI-to-MII stage transition in pig oocytes was addressed. Initially, the spatiotemporal expression and subcellular localization pattern of Plk1 were revealed in pig oocytes from MI to MII stage using indirect immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy imaging techniques combined with western blot analyses. Moreover, a highly selective Plk1 inhibitor, GSK461364, was used to determine the potential role of Plk1 during this MI-to-MII transition progression. Upon expression, Plk1 exhibited a specific dynamic intracellular localization, and co-localization of Plk1 with α-tubulin was revealed in the meiotic spindle of pig oocyte during the transition from MI to MII stage. GSK461364 treatment significantly blocked the first polar body (pbI) emission in a dose-dependent manner and resulted in a failure of meiotic maturation, with a larger percentage of the GSK461364-treated oocytes arresting in the anaphase-telophase I (ATI) stage. Further subcellular structure examination results showed that inhibition of Plk1 with GSK461364 had no visible effect on spindle assembly but caused a significantly higher proportion of the treated oocytes to have obvious defects in homologous chromosome segregation at ATI stage. Thus, these results indicate that Plk1 plays an essential role during the meiosis I/meiosis II transition in porcine oocytes, and the regulation is associated with Plk1's effects on homologous chromosome segregation in the ATI stage.

  6. Risk factors for the development of essential hypertension in a Mongolian population of China: a case-control study.

    PubMed

    Dalai, N; Cui, H; Yan, M; Rile, G; Li, S; Su, X

    2014-04-29

    Lifestyle, habits, diet, and genetics are all important factors associated with the prevalence of hypertension. Many association studies have been performed in the Chinese Han population, whereas data explaining the high prevalence of hypertension in the Mongolian population remain scarce. In the present study, we aimed to determine the factors associated with the development of essential hypertension in Mongolians. A total of 194 hypertensive cases and 201 controls from Dongwu County were enrolled in the study. Demographics, anthropometric and blood biochemical parameters, food intake, lifestyle, habits, education, occupation, and family history were recorded for each subject. Genotype and allele frequencies of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the kallikrein 1 (KLK1) gene were also examined. Mean body mass index, waistline, hipline, blood sugar, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein levels were all significantly higher in the hypertensive group (P<0.01). Hypertensives consumed less milk, vegetables, and fruits, and had higher cigarette, alcohol, and salt intake (P<0.05). There were also less regular physical exercisers and manual workers among the hypertensive group (P<0.05). The mean inheritance rank of the hypertensive group was higher than that of controls (P<0.05). There were no differences in the distribution of genotype and allele frequencies of the six SNPs between the hypertensive and control groups (P>0.05). These results suggest that dietary history and habits have the most important influence on the development of essential hypertension in the Mongolian population.

  7. Changes in protein and gene expression of angiotensin II receptors (AT1 and AT2) in aorta of diabetic and hypertensive rats.

    PubMed

    Romero-Nava, R; Rodriguez, J E; Reséndiz-Albor, A A; Sánchez-Muñoz, F; Ruiz-Hernandéz, A; Huang, F; Hong, E; Villafaña, S

    2016-01-01

    Diabetes and hypertension have been associated with cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Some reports have related the coexistence of hypertension and diabetes with increase in the risk of developing vascular complications. Recently some studies have shown results suggesting that in the early stages of diabetes and hypertension exist a reduced functional response to vasopressor agents like angiotensin II (Ang II), which plays an important role in blood pressure regulation mechanism through the activation of its AT1 and AT2 receptors. For that reason, the aim of this work was to study the gene and protein expression of AT1 and AT2 receptors in aorta of diabetic SHR and WKY rats. Diabetes was induced by the administration of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg i.p.). After 4 weeks of the onset of diabetes, the protein expression was obtained by western blot and the mRNA expression by RT-PCR. Our results showed that the hypertensive rats have a higher mRNA and protein expression of AT1 receptors than normotensive rats while the AT2 expression remained unchanged. On the other hand, the combination of diabetes and hypertension increased the mRNA and protein expression of AT1 and AT2 receptors significantly. In conclusion, our results suggest that diabetes with hypertension modifies the mRNA and protein expression of AT1 and AT2 receptors. However, the overexpression of AT2 could be associated with the reduction in the response to Ang II in the early stage of diabetes.

  8. Angiotensin converting enzyme DD genotype is associated with hypertensive crisis.

    PubMed

    Sunder-Plassmann, Gere; Kittler, Harald; Eberle, Corinna; Hirschl, Michael M; Woisetschläger, Christian; Derhaschnig, Ulla; Laggner, Anton N; Hörl, Walter H; Födinger, Manuela

    2002-10-01

    The genetic background of hypertensive crisis is unknown. We examined the association of polymorphisms in genes involved in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system with hypertensive crisis. Population-based case-control study. Emergency department at a tertiary care university hospital. A total of 182 patients with essential hypertension who were admitted to an emergency department for treatment of hypertensive crisis and 182 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. None. Analysis of polymorphisms in genes coding for angiotensinogen (AJT 704T-->C), angiotensin II receptor 1 (AGTR1 1166A-->C), renin (REN 2646G-->A), renin-binding protein (RENBP 61T-->C), alpha-adducin (ADD1 1378G-->T), beta-2-adrenergic receptor (ADRB2 46A-->G, 79C-->G), and angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE I/D) was performed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. MAIN RESULTS Among patients, the ACE I/D polymorphism showed a deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p =.01). In controls, all polymorphisms were in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The frequency of the DD genotype was increased in patients (n = 70, 38.5%) vs. controls (n = 51; 28.0%;p =.03; odds ratio, 1.61; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.50), which was due to the DD genotype in 40 male patients (44%) vs. 23 in male controls (25.3%;p =.004; odds ratio, 3.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.47-8.30). There were no differences in genotype distributions among other polymorphisms. We demonstrate a possible association of the DD genotype with hypertensive crisis in men.

  9. Mechanism of action of hypotensive prostaglandins in patients with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Michibayashi, Tsutomu

    2002-06-01

    Despite extensive investigation, the biological mechanisms causing essential hypertension (EHT) remain unclear. To clarify the means by which hypotensive prostaglandins (Hypo-PGs, mainly PGE1 and PGE2) act in patients with EHT, the interaction between intravenously infused Hypo-PGs and pressor substances such as an adrenergic neurotransmitter, noradrenaline (NA) and angiotensin II (AII) was examined both in patients with EHT and in perfused isolated rabbit ear artery preparations. In patients with EHT, Hypo-PGs were shown to reduce the pressor responses to intravenously infused NA or AII, although no significant difference was found between the pressor responses to NA under basal conditions and the responses during intravenous infusion of Hypo-PGs. Animal studies were undertaken to investigate the inhibitory action of Hypo-PGs on the vasoconstrictive responses to electrical stimulation of the perivascular sympathetic nerves (VSNS) and to exogenous NA at pre- and postjunctional sites in blood vessel walls. The suppressive action of Hypo-PGs on the response to VSNS was shown to be more potent than that to their action on the response to exogenous NA. Thus, it was concluded that the hypotensive action of intravenously infused Hypo-PGs in patients with EHT may be more dependent on prejunctional sites than on the postjunctional sites in the walls of blood vessels.

  10. [A clinical study on the relationship of autonomic nervous function and arteriosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension].

    PubMed

    Zhao, G; Li, S H; Tan, X

    2016-03-01

    To investigate the relationship between autonomic nervous function and arteriosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension. From January 2011 to December 2013, a total of 269 patients with essential hypertension hospitalized in Chang'an Branch of First People's Hospital of Liangshan were divided into normal PWV group (PWV<9 m/s, n=178) and high PWV group (PWV≥9 m/s, n=91) via the results of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). Synchronic 24 hours ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and dynamic electrocardiogram were performed for all participants to simultaneously monitor the heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure variability (BPV) in these patients. Pearson single factor analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to define the relationship between PWV and HRV, BPV respectively. The level of nHR/dHR (index of heart rate variability), 24 hour'sSSD, dSSD, nSSD (indexes of blood pressure variability) increased significantly (all P<0.05), while the level of SDANN (index of heart rate variability) decreased significantly (P<0.05) in high PWV group compared with normal PWV group. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that PWV was positively correlated with 24 hour'sSSD, 24 hour'sPP, LF, LF/HF and night/day heart rate ratio (all P<0.05). HRV (LF, LF/HF, nHR/dHR) and BPV (24 hours'SSD, dSSD, nSSD) are positively correlated to arteriosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension. Our results show that sympathetic activation and vascular injury are closely related in patients with essential hypertension.

  11. Circulating angiotensin II gains access to the hypothalamus and brain stem during hypertension via breakdown of the blood-brain barrier.

    PubMed

    Biancardi, Vinicia Campana; Son, Sook Jin; Ahmadi, Sahra; Filosa, Jessica A; Stern, Javier E

    2014-03-01

    Angiotensin II-mediated vascular brain inflammation emerged as a novel pathophysiological mechanism in neurogenic hypertension. However, the precise underlying mechanisms and functional consequences in relation to blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and central angiotensin II actions mediating neurohumoral activation in hypertension are poorly understood. Here, we aimed to determine whether BBB permeability within critical hypothalamic and brain stem regions involved in neurohumoral regulation was altered during hypertension. Using digital imaging quantification after intravascularly injected fluorescent dyes and immunohistochemistry, we found increased BBB permeability, along with altered key BBB protein constituents, in spontaneously hypertensive rats within the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, the nucleus of the solitary tract, and the rostral ventrolateral medulla, all critical brain regions known to contribute to neurohumoral activation during hypertension. BBB disruption, including increased permeability and downregulation of constituent proteins, was prevented in spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan, but not with hydralazine, a direct vasodilator. Importantly, we found circulating angiotensin II to extravasate into these brain regions, colocalizing with neurons and microglial cells. Taken together, our studies reveal a novel angiotensin II-mediated feed-forward mechanism during hypertension, by which circulating angiotensin II evokes increased BBB permeability, facilitating in turn its access to critical brain regions known to participate in blood pressure regulation.

  12. Quality of life in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in combination with essential hypertension considering taste sensitivity to sodium chloride.

    PubMed

    Mashura, Hanna Y; Hanych, Taras M; Rishko, Alexander A

    2016-01-01

    Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and hypertensive disease - is the most common combination of abnormalities that occur in people suffering from metabolic syndrome. Their combination not only causes concurrent damage of the liver and the heart, caused by common pathogenic beginning, and also mutually complicate the disease course of each other. The leading role in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease belongs to abdominal obesity and insulin resistance, and is seen as a manifestation of liver disease in metabolic syndrome. Genetic predisposition, lifestyle, improper nutrition, including excessive use of sodium chloride, lead to excessive formation of visceral adipose tissue with development of abdominal obesity, which is a likely criterion of insulin resistance. The long course of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in combination with essential hypertension in excessive consumption of sodium chloride may negatively affect their quality of life. The aim of the study is to find out the features of quality of life in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in combination with hypertensive disease with different taste sensitivity to sodium chloride. We have investigated the quality of life of 65 patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in combination with hypertensive disease II stage with different taste sensitivity to sodium chloride. Salt taste sensitivity threshold to sodium chloride is determined by the method of R. Henkin. Assessment of quality of life was performed using the Ukrainian version of the questionnaire Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (MO S SF-36). Was revealed that in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in combination with hypertensive disease II stage with high salt taste sensitivity threshold observed the decline in the quality of life that manifests as a decline in physical condition (especially of the physical functioning, physical role functioning and general health perceptions) and mental health

  13. Impact of genomic polymorphism on arterial hypertension after aortic coarctation repair.

    PubMed

    Hager, Alfred; Bildau, Judith; Kreuder, Joachim; Kaemmerer, Harald; Hess, John

    2011-08-18

    Even after repair of aortic coarctation without restenosis there is a high incidence of arterial hypertension. This study was performed to assess the contribution of several inherited gene polymorphisms, which are known to be related to essential hypertension. 122 patients aged 17-72 years, 46 women, and 2-27 years after repair of isolated aortic coarctation without restenosis were investigated. Genomic polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE I/D), angiotensinogen (AGT, c.704C>T), angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AGTR1, c.1166A>C), aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2, c.-344C>T), endothelin 1 (EDN1, EDN1/ex5-c.5665G>T), G protein (GNB3, c.825C>T), G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4, c.679C>T), fibrillin 1 (FBN1, VNTR(TAAA)) and two polymorphisms each of the ß1 adrenoreceptor (ADRB1, c.145G>A and c.1165C>G), ß2 adrenoreceptor (ADRB2, c.46A>G and c.79C>G), and endothelial NO synthase (NOS3, intron 4 I/D and NOS3, c.894G>T) were determined by PCR amplification and fragment length analysis. Patients were classified "normotensive", if they were not on antihypertensive drugs and showed normal blood pressure both on ambulatory measurement and exercise test. None of the investigated genomic polymorphism could be related to hypertension. Only patients with the ACE I/I genotype had a less pronounced nocturnal dipping and patients with a ADRB1 c.1165 C/C genotype had a higher systolic and mean blood pressure at night. Development of late hypertension after aortic coarctation repair could not be related to the investigated genomic polymorphism. The correlation of the ACE I/D and the ADRB1 c.1165C>G polymorphism to nocturnal dipping and blood pressure at nighttime needs further confirmation. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  14. Oral potassium supplementation for management of essential hypertension: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

    PubMed Central

    Zeraati, Fatemeh; Soltanian, Ali Reza; Sheikh, Vida; Hooshmand, Elham; Maleki, Akram

    2017-01-01

    Importance Increased dietary potassium intake is thought to be associated with low blood pressure (BP). Whether potassium supplementation may be used as an antihypertensive agent is a question that should be answered. Objective To assess the effect of oral potassium supplementation on blood pressure in patients with primary hypertension. Search methods We searched Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials until October 2016. We also screened reference lists of articles and previous reviews. We applied no language restrictions. Selection criteria We included randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials addressing the effect of potassium supplementation on primary hypertension for a minimum of 4 weeks. Data collection and analysis We extracted data on systolic and diastolic BP (SBP and DBP) at the final follow-up. We explored the heterogeneity across studies using Cochran's test and I2 statistic and assessed the probability of publication bias using Begg's and Egger's tests. We reported the mean difference (MD) of SBP and DBP in a random-effects model. Results We found a total of 9059 articles and included 23 trials with 1213 participants. Compared to placebo, potassium supplementation resulted in modest but significant reductions in both SBP (MD -4.25 mmHg; 95% CI: -5.96 to -2.53; I2 = 41%) and DBP (MD -2.53 mmHg; 95% CI: -4.05 to -1.02; I2 = 65%). According to the change-score analysis, based on 8 out of 23 trials, compared to baseline, the mean changes in SBP (MD -8.89 mmHg; 95% CI: -13.67 to -4.11) and DBP (MD -6.42 mmHg; 95% CI: -10.99 to -1.84) was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group. Conclusions Our findings indicated that potassium supplementation is a safe medication with no important adverse effects that has a modest but significant impact BP and may be recommended as an adjuvant antihypertensive agent for patients with essential hypertension. PMID:28419159

  15. Stress, abdominal obesity and intrarenal resistive index in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Trovato, G M; Pace, P; Martines, G F; Trovato, F M; Pirri, C; Catalano, D

    2012-07-01

    Although it is commonly believed that a strong causal link exists between psychological stress and hypertension, as well with other factors, such as obesity, just what kind of empirical evidence supports this assumption is still controversial. The aim of the study is to investigate if perceived stress have any interference with intrarenal resistance and hence with mechanisms related to Essential Hypertension (EH) and if Anxiety, Depression, Self efficacy and Illness Perception can account for perceived stress. Obesity, insulin resistance (HOMA), Doppler Renal Resistive Index (RRI) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are studied along with Psychological Stress Measure (PSM), Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), Generalized Self-Efficacy scale (GSE) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in 119 hypertensive patients referred for stable lasting EH, and 150 normal controls. Lower salt/lower calories Mediterranean diet, physical activity increase and smoking withdrawal counseling were provided. By Odds Ratios, higher risk of EH is associated with greater perceived stress, older age, lower GFR, obesity, greater RRI and insulin resistance. By Multiple Linear Regression the most significant variable that accounts for higher RRI are abdominal obesity and arterial pulse pressure; the only significant independent psychological variable that accounts for abdominal obesity are PSM and identity IPQ subscale. Self-Efficacy anxiety and Illness perception subscales (IPQr), accounts significantly for 62.0% of the variance to PSM, with possible effects on RRI and on the pathophysiological hypertension cascade. Worst identity and treatment control perceptions of EH, and a lower self-efficacy are the main psychological factors accounting for a greater stress. Interventions aimed to reduce perceived stress can be warranted in EH.

  16. Actions of circulating angiotensin II and aldosterone in the brain contributing to hypertension.

    PubMed

    Leenen, Frans H H

    2014-08-01

    In the past 1-2 decades, it has become apparent that the brain renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood pressure (BP) by the circulating RAAS. In the brain, angiotensinergic sympatho-excitatory pathways do not contribute to acute, second-to-second regulation but play a major role in the more chronic regulation of the setpoint for sympathetic tone and BP. Increases in plasma angiotensin II (Ang II) or aldosterone and in cerebrospinal fluid [Na(+)] can directly activate these pathways and chronically further activate/maintain enhanced activity by a slow neuromodulatory pathway involving local aldosterone, mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs), epithelial sodium channels, and endogenous ouabain. Blockade of any step in this slow pathway prevents Ang II-, aldosterone-, or salt and renal injury-induced forms of hypertension. It appears that the renal and arterial actions of circulating aldosterone and Ang II act as amplifiers but are not sufficient to cause chronic hypertension if their central actions are prevented, except perhaps at high concentrations. From a clinical perspective, oral treatment with an angiotensin type 1 (AT1)-receptor blocker at high doses can cause central AT1-receptor blockade and, in humans, lower sympathetic nerve activity. Low doses of the MR blocker spironolactone appear sufficient to cause central MR blockade and a decrease in sympathetic nerve activity. Integrating the brain actions of the circulating RAAS with its direct renal and arterial actions provides a better framework to understand the role of the circulating RAAS in the pathophysiology of hypertension and heart failure and to direct therapeutic strategies. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2014. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  17. [Effects of acupuncture on circadian rhythm of blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension].

    PubMed

    Lei, Yun; Jin, Jiu; Ban, Haipeng; Du, Yuzheng

    2017-11-12

    To observe the effects of acupuncture combined with medication on circadian rhythm of blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension. Sixty-four patients of essential hypertension were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 32 cases in each group. All the patients maintained original treatment (taking antihypertensive medication); the patients in the observation group were treated with acupuncture method of " Huoxue Sanfeng , Shugan Jianpi ", once a day, five times per week, for totally 6 weeks (30 times). The circadian rhythm of blood pressure and related dynamic parameters were observed before and after treatment in the two groups. (1) The differences of daytime average systolic blood pressure (dASBP), daytime average diastolic blood pressure (dADBP), nighttime average systolic blood pressure (nASBP) and circadian rhythm of systolic blood pressure before and after treatment were significant in the observation group (all P <0.05); the differences of circadian rhythm of blood pressure and related dynamic parameters before and after treatment were insignificant in the control group (all P >0.05). The nASBP and circadian rhythm of systolic blood pressure in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group (all P <0.05). (2) After the treatment, the spoon-shaped rate of circadian rhythm of blood pressure in the observation group was higher than that in the control group ( P <0.05). The acupuncture combined with medication could effectively improve the circadian rhythm of blood pressure and related dynamic parameters in patients with essential hypertension.

  18. A case control association study of ACE gene polymorphism (I/D) with hypertension in Punjabi population from Faisalabad, Pakistan.

    PubMed

    Hussain, Misbah; Awan, Fazli Rabbi; Gujjar, Amna; Hafeez, Shakir; Islam, Mehboob

    2018-01-01

    Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is a key component of renin angiotensin aldosterone system. It converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of ACE gene is found associated with several complications. However, its association with hypertension and related metabolic diseases is still controversial. So, the aim of the present study was to check this association for Punjabi population from Faisalabad, Pakistan. For this purpose, blood samples (patients = 100, controls = 48) were collected and several biochemical parameters were measured. Genotyping for ACE (I/D) polymorphism was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. ID genotype is found prevalent in the studied population as 41% in control subjects and 61% in patients. Furthermore, chi-square analysis showed significant (p = 0.005) difference for genotypic frequencies between both groups. One-way ANOVA for association of II, ID, and DD genotypes with anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical parameters showed that in patient group, DD genotype is significantly (p = 0.041) associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP). Moreover, ID genotype is found associated with the presence of cardiovascular diseases. This study concludes that DD genotype is strongly associated with higher SBP in hypertensive patients.

  19. Adiponectin, insulin resistance, and left ventricular structure in dipper and nondipper essential hypertensive patients.

    PubMed

    Della Mea, Paolo; Lupia, Mario; Bandolin, Valentina; Guzzon, Samuele; Sonino, Nicoletta; Vettor, Roberto; Fallo, Francesco

    2005-01-01

    Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived protein with insulin-sensitizing and antiatherogenic properties. Failure to decrease blood pressure (BP) normally during night in hypertensive patients has been independently associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. We examined the relationship between adiponectin levels, insulin sensitivity, and left ventricular structure in 40 newly diagnosed never-treated patients with essential hypertension, including 20 patients with a normal night-time pressure decrease (ie, dippers) and 20 patients with BP persistently elevated throughout the 24-h period (ie, nondippers). All subjects had grade 1-2 hypertension, aged 18 to 65 years, no diabetes mellitus, no obesity, no hyperlipidemia, and no cardiopulmonary, renal, or hepatic disease. The two groups of patients were similar for age, sex, body mass index, and had no differences for clinic, 24-h, and diurnal BP, and 24-h, diurnal, and nocturnal heart rate, as well as glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Plasma insulin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA index) were higher (P < .01), and adiponectin levels were lower (P < .005) in nondippers than in dippers. Adiponectin correlated inversely with HOMA index and insulin levels (r = -0.58, and r = -0.62, respectively, P < .001) in the entire population. Nondippers showed left ventricular mass, relative wall thickness, and measure of early and late diastolic peak flow velocity ratio similar to those of dippers. In the absence of major cardiovascular risk factors, nondipper essential hypertensive patients show more prominent insulin resistance and lower adiponectin compared to dippers. Therapeutic modulation of adiponectin or insulin resistance might provide additional benefit to the conventional antihypertensive treatment.

  20. Binding Selectivity of Methanobactin from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b for Copper(I), Silver(I), Zinc(II), Nickel(II), Cobalt(II), Manganese(II), Lead(II), and Iron(II).

    PubMed

    McCabe, Jacob W; Vangala, Rajpal; Angel, Laurence A

    2017-12-01

    Methanobactin (Mb) from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b is a member of a class of metal binding peptides identified in methanotrophic bacteria. Mb will selectively bind and reduce Cu(II) to Cu(I), and is thought to mediate the acquisition of the copper cofactor for the enzyme methane monooxygenase. These copper chelating properties of Mb make it potentially useful as a chelating agent for treatment of diseases where copper plays a role including Wilson's disease, cancers, and neurodegenerative diseases. Utilizing traveling wave ion mobility-mass spectrometry (TWIMS), the competition for the Mb copper binding site from Ag(I), Pb(II), Co(II), Fe(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) has been determined by a series of metal ion titrations, pH titrations, and metal ion displacement titrations. The TWIMS analyses allowed for the explicit identification and quantification of all the individual Mb species present during the titrations and measured their collision cross-sections and collision-induced dissociation patterns. The results showed Ag(I) and Ni(II) could irreversibly bind to Mb and not be effectively displaced by Cu(I), whereas Ag(I) could also partially displace Cu(I) from the Mb complex. At pH ≈ 6.5, the Mb binding selectivity follows the order Ag(I)≈Cu(I)>Ni(II)≈Zn(II)>Co(II)>Mn(II)≈Pb(II)>Fe(II), and at pH 7.5 to 10.4 the order is Ag(I)>Cu(I)>Ni(II)>Co(II)>Zn(II)>Mn(II)≈Pb(II)>Fe(II). Breakdown curves of the disulfide reduced Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes showed a correlation existed between their relative stability and their compact folded structure indicated by their CCS. Fluorescence spectroscopy, which allowed the determination of the binding constant, compared well with the TWIMS analyses, with the exception of the Ni(II) complex. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

  1. Brain-mediated dysregulation of the bone marrow activity in angiotensin II-induced hypertension.

    PubMed

    Jun, Joo Yun; Zubcevic, Jasenka; Qi, Yanfei; Afzal, Aqeela; Carvajal, Jessica Marulanda; Thinschmidt, Jeffrey S; Grant, Maria B; Mocco, J; Raizada, Mohan K

    2012-11-01

    Oxidative stress in the brain is implicated in increased sympathetic drive, inflammatory status, and vascular dysfunctions, associated with development and establishment of hypertension. However, little is known about the mechanism of this impaired brain-vascular communication. Here, we tested the hypothesis that increased oxidative stress in the brain cardioregulatory areas, such as the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, is driven by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and leads to increased inflammatory cells (ICs) and decreased/dysfunctional endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), thereby compromising vasculature repair and accelerating hypertension. Chronic angiotensin II infusion resulted in elevated blood pressure and sympathetic vasomotor drive, decreased spontaneous baroreflex gain, and increased microglia activation in the paraventricular nucleus. This was associated with 46% decrease in bone marrow (BM)-derived EPCs and 250% increase in BM ICs, resulting in 5-fold decrease of EPC/IC ratio in the BM. Treatment with mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant, a scavenger of mitochondrial O(2)(-·), intracerebroventricularly but not subcutaneously attenuated angiotensin II-induced hypertension, decreased activation of microglia in the paraventricular nucleus, and normalized EPCs/ICs. This functional communication between the brain and BM was confirmed by retrograde neuronal labeling from the BM with green fluorescent protein-tagged pseudorabies virus. Administration of green fluorescent protein-tagged pseudorabies virus into the BM resulted in predominant labeling of paraventricular nucleus neurons within 3 days, with some fluorescence in the nucleus tractus solitarius, the rostral ventrolateral medulla, and subfornical organ. Taken together, these data demonstrate that inhibition of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species attenuates angiotensin II-induced hypertension and corrects the imbalance in EPCs/ICs in the BM. They suggest that an imbalance in

  2. Treatment of essential hypertension with calcium channel blockers: what is the place of lercanidipine?

    PubMed

    Burnier, Michel; Pruijm, Menno; Wuerzner, Gregoire

    2009-08-01

    In all actual clinical guidelines, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs) belong to the recommended first line antihypertensive drugs to treat essential hypertension. Several recent large clinical trials have confirmed their efficacy not only in lowering blood pressure but also in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients with a normal or high cardiovascular risk profile. In clinical trials such as ALLHAT, VALUE or ASCOT, an amlodipine-based therapy was at least as effective, when not slightly superior, in lowering blood pressure and sometimes more effective in preventing target organ damages than blood pressure lowering strategies based on the use of diuretics, beta-blockers and blockers of the renin-angiotensin system. One of the main clinical side effects of the first and second generation CCBs including amlodipine is the development of peripheral edema. The incidence of leg edema can be markedly reduced by combining the CCB with a blocker of the renin-angiotensin system. This strategy has now led to the development of several fixed-dose combinations of amlodipine and angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Another alternative to lower the incidence of edema is to use CCBs of the third generation such as lercanidipine. Indeed, although no major clinical trials have been conducted with this compound, clinical studies have shown that lercanidipine and amlodipine have a comparable antihypertensive efficacy but with significantly less peripheral edema in patients receiving lercanidipine. In some countries, lercanidipine is now available in a single-pill association with an ACE inhibitor thereby further improving its efficacy and tolerability profile.

  3. Effect of azilsartan versus candesartan on morning blood pressure surges in Japanese patients with essential hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Kario, Kazuomi; Enya, Kazuaki; Sugiura, Kenkichi; Ikeda, Yoshinori

    2014-01-01

    Morning blood pressure (BP) surge is reported as a risk factor for cardiovascular events and end-organ damage independent of the 24-h BP level. Controlling morning BP surge is therefore important to help prevent onset of cardiovascular disease. We compared the efficacy of azilsartan and candesartan in controlling morning systolic BP (SBP) surges by analyzing relevant ambulatory BP monitoring data in patients with/without baseline BP surges. As part of a 16-week randomized, double-blind study of azilsartan (20–40 mg once daily) and candesartan (8–12 mg once daily) in Japanese patients with essential hypertension, an exploratory analysis was carried out using ambulatory BP monitoring at baseline and week 14. The effects of study drugs on morning BP surges, including sleep trough surge (early morning SBP minus the lowest night-time SBP) and prewaking surge (early morning SBP minus SBP before awakening), were evaluated. Patients with sleep trough surge of at least 35 mmHg were defined by the presence of a morning BP surge (the ‘surge group’). Sleep trough surge and prewaking surge data were available at both baseline and week 14 in 548 patients, 147 of whom (azilsartan 76; candesartan 71) had a baseline morning BP surge. In surge group patients, azilsartan significantly reduced both the sleep trough surge and the prewaking surge at week 14 compared with candesartan (least squares means of the between-group differences −5.8 mmHg, P=0.0395; and −5.7 mmHg, P=0.0228, respectively). Once-daily azilsartan improved sleep trough surge and prewaking surge to a greater extent than candesartan in Japanese patients with grade I–II essential hypertension. PMID:24710336

  4. Valsartan vs. other angiotensin II receptor blockers in the treatment of hypertension: a meta-analytical approach.

    PubMed

    Nixon, R M; Müller, E; Lowy, A; Falvey, H

    2009-05-01

    To compare the efficacy of valsartan in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) reduction with other angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in essential hypertension. Systematic literature search of databases between October 1997 and May 2008. Meta-analysis of short-term, double-blind, parallel group, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) for treatment of adult hypertension (DBP: 90-115 mmHg). Random-effects meta-regression adjusting for baseline blood pressure (BP) was used to analyse the data. Mean change in SBP and DBP was estimated for each individual drug and dose combination. In all, 31 RCTs (n = 13,110 patients) were included in the analysis. Six studies include trial arms with candesartan, six irbesartan, 13 losartan, two olmesartan, five telmisartan and 12 valsartan. The weighted average reduction in mean SBP and DBP for valsartan 160 mg was -15.32 mmHg (95% CI: -17.09, -13.63) and -11.3 mmHg (95% CI: -12.15, -10.52) and for 320 mg was -15.85 mmHg (95% CI: -17.60, -14.12) and -11.97 mmHg (95% CI: -12.81, -11.16); these are statistically significantly greater reductions compared with losartan 100 mg, which was -12.01 mmHg (95% CI: -13.78, -10.25) and -9.37 mmHg (95% CI: -10.18, -8.54) for SBP and DBP respectively. There is evidence that valsartan 160 mg reduces SBP and DBP more than irbesartan 150 mg and reduced DBP more than candesartan 16 mg. No other statistically significant difference in efficacy is demonstrated. Valsartan administered at 160 or 320 mg is more effective at lowering BP than losartan 100 mg and shows comparable efficacy to other ARBs in patients with essential hypertension.

  5. Efficacy and safety of valsartan/amlodipine single-pill combination in patients with essential hypertension (PEAK LOW).

    PubMed

    Kızılırmak, Pınar; Ar, Idilhan; Ilerigelen, Barış

    2014-06-01

    This study evaluated the efficacy as well as the safety and tolerability profile of low-dose valsartan/amlodipine (Val/Amlo) single-pill combination (SPC) (160/5 mg) in patients with essential hypertension in Turkey. Adult patients with essential hypertension [systolic blood pressure (SBP)>140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP)>90 mmHg], who were on low dose Val/Amlo (160/5 mg) SPC before enrollment and gave informed consent, were accepted for this multi-centric observational study performed at 30 sites. The absolute changes in SBP and DBP from baseline were the primary efficacy outcomes. Safety assessments consisted of recording all adverse events. Of 381 patients enrolled, 327 completed the study; 39% were females. The mean age was 57.3±11.8 years. Median duration of hypertension was 38 months. Both SBP and DBP values showed reductions from 162.6±16.6 mmHg and 94.0±13.2 mmHg to 137.6±14.2 mmHg and 81.9±9.0 mmHg at 4th week and to 131.6±11.5 mmHg and 79.7±7.6 mmHg at 12th week, respectively. The control and response rates at the end of the study were 82.0% and 92.6%, respectively. Twelve patients (3.2%) experienced a total of 12 adverse events; there were no serious adverse events. The most common adverse event was edema (1.3%). Patient compliance was approximately 99%. Low-dose (160/5 mg) Val/Amlo SPC is efficacous and has a good tolerability and safety profile for the management of essential hypertension in Turkey.

  6. Increased Migration of Monocytes in Essential Hypertension Is Associated with Increased Transient Receptor Potential Channel Canonical Type 3 Channels

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Jing; Zhong, Jian; Yu, Hao; Xu, Xingsen; He, Hongbo; Yan, Zhencheng; Scholze, Alexandra; Liu, Daoyan; Zhu, Zhiming; Tepel, Martin

    2012-01-01

    Increased transient receptor potential canonical type 3 (TRPC3) channels have been observed in patients with essential hypertension. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that increased monocyte migration is associated with increased TRPC3 expression. Monocyte migration assay was performed in a microchemotaxis chamber using chemoattractants formylated peptide Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Proteins were identified by immunoblotting and quantitative in-cell Western assay. The effects of TRP channel-inhibitor 2–aminoethoxydiphenylborane (2-APB) and small interfering RNA knockdown of TRPC3 were investigated. We observed an increased fMLP-induced migration of monocytes from hypertensive patients compared with normotensive control subjects (246±14% vs 151±10%). The TNF-α-induced migration of monocytes in patients with essential hypertension was also significantly increased compared to normotensive control subjects (221±20% vs 138±18%). In the presence of 2-APB or after siRNA knockdown of TRPC3 the fMLP-induced monocyte migration was significantly blocked. The fMLP-induced changes of cytosolic calcium were significantly increased in monocytes from hypertensive patients compared to normotensive control subjects. The fMLP-induced monocyte migration was significantly reduced in the presence of inhibitors of tyrosine kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. We conclude that increased monocyte migration in patients with essential hypertension is associated with increased TRPC3 channels. PMID:22438881

  7. Binding Selectivity of Methanobactin from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b for Copper(I), Silver(I), Zinc(II), Nickel(II), Cobalt(II), Manganese(II), Lead(II), and Iron(II)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    McCabe, Jacob W.; Vangala, Rajpal; Angel, Laurence A.

    2017-12-01

    Methanobactin (Mb) from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b is a member of a class of metal binding peptides identified in methanotrophic bacteria. Mb will selectively bind and reduce Cu(II) to Cu(I), and is thought to mediate the acquisition of the copper cofactor for the enzyme methane monooxygenase. These copper chelating properties of Mb make it potentially useful as a chelating agent for treatment of diseases where copper plays a role including Wilson's disease, cancers, and neurodegenerative diseases. Utilizing traveling wave ion mobility-mass spectrometry (TWIMS), the competition for the Mb copper binding site from Ag(I), Pb(II), Co(II), Fe(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) has been determined by a series of metal ion titrations, pH titrations, and metal ion displacement titrations. The TWIMS analyses allowed for the explicit identification and quantification of all the individual Mb species present during the titrations and measured their collision cross-sections and collision-induced dissociation patterns. The results showed Ag(I) and Ni(II) could irreversibly bind to Mb and not be effectively displaced by Cu(I), whereas Ag(I) could also partially displace Cu(I) from the Mb complex. At pH ≈ 6.5, the Mb binding selectivity follows the order Ag(I)≈Cu(I)>Ni(II)≈Zn(II)>Co(II)>>Mn(II)≈Pb(II)>Fe(II), and at pH 7.5 to 10.4 the order is Ag(I)>Cu(I)>Ni(II)>Co(II)>Zn(II)>Mn(II)≈Pb(II)>Fe(II). Breakdown curves of the disulfide reduced Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes showed a correlation existed between their relative stability and their compact folded structure indicated by their CCS. Fluorescence spectroscopy, which allowed the determination of the binding constant, compared well with the TWIMS analyses, with the exception of the Ni(II) complex. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

  8. [Resistivity and hemodynamic reactions of essentially healthy pilots to the passive orthostatic test].

    PubMed

    Bondareva, S V; Vartbaronov, R A; Ponomarenko, K V; Bagaudinov, K G; Khomenko, M N

    2009-01-01

    The paper analyzes the data of expert tilt testing (-80 degrees, 20 min.) of 66 essentially healthy pilots. Hemodynamic reactions were characterized based on the standard concept of functional classes (FC). Good test tolerance was recorded in 86.4% of cases among which 36.4% were referred to FC-I and 50%--to FC-II. Adequate test tolerance (FC-II) was recorded in 10.6%; reduced and poor test tolerance (FC-IV and FC-V)--in 3%. According to ECG and computerized tachooscillography, the adaptive hemodynamic reactions were optimum in pilots of group FC-I as compared with group FC-II and all the more so when compared with FC-III. The last two groups showed some objective symptoms that had not been looked for in the past (a distinct lability of blood pressure, and incomplete hypertensive and hypotensive reactions) that differentiated these groups from FC-I. Results of the analysis made it possible to put forward additional clinical functional criteria to assess tilt tolerance of pilots with different levels of functional tolerance.

  9. Potassium Supplementation Prevents Sodium Chloride Cotransporter Stimulation During Angiotensin II Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Veiras, Luciana C; Han, Jiyang; Ralph, Donna L; McDonough, Alicia A

    2016-10-01

    Angiotensin II (AngII) hypertension increases distal tubule Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC) abundance and phosphorylation (NCCp), as well as epithelial Na(+) channel abundance and activating cleavage. Acutely raising plasma [K(+)] by infusion or ingestion provokes a rapid decrease in NCCp that drives a compensatory kaliuresis. The first aim tested whether acutely raising plasma [K(+)] with a single 3-hour 2% potassium meal would lower NCCp in Sprague-Dawley rats after 14 days of AngII (400 ng/kg per minute). The potassium-rich meal neither decreased NCCp nor increased K(+) excretion. AngII-infused rats exhibited lower plasma [K(+)] versus controls (3.6±0.2 versus 4.5±0.1 mmol/L; P<0.05), suggesting that AngII-mediated epithelial Na(+) channel activation provokes K(+) depletion. The second aim tested whether doubling dietary potassium intake from 1% (A1K) to 2% (A2K) would prevent K(+) depletion during AngII infusion and, thus, prevent NCC accumulation. A2K-fed rats exhibited normal plasma [K(+)] and 2-fold higher K(+) excretion and plasma [aldosterone] versus A1K. In A1K rats, NCC, NCCpS71, and NCCpT53 abundance increased 1.5- to 3-fold versus controls (P<0.05). The rise in NCC and NCCp abundance was prevented in the A2K rats, yet blood pressure did not significantly decrease. Epithelial Na(+) channel subunit abundance and cleavage increased 1.5- to 3-fold in both A1K and A2K; ROMK (renal outer medulla K(+) channel abundance) abundance was unaffected by AngII or dietary K(+) In summary, the accumulation and phosphorylation of NCC seen during chronic AngII infusion hypertension is likely secondary to potassium deficiency driven by epithelial Na(+) channel stimulation. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

  10. Vasodilator effects of red wines in subcutaneous small resistance artery of patients with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Porteri, Enzo; Rizzoni, Damiano; De Ciuceis, Carolina; Boari, Gianluca E M; Platto, Caterina; Pilu, Annamaria; Miclini, Marco; Agabiti Rosei, Claudia; Bulgari, Giuseppe; Agabiti Rosei, Enrico

    2010-04-01

    It has been suggested that in animal models, red wine may have a protective effect on the vascular endothelium. However, it is not known whether this effect is also present in human small vessels and whether it is specific for certain wines. The objective of this study is to compare the vasodilator effects in subcutaneous small resistance arteries of wines with different flavonoid content as well as of ethanol vs. wines in normotensive (NT) subjects and in patients with essential hypertension (EH). Twenty-six EH and 27 NT were included in the study. Subcutaneous small resistance arteries were dissected and mounted on a micromyograph. Then we evaluated vasodilator responses as concentration-response curves (20, 30, and 50 microl) to the following items: (i) a red wine produced in small oak barrels ("en barrique": EB) (Barolo Oberto 1994), (ii) a red wine produced in large wood barrels (LB) (Barolo Scarzello 1989), (iii) a red wine produced in steel tanks (Albarello Rosso del Salento 1997), and (iv) a white wine produced in steel tanks in the presence or absence of an inhibitor of the nitric oxide (NO) synthase (L-NMMA 100 micromol/l). A dose-dependent vasodilator effect of red wines (particularly EB and LB) was detected in both NT and HT. The observed response was not reduced after preincubation with L-NMMA. Our results suggest red wines are more potent vasodilator than ethanol alone, possibly depending on the content of polyphenols or tannic acid. HT show similar responses compared with NT, indicating that red wine is not harmful in this population.

  11. Gestational exposure to elevated testosterone levels induces hypertension via heightened vascular angiotensin II type 1 receptor signaling in rats.

    PubMed

    Chinnathambi, Vijayakumar; More, Amar S; Hankins, Gary D; Yallampalli, Chandra; Sathishkumar, Kunju

    2014-07-01

    Pre-eclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy disorder whose pathogenesis remains unclear. Plasma testosterone levels are elevated in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and polycystic ovary syndrome, who often develop gestational hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that increased gestational testosterone levels induce hypertension via heightened angiotensin II signaling. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with vehicle or testosterone propionate from Gestational Day 15 to 19 to induce a 2-fold increase in plasma testosterone levels, similar to levels observed in clinical conditions like pre-eclampsia. A subset of rats in these two groups was given losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist by gavage during the course of testosterone exposure. Blood pressure levels were assessed through a carotid arterial catheter and endothelium-independent vascular reactivity through wire myography. Angiotensin II levels in plasma and angiotensin II type 1 receptor expression in mesenteric arteries were also examined. Blood pressure levels were significantly higher on Gestational Day 20 in testosterone-treated dams than in controls. Treatment with losartan during the course of testosterone exposure significantly attenuated testosterone-induced hypertension. Plasma angiotensin II levels were not significantly different between control and testosterone-treated rats; however, elevated testosterone levels significantly increased angiotensin II type 1 receptor protein levels in the mesenteric arteries. In testosterone-treated rats, mesenteric artery contractile responses to angiotensin II were significantly greater, whereas contractile responses to K(+) depolarization and phenylephrine were unaffected. The results demonstrate that elevated testosterone during gestation induces hypertension in pregnant rats via heightened angiotensin II type 1 receptor-mediated signaling, providing a molecular mechanism linking elevated maternal testosterone levels with gestational

  12. [Rational therapy of patients with essential hypertension and abdominal obesity with concomitant subclinical hypothyroidism].

    PubMed

    Pligovka, V M

    2014-11-01

    It was determined the characteristics of lipid status of patients with essential hypertension, abdominal obesity with concomitant subclinical hypothyroidism--mostly increased levels of total and LDL cholesterol. In assessing the effectiveness of statin therapy in combination with levothyroxine replacement therapy compared with statin monotherapy, combination therapy showed the best result in terms of achievement of target levels of both total cholesterol and LDL. The obtained results allow us to recommend the use of combination therapy for patients with hypertension, abdominal obesity with concomitant subclinical hypothyroidism in order to achieve the target values of LDL and thus to reduce the cardiovascular risk of these patients.

  13. Platelet morphology and plasma indices of platelet activation in essential hypertension: effects of amlodipine-based antihypertensive therapy.

    PubMed

    Nadar, Sunil; Blann, Andrew D; Lip, Gregory Y H

    2004-01-01

    Platelet abnormalities have been described in hypertension, especially in the presence of target organ damage. Our aim was to study the differences in morphology and indices of platelet activation in treatment-naive patients with essential hypertension as compared to normotensive controls and secondly, to study the effects of amlodipine-based antihypertensive therapy on these indices. We recruited 42 previously untreated, newly diagnosed hypertensive patients (25 men; mean age 53 years) for the cross-sectional study, where data were compared with those from 30 normotensive controls (20 men; mean age 57 years). Of the 42 untreated hypertensive patients who were recruited, 27 patients successfully completed, the six-month treatment phase with amlodipine-based antihypertensive therapy. Platelet morphology (volume and mass) was quantified, and plasma markers of platelet activation (betaTG and sPsel) measured in citrated plasma. The mass of P-selectin in each platelet (pPsel) was determined by lysing a fixed number of platelets and then determining the levels of P-selectin in the lysate. Hypertensive patients had significantly higher platelet volume (P = 0.01) and mass (P = 0.003), plasma betaTG and sPsel, and pPsel levels (all P < 0.001) compared to the controls. After a mean treatment time of 6 months, there was a decrease in platelet volume (P < 0.001) and mass (P = 0.02), with lower pPsel, sPsel and BTG levels (all P < 0.001) compared to the untreated state. Treatment of uncomplicated essential hypertension using amlodipine-based anti-hypertensive therapy results in a reversal of the platelet morphology abnormalities and indices of platelet activation. This may contribute to a reduction in thrombosis-related complications seen in those whose blood pressure lowering is effective.

  14. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Fallo, F; Dalla Pozza, A; Sonino, N; Lupia, M; Tona, F; Federspil, G; Ermani, M; Catena, C; Soardo, G; Di Piazza, L; Bernardi, S; Bertolotto, M; Pinamonti, B; Fabris, B; Sechi, L A

    2009-11-01

    Insulin resistance is recognized as the pathophysiological hallmark of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A relation between insulin sensitivity and left ventricular morphology and function has been reported in essential hypertension, where a high prevalence of NAFLD has been recently found. We investigated the inter-relationship between left ventricular morphology/function, metabolic parameters and NAFLD in 86 never-treated essential hypertensive patients subdivided in two subgroups according to the presence (n = 48) or absence (n = 38) of NAFLD at ultrasonography. The two groups were similar as to sex, age and blood pressure levels. No patient had diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyperlipidemia, or other risk factors for liver disease. Body mass index, waist circumference, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, homeostasis model of assessment index for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were higher and adiponectin levels were lower in patients with NAFLD than in patients without NAFLD, and were associated with NAFLD at univariate analysis. Patients with NAFLD had similar prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy compared to patients without NAFLD, but a higher prevalence of diastolic dysfunction (62.5 vs 21.1%, P < 0.001), as defined by E/A ratio <1 and E-wave deceleration time >220 ms. Diastolic dysfunction (P = 0.040) and HOMA-IR (P = 0.012) remained independently associated with NAFLD at backward multivariate analysis. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was associated with insulin resistance and abnormalities of left ventricular diastolic function in a cohort of patients with essential hypertension, suggesting a concomitant increase of metabolic and cardiac risk in this condition.

  15. Hypertension, Diabetes Type II, and Their Association: Role of Arterial Stiffness.

    PubMed

    Smulyan, Harold; Lieber, Ari; Safar, Michel E

    2016-01-01

    In patients with both hypertension and type II diabetes, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) increases linearly with age, while that of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) declines curvilinearly as early as age 45, all suggesting the development of increased arterial stiffness. Increased stiffness is an important, independent, and significant risk predictor in subjects with hypertension and diabetes. In patients with both diseases, stiffness assessed at the same mean arterial pressure (MAP) was significantly higher in diabetic patients. Arterial stiffness is related to age, heart rate (HR), and MAP, but in diabetic patients, it also related to diabetes duration and insulin treatment (IT). In the metabolic syndrome (MetSyn), diabetes also acts on the small arteries through capillary rarefaction to reduce the effective length of the arterial tree, increases the reflected pulse wave and thus the pulse pressure (PP). These studies indicate that diabetes and hypertension additively contribute to increased pulsatility and suggest that any means to reduce stiffness would be beneficial in these conditions. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  16. Evaluation of amlodipine, lisinopril, and a combination in the treatment of essential hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Naidu, M; Usha, P; Rao, T; Shobha, J

    2000-01-01

    Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and dihydropyridine calcium antagonists are well established and widely used as monotherapy in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Earlier studies combining short acting drugs from these classes require multiple dosing and were associated with poor compliance. Availability of longer acting compounds allows once daily administration to avoid the inconvenience of a multiple daily dose. It was decided to perform a randomised double blind, crossover study with the long acting calcium channel blocker amlodipine and the long acting ACE inhibitor lisinopril, given either alone or in combination in essential hypertension. Twenty four patients with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between 95 and 104 mm Hg received amlodipine 2.5 mg and 5 mg, lisinopril 5 mg and 10 mg, and their combination as per a prior randomisation schedule. Supine and standing blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at weekly intervals. Higher doses of both the drugs individually or in combination were used if the target supine DBP below 90 mm Hg was not achieved. There was a significant additional blood pressure lowering effect with the combination when compared either with amlodipine or lisinopril alone. Five mg amlodipine and 10 mg lisinopril monotherapy achieved the target blood pressure in 71% and 72% patients respectively. The combination of 2.5 mg amlodipine with 5 mg lisinopril produced a much more significant lowering of blood pressure in a higher percentage of patients than that with an individual low dose.


Keywords: amlodipine; lisinopril; hypertension; combination therapy PMID:10824049

  17. Asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction in essential hypertension: prevalence, determinants, and prognostic value.

    PubMed

    Verdecchia, Paolo; Angeli, Fabio; Gattobigio, Roberto; Sardone, Mariagrazia; Porcellati, Carlo

    2005-03-01

    Prevalence, determinants, and prognostic value of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in uncomplicated subjects with essential hypertension are still incompletely known. We studied 2384 initially untreated subjects with hypertension, no previous cardiovascular disease, and no symptoms or physical signs of congestive heart failure (CHF). These subjects were studied at entry and followed for up to 17 years (mean 6.0). Asymptomatic LVSD (ALVSD), defined by an echocardiographic ejection fraction <50%, was found in 3.6% of subjects. Cigarette smoking (P=0.013), increased left ventricular (LV) mass (P=0.001), and higher 24-hour heart rate (P=0.014) were independent correlates of ALVSD. During follow-up, a first cardiovascular event occurred in 227 subjects, and 24 of these events were hospitalizations for symptomatic CHF. Incidence of CHF per 100 persons per year was 0.12 in patients without and 1.48 in patients with ALVSD (log-rank test P=0.0001). In a Cox model, after adjustment for age (P=0.0001), LV mass (P=0.0001), and cigarette smoking (P=0.039), LVSD conferred a markedly increased risk for CHF (odds ratio, 9.99; 95% confidence interval, 3.67 to 27.2). Incidence of coronary (0.84 versus 0.62x100 person years) and cerebrovascular (0.80 versus 0.62x100 person years) events did not differ (all P=NS) between subjects with and without ALVSD. ALVSD is a potent and early marker of evolution toward severe CHF requiring hospitalization in subjects with essential hypertension.

  18. Role of copper transport protein Antioxidant-1 in Angiotensin II-induced hypertension: A key regulator of Extracellular SOD

    PubMed Central

    Ozumi, Kiyoshi; Sudhahar, Varadarajan; Kim, Ha Won; Chen, Gin-Fu; Kohno, Takashi; Finney, Lydia; Vogt, Stefan; McKinney, Ronald D.; Ushio-Fukai, Masuko; Fukai, Tohru

    2012-01-01

    Extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3) is a secretory copper enzyme involved in protecting angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension. We previously found that Ang II upregulates SOD3 expression and activity as a counter-regulatory mechanism; however, underlying mechanisms are unclear. Antioxidant-1 (Atox1) is shown to act as a copper-dependent transcription factor as well as copper chaperone for SOD3 in vitro, but its role in Ang II-induced hypertension in vivo is unknown. Here we show that Ang II infusion increases Atox1 expression as well as SOD3 expression and activity in aortas of wild-type mice, which are inhibited in mice lacking Atox1. Accordingly, Ang II increases vascular O2•− production, reduces endothelium-dependent vasodilation and increases vasoconstriction in mesenteric arterioles to a greater extent in Atox1−/− than in wild-type mice. This contributes to augmented hypertensive response to Ang II in Atox1−/− mice. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, Ang II promotes translocation of Atox1 to the nucleus, thereby increasing SOD3 transcription by binding to Atox1 responsive element in the SOD3 promoter. Furthermore, Ang II increases Atox1 binding to the copper exporter ATP7A which obtains copper from Atox1 as well as translocation of ATP7A to plasma membranes where it colocalizes with SOD3. As its consequence, Ang II decreases vascular copper levels, which is inhibited in Atox1−/− mice. In summary, Atox1 functions to prevent Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction and hyper-contraction in resistant vessels as well as hypertension in vivo by reducing extracellular O2•− levels via increasing vascular SOD3 expression and activity. PMID:22753205

  19. The Cost-Effectiveness of Low-Cost Essential Antihypertensive Medicines for Hypertension Control in China: A Modelling Study.

    PubMed

    Gu, Dongfeng; He, Jiang; Coxson, Pamela G; Rasmussen, Petra W; Huang, Chen; Thanataveerat, Anusorn; Tzong, Keane Y; Xiong, Juyang; Wang, Miao; Zhao, Dong; Goldman, Lee; Moran, Andrew E

    2015-08-01

    Hypertension is China's leading cardiovascular disease risk factor. Improved hypertension control in China would result in result in enormous health gains in the world's largest population. A computer simulation model projected the cost-effectiveness of hypertension treatment in Chinese adults, assuming a range of essential medicines list drug costs. The Cardiovascular Disease Policy Model-China, a Markov-style computer simulation model, simulated hypertension screening, essential medicines program implementation, hypertension control program administration, drug treatment and monitoring costs, disease-related costs, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained by preventing cardiovascular disease or lost because of drug side effects in untreated hypertensive adults aged 35-84 y over 2015-2025. Cost-effectiveness was assessed in cardiovascular disease patients (secondary prevention) and for two blood pressure ranges in primary prevention (stage one, 140-159/90-99 mm Hg; stage two, ≥160/≥100 mm Hg). Treatment of isolated systolic hypertension and combined systolic and diastolic hypertension were modeled as a reduction in systolic blood pressure; treatment of isolated diastolic hypertension was modeled as a reduction in diastolic blood pressure. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses explored ranges of antihypertensive drug effectiveness and costs, monitoring frequency, medication adherence, side effect severity, background hypertension prevalence, antihypertensive medication treatment, case fatality, incidence and prevalence, and cardiovascular disease treatment costs. Median antihypertensive costs from Shanghai and Yunnan province were entered into the model in order to estimate the effects of very low and high drug prices. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios less than the per capita gross domestic product of China (11,900 international dollars [Int$] in 2015) were considered cost-effective. Treating hypertensive adults with prior cardiovascular

  20. 2-Methoxyestradiol Reduces Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension and Renal Dysfunction in Ovariectomized Female and Intact Male Mice.

    PubMed

    Pingili, Ajeeth K; Davidge, Karen N; Thirunavukkarasu, Shyamala; Khan, Nayaab S; Katsurada, Akemi; Majid, Dewan S A; Gonzalez, Frank J; Navar, L Gabriel; Malik, Kafait U

    2017-06-01

    Cytochrome P450 1B1 protects against angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension and associated cardiovascular changes in female mice, most likely via production of 2-methoxyestradiol. This study was conducted to determine whether 2-methoxyestradiol ameliorates Ang II-induced hypertension, renal dysfunction, and end-organ damage in intact Cyp1b1 -/- , ovariectomized female, and Cyp1b1 +/+ male mice. Ang II or vehicle was infused for 2 weeks and administered concurrently with 2-methoxyestradiol. Mice were placed in metabolic cages on day 12 of Ang II infusion for urine collection for 24 hours. 2-Methoxyestradiol reduced Ang II-induced increases in systolic blood pressure, water consumption, urine output, and proteinuria in intact female Cyp1b1 -/- and ovariectomized mice. 2-Methoxyestradiol also reduced Ang II-induced increase in blood pressure, water intake, urine output, and proteinuria in Cyp1b1 +/+ male mice. Treatment with 2-methoxyestradiol attenuated Ang II-induced end-organ damage in intact Cyp1b1 -/- and ovariectomized Cyp1b1 +/+ and Cyp1b1 -/- female mice and Cyp1b1 +/+ male mice. 2-Methoxyestradiol mitigated Ang II-induced increase in urinary excretion of angiotensinogen in intact Cyp1b1 -/- and ovariectomized Cyp1b1 +/+ and Cyp1b1 -/- female mice but not in Cyp1b1 +/+ male mice. The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 antagonist G-15 failed to alter Ang II-induced increases in blood pressure and renal function in Cyp1b1 +/+ female mice. These data suggest that 2-methoxyestradiol reduces Ang II-induced hypertension and associated end-organ damage in intact Cyp1b1 -/- , ovariectomized Cyp1b1 +/+ and Cyp1b1 -/- female mice, and Cyp1b1 +/+ male mice independent of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1. Therefore, 2-methoxyestradiol could serve as a therapeutic agent for treating hypertension and associated pathogenesis in postmenopausal females, and in males. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

  1. Relationship between NOX4 level and angiotensin II signaling in Gitelman’s syndrome. Implications with hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Calò, Lorenzo A; Savoia, Carmine; Davis, Paul A; Pagnin, Elisa; Ravarotto, Verdiana; Maiolino, Giuseppe

    2015-01-01

    Recent evidence showed that endogenous nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase 4 (NOX4) may exert a protective role on the cardiovascular system inducing vasodilation, reduction of blood pressure, and anti-proliferative actions. However, the functional significance of NOX4 in the cardiovascular system in humans remains elusive. Mononuclear cell levels of NOX4 were assessed by immunoblotting in 14 Gitelman’s patients (GS), a unique human model of endogenous Ang II signaling antagonism and activation of anti-atherosclerotic and anti-remodeling defenses, and compared to 11 untreated essential hypertensive patients as well as to 11 healthy normotensive subjects. The association between NOX4 and its effector heme oxygenase (HO-1) (sandwich immunoassay) was also evaluated. NOX4 protein levels were decreased in hypertensive patients as compared to both GS and healthy subjects (1.06±0.31 AU vs. 1.76±0.54, P=0.002 and vs. 1.61±0.54, P=0.018, respectively). NOX4 protein level did not differ between GS and healthy subjects. HO-1 levels were increased in GS patients as compared to both hypertensive patients and healthy subjects (8.65±3.08 ng/ml vs 3.70±1.19, P<0.0001, and vs 5.49±1.04, P=0.008, respectively. NOX4 levels correlate with HO-1 levels only in GS (r2=0.63; P=0.001), (r2=0.088; P=ns, in hypertensive patients and r2=0.082; P=ns, in healthy subjects). Our findings show that NOX4 and its effector HO-1 are reduced in hypertensive patients compared to GS patients, a human model opposite to hypertension. Although the functional significance of NOX4 needs further clarification, our preliminary data in a unique human model of anti-atherosclerotic and anti-remodeling defenses activation, highlight the potentially protective role of NOX4 in the human cardiovascular system. PMID:26221292

  2. Potassium Supplementation Prevents Sodium Chloride Cotransporter Stimulation during Angiotensin II Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Veiras, Luciana C.; Han, Jiyang; Ralph, Donna L.; McDonough, Alicia A.

    2016-01-01

    Ang II hypertension increases distal tubule Na-Cl cotransporter (NCC) abundance and phosphorylation (NCCp), as well as epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) abundance and activating cleavage. Acutely raising plasma [K+] by infusion or ingestion provokes a rapid decrease in NCCp that drives a compensatory kaliuresis. The first aim tested whether acutely raising plasma [K+] with a single 3 hr 2% potassium meal would lower NCCp in Sprague Dawley rats after 14 days of AngII (400 ng/kg/min). The potassium-rich meal neither decreased NCCp nor increased K+ excretion. AngII infused rats exhibited lower plasma [K+] versus controls (3.6 ± 0.2 vs. 4.5 ± 0.1 mmol/L, p < 0.05) suggesting that Ang II mediated ENaC activation provokes K+ depletion. The second aim tested whether doubling dietary potassium intake from 1% (A1K) to 2% (A2K) would prevent K+ depletion during AngII infusion and, thus, prevent NCC accumulation. A2K fed rats exhibited normal plasma [K+] and 2-fold higher K+ excretion and plasma [aldosterone] versus A1K. In A1K rats, NCC, NCCpS71, and NCCpT53 abundance increased 1.5- to 3-fold versus controls (p< 0.05). The rise in NCC and NCCp abundance was prevented in the A2K rats, yet blood pressure did not significantly decrease. ENaC subunit abundance and cleavage increased 1.5- to 3-fold in both A1K and A2K; ROMK abundance was unaffected by Ang II or dietary K+. In summary, the accumulation and phosphorylation of NCC seen during chronic AngII infusion hypertension is likely secondary to potassium deficiency driven by ENaC stimulation. PMID:27600183

  3. The Role of Plasma Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Ratio to Predict New Cardiovascular Events in Essential Hypertensive Patients.

    PubMed

    Turak, Osman; Afşar, Barış; Ozcan, Fırat; Öksüz, Fatih; Mendi, Mehmet Ali; Yayla, Çagrı; Covic, Adrian; Bertelsen, Nathan; Kanbay, Mehmet

    2016-08-01

    Triglyceride (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (TG/HDL-C) has been suggested as a simple method to identify unfavorable cardiovascular outcomes in the general population. The effect of the TG/HDL-C ratio on essential hypertensive patients is unclear. About 900 consecutive essential hypertensive patients (mean age 52.9±12.6 years, 54.2% male) who visited our outpatient hypertension clinic were analyzed. Participants were divided into quartiles based on baseline TG/HDL-C ratio and medical records were obtained periodically for the occurrence of fatal events and composite major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) including transient ischemic attack, stroke, aortic dissection, acute coronary syndrome, and death. Participants were followed for a median of 40 months (interquartile range, 35-44 months). Overall, a higher quartile of TG/HDL-C ratio at baseline was significantly linked with higher incidence of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events. Using multivariate Cox regression analysis, plasma TG/HDL-C ratio was independently associated with increased risk of fatal events (hazard ratio [HR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.37; P≤.001] and MACEs (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.06-1.21; P≤.001). Increased plasma TG/HDL-C ratio was associated with more fatal events and MACEs in essential hypertensive patients. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  4. Oxidative stress in patients with essential hypertension: a comparison of dippers and non-dippers.

    PubMed

    Gönenç, Aymelek; Hacışevki, Aysun; Tavil, Yusuf; Çengel, Atiye; Torun, Meral

    2013-03-01

    Oxidative stress seems to play an important role in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension. We aimed to examine serum MDA, NO, 8-OHdG, ADMA, NT, CoQ10 and TAC as biomarkers of oxidative stress in dipper and non-dipper hypertensive patients. Eighteen dipper hypertensives, 20 non-dipper hypertensives and 22 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Clinical assessment and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed in patients. Serum MDA, TAC and NO levels were measured by using spectrophotometric methods. CoQ10 levels were measured by HPLC method. 8-OHdG, ADMA and NT were quantitated by ELISA methods. MDA levels were significantly higher in dipper and non-dipper groups compared to controls (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). TAC levels were found at low level in patients dipper and non-dipper patients compared to control group (p<0.01). Higher ADMA and NT levels but lower CoQ10 levels were found in non-dipper group compared to healthy controls (p<0.01, p<0.05, and p<0.05, respectively). ADMA levels were found higher in non-dipper group than those of dipper group (p<0.01). Increased ADMA, NT levels and decreased CoQ10 levels in non-dipper hypertensive patients might indicate more severe oxidative stres compared with dipper hypertensive patients, which plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Increased MDA and reduced TAC levels might be considered as prospective prognostic markers of the development of cardiovascular diseases in dipper and non-dipper hypertensive patients. Copyright © 2012 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Genetic association analysis of inositol polyphosphate phosphatase‐like 1 (INPPL1, SHIP2) variants with essential hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Marçano, Ana Carolina Braga; Burke, Beverley; Gungadoo, Johannie; Wallace, Chris; Kaisaki, Pamela J; Woon, Peng Y; Farrall, Martin; Clayton, David; Brown, Morris; Dominiczak, Anna; Connell, John M; Webster, John; Lathrop, Mark; Caulfield, Mark; Samani, Nilesh; Gauguier, Dominique; Munroe, Patricia B

    2007-01-01

    Background Inositol polyphosphate phosphatase‐like 1 (INPPL1, SHIP2) is a negative regulator of insulin signalling and has previously been found to be associated with hypertension, obesity and type 2 diabetes in a cohort of families with diabetes in the UK presenting features of metabolic syndrome. In particular, a haplotype of three genetic polymorphisms (rs2276047, rs9886 and an insertion/deletion polymorphism in intron 1) was found to be strongly associated with increased susceptibility to hypertension. Objective and methods To assess if INPPL1 variants play a direct role in the development of essential hypertension, we genotyped the three previously associated INPPL1 polymorphisms in a cohort of 712 families with severe hypertension from the BRIGHT study transmission disequilibrium test cohort. Results We found no evidence of significant association between hypertension and any of the three INPPL1 polymorphisms or haplotypes (p>0.1). Conclusion These results suggest that INPPL1 variants may be involved in mechanisms causing hypertension in metabolic syndrome patients specifically. PMID:17557929

  6. 2-METHOXYESTRADIOL REDUCES ANGIOTENSIN II-INDUCED HYPERTENSION AND RENAL DYSFUNCTION IN OVARIECTOMIZED FEMALE AND INTACT MALE MICE

    PubMed Central

    Pingili, Ajeeth K.; Davidge, Karen N.; Thirunavukkarasu, Shyamala; Khan, Nayaab S.; Katsurada, Akemi; Majid, Dewan S. A.; Gonzalez, Frank J.; Navar, L. Gabriel; Malik, Kafait U.

    2017-01-01

    cytochrome P45 1B1 protects against angiotensin II-induced hypertension and associated cardiovascular changes in female mice, most likely via production of 2-methoxyestradiol. This study was conducted to determine if 2-methoxyestradiol ameliorates angiotensin II-induced hypertension, renal dysfunction, and end-organ damage in intact Cyp1b1−/−, ovariectomized female, and in Cyp1b1+/+ male mice. Ang II or vehicle was infused for 2 weeks and administered concurrently with 2-methoxyestradiol. Mice were placed in metabolic cages on day 12 of Ang II infusion for urine collection for 24 h. 2-Methoxyestradiol reduced angiotensin II-induced increases in systolic blood pressure, water consumption, urine output, and proteinuria in intact female Cyp1b1−/− and ovariectomized mice. 2-Methoxyestradiol also reduced Ang II-induced increase in blood pressure, water intake, urine output, and proteinuria in Cyp1b1+/+ male mice. Treatment with 2-methoxyestradiol attenuated Ang II-induced end-organ damage in intact Cyp1b1−/− and ovariectomized Cyp1b1+/+ and Cyp1b1−/− female mice, and Cyp1b1+/+ male mice. 2-Methoxyestradiol mitigated Ang II-induced increase in urinary excretion of angiotensinogen in intact Cyp1b1−/− and ovariectomized Cyp1b1+/+ and Cyp1b1−/− female mice but not in Cyp1b1+/+ male mice. The G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 antagonist G-15 failed to alter Ang II-induced increases in blood pressure and renal function in Cyp1b1+/+ female mice. These data suggest that 2-methoxyestradiol reduces angiotensin II-induced hypertension and associated end-organ damage in intact Cyp1b1−/−, ovariectomized Cyp1b1+/+ and Cyp1b1−/− female mice, and Cyp1b1+/+ male mice independent of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1. Therefore, 2-methoxyestradiol could serve as a therapeutic agent for treating hypertension and associated pathogenesis in postmenopausal females, and in males. PMID:28416584

  7. G-protein beta 3 subunit polymorphisms and essential hypertension: a case-control association study in northern Han Chinese

    PubMed Central

    Li, Mei; Zhang, Bei; Li, Chuang; Liu, Jie-Lin; Wang, Li-Juan; Liu, Ya; Wang, Zuo-Guang; Wen, Shao-Jun

    2015-01-01

    Objective To explore the association between the three polymorphisms [ C825T, C1429T and G(-350)A] of the gene encoding the G protein beta 3 subunit (GNB3) and hypertension by performing a case-control study in the northern Han Chinese population. Methods We recruited 731 hypertensive patients and 673 control subjects (the calculated power value was > 0.8). Genotyping was performed to identify C825T, C1429T and G(-350)A polymorphisms using the TaqMan assay. Comparisons of allelic and genotypic frequencies between cases and controls were made by using the chi-square test. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationships between the three polymorphisms of GNB3 gene under different genetic models (additive, dominant and recessive models). Results The genotype distribution and allele frequencies of C825T, C1429T and G(-350)A polymorphisms did not differ significantly between hypertensive patients and control subjects, either when the full sample was assessed, or when the sample was stratified by gender. No significant association was observed between C825T, C1429T and G(-350)A polymorphisms and the risk of essential hypertension in any genetic model. Linkage disequilibrium was only detected between C825T and C1429T polymorphisms. Haplotype analyses observed that none of the three estimated haplotypes significantly increased the risk of hypertension. Conclusions Our study suggested that the GNB3 gene polymorphisms [C825T, C1429T and G(-350)A] were not significantly associated with essential hypertension in northern Han Chinese population. PMID:25870615

  8. Gestational Exposure to Elevated Testosterone Levels Induces Hypertension via Heightened Vascular Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Signaling in Rats1

    PubMed Central

    Chinnathambi, Vijayakumar; More, Amar S.; Hankins, Gary D.; Yallampalli, Chandra; Sathishkumar, Kunju

    2014-01-01

    ABSTRACT Pre-eclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy disorder whose pathogenesis remains unclear. Plasma testosterone levels are elevated in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and polycystic ovary syndrome, who often develop gestational hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that increased gestational testosterone levels induce hypertension via heightened angiotensin II signaling. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with vehicle or testosterone propionate from Gestational Day 15 to 19 to induce a 2-fold increase in plasma testosterone levels, similar to levels observed in clinical conditions like pre-eclampsia. A subset of rats in these two groups was given losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist by gavage during the course of testosterone exposure. Blood pressure levels were assessed through a carotid arterial catheter and endothelium-independent vascular reactivity through wire myography. Angiotensin II levels in plasma and angiotensin II type 1 receptor expression in mesenteric arteries were also examined. Blood pressure levels were significantly higher on Gestational Day 20 in testosterone-treated dams than in controls. Treatment with losartan during the course of testosterone exposure significantly attenuated testosterone-induced hypertension. Plasma angiotensin II levels were not significantly different between control and testosterone-treated rats; however, elevated testosterone levels significantly increased angiotensin II type 1 receptor protein levels in the mesenteric arteries. In testosterone-treated rats, mesenteric artery contractile responses to angiotensin II were significantly greater, whereas contractile responses to K+ depolarization and phenylephrine were unaffected. The results demonstrate that elevated testosterone during gestation induces hypertension in pregnant rats via heightened angiotensin II type 1 receptor-mediated signaling, providing a molecular mechanism linking elevated maternal testosterone levels with

  9. Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 Cation Channel Kinase: New Player in Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Antunes, Tayze T; Callera, Glaucia E; He, Ying; Yogi, Alvaro; Ryazanov, Alexey G; Ryazanova, Lillia V; Zhai, Alexander; Stewart, Duncan J; Shrier, Alvin; Touyz, Rhian M

    2016-04-01

    Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) is a bifunctional protein comprising a magnesium (Mg(2+))/cation channel and a kinase domain. We previously demonstrated that vasoactive agents regulate vascular TRPM7. Whether TRPM7 plays a role in the pathophysiology of hypertension and associated cardiovascular dysfunction is unknown. We studied TRPM7 kinase-deficient mice (TRPM7Δkinase; heterozygous for TRPM7 kinase) and wild-type (WT) mice infused with angiotensin II (Ang II; 400 ng/kg per minute, 4 weeks). TRPM7 kinase expression was lower in heart and aorta from TRPM7Δkinase versus WT mice, effects that were further reduced by Ang II infusion. Plasma Mg(2+) was lower in TRPM7Δkinase versus WT mice in basal and stimulated conditions. Ang II increased blood pressure in both strains with exaggerated responses in TRPM7Δkinase versus WT groups (P<0.05). Acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation was reduced in Ang II-infused TRPM7Δkinase mice, an effect associated with Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase downregulation. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression was increased in Ang II-infused TRPM7 kinase-deficient mice. TRPM7 kinase targets, calpain, and annexin-1, were activated by Ang II in WT but not in TRPM7Δkinase mice. Echocardiographic and histopathologic analysis demonstrated cardiac hypertrophy and left ventricular dysfunction in Ang II-treated groups. In TRPM7 kinase-deficient mice, Ang II-induced cardiac functional and structural effects were amplified compared with WT counterparts. Our data demonstrate that in TRPM7Δkinase mice, Ang II-induced hypertension is exaggerated, cardiac remodeling and left ventricular dysfunction are amplified, and endothelial function is impaired. These processes are associated with hypomagnesemia, blunted TRPM7 kinase expression/signaling, endothelial nitric oxide synthase downregulation, and proinflammatory vascular responses. Our findings identify TRPM7 kinase as a novel player in Ang II-induced hypertension

  10. Left ventricular mass predicted by a single reading of ambulatory blood pressure in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Ohmori, S; Matsumura, K; Kajioka, T; Fukuhara, M; Abe, I; Fujishima, M

    2000-07-01

    The spectral power of heart rate variability has been shown to be negatively correlated with left ventricular mass (LVM), suggesting the contribution of left ventricular hypertrophy to autonomic dysfunction in essential hypertension. However, a simultaneous assessment of autonomic function and ambulatory blood pressure in relation to LVM has not been carried out. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the synergistic effects of ambulatory blood pressure and autonomic nerve activity on the heart. We enrolled 25 ambulant patients with untreated essential hypertension (9 men and 16 women; mean age 50.6 +/- 2.0 years). The ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate variability were simultaneously monitored every 30 min for 24 h. The spectral power of high-frequency (HF: 0.15 to 0.4 Hz) and low-frequency (LF: 0.05 to 0.15 Hz) bands were measured, and the ratio of LF to HF (LF/HF) was calculated. LF/HF and HF were used as indexes of sympathetic and parasympathetic activities, respectively. LVM was determined by echocardiography. Both the average daytime and nighttime systolic ambulatory blood pressures significantly correlated with the LVM index (r= 0.644, p< 0.001; and r= 0.428, p< 0.05; respectively), although there was no such correlation with the clinic blood pressures. In contrast, a single reading of ambulatory systolic blood pressure measured when LF/HF reached a maximum value was significantly correlated with the LVM index independently of age and sex (partial r= 0.484, p< 0.05). These results suggest that the ambulatory systolic blood pressure during increases in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system is able to infer LVM in essential hypertension.

  11. The Association of Mitofusion-2 Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility of Essential Hypertension in Northern Han Chinese Population.

    PubMed

    Li, Mei; Zhang, Bei; Li, Chuang; Liu, Jielin; Liu, Ya; Sun, Dongdong; Ma, Hanying; Wen, Shaojun

    2016-01-01

    Mitofusion-2 (Mfn2) played an important role in regulating vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation, insulin resistance and endoplasmic reticulum stress, which were found to be involved in the development of hypertension. So we inferred that the Mfn2 gene may participate in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine whether common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Mfn2 gene were associated with essential hypertension (EH) in northern Han Chinese. We genotyped 6 tagging SNPs of Mfn2 gene (rs2336384, rs2295281, rs17037564, rs2236057, rs2236058 and rs3766741) with the TaqMan assay in 626 hypertensive patients and 618 controls. Logistic regression analysis indicated that CC+CA genotype of rs2336384 and AA+AG genotype of rs2236057 were significantly associated with increased risk of EH (OR=1.617, P=0.005; OR=1.418, P=0.031, respectively). GG genotype of rs2236058 and GG+CG genotype of rs3766741 were found to be significantly associated with decreased risk of EH (OR=0.662, P=0.023; OR=0.639, P=0.024).When stratified by gender, for rs2336384, rs2236057 and rs2236058, significant association was observed in males, but not in females. Haplotype analysis indicated that the CCAACC haplotype was positively correlated with EH and there was a negative correlation between ACAGGG haplotype and EH. This study demonstrated that Mfn2 gene polymorphisms were associated with essential hypertension in northern Han Chinese population, especially in male subjects.

  12. The Association of Mitofusion-2 Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility of Essential Hypertension in Northern Han Chinese Population

    PubMed Central

    Li, Mei; Zhang, Bei; Li, Chuang; Liu, Jielin; Liu, Ya; Sun, Dongdong; Ma, Hanying; Wen, Shaojun

    2016-01-01

    Background: Mitofusion-2 (Mfn2) played an important role in regulating vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation, insulin resistance and endoplasmic reticulum stress, which were found to be involved in the development of hypertension. So we inferred that the Mfn2 gene may participate in the pathogenesis of hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine whether common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Mfn2 gene were associated with essential hypertension (EH) in northern Han Chinese. Methods: We genotyped 6 tagging SNPs of Mfn2 gene (rs2336384, rs2295281, rs17037564, rs2236057, rs2236058 and rs3766741) with the TaqMan assay in 626 hypertensive patients and 618 controls. Results: Logistic regression analysis indicated that CC+CA genotype of rs2336384 and AA+AG genotype of rs2236057 were significantly associated with increased risk of EH (OR=1.617, P=0.005; OR=1.418, P=0.031, respectively). GG genotype of rs2236058 and GG+CG genotype of rs3766741 were found to be significantly associated with decreased risk of EH (OR=0.662, P=0.023; OR=0.639, P=0.024).When stratified by gender, for rs2336384, rs2236057 and rs2236058, significant association was observed in males, but not in females. Haplotype analysis indicated that the CCAACC haplotype was positively correlated with EH and there was a negative correlation between ACAGGG haplotype and EH. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that Mfn2 gene polymorphisms were associated with essential hypertension in northern Han Chinese population, especially in male subjects. PMID:26816493

  13. Skeletal muscle insulin resistance in salt-sensitive hypertension: role of angiotensin II activation of NFκB.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Ming-Sheng; Liu, Chang; Tian, Runxia; Nishiyama, Akira; Raij, Leopoldo

    2015-05-01

    We have previously shown that in hypertensive Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats, impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine and to insulin is mechanistically linked to up-regulation of angiotensin (Ang) II actions and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to activation of the proinflammatory transcription factor (NF)κB. Here we investigated whether Ang II activation of NFκB contributed to insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle of this animal model. DS rats were fed either a normal (NS, 0.5% NaCl) or high (HS, 4% NaCl) salt diet for 6 weeks. In addition, 3 separate groups of HS rats were given angiotensin receptor 1 blocker candesartan (ARB, 10 mg/kg/day in drinking water), antioxidant tempol (1 mmol/L in drinking water) or NFκB inhibitor PDTC (150 mg/kg in drinking water). DS rats manifested an increase in soleus muscle Ang II content, ROS production and phosopho-IκBα/IκBα ratio, ARB or tempol reduced ROS and phospho-IκBα/IκBα ratio. Hypertensive DS rats also manifested a reduction in glucose infusion rate, impaired insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation and Glut-4 translocation in the soleus muscle, which were prevented with treatment of either ARB, tempol, or PDTC. Data from the rat diabetes signaling pathway PCR array showed that 8 genes among 84 target genes were altered in the muscle of hypertensive rats with the increase in gene expression of ACE1 and 5 proinflammatory genes, and decrease of 2 glucose metabolic genes. Incubation of the muscle with NFκB SN50 (a specific peptide inhibitor of NFκB) ex vivo reversed changes in hypertension-induced gene expression. The current findings strongly suggest that the activation of NFκB inflammatory pathway by Ang II play a critical role in skeletal muscle insulin resistance in salt-sensitive hypertension.

  14. Azilsartan Medoxomil, an Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist for the Treatment of Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Hjermitslev, Marie; Grimm, Daniela G; Wehland, Markus; Simonsen, Ulf; Krüger, Marcus

    2017-10-01

    Azilsartan (AZL) medoxomil was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2011 for the treatment of hypertension and has shown promising results both in blood pressure (BP) reduction and in tolerability, but has not yet been taken into practice to the same extent as other angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) that have been on the market for a longer period. AZL antagonizes the AT 1 receptor for angiotensin II (ANG II), whereas angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to ANG II, but not alternative routes of formation of ANG II. The bioavailability of AZL is about 60% and it has a t max of 1.5-3 hr and a half-life of approximately 11 hr. With its IC 50 of 7.4 nM after 5 hr of drug washout in radioligand assays, AZL has a tighter and longer-lasting binding to the AT 1 receptor by several orders of magnitude than other ARBs, which might lead to a more effective reduction in BP. Clinical studies have revealed that AZL doses of 40 and 80 mg/day reduce BP significantly better than maximal clinical doses of valsartan or olmesartan, while being well tolerated and exhibiting a spectrum of adverse effects comparable to those of other ARBs. These properties of AZL might lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and thereby reduce mortality rates. However, the existing mortality studies have not found this correlation, which should be further investigated. © 2017 Nordic Association for the Publication of BCPT (former Nordic Pharmacological Society).

  15. Differential impact of diabetes mellitus type II and arterial hypertension on collateral artery growth and concomitant macrophage accumulation.

    PubMed

    Ito, Wulf D; Lund, Natalie; Sager, Hendrik; Becker, Wiebke; Wenzel, Ulrich

    2015-01-01

    Diabetes mellitus type II and arterial hypertension are major risk factors for peripheral arterial disease and have been considered to reduce collateral growth (arteriogenesis). Collateral growth proceeds through different stages. Vascular proliferation and macrophage accumulation are hallmarks of early collateral growth. We here compare the impact of arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II on collateral proliferation (Brdu incorporation) and macrophage accumulation (ED 2 staining) as well as collateral vessel function (collateral conductance) in a rat model of peripheral vascular disease (femoral artery occlusion), diabetes mellitus type II (Zucker fatty diabetic rats and Zucker lean rat controls) and arterial hypertension (induced via clip placement around the right renal arteriy). We furthermore tested the impact of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP‑1) on collateral proliferation and macrophage accumulation in these models Diabetic animals showed reduced vascular proliferation and macrophage accumulation, which however did not translate into a change of collateral conductance. Hypertensive animals on the contrary had reduced collateral conductances without altered macrophage accumulation and only a marginal reduction in collateral proliferation. Infusion of MCP‑1 only enhanced vascular proliferation in diabetic animals. These findings illustrate that impaired monocyte/macrophage recruitment is responsible for reduced collateral growth under diabetic conditions but not in arterial hypertension suggesting that diabetes mellitus in particular affects early stages of collateral growth whereas hypertension has its impact on later remodeling stages. Successful pro-arteriogenic treatment strategies in a patient population that presents with diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension need to address different stages of collateral growth and thus different molecular and cellular targets simultaneously.

  16. Sodium butyrate suppresses angiotensin II-induced hypertension by inhibition of renal (pro)renin receptor and intrarenal renin-angiotensin system.

    PubMed

    Wang, Lei; Zhu, Qing; Lu, Aihua; Liu, Xiaofen; Zhang, Linlin; Xu, Chuanming; Liu, Xiyang; Li, Haobo; Yang, Tianxin

    2017-09-01

    Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, is the end product of the fermentation of complex carbohydrates by the gut microbiota. Recently, sodium butyrate (NaBu) has been found to play a protective role in a number of chronic diseases. However, it is still unclear whether NaBu has a therapeutic potential in hypertension. The present study was aimed to investigate the role of NaBu in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension and to further explore the underlying mechanism. Ang II was infused into uninephrectomized Sprague-Dawley rats with or without intramedullary infusion of NaBu for 14 days. Mean arterial blood pressure was recorded by the telemetry system. Renal tissues, serum samples, and 24-h urine samples were collected to examine renal injury and the regulation of the (pro)renin receptor (PRR) and renin. Intramedullary infusion of NaBu in Sprague-Dawley rats lowered the Ang II-induced mean arterial pressure from 129 ± 6 mmHg to 108 ± 4 mmHg (P < 0.01). This corresponded with an improvement in Ang II-induced renal injury, including urinary albumin, glomerulosclerosis, and renal fibrosis, as well as the expression of inflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6. The renal expression of PRR, angiotensinogen, angiotensin I-converting enzyme and the urinary excretion of soluble PRR, renin, and angiotensinogen were all increased by Ang II infusion but decreased by NaBu treatment. In cultured innermedullary collecting duct cells, NaBu treatment attenuated Ang II-induced expression of PRR and renin. These results demonstrate that NaBu exerts an antihypertensive action, likely by suppressing the PRR-mediated intrarenal renin-angiotensin system.

  17. Clinical efficacy and safety of olmesartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination therapy in patients with essential hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Ruilope, Luis M

    2008-01-01

    Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease that contributes to the premature death of millions of people each year, and identification and treatment of hypertension continues to be a challenge. Guidelines recommend that many patients will require two or more antihypertensive agents from different classes. Combining an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) has been shown in clinical studies to increase the antihypertensive efficacy of both agents compared with either agent alone. This review covers several clinical trials and aims to examine several aspects of the efficacy of the combination of olmesartan and HCTZ, including dose-responsiveness, long-term efficacy, goal rate achievement, and efficacy in patients with moderate to severe hypertension. The results presented here demonstrate that olmesartan is effective when added to HCTZ monotherapy or when HCTZ is added to olmesartan monotherapy, both over the short and long term. Moderate to severe hypertension responds well to olmesartan/HCTZ combination therapy, and the great majority of patients are able to achieve recommended blood pressure targets. Thus olmesartan/HCTZ is a well-tolerated option for patients who fail to respond to monotherapy and as initial therapy in those who require large reductions in diastolic blood pressure or systolic blood pressure to achieve goal blood pressure. PMID:19337537

  18. Effect of antihypertensive drug therapy on short-term heart rate variability in newly diagnosed essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Pavithran, Purushothaman; Prakash, E Sankaranarayanan; Dutta, Tarun K; Madanmohan, Trakroo

    2010-02-01

    1. Abnormalities of cardiac autonomic regulation are a potential mechanism for morbidity despite blood pressure (BP) lowering in hypertension. Analysis of short-term (5 min) heart rate variability (HRV) provides a non-invasive probe of autonomic regulation of sino-atrial (SA) node automaticity. 2. We hypothesized that antihypertensive drug therapy would be associated with an increase in 5 min overall HRV, along with a decrease in blood pressure (BP), at 8 weeks follow up in subjects with newly diagnosed, never-treated essential hypertension. 3. One hundred and fifty patients (84 men and 66 women; mean (+/-SD) age 48 +/- 10 years) with newly diagnosed essential hypertension were divided to five groups of 30 patients each to receive one of the following antihypertensive drugs (or drug combinations): 5 mg/day amlodipine; 50 mg/day atenolol; 5 mg/day enalapril; 25 mg/day hydrochlorothiazide; or a combination of 5 mg/day amlodipine and 50 mg/day atenolol. 4. The only significant change in HRV indices was an increase in total variability of RR intervals and an increase in high-frequency (HF) RR interval spectral power in the amlodipine + atenolol-treated group (P < 0.05). 5. The results indicate that there is a dissociation between changes in short-term HRV and mean RR interval and BP lowering in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension. 6. We interpret the increase in HF RR interval spectral power in the amlodipine + atenolol-treated group as being due to an increase in vagal modulation of RR intervals and/or diminution in sympathetic restraint of respiratory sinus arrhythmia.

  19. Long-term effects of telmisartan on blood pressure, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and lipids in hypertensive patients.

    PubMed

    Aoki, Akiko; Ogawa, Tetsuya; Sumino, Hiroyuki; Kumakura, Hisao; Takayama, Yoshiaki; Ichikawa, Shuichi; Nitta, Kosaku

    2010-05-01

    We prospectively evaluated long-term (12 months) effects of telmisartan on blood pressure (BP), circulating renin-angiotensin-aldosterone levels, and lipids in hypertensive patients. There were 13 men and 11 women, 59 +/- 8.7 years of age (mean +/- SEM), with untreated essential hypertension. The 20-60 mg doses of telmisartan were administered once daily in the morning until BP130/85 was obtained. Blood pressure and plasma renin activity, plasma angiotensin (Ang) I and Ang II, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity, plasma aldosterone concentration, plasma human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) concentration, and serum lipids were obtained 6 and 12 months after starting telmisartan administration. Systolic and diastolic BP were significantly (P < 0.001, P < 0.001) decreased from 162 +/- 3.3 and 97.7 +/- 2.1 mmHg to 128 +/- 3.8 and 79.6 +/- 2.0 mmHg after 12 months of treatment, respectively. Plasma Ang I and Ang II were unchanged at 12 months. Plasma renin activity and serum ACE activity were significantly (P < 0.001, P < 0.05) increased and plasma aldosterone concentration was unchanged during the study period. Total cholesterol levels were unchanged, but serum triglycerides levels were significantly decreased at 12 months (P < 0.01). Plasma hANP showed no significant alteration throughout the 12-month period. In hypertensive patients, telmisartan is a beneficial antihypertensive drug that also lowers serum triglycerides.

  20. Effects of acute and chronic exercise in patients with essential hypertension: benefits and risks.

    PubMed

    Gkaliagkousi, Eugenia; Gavriilaki, Eleni; Douma, Stella

    2015-04-01

    The importance of regular physical activity in essential hypertension has been extensively investigated over the last decades and has emerged as a major modifiable factor contributing to optimal blood pressure control. Aerobic exercise exerts its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system by promoting traditional cardiovascular risk factor regulation, as well as by favorably regulating sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, molecular effects, cardiac, and vascular function. Benefits of resistance exercise need further validation. On the other hand, acute exercise is now an established trigger of acute cardiac events. A number of possible pathophysiological links have been proposed, including SNS, vascular function, coagulation, fibrinolysis, and platelet function. In order to fully interpret this knowledge into clinical practice, we need to better understand the role of exercise intensity and duration in this pathophysiological cascade and in special populations. Further studies in hypertensive patients are also warranted in order to clarify the possibly favorable effect of antihypertensive treatment on exercise-induced effects. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2014. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  1. The pathogenesis of propranolol-withdrawal syndrome in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Kristensen, B O; Steiness, E; Weeke, J

    1979-12-01

    1. In hypertension, the beta-adrenoreceptor-blocker-withdrawal syndrome comprises tachycardia, sweating, tremor and general malaise, symptoms resembling thyrotoxicosis. 2. The effect of abrupt cessation of propranolol on serum concentrations of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) was therefore investigated in five patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension, treated with propranolol in doses from 160 to 480 mg/day. 3. Four of the five patients developed one or more of the above-mentioned symptoms within 2-6 days after withdrawal of propranolol. 4. A mean relative increase in serum free T3 of 51% (range 22-74%) was found in these four patients on the day of onset of symptoms. 5. The increase in free T3 in the five patients correlated positively with total serum propranolol on the last day the drug was given (r = 0.91, 2P = 0.03). 6. As an increase in T3 was found only in patients suffering the withdrawal syndrome, and was maximal the day the symptoms appeared, despite a variation in time of onset from 2 to 6 days, it is suggested that the beta-adrenoreceptor-blocker-withdrawal syndrome, at least partially, is caused by rebound increased production of T3, induced by the well-known inhibition of the monodeiodination of T4 to T3 during beta-adrenoreceptor blockade. 7. This assumption may explain the clinical symptoms and the reported transient increased beta-adrenoreceptor sensitivity with unchanged serum concentrations of catecholamines.

  2. Impact of masked hypertension on diabetic nephropathy in patients with type II diabetes: a KAMOGAWA-HBP study.

    PubMed

    Ushigome, Emi; Oyabu, Chikako; Tanaka, Toru; Hasegawa, Goji; Ohnishi, Masayoshi; Tsunoda, Sei; Ushigome, Hidetaka; Yokota, Isao; Nakamura, Naoto; Oda, Yohei; Asano, Mai; Tanaka, Muhei; Yamazaki, Masahiro; Fukui, Michiaki

    2018-05-01

    The prognostic significance of masked hypertension (MH) on the progression of diabetic nephropathy among patients with type II diabetes is not well documented. We examined the relationship between clinic systolic blood pressure (SBP) and morning home SBP measurements and progression to macroalbuminuria in patients with type II diabetes. We analyzed prospective cohort study data from 712 patients with type II diabetes. We classified the patients into the following four groups according to their clinic (130 mm Hg) and home (125 mm Hg) SBP measurements: controlled blood pressure group, white-coat hypertension group, MH group, and sustained hypertension (SH) group. The patients were instructed to perform triplicate morning and evening blood pressure measurements for 14 consecutive days. During the 2-year follow-up period, 23 patients progressed to macroalbuminuria. The unadjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for progression to macroalbuminuria among the patients with MH was significantly higher than that among the patients with controlled blood pressure (8.89 [1.06-74.88]). No significant relationship was observed between white-coat hypertension or SH and progression to macroalbuminuria. In analyses adjusted for various potential confounders, the adjusted odds ratio for progression to macroalbuminuria in the MH group was more than 8-fold higher than that in the controlled blood pressure group. MH might be a predictor of progression to macroalbuminuria among patients with type II diabetes. This rate of progression is comparable with or greater than the results reported for patients with SH. Copyright © 2018 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. The risk of coronary artery disease estimated non-invasively in patients with essential hypertension environmentally exposed to cigarette smoke.

    PubMed

    Gać, Paweł; Jaźwiec, Przemysław; Poręba, Małgorzata; Mazur, Grzegorz; Pawlas, Krystyna; Sobieszczańska, Małgorzata; Poręba, Rafał

    2017-12-01

    The relationship between environmental exposure of non-smokers to cigarette smoke and the coronary artery calcium scores has not been sufficiently documented. The aim of the study was to identify the relationship between environmental exposure to cigarette smoke and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) estimated non-invasively through measurement of coronary artery calcium score by computed tomography in patients with essential hypertension. The study was conducted on 67 patients with essential hypertension, non-smokers environmentally exposed to cigarette smoke (group A) and on 67 patients with essential hypertension, non-smokers not exposed to cigarette smoke (group B), selected using the case to case. Environmental exposure to cigarette smoke was evaluated using a questionnaire. The risk of development of coronary artery disease was estimated non-invasively through measurement of coronary artery calcium score (CA CS ) by computed tomography. Group A was characterised by significantly higher CA CS and left anterior descending (LAD CS ) calcium scores than group B. Compared to group B, group A had significantly higher percentage of patients with significant risk of CAD estimated on the basis of CA CS values, and significantly lower percentage of patients with practically no risk of CAD estimated with the same method. Advanced age, peripheral artery diseases and environmental exposure to cigarette smoke are independent risk factors associated with increased CA CS and LAD CS values. In addition, higher BMI and hypercholesterolemia are independent risk factors for increased values of LAD CS . In patients with essential hypertension environmental exposure to cigarette smoke may result in elevated risk of coronary artery disease estimated non-invasively through measurement of coronary artery calcium score by computed tomography. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Comparison of the efficacy and safety of azilsartan with that of candesartan cilexetil in Japanese patients with grade I–II essential hypertension: a randomized, double-blind clinical study

    PubMed Central

    Rakugi, Hiromi; Enya, Kazuaki; Sugiura, Kenkichi; Ikeda, Yoshinori

    2012-01-01

    Azilsartan is a novel angiotensin receptor blocker being developed for hypertension treatment. This 16-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study compared the efficacy and safety of azilsartan (20–40 mg once daily by forced titration) and its ability to provide 24-h blood pressure (BP) control, with that of candesartan cilexetil (candesartan; 8–12 mg once daily by forced titration) in 622 Japanese patients with grade I–II essential hypertension. Efficacy was evaluated by clinic-measured sitting BP, and by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) at week 14. Participants (mean age: 57 years, 61% males) had a mean baseline sitting BP of 159.8/100.4 mm Hg. The mean change from baseline in sitting diastolic BP at week 16 (primary endpoint) was −12.4 mm Hg in the azilsartan group and −9.8 mm Hg in the candesartan group, demonstrating a statistically significant greater reduction with azilsartan vs. candesartan (difference: −2.6 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval (CI): −4.08 to −1.22 mm Hg, P=0.0003). The week 16 (secondary endpoint) mean change from baseline in sitting systolic BP was −21.8 mm Hg and −17.5 mm Hg, respectively, a significant decrease with azilsartan vs. candesartan (difference: −4.4 mm Hg, 95% CI: −6.53 to −2.20 mm Hg, P<0.0001). On ABPM, the week 14 mean changes from baseline in diastolic and systolic BP were also significantly greater with azilsartan over a 24-h period, and during the daytime, night-time and early morning. Safety and tolerability were similar among the two groups. These data demonstrate that once-daily azilsartan provides a more potent 24-h sustained antihypertensive effect than that of candesartan but with equivalent safety. PMID:22278628

  5. Sodium sensitive hypertension: renal and adrenal non-modulation in its pathogenesis

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hollenberg, N. K.; Williams, G. H.

    1988-01-01

    The thrust of this essay will be to organize a growing body of evidence which indicates that an abnormality of the kidney, and the adrenal, involving disordered regulation through the renin-angiotensin system, is responsible for the pathogenesis in about 45% of patients--a discrete subgroup that may be most common cause of hypertension. That fundamental abnormality leads to disordered renal sodium handling and sodium-sensitive hypertension, abnormalities in the renal vascular response to changes in sodium intake and to angiotensin II, blunted decrements of renin release in response to saline or angiotensin II, and an accentuated renal vasodilator response to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. ACE inhibition not only increases renal blood flow substantially more in these patients than it does in normal subjects, ACE inhibition also restores to normal the renal vascular and adrenal response to angiotensin II, renin release in response to angiotensin II, renal sodium handling--and ultimately blood pressure. Finally, and perhaps most intriguing, similar abnormalities have been found in 50% of the normotensive offspring of patients with essential hypertension and evidence is accruing to indicate that the abnormality is inherited as a Mendelian dominant.

  6. Effect of Interaction Between Noise and A1166C Site of AT1R Gene Polymorphism on Essential Hypertension in an Iron and Steel Enterprise Workers.

    PubMed

    Tong, Junwang; Wang, Ying; Yuan, Juxiang; Yang, Jingbo; Wang, Zhaoyang; Zheng, Yao; Chai, Feng; Li, Xiangwen

    2017-04-01

    This study aimed to analyze the interaction of Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) gene polymorphism and occupational noise on the occurrence of essential hypertension (EH) in steel and iron enterprise men workers. A case control study of 935 iron and steel enterprise men workers was conducted, which included 312 cases of hypertension and 623 cases without hypertension. The noise at the workplace was assessed. Polymorphism of AT1R of the workers was examined using polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism. Polymorphism of AT1R (AC+CC vs. AA, odds ratio [OR] = 1.760, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.061∼2.920) and noise (greater than or equal to 85 dB(A),OR = 1.641, 95%CI: 1.225∼2.198) were independent determinants of EH using multivariate Logistic regression. Compared with AA carriers without noise, AC+CC interacted with noise (OR = 2.519, 95%CI: 1.254∼5.062) based on the multiplied model. AC+CC genotype of AT1R and noise were the risky factors of EH. These factors also interacted with each other.

  7. Effect of Interaction Between Noise and A1166C Site of AT1R Gene Polymorphism on Essential Hypertension in an Iron and Steel Enterprise Workers

    PubMed Central

    Tong, Junwang; Wang, Ying; Yuan, Juxiang; Yang, Jingbo; Wang, Zhaoyang; Zheng, Yao; Chai, Feng; Li, Xiangwen

    2017-01-01

    Objective: This study aimed to analyze the interaction of Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) gene polymorphism and occupational noise on the occurrence of essential hypertension (EH) in steel and iron enterprise men workers. Methods: A case control study of 935 iron and steel enterprise men workers was conducted, which included 312 cases of hypertension and 623 cases without hypertension. The noise at the workplace was assessed. Polymorphism of AT1R of the workers was examined using polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Polymorphism of AT1R (AC+CC vs. AA, odds ratio [OR] = 1.760, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.061∼2.920) and noise (greater than or equal to 85 dB(A),OR = 1.641, 95%CI: 1.225∼2.198) were independent determinants of EH using multivariate Logistic regression. Compared with AA carriers without noise, AC+CC interacted with noise (OR = 2.519, 95%CI: 1.254∼5.062) based on the multiplied model. Conclusions: AC+CC genotype of AT1R and noise were the risky factors of EH. These factors also interacted with each other. PMID:28157766

  8. An assessment of the relationship between excess fluoride intake from drinking water and essential hypertension in adults residing in fluoride endemic areas.

    PubMed

    Sun, Liyan; Gao, Yanhui; Liu, Hui; Zhang, Wei; Ding, Yunpeng; Li, Bingyun; Li, Mang; Sun, Dianjun

    2013-01-15

    In this study, the relationships between high water fluoride exposure and essential hypertension as well as plasma ET-1 levels were investigated. A total of 487 residents aged 40 to 75 were randomly recruited from eight villages in Zhaozhou County from Heilongjiang Province in China and were divided into 4 groups according to the concentrations of fluoride in their water. Consumption levels of drinking water fluoride for normal, mild, moderate, and high exposure groups were 0.84±0.26 mg/L, 1.55±0.22 mg/L, 2.49±0.30 mg/L, and 4.06±1.15 mg/L, respectively. The prevalence of hypertension in each group was 20.16%, 24.54%, 32.30%, and 49.23%, respectively. There were significant differences between all the groups; namely, with the increase in water fluoride concentrations, the risk of essential hypertension in adults grows in a concentration-dependent manner. Significant differences were observed in the plasma ET-1 levels between the different groups (P<0.0001). In the multivariable logistic regression model, high water fluoride concentrations (F(-)≥3.01 mg/L, OR(4/1)=2.84), age (OR(3/1)=2.63), and BMI (OR(2/1)=2.40, OR(3/1)=6.03) were closely associated with essential hypertension. In other words, the study not only confirmed the relationship between excess fluoride intake and essential hypertension in adults, but it also demonstrated that high levels of fluoride exposure in drinking water could increase plasma ET-1 levels in subjects living in fluoride endemic areas. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Role of transforming growth factor-β2 in, and apossible transforming growth factor-β2 gene polymorphism as a marker of, renal dysfunction in essential hypertension: A study in Turkish patients

    PubMed Central

    Bicik, Zerrin; Gönen, Sevim; Bahçebasi, Talat; Reis, Kadriye; Arinsoy, Turgay; Sindel, Sükrü

    2005-01-01

    Background: Many studies have shown that transforming growth factor(TGF)-β has a major role in renal scarring in many renal diseases and hypertension. Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to investigate both the relationship between hypertension and serum and urinary levels of TGF-β2 (a more sensitive isoform for glomeruli than TGF-β1), and the effects of combination therapy with perindopril + indapamide on microalbuminuria, which becomes an early indicator of hypertensive benign nephropathy, and serum and urinary TGF-β2 levels in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. In addition, we examined the possible relationship between TGF-β2 gene polymorphism and essential hypertension. Methods: This study was conducted at the Department of Nephrology, Medical Faculty, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. Patients aged ≥18 years with newly diagnosed mild to moderate essential hypertension (systolic/diastolic blood pressure [SBP/DBP] >120/>80 mm Hg) who had not previously received antihypertensive treatment were included in the study. Patients with stage I hypertension received perindopril 2 mg + indapamide 0.625 mg (tablet), and patients with stage lI hypertension received perindopril 4 mg + indapamide 1.125 mg (tablet). All study drugs were given OD (morning) PO with food for 6 months. Serum and urinary TGF-β2 and creatinine levels and serum and urinary albumin levels were measured before and after perindopril + indapamide administration. Amplified DNA fragments of the TGF-β2 primer region were screened using amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction analysis, and the number of ACA repeats was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Genetic studies were performed using a commercial TGF-β2 kit. Results: Forty patients were enrolled in the study, and 38 patients (27 women, 11 men; mean [SD] age, 46.3 [6.5] years) completed it. SBP and DBP were significantly decreased from baseline with perindopril/indapamide (both, P < 0

  10. Plasma renin activity to plasma aldosterone concentration ratio correlates with night-time and pulse pressures in essential hypertensive patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/AT1 blockers.

    PubMed

    Spannella, Francesco; Giulietti, Federico; Balietti, Paolo; Borioni, Elisabetta; Lombardi, Francesca E; Ricci, Maddalena; Cocci, Guido; Landi, Laura; Sarzani, Riccardo

    2017-11-01

    Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) and AT1 blockers (ARB) are commonly used antihypertensive drugs, but several factors may affect their effectiveness. We evaluated the associations between ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring (ABPM) parameters and plasma renin activity (PRA)-to-plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) ratio (RAR) to test renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition in essential hypertensive patients treated with ACE-I or ARB for at least 12 months. We evaluated 194 consecutive patients referred to our Hypertension Centre. ABPM, PRA and PAC tests were performed without any changes in drug therapy. RAR, PRA and PAC tertiles were considered for the analyses. Mean age: 57.4 ± 12.0 years; male prevalence: 63.9%. No differences between RAR tertiles regarding the use of ACE-I or ARB (P = 0.385), as well as the other antihypertensive drug classes, were found. A reduction of all ABPM values considered (24-h BP, daytime BP and night-time BP and 24-h pulse pressure (PP), daytime PP and night-time PP) and a better BP control were observed at increasing RAR tertiles, with an odds ratio = 0.12 to be not controlled during night-time period for patients in the third tertile compared with patients in the first tertile (P < 0.001). This association remained significant even after adjusting for 24-h BP control. All the associations were also confirmed for PRA tertiles, but not for PAC tertiles. Higher RAR values indicate effective renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibition and lower night-time and pulse pressures in real-life clinical practice. It could be a useful biomarker in the management of essential hypertensive patients treated with ACE-I or ARB.

  11. Essential Hypertension: Cardiovascular Response to Breath Hold Combined with Exercise.

    PubMed

    Hoffmann, U; Urban, P; Koschate, J; Drescher, U; Pfister, R; Michels, G

    2015-07-01

    Essential hypertension (EH) is a widespread disease and might be prevalent in apnea divers and master athletes. Little is known about the influence of EH and the antihypertensive drugs (AHD) on cardiovascular reactions to combined breath hold (BH) and exercise. In this pilot study, healthy divers (HCON) were compared with treated hypertensive divers with regard to heart rate (HR) and mean blood-pressure (MAP) responses to BH, exercise and the combination of both. Ten subjects with EH and ten healthy divers were tested. 3 different 20 s stimuli were applied: BH combined with 30 W or 150 W and 150 W without BH. The time-charts during the stress intervals and during recovery were compared. Subjects treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor showed higher changes for MAP values if breath hold was performed. HR responses were obviously changed if a β-blocker was part of the medication. One subject showed extreme MAP responses to all stimuli and conspicuous HR if BH was involved. The modulation of HR-/MAP-response in EH subjects depends on the mechanisms of antihypertensive agents. The combination of an ACE inhibitor and a β-blocker may give the best protection. It is recommended to include short apnea tests in the fitness-to-dive examination to individually predict potential endangerment. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  12. Cost-effectiveness analysis of hypertension treatment: controlled release nifedipine and candesartan low-dose combination therapy in patients with essential hypertension--the Nifedipine and Candesartan Combination (NICE-Combi) Study.

    PubMed

    Fujikawa, Keita; Hasebe, Naoyuki; Kikuchi, Kenjiro

    2005-07-01

    Societal interest in pharmaco-economic analysis is increasing in Japan. In this study, the cost-effectiveness of low-dose combination therapy with controlled release nifedipine plus candesartan and up-titrated monotherapy with candesartan was estimated, based on the results of the NICE-Combi study. The NICE-Combi study was a double-blind, parallel arm, randomized clinical trial to compare the efficacy of low-dose combination therapy of controlled release nifedipine (20 mg/day) plus candesartan (8 mg/day) vs. up-titrated monotherapy of candesartan (12 mg/day) on blood pressure control in Japanese patients with mild to severe essential hypertension who were not sufficiently controlled by the conventional dose of candesartan (8 mg/ day). The incremental cost effectiveness of each cohort during the 8-week randomization period was compared, from the perspective of a third-party payer (i.e., insurers). The average total cost per patient was 29,943 Japanese yen for the combination therapy group and 33,182 Japanese yen for the candesartan monotherapy group, while the rate of achievement of the target blood pressure was significantly higher in the combination therapy group than in the up-titrated monotherapy group. In the combination therapy group, higher efficacy and lower incremental treatment cost ("Dominance") were observed when compared to the monotherapy group. The sensitivity analyses also supported the results. In conclusion, these results suggest that combination therapy with controlled release nifedipine and low-dose candesartan (8 mg) is "dominant" to up-titrated candesartan monotherapy for the management of essential hypertension. This conclusion was robust to sensitivity analysis.

  13. [Acupuncture combined with medication for morning blood pressure of essential hypertension].

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yi; Du, Yuzheng

    2018-04-12

    Based on the western medication, to evaluate the advantages in the morning blood pressure treated with acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) and Neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2) combined with acupuncture technique for activating blood circulation, eliminating wind and regulating the liver and spleen in the patients with essential hypertension. A total of 90 patients of essential hypertension of the mild and moderate degrees were randomized into a medication group (30 cases, 3 dropping), No.1 acupuncture group (30 cases, 2 dropping) and No.2 acupuncture group (30 cases, 1 dropping). In the medication group, adalat was prescribed for oral administration, 30 mg at 7 am every day, continuously for 6 weeks. In the No.1 acupuncture group, on the basis of the treatment as the medication group, the acupuncture technique for activating blood circulation, eliminating wind and regulating the liver and spleen was applied and the acupoints were Renying (ST 9), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Quchi (LI 11) and Zusanli (ST 36). In the No.2 acupuncture group, on the basis of the treatment as the No.1 acupuncture group, Fengchi (GB 20) and Neck-Jiaji (EX-B 2) were added in acupuncture. Acupuncture was given in the time zone from 8 am through 10 am every day, once a day, 5 times a week, totally for 6 weeks. Separately, before treatment and in 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, the morning blood pressure, the control rate and the symptom score were observed in the patients of the three groups. The morning blood pressure was followed up in 3 and 6 months separately. Compared with those before treatment, in 2, 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, the levels of blood pressure reduced in the patients of the three groups ( P <0.05, P <0.01). After 2-week treatment, the differences were not significant in the morning blood pressure and its control rate in the patients of the three groups (all P >0.05). In 4 and 6 weeks of treatment, the levels of the morning blood pressure in the No.2 acupuncture group were lower than those

  14. Arg25Pro polymorphism of transforming growth factor-beta1 and its role in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension in Russian population of the Central Chernozem Region.

    PubMed

    Ivanov, V P; Solodilova, M A; Polonnikov, A V; Belugin, D A; Shestakov, A M; Ushachev, D V; Khoroshaya, I V; Katargina, L N; Kozhukhov, M A; Kolesnikova, O E

    2007-07-01

    We studied the relationship between Arg25Pro polymorphism of TGFbeta1 gene and predisposition to essential hypertension in the Russian population of Central Chernozem Region (n=402). An association was found between 25Pro allele and 25ArgPro genotype with low risk of essential hypertension in male individuals.

  15. A randomised controlled trial for the evaluation of risk for type 2 diabetes in hypertensive patients receiving thiazide diuretics: Diuretics In the Management of Essential hypertension (DIME) study

    PubMed Central

    Ueda, Shinichiro; Morimoto, Takeshi; Ando, Shin-ichi; Takishita, Shu-ichi; Kawano, Yuhei; Shimamoto, Kazuaki; Ogihara, Toshio; Saruta, Takao

    2014-01-01

    Objectives Thiazide diuretics are one of the first choice antihypertensives but not optimally utilised because of concerns regarding their adverse effects on glucose metabolism. The Diuretics In the Management of Essential hypertension (DIME) study was designed, for the first time, to assess the risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with essential hypertension during antihypertensive treatment with low-dose thiazide diuretics compared to those not treated with diuretics. Design Multicentre, unblinded, pragmatic, randomised, controlled trial with blinded assessment of end points and intention-to-treat analysis that was started in 2004 and finished in 2012. Setting Hypertension clinics at 106 sites in Japan, including general practitioners’ offices and teaching hospitals. Participants Non-diabetic patients with essential hypertension. Interventions Antihypertensive treatment with low-dose thiazide diuretics at 12.5 mg/day of hydrochlorothiazide or equivalent (Diuretics group) or that without thiazide diuretics (No-diuretics group). Main outcome The primary outcome was new onset of type 2 diabetes diagnosed according to WHO criteria and the criteria of Japanese Society of Diabetes. Results 1130 patients were allocated to Diuretics (n=544) or No-diuretics group (n=586). Complete end point information was collected for 1049 participants after a median follow-up of 4.4 years. Diabetes developed in 25 (4.6%) participants in the Diuretics group, as compared with 29 (4.9%) in the No-diuretics group (HR 0.93; 95% CI 0.55 to 1.58; p=0.800). Conclusions Antihypertensive treatment with thiazide diuretics at low doses may not be associated with an increased risk for new onset of type 2 diabetes. This result might suggest safety of use of low doses of thiazide diuretics. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00131846. PMID:25031188

  16. Cytosolic phospholipase A2α is critical for angiotensin II-induced hypertension and associated cardiovascular pathophysiology.

    PubMed

    Khan, Nayaab S; Song, Chi Young; Jennings, Brett L; Estes, Anne M; Fang, Xiao R; Bonventre, Joseph V; Malik, Kafait U

    2015-04-01

    Angiotensin II activates cytosolic phospholipase A(2)α (cPLA2α) and releases arachidonic acid from tissue phospholipids, which mediate or modulate ≥1 cardiovascular effects of angiotensin II and has been implicated in hypertension. Because arachidonic acid release is the rate limiting step in eicosanoid production, cPLA2α might play a central role in the development of angiotensin II-induced hypertension. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effect of angiotensin II infusion for 13 days by micro-osmotic pumps on systolic blood pressure and associated pathogenesis in wild type (cPLA2α(+/+)) and cPLA2α(-/-) mice. Angiotensin II-induced increase in systolic blood pressure in cPLA2α(+/+) mice was abolished in cPLA2α(-/-) mice; increased systolic blood pressure was also abolished by the arachidonic acid metabolism inhibitor, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid in cPLA2α(+/+) mice. Angiotensin II in cPLA2α(+/+) mice increased cardiac cPLA2 activity and urinary eicosanoid excretion, decreased cardiac output, caused cardiovascular remodeling with endothelial dysfunction, and increased vascular reactivity in cPLA2α(+/+) mice; these changes were diminished in cPLA2α(-/-) mice. Angiotensin II also increased cardiac infiltration of F4/80(+) macrophages and CD3(+) T lymphocytes, cardiovascular oxidative stress, expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers p58(IPK), and CHOP in cPLA2α(+/+) but not cPLA2α(-/-) mice. Angiotensin II increased cardiac activity of ERK1/2 and cSrc in cPLA2α(+/+) but not cPLA2α(-/-) mice. These data suggest that angiotensin II-induced hypertension and associated cardiovascular pathophysiological changes are mediated by cPLA2α activation, most likely through the release of arachidonic acid and generation of eicosanoids with predominant prohypertensive effects and activation of ≥1 signaling molecules, including ERK1/2 and cSrc. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

  17. Nonpharmacologic control of essential hypertension in man: a critical review of the experimental literature.

    PubMed

    Frumkin, K; Nathan, R J; Prout, M F; Cohen, M C

    1978-06-01

    Many nonpharmacologic (behavioral) techniques are being proposed for the therapy of essential hypertension. The research in this area is reviewed and divided roughly into two categories: the biofeedback and relaxation methodologies. While feedback can be used to lower pressures during laboratory training sessions, studies designed to alter basal blood pressure levels with biofeedback have not yet been reported. The absence of evidence for such changes through biofeedback limits the usefulness of this technique in hypertension control. The various relaxation methods, such as yoga, transcendental meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and others have shown more promise. With varying degrees of experimental vigor, many of these techniques have been associated with long-lasting changes in blood pressure. The strengths and weaknesses of the various authors' research designs, data and conclusions are discussed, and suggestions for further experimentation are offered.

  18. Eplerenone for hypertension.

    PubMed

    Tam, Tina Sc; Wu, May Hy; Masson, Sarah C; Tsang, Matthew P; Stabler, Sarah N; Kinkade, Angus; Tung, Anthony; Tejani, Aaron M

    2017-02-28

    Eplerenone is an aldosterone receptor blocker that is chemically derived from spironolactone. In Canada, it is indicated for use as adjunctive therapy to reduce mortality for heart failure patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II systolic chronic heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. It is also used as adjunctive therapy for patients with heart failure following myocardial infarction. Additionally, it is indicated for the treatment of mild and moderate essential hypertension for patients who cannot be treated adequately with other agents. It is important to determine the clinical impact of all antihypertensive medications, including aldosterone antagonists, to support their continued use in essential hypertension. No previous systematic reviews have evaluated the effect of eplerenone on cardiovascular morbidity, mortality, and magnitude of blood pressure lowering in patients with hypertension. To assess the effects of eplerenone monotherapy versus placebo for primary hypertension in adults. Outcomes of interest were all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events (fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction), cerebrovascular events (fatal or non fatal strokes), adverse events or withdrawals due to adverse events, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We searched the Cochrane Hypertension Specialised Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, and two trials registers up to 3 March 2016. We handsearched references from retrieved studies to identify any studies missed in the initial search. We also searched for unpublished data by contacting the corresponding authors of the included studies and pharmaceutical companies involved in conducting studies on eplerenone monotherapy in primary hypertension. The search had no language restrictions. We selected randomized placebo-controlled trials studying adult patients with primary hypertension. We excluded studies in people with secondary or gestational hypertension and studies where participants

  19. Time-dependent changes in autonomic control of splanchnic vascular resistance and heart rate in ANG II-salt hypertension.

    PubMed

    Kuroki, Marcos T; Guzman, Pilar A; Fink, Gregory D; Osborn, John W

    2012-02-01

    Previous studies suggest that ANG II-induced hypertension in rats fed a high-salt (HS) diet (ANG II-salt hypertension) has a neurogenic component dependent on an enhanced sympathetic tone to the splanchnic veins and independent from changes in sympathetic nerve activity to the kidney or hind limb. The purpose of this study was to extend these findings and test whether altered autonomic control of splanchnic resistance arteries and the heart also contributes to the neurogenic component. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), superior mesenteric artery blood flow, and mesenteric vascular resistance (MVR) were measured during 4 control days, 14 days of ANG II delivered subcutaneously (150 ng·kg(-1)·min(-1)), and 4 days of recovery in conscious rats fed a HS (2% NaCl) or low-salt (LS; 0.1% NaCl) diet. Autonomic effects on MAP, HR, and MVR were assessed by acute ganglionic blockade with hexamethonium (20 mg/kg iv) on day 3 of control, days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 13 of ANG II, and day 4 of recovery. MVR increased during ANG II infusion in HS and LS rats but remained elevated only in HS rats. Additionally, the MVR response to hexamethonium was enhanced on days 10 and 13 of ANG II selectively in HS rats. Compared with LS rats, HR in HS rats was higher during the 2nd wk of ANG II, and its response to hexamethonium was greater on days 7, 10, and 13 of ANG II. These results suggest that ANG II-salt hypertension is associated with delayed changes in autonomic control of splanchnic resistance arteries and the heart.

  20. [The association between blood pressure variability and sleep stability in essential hypertensive patients with sleep disorder].

    PubMed

    Zhu, Y Q; Long, Q; Xiao, Q F; Zhang, M; Wei, Y L; Jiang, H; Tang, B

    2018-03-13

    Objective: To investigate the association of blood pressure variability and sleep stability in essential hypertensive patients with sleep disorder by cardiopulmonary coupling. Methods: Performed according to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, 88 new cases of essential hypertension who came from the international department and the cardiology department of china-japan friendship hospital were enrolled. Sleep stability and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure data were collected by the portable sleep monitor based on cardiopulmonary coupling technique and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitor. Analysis the correlation of blood pressure variability and sleep stability. Results: In the nighttime, systolic blood pressure standard deviation, systolic blood pressure variation coefficient, the ratio of the systolic blood pressure minimum to the maximum, diastolic blood pressure standard deviation, diastolic blood pressure variation coefficient were positively correlated with unstable sleep duration ( r =0.185, 0.24, 0.237, 0.43, 0.276, P <0.05). Conclusions: Blood pressure variability is associated with sleep stability, especially at night, the longer the unstable sleep duration, the greater the variability in night blood pressure.

  1. Neonatal growth restriction-related leptin deficiency enhances leptin-triggered sympathetic activation and central angiotensin II receptor-dependent stress-evoked hypertension.

    PubMed

    Peotta, Veronica; Rahmouni, Kamal; Segar, Jeffrey L; Morgan, Donald A; Pitz, Kate M; Rice, Olivia M; Roghair, Robert D

    2016-08-01

    Neonatal growth restriction (nGR) leads to leptin deficiency and increases the risk of hypertension. Previous studies have shown nGR-related hypertension is normalized by neonatal leptin (nLep) and exacerbated by psychological stress. With recent studies linking leptin and angiotensin signaling, we hypothesized that nGR-induced nLep deficiency increases adult leptin sensitivity; leading to leptin- or stress-induced hypertension, through a pathway involving central angiotensin II type 1 receptors. We randomized mice with incipient nGR, by virtue of their presence in large litters, to vehicle or physiologic nLep supplementation (80 ng/g/d). Adult caloric intake and arterial pressure were monitored at baseline, during intracerebroventricular losartan infusion and during systemic leptin administration. nGR increased leptin-triggered renal sympathetic activation and hypertension with increased leptin receptor expression in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus; all of those nGR-associated phenotypes were normalized by nLep. nGR mice also had stress-related hyperphagia and hypertension, but only the stress hypertension was blocked by central losartan infusion. nGR leads to stress hypertension through a pathway that involves central angiotensin II receptors, and nGR-associated leptin deficiency increases leptin-triggered hypertension in adulthood. These data suggest potential roles for preservation of neonatal growth and nLep supplementation in the prevention of nGR-related hypertension.

  2. Synergistic effects of gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system on essential hypertension in Kazakhs in Xinjiang.

    PubMed

    Niu, Shudong; Zhang, Bin; Zhang, Keyong; Zhu, Pengcheng; Li, Jingping; Sun, Yujing; He, Ning; Zhang, Mingtao; Gao, Zhiying; Li, Xueyan; Simayi, Amuti; Ge, Jie; Cong, Mingyu; Zhou, Wenna; Qiu, Changchun

    2016-01-01

    To assess the synergistic effects of gene polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) on essential hypertension (EH) in Kazakhs in Xinjiang. A cross-sectional case-control association study was conducted in 52 1 hypertensive and 623 normotensive subjects of Kazakh ethnicity on eight common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) interspersed over five genes of the RAAS. SNPs were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Interactions among the SNPs were analyzed by the multifactor dimensionality reduction method (MDR). In single-locus analysis, subjects with AGT -6G, ACE D, and CYP11B2 -344C had increased susceptibility to EH (OR: 1.249; 1.425; 1.201). When subgrouped by sex, males with the t allele of REN Taq I had decreased risk for EH (OR: 0.529), and those with AGT -6G and CYP11B2 -344 C had increased risk for EH (OR: 1.498; 1.449). In females, carrying ACE D increased the risk for EH. (OR: 1.327). In six AGT haplotypes, H1 was protective, while H3 increased susceptibility to EH (OR: 0.683; 2.025). Interaction analysis by MDR showed that there was a strong synergistic effect between ACE I/D and CY11B2 (T-344C) and a moderate interaction between both ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and AGT A-6G. There was a strong synergistic effect between ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and a moderate effect between both ACE I/D and CY11B2 T-344C and AGT A-6G. AGT -6G, ACE D, and CY11B2 -344C increased susceptibility to EH. REN Taq I, AGT -6G, CY11B2 -344 C and ACE D were associated with male and female EH, respectively. H1 and H3 of AGT were protective and risk haplotypes, respectively.

  3. Polymorphisms of inflammatory markers and risk of essential hypertension in Tatars from Russia.

    PubMed

    Timasheva, Yanina R; Nasibullin, Timur R; Imaeva, Elvira B; Erdman, Vera V; Kruzliak, Peter; Tuktarova, Ilsiyar A; Nikolaeva, Irina E; Mustafina, Olga E

    2015-01-01

    Essential hypertension (EH) is a common disease with a clear genetic component. Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction play a prominent role in the development of persistent blood pressure elevation. The aim of the current study was to detect an association between EH and polymorphic markers in genes encoding for molecules involved in the control of intercellular interactions during the inflammation process. We analysed SNPs in SELE, SELP, SELL, ICAM1, VEGFA, IL1B, IL6, IL10 and IL12B genes in a group of 534 men of Tatar ethnicity (217 patients with EH and 317 controls). Using a Markov chain Monte-Carlo-based approach (APSampler), we found genotype and allelic combinations associated with EH. The most significant associations were observed for SELE rs2076059*C-SELP rs6131*A-VEGFA -2549*I-IL1B rs16944*C (p = 3.42 × 10(-5), FDR q = 0.035) and SELE rs2076059*C-SELP rs6131*A-IL12B rs3212227*C-IL1B rs16944*C (p = 323 × 10(-4), FDR q = 0.035).

  4. Angiotensin II activates collagen type I gene in the renal vasculature of transgenic mice during inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis: evidence for an endothelin-mediated mechanism.

    PubMed

    Boffa, J J; Tharaux, P L; Placier, S; Ardaillou, R; Dussaule, J C; Chatziantoniou, C

    1999-11-02

    Hypertension is frequently associated with renal vascular fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether angiotensin II (Ang II) is involved in this fibrogenic process. Experiments were performed on transgenic mice harboring the luciferase gene under the control of the collagen I-alpha(2) chain promoter [procolalpha(2)(I)]. Hypertension was induced by chronic inhibition of NO synthesis (N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, L-NAME). Procolalpha(2)(I) activity started to increase in the renal vasculature after 4 weeks of L-NAME treatment (P<0.01) and at 14 weeks reached 3- and 8-fold increases over control in afferent arterioles and glomeruli, respectively (P<0.001). Losartan, an AT(1) receptor antagonist, given simultaneously with L-NAME prevented the increase of procolalpha(2)(I) levels and attenuated the development of renal vascular fibrosis without normalizing systolic pressure increase. Because we found previously that endothelin mediated renal vascular fibrosis in the L-NAME model, the interaction between Ang II, endothelin, and procolalpha(2)(I) was investigated in ex vivo and short-term in vivo experiments. In both conditions, the Ang II-induced activation of procolalpha(2)(I) in renal cortex was blocked by an endothelin receptor antagonist. During chronic inhibition of NO, the collagen I gene becomes activated, leading to the development of renal vascular fibrosis. Ang II is a major player in this fibrogenic process, and its effect on collagen I gene is independent of systemic hemodynamics and is at least partly mediated by the profibrogenic action of endothelin.

  5. [Clinical observation of modified Da Chaihu decoction in treating essential hypertension with anxiety].

    PubMed

    Zhang, Xiang-Dong; Cheng, Wang-Qiang; Wang, Yong-Gang; Zhang, Zheng

    2017-06-01

    To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Da Chaihu decoction in treating essential hypertension with anxiety, the randomized, controlled, clinical trial was performed in this study. One hundred and twenty-six hypertensive patients with anxiety meeting the inclusive criteria were randomized into the treatment group and the control group. All of the included patients in the above 2 groups were treated by amlodipine besylate tablets. Patients in the treatment group were given Chinese herbal medicine modified Da Chaihu decoction every day. And patients in the control group were given flupentixol and melitracen tablets. The treatment course was 4 weeks. Blood pressure, the score of traditional Chinese medicine syndrome, blood lipids, C reactive protein, the Hamilton anxiety scale score and adverse effects were observed. It has been identified that, both systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced (P<0.05). However, no significant difference between the treatment group and the control group was identified. For traditional Chinese medicine syndrome, it was significantly improved in the treatment group (P<0.05). For blood lipids, TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C were significantly improved in the treatment group (P<0.05). After treatment, only TC was significantly reduced in the treatment group when compared to the control group (P<0.05). For C reactive protein, it was significantly reduced in the treatment group after treatment (P<0.05). For anxiety, no significant difference between the treatment group and the control group on the Hamilton anxiety scale score was identified. For adverse effect, no severe adverse effect was identified in this study. The modified Da Chaihu decoction maybe effective in the treatment of essential hypertension with anxiety. In addition to a certain role in lowering blood pressure, the modified Da Chaihu decoction was also effective in improving traditional Chinese medicine syndrome and blood lipids, reducing the level of C

  6. Enoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase I (FabI) Is Essential for the Intracellular Growth of Listeria monocytogenes

    PubMed Central

    Ericson, Megan E.; Frank, Matthew W.

    2016-01-01

    Enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase catalyzes the last step in each elongation cycle of type II bacterial fatty acid synthesis and is a key regulatory protein in bacterial fatty acid synthesis. Genes of the facultative intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes encode two functional enoyl-acyl carrier protein isoforms based on their ability to complement the temperature-sensitive growth phenotype of Escherichia coli strain JP1111 [fabI(Ts)]. The FabI isoform was inactivated by the FabI selective inhibitor AFN-1252, but the FabK isoform was not affected by the drug, as expected. Inhibition of FabI by AFN-1252 decreased endogenous fatty acid synthesis by 80% and lowered the growth rate of L. monocytogenes in laboratory medium. Robust exogenous fatty acid incorporation was not detected in L. monocytogenes unless the pathway was partially inactivated by AFN-1252 treatment. However, supplementation with exogenous fatty acids did not restore normal growth in the presence of AFN-1252. FabI inactivation prevented the intracellular growth of L. monocytogenes, showing that neither FabK nor the incorporation of host cellular fatty acids was sufficient to support the intracellular growth of L. monocytogenes. Our results show that FabI is the primary enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase of type II bacterial fatty acid synthesis and is essential for the intracellular growth of L. monocytogenes. PMID:27736774

  7. Enoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase I (FabI) Is Essential for the Intracellular Growth of Listeria monocytogenes.

    PubMed

    Yao, Jiangwei; Ericson, Megan E; Frank, Matthew W; Rock, Charles O

    2016-12-01

    Enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase catalyzes the last step in each elongation cycle of type II bacterial fatty acid synthesis and is a key regulatory protein in bacterial fatty acid synthesis. Genes of the facultative intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes encode two functional enoyl-acyl carrier protein isoforms based on their ability to complement the temperature-sensitive growth phenotype of Escherichia coli strain JP1111 [fabI(Ts)]. The FabI isoform was inactivated by the FabI selective inhibitor AFN-1252, but the FabK isoform was not affected by the drug, as expected. Inhibition of FabI by AFN-1252 decreased endogenous fatty acid synthesis by 80% and lowered the growth rate of L. monocytogenes in laboratory medium. Robust exogenous fatty acid incorporation was not detected in L. monocytogenes unless the pathway was partially inactivated by AFN-1252 treatment. However, supplementation with exogenous fatty acids did not restore normal growth in the presence of AFN-1252. FabI inactivation prevented the intracellular growth of L. monocytogenes, showing that neither FabK nor the incorporation of host cellular fatty acids was sufficient to support the intracellular growth of L. monocytogenes Our results show that FabI is the primary enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase of type II bacterial fatty acid synthesis and is essential for the intracellular growth of L. monocytogenes. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

  8. Effect of pioglitazone on vasopressor responses to adrenergic agonists and angiotensin II in diabetic and non-diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats.

    PubMed

    Afzal, Sheryar; Sattar, Munavvar Abdul; Akhtar, Safia; Binti Abdullah, Nor Azizan; Eseyin, Olorunfemi A; Abdulla, Mohammed H; Johns, Edward James

    2018-05-01

    Pioglitazone, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-γ) agonist, is a therapeutic drug for diabetes. Present study investigated the interaction between PPAR-γ and alpha adrenoceptors in modulating vasopressor responses to Angiotensin II (Ang II) and adrenergic agonists, in diabetic & non-diabetic Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHRs). Diabetes was induced with an i.p injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg) in two groups (STZ-CON, STZ-PIO), whereas two groups remained non diabetic (ND-CO, ND-PIO). One diabetic and non-diabetic group received Pioglitazone (10mg/kg) orally for 21 days. On day 28, the animals were anaesthetized with sodium pentobarbitone (60mg/kg) and prepared for measurement of systemic haemodynamics. Basal mean arterial pressure of STZ-CON was higher than ND-CON, whereas following pioglitazone treatment, MAP was lower compared to respective controls. MAP responses to i.v administration of NA, PE, ME and ANG II were significantly lower in diabetic SHRs: STZ-CON vs ND-CON (35%). Pioglitazone significantly decreased responses to NA, PE, ME and ANG II in ND-PIO versus ND-CON by 63%. Responses to NA and ANG II were significantly attenuated in STZ-PIO vs. ND-PIO (40%). PPAR-γ regulates systemic hemodynamic in diabetic model and cross-talk relationship exists between PPAR-γ and α1-adrenoceptors, ANG II in systemic vasculature of SHRs.

  9. Long-term use and tolerability of irbesartan for control of hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Forni, Valentina; Wuerzner, Grégoire; Pruijm, Menno; Burnier, Michel

    2011-01-01

    In this review, we discuss the pharmacological and clinical properties of irbesartan, a noncompetitive angiotensin II receptor type 1 antagonist, successfully used for more than a decade in the treatment of essential hypertension. Irbesartan exerts its antihypertensive effect through an inhibitory effect on the pressure response to angiotensin II. Irbesartan 150–300 mg once daily confers a lasting effect over 24 hours, and its antihypertensive efficacy is further enhanced by the coadministration of hydrochlorothiazide. Additionally and partially beyond its blood pressure-lowering effect, irbesartan reduces left ventricular hypertrophy, favors right atrial remodeling in atrial fibrillation, and increases the likelihood of maintenance of sinus rhythm after cardioversion in atrial fibrillation. In addition, the renoprotective effects of irbesartan are well documented in the early and later stages of renal disease in type 2 diabetics. Furthermore, both the therapeutic effectiveness and the placebo-like side effect profile contribute to a high adherence rate to the drug. Currently, irbesartan in monotherapy or combination therapy with hydrochlorothiazide represent a rationale pharmacologic approach for arterial hypertension and early-stage and late-stage diabetic nephropathy in hypertensive type II diabetics. PMID:21949635

  10. Over-expression of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase in the median preoptic nucleus attenuates chronic angiotensin II-induced hypertension in the rat.

    PubMed

    Collister, John P; Bellrichard, Mitch; Drebes, Donna; Nahey, David; Tian, Jun; Zimmerman, Matthew C

    2014-12-02

    The brain senses circulating levels of angiotensin II (AngII) via circumventricular organs, such as the subfornical organ (SFO), and is thought to adjust sympathetic nervous system output accordingly via this neuro-hormonal communication. However, the cellular signaling mechanisms involved in these communications remain to be fully understood. Previous lesion studies of either the SFO, or the downstream median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) have shown a diminution of the hypertensive effects of chronic AngII, without providing a clear explanation as to the intracellular signaling pathway(s) involved. Additional studies have reported that over-expressing copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), an intracellular superoxide (O2·-) scavenging enzyme, in the SFO attenuates chronic AngII-induced hypertension. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that overproduction of O2·- in the MnPO is an underlying mechanism in the long-term hypertensive effects of chronic AngII. Adenoviral vectors encoding human CuZnSOD (AdCuZnSOD) or control vector (AdEmpty) were injected directly into the MnPO of rats implanted with aortic telemetric transmitters for recording of arterial pressure. After a 3 day control period of saline infusion, rats were intravenously infused with AngII (10 ng/kg/min) for ten days. Rats over-expressing CuZnSOD (n = 7) in the MnPO had a blood pressure increase of only 6 ± 2 mmHg after ten days of AngII infusion while blood pressure increased 21 ± 4 mmHg in AdEmpty-infected rats (n = 9). These results support the hypothesis that production of O2·- in the MnPO contributes to the development of chronic AngII-dependent hypertension.

  11. Alarming Prevalence of Emergency Hypertension Levels in the General Public Identified by a Hypertension Awareness Campaign.

    PubMed

    Caligiuri, Stephanie P B; Austria, Jose Alejandro; Pierce, Grant N

    2017-03-01

    Hypertension is a major cause of mortality and morbidity today. The "silent" nature of hypertension makes it critical to determine its prevalence and its severity in the general public and to identify strategies to identify people unaware of its presence. A mobile hypertension awareness campaign was created to: (i) determine the prevalence and types of hypertension in an urban North American center, (ii) increase hypertension awareness, and (iii) identify reasons for lack of therapy adherence. Mobile clinics were provided at shopping malls, workplaces, hospitals, and community centres to measure blood pressure in the public. Blood pressure recordings were done on a voluntary basis. Of 1097 participants, 50% presented with high blood pressure which was higher than expected. Of particular clinical significance, an unexpectedly large number of participants (2%) exhibited a hypertensive urgency/emergency. Most of these people were not adherent to medications (if their hypertension was detected previously), were unaware of their hypertensive state, and/or unwilling to acknowledge or ignored the clinical significance of the extremely high blood pressure readings. Reasons for lack of adherence included: denial, being unaware of health consequences, and proper management of hypertension. A relatively large segment of an urban population lives unaware of severe emergency levels of hypertension. A public mobile hypertension clinic provides a valuable strategy for identifying hypertension in the general public and for knowledge translation of hypertension management. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2017. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

  12. Treatment with salvianolic acid B restores endothelial function in angiotensin II-induced hypertensive mice.

    PubMed

    Ling, Wei Chih; Liu, Jian; Lau, Chi Wai; Murugan, Dharmani Devi; Mustafa, Mohd Rais; Huang, Yu

    2017-07-15

    Salvianolic acid B (Sal B) is one of the most abundant phenolic acids derived from the root of Danshen with potent anti-oxidative properties. The present study examined the vasoprotective effect of Sal B in hypertensive mice induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). Sal B (25mg/kg/day) was administered via oral gavage for 11days to Ang II (1.2mg/kg/day)-infused C57BL/6J mice (8-10weeks old). The vascular reactivity (both endothelium-dependent relaxations and contractions) in mouse arteries was examined by wire myography. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), protein level and localization of angiotensin AT 1 receptors and the proteins involved in ROS formation were evaluated using dihydroethidium (DHE) fluorescence, lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, respectively. The changes of ROS generating proteins were also assessed in vitro in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to Ang II with and without co-treatment with Sal B (0.1-10nM). Oral administration of Sal B reversed the Ang II-induced elevation of arterial systolic blood pressure in mice, augmented the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations and attenuated the exaggerated endothelium-dependent contractions in both aortas and renal arteries of Ang II-infused mice. In addition, Sal B treatment normalized the elevated levels of AT 1 receptors, NADPH oxidase subunits (NOx-2 and NOx-4) and nitrotyrosine in arteries of Ang II-infused mice or in Ang II-treated HUVECs. In summary, the present study provided additional evidence demonstrating that Sal B treatment for 11days reverses the impaired endothelial function and with a marked inhibition of AT 1 receptor-dependent vascular oxidative stress. This vasoprotective and anti-oxidative action of Sal B most likely contributes to the anti-hypertensive action of the plant-derived compound. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Interdependency and phosphorylation of KIF4 and condensin I are essential for organization of chromosome scaffold.

    PubMed

    Poonperm, Rawin; Takata, Hideaki; Uchiyama, Susumu; Fukui, Kiichi

    2017-01-01

    Kinesin family member 4 (KIF4) and condensins I and II are essential chromosomal proteins for chromosome organization by locating primarily to the chromosome scaffold. However, the mechanism of how KIF4 and condensins localize to the chromosome scaffold is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate a close relationship between the chromosome localization of KIF4 and condensin I, but not condensin II, and show that KIF4 and condensin I assist each other for stable scaffold formation by forming a stable complex. Moreover, phosphorylation of KIF4 and condensin I by Aurora B and polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is important for KIF4 and condensin I localization to the chromosome. Aurora B activity facilitates the targeting of KIF4 and condensin I to the chromosome, whereas Plk1 activity promotes the dissociation of these proteins from the chromosome. Thus, the interdependency between KIF4 and condensin I, and their phosphorylation states play important roles in chromosome scaffold organization during mitosis.

  14. Interdependency and phosphorylation of KIF4 and condensin I are essential for organization of chromosome scaffold

    PubMed Central

    Uchiyama, Susumu; Fukui, Kiichi

    2017-01-01

    Kinesin family member 4 (KIF4) and condensins I and II are essential chromosomal proteins for chromosome organization by locating primarily to the chromosome scaffold. However, the mechanism of how KIF4 and condensins localize to the chromosome scaffold is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate a close relationship between the chromosome localization of KIF4 and condensin I, but not condensin II, and show that KIF4 and condensin I assist each other for stable scaffold formation by forming a stable complex. Moreover, phosphorylation of KIF4 and condensin I by Aurora B and polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is important for KIF4 and condensin I localization to the chromosome. Aurora B activity facilitates the targeting of KIF4 and condensin I to the chromosome, whereas Plk1 activity promotes the dissociation of these proteins from the chromosome. Thus, the interdependency between KIF4 and condensin I, and their phosphorylation states play important roles in chromosome scaffold organization during mitosis. PMID:28817632

  15. Role of the adrenal cortex and sodium in the pathogenesis of human hypertension.

    PubMed Central

    Genest, J.; Nowaczynski, W.; Boucher, R.; Kuchel, O.

    1978-01-01

    After 30 years of continuous research into the mechanisms of human hypertension, we summarize the results obtained by the members of the multidisciplinary research group on hypertension of the Clinical Research Institute of Montreal on the disturbances of minerlocorticoid activity in a rigorously selected group of patients with early, mild essential hypertension. We attempt to integrate these findings with those of many other groups working on other aspects of hypertensive cardiovascular diseases. On the assumption that the increased peripheral resistance responsible for hypertension results from an imbalance or a disturbance of the equilibrium between the sympathetic nervous system and norepinephrine on one hand, and the vascular tone, sensitivity and responsiveness of the arterial smooth muscle to norepinephrine and to angiotensin II on the other hand, three models that fit the experimental and clinical facts as known at present are described. PMID:343905

  16. Effects of 12-week brisk walking training on exercise blood pressure in elderly patients with essential hypertension: a pilot study.

    PubMed

    He, L I; Wei, Wang Ren; Can, Zhao

    2018-01-24

    Essential hypertension (EP) is characterized by blood pressure (BP) elevations, which often lead to target organ damage and cardiovascular illness. The following study investigates whether aerobic exercise programs with different intensities could reduce the magnitude of BP rise. Patients with essential hypertension were recruited from the Baoshan Community Health Service Center. A total of 46 patients were finally selected and randomly assigned into two groups: control group (CON) included patients who did not participate in exercise intervention training; treatment group (TRG) included patients who participated in 12-week brisk walking training (60-min of brisk walking, three times a week for a total of 12 weeks). 3-minute step tests of low and high intensity were conducted pre- and post-intervention. To compare the effects of exercise intervention, 23 subjects with normal blood pressure (NBP) who did not participate in 12-week brisk walking training, were recruited. After 12 weeks of brisk walking, SBP of TRG during resting, low and high-intensity exercise was significantly reduced by 8.3mmHg, 15.6mmHg, and 22.6mmHg, respectively; while HR of TRG's during resting, low and high intensity was significantly reduced by 3.6beats/minute, 8.7beats/minute and 11.3beats/minute, respectively. Meanwhile, after 12 weeks of brisk walking, TRG's steps per day, [Formula: see text]o 2max , moderate physical activity time and physical activity energy expenditure significantly increased by 6000 steps, 2.4 ml/kg/m, 40 minutes and 113 kcal, respectively. At the same time, TRG's body fat rate and sedentary time significantly reduced by 2% and 60 minutes per day. Brisk walking can reduce the magnitude of BP rise during exercise of different intensities and may be reduced the risk of acute cardiovascular incidents in elderly patients with essential hypertension. EP: Essential hypertension; BP: blood pressure; CON: control group; TRG: treatment group; NBP: normal blood pressure; PA

  17. Alamandine attenuates hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy in hypertensive rats.

    PubMed

    Liu, Chi; Yang, Chuan-Xi; Chen, Xi-Ru; Liu, Bo-Xun; Li, Yong; Wang, Xiao-Zhi; Sun, Wei; Li, Peng; Kong, Xiang-Qing

    2018-05-12

    Oral administration of the peptide alamandine has antihypertensive and anti-fibrotic effects in rats. This work aimed to determine whether subcutaneous alamandine injection would attenuate hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy, and improve the function of a major target of hypertension-related damage, the left ventricle (LV), in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). This was examined in vivo in SHRs and normotensive rats subjected to 6-week subcutaneous infusion of alamandine or saline control, and in vitro in H9C2-derived and primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes treated with angiotensin (Ang) II to model cardiac hypertrophy. Tail artery blood pressure measurement and transthoracic echocardiography showed that hypertension and impaired LV function in SHRs were ameliorated upon alamandine infusion. Alamandine administration also decreased the mass gains of heart and lung in SHRs, suppressed cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area expansion, and inhibited the mRNA levels of atrial natriuretic peptide and brain natriuretic peptide. The expression of alamandine receptor Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor, member D was increased in SHR hearts and in cardiomyocytes treated with Ang II. Alamandine inhibited the increases of protein kinase A (PKA) levels in the heart in SHRs and in cardiomyocytes treated with Ang II. In conclusion, the present study showed that alamandine administration attenuates hypertension, alleviates cardiac hypertrophy, and improves LV function. PKA signaling may be involved in the mechanisms underlying these effects.

  18. The Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase 3 Gene and Essential Hypertension: The Joint Effect of Polymorphism E158K and Cigarette Smoking on Disease Susceptibility

    PubMed Central

    Bushueva, Olga; Solodilova, Maria; Churnosov, Mikhail; Ivanov, Vladimir; Polonikov, Alexey

    2014-01-01

    Gene encoding flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3), a microsomal antioxidant defense enzyme, has been suggested to contribute to essential hypertension (EH). The present study was designed to investigate whether common functional polymorphism E158K (rs2266782) of the FMO3 gene is associated with EH susceptibility in a Russian population. A total of 2 995 unrelated subjects from Kursk (1 362 EH patients and 843 healthy controls) and Belgorod (357 EH patients and 422 population controls) regions of Central Russia were recruited for this study. DNA samples from all study participants were genotyped for the FMO3 gene polymorphism through PCR followed by RFLP analysis. We found that the polymorphism E158K is associated with increased risk of essential hypertension in both discovery population from Kursk region (OR 1.36 95% CI 1.09–1.69, P = 0.01) and replication population from Belgorod region (OR 1.54 95% CI 1.07–1.89, P = 0.02) after adjustment for gender and age using logistic regression analysis. Further analysis showed that the increased hypertension risk in carriers of genotype 158KK gene occurred in cigarette smokers, whereas nonsmoker carriers of this genotype did not show the disease risk. This is the first study reporting the association of the FMO3 gene polymorphism and the risk of essential hypertension. PMID:25243081

  19. Chronic infusion of enalaprilat into hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus attenuates angiotensin II-induced hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy by restoring neurotransmitters and cytokines

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kang, Yu-Ming, E-mail: ykang@mail.xjtu.edu.cn; Zhang, Dong-Mei; Yu, Xiao-Jing

    The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in the brain is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. We hypothesized that inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) attenuates angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced hypertension via restoring neurotransmitters and cytokines. Rats underwent subcutaneous infusions of ANG II or saline and bilateral PVN infusions of ACE inhibitor enalaprilat (ENL, 2.5 μg/h) or vehicle for 4 weeks. ANG II infusion resulted in higher mean arterial pressure and cardiac hypertrophy as indicated by increased whole heart weight/body weight ratio, whole heart weight/tibia length ratio, left ventricular weight/tibia length ratio, and mRNA expressions of cardiacmore » atrial natriuretic peptide and beta-myosin heavy chain. These ANG II-infused rats had higher PVN levels of glutamate, norepinephrine, tyrosine hydroxylase, pro-inflammatory cytokines (PICs) and the chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and lower PVN levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid, interleukin (IL)-10 and the 67-kDa isoform of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD67), and higher plasma levels of PICs, norepinephrine and aldosterone, and lower plasma IL-10, and higher renal sympathetic nerve activity. However, PVN treatment with ENL attenuated these changes. PVN microinjection of ANG II induced increases in IL-1β and IL-6, and a decrease in IL-10 in the PVN, and pretreatment with angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-R) antagonist losartan attenuated these changes. These findings suggest that ANG II infusion induces an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters and an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the PVN, and PVN inhibition of the RAS restores neurotransmitters and cytokines in the PVN, thereby attenuating ANG II-induced hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. - Highlights: • Chronic ANG II infusion results in sympathetic hyperactivity and cardiac hypertrophy. • PVN inhibition of ACE

  20. Anxiety-induced plasma norepinephrine augmentation increases reactive oxygen species formation by monocytes in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Yasunari, Kenichi; Matsui, Tokuzo; Maeda, Kensaku; Nakamura, Munehiro; Watanabe, Takanori; Kiriike, Nobuo

    2006-06-01

    An association between anxiety and depression and increased blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular disease risk has not been firmly established. We examined the hypothesis that anxiety and depression lead to increased plasma catecholamines and to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by mononuclear cells (MNC) in hypertensive individuals. We also studied the role of BP in this effect. In Protocol 1, a cross-sectional study was performed in 146 hypertensive patients to evaluate whether anxiety and depression affect BP and ROS formation by MNC through increasing plasma catecholamines. In Protocol 2, a 6-month randomized controlled trial using a subtherapeutic dose of the alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor antagonist doxazosin (1 mg/day) versus placebo in 86 patients with essential hypertension was performed to determine whether the increase in ROS formation by MNC was independent of BP. In Protocol 1, a significant relationship was observed between the following: trait anxiety and plasma norepinephrine (r = 0.32, P < .01); plasma norepinephrine and ROS formation by MNC (r = 0.36, P < .01); and plasma norepinephrine and systolic, diastolic, and mean BP (r = 0.17, P = .04; r = 0.26, P = .02; r = 0.23, P < .01, respectively). In Protocol 2, subtherapeutic doxazosin treatment (1 mg/day) had no significant effect on BP. However doxazosin significantly decreased ROS formation by MNC compared with placebo (P < .01). Trait anxiety may increase plasma norepinephrine and increase ROS formation by MNC independent of BP in hypertensive patients.

  1. Associations of ACE Gene Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism, ACE Activity, and ACE mRNA Expression with Hypertension in a Chinese Population

    PubMed Central

    He, Qingfang; Fan, Chunhong; Yu, Min; Wallar, Gina; Zhang, Zuo-Feng; Wang, Lixin; Zhang, Xinwei; Hu, Ruying

    2013-01-01

    Background The present study was designed to explore the association of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D, rs4646994) polymorphism, plasma ACE activity, and circulating ACE mRNA expression with essential hypertension (EH) in a Chinese population. In addition, a new detection method for circulating ACE mRNA expression was explored. Methods The research was approved by the ethics committee of Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control. Written informed consent was obtained prior to the investigation. 221 hypertensives (cases) and 221 normotensives (controls) were interviewed, subjected to a physical examination, and provided blood for biochemical and genetic tests. The ACE mRNA expression was analyzed by real time fluorescent quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (FQ-RT-PCR). We performed logistic regression to assess associations of ACE I/D genotypes, ACE activity, and ACE mRNA expression levels with hypertension. Results The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the additive model (ID, DD versus II) of the ACE genotype revealed an association with hypertension with adjusted OR of 1.43(95% CI: 1.04-1.97), and ACE ID genotype with adjusted OR of 1.72(95% CI: 1.01-2.92), DD genotype with adjusted OR of 1.94(95% CI: 1.01-3.73), respectively. In addition, our data also indicate that plasma ACE activity (adjusted OR was 1.13(95% CI: 1.08-1.18)) was significantly related to hypertension. However, the plasma ACE mRNA expressions were not different between the cases and controls. Conclusion ACE I/D polymorphism and ACE activity revealed significant influence on hypertension, while circulating ACE mRNA expression was not important factors associated with hypertension in this Chinese population. The detection of circulating ACE mRNA expression by FQ-RT-PCR might be a useful method for early screening and monitoring of EH. PMID:24098401

  2. 30 CFR 57.22201 - Mechanical ventilation (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Mechanical ventilation (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines). 57.22201 Section 57.22201 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH....22201 Mechanical ventilation (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines). All mines shall...

  3. 30 CFR 57.22201 - Mechanical ventilation (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Mechanical ventilation (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines). 57.22201 Section 57.22201 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH....22201 Mechanical ventilation (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines). All mines shall...

  4. Type II Fatty Acid Synthesis Is Essential for the Replication of Chlamydia trachomatis*

    PubMed Central

    Yao, Jiangwei; Abdelrahman, Yasser M.; Robertson, Rosanna M.; Cox, John V.; Belland, Robert J.; White, Stephen W.; Rock, Charles O.

    2014-01-01

    The major phospholipid classes of the obligate intracellular bacterial parasite Chlamydia trachomatis are the same as its eukaryotic host except that they also contain chlamydia-made branched-chain fatty acids in the 2-position. Genomic analysis predicts that C. trachomatis is capable of type II fatty acid synthesis (FASII). AFN-1252 was deployed as a chemical tool to specifically inhibit the enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (FabI) of C. trachomatis to determine whether chlamydial FASII is essential for replication within the host. The C. trachomatis FabI (CtFabI) is a homotetramer and exhibited typical FabI kinetics, and its expression complemented an Escherichia coli fabI(Ts) strain. AFN-1252 inhibited CtFabI by binding to the FabI·NADH complex with an IC50 of 0.9 μm at saturating substrate concentration. The x-ray crystal structure of the CtFabI·NADH·AFN-1252 ternary complex revealed the specific interactions between the drug, protein, and cofactor within the substrate binding site. AFN-1252 treatment of C. trachomatis-infected HeLa cells at any point in the infectious cycle caused a decrease in infectious titers that correlated with a decrease in branched-chain fatty acid biosynthesis. AFN-1252 treatment at the time of infection prevented the first cell division of C. trachomatis, although the cell morphology suggested differentiation into a metabolically active reticulate body. These results demonstrate that FASII activity is essential for C. trachomatis proliferation within its eukaryotic host and validate CtFabI as a therapeutic target against C. trachomatis. PMID:24958721

  5. Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Fallo, F; Catena, C; Camozzi, V; Luisetto, G; Cosma, C; Plebani, M; Lupia, M; Tona, F; Sechi, L A

    2012-10-01

    Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels may have an important role in predisposing to hypertension and myocardial disease. We investigated the relationship between 25(OH)D and left ventricular (LV) structure and function, assessed by echocardiography, in a series of patients with essential hypertension (EH). Sixty-two newly diagnosed never-treated patients (32 male/30 female), aged 18-65 years, with grade 1-2 hypertension, no diabetes, no obesity, no hyperlipidemia, and no cardiopulmonary, renal, or hepatic disease, were studied. Twenty-four healthy normotensive sex-, age-, BMI-matched subjects served as controls. Hypertensive patients with 25(OH)D deficiency, defined as serum 25(OH)D levels <50 nmol/L, had higher prevalence of LV hypertrophy (LVH) than their 25(OH)D-sufficient counterparts (57.1 vs 17.6%, P = 0.02); no differences between the two groups were found in blood pressure levels as well as in other biochemical and hormone parameters. There was an inverse correlation between LV mass index and 25(OH)D levels (r = -0.366, P < 0.003) and a direct correlation between LV mass index and BMI (r = 0.333, P < 0.006) in the entire hypertensive population. The two variables remained independently associated with LVH at multivariable logistic regression analysis (OR 1.05, P < 0.005 and OR 1.25, P = 0.03, respectively). Prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency was similar in EH patients and controls (45.1 vs 41.6%, P = 0.89), whereas no correlation between echocardiographic parameters and hormone levels was found. In the absence of major cardiovascular risk factors, 25(OH)D deficiency is a frequent finding in EH patients and is independently associated with LVH. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  6. [Meta-analysis on the association of G894T polymorphism in endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene and essential hypertension in Chinese population].

    PubMed

    Wang, Cong-Ju; Zhao, Jing-Bo; Xu, Jia-Liang; Xiang, Ze-Lin; Liang, Chang-Wei; Li, Jie

    2009-08-01

    To evaluate the relationship between G894T (Glu298Asp) polymorphism in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene and essential hypertension in Chinese population from different regions. Odds ratios (ORs) of G894T genotype and allele distributions in essential hypertension patients against healthy controls were analyzed. All the relevant studies were screened with poor-qualified studies eliminated. Meta-analysis software MIX (Meta-analysis with interactive explanations-version 1.71), was applied for investigating and analyzing heterogeneity among individual studies and summarizing the effects across studies, and the risk of publication bias was evaluated. A total of 1900 cases and 1216 controls from 10 studies were included. The heterogeneity between studies was significant (P = 0.013; P = 0.011) and there were substantial sources of publication bias (P = 0.049; P = 0.038). The pooled OR (with 95%CI) of GT + TT vs. GG genotype was 1.79 (1.33 - 2.42) (Z = 3.83, P < 0.001), and the pooled OR (with 95%CI) of T vs. G allele was 1.73 (1.32 - 2.27) (Z = 3.92, P < 0.001). In Chinese population, mainly the Hans ethnic group, 894G-->T mutation in the eNOS appeared to be related to essential hypertension.

  7. Effect of angiotensin II-induced arterial hypertension on the voltage-dependent contractions of mouse arteries.

    PubMed

    Fransen, Paul; Van Hove, Cor E; Leloup, Arthur J A; Schrijvers, Dorien M; De Meyer, Guido R Y; De Keulenaer, Gilles W

    2016-02-01

    Arterial hypertension (AHT) affects the voltage dependency of L-type Ca(2+) channels in cardiomyocytes. We analyzed the effect of angiotensin II (AngII)-induced AHT on L-type Ca(2+) channel-mediated isometric contractions in conduit arteries. AHT was induced in C57Bl6 mice with AngII-filled osmotic mini-pumps (4 weeks). Normotensive mice treated with saline-filled osmotic mini-pumps were used for comparison. Voltage-dependent contractions mediated by L-type Ca(2+) channels were studied in vaso-reactive studies in vitro in isolated aortic and femoral arteries by using extracellular K(+) concentration-response (KDR) experiments. In aortic segments, AngII-induced AHT significantly sensitized isometric contractions induced by elevated extracellular K(+) and depolarization. This sensitization was partly prevented by normalizing blood pressure with hydralazine, suggesting that it was caused by AHT rather than by direct AngII effects on aortic smooth muscle cells. The EC50 for extracellular K(+) obtained in vitro correlated significantly with the rise in arterial blood pressure induced by AngII in vivo. The AHT-induced sensitization persisted when aortic segments were exposed to levcromakalim or to inhibitors of basal nitric oxide release. Consistent with these observations, AngII-treatment also sensitized the vaso-relaxing effects of the L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker diltiazem during K(+)-induced contractions. Unlike aorta, AngII-treatment desensitized the isometric contractions to depolarization in femoral arteries pointing to vascular bed specific responses of arteries to hypertension. AHT affects the voltage-dependent L-type Ca(2+) channel-mediated contraction of conduit arteries. This effect may contribute to the decreased vascular compliance in AHT and explain the efficacy of Ca(2+) channel blockers to reduce vascular stiffness and central blood pressure in AHT.

  8. Autophagy is altered in skeletal and cardiac muscle of spontaneously hypertensive rats.

    PubMed

    Bloemberg, D; McDonald, E; Dulay, D; Quadrilatero, J

    2014-02-01

    Autophagy is a subcellular degradation mechanism important for muscle maintenance. Hypertension induces well-characterized pathological changes to the heart and is associated with impaired function and increased apoptotic signalling in skeletal muscle. We examined whether essential hypertension affects several autophagy markers in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Immunoblotting and qRT-PCR were used to measure autophagy-related proteins/mRNA in multiple skeletal muscles as well as left ventricle (LV) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Skeletal muscles of hypertensive rats had decreased (P < 0.01) cross-sectional area of type I fibres (e.g. soleus WKY: 2952.9 ± 64.4 μm(2) vs. SHR: 2579.9 ± 85.8 μm(2)) and a fibre redistribution towards a 'fast' phenotype. Immunoblot analysis revealed that some SHR skeletal muscles displayed a decreased LC3II/I ratio (P < 0.05), but none showed differences in p62 protein. LC3 and LAMP2 mRNA levels were increased approx. 2-3-fold in all skeletal muscles (P < 0.05), while cathepsin activity, cathepsin L mRNA and Atg7 protein were increased 16-17% (P < 0.01), 2-3-fold (P < 0.05) and 29-49% (P < 0.01), respectively, in fast muscles of hypertensive animals. Finally, protein levels of BAG3, a marker of chaperone-assisted selective autophagy, were 18-25% lower (P < 0.05) in SHR skeletal muscles. In the LV of SHR, LC3I and p62 protein were elevated 34% (P < 0.05) and 47% (P < 0.01), respectively. Furthermore, p62 mRNA was 68% higher (P < 0.05), while LAMP2 mRNA was 45% lower (P < 0.05), in SHR cardiac muscle. There was no difference in Beclin1, Atg7, Bnip3 or BAG3 protein in the LV between strains. These results suggest that autophagy is altered in skeletal and cardiac muscle during hypertension. © 2013 Scandinavian Physiological Society. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  9. Brain Oscillations Elicited by the Cold Pressor Test: A Putative Index of Untreated Essential Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Papageorgiou, Christos; Manios, Efstathios; Tsaltas, Eleftheria; Koroboki, Eleni; Alevizaki, Maria; Angelopoulos, Elias; Dimopoulos, Meletios-Athanasios; Papageorgiou, Charalabos; Zakopoulos, Nikolaos

    2017-01-01

    Essential hypertension is associated with reduced pain sensitivity of unclear aetiology. This study explores this issue using the Cold Pressor Test (CPT), a reliable pain/stress model, comparing CPT-related EEG activity in first episode hypertensives and controls. 22 untreated hypertensives and 18 matched normotensives underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). EEG recordings were taken before, during, and after CPT exposure. Significant group differences in CPT-induced EEG oscillations were covaried with the most robust cardiovascular differentiators by means of a Canonical Analysis. Positive correlations were noted between ABPM variables and Delta (1-4 Hz) oscillations during the tolerance phase; in high-alpha (10-12 Hz) oscillations during the stress unit and posttest phase; and in low-alpha (8-10 Hz) oscillations during CPT phases overall. Negative correlations were found between ABPM variables and Beta2 oscillations (16.5-20 Hz) during the posttest phase and Gamma (28.5-45 Hz) oscillations during the CPT phases overall. These relationships were localised at several sites across the cerebral hemispheres with predominance in the right hemisphere and left frontal lobe. These findings provide a starting point for increasing our understanding of the complex relationships between cerebral activation and cardiovascular functioning involved in regulating blood pressure changes.

  10. Ruling out secondary causes of hypertension.

    PubMed

    Ott, Christian; Schneider, Markus P; Schmieder, Roland E

    2013-05-01

    In the majority of hypertensive patients, no particular cause for abnormal blood pressure is evident (primary or essential hypertension). In contrast, in the minority of patients with secondary hypertension a specific underlying cause is responsible for the elevated blood pressure. The prevalence of secondary hypertension is higher in patients with resistant hypertension than in the general hypertensive population and increases with age. The list of secondary forms of hypertension is long and prevalence of the individual causes of secondary hypertension varies. Hence, this review divides them into two categories: common causes and rare causes. If appropriately diagnosed and treated, patients with a secondary form of hypertension might be cured, or at least show an improvement in their blood pressure control. Consequently, screening for secondary causes of hypertension plays an essential part in the care of patients with arterial hypertension. If the basal work-up raises the suspicion of a secondary cause of hypertension, specific diagnostic procedures become necessary, some of which can be performed by primary care physicians, while others require specialist input.

  11. HUMAN GRK4γ142V VARIANT PROMOTES AT1R-MEDIATED HYPERTENSION VIA RENAL HDAC1 INHIBITION

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Zheng; Zeng, Chunyu; Villar, Van Anthony M.; Chen, Shi-You; Konkalmatt, Prasad; Wang, Xiaoyan; Asico, Laureano D.; Jones, John E.; Yang, Yu; Sanada, Hironobu; Felder, Robin A.; Eisner, Gilbert M.; Weir, Matthew R.; Armando, Ines; Jose, Pedro A.

    2015-01-01

    The influence of a single gene on the etiology of essential hypertension may be difficult to ascertain, unless the gene interacts with other genes that are germane to blood pressure regulation. G protein-coupled receptor kinase type 4 (GRK4) is one such gene. We have reported that the expression of its variant hGRK4γ142V in mice results in hypertension due to impaired dopamine D1 receptor (D1R). Signaling through D1R and angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1R) reciprocally modulates renal sodium excretion and blood pressure. Here, we demonstrate the ability of the hGRK4γ142V to increase the expression and activity of the AT1R. We show that hGRK4γ142V phosphorylates histone deacetylase type 1 and promotes its nuclear export to the cytoplasm, resulting in increased AT1R expression and greater pressor response to angiotensin II. AT1R blockade and the deletion of the Agtr1a gene normalize the hypertension in hGRK4γ142V mice. These findings illustrate the unique role of GRK4 by targeting receptors with opposite physiological activity for the same goal of maintaining blood pressure homeostasis, and thus making the GRK4 a relevant therapeutic target to control blood pressure. PMID:26667412

  12. 30 CFR 57.22501 - Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines). 57.22501 Section 57.22501 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND... Illumination § 57.22501 Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines...

  13. 30 CFR 57.22501 - Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines). 57.22501 Section 57.22501 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND... Illumination § 57.22501 Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines...

  14. Hypertension Update: Resistant Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Viera, Anthony J

    2018-06-01

    Resistant hypertension is a blood pressure (BP) level that remains above the goal level despite adherence to at least three appropriately dosed antihypertensive drugs of different classes, one of which is a diuretic. Evaluation of suspected resistant hypertension starts with confirming adherence to the drug regimen. White coat hypertension should be ruled out with out-of-office BP level measurements, ideally using 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Obesity, significant alcohol intake, and interfering drugs and other substances can contribute to resistant hypertension. Lifestyle modifications, including exercise and dietary sodium restriction, can be useful in management. Resistant hypertension may be due to secondary etiologies (eg, parenchymal kidney disease, obstructive sleep apnea, hyperaldosteronism). Adequate diuretic treatment is a key part of therapy. In addition to a diuretic, patients with resistant hypertension should take a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker. Spironolactone is an effective fourth drug. Other drug options include a beta blocker, a long-acting nondihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, or clonidine or guanfacine. When the BP level is not controlled despite adherence to a four-drug regimen, referral to a hypertension subspecialist should be considered. Written permission from the American Academy of Family Physicians is required for reproduction of this material in whole or in part in any form or medium.

  15. Efficacy and safety of azilsartan medoxomil, an angiotensin receptor blocker, in Korean patients with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Juhasz, Attila; Wu, Jingtao; Hisada, Michie; Tsukada, Tomoka; Jeong, Myung Ho

    2018-01-01

    This was a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Adult Korean patients with essential hypertension and a baseline mean sitting clinic systolic blood pressure (scSBP) ≥150 and ≤180 mmHg were randomized to 6-week treatment with placebo ( n  = 65), azilsartan medoxomil (AZL-M) 40 mg ( n  = 132), or AZL-M 80 mg ( n  = 131). The primary endpoint was the change from baseline to week 6 in trough scSBP. The least-squares mean (standard error) change from baseline in trough scSBP in the placebo, AZL-M 40-mg, and 80-mg groups at week 6 were - 8.8 (2.00), - 22.1 (1.41), and - 23.7 (1.40) mmHg, respectively ( p  < 0.001 for AZL-M 40 and 80 mg vs placebo). No clinically meaningful heterogeneity in efficacy was observed between subgroups (age, sex, diabetes status) and the overall population. Treatments were well tolerated and adverse events were similar between groups. Results of this study confirm a positive benefit-risk profile of AZL-M for essential hypertension in Korean adults. Clinicaltrial.gov; identifier number: NCT02203916. Registered July 28, 2014 (retrospectively registered).

  16. Molecular docking studies of curcumin natural derivatives with DNA topoisomerase I and II-DNA complexes.

    PubMed

    Kumar, Anil; Bora, Utpal

    2014-12-01

    DNA topoisomerase I (topo I) and II (topo II) are essential enzymes that solve the topological problems of DNA by allowing DNA strands or double helices to pass through each other during cellular processes such as replication, transcription, recombination, and chromatin remodeling. Their critical roles make topoisomerases an attractive drug target against cancer. The present molecular docking study provides insights into the inhibition of topo I and II by curcumin natural derivatives. The binding modes suggested that curcumin natural derivatives docked at the site of DNA cleavage parallel to the axis of DNA base pairing. Cyclocurcumin and curcumin sulphate were predicted to be the most potent inhibitors amongst all the curcumin natural derivatives docked. The binding modes of cyclocurcumin and curcumin sulphate were similar to known inhibitors of topo I and II. Residues like Arg364, Asn722 and base A113 (when docked to topo I-DNA complex) and residues Asp479, Gln778 and base T9 (when docked to topo II-DNA complex) seem to play important role in the binding of curcumin natural derivatives at the site of DNA cleavage.

  17. EPA:DHA 6:1 prevents angiotensin II-induced hypertension and endothelial dysfunction in rats: role of NADPH oxidase- and COX-derived oxidative stress.

    PubMed

    Niazi, Zahid Rasul; Silva, Grazielle C; Ribeiro, Thais Porto; León-González, Antonio J; Kassem, Mohamad; Mirajkar, Abdur; Alvi, Azhar; Abbas, Malak; Zgheel, Faraj; Schini-Kerth, Valérie B; Auger, Cyril

    2017-12-01

    Eicosapentaenoic acid:docosahexaenoic acid (EPA:DHA) 6:1, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid formulation, has been shown to induce a sustained formation of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase-derived NO, a major vasoprotective factor. This study examined whether chronic intake of EPA:DHA 6:1 prevents hypertension and endothelial dysfunction induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) in rats. Male Wister rats received orally corn oil or EPA:DHA 6:1 (500 mg kg -1 per day) before chronic infusion of Ang II (0.4 mg kg -1 per day). Systolic blood pressure was determined by tail cuff sphingomanometry, vascular reactivity using a myograph, oxidative stress using dihydroethidium and protein expression by immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. Ang II-induced hypertension was associated with reduced acetylcholine-induced relaxations of secondary branch mesenteric artery rings affecting the endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH)- and the NO-mediated relaxations, both of which were improved by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor VAS-2870. The Ang II treatment induced also endothelium-dependent contractile responses (EDCFs), which were abolished by the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor indomethacin. An increased level of vascular oxidative stress and expression of NADPH oxidase subunits (p47 phox and p22 phox ), COX-1 and COX-2, endothelial NO synthase and Ang II type 1 receptors were observed in the Ang II group, whereas SK Ca and connexin 37 were downregulated. Intake of EPA:DHA 6:1 prevented the Ang II-induced hypertension and endothelial dysfunction by improving both the NO- and EDH-mediated relaxations, and by reducing EDCFs and the expression of target proteins. The present findings indicate that chronic intake of EPA:DHA 6:1 prevented the Ang II-induced hypertension and endothelial dysfunction in rats, most likely by preventing NADPH oxidase- and COX-derived oxidative stress.

  18. Adrenal Mass Causing Secondary Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Robinson, Darlene Y

    2015-11-01

    Most hypertensive patients have essential (primary) hypertension; only 5% to 10% have a secondary cause. Two clinical characteristics suggestive of secondary hypertension are early onset (< 30 years of age) and severe hypertension (>180/110 mm Hg). When faced with these findings, clinicians should consider a secondary cause of hypertension. A 22-year-old woman being evaluated for asthma exacerbation in the emergency department was noted to have severe persistent hypertension. Additional evaluation revealed severe hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, and hypernatremia. The patient was admitted to the hospital for blood pressure management, electrolyte replacement, and further evaluation of presumed hyperaldosteronism. Diagnostic imaging revealed a large adrenal mass. Surgical resection was performed, leading to a diagnosis of hyperaldosteronism caused by adrenal carcinoma. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Secondary hypertension is far less common than essential hypertension; however, considering the large volume of patients seen in emergency departments, it is likely that some will have secondary hypertension. Emergency physicians should be aware of the clinical characteristics that suggest secondary hypertension so that the appropriate diagnostic and treatment pathways can be pursued. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. 30 CFR 57.22227 - Approved testing devices (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Approved testing devices (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines). 57.22227 Section 57.22227 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND... Ventilation § 57.22227 Approved testing devices (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines). (a...

  20. Angiotensin II AT1 receptor alters ACE2 activity, eNOS expression and CD44-hyaluronan interaction in rats with hypertension and myocardial fibrosis.

    PubMed

    Bai, Feng; Pang, Xue-Fen; Zhang, Li-Hui; Wang, Ning-Ping; McKallip, Robert J; Garner, Ronald E; Zhao, Zhi-Qing

    2016-05-15

    This study tested the hypothesis that angiotensin II (Ang II) AT1 receptor is involved in development of hypertension and cardiac fibrosis via modifying ACE2 activity, eNOS expression and CD44-hyaluronan interaction. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to Ang II infusion (500ng/kg/min) using osmotic minipumps up to 4weeks and the AT1 receptor blocker, telmisartan was administered by gastric gavage (10mg/kg/day) during Ang II infusion. Our results indicated that Ang II enhances AT1 receptor, downregulates AT2 receptor, ACE2 activity and eNOS expression, and increases CD44 expression and hyaluronidase activity, an enzyme for hyaluronan degradation. Further analyses revealed that Ang II increases blood pressure and augments vascular/interstitial fibrosis. Comparison of the Ang II group, treatment with telmisartan significantly increased ACE2 activity and eNOS expression in the intracardiac vessels and intermyocardium. These changes occurred in coincidence with decreased blood pressure. Furthermore, the locally-expressed AT1 receptor was downregulated, as evidenced by an increased ratio of the AT2 over AT1 receptor (1.4±0.4% vs. 0.4±0.1% in Ang II group, P<0.05). Along with these modulations, telmisartan inhibited membrane CD44 expression and hyaluronidase activity, decreased populations of macrophages and myofibroblasts, and reduced expression of TGFβ1 and Smads. Collagen I synthesis and tissue fibrosis were attenuated as demonstrated by the less extensive collagen-rich area. These results suggest that the AT1 receptor is involved in development of hypertension and cardiac fibrosis. Selective activating ACE2/eNOS and inhibiting CD44/HA interaction might be considered as the therapeutic targets for attenuating Ang II induced deleterious cardiovascular effects. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Type II fatty acid synthesis is essential for the replication of Chlamydia trachomatis.

    PubMed

    Yao, Jiangwei; Abdelrahman, Yasser M; Robertson, Rosanna M; Cox, John V; Belland, Robert J; White, Stephen W; Rock, Charles O

    2014-08-08

    The major phospholipid classes of the obligate intracellular bacterial parasite Chlamydia trachomatis are the same as its eukaryotic host except that they also contain chlamydia-made branched-chain fatty acids in the 2-position. Genomic analysis predicts that C. trachomatis is capable of type II fatty acid synthesis (FASII). AFN-1252 was deployed as a chemical tool to specifically inhibit the enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (FabI) of C. trachomatis to determine whether chlamydial FASII is essential for replication within the host. The C. trachomatis FabI (CtFabI) is a homotetramer and exhibited typical FabI kinetics, and its expression complemented an Escherichia coli fabI(Ts) strain. AFN-1252 inhibited CtFabI by binding to the FabI·NADH complex with an IC50 of 0.9 μM at saturating substrate concentration. The x-ray crystal structure of the CtFabI·NADH·AFN-1252 ternary complex revealed the specific interactions between the drug, protein, and cofactor within the substrate binding site. AFN-1252 treatment of C. trachomatis-infected HeLa cells at any point in the infectious cycle caused a decrease in infectious titers that correlated with a decrease in branched-chain fatty acid biosynthesis. AFN-1252 treatment at the time of infection prevented the first cell division of C. trachomatis, although the cell morphology suggested differentiation into a metabolically active reticulate body. These results demonstrate that FASII activity is essential for C. trachomatis proliferation within its eukaryotic host and validate CtFabI as a therapeutic target against C. trachomatis. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  2. HNF4alpha dysfunction as a molecular rational for cyclosporine induced hypertension.

    PubMed

    Niehof, Monika; Borlak, Jürgen

    2011-01-27

    Induction of tolerance against grafted organs is achieved by the immunosuppressive agent cyclosporine, a prominent member of the calcineurin inhibitors. Unfortunately, its lifetime use is associated with hypertension and nephrotoxicity. Several mechanism for cyclosporine induced hypertension have been proposed, i.e. activation of the sympathetic nervous system, endothelin-mediated systemic vasoconstriction, impaired vasodilatation secondary to reduction in prostaglandin and nitric oxide, altered cytosolic calcium translocation, and activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). In this regard the molecular basis for undue RAS activation and an increased signaling of the vasoactive oligopeptide angiotensin II (AngII) remain elusive. Notably, angiotensinogen (AGT) is the precursor of AngII and transcriptional regulation of AGT is controlled by the hepatic nuclear factor HNF4alpha. To better understand the molecular events associated with cyclosporine induced hypertension, we investigated the effect of cyclosporine on HNF4alpha expression and activity and searched for novel HNF4alpha target genes among members of the RAS cascade. Using bioinformatic algorithm and EMSA bandshift assays we identified angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AGTR1), angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE), and angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as genes targeted by HNF4alpha. Notably, cyclosporine represses HNF4alpha gene and protein expression and its DNA-binding activity at consensus sequences to AGT, AGTR1, ACE, and ACE2. Consequently, the gene expression of AGT, AGTR1, and ACE2 was significantly reduced as evidenced by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. While RAS is composed of a sophisticated interplay between multiple factors we propose a decrease of ACE2 to enforce AngII signaling via AGTR1 to ultimately result in vasoconstriction and hypertension. Taken collectively we demonstrate cyclosporine to repress HNF4alpha activity through calcineurin inhibitor mediated inhibition of nuclear

  3. Community-based Randomized Controlled Trial of Non-pharmacological Interventions in Prevention and Control of Hypertension among Young Adults.

    PubMed

    Saptharishi, Lg; Soudarssanane, Mb; Thiruselvakumar, D; Navasakthi, D; Mathanraj, S; Karthigeyan, M; Sahai, A

    2009-10-01

    Hypertension is a major chronic lifestyle disease. Several non-pharmacological interventions are effective in bringing down the blood pressure (BP). This study focuses on the effectiveness of such interventions among young adults. To measure the efficacy of physical exercise, reduction in salt intake, and yoga, in lowering BP among young (20-25) pre-hypertensives and hypertensives, and to compare their relative efficacies. The study was done in the urban service area of JIPMER. Pre-hypertensives and hypertensives, identified from previous studies, constituted the universe. The participants were randomized into one control and three interventional groups. A total of 113 subjects: 30, 28, 28 and 27 in four groups respectively participated for eight weeks: control (I), physical exercise (II) - brisk walking for 50-60 minutes, four days/week, salt intake reduction (III) - to at least half of their previous intake, and practice of yoga (IV) - for 30-45 minutes/day on at least five days/week. Efficacy was assessed using paired t test and ANOVA with Games Howell post hoc test. An intention to treat analysis was also performed. A total of 102 participants (29, 27, 25 and 21 in groups I, II, III and IV) completed the study. All three intervention groups showed a significant reduction in BP (SBP/DBP: 5.3/6.0 in group II, 2.6/3.7 in III, and 2.0/2.6 mm Hg in IV respectively). There was no significant change (SBP/DBP: 0.2/0.5 mmHg) of BP in control group (I). Physical exercise was most effective (considered individually); salt intake reduction and yoga were also effective. Physical exercise, salt intake reduction, and yoga are effective non-pharmacological interventions in significantly reducing BP among young hypertensives and pre-hypertensives. These can therefore be positively recommended for hypertensives. There is also a case to deploy these interventions in the general population.

  4. Antihypertensive effect of barnidipine 10 mg or amlodipine 5 to 10 mg once daily in treatment-naive patients with essential hypertension: A 24-week, randomized, open-label, pilot study

    PubMed Central

    Rossetti, Giuseppe; Pizzocri, Samuele; Brasca, Francesco; Pozzi, Marta; Beltrami, Laura M.; Bolla, Giovanni B.; Famiani, Roberta; Caimi, Barbara; Omboni, Stefano; Magrini, Fabio; Carugo, Stefano

    2008-01-01

    Background: Dihydropyridine calcium antagonists are largely employed for the treatment of hypertension, coronary heart disease, and heart failure. Objective: The aim of our study was to compare the antihypertensive effect of the dihydropyridine calcium antagonists barnidipine and amlodipine. Methods: This was a 24-week, randomized, open-label, pilot study. Consecutive treatment-naive patients with grade I or II essential hypertension (office sitting systolic blood pressure [BP] of 140–179 mm Hg and diastolic BP of 90–109 mm Hg) were enrolled. The primary end points were the effect of treatment with either barnidipine 10 mg or amlodipine 5 mg once daily on office and ambulatory BP, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), and markers of cardiac damage, serum procollagen type I C-terminal propeptide, and plasma amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations. Patients were assessed at enrollment, and 12 and 24 weeks. During each visit, the prevalence of adverse events (AEs) was also monitored using spontaneous reporting, patient interview, and physical examination, the relationship to study drug being determined by the investigators. Compliance with treatment was assessed at each study visit by counting returned tablets. Results: Thirty eligible patients (20 men, 10 women; mean [SD] age, 47 [12] years) were included in the study; all patients completed the 24 weeks of study treatment. Twelve weeks after randomization, 6 patients in the amlodipine group had their dose doubled to 10 mg due to inadequate BP control. Mean BP reductions at study end were not significantly different between the barnidipine and amlodipine groups (office BP, −10.3/−9.4 vs −16.6/−9.1 mm Hg; ambulatory BP, 9.4/6.4 vs 8.1/5.1 mm Hg). Reductions in LVMI and markers of cardiac damage were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Significantly more patients in the amlodipine group reported drug-related AEs compared with those in the barnidipine group (9 [60%] vs 2 [13

  5. The Prognostic Role of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Autoantibody in Non-Gravid Hypertension and Pre-eclampsia

    PubMed Central

    Lei, Jinghui; Li, Yafeng; Zhang, Suli; Wu, Ye; Wang, Pengli; Liu, Huirong

    2016-01-01

    Abstract Angiotensin II type 1 receptor autoantibody (AT1-AA) is found in patients with non-gravid hypertension or pre-eclampsia, but the relationship is uncertain. The aim of the present study was to assess the association between AT1-AA and high blood pressure using meta-analysis, and to evaluate the prognosis value of AT1-AA for hypertensive diseases. Literature search from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were conducted using keywords “hypertension” or “pre-eclampsia,” “angiotensin II receptor type 1 autoantibody,” and its aliases from April 1999 to December 2015. Studies evaluating the association between AT1-AA and non-gravid hypertension or pre-eclampsia were included in this analysis. The quality of the eligible studies was assessed based on the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale with some modifications. Two researchers then independently reviewed all included studies and extracted all relevant data. Association between AT1-AA and hypertension was tested with pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Finally, we evaluated whether AT1-AA predicted the prognosis of hypertension by using a summary receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve and sensitivity analysis. Ten studies were finally included in this meta-analysis. AT1-AA showed more significant association with pre-eclampsia than that with non-gravid hypertension (pooled OR 32.84, 95% CI 17.19–62.74; and pooled OR 4.18, 95% CI 2.20–7.98, respectively). Heterogeneity among studies was also detected probably due to different hypertensive subtypes and AT1-AA measuring methods. Area under summary ROC curve (AUC) of pre-eclampsia was 0.92 (sensitivity 0.76; specificity 0.86). Area under the ROC curve of overall hypertensive diseases or non-gravid hypertension was lower than that of pre-eclampsia (0.86 and 0.72, respectively) with lower sensitivities (0.46 and 0.26, respectively). The major limitation of this analysis was the publication bias due to lack of unpublished data

  6. [Effects of long-term antihypertensive therapy with losartan on blood pressure and cognitive function in patients with essential hypertension and other cerebrovascular risk factors (AWARE observational study)].

    PubMed

    Schrader, Jürgen; Lüders, Stephan; Diener, Hans-Christoph; Haller, Hermann; Schmieder, Roland E; Wahle, Klaus; Smolka, Wenefrieda; Jung, Claudia; Bestehorn, Kurt

    2008-07-15

    As arterial hypertension is the most important risk factor for ischemic stroke, the relevant guidelines recommend rigorous treatment to normalize blood pressure. Hypertension can also be associated with cognitive decline and dementia. Therefore, the effect of a long-term therapy with the AT(1) antagonist losartan (+/- hydro chloro thiazide [HCTZ]) on cognitive function in patients with essential hypertension and additional cerebrovascular risk factors was investigated. Prospective, open observational study in 6,206 adult patients with known essential hypertension and cerebrovascular risk factors (most with a 10-year stroke risk of >or= 20% based on the Framingham Score). Demographic data, blood pressure, selected laboratory parameters, and cognitive function (c.I. test) were determined at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months. The patients' mean age was 65.8+/-10.7 years and 46.1% of the patients were male. In addition to treatment with losartan +/- HCTZ, 54.1% of the patients received one or more additional antihypertensive agents. After 1 year of treatment, systolic/diastolic blood pressure fell from its baseline level of 158.1/90.3 mmHg to 137.3/80.6 mmHg (-20.8/-9.7 mmHg). The proportion of patients with no/mild/severe cognitive impairment was 30.0%/30.3%/39.7% at baseline and 34.8%/28.1%/37.1% at the end of the study. In patients with cognitive impairment, fibrinogen and hsCRP (high-sensitive C-reactive protein) levels were significantly elevated. Adverse events (AEs) were reported in 231 patients (3.7%), while serious/nonserious AEs possibly related to the study medication were reported in only six (0.1%) and 38 patients (0.6%), respectively. A high proportion of patients with hypertension shows cognitive impairment; therefore, use of appropriate tests to detect this should be considered. The losartan-based antihypertensive treatment increased the proportion of patients with normal cognitive function, reduced blood pressure, and was well tolerated in the

  7. [Sodium and hypertension].

    PubMed

    de Wardener, H E

    1996-09-01

    Over several million years the human race was programmed to eat a diet which contained about 15 mmol of sodium (1 g of sodium chloride) per day. It is only five to ten thousand years ago that we became addicted to salt. Today we eat about 150 mmol of sodium (9-12 g of salt) per day. It is now apparent that this sudden rise in sodium intake (in evolutionary terms) is the most likely cause for the rise in blood pressure with age that occurs in the majority of the world's population. Those which consume less than 60 mmol/day do not develop hypertension. The reason for the rise in sodium intake is not known but it is probable that an important stimulus was the discovery that meat could be preserved by immersion into a concentrated salt solution. This seemingly miraculous power endowed salt with such magical and medicinal qualities that it became a symbol of goodness and health. It was not until 1904 Ambard and Beaujard suggested that on the contrary dietary salt could be harmful and raise the blood pressure. At first the idea did not prosper and it continues to be opposed by a diminishing band. The accumulated evidence that sodium intake is related to the blood pressure in normal man and animals and in inherited forms of hypertension has been obtained from experimental manipulations and studies of human populations. The following observation links sodium and hypertension. An increase in sodium intakes raises the blood pressure of the normal rat, dog, rabbit, baboon, chimpanzee and man. Population studies have demonstrated a significant correlation between sodium intake and the customary rise in blood pressure with age. The development of hypertensive strains of rats has revealed that the primary genetic lesion which gives rise to hypertension resides in the kidney where it impairs the urinary excretion of sodium. There is similar but less convincing evidence in essential hypertension. The kidney in both essential hypertension and hypertensive strains of rats share a

  8. A phase III, open-label, multicenter study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of long-term triple combination therapy with azilsartan, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide in patients with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Rakugi, Hiromi; Shimizu, Kohei; Nishiyama, Yuya; Sano, Yuhei; Umeda, Yuusuke

    2018-06-01

    Patients with essential hypertension who are receiving treatment with an angiotensin II receptor blocker and a calcium channel blocker often develop inadequate blood pressure (BP) control and require the addition of a diuretic. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of a triple combination therapy with 20 mg azilsartan (AZL), 5 mg amlodipine (AML) and 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). The phase III, open-label, multicenter study (NCT02277691) comprised a 4-week run-in period and 52-week treatment period. Patients with inadequate BP control despite AZL/AML therapy (n = 341) received 4 weeks' treatment with AZL/AML (combination tablet) + HCTZ (tablet) and 4 weeks' treatment with AZL/AML/HCTZ (combination tablet) in a crossover manner, followed by AZL/AML/HCTZ (combination tablet) from Week 8 of the treatment period up to Week 52. The primary and secondary endpoints were long-term safety and BP (office and home), respectively. Most adverse events (AEs) were mild or moderate in intensity, and no deaths or treatment-related serious AEs were reported. The triple therapy provided consistent BP-lowering effects in both office and home measurements. The triple combination therapy with AZL/AML/HCTZ was well tolerated and effective for 52 weeks in Japanese patients with essential hypertension.

  9. Impact of target organ damage assessment in the evaluation of global risk in patients with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Viazzi, Francesca; Leoncini, Giovanna; Parodi, Denise; Ratto, Elena; Vettoretti, Simone; Vaccaro, Valentina; Parodi, Angelica; Falqui, Valeria; Tomolillo, Cinzia; Deferrari, Giacomo; Pontremoli, Roberto

    2005-03-01

    Accurate assessment of cardiovascular risk is a key step toward optimizing the treatment of hypertensive patients. We analyzed the impact and cost-effectiveness of routine, thorough assessment of target organ damage (TOD) in evaluating risk profile in hypertension. A total of 380 never-treated patients with essential hypertension underwent routine work-up plus evaluation of albuminuria and ultrasonography of cardiac and vascular structures. The impact of these tests on risk stratification, as indicated by European Society of Hypertension-European Society of Cardiology guidelines, was assessed in light of their cost and sensitivity. The combined use of all of these tests greatly improved the detection of TOD, therefore leading to the identification of a higher percentage of patients who were at high/very high risk, as compared with those who were detected by routine clinical work-up (73% instead of 42%; P < 0.0001). Different signs of TOD only partly cluster within the same subgroup of patients; thus, all three tests should be performed to maximize the sensitivity of the evaluation process. The diagnostic algorithm yielding the lowest cost per detected case of TOD is the search for microalbuminuria, followed by echocardiography and then carotid ultrasonography. Adopting lower cut-off values to define microalbuminuria allows us to optimize further the cost-effectiveness of diagnostic algorithms. In conclusion, because of its low cost and widespread availability, measuring albuminuria is an attractive and cost-effective screening test that is especially suitable as the first step in the large-scale diagnostic work-up of hypertensive patients.

  10. Role of H2O2 in hypertension, renin-angiotensin system activation and renal medullary disfunction caused by angiotensin II

    PubMed Central

    Sousa, T; Oliveira, S; Afonso, J; Morato, M; Patinha, D; Fraga, S; Carvalho, F; Albino-Teixeira, A

    2012-01-01

    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Activation of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and increased renal medullary hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contribute to hypertension. We examined whether H2O2 mediated hypertension and intrarenal RAS activation induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Ang II (200 ng·kg−1·min−1) or saline were infused in Sprague Dawley rats from day 0 to day 14. Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-catalase (10 000 U·kg−1·day−1) was given to Ang II-treated rats, from day 7 to day 14. Systolic blood pressure was measured throughout the study. H2O2, angiotensin AT1 receptor and Nox4 expression and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation were evaluated in the kidney. Plasma and urinary H2O2 and angiotensinogen were also measured. KEY RESULTS Ang II increased H2O2, AT1 receptor and Nox4 expression and NF-κB activation in the renal medulla, but not in the cortex. Ang II raised plasma and urinary H2O2 levels, increased urinary angiotensinogen but reduced plasma angiotensinogen. PEG-catalase had a short-term antihypertensive effect and transiently suppressed urinary angiotensinogen. PEG-catalase decreased renal medullary expression of AT1 receptors and Nox4 in Ang II-infused rats. Renal medullary NF-κB activation was correlated with local H2O2 levels and urinary angiotensinogen excretion. Loss of antihypertensive efficacy was associated with an eightfold increase of plasma angiotensinogen. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The renal medulla is a major target for Ang II-induced redox dysfunction. H2O2 appears to be the key mediator enhancing intrarenal RAS activation and decreasing systemic RAS activity. The specific control of renal medullary H2O2 levels may provide future grounds for the treatment of hypertension. PMID:22452317

  11. Slow-pressor angiotensin II hypertension and concomitant dendritic NMDA receptor trafficking in estrogen receptor beta-containing neurons of the mouse hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus are sex and age dependent

    PubMed Central

    Marques-Lopes, Jose; Van Kempen, Tracey; Waters, Elizabeth M.; Pickel, Virginia M.; Iadecola, Costantino; Milner, Teresa A.

    2014-01-01

    The incidence of hypertension increases after menopause. Similar to humans, “slow-pressor” doses of angiotensin II (AngII) increase blood pressure in young males, but not in young female mice. However, AngII increases blood pressure in aged female mice, paralleling reproductive hormonal changes. These changes could influence receptor trafficking in central cardiovascular circuits and contribute to hypertension. Increased post-synaptic NMDA receptor activity in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is crucial for the sympathoexcitation driving AngII hypertension. Estrogen receptors beta (ERβ) are present in PVN neurons. We tested the hypothesis that changes in ovarian hormones with age promote susceptibility to AngII hypertension, and influence NMDA receptor NR1 subunit trafficking in ERβ-containing PVN neurons. Transgenic mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in ERβ-containing cells were implanted with osmotic minipumps delivering AngII (600 ng/kg/min) or saline for 2 weeks. AngII increased blood pressure in 2 month-old males and 18 month-old females, but not in 2 month-old females. By electron microscopy, NR1-silver-intensified immunogold (SIG) was mainly in ERβ-EGFP dendrites. At baseline, NR1-SIG density was greater in 2 month-old females than in 2 month-old males or 18 month-old females. After AngII infusion, NR1-SIG density was decreased in 2 month-old females, but increased in 2 month-old males and 18 month-old females. These findings suggest that, in young female mice, NR1 density is decreased in ERβ-PVN dendrites thus reducing NMDA receptor activity and preventing hypertension. Conversely, in young males and aged females, NR1 density is upregulated in ERβ-PVN dendrites and ultimately leads to the neurohumoral dysfunction driving hypertension. PMID:24639345

  12. Non-invasive treatment to grade 1 essential hypertension by percutaneous laser and electric pulse to acupoint with music: A randomized controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Zhan, Hong-Rui; Hong, Zhong-Si; Chen, Yi-Shen; Hong, Hai-Yu; Weng, Ze-Bin; Yang, Zhang-Bin; Shi, Jing-Li; Chen, Zhong-Ben

    2016-09-01

    To study a non-drug therapy for hypertension disease by combining percutaneous laser and electric pulse stimulation to acupoint with music, and to test the efficiency of the combining treatment to grade 1 essential hypertension. A total of 174 patients with grade 1 essential hypertension were randomly assigned to 3 groups with a random number table after Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome differentiation: the photoelectric and musical treatment group (Group 1, with a self-developed multi-mode audio frequency pulse photoelectric therapeutic apparatus), acupuncture group (Group 2), and oral placebo group (Group 3), 58 cases per group. The curative effect of each group was evaluated by the changes of blood pressure and CM syndrome integral before and after treatment. Compared with Group 3, there were significant decrease of blood pressure and CM syndrome integral in Group 1 and Group 2 (P<0.01). Compared with Group 2, Group 1 showed the highest decrease in systolic pressure (P<0.017). The total effective rate of anti-hypertension in Group 1 (91.38%, 53/58) was significantly higher than that in Group 2 (74.13%, 43/58) and Group 3 (18.97%, 11/58, P<0.05 or P<0.01); and that in Group 2 was also significantly higher than that in Group 3 (P<0.01). There were significant difference in the total effective rate of CM syndrome integral in both Group 1 (93.10%, 54/58) and Group 2 (84.48%, 49/58) as compared with Group 3 (17.24%, 10/58, P<0.01), while there was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (P>0.05). The multi-mode audio frequency pulse photoelectric therapeutic apparatus, combining music, laser and electric pulse stimulation, is clinically useful for grade 1 essential hypertension. This "three in one" therapy method is non-invasive, easy and simple to handle. It is expected to be popularized as a new alternative treatment.

  13. Brain Oscillations Elicited by the Cold Pressor Test: A Putative Index of Untreated Essential Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Tsaltas, Eleftheria; Koroboki, Eleni; Alevizaki, Maria; Angelopoulos, Elias; Dimopoulos, Meletios-Athanasios; Papageorgiou, Charalabos; Zakopoulos, Nikolaos

    2017-01-01

    Objective Essential hypertension is associated with reduced pain sensitivity of unclear aetiology. This study explores this issue using the Cold Pressor Test (CPT), a reliable pain/stress model, comparing CPT-related EEG activity in first episode hypertensives and controls. Method 22 untreated hypertensives and 18 matched normotensives underwent 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). EEG recordings were taken before, during, and after CPT exposure. Results Significant group differences in CPT-induced EEG oscillations were covaried with the most robust cardiovascular differentiators by means of a Canonical Analysis. Positive correlations were noted between ABPM variables and Delta (1–4 Hz) oscillations during the tolerance phase; in high-alpha (10–12 Hz) oscillations during the stress unit and posttest phase; and in low-alpha (8–10 Hz) oscillations during CPT phases overall. Negative correlations were found between ABPM variables and Beta2 oscillations (16.5–20 Hz) during the posttest phase and Gamma (28.5–45 Hz) oscillations during the CPT phases overall. These relationships were localised at several sites across the cerebral hemispheres with predominance in the right hemisphere and left frontal lobe. Conclusions These findings provide a starting point for increasing our understanding of the complex relationships between cerebral activation and cardiovascular functioning involved in regulating blood pressure changes. PMID:28573048

  14. [Effect of complex sanatorium treatment including magnetotherapy on hemodynamics in patients with arterial hypertension].

    PubMed

    Efremushkin, G G; Duruda, N V

    2003-01-01

    Forty nine patients with arterial hypertension of stage I-II received combined sanatorium treatment. Of them, 21 had adjuvant total magnetotherapy. All the patients were examined for parameters of central, cerebral hemodynamics and microcirculation. The adjuvant magnetotherapy produced a beneficial effect on hypertension: clinical symptoms attenuated, arterial pressure became more stable, hemodynamics improved, duration of hospitalization reduced, requirement in hypotensive drugs diminished.

  15. Regulation of Hypothalamic Presympathetic Neurons and Sympathetic Outflow by Group II Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

    PubMed

    Ye, Zeng-You; Li, De-Pei; Pan, Hui-Lin

    2013-08-01

    Increased glutamatergic input in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) plays an important role in the development of hypertension. Group II metabotropic glutamate receptors are expressed in the PVN, but their involvement in regulating synaptic transmission and sympathetic outflow in hypertension is unclear. Here, we show that the group II metabotropic glutamate receptors agonist (2S,2'R,3'R)-2-(2',3'-dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine (DCG-IV) produced a significantly greater reduction in the frequency of spontaneous and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents and in the amplitude of electrically evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents in retrogradely labeled spinally projecting PVN neurons in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) than in normotensive control rats. DCG-IV similarly decreased the frequency of GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents of labeled PVN neurons in the 2 groups of rats. Strikingly, DCG-IV suppressed the firing of labeled PVN neurons only in SHRs. DCG-IV failed to inhibit the firing of PVN neurons of SHRs in the presence of ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists. Lowering blood pressure with celiac ganglionectomy in SHRs normalized the DCG-IV effect on excitatory postsynaptic currents to the same level seen in control rats. Furthermore, microinjection of DCG-IV into the PVN significantly reduced blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity in SHRs. Our findings provide new information that presynaptic group II metabotropic glutamate receptor activity at the glutamatergic terminals increases in the PVN in SHRs. Activation of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors in the PVN inhibits sympathetic vasomotor tone through attenuation of increased glutamatergic input and neuronal hyperactivity in SHRs.

  16. Activation of human T cells in hypertension: Studies of Humanized Mice and Hypertensive Humans

    PubMed Central

    Itani, Hana A.; McMaster, William G.; Saleh, Mohamed A.; Nazarewicz, Rafal R.; Mikolajczyk, Tomasz P.; Kaszuba, Anna; Konior, Anna; Prejbisz, Aleksander; Januszewicz, Andrzej; Norlander, Allison E.; Chen, Wei; Bonami, Rachel H.; Marshall, Andrew F.; Poffenberger, Greg; Weyand, Cornelia M.; Madhur, Meena S.; Moore, Daniel J.; Harrison, David G.; Guzik, Tomasz J.

    2016-01-01

    Emerging evidence supports an important role for T cells in the genesis of hypertension. Because this work has predominantly been performed in experimental animals, we sought to determine whether human T cells are activated in hypertension. We employed a humanized mouse model in which the murine immune system is replaced by the human immune system. Angiotensin II increased systolic pressure to 162 mm Hg vs. 116 mm Hg for sham treated animals. Flow cytometry of thoracic lymph nodes, thoracic aorta and kidney revealed increased infiltration of human leukocytes (CD45+) and T lymphocytes (CD3+ and CD4+) in response to angiotensin II infusion. Interestingly, there was also an increase in the memory T cells (CD3+/CD45RO+) in the aortas and lymph nodes. Prevention of hypertension using hydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide prevented the accumulation of T cells in these tissues. Studies of isolated human T cells and monocytes indicated that angiotensin II had no direct effect on cytokine production by T cells or the ability of dendritic cells to drive T cell proliferation. We also observed an increase in circulating IL-17A producing CD4+ T cells and both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that produce IFN-γ in hypertensive compared to normotensive humans. Thus, human T cells become activated and invade critical end-organ tissues in response to hypertension in a humanized mouse model. This response likely reflects the hypertensive milieu encountered in vivo and is not a direct effect of the hormone angiotensin II. PMID:27217403

  17. Activation of Human T Cells in Hypertension: Studies of Humanized Mice and Hypertensive Humans.

    PubMed

    Itani, Hana A; McMaster, William G; Saleh, Mohamed A; Nazarewicz, Rafal R; Mikolajczyk, Tomasz P; Kaszuba, Anna M; Konior, Anna; Prejbisz, Aleksander; Januszewicz, Andrzej; Norlander, Allison E; Chen, Wei; Bonami, Rachel H; Marshall, Andrew F; Poffenberger, Greg; Weyand, Cornelia M; Madhur, Meena S; Moore, Daniel J; Harrison, David G; Guzik, Tomasz J

    2016-07-01

    Emerging evidence supports an important role for T cells in the genesis of hypertension. Because this work has predominantly been performed in experimental animals, we sought to determine whether human T cells are activated in hypertension. We used a humanized mouse model in which the murine immune system is replaced by the human immune system. Angiotensin II increased systolic pressure to 162 versus 116 mm Hg for sham-treated animals. Flow cytometry of thoracic lymph nodes, thoracic aorta, and kidney revealed increased infiltration of human leukocytes (CD45(+)) and T lymphocytes (CD3(+) and CD4(+)) in response to angiotensin II infusion. Interestingly, there was also an increase in the memory T cells (CD3(+)/CD45RO(+)) in the aortas and lymph nodes. Prevention of hypertension using hydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide prevented the accumulation of T cells in these tissues. Studies of isolated human T cells and monocytes indicated that angiotensin II had no direct effect on cytokine production by T cells or the ability of dendritic cells to drive T-cell proliferation. We also observed an increase in circulating interleukin-17A producing CD4(+) T cells and both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells that produce interferon-γ in hypertensive compared with normotensive humans. Thus, human T cells become activated and invade critical end-organ tissues in response to hypertension in a humanized mouse model. This response likely reflects the hypertensive milieu encountered in vivo and is not a direct effect of the hormone angiotensin II. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

  18. 30 CFR 57.22501 - Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A... Illumination § 57.22501 Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines). Electric lamps used for personal illumination shall be approved by MSHA under the requirements of 30 CFR...

  19. 30 CFR 57.22501 - Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A... Illumination § 57.22501 Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines). Electric lamps used for personal illumination shall be approved by MSHA under the requirements of 30 CFR...

  20. 30 CFR 57.22501 - Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A... Illumination § 57.22501 Personal electric lamps (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, II-B, III, IV, V-A, and V-B mines). Electric lamps used for personal illumination shall be approved by MSHA under the requirements of 30 CFR...

  1. Effect of active immunization against angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor on hypertension & arterial remodelling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

    PubMed

    Li, Liu-Dong; Tian, Miao; Liao, Yu-Hua; Zhou, Zi-Hua; Wei, Fen; Zhu, Feng; Wang, Min; Wang, Bin; Wei, Yu-Miao

    2014-04-01

    a0 ngiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1) is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. t0 his study was undertaken to explore the effect of active immunization against AT1 receptor on blood pressure and small artery remodelling in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Male SHR and Wistar rats aged two months were actively immunized with different peptides (ATR12185ͱͲATR10014 and ATR12181) corresponding to particular sequences of rat AT1 receptor, while another SHR group was given losartan (10 mg/kg/day) orally once a day. Anti-AT1 receptor antibodies were detected by ELISA and blood pressure was measured. The effect of the antibodies on the artery and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation was studied. all immunized animals produced antibodies against the particular peptides. The systolic blood pressure was decreased in the SHR immunized with peptide-ATR12181 compared with the control. However, no changes were observed in the SHR immunized with other two peptides. The Wistar rats immunized with the three peptides did not show any changes in blood pressure. The media/lumen area ratio of the mesenteric artery was reduced in SHR immunized with ATR12181 and similar to that of the SHR treated with losartan. The antibody from SHR immunized with ATR12181 had no effect on the proliferation of VSMC. But it could inhibit the proliferation caused by angiotensin II and its effect at the titre of 1:40 was similar to that of 1µmol/l losartan. Our findings demonstrated that the antibody from SHR immunized with ATR12181 had the effect of reducing blood pressure and target organ protection similar to losartan. Active immunization against AT1 receptor may be a promising strategy in future for the treatment of hypertension.

  2. Association Analysis of FOXO3 Longevity Variants With Blood Pressure and Essential Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Morris, Brian J; Chen, Randi; Donlon, Timothy A; Evans, Daniel S; Tranah, Gregory J; Parimi, Neeta; Ehret, Georg B; Newton-Cheh, Christopher; Seto, Todd; Willcox, D Craig; Masaki, Kamal H; Kamide, Kei; Ryuno, Hirochika; Oguro, Ryosuke; Nakama, Chikako; Kabayama, Mai; Yamamoto, Koichi; Sugimoto, Ken; Ikebe, Kazunori; Masui, Yukie; Arai, Yasumichi; Ishizaki, Tatsuro; Gondo, Yasuyuki; Rakugi, Hiromi; Willcox, Bradley J

    2016-11-01

    The minor alleles of 3 FOXO3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)- rs2802292 , rs2253310 , and rs2802288 -are associated with human longevity. The aim of the present study was to test these SNPs for association with blood pressure (BP) and essential hypertension (EHT). In a primary study involving Americans of Japanese ancestry drawn from the Family Blood Pressure Program II we genotyped 411 female and 432 male subjects aged 40-79 years and tested for statistical association by contingency table analysis and generalized linear models that included logistic regression adjusting for sibling correlation in the data set. Replication of rs2802292 with EHT was attempted in Japanese SONIC study subjects and of each SNP in a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of BP in individuals of European ancestry. In Americans of Japanese ancestry, women homozygous for the longevity-associated (minor) allele of each FOXO3 SNP had 6mm Hg lower systolic BP and 3mm Hg lower diastolic BP compared with major allele homozygotes (Bonferroni corrected P < 0.05 and >0.05, respectively). Frequencies of minor allele homozygotes were 3.3-3.9% in women with EHT compared with 9.5-9.6% in normotensive women ( P = 0.03-0.04; haplotype analysis P = 0.0002). No association with BP or EHT was evident in males. An association with EHT was seen for the minor allele of rs2802292 in the Japanese SONIC cohort ( P = 0.03), while in European subjects the minor allele of each SNP was associated with higher systolic and diastolic BP. Longevity-associated FOXO3 variants may be associated with lower BP and EHT in Japanese women.

  3. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists in the treatment of hypertension in elderly patients: focus on patient outcomes

    PubMed Central

    Tadevosyan, Artavazd; MacLaughlin, Eric J; Karamyan, Vardan T

    2011-01-01

    Hypertension in the elderly is one of the main risk factors of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Knowledge regarding the mechanisms of hypertension and specific considerations in managing hypertensive elderly through pharmacological intervention(s) is fundamental to improving clinical outcomes. Recent clinical studies in the elderly have provided evidence that angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonists can improve clinical outcomes to a similar or, in certain populations, an even greater extent than other classical arterial blood pressure-lowering agents. This newer class of antihypertensive agents presents several benefits, including potential for improved adherence, excellent tolerability profile with minimal first-dose hypotension, and a low incidence of adverse effects. Thus, AT1 receptor antagonists represent an appropriate option for many elderly patients with hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and/or left ventricular dysfunction. PMID:22915967

  4. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) test for the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension.

    PubMed

    Gluszek, J; Posadzy-Malaczynska, A; Tykarski, A; Pupek-Musialik, D; Gracz, M; Kara-Perz, H

    1997-06-01

    To determine whether the administration of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, also known as Aspirin) differentiates patients with renovascular hypertension from those with essential hypertension, in order to provide a simple alternative to more expensive forms of diagnosis for this condition. Trial of ASA test in patients with previously diagnosed essential and renovascular hypertension. Inpatient department of an academic health sciences centre in Poznan, Poland. Forty patients with essential hypertension and 21 patients with renovascular hypertension. Patients were given an intravenous injection of ASA (10 mg/kg body weight), blood pressure was measured and blood was sampled and assayed for plasma renin activity (PRA) before and 30 minutes after the injection. ASA infusion in patients with renovascular hypertension resulted in a decrease in PRA from 15.2 (standard deviation [SD] 12.4) ng/mL per hour to 7.2 (SD 9.8) ng/mL per hour, whereas in patients with essential hypertension the initial PRA was significantly lower before ASA administration and did not change afterward. In patients with renovascular hypertension, the mean systolic, diastolic and arterial pressure decreased significantly (p < 0.001) after ASA infusion, but these did not change in patients with essential hypertension. Based on the criterion of 4 mm Hg as a detectable decrease in mean blood pressure, the sensitivity of the ASA test was 95.0% and the specificity 82.5%; its positive predictive value was 74% and its negative predictive value 97%. The precise measurement of blood pressure during the ASA test may provide a useful method of differentiating between patients with renovascular and essential hypertension.

  5. New approaches in the treatment of hypertension.

    PubMed

    Oparil, Suzanne; Schmieder, Roland E

    2015-03-13

    Hypertension is the most common modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease and death, and lowering blood pressure with antihypertensive drugs reduces target organ damage and prevents cardiovascular disease outcomes. Despite a plethora of available treatment options, a substantial portion of the hypertensive population has uncontrolled blood pressure. The unmet need of controlling blood pressure in this population may be addressed, in part, by developing new drugs and devices/procedures to treat hypertension and its comorbidities. In this Compendium Review, we discuss new drugs and interventional treatments that are undergoing preclinical or clinical testing for hypertension treatment. New drug classes, eg, inhibitors of vasopeptidases, aldosterone synthase and soluble epoxide hydrolase, agonists of natriuretic peptide A and vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor 2, and a novel mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist are in phase II/III of development, while inhibitors of aminopeptidase A, dopamine β-hydroxylase, and the intestinal Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 3, agonists of components of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/angiotensin(1-7)/Mas receptor axis and vaccines directed toward angiotensin II and its type 1 receptor are in phase I or preclinical development. The two main interventional approaches, transcatheter renal denervation and baroreflex activation therapy, are used in clinical practice for severe treatment resistant hypertension in some countries. Renal denervation is also being evaluated for treatment of various comorbidities, eg, chronic heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias and chronic renal failure. Novel interventional approaches in early development include carotid body ablation and arteriovenous fistula placement. Importantly, none of these novel drug or device treatments has been shown to prevent cardiovascular disease outcomes or death in hypertensive patients. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

  6. The absence of intrarenal ACE protects against hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Gonzalez-Villalobos, Romer A.; Janjoulia, Tea; Fletcher, Nicholas K.; Giani, Jorge F.; Nguyen, Mien T.X.; Riquier-Brison, Anne D.; Seth, Dale M.; Fuchs, Sebastien; Eladari, Dominique; Picard, Nicolas; Bachmann, Sebastian; Delpire, Eric; Peti-Peterdi, Janos; Navar, L. Gabriel; Bernstein, Kenneth E.; McDonough, Alicia A.

    2013-01-01

    Activation of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) can elicit hypertension independently from the systemic RAS. However, the precise mechanisms by which intrarenal Ang II increases blood pressure have never been identified. To this end, we studied the responses of mice specifically lacking kidney angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) to experimental hypertension. Here, we show that the absence of kidney ACE substantially blunts the hypertension induced by Ang II infusion (a model of high serum Ang II) or by nitric oxide synthesis inhibition (a model of low serum Ang II). Moreover, the renal responses to high serum Ang II observed in wild-type mice, including intrarenal Ang II accumulation, sodium and water retention, and activation of ion transporters in the loop of Henle (NKCC2) and distal nephron (NCC, ENaC, and pendrin) as well as the transporter activating kinases SPAK and OSR1, were effectively prevented in mice that lack kidney ACE. These findings demonstrate that ACE metabolism plays a fundamental role in the responses of the kidney to hypertensive stimuli. In particular, renal ACE activity is required to increase local Ang II, to stimulate sodium transport in loop of Henle and the distal nephron, and to induce hypertension. PMID:23619363

  7. Essential roles of angiotensin II in vascular endothelial growth factor expression in sleep apnea syndrome.

    PubMed

    Takahashi, Susumu; Nakamura, Yutaka; Nishijima, Tsuguo; Sakurai, Shigeru; Inoue, Hiroshi

    2005-09-01

    Hypoxia-induced endothelial cell dysfunction has been implicated in increased cardiovascular disease associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). OSAS mediates hypertension by stimulating angiotensin II (Ang II) production. Hypoxia and Ang II are the major stimuli of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is a potent angiogenic cytokine and also contributes to the atherogenic process itself. We observed serum Ang II and VEGF levels and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and neutrophil VEGF expression. Compared to controls, subjects with OSAS had significantly increased levels of serum Ang II and VEGF and VEGF mRNA expression in their leukocytes. To examine whether Ang II stimulates VEGF expression in OSAS, we treated PBMCs obtained from control subjects with Ang II and with an Ang II receptor type 1 (AT(1)) blocker, olmesartan. We observed an increased expression of VEGF in the Ang II-stimulated PBMCs and decreased in VEGF mRNA and protein expression in the PBMCs treated with olmesartan. These findings suggest that the Ang II-AT(1) receptors pathway potentially are involved in OSAS and VEGF-induced vascularity and that endothelial dysfunction might be linked to this change in Ang II activity within leukocytes of OSAS patients.

  8. Novel Association of WNK4 Gene, Ala589Ser Polymorphism in Essential Hypertension, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Malaysia.

    PubMed

    Ghodsian, Nooshin; Ismail, Patimah; Ahmadloo, Salma; Heidari, Farzad; Haghvirdizadeh, Polin; Ataollahi Eshkoor, Sima; Etemad, Ali

    2016-01-01

    With-no-lysine (K) Kinase-4 (WNK4) consisted of unique serine and threonine protein kinases, genetically associated with an autosomal dominant form of hypertension. Argumentative consequences have lately arisen on the association of specific single nucleotide polymorphisms of WNK4 gene and essential hypertension (EHT). The aim of this study was to determine the association of Ala589Ser polymorphism of WNK4 gene with essential hypertensive patients in Malaysia. WNK4 gene polymorphism was specified utilizing mutagenically separated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method in 320 subjects including 163 cases and 157 controls. Close relation between Ala589Ser polymorphism and elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) was recognized. Sociodemographic factors including body mass index (BMI), age, the level of fasting blood sugar (FBS), low density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride (TG) in the cases and healthy subjects exhibited strong differences (p < 0.05). The distribution of allele frequency and genotype of WNK4 gene Ala589Ser polymorphism showed significant differences (p < 0.05) between EHT subjects with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and normotensive subjects, statistically. The WNK4 gene variation influences significantly blood pressure increase. Ala589Ser probably has effects on the enzymic activity leading to enhanced predisposition to the disorder.

  9. A Polymorphism of the Renin Gene rs6682082 Is Associated with Essential Hypertension Risk and Blood Pressure Levels in Korean Women

    PubMed Central

    Park, Jongkeun; Song, Kijun; Jang, Yangsoo

    2015-01-01

    Purpose The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between the renin gene (REN) and the risk of essential hypertension and blood pressure (BP) levels in Koreans. Materials and Methods To outline the functional role of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the transcription of the REN gene, we conducted a case-control study of 1975 individuals: 646 hypertension (HT) patients and 1329 ethnically and age-matched normotensive subjects. Results Logistic regression analysis indicated that the genotypes AA/AG were strongly associated with risk of HT (odds ratio, 1.493; 95% confidence interval, 1.069-2.086, p=0.018) in female subjects. The genotypes AA/AG also showed significant association with higher blood pressure levels, both systolic and diastolic, in postmenopausal HT women (p=0.003 and p=0.017, respectively). Analysis of the promoter containing rs6682082 revealed a 2.4±0.01-fold higher activity in the A variant promoter than the G variant promoter, suggesting that rs6682082 is itself a functional variant. Conclusion We suggest that the A allele of rs6682082 is a positive genetic marker for predisposition to essential hypertension and high BP in Korean women and may be mediated through the transcriptional activation of REN. PMID:25510769

  10. Purinergic receptors contribute to early mesangial cell transformation and renal vessel hypertrophy during angiotensin II-induced hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Graciano, Miguel L.; Nishiyama, Akira; Jackson, Keith; Seth, Dale M.; Ortiz, Rudy M.; Prieto-Carrasquero, Minolfa C.; Kobori, Hiroyuki; Navar, L. Gabriel

    2008-01-01

    Chronic ANG II infusions lead to increases in intrarenal ANG II levels, hypertension, and tissue injury. Increased blood pressure also elicits increases in renal interstitial fluid (RIF) ATP concentrations that stimulate cell proliferation. We evaluated the contribution of purinergic receptor activation to ANG II-induced renal injury in rats by treating with clopidogrel, a P2Y12 receptor blocker, or with PPADS, a nonselective P2 receptor blocker. α-Actin expression in mesangial cells, afferent arteriolar wall thickness (AAWT), cortical cell proliferation, and macrophage infiltration were used as early markers of renal injury. Clopidogrel and PPADS did not alter blood pressure, renin or kidney ANG II content. α-Actin expression increased from control of 0.6 ± 0.4% of mesangial area to 6.3 ± 1.9% in ANG II-infused rats and this response was prevented by clopidogrel (0.4 ± 0.2%) and PPADS. The increase in AAWT from 4.7 ± 0.1 to 6.0 ± 0.1 mm in ANG II rats was also prevented by clopidogrel (4.8 ± 0.1 mm) and PPADS. ANG II infusion led to interstitial macrophage infiltration (105 ± 16 vs. 62 ± 4 cell/mm2) and tubular proliferation (71 ± 15 vs. 20 ± 4 cell/mm2) and these effects were prevented by clopidogrel (52 ± 4 and 36 ± 3 cell/mm2) and PPADS. RIF ATP levels were higher in ANG II-infused rats than in control rats (11.8 ± 1.9 vs. 5.6 ± 0.6 nmol/l, P < 0.05). The results suggest that activation of vascular and glomerular purinergic P2 receptors may contribute to the mesangial cell transformation, renal inflammation, and vascular hypertrophy observed in ANG II-dependent hypertension. PMID:17989111

  11. [The influence of single moderate exercise on the sympathetic nervous system activity in patients with essential hypertension].

    PubMed

    Gajek, Jacek; Zyśko, Dorota

    2002-12-01

    Sympathetic nervous system may play an important role in development and maintenance of hypertension. Its activity can be assessed by plasma levels of catecholamines, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and adrenergic receptor density. Hypertensive subjects may be more prone to reveal overactivity of sympathetic nervous system, for instance as a result of physical stress. The aim of the study was to determine the activity of sympathetic nervous system in young patients with newly recognized, untreated mild hypertension. The study was carried out in 22 patients (age 38.5 +/- 10.3 years) and 20 normotensive volunteers (age 38.5 +/- 8.6 years) as a control group, matched for sex. Density of alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic receptors using 3H-yohimbine and 125I-cyanopindolol respectively, total catecholamines and plasma renin activity using radioenzymatic assay, neuropeptide Y and aldosterone using radioimmunoassay were assessed in the blood taken in the supine position and after moderate bicycle ergometer exercise. Plasma concentration of NPY at rest did not differ between the groups, but increased significantly after exercise and was greater in hypertensive patients (p < 0.05). The density of alpha 2- and beta-adrenergic receptors at rest and after exercise in hypertensive subjects was unchanged when comparing to healthy individuals. The plasma concentrations of endogenous catecholamines, plasma renin activity and aldosterone level increase during exercise in both studied groups (p < 0.05). Aldosterone level was higher in hypertensive patients at rest (p < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between baseline aldosterone and NPY levels in hypertensive patients (r = -0.44, p < 0.05). Moderate exercise in hypertensive subjects causes the hyperactivity of sympathetic nervous system expressed as increase of NPY plasma level.

  12. OBESITY-INDUCED HYPERTENSION: INTERACTION OF NEUROHUMORAL AND RENAL MECHANISMS

    PubMed Central

    Hall, John E.; do Carmo, Jussara M.; da Silva, Alexandre A.; Wang, Zhen; Hall, Michael E.

    2015-01-01

    Excess weight gain, especially when associated with increased visceral adiposity, is a major cause of hypertension, accounting for 65–75% of the risk for human primary (essential) hypertension. Increased renal tubular sodium reabsorption impairs pressure natriuresis and plays an important role in initiating obesity hypertension. The mediators of abnormal kidney function and increased blood pressure during development of obesity hypertension include 1) physical compression of the kidneys by fat in and around the kidneys, 2) activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), and 3) increased sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. Activation of the RAAS system is likely due, in part, to renal compression as well as SNS activation. However, obesity also causes mineralocorticoid receptor activation independent of aldosterone or angiotensin II. The mechanisms for SNS activation in obesity have not been fully elucidated but appear to require leptin and activation of the brain melanocortin system. With prolonged obesity and development of target organ injury, especially renal injury, obesity-associated hypertension becomes more difficult to control, often requiring multiple antihypertensive drugs and treatment of other risk factors, including dyslipidemia, insulin resistance and diabetes, and inflammation. Unless effective anti-obesity drugs are developed, the impact of obesity on hypertension and related cardiovascular, renal and metabolic disorders is likely to become even more important in the future as the prevalence of obesity continues to increase. PMID:25767285

  13. The Belle II imaging Time-of-Propagation (iTOP) detector

    DOE PAGES

    Fast, J.

    2017-02-16

    High precision flavor physics measurements are an essential complement to the direct searches for new physics at the LHC ATLAS and CMS experiments. We will perform these measurements using the upgraded Belle II detector that will take data at the SuperKEKB accelerator. With 40x the luminosity of KEKB, the detector systems must operate efficiently at much higher rates than the original Belle detector. A central element of the upgrade is the barrel particle identification system. Belle II has built and installed an imaging-Time-of-Propagation (iTOP) detector. The iTOP uses quartz optics as Cherenkov radiators. The photons are transported down the quartzmore » bars via total internal reflection with a spherical mirror at the forward end to reflect photons to the backward end where they are imaged onto an array of segmented Micro-Channel Plate Photo-Multiplier Tubes (MCP-PMTs). The system is read out using giga-samples per second waveform sampling Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Furthermore, we used the combined timing and spatial distribution of the photons for each event to determine particle species. This paper provides an overview of the iTOP system.« less

  14. The Belle II imaging Time-of-Propagation (iTOP) detector

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fast, J.; Belle II Barrel Particle Identification Group

    2017-12-01

    High precision flavor physics measurements are an essential complement to the direct searches for new physics at the LHC ATLAS and CMS experiments. Such measurements will be performed using the upgraded Belle II detector that will take data at the SuperKEKB accelerator. With 40x the luminosity of KEKB, the detector systems must operate efficiently at much higher rates than the original Belle detector. A central element of the upgrade is the barrel particle identification system. Belle II has built and installed an imaging-Time-of-Propagation (iTOP) detector. The iTOP uses quartz optics as Cherenkov radiators. The photons are transported down the quartz bars via total internal reflection with a spherical mirror at the forward end to reflect photons to the backward end where they are imaged onto an array of segmented Micro-Channel Plate Photo-Multiplier Tubes (MCP-PMTs). The system is read out using giga-samples per second waveform sampling Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). The combined timing and spatial distribution of the photons for each event are used to determine particle species. This paper provides an overview of the iTOP system.

  15. Different Impact of Essential Hypertension on Structural and Functional Age-Related Vascular Changes.

    PubMed

    Bruno, Rosa Maria; Duranti, Emiliano; Ippolito, Chiara; Segnani, Cristina; Bernardini, Nunzia; Di Candio, Giulio; Chiarugi, Massimo; Taddei, Stefano; Virdis, Agostino

    2017-01-01

    We evaluated whether vascular remodeling is present in physiological aging and whether hypertension accelerates the aging process for vascular function and structure. Small arteries from 42 essential hypertensive patients (HT) and 41 normotensive individuals (NT) were dissected after subcutaneous biopsy. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (pressurized myograph) was assessed by acetylcholine, repeated under the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N-nitro-l-arginine methylester or the antioxidant tempol. Structure was evaluated by media-lumen ratio (M/L). Intravascular oxidative generation and collagen deposition were assessed. Inhibition by N-nitro-l-arginine methylester on ACh was inversely related to age in both groups (P<0.0001) and blunted in HT versus NT for each age range. In NT, tempol enhanced endothelial function in the oldest subgroup; in HT, the potentiating effect started earlier. HT showed an increased M/L (P<0.001) versus control. In both groups, M/L was directly related to age (P<0.0001). M/L was greater in HT, starting from 31 to 45 years range. A significant age-hypertension interaction occurred (P=0.0009). In NT, intravascular superoxide emerged in the oldest subgroup, whereas it appeared earlier among HT. Among NT, aged group displayed an increment of collagen fibers versus young group. In HT, collagen deposition was already evident in youngest, with a further enhancement in the aged group. In small arteries, ageing shows a eutrophic vascular remodeling and a reduced nitric oxide availability. Oxidative stress and fibrosis emerge in advanced age. In HT, nitric oxide availability is early reduced, but the progression rate with age is similar. Structural alterations include wide collagen deposition and intravascular reactive oxygen species, and the progression rate with age is steeper. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

  16. Cardiac Organ Damage and Arterial Stiffness in Autonomic Failure: Comparison With Essential Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Milazzo, Valeria; Maule, Simona; Di Stefano, Cristina; Tosello, Francesco; Totaro, Silvia; Veglio, Franco; Milan, Alberto

    2015-12-01

    Autonomic failure (AF) is characterized by orthostatic hypotension, supine hypertension, and increased blood pressure (BP) variability. AF patients develop cardiac organ damage, similarly to essential hypertension (EH), and have higher arterial stiffness than healthy controls. Determinants of cardiovascular organ damage in AF are not well known: both BP variability and mean BP values may be involved. The aim of the study was to evaluate cardiac organ damage, arterial stiffness, and central hemodynamics in AF, compared with EH subjects with similar 24-hour BP and a group of healthy controls, and to evaluate determinants of target organ damage in patients with AF. Twenty-seven patients with primary AF were studied (mean age, 65.7±11.2 years) using transthoracic echocardiography, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, central hemodynamics, and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. They were compared with 27 EH subjects matched for age, sex, and 24-hour mean BP and with 27 healthy controls. AF and EH had similar left ventricular mass (101.6±33.3 versus 97.7±28.1 g/m(2), P=0.59) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (9.3±1.8 versus 9.2±3.0 m/s, P=0.93); both parameters were significantly lower in healthy controls (P<0.01). Compared with EH, AF patients had higher augmentation index (31.0±7.6% versus 26.1±9.2%, P=0.04) and central BP values. Nighttime systolic BP and 24-hour systolic BP predicted organ damage, independent of BP variability. AF patients develop hypertensive heart disease and increased arterial stiffness, similar to EH with comparable mean BP values. Twenty-four-hour and nighttime systolic BP were determinants of cardiovascular damage, independent of BP variability. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

  17. Mitochondrial Cyclophilin D in Vascular Oxidative Stress and Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Itani, Hana A; Dikalova, Anna E; McMaster, William G; Nazarewicz, Rafal R; Bikineyeva, Alfiya T; Harrison, David G; Dikalov, Sergey I

    2016-06-01

    Vascular superoxide (O˙2 (-)) and inflammation contribute to hypertension. The mitochondria are an important source of O˙2 (-); however, the regulation of mitochondrial O˙2 (-) and the antihypertensive potential of targeting the mitochondria remain poorly defined. Angiotensin II and inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 17A and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) significantly contribute to hypertension. We hypothesized that angiotensin II and cytokines co-operatively induce cyclophilin D (CypD)-dependent mitochondrial O˙2 (-) production in hypertension. We tested whether CypD inhibition attenuates endothelial oxidative stress and reduces hypertension. CypD depletion in CypD(-/-) mice prevents overproduction of mitochondrial O˙2 (-) in angiotensin II-infused mice, attenuates hypertension by 20 mm Hg, and improves vascular relaxation compared with wild-type C57Bl/6J mice. Treatment of hypertensive mice with the specific CypD inhibitor Sanglifehrin A reduces blood pressure by 28 mm Hg, inhibits production of mitochondrial O˙2 (-) by 40%, and improves vascular relaxation. Angiotensin II-induced hypertension was associated with CypD redox activation by S-glutathionylation, and expression of the mitochondria-targeted H2O2 scavenger, catalase, abolished CypD S-glutathionylation, prevented stimulation mitochondrial O˙2 (-), and attenuated hypertension. The functional role of cytokine-angiotensin II interplay was confirmed by co-operative stimulation of mitochondrial O˙2 (-) by 3-fold in cultured endothelial cells and impairment of aortic relaxation incubated with combination of angiotensin II, interleukin 17A, and tumor necrosis factor-α which was prevented by CypD depletion or expression of mitochondria-targeted SOD2 and catalase. These data support a novel role of CypD in hypertension and demonstrate that targeting CypD decreases mitochondrial O˙2 (-), improves vascular relaxation, and reduces hypertension. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

  18. Nemesis I: Parallel Enhancements to ExodusII

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hennigan, Gary L.; John, Matthew S.; Shadid, John N.

    2006-03-28

    NEMESIS I is an enhancement to the EXODUS II finite element database model used to store and retrieve data for unstructured parallel finite element analyses. NEMESIS I adds data structures which facilitate the partitioning of a scalar (standard serial) EXODUS II file onto parallel disk systems found on many parallel computers. Since the NEMESIS I application programming interface (APl)can be used to append information to an existing EXODUS II files can be used on files which contain NEMESIS I information. The NEMESIS I information is written and read via C or C++ callable functions which compromise the NEMESIS I API.

  19. Informal Allopathic Provider Knowledge and Practice Regarding Hypertension in Urban and Rural Bangladesh

    PubMed Central

    Parr, John; Lindeboom, Wietze; Khanam, Masuma; Sanders, James; Koehlmoos, Tracey Pérez

    2012-01-01

    Objectives Describe informal allopathic practitioner (IAP) knowledge and practice about management of hypertension and identify gaps in IAP knowledge and practice amenable to interventions. Methods A cross sectional descriptive survey of 642 IAPs in Kamalapur (urban) and Mirsarai (rural) Bangladesh was conducted from March to April, 2011. Using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire sociodemographic, training, knowledge and practice data about management of hypertension was collected. Comparative statistics were preformed to show differences between urban and rural practitioners using SAS 8.0. Findings 99.4% of IAPs were male, mean age was 37.5 (12.5 SD) years. Greater than 65% correctly identified the upper limit of normal blood pressure. 50.2% underestimated lower limit of systolic hypertension. 79.8% allowed age to affect their treatment approach. As blood pressure increased, willingness to treat with medication decreased and tendency to refer increased. Sedative/sleeping pills, antidepressants, and beta blockers were the most commonly prescribed medications for prehypertension (58.7%, 50.3% and 53.7% respectively), stage I hypertension (55.0%, 38.6%, 49.8% respectively) and stage II hypertension (42.4%, 23.7%, and 28.8% respectively). Rural IAPs were more likely than urban IAPs to treat (84.7% vs 77.7%), order tests (27.1% vs 6.0%) and write prescriptions (60.4% vs 18.7%). Conclusion While IAPs are crucial to Bangladesh’s pluralistic healthcare system, gaps in knowledge and practice could cause unnecessary harm. To include IAPs in the public sector’s fight against the chronic disease epidemic, interventions aimed at standardizing IAPs knowledge and practice will be essential. Successfully utilizing IAPs will have beneficial implications not only for Bangladesh, but for all developing countries. PMID:23133546

  20. Active kallikrein response to changes in sodium-chloride intake in essential hypertensive patients.

    PubMed

    Ferri, C; Bellini, C; Carlomagno, A; Desideri, G; Santucci, A

    1996-03-01

    To evaluate the behavior of active kallikrein excretion in salt-sensitive and salt-resistant hypertensive patients during changes in sodium-chloride (NaCl) intake, 61 male, nonobese, nondiabetic outpatients affected by uncomplicated essential hypertension were given a diet that contained 140 mmol NaCl per day for 2 wk. Patients then received either a low- (20 mmol NaCl/day) or a high- (320 mmol NaCl/day) sodium diet for 2 wk, according to a randomized, double-blind, cross-over protocol. Hypertensive patients were classified as salt sensitive when their diastolic blood pressure rose by at least 10 mm Hg after the high-sodium diet, and decreased by at least 10 mm Hg after the low-sodium diet, considering as baseline blood pressure values those that were taken at the end of the 140 mmol NaCl/day intake period. The remaining patients were classified as salt resistant or, when diastolic blood pressure increased by 10 mm Hg or more after low-sodium intake, as counter-regulating. Twenty-three patients were therefore classified as salt sensitive, 28 as salt resistant, and 10 as counter-regulating. The baseline active kallikrein excretion was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) in salt-sensitive (0.62 +/- 0.31 U/24 h) patients than in salt-resistant (1.39 +/- 0.44 U/24 h) and counter-regulating patients (1.27 +/- 0.38 U/24 h). Surprisingly, the kallikrein response to changes in sodium intake was similar in all subgroups, although enzyme excretion was always at the lowest level in salt-sensitive hypertensive patients. This latter group also showed the highest plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels (28.2 +/- 8.5 fmol/mL, P < 0.0001 versus salt-resistant and counter-regulating patients), and the greatest peptide increment with sodium load (P < 0.0001 versus salt-resistant and counter-regulating patients). Counter-regulating patients showed the steepest increase in plasma renin activity (from 0.24 +/- 0.18 to 0.83 +/- 0.21 ng/L per s, P < 0.001) and decrease of plasma atrial

  1. Expression of Heme Oxygenase-1 in Thick Ascending Loop of Henle Attenuates Angiotensin II-Dependent Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Drummond, Heather A.; Gousette, Monette U.; Storm, Megan V.; Abraham, Nader G.; Csongradi, Eva

    2012-01-01

    Kidney-specific induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) attenuates the development of angiotensin II (Ang II) -dependent hypertension, but the relative contribution of vascular versus tubular induction of HO-1 is unknown. To determine the specific contribution of thick ascending loop of Henle (TALH) -derived HO-1, we generated a transgenic mouse in which the uromodulin promoter controlled expression of human HO-1. Quantitative RT-PCR and confocal microscopy confirmed successful localization of the HO-1 transgene to TALH tubule segments. Medullary HO activity, but not cortical HO activity, was significantly higher in transgenic mice than control mice. Enhanced TALH HO-1 attenuated the hypertension induced by Ang II delivered by an osmotic minipump for 10 days (139±3 versus 153±2 mmHg in the transgenic and control mice, respectively; P<0.05). The lower blood pressure in transgenic mice associated with a 60% decrease in medullary NKCC2 transporter expression determined by Western blot. Transgenic mice also exhibited a 36% decrease in ouabain-sensitive sodium reabsorption and a significantly attenuated response to furosemide in isolated TALH segments,. In summary, these results show that increased levels of HO-1 in the TALH can lower blood pressure by a mechanism that may include alterations in NKCC2-dependent sodium reabsorption. PMID:22323644

  2. The Immunological Basis of Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Pons, Héctor; Quiroz, Yasmir; Johnson, Richard J.

    2014-01-01

    A large number of investigations have demonstrated the participation of the immune system in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Studies focusing on macrophages and Toll-like receptors have documented involvement of the innate immunity. The requirements of antigen presentation and co-stimulation, the critical importance of T cell–driven inflammation, and the demonstration, in specific conditions, of agonistic antibodies directed to angiotensin II type 1 receptors and adrenergic receptors support the role of acquired immunity. Experimental findings support the concept that the balance between T cell–induced inflammation and T cell suppressor responses is critical for the regulation of blood pressure levels. Expression of neoantigens in response to inflammation, as well as surfacing of intracellular immunogenic proteins, such as heat shock proteins, could be responsible for autoimmune reactivity in the kidney, arteries, and central nervous system. Persisting, low-grade inflammation in these target organs may lead to impaired pressure natriuresis, an increase in sympathetic activity, and vascular endothelial dysfunction that may be the cause of chronic elevation of blood pressure in essential hypertension. PMID:25150828

  3. Programming of Essential Hypertension: What Pediatric Cardiologists Need to Know.

    PubMed

    Morgado, Joana; Sanches, Bruno; Anjos, Rui; Coelho, Constança

    2015-10-01

    Hypertension is recognized as one of the major contributing factors to cardiovascular disease, but its etiology remains incompletely understood. Known genetic and environmental influences can only explain a small part of the variability in cardiovascular disease risk. The missing heritability is currently one of the most important challenges in blood pressure and hypertension genetics. Recently, some promising approaches have emerged that move beyond the DNA sequence and focus on identification of blood pressure genes regulated by epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modification and microRNAs. This review summarizes information on gene-environmental interactions that lead toward the developmental programming of hypertension with specific reference to epigenetics and provides pediatricians and pediatric cardiologists with a more complete understanding of its pathogenesis.

  4. Drug induced hypertension--An unappreciated cause of secondary hypertension.

    PubMed

    Grossman, Alon; Messerli, Franz H; Grossman, Ehud

    2015-09-15

    Most patients with hypertension have essential hypertension or well-known forms of secondary hypertension, such as renal disease, renal artery stenosis, or common endocrine diseases (hyperaldosteronism or pheochromocytoma). Physicians are less aware of drug induced hypertension. A variety of therapeutic agents or chemical substances may increase blood pressure. When a patient with well controlled hypertension is presented with acute blood pressure elevation, use of drug or chemical substance which increases blood pressure should be suspected. Drug-induced blood pressure increases are usually minor and short-lived, although rare hypertensive emergencies associated with use of certain drugs have been reported. Careful evaluation of prescription and non-prescription medications is crucial in the evaluation of the hypertensive individual and may obviate the need for expensive and unnecessary evaluations. Discontinuation of the offending agent will usually achieve adequate blood pressure control. When use of a chemical agent which increases blood pressure is mandatory, anti-hypertensive therapy may facilitate continued use of this agent. We summarize the therapeutic agents or chemical substances that elevate blood pressure and their mechanisms of action. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Functional Promoter Polymorphisms Govern Differential Expression of HMG-CoA Reductase Gene in Mouse Models of Essential Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Sonawane, Parshuram J.; Sahu, Bhavani S.; Sasi, Binu K.; Geedi, Parimala; Lenka, Govinda; Mahapatra, Nitish R.

    2011-01-01

    3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A [HMG-CoA] reductase gene (Hmgcr) is a susceptibility gene for essential hypertension. Sequencing of the Hmgcr locus in genetically hypertensive BPH (blood pressure high), genetically hypotensive BPL (blood pressure low) and genetically normotensive BPN (blood pressure normal) mice yielded a number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). BPH/BPL/BPN Hmgcr promoter-luciferase reporter constructs were generated and transfected into liver HepG2, ovarian CHO, kidney HEK-293 and neuronal N2A cells for functional characterization of the promoter SNPs. The BPH-Hmgcr promoter showed significantly less activity than the BPL-Hmgcr promoter under basal as well as nicotine/cholesterol-treated conditions. This finding was consistent with lower endogenous Hmgcr expression in liver and lower plasma cholesterol in BPH mice. Transfection experiments using 5′-promoter deletion constructs (strategically made to assess the functional significance of each promoter SNP) and computational analysis predicted lower binding affinities of transcription factors c-Fos, n-Myc and Max with the BPH-promoter as compared to the BPL-promoter. Corroboratively, the BPH promoter-luciferase reporter construct co-transfected with expression plasmids of these transcription factors displayed less pronounced augmentation of luciferase activity than the BPL construct, particularly at lower amounts of transcription factor plasmids. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays also showed diminished interactions of the BPH promoter with HepG2 nuclear proteins. Taken together, this study provides mechanistic basis for the differential Hmgcr expression in these mouse models of human essential hypertension and have implications for better understanding the role of this gene in regulation of blood pressure. PMID:21304971

  6. Association of CYP2C19*2 and *3 Genetic Variants with Essential Hypertension in Koreans

    PubMed Central

    Shin, Dong-Jik; Kwon, Jisun; Park, Ah-Ram; Bae, Yousun; Shin, Eun-Soon; Park, Sungha

    2012-01-01

    Purpose The cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) metabolizes arachidonic acid to produce epoxyicosanoid acids, which are involved in vascular tone and regulation of blood pressure. Recent findings suggest that CYP2C19 gene might be considered as a novel candidate gene for treatment of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between two variants, CYP2C19*2 (681G>A) and CYP2C19*3 (636G>A) and the development of essential hypertension (EH) in Koreans. Materials and Methods We carried out an association study in a total of 1190 individuals (527 hypertensive subjects and 663 unrelated healthy controls). The CYP2C19 polymorphisms were genotyped using the SNaPShot™ assay. Results The distribution of alleles and genotypes of CYP2C19*3 showed significant difference between hypertensive patients and normal controls (p=0.011 and p=0.013, respectively). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the CYP2C19*3 (636A) allele carriers were significantly associated with EH [odds ratio, 0.691; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.512-0.932, p=0.016], in comparison to wild type homozygotes (CYP2C19*1/*1). Neither genotype nor allele distribution of CYP2C19*2 polymorphism showed significant differences between hypertensive and control groups (p>0.05). Conclusion Our present findings strengthen the evidence of an association between CYP2C19 gene polymorphism and EH prevalence. In particular, the CYP2C19*3 defective allele may contribute to reduced risk for the development of EH. PMID:23074110

  7. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion polymorphism is not a risk factor for hypertension in SLE nephritis.

    PubMed

    Negi, Vir S; Devaraju, Panneer; Gulati, Reena

    2015-09-01

    SLE is a systemic autoimmune disease with high prevalence of hypertension. Around 40-75 % of SLE patients develop nephritis, a major cause of hypertension and mortality. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) maintains the blood pressure and blood volume homeostasis. An insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in intron 16 of ACE gene was reported to influence the development of hypertension, nephritis, and cardiovascular diseases in different ethnic populations. Despite compelling evidence for the high prevalence of hypertension in individuals with SLE, underlying factors for its development are not well studied. With this background, we analyzed the influence of ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism on susceptibility to SLE, development of nephritis and hypertension, other clinical features and autoantibody phenotype in South Indian SLE patients. Three hundred patients with SLE and 460 age and sex similar ethnicity matched individuals were included as patients and healthy controls, respectively. The ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism was analyzed by PCR. Insertion (I) and deletion (D) alleles were observed to be equally distributed among patients (57 and 43 %) and controls (59 and 41 %), respectively. The mutant (D) allele did not confer significant risk for SLE (II vs. ID: p = 0.4, OR 1.15, 95 % CI 0.8-1.6; II vs. DD: p = 0.34, OR 1.22, 95 % CI 0.8-1.85). There was no association of the ACE genotype or the allele with development of lupus nephritis (II vs. ID: p = 0.19, OR 1.41, 95 % CI 0.84-2.36; II vs. DD: p = 0.41, OR 0.74, 95 % CI 0.38-1.41) or hypertension (II vs. ID: p = 0.85, OR 0.9, 95 % CI 0.43-1.8; II vs. DD: p = 0.66, OR 1.217, 95 % CI 0.5-2.8). The presence of mutant allele (D) was not found to influence any clinical features or autoantibody phenotype. The insertion/deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene is not a genetic risk factor for SLE and does not influence development of hypertension or lupus nephritis in South Indian

  8. Association Analysis of FOXO3 Longevity Variants With Blood Pressure and Essential Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Randi; Donlon, Timothy A.; Evans, Daniel S.; Tranah, Gregory J.; Parimi, Neeta; Ehret, Georg B.; Newton-Cheh, Christopher; Seto, Todd; Willcox, D. Craig; Masaki, Kamal H.; Kamide, Kei; Ryuno, Hirochika; Oguro, Ryosuke; Nakama, Chikako; Kabayama, Mai; Yamamoto, Koichi; Sugimoto, Ken; Ikebe, Kazunori; Masui, Yukie; Arai, Yasumichi; Ishizaki, Tatsuro; Gondo, Yasuyuki; Rakugi, Hiromi; Willcox, Bradley J.

    2016-01-01

    BACKGROUND The minor alleles of 3 FOXO3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)—rs2802292, rs2253310, and rs2802288—are associated with human longevity. The aim of the present study was to test these SNPs for association with blood pressure (BP) and essential hypertension (EHT). METHODS In a primary study involving Americans of Japanese ancestry drawn from the Family Blood Pressure Program II we genotyped 411 female and 432 male subjects aged 40–79 years and tested for statistical association by contingency table analysis and generalized linear models that included logistic regression adjusting for sibling correlation in the data set. Replication of rs2802292 with EHT was attempted in Japanese SONIC study subjects and of each SNP in a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of BP in individuals of European ancestry. RESULTS In Americans of Japanese ancestry, women homozygous for the longevity-associated (minor) allele of each FOXO3 SNP had 6mm Hg lower systolic BP and 3mm Hg lower diastolic BP compared with major allele homozygotes (Bonferroni corrected P < 0.05 and >0.05, respectively). Frequencies of minor allele homozygotes were 3.3–3.9% in women with EHT compared with 9.5–9.6% in normotensive women (P = 0.03–0.04; haplotype analysis P = 0.0002). No association with BP or EHT was evident in males. An association with EHT was seen for the minor allele of rs2802292 in the Japanese SONIC cohort (P = 0.03), while in European subjects the minor allele of each SNP was associated with higher systolic and diastolic BP. CONCLUSION Longevity-associated FOXO3 variants may be associated with lower BP and EHT in Japanese women. PMID:26476085

  9. Role of STAT3 in Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension and Cardiac Remodeling Revealed by Mice Lacking STAT3 Serine 727 Phosphorylation

    PubMed Central

    Zouein, Fouad A.; Zgheib, Carlos; Hamza, Shereen; Fuseler, John W.; Hall, John E.; Soljancic, Andrea; Lopez-Ruiz, Arnaldo; Kurdi, Mazen; Booz, George W.

    2013-01-01

    STAT3 is involved in protection of the heart provided by ischemic preconditioning. However, the role of this transcription factor in the heart in chronic stresses such as hypertension has not been defined. We assessed whether STAT3 is important in hypertension-induced cardiac remodeling using mice with reduced STAT3 activity due to a S727A mutation (SA/SA). Wild type (WT) and SA/SA mice received angiotensin (ANG) II or saline for 17 days. ANG II increased mean arterial and systolic pressure in SA/SA and WT mice, but cardiac levels of cytokines associated with heart failure were increased less in SA/SA mice. Unlike WT mice, hearts of SA/SA mice showed signs of developing systolic dysfunction as evidenced by reduction in ejection fraction and fractional shortening. In the left ventricle of both WT and SA/SA mice, ANG II induced fibrosis. However, fibrosis in SA/SA mice appeared more extensive and was associated with loss of myocytes. Cardiac hypertrophy as indexed by heart to body weight ratio and left ventricular anterior wall dimension during diastole was greater in WT mice. In WT+ANG II mice there was an increase in the mass of individual myofibrils. In contrast, cardiac myocytes of SA/SA+ANG II mice showed a loss in myofibrils and myofibrillar mass density was decreased during ANG II infusion. Our findings reveal that STAT3 transcriptional activity is important for normal cardiac myocyte myofibril morphology. Loss of STAT3 may impair cardiac function in the hypertensive heart due to defective myofibrillar structure and remodeling that may lead to heart failure. PMID:23364341

  10. Inhibition of HSF2 SUMOylation via MEL18 upregulates IGF-IIR and leads to hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

    PubMed

    Huang, Chih-Yang; Kuo, Chia-Hua; Pai, Pei-Ying; Ho, Tsung-Jung; Lin, Yueh-Min; Chen, Ray-Jade; Tsai, Fuu-Jen; Vijaya Padma, V; Kuo, Wei-Wen; Huang, Chih-Yang

    2018-04-15

    Cardiac hypertrophy is a major characteristic of early-stage hypertension-related heart failure. We have found that the insulin-like growth factor receptor II (IGF-IIR) signaling was critical for hypertensive angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis. Moreover, this IGF-IIR signaling was elegantly modulated by the heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) during heart failure. However, the detailed mechanism by which HSFs regulates IGF-IIR during hypertension-induced cardiac hypertrophy remains elusive. In this study, we found that heat shock transcription factor 2 (HSF2) activated IGF-IIR to induce cardiac hypertrophy for hypertension-induced heart failure. The transcriptional activity of HSF2 appeared to be primarily mediated by SUMOylation via conjugation with small ubiquitin-like modifier-1 (SUMO-1). The SUMOylation of HSF2 was severely attenuated by MEL18 (also known as polycomb group ring finger 2 or PCGF2) in the heart of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Inhibition of HSF2 SUMOylation severely induced cardiac hypertrophy via IGF-IIR-mediated signaling in hypertensive rats. Angiotensin II receptor type I blocker (ARB) treatment in spontaneously hypertensive rats restored HSF2 SUMOylation and alleviated the cardiac defects. Thus, our study uncovered a novel MEL18-SUMO-1-HSF2-IGF-IIR pathway in the heart that profoundly influences cardiac hypertrophy for hypertension-induced heart failure. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Effects of Aerobic Exercise Training on Psychosocial Status and Serum Uric Acid in Men with Essential Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    PubMed Central

    Lamina, S; Okoye, GC

    2012-01-01

    Background: Chronic psychosocial stress and serum uric acid (SUA) level have been implicated in the etiology and cardiovascular events risk factors in hypertension. Studies have reported significant benefit of exercise in the overall management of hypertension. However, studies on the effect of exercise on psychosocial stress and SUA in the management of hypertension seem scanty. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of continuous training program on SUA and psychosocial status of black African (Nigerian) population with hypertension. Subjects and Methods: Age-matched randomized controlled trial was used; subjects with diagnosis of hypertension attending the hypertensive clinic of Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital (MMSH), Kano, Nigeria form the population for the study. Two hundred and seventeen subjects with mild to moderate (systolic blood pressure (SBP) between 140 and180 and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between 90 and 109 mmHg) essential hypertension were grouped into continuous (112) and control groups (105). The continuous group involved in an 8 weeks continuous training (60%-79% HR max) of between 45 and 60 min, 3 times per week, while the controls group remain sedentary. SBP, DBP, SUA, VO2 max and psychosocial status were assessed. Student t-test and Pearson correlation test were used in data analysis. Results: The study revealed significant beneficial effect of continuous training programs on VO2 max, SBP, DBP, SUA, and psychosocial status (P < 0.05). Psychosocial status and SUA was significantly and positively and negatively correlated respectively with VO2 max at P < 0.01. Conclusions: This study concludes and supports the recommendations of moderate intensity (continuous) training program in blood pressure reduction, SUA and psychosocial stress management in hypertension. PMID:23439606

  12. Malignant hypertension: a preventable emergency.

    PubMed

    van der Merwe, Walter; van der Merwe, Veronica

    2013-08-16

    The Waitemata Hypertension Clinic Database 2009-2012 (Auckland, New Zealand) was searched for patients meeting the definition of Malignant Hypertension. Eighteen of 565 patients met the criteria. All patients had essential hypertension which was either undiagnosed, untreated or undertreated. Most cases responded satisfactorily to standard drug therapy, but a number were left with significant chronic kidney disease. Malignant hypertension is a life-threatening disease which should be entirely preventable with regular blood pressure checks in primary care.

  13. The human carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes I and II (hCA I and II) inhibition effects of trimethoxyindane derivatives.

    PubMed

    Taslimi, Parham; Gulcin, Ilhami; Ozgeris, Bunyamin; Goksu, Suleyman; Tumer, Ferhan; Alwasel, Saleh H; Supuran, Claudiu T

    2016-01-01

    Carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) had six genetically distinct families described to date in various organisms. There are 16 known CA isoforms in humans. Human CA isoenzymes I and II (hCA I and hCA II) are ubiquitous cytosolic isoforms. Acetylcholine esterase (AChE. EC 3.1.1.7) is a hydrolase that hydrolyzes the neurotransmitter acetylcholine relaying the signal from the nerve. In this study, some trimethoxyindane derivatives were investigated as inhibitors against the cytosolic hCA I and II isoenzymes, and AChE enzyme. Both hCA isozymes were inhibited by trimethoxyindane derivatives in the low nanomolar range. These compounds were good hCA I inhibitors (Kis in the range of 1.66-4.14 nM) and hCA II inhibitors (Kis of 1.37-3.12 nM) and perfect AChE inhibitors (Kis in the range of 1.87-7.53 nM) compared to acetazolamide as CA inhibitor (Ki: 6.76 nM for hCA I and Ki: 5.85 nM for hCA II) and Tacrine as AChE inhibitor (Ki: 7.64 nM).

  14. INCREASED HYPOTHALAMIC ANGIOTENSIN-(1-7) LEVELS IN RATS WITH AORTIC COARCTATION-INDUCED HYPERTENSION

    PubMed Central

    Gironacci, Mariela M.; Brosnihan, K. Bridget; Ferrario, Carlos M.; Gorzalczany, Susana; Lopez Verrilli, María A.; Pascual, Mariano; Taira, Carlos; Peña, Clara

    2007-01-01

    Since angiotensin (Ang) (1-7) injected into the brain blocked Ang II pressor actions in rats made hypertensive by aortic coarctation (CH), we examined systemic and tissue angiotensin peptide levels, specifically concentrating on the hypothalamic Ang-(1-7) levels. Plasma, heart and kidney isolated from CH rats showed increased levels of Ang I, Ang II and Ang-(1-7) compared with the normotensive group, with Ang II being the predominant peptide in heart and kidney. In the hypothalamus, equimolar amounts of Ang II and Ang-(1-7) were found in the sham group, whereas only Ang-(1-7) levels increased in CH rats. We conclude that aortic coarctation activates systemic and tissue renin-angiotensin system. The increased central levels of Ang-(1-7) in the CH rats suggest a potential mitigating role of this peptide in central control of the hypertensive process. PMID:17646033

  15. Physical activity opposes the age-related increase in skeletal muscle and plasma endothelin-1 levels and normalizes plasma endothelin-1 levels in individuals with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Nyberg, M; Mortensen, S P; Hellsten, Y

    2013-03-01

    Endothelin-1 has potent constrictor and proliferative activity in vascular smooth muscle, and essential hypertension and aging are associated with increased endothelin-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of physical activity, hypertension and age on endothelin-1 levels in plasma and skeletal muscle and endothelin receptors in skeletal muscle in human subjects. In study 1, normotensive (46 ± 1 years, n = 11) and hypertensive (47 ± 1 years, n = 10) subjects were studied before and after 8 weeks of aerobic exercise training. In study 2, young (23 ± 1 years, n = 8), older lifelong sedentary (66 ± 2 years, n = 8) and older lifelong endurance-trained (62 ± 2 years, n = 8) subjects were studied in a cross-sectional design. Skeletal muscle and plasma endothelin-1 levels were increased with age and plasma endothelin-1 levels were higher in hypertensive than normotensive individuals. Eight weeks of exercise training normalized plasma endothelin-1 levels in the hypertensive subjects and increased the protein expression of the ET(A) receptor in skeletal muscle of normotensive subjects. Similarly, individuals that had performed lifelong physical activity had similar plasma and muscle endothelin-1 levels as the young controls and had higher ET(A) receptor levels. Our findings suggest that aerobic exercise training opposes the age-related increase in skeletal muscle and plasma endothelin-1 levels and normalizes plasma endothelin-1 levels in individuals with essential hypertension. This effect may explain some of the beneficial effects of training on the cardiovascular system in older and hypertensive subjects. © 2012 The Authors Acta Physiologica © 2012 Scandinavian Physiological Society.

  16. Gender-related association of AGT gene variants (M235T and T174M) with essential hypertension--a case-control study.

    PubMed

    Mohana, Vamsi U; Swapna, N; Surender, Reddy S; Vishnupriya, S; Padma, Tirunilai

    2012-01-01

    The human angiotensinogen (AGT) is a promising candidate gene for evaluating susceptibility to essential hypertension (EH). We aimed to assess the association of the variants of AGT gene and the extent of risk involved in developing EH. A case-control study was designed to compare 279 hypertensive patients with 200 normotensive subjects. The frequency distribution of M235T and T174M polymorphisms of AGT gene was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. A haplotype analysis was done to determine the risk conferred by the combination of alleles of the two polymorphisms for EH. The genotype distribution of the T174M variant differed significantly between hypertensives and normotensives, whereas genotypes of M235T variant did not show such difference. For M235T, MM genotype conferred an increase in risk for hypertension in women (odds ratios (OR) = 2.82; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.22-6.49). For the variant T174M, the TM genotype frequency was elevated in hypertensive females (36.5%) as compared to controls (18.8 %; P = .034). The 174M allele was more prevalent among female hypertensives than among female controls (0.20 vs. 0.12; P = .059). The haplotype analysis showed a significant association for the haplotypes of paired markers (M235 and 174M) with a χ(2) value of 8.037 (P = .045). Our findings suggest that the polymorphic variants of AGT gene-M235T and T174M-show association with hypertension.

  17. Presence of cardiovascular structural changes in essential hypertensive patients with coronary microvascular disease and effects of long-term treatment.

    PubMed

    Virdis, A; Ghiadoni, L; Lucarini, A; Di Legge, V; Taddei, S; Salvetti, A

    1996-04-01

    In asymptomatic essential hypertensive patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries and without left ventricular hypertrophy, dipyridamole-induced ischemic-like ST segment depression may be a marker of coronary microvascular disease. In this study we evaluated, first, whether this cardiac abnormality is linked to structural or functional vascular abnormalities, and second, the effect of antihypertensive treatment by 12-month administration of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril (50 mg twice a day orally). In essential hypertensives with dipypridamole echocardiography stress test (DET) (DET+, n = 8) and without (DET-, n = 8) ST segment depression greater than 0.1 mV during intravenous dipyridamole infusion (0.84 mg/kg over 10 min), we studied the forearm blood flow (FBF, venous plethysmography, mL/100) modifications induced by intrabrachial acetylcholine (Ach) (0.15, 0.45, 1.5, 4.5, 15 micrograms/100 mL/min x 5 min each), an endothelium-dependent vasodilator, and by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (1, 2, 4 micrograms/100 mL/min x 5 min each), a smooth muscle cell relaxant compound. Minimal forearm vascular resistances (MFVR), an index of arteriolar structural changes, were also calculated. Both Ach and SNP caused greater vasodilation in DET- as compared to DET+ while MFVRs were lower in DET- compared to DET+. After treatment, both DET+ and DET- patients showed a significant and similar reduction in blood pressure and left ventricular mass index, while vasodilation to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside was increased only in the DET+ group. In addition, forearm minimal vascular resistances were significantly reduced only in DET+ patients, who showed disappearance of dipyridamole-induced ischemic-like ST segment depression. In conclusion, these data confirm that essential hypertensive patients with microvascular coronary disease are characterized by the presence of structural changes in the forearm vascular bed. Our results also

  18. Epicardial adipose tissue volume a diagnostic study for independent predicting disorder of circadian rhythm of blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Zhou, L; Deng, Y; Gong, J; Chen, X; Zhang, Q; Wang, J

    2016-05-30

    The aim of the study was to determine whether epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV), a new cardiometabolic risk factor, is associated with circadian changes of blood pressure (BP) in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension. Ninety patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for 24 h. EATV was measured using cardiac computed tomography. These patients were categorized into three groups according to their BP patterns (group 1, n=46, dipper hypertension, also called normal pattern; group 2, n=24, non-dipper hypertension; group 3, n=20, anti-dipper hypertension; group 2 and 3 are also called abnormal pattern). Data were collected retrospectively and compared between hypertensive patients with normal pattern and abnormal pattern. The normal pattern hypertensive patient had significant lower mean EATV and BP ((EATV, 91.3±29.4 cm3) than those of abnormal pattern patients including group 2 (EATV, 116.2±31.06cm3, <0.01) and group 3 (EATV, 124.8±28.5cm3, P<0.01). Mean systolic BP over 24 h (BPs24) and mean diastolic BP over 24 h (BPd24) of group 1 (BPs24, 135.7 ± 12.6 mmHg; BPd24, 83.6 ± 10.6 mmHg) were significantly lower than those of group 2 (BPs24, 150.1± 17.6 mmHg, P<0.01; BPd24, 93.2 ± 16.5 mmHg, P<0.01) and group 3 (BPs24, 154.1 ± 16.6mmHg, P<0.01; BPd24, 93.8 ± 17.5 mmHg; P<0.01). Bivariate correlation analysis showed that correlation coefficient of EATV with abnormal blood pressure mode was 0.500 (p<0.001), partial correlation coefficient after adjustment for waist circumference and body mass index was 0.469 (p<0.001). When multivariate backward logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the correlation of BP pattern with EAT volume, it showed that the prevalence of abnormal BP pattern (non-dipper and anti-dipper BP pattern) increased by 1.54 times after adjusting for age and gender per additional 10 cm3 of EAT volume. Receiver operating characteristic curve for EAT alone

  19. [Cost and effectiveness of exercise therapy for patients with essential hypertension].

    PubMed

    Harada, A; Kawakubo, K; Lee, J S; Fukuda, T; Kobayashi, Y

    2001-09-01

    While exercise therapy is established as an appropriate treatment for essential hypertension, its economic profile has not been fully evaluated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate cost and effectiveness in comparison with drug therapy. The study subjects were hypertensive patients under treatment at an outpatient clinic. Fifty-seven were selected on a non-randomized manner for exercise therapy and the same number of patients was chosen for drug therapy after matching age, sex, medication and complications. The following data were collected during three months of intervention. 1) Effectiveness: Change of systolic blood pressure before and after the intervention. 2) Cost: equipment, personnel expenses for exercise therapy and fees for health check-ups (exercise therapy); fees for consultation, laboratory examination and medications (drug therapy), 3) Cost-effectiveness: cost per 1 mmHg systolic blood pressure reduction. We evaluated the variance of cost-effectiveness by controlling the number of program participants, personnel expenses, and equipment expenses of exercise therapy. We also simulated how the cost-effectiveness of exercise therapy would improve by modifying the number of exercise participants, personnel and equipment expenses. The cost-effectiveness per 1 mmHg systolic blood pressure reduction was yen 11,268 for exercise therapy and yen 2,441 for drug therapy. Extending program facilities and increasing the number of participants would improve the cost-effectiveness of exercise therapy, but there were limitations to how far this could be achieved in the hospital setting. Differences in cost-effectiveness between exercise and drug therapies are attributed to differences in personnel expenses. Although they could be reduced by managerial effort of the hospital to some extent, outsourcing of exercise therapy to community-based facilities should be considered.

  20. Elevated Endothelial Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Contributes to Glomerular Injury and Promotes Hypertensive Chronic Kidney Disease.

    PubMed

    Luo, Renna; Zhang, Weiru; Zhao, Cheng; Zhang, Yujin; Wu, Hongyu; Jin, Jianping; Zhang, Wenzheng; Grenz, Almut; Eltzschig, Holger K; Tao, Lijian; Kellems, Rodney E; Xia, Yang

    2015-07-01

    Hypertensive chronic kidney disease is one of the most prevalent medical conditions with high morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. However, early events initiating the progression to hypertensive chronic kidney disease are poorly understood. We hypothesized that elevated endothelial hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a common early insult triggering initial glomerular injury leading to hypertensive chronic kidney disease. To test our hypothesis, we used an angiotensin II infusion model of hypertensive chronic kidney disease to determine the specific cell type and mechanisms responsible for elevation of HIF-1α and its role in the progression of hypertensive chronic kidney disease. Genetic studies coupled with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction profiling revealed that elevated endothelial HIF-1α is essential to initiate glomerular injury and progression to renal fibrosis by the transcriptional activation of genes encoding multiple vasoactive proteins. Mechanistically, we found that endothelial HIF-1α gene expression was induced by angiotensin II in a nuclear factor-κB-dependent manner. Finally, we discovered reciprocal positive transcriptional regulation of endothelial Hif-1α and Nf-κb genes is a key driving force for their persistent activation and disease progression. Overall, our findings revealed that the stimulation of HIF-1α gene expression in endothelial cells is detrimental to induce kidney injury, hypertension, and disease progression. Our findings highlight early diagnostic opportunities and therapeutic approaches for hypertensive chronic kidney disease. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

  1. Rationale for nebivolol/valsartan combination for hypertension: review of preclinical and clinical data.

    PubMed

    Giles, Thomas D; Cockcroft, John R; Pitt, Bertram; Jakate, Abhijeet; Wright, Harold M

    2017-09-01

    : To treat hypertension, combining two or more antihypertensive drugs from different classes is often necessary. β-Blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, when combined, have been deemed 'less effective' based on partially overlapping mechanisms of action and limited evidence. Recently, the single-pill combination (SPC) of nebivolol (Neb) 5 mg - a vasodilatory β1-selective antagonist/β3 agonist - and valsartan 80 mg, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, was US Food and Drug Administration-approved for hypertension. Pharmacological profiles of Neb and valsartan, alone and combined, are well characterized. In addition, a large 8-week randomized trial in stages I-II hypertensive patients (N = 4161) demonstrated greater blood pressure-reducing efficacy for Neb/valsartan SPCs than component monotherapies with comparable tolerability. In a biomarkers substudy (N = 805), Neb/valsartan SPCs prevented valsartan-induced increases in plasma renin, and a greater reduction in plasma aldosterone was observed with the highest SPC dose vs. valsartan 320 mg/day. This review summarizes preclinical and clinical evidence supporting Neb/valsartan as an efficacious and well tolerated combination treatment for hypertension.

  2. Vascular reactivity of rabbit isolated renal and femoral resistance arteries in renal wrap hypertension.

    PubMed

    Khammy, Makhala M; Angus, James A; Wright, Christine E

    2016-02-15

    In rabbits with cellophane renal wrap hypertension, hindquarter and total vascular resistance changes to pressor and depressor agents are amplified compared to those of normotensive rabbits. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro pharmacodynamics of hypertensive and normotensive rabbit small artery segments isolated from the renal and hindquarter vascular beds. Using wire myography, the full range (Emax) and sensitivity (EC50) to a range of agonists of segments of renal interlobar (≈ 600 µm i.d.), renal arcuate (≈ 250 µm i.d.) and deep femoral branch (≈ 250 µm i.d.) arteries were assessed under normalised conditions of passive tension. Interlobar arteries from hypertensive rabbits were more sensitive (EC50) than those from normotensive rabbits to noradrenaline (6-fold), methoxamine (3-fold) and angiotensin II (3-fold). Arcuate artery reactivity was largely unaffected by hypertension. Deep femoral arteries from hypertensive rabbits had enhanced sensitivity only to noradrenaline (2-fold) and methoxamine (4-fold). Sensitivity to relaxation by acetylcholine was unaffected by hypertension in all arteries. Deep femoral arteries from hypertensive rabbits were more sensitive to sodium nitroprusside than normotensive counterparts. Adenosine caused little relaxation in renal arteries, but full relaxation in deep femoral arteries, unaltered by hypertension. This study found substantial heterogeneity in the pharmacodynamic profile of vessels isolated from different vascular beds and between arterial segments within the kidney. These profiles were differentially affected by hypertension suggesting that hypertension per se is not a resultant of general vascular dysfunction. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  3. Symptomatic subsyndromal depression in hospitalized hypertensive patients.

    PubMed

    Chiaie, Roberto Delle; Iannucci, Gino; Paroli, Marino; Salviati, Massimo; Caredda, Maria; Pasquini, Massimo; Biondi, Massimo

    2011-12-01

    Clinicians generally agree on the association between depression and hypertension. Less clear is if the nature of the link is direct or indirect and if this should be considered confined only to syndromal forms or if it concerns also subsyndromal affective presentations. This study investigated the nature of the association between hypertension and subsyndromal depression in hospitalized hypertensive patients. 196 hypertensive and 96 non hypertensive inpatients underwent a SCID interview, to exclude patients positive for any Axis I or Axis II diagnosis. Symptomatic Subsyndromal Depression (SSD) was identified according to criteria proposed by Judd. Psychopathological assessment was performed with Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) and Hopkins Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). Clinical assessments included blood pressure measurement, evaluation of general health conditions and screening cardiovascular risk factors (smoke, alcohol, body weight, sedentary life style). Hypertensives met more frequently criteria for SSD. They also scored higher on ASI and SCL-90. However, those with more severe physical conditions, if compared with more healthy patients, did not show increased psychopathological severity. Similarly, psychopathological symptom severity did not differ among hypertensives positive for other cardiovascular risk factors, commonly more frequent among depressed subjects. Further analyses are needed to explore the potential advantage obtained on blood pressure control by treating SSD. Hospitalized hypertensives, more frequently satisfied criteria for Symptomatic Subsyndromal Depression. These milder affective forms are probably directly linked to the presence of hypertension, rather than being indirectly associated to physical impairment or to higher prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  4. Increased Aldosterone Release During Head-Up Tilt in Early Primary Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Reinold, Annemarie; Schneider, Andreas; Kalizki, Tatjana; Raff, Ulrike; Schneider, Markus P; Schmieder, Roland E; Schmidt, Bernhard M W

    2017-05-01

    Hyperaldosteronism is well known cause of secondary hypertension. However, the importance of aldosterone for the much larger group of patients with primary hypertension is less clear. We hypothesized that in young subjects with primary hypertension, the rise of plasma aldosterone levels in response to head-up tilt testing as a stress stimulus is exaggerated. Hemodynamics (blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), cardiac index (CI), and total peripheral vascular resistance index (TPRI), all by TaskForce monitor) and hormones (plasma renin activity (PRA), angiotensin II (Ang II), aldosterone) were measured before and during 30 minutes of head-up tilt in 45 young hypertensive and 45 normotensive subjects. BP, HR, CI, and TPRI all increased in response to head-up tilt, with no difference between groups. There was no difference in baseline PRA, Ang II, and aldosterone between groups. During head-up tilt, PRA, and Ang II levels increased similarly. However, aldosterone levels increased to a greater extent in the hypertensive vs. normotensive subjects (P = 0.0021). Our data suggest that an increased release of aldosterone in response to orthostatic stress is a feature of early primary hypertension. The similar increase in PRA and Ang II suggests a potential role for secretagogues of aldosterone other than Ang II in this response. In addition to its established role in secondary hypertension, dysregulation of aldosterone release might contribute to the development of primary arterial hypertension. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2017. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

  5. Bioinformatic Analysis of Plasma Apolipoproteins A-I and A-II Revealed Unique Features of A-I/A-II HDL Particles in Human Plasma

    PubMed Central

    Kido, Toshimi; Kurata, Hideaki; Kondo, Kazuo; Itakura, Hiroshige; Okazaki, Mitsuyo; Urata, Takeyoshi; Yokoyama, Shinji

    2016-01-01

    Plasma concentration of apoA-I, apoA-II and apoA-II-unassociated apoA-I was analyzed in 314 Japanese subjects (177 males and 137 females), including one (male) homozygote and 37 (20 males and 17 females) heterozygotes of genetic CETP deficiency. ApoA-I unassociated with apoA-II markedly and linearly increased with HDL-cholesterol, while apoA-II increased only very slightly and the ratio of apoA-II-associated apoA-I to apoA-II stayed constant at 2 in molar ratio throughout the increase of HDL-cholesterol, among the wild type and heterozygous CETP deficiency. Thus, overall HDL concentration almost exclusively depends on HDL with apoA-I without apoA-II (LpAI) while concentration of HDL containing apoA-I and apoA-II (LpAI:AII) is constant having a fixed molar ratio of 2 : 1 regardless of total HDL and apoA-I concentration. Distribution of apoA-I between LpAI and LpAI:AII is consistent with a model of statistical partitioning regardless of sex and CETP genotype. The analysis also indicated that LpA-I accommodates on average 4 apoA-I molecules and has a clearance rate indistinguishable from LpAI:AII. Independent evidence indicated LpAI:A-II has a diameter 20% smaller than LpAI, consistent with a model having two apoA-I and one apoA-II. The functional contribution of these particles is to be investigated. PMID:27526664

  6. The application of a decision tree to establish the parameters associated with hypertension.

    PubMed

    Tayefi, Maryam; Esmaeili, Habibollah; Saberi Karimian, Maryam; Amirabadi Zadeh, Alireza; Ebrahimi, Mahmoud; Safarian, Mohammad; Nematy, Mohsen; Parizadeh, Seyed Mohammad Reza; Ferns, Gordon A; Ghayour-Mobarhan, Majid

    2017-02-01

    Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The goal of this study was to establish the factors associated with hypertension by using a decision-tree algorithm as a supervised classification method of data mining. Data from a cross-sectional study were used in this study. A total of 9078 subjects who met the inclusion criteria were recruited. 70% of these subjects (6358 cases) were randomly allocated to the training dataset for the constructing of the decision-tree. The remaining 30% (2720 cases) were used as the testing dataset to evaluate the performance of decision-tree. Two models were evaluated in this study. In model I, age, gender, body mass index, marital status, level of education, occupation status, depression and anxiety status, physical activity level, smoking status, LDL, TG, TC, FBG, uric acid and hs-CRP were considered as input variables and in model II, age, gender, WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT MCV, MCH, PLT, RDW and PDW were considered as input variables. The validation of the model was assessed by constructing a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The prevalence rates of hypertension were 32% in our population. For the decision-tree model I, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and area under the ROC curve (AUC) value for identifying the related risk factors of hypertension were 73%, 63%, 77% and 0.72, respectively. The corresponding values for model II were 70%, 61%, 74% and 0.68, respectively. We have developed a decision tree model to identify the risk factors associated with hypertension that maybe used to develop programs for hypertension management. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  7. South African hypertension guideline 2011.

    PubMed

    Seedat, Y K; Rayner, B L

    2011-12-14

    Extensive data from randomised controlled trials have shown the benefit of treating hypertension. The target blood pressure (BP) for antihypertensive management is systolic <140 mmHg and diastolic <90 mmHg with minimal or no drug side-effects; however, stricter BP control is required for patients with end-organ damage, co-existing risk factors and co-morbidity, e.g. diabetes mellitus. The reduction of BP in the elderly and in those with severe hypertension should be achieved gradually over 1 month. Co-existent risk factors should also be controlled. Benefits of management include reduced risks of stroke, cardiac failure, chronic kidney disease and coronary heart disease. The correct BP measurement procedure is described, and evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors and recommendations for antihypertensive therapy are stipulated. The total cardiovascular disease risk profile should be determined for all patients to inform management strategies. Lifestyle modification and patient education are cornerstones in the management of every patient. Major indications, precautions and contra-indications to each recommended antihypertensive drug are listed. Combination therapy should be considered ab initio if the BP is ≥ 20/10 mmHg. First-line drug therapy for uncomplicated hypertension includes low-dose thiazide-like diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) (or ARBs - angiotensin II receptor blockers). If the target BP is not obtained, a second antihypertensive should be added from the aforementioned list. If the target BP is still not met, the third remaining antihypertensive agent should be used. In black patients either thiazide-like diuretics or CCBs can be used initially, because response rates are better than with ACE-Is or β-blockers. In treating resistant hypertension, a centrally acting drug, vasodilator, α-blocker, spironolactone or β-locker should be added. This guideline includes management of specific

  8. Safety and usefulness of Laghu shankha prakshalana in patients with essential hypertension: A self controlled clinical study

    PubMed Central

    Mashyal, Prakash; Bhargav, Hemant; Raghuram, Nagarathna

    2014-01-01

    Background: Yoga and Ayurveda texts emphasize the role of cleansing the bowel as an important component of management of hypertension (HTN). Observations during our clinical experience and pilot studies on Laghu shankha prakshalana kriya (LSP), a yogic bowel cleansing technique, appeared to be safe and complimentary. Objective: To test the safety and effectiveness of LSP in patients with essential hypertension. Materials and Methods: This self control study recruited 32 patients with mild to moderate essential HTN admitted for a week long residential integrated yoga therapy program at the integrative health home in Bengaluru. Patients had a daily routine of 6 hours of integrated approach of yoga therapy (IAYT) module for HTN that included physical postures, relaxation sessions, pranayama and meditations. LSP, an additional practice, that involved drinking of luke-warm water (with or without a herbal combination, triphala) followed by a set of specific yoga postures that activates defecation reflex, was administered on 2nd (LSP without triphala) and 5th day (LSP with triphala). Assessments (sitting blood pressure and pulse rate) were done just before and after both the sessions of LSP. Secondary outcome measures such as body mass index (BMI), symptom scores, medication scores, fatigue, state and trait anxiety, general health and quality of life were assessed on 1st and 6th day of IAYT intervention. Results: There was significant (P < 0.001, paired t test) reduction in blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and pulse rate immediately after both the sessions (LSP with and without triphala). There were no adverse effects reported during or after LSP. There was no significant difference between the two techniques (P < 0.505, independent samples t test), although the percentage change appeared to be higher after triphala LSP session. The number of visits to clear the bowel during the procedure was significantly (P < 0.001, independent samples t test) higher after LSP

  9. Essential core of the Hawking–Ellis types

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Martín-Moruno, Prado; Visser, Matt

    2018-06-01

    The Hawking–Ellis (Segre–Plebański) classification of possible stress–energy tensors is an essential tool in analyzing the implications of the Einstein field equations in a more-or-less model-independent manner. In the current article the basic idea is to simplify the Hawking–Ellis type I, II, III, and IV classification by isolating the ‘essential core’ of the type II, type III, and type IV stress–energy tensors; this being done by subtracting (special cases of) type I to simplify the (Lorentz invariant) eigenvalue structure as much as possible without disturbing the eigenvector structure. We will denote these ‘simplified cores’ type II0, type III0, and type IV0. These ‘simplified cores’ have very nice and simple algebraic properties. Furthermore, types I and II0 have very simple classical interpretations, while type IV0 is known to arise semi-classically (in renormalized expectation values of standard stress–energy tensors). In contrast type III0 stands out in that it has neither a simple classical interpretation, nor even a simple semi-classical interpretation. We will also consider the robustness of this classification considering the stability of the different Hawking–Ellis types under perturbations. We argue that types II and III are definitively unstable, whereas types I and IV are stable.

  10. Depressor effect of the young leaves of Polygonum hydropiper Linn. in high-salt induced hypertensive mice.

    PubMed

    Devarajan, Sankar; Yahiro, Eiji; Uehara, Yoshinari; Kuroda, Rieko; Hirano, Yoshio; Nagata, Kaori; Miura, Shinichiro; Saku, Keijiro; Urata, Hidenori

    2018-06-01

    A novel chymase inhibitor has been reported to have depressor effect in salt-induced hypertension. Therefore, we examined the hypothesis that chymase inhibitory dried young leaves of Polygonum hydropiper (PPH) or young leaves extract of Polygonum hydropiper (PHE) could reduce salt-induced hypertension. In this study, 8-wk old wild-type mice were allocated into three experiments and experiment I included groups, I- normal water drinking, II- high salt (2% NaCl) water (HSW) drinking, and III- HSW plus PPH (500 mg kg -1 , orally) for 12-wk. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured at baseline and weekly up to wk-12. In experiment II, mice were given HSW for 12-wk followed by 8-wk treatment with PPH plus HSW (62.5, 125, 250 and 500 mg kg -1 for groups I, II, III and IV, respectively). BP and HR were measured at baseline and monthly until wk-12, following weekly for 8-wk. Experiment III comprised of four groups of mice for 12-wk HSW and 8-wk treatment with PHE plus HSW (2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg kg -1 for groups I-IV, respectively). BP and HR were measured at baseline and monthly up to wk-12, following weekly for 8-wk. Significant reduction in BP and HR were observed in mice treated with PPH (500 mg kg -1 ) compared to HSW control. PPH reduced BP and HR dose dependently in hypertensive mice and the higher dose showed maximum reduction. PHE at its maximum dose (20 mg kg -1 ) significantly suppressed BP and HR. Over all, we found that the young leaves of Polygonum hydropiper suppressed salt-induced hypertension. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

  11. Associations of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T genotype with blood pressure levels in Chinese population with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Jun; Tao, Fang; Liu, Yanhong; Venners, Scott A; Hsu, Yi-Hsiang; Jiang, Shanqun; Weinstock, Justin; Wang, Binyan; Tang, Genfu; Xu, Xiping

    2018-01-01

    To confirm the association between baseline blood pressure (BP) levels and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism in patients with essential hypertension. A total of 347 patients were enrolled from the Dongzhi community in Anhui Province, China. The C677T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene was detected using high-throughput TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Baseline BP was measured using a standardized mercury-gravity monometer. In the whole sample, the frequency of the MTHFR C677T genotypes CC, CT, and TT were 38.6%, 48.1%, and 13.3%, respectively. In a recessive model (CC+CT versus TT genotypes), baseline diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was significantly higher in patients with the TT genotype compared to those with the CT or CC genotypes (P= 0.013). We also divided all patients into three groups based on the tertiles of the baseline BP distribution. Compared to subjects in the lowest tertile of DBP, the adjusted odds of having the TT genotype among subjects in the highest tertile was 2.6 (95% CI: 1.1 to 6.2). However, no significant associations were observed between baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the MTHFR C677T polymorphism. The MTHFR gene polymorphism could be an important genetic determinant of baseline DBP levels in Chinese essential hypertensive patients.

  12. Status of lifestyle modifications in hypertension.

    PubMed

    Chhabra, M K; Lal, A; Sharma, K K

    2001-09-01

    Hypertension is essentially the elevation of arterial blood pressure beyond an arbitrary cut off point, though the dividing line between normal and elevated BP is lacking. Hypertension can be classified into primary, essential or idiopathic hypertension on one hand, and secondary one due to some disease itself. In treating hypertension, antihypertensives have their role, but attention may be directed towards some lifestyle modifications. As regarding dietary interventions, calorie restriction may influence the minimisation of BP. Body weight reduction, less alcohol consumption, salt restriction, potassium and calcium supplementation can enhance the process of lowering BP. The role of magnesium in hypertension is debatable. Serum cholesterol level is commonly elevated in hypertensive patients and its reduction reduces the risk of non-fatal coronary events. Diet rich in plant fibres either alone or with a low fat, low sodium could lower the BP by about 5 mm Hg in hypertensives. The omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids found in highest concentrations in cold water fishes have a modest antihypertensive effect. Caffeine contained in two cups of coffee may raise the BP by 5 mm Hg in infrequent users but in habitual users, caffeine has no role. Deficiency of vitamin C might lead to hypertension. As regarding behavioural changes, stopping smoking, regular physical exercise, relaxation therapies like yoga, etc, have definite beneficial effect on hypertensives. The antihypertensive effect of lifestyle modifications may obviate drug therapy. For this one or more of the lifestyle modifications should be tried initially in all hypertensive patients.

  13. Primary hypertension and special aspects of hypertension in older children and adolescents

    PubMed Central

    Ellis, Demetrius; Miyashita, Yosuke

    2011-01-01

    The prevalence of hypertension has increased at an accelerated rate in older children and adolescents. This has raised great concern about premature development of cardiovascular disease, which has major long-term health and financial implications. While obesity and sedentary habits largely explain this phenomenon, there are other social and cultural influences that may unmask genetic susceptibility to hypertension in the pediatric population. While it is essential to exclude numerous causes of secondary hypertension in every child, these disorders are not discussed in this review. Rather, the aim of this review is to familiarize pediatricians with casual and ambulatory blood pressure measurement, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of several common conditions that play a role in the development of hypertension in children and adolescents. Besides primary hypertension and obesity-related hypertension, emphasis is given to epidemiology, measurement of blood pressure, including ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, hypertension associated with drug use, teenage pregnancy, and video and computer games. Lastly, because pediatricians are increasingly confronted with special issues concerning the management of the hypertensive athlete, this topic is also addressed. PMID:24600275

  14. I RBH - First Brazilian Hypertension Registry.

    PubMed

    Jardim, Paulo César Brandão Veiga; Souza, Weimar Kunz Sebba Barroso de; Lopes, Renato Delascio; Brandão, Andréa Araújo; Malachias, Marcus V Bolívar; Gomes, Marco Mota; Moreno Júnior, Heitor; Barbosa, Eduardo Costa Duarte; Póvoa, Rui Manoel Dos Santos

    2016-08-01

    A registry assessing the care of hypertensive patients in daily clinical practice in public and private centers in various Brazilian regions has not been conducted to date. Such analysis is important to elucidate the effectiveness of this care. To document the current clinical practice for the treatment of hypertension with identification of the profile of requested tests, type of administered treatment, level of blood pressure (BP) control, and adherence to treatment. National, observational, prospective, and multicenter study that will include patients older than 18 years with hypertension for at least 4 weeks, following up in public and private centers and after signing a consent form. The study will exclude patients undergoing dialysis, hospitalized in the previous 30 days, with class III or IV heart failure, pregnant or nursing, with severe liver disease, stroke or acute myocardial infarction in the past 30 days, or with diseases with a survival prognosis < 1 year. Evaluations will be performed at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up. The parameters that will be evaluated include anthropometric data, lifestyle habits, BP levels, lipid profile, metabolic syndrome, and adherence to treatment. The primary outcomes will be hospitalization due to hypertensive crisis, cardiocirculatory events, and cardiovascular death, while secondary outcomes will be hospitalization for heart failure and requirement of dialysis. A subgroup analysis of 15% of the sample will include noninvasive central pressure evaluation at baseline and study end. The estimated sample size is 3,000 individuals for a prevalence of 5%, sample error of 2%, and 95% confidence interval. The results will be presented after the final evaluation, which will occur at the end of a 1-year follow-up. The analysis of this registry will improve the knowledge and optimize the treatment of hypertension in Brazil, as a way of modifying the prognosis of cardiovascular disease in the country.

  15. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in vascular smooth muscle regulates blood pressure homeostasis through a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ-angiotensin II receptor type 1 axis.

    PubMed

    Huang, Yan; Di Lorenzo, Annarita; Jiang, Weidong; Cantalupo, Anna; Sessa, William C; Giordano, Frank J

    2013-09-01

    Hypertension is a major worldwide health issue for which only a small proportion of cases have a known mechanistic pathogenesis. Of the defined causes, none have been directly linked to heightened vasoconstrictor responsiveness, despite the fact that vasomotor tone in resistance vessels is a fundamental determinant of blood pressure. Here, we reported a previously undescribed role for smooth muscle hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in controlling blood pressure homeostasis. The lack of HIF-1α in smooth muscle caused hypertension in vivo and hyperresponsiveness of resistance vessels to angiotensin II stimulation ex vivo. These data correlated with an increased expression of angiotensin II receptor type I in the vasculature. Specifically, we show that HIF-1α, through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, reciprocally defined angiotensin II receptor type I levels in the vessel wall. Indeed, pharmacological blockade of angiotensin II receptor type I by telmisartan abolished the hypertensive phenotype in smooth muscle cell-HIF-1α-KO mice. These data revealed a determinant role of a smooth muscle HIF-1α/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ/angiotensin II receptor type I axis in controlling vasomotor responsiveness and highlighted an important pathway, the alterations of which may be critical in a variety of hypertensive-based clinical settings.

  16. [Effects of foot reflexology on essential hypertension patients].

    PubMed

    Park, Hyoung-Sook; Cho, Gyoo-Yeong

    2004-08-01

    This study was to evaluate the effects of foot reflexology on blood pressure, serum lipids level and life satisfaction in essential hypertension patients. The research design used was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Foot Reflexology was used as the experimental treatment from June 23rd, 2003 until August 31st, 2003. Thirty-four subjects were assigned to an experimental group(18) and control group(16). Foot Reflexology was administered twice a week for 6 weeks and self foot Reflexology was administered twice a week for 4 weeks on the experimental group. There was a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure but no significant decrease in diastolic pressure in the experimental group compared to the control group. The total cholesterol level in the experimental group compared to the control group was not significantly decreased after foot reflexology. However, the triglyceride level in the experimental group compared to the control group was significantly decreased after foot reflexology. On the other hand, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein levels in the experimental group compared to the control group was not significantly decreased after foot reflexology. Life satisfaction in the experimental group compared to the control group was significantly improved after foot reflexology. The results proved that foot reflexology was an effective nursing intervention to decrease systolic pressure, and triglyceride but not for the blood cholesterol and to improve life satisfaction. Therefore, blood cholesterol should be further evaluated in a larger group of subjects and for a longer period. Further research is regarded as necessary to evaluate and to compare effects of self-foot reflexology and foot reflexology.

  17. Maternal high-fat diet acts on the brain to induce baroreflex dysfunction and sensitization of angiotensin II-induced hypertension in adult offspring.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yu-Ping; Huo, Yan-Li; Fang, Zhi-Qin; Wang, Xue-Fang; Li, Jian-Dong; Wang, Hai-Ping; Peng, Wei; Johnson, Alan Kim; Xue, Baojian

    2018-05-01

    Accumulating evidence indicates that maternal high-fat diet (HFD) is associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in adult offspring. The present study tested the hypothesis that maternal HFD modulates the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS), oxidative stress, and proinflammatory cytokines that alter angiotensin II (ANG II) and TNF-α actions and sensitize the ANG II-elicited hypertensive response in adult offspring. All offspring were cross fostered by dams on the same or opposite diet to yield the following four groups: offspring from normal-fat control diet-fed dams suckled by control diet-fed dams (OCC group) or by HFD-fed dams (OCH group) and offspring from HFD-fed dams fed a HFD suckled by control diet-fed dams (OHC group) or by HFD-fed dams (OHH group). RT-PCR analyses of the lamina terminalis and paraventricular nucleus indicated upregulation of mRNA expression of several RAS components, NADPH oxidase, and proinflammatory cytokines in 10-wk-old male offspring of dams fed a HFD during either pregnancy, lactation, or both (OHC, OCH, and OHH groups). These offspring also showed decreased cardiac baroreflex sensitivity and increased pressor responses to intracerebroventricular microinjection of either ANG II or TNF-α. Furthermore, chronic systemic infusion of ANG II resulted in enhanced upregulation of mRNA expression of RAS components, NADPH oxidase, and proinflammatory cytokines in the lamina terminalis and paraventricular nucleus and an augmented hypertensive response in the OHC, OCH, and OHH groups compared with the OCC group. The results suggest that maternal HFD blunts cardiac baroreflex function and enhances pressor responses to ANG II or proinflammatory cytokines through upregulation of the brain RAS, oxidative stress, and inflammation. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The results of our study indicate that a maternal high-fat diet during either pregnancy or lactation is sufficient for perinatal programming of sensitization for hypertension, which is

  18. Genetic variation in the raptor gene is associated with overweight but not hypertension in American men of Japanese ancestry.

    PubMed

    Morris, Brian J; Carnes, Bruce A; Chen, Randi; Donlon, Timothy A; He, Qimei; Grove, John S; Masaki, Kamal H; Elliott, Ayako; Willcox, Donald C; Allsopp, Richard; Willcox, Bradley J

    2015-04-01

    The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is pivotal for cell growth. Regulatory associated protein of mTOR complex I (Raptor) is a unique component of this pro-growth complex. The present study tested whether variation across the raptor gene (RPTOR) is associated with overweight and hypertension. We tested 61 common (allele frequency ≥ 0.1) tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that captured most of the genetic variation across RPTOR in 374 subjects of normal lifespan and 439 subjects with a lifespan exceeding 95 years for association with overweight/obesity, essential hypertension, and isolated systolic hypertension. Subjects were drawn from the Honolulu Heart Program, a homogeneous population of American men of Japanese ancestry, well characterized for phenotypes relevant to conditions of aging. Hypertension status was ascertained when subjects were 45-68 years old. Statistical evaluation involved contingency table analysis, logistic regression, and the powerful method of recursive partitioning. After analysis of RPTOR genotypes by each statistical approach, we found no significant association between genetic variation in RPTOR and either essential hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension. Models generated by recursive partitioning analysis showed that RPTOR SNPs significantly enhanced the ability of the model to accurately assign individuals to either the overweight/obese or the non-overweight/obese groups (P = 0.008 by 1-tailed Z test). Common genetic variation in RPTOR is associated with overweight/obesity but does not discernibly contribute to either essential hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension in the population studied. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2014. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  19. Angiotensin-(1-9) reverses experimental hypertension and cardiovascular damage by inhibition of the angiotensin converting enzyme/Ang II axis.

    PubMed

    Ocaranza, Maria Paz; Moya, Jackeline; Barrientos, Victor; Alzamora, Rodrigo; Hevia, Daniel; Morales, Cristobal; Pinto, Melissa; Escudero, Nicolás; García, Lorena; Novoa, Ulises; Ayala, Pedro; Díaz-Araya, Guillermo; Godoy, Ivan; Chiong, Mario; Lavandero, Sergio; Jalil, Jorge E; Michea, Luis

    2014-04-01

    Little is known about the biological effects of angiotensin-(1-9), but available evidence shows that angiotensin-(1-9) has beneficial effects in preventing/ameliorating cardiovascular remodeling. In this study, we evaluated whether angiotensin-(1-9) decreases hypertension and reverses experimental cardiovascular damage in the rat. Angiotensin-(1-9) (600  ng/kg per min for 2 weeks) reduced already-established hypertension in rats with early high blood pressure induced by angiotensin II infusion or renal artery clipping. Angiotensin-(1-9) also improved cardiac (assessed by echocardiography) and endothelial function in small-diameter mesenteric arteries, cardiac and aortic wall hypertrophy, fibrosis, oxidative stress, collagen and transforming growth factor type β - 1 protein expression (assessed by western blot). The beneficial effect of angiotensin-(1-9) was blunted by coadministration of the angiotensin type 2(AT2) receptor blocker PD123319 (36  ng/kg per min) but not by coadministration of the Mas receptor blocker A779 (100  ng/kg per min). Angiotensin-(1-9) treatment also decreased circulating levels of Ang II, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity and oxidative stress in aorta and left ventricle. Whereas, Ang-(1-9) increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels in aorta as well as plasma nitrate levels. Angiotensin-(1-9) reduces hypertension, ameliorates structural alterations (hypertrophy and fibrosis), oxidative stress in the heart and aorta and improves cardiac and endothelial function in hypertensive rats. These effects were mediated by the AT2 receptor but not by the angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis.

  20. Night Blood Pressure Responses to Atenolol and Hydrochlorothiazide in Black and White Patients With Essential Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    BACKGROUND Night blood pressure (BP) predicts patient outcomes. Variables associated with night BP response to antihypertensive agents have not been fully evaluated in essential hypertension. METHODS We sought to measure night BP responses to hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), atenolol (ATEN), and combined therapy using ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring in 204 black and 281 white essential hypertensive patients. Initial therapy was randomized; HCTZ and ATEN once daily doses were doubled after 3 weeks and continued for 6 more weeks with the alternate medication added for combined therapy arms. ABP was measured at baseline and after completion of each drug. Night, day, and night/day BP ratio responses (treatment − baseline) were compared in race/sex subgroups. RESULTS Baseline night systolic BP and diastolic BP, and night/day ratios were greater in blacks than whites (P < 0.01, all comparisons). Night BP responses to ATEN were absent and night/day ratios increased significantly in blacks (P < 0.05). At the end of combined therapy, women, blacks, and those starting with HCTZ as opposed to ATEN had significantly greater night BP responses (P < 0.01). Variables that significantly associated with ATEN response differed from those that associated with HCTZ response and those that associated with night BP response differed from those that associated with day BP response. CONCLUSIONS In summary, after completion of HCTZ and ATEN therapy, women, blacks, and those who started with HCTZ had greater night BP responses. Reduced night BP response and increased night/day BP ratios occured with ATEN in blacks. Given the prognostic significance of night BP, strategies for optimizing night BP antihypertensive therapy should be considered. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00246519 PMID:23886594

  1. Renin angiotensin system blockage associates with insertion/deletion polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme in patients with hypertensive emergency.

    PubMed

    Vilela-Martin, José F; Vaz-de-Melo, Renan O; Cosenso-Martin, Luciana N; Kuniyoshi, Cristina H; Yugar-Toledo, Juan C; Pinhel, Marcela A S; de Souza, Gisele F; Souza, Dorotéia R S; Pimenta, Eduardo; Moreno, Heitor; Cipullo, José P

    2013-09-01

    Hypertensive crisis (HC) stands out as a form of acute elevation of blood pressure (BP). It can manifest itself as hypertensive emergency (HE) or hypertensive urgency (HU), which is usually accompanied with levels of diastolic BP ≥120 mmHg. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism may influence manifestations of HC. Thus, this study evaluated the influence of ACE I/D polymorphism in individuals with HC. A total of 187 patients admitted with HC (HU [n=69] and HE [n=118]) and 75 normotensive individuals were included in the study. Peripheral blood was drawn for a biochemical and genetic analysis of the ACE I/D polymorphism by Polymerase Chain Reaction. HC group showed higher systolic BP, body mass index (BMI), glycemia, creatinine, and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol compared with normotensive individuals. The use of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers was more frequent in the HU group than in the HE group (p=0.020). The II genotype was more predominant in normotensive and HU individuals than among HE individuals (18.7%, 11.6%, and 2.5%, respectively; p=0.004). Higher BMI and glycemia were associated with HC in the logistic regression model. ACE II genotype (odds ratio [OR] 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04-0.51) and HDL cholesterol were protective for the development of HE. ACE II genotype was present in the HU group, compared with the HE group (OR 0.18; 95% CI 0.04-0.88). This study shows an association between the low prevalence of ACE I/D polymorphism II genotype and a greater occurrence of HE in Brazilian individuals. The lower blockage of RAS, which was detected in the HE group, may interact with the low frequency of II genotype, conferring an increased risk for HE.

  2. Prevalence of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion polymorphism in South Indian population with hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

    PubMed

    Shanmuganathan, R; Kumaresan, R; Giri, P

    2015-01-01

    Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is associated with a high risk of developing further severe complications such as, cardiovascular disease and eventually End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) leading to death. Hypertension plays a key role in the progression of renal failure and is also a chief risk factor for the occurrence of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). This study investigates the possible association of insertion (I) and deletion (D) polymorphism of ACE gene in patients of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) with and without hypertension (HT). Total 120 participants with 30 members in each group (Control, HT, CKD and CKD-HT) were chosen followed by informed consent. Blood samples were collected and subjected to biochemical analyses and nested PCR amplification was performed to genotype the DNA, for ACE I/D using specific primers. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 13. Allele and genotypic frequency was calculated by direct gene counting method. Comparison of the different genotypes was done by using Chi square test. Odd's ratios were calculated with a 95% confidence interval limit. The ACE genotype were distributed as II, 27 (90%); DD, 2 (6.67%) and ID, 1 (3.33%) in control, II, 1 (3.33%); DD, 5 (16.67%) and ID, 24 (80%) in HT, II, 4 (13.33%); DD, 24 (80%) and ID, 2 (6.67%) in CKD and II, 0 (0%); DD, 2 (6.67%) and ID, 28 (93.33%) in CKD-HT group. D allele of ACE gene confers a greater role in genetic variations underlying CKD and hypertension. This result suggest that CKD patients should be offered analysis for defects in ACE I/D polymorphisms, especially if they are hypertensive.

  3. N-Domain Isoform of Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme as a Marker of Hypertension: Populational Study

    PubMed Central

    Maluf-Meiken, Leila C. V.; Fernandes, Fernanda B.; Aragão, Danielle S.; Ronchi, Fernanda A.; Andrade, Maria C. C.; Franco, Maria C.; Febba, Andreia C. S.; Plavnik, Frida L.; Krieger, José E.; Mill, Jose G.; Sesso, Ricardo C. C.; Casarini, Dulce E.

    2012-01-01

    The aim of this paper was to investigate the presence of the urinary 90 kDa N-domain ACE in a cohort of the population from Vitoria, Brazil, to verify its association with essential hypertension since this isoform could be a possible genetic marker of hypertension. Anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory parameters of the individuals were evaluated (n = 1150) and the blood pressure (BP) was measured. The study population was divided according to ACE isoforms in urine as follows: ACE 65/90/190, presence of three ACE isoforms (n = 795), ACE 90+ (65/90) (n = 186), and ACE 90− (65/190) (n = 169) based on the presence (+) or absence (−) of the 90 kDa ACE isoform. The anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, serum levels of uric acid, glucose, and the systolic and diastolic BP were significantly greater in the ACE 90+ compared with the ACE 90− and ACE 65/90/190 individuals. We found that 98% of individuals from the ACE 90+ group and 38% from the ACE 65/90/190 group had hypertension, compared to only 1% hypertensive individuals in the ACE 90− group. There is a high presence of the 90 kDa N-domain ACE isoform (85%) in the studied population. The percentile of normotensive subjects with three isoforms was 62%. Our findings could contribute to the development of new efficient strategy to prevent and treat hypertension to avoid the development of cardiovascular disease. PMID:22666552

  4. The Pharmacogenomics of Anti-Hypertensive Therapy.

    PubMed

    Padmanabhan, Sandosh; Paul, Laura; Dominczak, Anna F

    2010-06-01

    Hypertension is a major public health problem, but measures to reduce blood pressure and thus cardiovascular risk are complicated by the high prevalence of treatment resistance, despite the availability of multiple drugs. Drug side-effects contribute considerably to suboptimal blood pressure control. Clinicians must often rely on empirical methods to match patients with effective drug treatment. Hypertension pharmacogenomics seeks to find genetic predictors of response to drugs that lower blood pressure and to translate this knowledge into clinical practice. In this review we summarise the current status of hypertension pharmacogenetics from monogenic hypertension to essential hypertension and discuss the issues that need to be considered in a hypertension pharmacogenomic study.

  5. Restless Legs Syndrome in Patients with Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus.

    PubMed

    Sabic, Adela; Sinanovic, Osman; Sabic, Dzevad; Galic, Gordan

    2016-04-01

    The aim of this study was to analyze frequency of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus. It was analyzed 120 subjects (from Health Center Živinice/Family Medicine Department) through a survey conducted in the period from March to June 2015, of which 30 (8 men/22 women). Subjects were 30 patients with longtime hypertension (HT)(18 men/12 women), 30 patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) type I or II (9 men/21 women), 30 patients with long standing DM type I or II and HT (12 men /18 women), and 30 control subjects (12 men/18 women). RLS were evaluated by questionnaire - International RLS Study Group Criteria. The average age of patients in the group with HT was 58.70 ± 9.07, in the group with DM 48.43 ± 15.37, and in the group of patients with HT and DM 63.90 ± 7.49 years. In the control group mean age was 52.76 ± 14.83 years. Statistical data were analyzed in Excel and SSPS statistical program. RLS was identified in 10 (30%) of those with HT; 7 (21%) in patients with DM, and 10 (30%) in patients with HT+DM. In the control group RLS was verified in 4 (12%) patients. Comparing the results, it was observed significant difference between the HT and the control group (p=0.0012) and HT+ DM and control group (p=0.0012). The frequency of RLS between DM and the control group was not significantly significant (p=0.107). RLS is frequent in patients with hypertension (30%), hypertension+ diabetes mellitus (30%), and patients with DM (21%).

  6. Insulin-like growth factor-I receptor activity is essential for Kaposi's sarcoma growth and survival.

    PubMed

    Catrina, S-B; Lewitt, M; Massambu, C; Dricu, A; Grünler, J; Axelson, M; Biberfeld, P; Brismar, K

    2005-04-25

    Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a highly vascular tumour and is the most common neoplasm associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Growth factors, in particular vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), have been shown to play an important role in its development. The role of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in the pathophysiology of different tumours led us to evaluate the role of IGF system in KS. The IGF-I receptors (IGF-IR) were identified by immunohistochemistry in biopsies taken from patients with different AIDS/HIV-related KS stages and on KSIMM cells (an established KS-derived cell line). Insulin-like growth factor-I is a growth factor for KSIMM cells with a maximum increase of 3H-thymidine incorporation of 130 +/- 27.6% (P < 0.05) similar to that induced by VEGF and with which it is additive (281 +/- 13%) (P < 0.05). Moreover, specific blockade of the receptor (either by alpha IR3 antibody or by picropodophyllin, a recently described selective IGF-IR tyrosine phosphorylation inhibitor) induced KSIMM apoptosis, suggesting that IGF-IR agonists (IGF-I and -II) mediate antiapoptotic signals for these cells. We were able to identify an autocrine loop essential for KSIMM cell survival in which IGF-II is the IGF-IR agonist secreted by the cells. In conclusion, IGF-I pathway inhibition is a promising therapeutical approach for KS tumours.

  7. Gain-of-function mutant of angiotensin II receptor, type 1A, causes hypertension and cardiovascular fibrosis in mice

    PubMed Central

    Billet, Sandrine; Bardin, Sabine; Verp, Sonia; Baudrie, Véronique; Michaud, Annie; Conchon, Sophie; Muffat-Joly, Martine; Escoubet, Brigitte; Souil, Evelyne; Hamard, Ghislaine; Bernstein, Kenneth E.; Gasc, Jean Marie; Elghozi, Jean-Luc; Corvol, Pierre; Clauser, Eric

    2007-01-01

    The role of the renin-angiotensin system has been investigated by overexpression or inactivation of its different genes in animals. However, there is no data concerning the effect of the constitutive activation of any component of the system. A knockin mouse model has been constructed with a gain-of-function mutant of the Ang II receptor, type 1A (AT1A), associating a constitutively activating mutation (N111S) with a C-terminal deletion, which impairs receptor internalization and desensitization. In vivo consequences of this mutant receptor expression in homozygous mice recapitulate its in vitro characteristics: the pressor response is more sensitive to Ang II and longer lasting. These mice present with a moderate (~20 mmHg) and stable increase in BP. They also develop early and progressive renal fibrosis and cardiac fibrosis and diastolic dysfunction. However, there was no overt cardiac hypertrophy. The hormonal parameters (low-renin and inappropriately normal aldosterone productions) mimic those of low-renin human hypertension. This new model reveals that a constitutive activation of AT1A leads to cardiac and renal fibrosis in spite of a modest effect on BP and will be useful for investigating the role of Ang II in target organs in a model similar to some forms of human hypertension. PMID:17607364

  8. Serum concentration of Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Zn and Cu in patients with essential arterial hypertension.

    PubMed

    Uza, G; Pavel, O; Kovacs, A; Uza, D; Vlaicu, R

    1984-01-01

    Serum concentration of Na, K, Ca, Mg and inorganic phosphate as well as serum levels of Zn and Cu were determined in control subjects and in patients with essential arterial hypertension (EAH) divided according to the stage of the disease. No significant differences were found between the serum mean levels of Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Cu in controls and in patients with EAH. A significant decrease of the serum Zn was noted in the third stage of EAH. A number of cases with hypomagnesemia and/or hypopotassemia probably caused by a long term uncontrolled therapy was also detected. The concentration of inorganic phosphate was significantly lower in patients with EAH associated with overweight than in hypertensive patients with normal body weight and in controls. It is considered that a sustained study of the complex interrelationship between electrolyte interaction and the functional aspects of the arterial wall could still contribute to a better understanding of pathogenic aspects of EAH and of its complications including those subsequent to modern diuretic therapy.

  9. Effects of cilnidipine, a novel dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, on autonomic function, ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate in patients with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Minami, J; Kawano, Y; Makino, Y; Matsuoka, H; Takishita, S

    2000-12-01

    The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of cilnidipine, a novel dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, on autonomic function, ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate in patients with essential hypertension. Ten inpatients with mild to moderate essential hypertension (four men and six women; age: 44-64 years) underwent a drug-free period for 7 days and a treatment period with cilnidipine 10 mg orally for another 7 days, in a randomized crossover study. On the sixth day of each period, they underwent autonomic function tests including a mental arithmetic test, a cold pressor test and a Valsalva manoeuvre. After these tests, 24 h ambulatory blood pressure, heart rate, and the electrocardiogram R-R intervals were monitored every 30 min. A power spectral analysis of R-R intervals was performed to obtain the low-and high-frequency components. Cilnidipine significantly decreased the 24 h blood pressure by 6.5 +/- 1.7 mm Hg systolic (mean +/- s.e.mean; P < 0.01) and 5.0 +/- 1.1 mmHg diastolic (P < 0.01), whereas cilnidipine did not change heart rate or any indices of power spectral components. During the cold pressor test, the maximum change in systolic blood pressure and percentage changes in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower during the treatment period with cilnidipine than during the drug-free period. The baroreflex sensitivity measured from the overshoot phase of the Valsalva manoeuvre did not differ significantly between the two periods. Cilnidipine is effective as a once-daily antihypertensive agent and causes little influence on heart rate and the autonomic nervous system in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Moreover, it is suggested that cilnidipine has an additional clinical benefit in the inhibition of the pressor response induced by acute cold stress.

  10. Computational Analysis of Candidate Disease Genes and Variants for Salt-Sensitive Hypertension in Indigenous Southern Africans

    PubMed Central

    Tiffin, Nicki; Meintjes, Ayton; Ramesar, Rajkumar; Bajic, Vladimir B.; Rayner, Brian

    2010-01-01

    Multiple factors underlie susceptibility to essential hypertension, including a significant genetic and ethnic component, and environmental effects. Blood pressure response of hypertensive individuals to salt is heterogeneous, but salt sensitivity appears more prevalent in people of indigenous African origin. The underlying genetics of salt-sensitive hypertension, however, are poorly understood. In this study, computational methods including text- and data-mining have been used to select and prioritize candidate aetiological genes for salt-sensitive hypertension. Additionally, we have compared allele frequencies and copy number variation for single nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate genes between indigenous Southern African and Caucasian populations, with the aim of identifying candidate genes with significant variability between the population groups: identifying genetic variability between population groups can exploit ethnic differences in disease prevalence to aid with prioritisation of good candidate genes. Our top-ranking candidate genes include parathyroid hormone precursor (PTH) and type-1angiotensin II receptor (AGTR1). We propose that the candidate genes identified in this study warrant further investigation as potential aetiological genes for salt-sensitive hypertension. PMID:20886000

  11. The concept of crosstalk-directed embryological target mining and its application to essential hypertension treatment failures.

    PubMed

    Sag, Alan Alper; Sal, Oguzhan; Kilic, Yagmur; Onal, Emine Meltem; Kanbay, Mehmet

    2017-05-01

    This review aims to introduce the novel concept of embryological target mining applied to interorgan crosstalk network genesis, and applies embryological target mining to multidrug-resistant essential hypertension (a prototype, complex, undertreated, multiorgan systemic syndrome) to uncover new treatment targets and critique why existing strategies fail. Briefly, interorgan crosstalk pathways represent the next frontier for target mining in molecular medicine. This is because stereotyped stepwise organogenesis presents a unique opportunity to infer interorgan crosstalk pathways that may be crucial to discovering novel treatment targets. Insights gained from this review will be applied to patient management in a clinician-directed fashion. ©2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  12. HIV and Pulmonary Hypertension

    MedlinePlus

    ... What do I need to know about pulmonary hypertension in connection with HIV? Although pulmonary hypertension and ... Should an HIV patient be tested for pulmonary hypertension? HIV patients know that medical supervision is critical ...

  13. Role of Angiotensin II type 1 receptor on renal NAD(P)H oxidase, oxidative stress and inflammation in nitric oxide inhibition induced-hypertension.

    PubMed

    Rincón, J; Correia, D; Arcaya, J L; Finol, E; Fernández, A; Pérez, M; Yaguas, K; Talavera, E; Chávez, M; Summer, R; Romero, F

    2015-03-01

    Activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), renal oxidative stress and inflammation are constantly present in experimental hypertension. Nitric oxide (NO) inhibition with N(w)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) has previously been reported to produce hypertension, increased expression of Angiotensin II (Ang II) and renal dysfunction. The use of Losartan, an Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonist has proven to be effective reducing hypertension and renal damage; however, the mechanism by which AT1R blockade reduced kidney injury and normalizes blood pressure in this experimental model is still complete unknown. The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that AT1R activation promotes renal NAD(P)H oxidase up-regulation, oxidative stress and cytokine production during L-NAME induced-hypertension. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed in three groups: L-NAME, receiving 70 mg/100ml of L-NAME, L-NAME+Los, receiving 70 mg/100ml of L-NAME and 40 mg/kg/day of Losartan; and Controls, receiving water instead of L-NAME or L-NAME and Losartan. After two weeks, L-NAME induced high blood pressure, renal overexpression of AT1R, NAD(P)H oxidase sub-units gp91, p22 and p47, increased levels of oxidative stress, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-17 (IL-17). Also, we found increased renal accumulation of lymphocytes and macrophages. Losartan treatment abolished the renal expression of gp91, p22, p47, oxidative stress and reduced NF-κB activation and IL-6 expression. These findings indicate that NO induced-hypertension is associated with up-regulation of NADPH oxidase, oxidative stress production and overexpression of key inflammatory mediators. These events are associated with up-regulation of AT1R, as evidenced by their reversal with AT1R blocker treatment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  14. Epigenomics of Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Liang, Mingyu; Cowley, Allen W.; Mattson, David L.; Kotchen, Theodore A.; Liu, Yong

    2013-01-01

    Multiple genes and pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Epigenomic studies of hypertension are beginning to emerge and hold great promise of providing novel insights into the mechanisms underlying hypertension. Epigenetic marks or mediators including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA can be studied at a genome or near-genome scale using epigenomic approaches. At the single gene level, several studies have identified changes in epigenetic modifications in genes expressed in the kidney that correlate with the development of hypertension. Systematic analysis and integration of epigenetic marks at the genome scale, demonstration of cellular and physiological roles of specific epigenetic modifications, and investigation of inheritance are among the major challenges and opportunities for future epigenomic and epigenetic studies of hypertension. Essential hypertension is a multifactorial disease involving multiple genetic and environmental factors and mediated by alterations in multiple biological pathways. Because the non-genetic mechanisms may involve epigenetic modifications, epigenomics is one of the latest concepts and approaches brought to bear on hypertension research. In this article, we summarize briefly the concepts and techniques for epigenomics, discuss the rationale for applying epigenomic approaches to study hypertension, and review the current state of this research area. PMID:24011581

  15. Aldosterone Contributes to Sympathoexcitation in Renovascular Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Lincevicius, Gisele S; Shimoura, Caroline G; Nishi, Erika E; Perry, Juliana C; Casarini, Dulce E; Gomes, Guiomar N; Bergamaschi, Cássia T; Campos, Ruy R

    2015-09-01

    Although angiotensin II (Ang II) is essential to the development of renovascular hypertension, aldosterone plays a role as well. Recent studies have demonstrated a cross-talk between Ang II type 1 and mineralocorticoid receptors in the brain and kidneys. However, the role of aldosterone in the autonomic and renal dysfunction of renovascular hypertension is not well understood. The current study evaluated whether aldosterone contributes to cardiovascular and renal dysfunction in the 2 kidney-1 clip (2K1C) model. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and baroreceptor reflex for control of the heart rate were evaluated in 2K1C treated or not treated with spironolactone (200mg/kg/day, 7 days). Tonic and reflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity (rSNA) were assessed in urethane-anaesthetized rats. Plasma renin activity (PRA), kidney renin protein expression, renal injury, and central AT1 receptor protein expression were assessed. Spiro reduced MAP (198±4 vs. 170±9mm Hg; P < 0.05), normalized rSNA (147±9 vs. 96±10 pps; P < 0.05), and increased renal baroreceptor reflex sensitivity in the 2K1C rats. Spiro reduced α-smooth muscle actin expression in the nonclipped kidney in the 2K1C group (5±0.6 vs. 1.1±0.2%; P < 0.05). There was no change in PRA; however, a decrease in renin protein expression in the nonclipped kidney was found in the 2K1C treated group (217±30 vs. 160±19%; P < 0.05). Spiro treatment decreased AT1 receptor in the central nervous system (CNS) only in 2K1C rats (138±10 vs. 84±12%; P < 0.05). Aldosterone contributes to autonomic dysfunction and intrarenal injury in 2K1C, these effects are mediated by the CNS. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  16. Electron paramagnetic resonance investigation on modulatory effect of benidipine on membrane fluidity of erythrocytes in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Tsuda, Kazushi

    2008-03-01

    It has been shown that benidipine, a long-lasting calcium (Ca) channel blocker, may exert its protective effect against vascular disorders by increasing nitric oxide (NO) production. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether orally administered benidipine might influence the membrane function in patients with essential hypertension. We measured the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes by using an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and spin-labeling method. In the preliminary study using erythrocytes obtained from healthy volunteers, benidipine decreased the order parameter (S) for 5-nitroxide stearate (5-NS) and the peak height ratio (ho/h-1) for 16-NS in the EPR spectra in vitro. The finding indicated that benidipine increased the membrane fluidity and improved the microviscosity of erythrocytes. In addition, it was demonstrated that the effect of benidipine on membrane fluidity of erythrocytes was significantly potentiated by the NO-substrate, L-arginine. In the separate series of the study, we observed that orally administered benidipine for 4 weeks significantly increased the membrane fluidity of erythrocytes with a concomitant increase in plasma NO metabolite levels in hypertensive subjects. The results of the present study demonstrated that benidipine might increase the membrane fluidity and improve the microviscosity of erythrocytes both in vitro and in vivo, to some extent, by the NO-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, it is strongly suggested that orally administered benidipine might have a beneficial effect on the rheologic behavior of erythrocytes and the improvement of the microcirculation in hypertensive subjects.

  17. In Silico Investigations of Chemical Constituents of Clerodendrum colebrookianum in the Anti-Hypertensive Drug Targets: ROCK, ACE, and PDE5.

    PubMed

    Arya, Hemant; Syed, Safiulla Basha; Singh, Sorokhaibam Sureshkumar; Ampasala, Dinakar R; Coumar, Mohane Selvaraj

    2017-06-16

    Understanding the molecular mode of action of natural product is a key step for developing drugs from them. In this regard, this study is aimed to understand the molecular-level interactions of chemical constituents of Clerodendrum colebrookianum Walp., with anti-hypertensive drug targets using computational approaches. The plant has ethno-medicinal importance for the treatment of hypertension and reported to show activity against anti-hypertensive drug targets-Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase (ROCK), angiotensin-converting enzyme, and phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5). Docking studies showed that three chemical constituents (acteoside, martinoside, and osmanthuside β6) out of 21 reported from the plant to interact with the anti-hypertensive drug targets with good glide score. In addition, they formed H-bond interactions with the key residues Met156/Met157 of ROCK I/ROCK II and Gln817 of PDE5. Further, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of protein-ligand complexes suggest that H-bond interactions between acteoside/osmanthuside β6 and Met156/Met157 (ROCK I/ROCK II), acteoside and Gln817 (PDE5) were stable. The present investigation suggests that the anti-hypertensive activity of the plant is due to the interaction of acteoside and osmanthuside β6 with ROCK and PDE5 drug targets. The identified molecular mode of binding of the plant constituents could help to design new drugs to treat hypertension.

  18. Clinical experience in treating hypertension with fixed-dose combination therapy: angiotensin II receptor blocker losartan plus hydrochlorothiazide.

    PubMed

    Abe, Masanori; Okada, Kazuyoshi; Matsumoto, Koichi

    2009-10-01

    The goal of antihypertensive treatment is to reduce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events associated with high blood pressure. A combination therapy with different antihypertensive agents is more successful than monotherapy in most hypertensive patients, with the added advantage of a better safety profile. Therefore, treatment of hypertensive patients with fixed-dose combination therapy consisting of the angiotensin II receptor blocker losartan along with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) has several potential benefits over monotherapy with each individual component. It provides more effective blood pressure control, a reduction in the likelihood of adverse effects and facilitation of patient compliance due to a simple once-daily regimen. One of the advantages of the combination of losartan with HCTZ is the potential reduction in HCTZ-induced metabolic disorders; in particular, this combination can have attractive benefits for patients of hyperuricemia. Losartan plus HCTZ fixed-dose combination therapy is frequently recommended for the treatment of hypertension and lowers blood pressure in mild-to-moderate and even severe hypertensive patients to a level comparable with other classes of antihypertensive agents in combination with HCTZ. Fixed-dose combination therapy with losartan plus HCTZ is a logical choice as antihypertensive therapy for patients in whom combination therapy is necessary to achieve additional blood pressure reduction.

  19. Comparison of left ventricular structure and function in primary aldosteronism and essential hypertension by echocardiography.

    PubMed

    Yang, Yan; Zhu, Li-Min; Xu, Jian-Zhong; Tang, Xiao-Feng; Gao, Ping-Jin

    2017-03-01

    Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common secondary cause of hypertension. The present study investigated differences in left ventricular structure and function between hypertensive patients with PA and sucjects with essential hypertension (EH). One hundred patients with PA and 100 controls with EH were matched for age, gender, and 24-h ambulatory monitoring blood pressure (BP). Left ventricular mass index (LVMI), left atrial volume index (LAVI) and ejection fraction were calculated. LV diastolic function was estimated as the ratio of the early diastolic velocities (E) from transmitral inflow to the early diastolic velocities (e') of tissue Doppler at mitral annulus. PA and EH patients had similar LV dimensions, LV wall thicknesses, LVMI and LV systolic function. PA was associated with greater impairment in diastolic function, as reflected by the lower e' (P=0.004), higher E/e' ratio (P=0.005) and higher LAVI (P=0.02). The LV geometric dimensions and patterns of LV hypertrophy were similar between male patients from the PA and EH groups. However, in female patients, PA was correlated with higher LV internal dimensions (P=0.001), higher LVMI (P=0.04) and lower relative wall thickness (RWT, P=0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that LV diastolic function was independently correlated with age (β=0.416, P<0.001), 24-h systolic BP (β=0.238, P=0.016) and serum potassium (β=-0.201, P=0.036) in PA patients. In conclusion, PA appears to contribute to the impairment of LV diastolic function in both sexes as well as the higher prevalence of eccentric hypertrophy in women than in men compared with EH. Age, 24-h systolic BP and serum potassium levels are independent risk factors for LV diastolic function in PA patients.

  20. Evolution of major histocompatibility complex class I and class II genes in the brown bear

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins constitute an essential component of the vertebrate immune response, and are coded by the most polymorphic of the vertebrate genes. Here, we investigated sequence variation and evolution of MHC class I and class II DRB, DQA and DQB genes in the brown bear Ursus arctos to characterise the level of polymorphism, estimate the strength of positive selection acting on them, and assess the extent of gene orthology and trans-species polymorphism in Ursidae. Results We found 37 MHC class I, 16 MHC class II DRB, four DQB and two DQA alleles. We confirmed the expression of several loci: three MHC class I, two DRB, two DQB and one DQA. MHC class I also contained two clusters of non-expressed sequences. MHC class I and DRB allele frequencies differed between northern and southern populations of the Scandinavian brown bear. The rate of nonsynonymous substitutions (dN) exceeded the rate of synonymous substitutions (dS) at putative antigen binding sites of DRB and DQB loci and, marginally significantly, at MHC class I loci. Models of codon evolution supported positive selection at DRB and MHC class I loci. Both MHC class I and MHC class II sequences showed orthology to gene clusters found in the giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca. Conclusions Historical positive selection has acted on MHC class I, class II DRB and DQB, but not on the DQA locus. The signal of historical positive selection on the DRB locus was particularly strong, which may be a general feature of caniforms. The presence of MHC class I pseudogenes may indicate faster gene turnover in this class through the birth-and-death process. South–north population structure at MHC loci probably reflects origin of the populations from separate glacial refugia. PMID:23031405

  1. Evolution of major histocompatibility complex class I and class II genes in the brown bear.

    PubMed

    Kuduk, Katarzyna; Babik, Wiesław; Bojarska, Katarzyna; Sliwińska, Ewa B; Kindberg, Jonas; Taberlet, Pierre; Swenson, Jon E; Radwan, Jacek

    2012-10-02

    Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins constitute an essential component of the vertebrate immune response, and are coded by the most polymorphic of the vertebrate genes. Here, we investigated sequence variation and evolution of MHC class I and class II DRB, DQA and DQB genes in the brown bear Ursus arctos to characterise the level of polymorphism, estimate the strength of positive selection acting on them, and assess the extent of gene orthology and trans-species polymorphism in Ursidae. We found 37 MHC class I, 16 MHC class II DRB, four DQB and two DQA alleles. We confirmed the expression of several loci: three MHC class I, two DRB, two DQB and one DQA. MHC class I also contained two clusters of non-expressed sequences. MHC class I and DRB allele frequencies differed between northern and southern populations of the Scandinavian brown bear. The rate of nonsynonymous substitutions (dN) exceeded the rate of synonymous substitutions (dS) at putative antigen binding sites of DRB and DQB loci and, marginally significantly, at MHC class I loci. Models of codon evolution supported positive selection at DRB and MHC class I loci. Both MHC class I and MHC class II sequences showed orthology to gene clusters found in the giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca. Historical positive selection has acted on MHC class I, class II DRB and DQB, but not on the DQA locus. The signal of historical positive selection on the DRB locus was particularly strong, which may be a general feature of caniforms. The presence of MHC class I pseudogenes may indicate faster gene turnover in this class through the birth-and-death process. South-north population structure at MHC loci probably reflects origin of the populations from separate glacial refugia.

  2. [Atherosclerotic renovascular hypertension: clinical findings and results of treatment over 15 years].

    PubMed

    Alfonzo, J P; Rosario, M N; Ugarte, C; Banasco, J; Fraxedas, R; Lahera, J

    2003-01-01

    The aim of this study was to present our clinical experience and results of different treatments in 83 atherosclerotic renovascular hypertensive patients treated in the last 15 years in the Instituto de nefrologia in Havana. Regardless of the type of treatment the patients were divided in two groups. Group I: 52 (62.3%) cases with standard oral hypotensive drugs alone and control of other cardiovascular risk factors (mean age 53 years old, sex m/f 50/50%, race white/no-white 75/25%, mean known hypertension follow-up 10.2 +/- 10 years, mean SBP 208 +/- 30 mmHg, mean DBP 123 +/- 17 mmHg, mean serum creatinina 1.62 mg/dl and increase peripheral plasma renin value in 61.6% of patients) and group II: 31 (37.7%) cases treated with revascularización procedures (PTA or surgery) or nephrectomy in selected patients (mean age 50 years old, sex m/f 68/32%, race white/no-white 16/84%, mean known hypertension follow-up 8.5 +/- 8.6 years, mean SBP 214 +/- 32 mmHg, mean DBP 1.31 +/- 16 mmHg, mean serum creatinina 1.85 mg/dl and increase peripheral plasma renin value 78.3% of patients). As end point for treatment results we selected: 1) hypertension cure or control, 2) evolution of the serum creatinine value and 3) kidney and patients survival. In those cases with a follow up for more than one year, in 82.9% the blood pressure was cure (21.4%) or controlled (61.4%). The proportion of failed was superior in group I (20.9%) than in group II (11.1%). All 18 cases treated by PTA with a follow up period longer than a year, blood pressure cure in 10 (55.6%), ameliorate in 5 (27.8%) and in 3 (16.6%) was unchanged (one patient lost of follow up). Nine patients were treated by surgery (3 revascularization and 6 nephrectomy), 5 (55.5%) cases cured and 4 (44.5%) ameliorate his blood pressure. Patients in group II maintain normal renal function in more cases than in group I (48.4% vs 30.8%). Both group had similar percentage of normal-normal + pathology-normal renal function (G I: 65.4% vs G

  3. Soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-product levels are related to albuminuria and arterial stiffness in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Dimitriadis, K; Tsioufis, C; Kasiakogias, A; Miliou, A; Poulakis, M; Kintis, K; Bafakis, I; Benardis, E; Tousoulis, D; Stefanadis, C

    2013-04-01

    Emerging evidence suggests that the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) is implicated in the development of vascular disease. We investigated the interrelationships of sRAGE with albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) and arterial stiffness in essential hypertension. In 309 untreated non-diabetic hypertensives, ACR values were determined as the mean of three non-consecutive morning spot urine samples and aortic stiffness was evaluated on the basis of carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (c-f PWV). In all subjects, venous blood sampling was performed for the estimation of sRAGE levels. Patients with low (n = 155) compared to those with high sRAGE values (n = 154) had greater 24-h systolic BP (140 ± 8 vs. 134 ± 7 mmHg, p < 0.0001), exhibited higher ACR (36.3 ± 51.6 vs. 17.2 ± 1.2 mg g(-1), p < 0.0001) and c-f PWV (8.3 ± 1.5 vs. 7.8 ± 1.1 m s(-1), p = 0.003), independently of confounding factors. Multiple regression analyses revealed that age, male sex, 24-h systolic BP and sRAGE were the 'independent correlates' of ACR (R(2) = 0.493, p < 0.0001), while age, 24-h systolic BP and sRAGE were the 'independent correlates' of c-f PWV (R(2) = 0.428, p < 0.0001). In hypertensives, decreased sRAGE levels are accompanied by pronounced albuminuria and arterial stiffening. The association of sRAGE with ACR and c-f PWV suggests involvement of sRAGE in the progression of hypertensive vascular damage. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Evaluation of two carrier protein–angiotensin I conjugate vaccines to assess their future potential to control high blood pressure (hypertension) in man

    PubMed Central

    Downham, M R; Auton, T R; Rosul, A; Sharp, H L; Sjöström, L; Rushton, A; Richards, J P; Mant, T G K; Gardiner, S M; Bennett, T; Glover, J F

    2003-01-01

    Aims We aim to modulate the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) by active immunization against angiotensin I hormone (AI), potentially providing a novel conjugate vaccine treatment for hypertension in man. Methods Immunization studies in rat and human subjects compare the effectiveness of tetanus toxoid (TT) and keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) vaccines for immunotherapy following conjugation with an AI peptide analogue (AI). Cardiovascular responses were assessed in immunized rats and human subjects (two-dose trial only), following increasing i.v. infusions of either AI or angiotensin II hormone (AII). Results The AI–TT and AI–KLH conjugate vaccines induced an equivalent immune response, and inhibition of the pressor effects to exogenous AI in rats. Single-dose clinical trials with both conjugate vaccines only resulted in an immune response to the KLH carrier protein. A two-dose clinical trial of AI–KLH conjugate vaccine resulted in a significant immune response to AI. A shift in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) dose–response was demonstrated following challenge with AI and AII for the study volunteer showing the largest anti-AI IgG induction. Conclusion KLH was shown to be a suitable alternative to TT as a carrier protein for AI, thus supporting continued evaluation of our AI–KLH conjugate vaccine for treatment of hypertension in man. PMID:14651724

  5. Hypercortisolism in obesity-associated hypertension.

    PubMed

    Varughese, Amy G; Nimkevych, Oksana; Uwaifo, Gabriel I

    2014-07-01

    Obesity is prevalent worldwide and associated with co-morbidities that result in increased cardiovascular risk. Hypertension is the most prevalent obesity comorbidity associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Obesity hypertension is a distinct subtype of essential hypertension. While endogenous Cushing's syndrome is an uncommon cause of both obesity and hypertension, the recent recognition of other hypercortisolemic states has raised the profile of hypercortisolism as an important contributor in obesity hypertension. The high prevalence of exogenous, iatrogenic, pseudo, and subclinical Cushing's syndromes makes hypercortisolism an important diagnostic consideration in the evaluation and management of patients with obesity hypertension who are resistant to conventional management. Available data suggest that the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system modulating antihypertensives have the best efficacy in hypercortisolism-mediated obesity hypertension. Strategies aimed at reducing cortisol production and action also have utility. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology, etiopathogenesis and management options available for glucocorticoid-mediated obesity hypertension.

  6. Role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in angiotensin II regulation of norepinephrine neuromodulation in brain neurons of the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

    PubMed

    Yang, H; Raizada, M K

    1999-04-01

    Chronic stimulation of norepinephrine (NE) neuromodulation by angiotensin II (Ang II) involves activation of the Ras-Raf-MAP kinase signal transduction pathway in Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat brain neurons. This pathway is only partially responsible for this heightened action of Ang II in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) brain neurons. In this study, we demonstrate that the MAP kinase-independent signaling pathway in the SHR neuron involves activation of PI3-kinase and protein kinase B (PKB/Akt). Ang II stimulated PI3-kinase activity in both WKY and SHR brain neurons and was accompanied by its translocation from the cytoplasmic to the nuclear compartment. Although the magnitude of stimulation by Ang II was comparable, the stimulation was more persistent in the SHR neuron compared with the WKY rat neuron. Inhibition of PI3-kinase had no significant effect in the WKY rat neuron. However, it caused a 40-50% attenuation of the Ang II-induced increase in norepinephrine transporter (NET) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNAs and [3H]-NE uptake in the SHR neuron. In contrast, inhibition of MAP kinase completely attenuated Ang II stimulation of NET and TH mRNA levels in the WKY rat neuron, whereas it caused only a 45% decrease in the SHR neuron. However, an additive attenuation was observed when both kinases of the SHR neurons were inhibited. Ang II also stimulated PKB/Akt activity in both WKY and SHR neurons. This stimulation was 30% higher and lasted longer in the SHR neuron compared with the WKY rat neuron. In conclusion, these observations demonstrate an exclusive involvement of PI3-kinase-PKB-dependent signaling pathway in a heightened NE neuromodulatory action of Ang II in the SHR neuron. Thus, this study offers an excellent potential for the development of new therapies for the treatment of centrally mediated hypertension.

  7. IGF-1 deficiency impairs cerebral myogenic autoregulation in hypertensive mice.

    PubMed

    Toth, Peter; Tucsek, Zsuzsanna; Tarantini, Stefano; Sosnowska, Danuta; Gautam, Tripti; Mitschelen, Matthew; Koller, Akos; Sonntag, William E; Csiszar, Anna; Ungvari, Zoltan

    2014-12-01

    Aging impairs autoregulatory protection in the brain, exacerbating hypertension-induced cerebromicrovascular injury, neuroinflammation, and development of vascular cognitive impairment. Despite the importance of the age-related decline in circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels in cerebrovascular aging, the effects of IGF-1 deficiency on functional adaptation of cerebral arteries to high blood pressure remain elusive. To determine whether IGF-1 deficiency impairs autoregulatory protection, hypertension was induced in control and IGF-1-deficient mice (Igf1(f/f)+TBG-iCre-AAV8) by chronic infusion of angiotensin-II. In hypertensive control mice, cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation was extended to higher pressure values and the pressure-induced tone of middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) was increased. In hypertensive IGF-1-deficient mice, autoregulation was markedly disrupted, and MCAs did not show adaptive increases in myogenic tone. In control mice, the mechanism of adaptation to hypertension involved upregulation of TRPC channels in MCAs and this mechanism was impaired in hypertensive IGF-1-deficient mice. Likely downstream consequences of cerebrovascular autoregulatory dysfunction in hypertensive IGF-1-deficient mice included exacerbated disruption of the blood-brain barrier and neuroinflammation (microglia activation and upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines), which were associated with impaired hippocampal cognitive function. Collectively, IGF-1 deficiency impairs autoregulatory protection in the brain of hypertensive mice, potentially exacerbating cerebromicrovascular injury and neuroinflammation mimicking the aging phenotype.

  8. Association between urine aldosterone and diastolic function in patients with primary aldosteronism and essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Chang, Yi-Yao; Lee, Hsiu-Hao; Hung, Chi-Sheng; Wu, Xue-Ming; Lee, Jen-Kuang; Wang, Shuo-Meng; Liao, Min-Tsun; Chen, Ying-Hsien; Wu, Vin-Cent; Wu, Kwan-Dun; Lin, Yen-Hung

    2014-09-01

    To investigate the association between aldosterone and cardiac diastolic dysfunction. We prospectively enrolled 20 patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) and 22 patients with essential hypertension (EH). Plasma aldosterone concentration, plasma renin activity, and 24-h urine aldosterone level were measured. Echocardiography, including tissue Doppler image recordings, was performed. PA patients had a significantly higher left ventricular (LV) mass index and worse LV diastolic function than those in EH patients. Among various measures of aldosterone, log-transformed 24-h urine aldosterone level had the most consistent correlation with diastolic function. Aldosterone is strongly associated with LV diastolic dysfunction. Twenty-four hour urine aldosterone is a good indicator to evaluate the impact of aldosterone on LV diastolic function. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  9. Blood pressure (BP) control and perceived family support in patients with essential hypertension seen at a primary care clinic in Western Nigeria.

    PubMed

    Ojo, Oluwaseun S; Malomo, Sunday O; Sogunle, Peter T

    2016-01-01

    Nonadherence to therapeutic plans has been reported among hypertensive patients. Researchers have also shown that adherence to therapeutic plans improves if motivation in the form of social support is provided. There is a dearth of local studies that explore the influence of family support on treatment outcomes of hypertensive patients. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between BP control and perceived family support in patients with essential hypertension seen at a primary care setting in Western Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study. Systematic random sampling technique was used in selecting 360 hypertensive respondents between April and July 2013. Data were collected through a pretested interviewer-administered questionnaire and a standardized tool, Perceived Social Support Family Scale, which measured the respondents' level of perceived family support. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 was used to analyze data. The majority of the respondents were middle-aged (61.1%) and female (59.4%). Blood pressure (BP) was controlled in 46.4% of the respondents. Most of the respondents (79.4%) had "strong" perceived family support. Strong perceived family support (odds ratio [OR] 4.778, 95% confidence interval [CI] =2.569-8.887) and female gender (OR 1.838, 95% CI = 1.177-2.869) were independent predictors of controlled BP. The proportion of hypertensive patients with optimal BP control is low in this practice setting. The positive association between BP control and perceived family support emphasizes the need for physicians to reflect on the available family support when managing hypertensive patients.

  10. Genetic Variation in the Raptor Gene Is Associated With Overweight But Not Hypertension in American Men of Japanese Ancestry

    PubMed Central

    Carnes, Bruce A.; Chen, Randi; Donlon, Timothy A.; He, Qimei; Grove, John S.; Masaki, Kamal H.; Elliott, Ayako; Willcox, Donald C.; Allsopp, Richard; Willcox, Bradley J.

    2015-01-01

    BACKGROUND The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is pivotal for cell growth. Regulatory associated protein of mTOR complex I (Raptor) is a unique component of this pro-growth complex. The present study tested whether variation across the raptor gene (RPTOR) is associated with overweight and hypertension. METHODS We tested 61 common (allele frequency ≥ 0.1) tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that captured most of the genetic variation across RPTOR in 374 subjects of normal lifespan and 439 subjects with a lifespan exceeding 95 years for association with overweight/obesity, essential hypertension, and isolated systolic hypertension. Subjects were drawn from the Honolulu Heart Program, a homogeneous population of American men of Japanese ancestry, well characterized for phenotypes relevant to conditions of aging. Hypertension status was ascertained when subjects were 45–68 years old. Statistical evaluation involved contingency table analysis, logistic regression, and the powerful method of recursive partitioning. RESULTS After analysis of RPTOR genotypes by each statistical approach, we found no significant association between genetic variation in RPTOR and either essential hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension. Models generated by recursive partitioning analysis showed that RPTOR SNPs significantly enhanced the ability of the model to accurately assign individuals to either the overweight/obese or the non-overweight/obese groups (P = 0.008 by 1-tailed Z test). CONCLUSION Common genetic variation in RPTOR is associated with overweight/obesity but does not discernibly contribute to either essential hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension in the population studied. PMID:25249372

  11. Hypertension: high prevalence and a positive association with obesity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in far north Queensland.

    PubMed

    Esler, Danielle; Raulli, Alexandra; Pratt, Rohan; Fagan, Patricia

    2016-04-01

    Hypertension and other chronic disease risks are common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults but there is little evidence regarding the epidemiology of these risk factors during adolescence. This study examines the prevalence of pre-hypertension, hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15-24 years living in remote Indigenous communities in north Queensland. In so doing, it aims to better inform the approach to cardiovascular disease in this population. This is a descriptive study that retrospectively examines health service data from a program of community screening, the Young Persons Check (YPC). Participants were 1,883 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15-24 years who attended for a YPC in 11 remote communities in north Queensland between March 2009 and April 2011. Overall, the prevalence of pre-hypertension was 34.0%; stage I hypertension was 17.7% and stage II hypertension was 3.3%. The prevalence of elevated waist circumference was 47.6%, overweight or obesity 45.9%, elevated triglycerides 18.3%, decreased HDL 54.8% and proteinuria 24.3%. The prevalence of hypertension (stage I or II) among Torres Strait Islander males was 34.1%, Aboriginal males 26.9%, Torres Strait Islander females 12.6% and Aboriginal females 13.0%. Hypertension was associated with sex (males) (OR= 4.37, p<0.000), overweight (OR=2.46, p<0.000), obesity (OR=4.59, p<0.000) and elevated triglycerides (OR=2.38, p<0.000). Pre-hypertension, hypertension and other cardiovascular risk in this population is highly prevalent. Hypertension was particularly prevalent among male participants. The results reiterate the importance of early life experience in cardiovascular disease prevention. © 2015 The Authors.

  12. Arsenic upregulates the expression of angiotensin II Type I receptor in mouse aortic endothelial cells.

    PubMed

    Hossain, Ekhtear; Ota, Akinobu; Takahashi, Miyuki; Karnan, Sivasundaram; Damdindorj, Lkhagvasuren; Konishi, Yuko; Konishi, Hiroyuki; Hosokawa, Yoshitaka

    2013-06-20

    Although chronic arsenic exposure is a well-known risk for cardiovascular disease and has a strong correlation with hypertension, the molecular pathogenesis underlying arsenic exposure-induced hypertension remains poorly understood. To delineate the pathogenesis, we examined changes in the mRNA levels of 2 angiotensin II Type I receptor (AT1R) subtypes, AT1AR and AT1BR, in a mouse aortic endothelial cell line, END-D. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed significant increases in the mRNA levels of 2 AT1R subtypes, AT1AR and AT1BR following sodium arsenite (SA) treatment. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that SA increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, western blot analysis revealed that SA enhances the phosphorylations of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and activated protein 1 (AP-1). These phosphorylations were inhibited by N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an anti-oxidant. Finally, SA-induced AT1R expression was found to be prevented both by NAC and specific JNK inhibitor, SP6001325, strongly indicating that AT1R upregulation is a result of the ROS-mediated activation of the JNK signaling pathway. Taken together, our results indicate that arsenic indeed upregulates the AT1R expression, thus highlighting a role of arsenic-induced aberrant AT1R signaling in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acid analog attenuates the development of malignant hypertension, but does not reverse it once established: a study in Cyp1a1-Ren-2 transgenic rats

    PubMed Central

    Jíchová, Šárka; Kopkan, Libor; Husková, Zuzana; Doleželová, Šárka; Neckář, Jan; Kujal, Petr; Vernerová, Zdenka; Kramer, Herbert J.; Sadowski, Janusz; Kompanowska-Jezierska, Elzbieta; Reddy, Rami N.; Falck, John R.; Imig, John D.; Červenka, Luděk

    2017-01-01

    Objective We evaluated the therapeutic effectiveness of a new, orally active epoxyeicosatrienoic acid analog (EET-A) in rats with angiotensin II (ANG II)-dependent malignant hypertension. Methods Malignant hypertension was induced in Cyp1a1-Ren-2 transgenic rats by activation of the renin gene using indole-3-carbinol (I3C), a natural xenobiotic. EET-A treatment was started either simultaneously with I3C induction process (early treatment) or 10 days later during established hypertension (late treatment). Blood pressure (BP) (radiotelemetry), indices of renal and cardiac injury, and plasma and kidney levels of the components of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) were determined. Results In I3C-induced hypertensive rats, early EET-A treatment attenuated BP increase (to 175 ± 3 versus 193 ± 4 mmHg, P < 0.05, on day 13), reduced albuminuria (15 ± 1 versus 28 ± 2 mg/24 h, P < 0.05), and cardiac hypertrophy as compared with untreated I3C-induced rats. This was associated with suppression of plasma and kidney ANG II levels (48 ± 6 versus 106 ± 9 and 122 ± 19 versus 346 ± 11 fmol/ml− or g, respectively, P < 0.05) and increases in plasma and kidney angiotensin (1–7) concentrations (84 ± 9 versus 37 ± 6 and 199 ± 12 versus 68 ± 9 fmol/ml or g, respectively, P < 0.05). Remarkably, late EET-A treatment did not lower BP or improve renal and cardiac injury; indices of RAS activity were not affected. Conclusion The new, orally active EET-A attenuated the development of experimental ANG II-dependent malignant hypertension, likely via suppression of the hypertensiogenic axis and augmentation of the vasodilatory/natriuretic axis of RAS. PMID:27428043

  14. [Essential hypertension in young people--ambulatory versus hospital care].

    PubMed

    Mitu, F; Leon, Maria-Magdalena

    2012-01-01

    Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in our country. The number of young people with hypertension grow up quickly, so a good control of dyslipidemia and blood pressure (BP) is essential in prevention of cardiovascular disease. To investigate the prevalence of HTA at young people and established the corelation with another risk factors like smoke, colesterol, obesity and heredity, few data are available on the blood pressure characteristics of young patients. It has been investigate 366 young people between 19-25 years old, in ambulatory system and 350 younger with the same age, in hospital. Blood pressure was measured according to standard procedures, and was considered well-controlled if it was < 140/90 mm Hg. From our ambulatory patients were 198 women (54.1%), 168 men (45.9%) and from hospital were 178 women (50.9%) and 172 men (41.9%). HTA was present at 37 patients (10.1%) in ambulatory system and 50 patients (14.3%) in hospital. Between the intensity of smoke, the number of cigarette and the prevalence of HTA is a direct relation. The heredity factor is very important, too. The prevalence grow more than 2.5 at this patients. The incidence of HTA is 1.9 bigger at women with big values of colesterol and 2.1 at men with big colesterol. The relation between HTA--obesity is proven in our study, the incidence of HTA is 2.6 bigger at the obeses patients. These arguments should also promote further research in primary care on the control and the therapeutic behavior of the physicians.

  15. Inhibition of Sphingosine Kinase 1 Ameliorates Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension and Inhibits Transmembrane Calcium Entry via Store-Operated Calcium Channel

    PubMed Central

    Wilson, Parker C.; Fitzgibbon, Wayne R.; Garrett, Sara M.; Jaffa, Ayad A.; Luttrell, Louis M.; Brands, Michael W.

    2015-01-01

    Angiotensin II (AngII) plays a critical role in the regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure mainly via regulation of Ca2+ mobilization. Several reports have implicated sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1)/sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) in the mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ through a yet-undefined mechanism. Here we demonstrate that AngII-induces biphasic calcium entry in vascular smooth muscle cells, consisting of an immediate peak due to inositol tris-phosphate-dependent release of intracellular calcium, followed by a sustained transmembrane Ca2+ influx through store-operated calcium channels (SOCs). Inhibition of SK1 attenuates the second phase of transmembrane Ca2+ influx, suggesting a role for SK1 in AngII-dependent activation of SOC. Intracellular S1P triggers SOC-dependent Ca2+ influx independent of S1P receptors, whereas external application of S1P stimulated S1P receptor-dependent Ca2+ influx that is insensitive to inhibitors of SOCs, suggesting that the SK1/S1P axis regulates store-operated calcium entry via intracellular rather than extracellular actions. Genetic deletion of SK1 significantly inhibits both the acute hypertensive response to AngII in anaesthetized SK1 knockout mice and the sustained hypertensive response to continuous infusion of AngII in conscious animals. Collectively these data implicate SK1 as the missing link that connects the angiotensin AT1A receptor to transmembrane Ca2+ influx and identify SOCs as a potential intracellular target for SK1. PMID:25871850

  16. Protective effects of drag-reducing polymers in a rat model of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yali; Hu, Feng; Mu, Xiaoyan; Wu, Feng; Yang, Dechun; Zheng, Guixiang; Sun, Xiaoning; Gong, Kaizheng; Zhang, Zhengang

    2016-01-27

    Drag-reducing polymers (DRPs) are blood-soluble macromolecules which may increase blood flow and reduce vascular resistance. The purpose of the present study was to observe the effect of DRPs on monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) in the rat model. A total of 64 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group I (pulmonary hypertension model + DRP treatment); Group II (pulmonary hypertension model + saline treatment); Group III (control + DRP treatment); Group IV (control + saline treatment). After five weeks, comparisons were made of the following indices: survival rate, body weight, blood pressure, right ventricular systolic pressure, right ventricular hypertrophy, wall thickness of pulmonary arteries, the internal diameter of small pulmonary arteries, plasma IL-1β and IL-6. The survival rate after 5 weeks varied significantly across all groups (P=0.013), but the survival rates of Groups I and II were not statistically significantly different. Administration of DRP (intravenous injection twice weekly) attenuated the PH-induced increase in right ventricular systolic pressure and suppressed the increases in right ventricular (RV) weight and the ratio of right ventricular weight to left ventricle plus septum weight (RV/LV + S). DRP treatment also significantly decreased the wall thickness of pulmonary arteries, augmented the internal diameter of small pulmonary arteries, and suppressed increases in the plasma levels of IL-1β and IL-6. DRP treatment with intravenous injection effectively inhibited the development of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in the rat model. DRPs may have potential application for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.

  17. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene are associated with essential hypertension and increased ACE enzyme levels in Mexican individuals.

    PubMed

    Martínez-Rodríguez, Nancy; Posadas-Romero, Carlos; Villarreal-Molina, Teresa; Vallejo, Maite; Del-Valle-Mondragón, Leonardo; Ramírez-Bello, Julian; Valladares, Adan; Cruz-López, Miguel; Vargas-Alarcón, Gilberto

    2013-01-01

    To explore the role of the ACE gene polymorphisms in the risk of essential hypertension in Mexican Mestizo individuals and evaluate the correlation between these polymorphisms and the serum ACE levels. Nine ACE gene polymorphisms were genotyped by 5' exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 239 hypertensive and 371 non- hypertensive Mexican individuals. Haplotypes were constructed after linkage disequilibrium analysis. ACE serum levels were determined in selected individuals according to different haplotypes. Under a dominant model, rs4291 rs4335, rs4344, rs4353, rs4362, and rs4363 polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of hypertension after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, triglycerides, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Five polymorphisms (rs4335, rs4344, rs4353, rs4362 and rs4363) were in strong linkage disequilibrium and were included in four haplotypes: H1 (AAGCA), H2 (GGATG), H3 (AGATG), and H4 (AGACA). Haplotype H1 was associated with decreased risk of hypertension, while haplotype H2 was associated with an increased risk of hypertension (OR = 0.77, P = 0.023 and OR = 1.41, P = 0.004 respectively). According to the codominant model, the H2/H2 and H1/H2 haplotype combinations were significantly associated with risk of hypertension after adjusted by age, gender, BMI, triglycerides, alcohol consumption, and smoking (OR = 2.0; P = 0.002 and OR = 2.09; P = 0.011, respectively). Significant elevations in serum ACE concentrations were found in individuals with the H2 haplotype (H2/H2 and H2/H1) as compared to H1/H1 individuals (P = 0.0048). The results suggest that single nucleotide polymorphisms and the "GGATG" haplotype of the ACE gene are associated with the development of hypertension and with increased ACE enzyme levels.

  18. Comparative effects of avocado oil and losartan on blood pressure, renal vascular function, and mitochondrial oxidative stress in hypertensive rats.

    PubMed

    Márquez-Ramírez, Cristian Adrián; Hernández de la Paz, José Lucio; Ortiz-Avila, Omar; Raya-Farias, Andrés; González-Hernández, Juan Carlos; Rodríguez-Orozco, Alain Raimundo; Salgado-Garciglia, Rafael; Saavedra-Molina, Alfredo; Godínez-Hernández, Daniel; Cortés-Rojo, Christian

    2018-03-20

    Angiotensin II (Ang-II) antagonism alleviates hypertensive kidney damage by improving mitochondrial function and decreasing oxidative stress. This condition also is associated with altered renal vascular tone due to enhanced constriction by Ang-II. Thus, approaches ameliorating these events are desirable to alleviate kidney damage. Avocado oil, a source of antioxidants and oleic acid, is known to improve mitochondrial function, while oleic acid has antihypertensive effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test whether avocado oil counteracts, to a similar degree as the Ang-II blocker losartan, the deleterious effects of hypertension on blood pressure, renal vascular performance, kidney mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress. Hypertensive rats induced with Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) were supplemented during 45 d with avocado oil or losartan. Vascular responses were analyzed in perfused kidney. Membrane potential, reactive oxygen species levels, and glutathione were analyzed in isolated kidney mitochondria. In hypertensive rats, avocado oil decreased 21.2% and 15.5% diastolic and systolic blood pressures, respectively, and alleviated impaired renal vasodilation. Hypertension decreased membrane potential by 83.7% and augmented reactive oxygen species levels by 51% in mitochondria fueled with a complex I substrate, whereas it augmented the levels of oxidized glutathione in 48%. These alterations were normalized by avocado oil at a comparable degree to losartan. Because avocado oil mimicked the effects of losartan, we propose that the effects of avocado oil might be mediated by decreasing the actions of Ang-II on mitochondria. These results suggest that avocado oil intake might be a nutritional approach to attenuate the deleterious effects of hypertension on kidney. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Circulating levels of endothelin-1 in a homogenous Gulf Arab population with untreated essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Obineche, Enyioma; Abdulle, Abdishakur M; Bokhari, Awais M; Yasin, Javed Y; Gillett, Michael P T

    2006-01-01

    Racial variations are reported in the natural history of hypertension. For example, hypertension is significantly more prevalent in blacks than whites. Endothelial cells are important regulators of vascular tone and homeostasis, in part through secretions of vasoactive substances including endothelin-1 (ET-1), a small peptide with potent vasopressor actions. In black hypertensives, ET-1 levels are higher than in normotensive blacks and in both hypertensive and normotensive whites. Since ET-1 might play a significant role in the development and severity of hypertension in the indigenous Arab population of the United Arab Emirates, we investigated the circulating levels of ET-1 in this homogenous population. ET-1 levels were measured in plasma samples from 60 untreated hypertensive Arabs and compared with 60 age- and sex-matched normotensive controls. ET-1 levels were significantly higher in hypertensives (mean 10.1 +/- 1 pmol/L) than normotensives (mean 2.2 +/- 0.5 pmol/L). Body mass index (BMI) was slightly higher among the hypertensives. For all subjects these levels significantly (P < 0.001) correlated with systolic blood pressure and less significantly (P < 0.05) with diastolic blood pressure and body weight. The correlation between ET-1 and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was persistently significant after adjusting for BMI. Plasma concentrations of ET-1 are significantly higher in hypertensive Gulf Arabs as compared with reported levels in white hypertensives and ET-1 could be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in this population. The endothelial system might be particularly important with respect to hypertension in this racial group and merits further study.

  20. 40 CFR Appendixes I-Ii to Part 268 - [Reserved

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 26 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false [Reserved] I Appendixes I-II to Part 268 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES (CONTINUED) LAND DISPOSAL RESTRICTIONS Appendixes I-II to Part 268 [Reserved] ...

  1. 40 CFR Appendixes I-Ii to Part 268 - [Reserved

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 27 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false [Reserved] I Appendixes I-II to Part 268 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES (CONTINUED) LAND DISPOSAL RESTRICTIONS Appendixes I-II to Part 268 [Reserved] ...

  2. 40 CFR Appendixes I-Ii to Part 268 - [Reserved

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 27 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false [Reserved] I Appendixes I-II to Part 268 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES (CONTINUED) LAND DISPOSAL RESTRICTIONS Appendixes I-II to Part 268 [Reserved] ...

  3. 40 CFR Appendixes I-Ii to Part 268 - [Reserved

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 28 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false [Reserved] I Appendixes I-II to Part 268 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES (CONTINUED) LAND DISPOSAL RESTRICTIONS Appendixes I-II to Part 268 [Reserved] ...

  4. 40 CFR Appendixes I-Ii to Part 268 - [Reserved

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 28 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false [Reserved] I Appendixes I-II to Part 268 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES (CONTINUED) LAND DISPOSAL RESTRICTIONS Appendixes I-II to Part 268 [Reserved] ...

  5. Decoding white coat hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Bloomfield, Dennis A; Park, Alex

    2017-01-01

    There is arguably no less understood or more intriguing problem in hypertension that the “white coat” condition, the standard concept of which is significantly blood pressure reading obtained by medical personnel of authoritative standing than that obtained by more junior and less authoritative personnel and by the patients themselves. Using hospital-initiated ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, the while effect manifests as initial and ending pressure elevations, and, in treated patients, a low daytime profile. The effect is essentially systolic. Pure diastolic white coat hypertension appears to be exceedingly rare. On the basis of the studies, we believe that the white coat phenomenon is a common, periodic, neuro-endocrine reflex conditioned by anticipation of having the blood pressure taken and the fear of what this measurement may indicate concerning future illness. It does not change with time, or with prolonged association with the physician, particularly with advancing years, it may be superimposed upon essential hypertension, and in patients receiving hypertensive medication, blunting of the nighttime dip, which occurs in about half the patients, may be a compensatory mechanisms, rather than an indication of cardiovascular risk. Rather than the blunted dip, the morning surge or the widened pulse pressure, cardiovascular risk appears to be related to elevation of the average night time pressure. PMID:28352632

  6. Methamphetamine Use and Pulmonary Hypertension

    MedlinePlus

    ... doctor recently told me that I have pulmonary hypertension, and also asked me if I had ever ... continues into the causes and development of pulmonary hypertension (PH). In particular, scientists are trying to identify ...

  7. Non invasive Measurements of Myocardial Hypertrophy in Patients with Essential Hypertension Treated with Eprosartan: Contribution of the Physics

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Cabrera Sole, Ricardo

    Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the treatment with eprosartan on cardiac hypertrophy in hypertensive patients using the echocardiogram to measure the hypertrophy of left ventricle. We studied 60 untreated patients diagnosed of mild to moderate hypertension which received after the diagnosis 600 mg/day of eprosartan, a novel direct angiotensin inhibitor recently introduced to treat hypertension. All patients were submitted to a standard echocardiographic study before the treatment and after 6 months of it We evaluated by echocardiogram the following parameters: left ventricular septum and posterior wall thickness, left ventricular mass, E/A indexmore » of mitral flow considering abnormal when this index was less than 1, and left ventricular ejection fraction. Results: at the beginning we found a systolic/diastolic pressures of 165{+-}9/ 96{+-}4 mmHg compared with the end of study of 124{+-}2/79{+-}3 mmHg (p<0.05). Septum and posterior wall thickness were respectively at baseline 13.2{+-}2 and 12.1{+-}1.1 mmHg and at the end 11.5{+-}1.2 and 10.5{+-}1.3 mmHg (p<0.05 for both of them). The E/A mitral flow index was less than 1 at baseline in 45 patients compared with 19 patients after treatment (p<0.05). Respect to left ventricular mass we found at the beginning 232{+-}7.5 gr., compared to 194{+-}9 gr., at the end of this study (p<0.05). We did not find any significant differences regarding left ventricular ejection fraction between both groups. Conclusions: we can remark that eprosartan is a very useful drug to reduce not only blood pressure but also left ventricular hypertrophy and improve left ventricular diastolic function in patients with essential hypertension according with parameters measured with non invasive methods.« less

  8. Effect of beta-1-blocker, nebivolol, on central aortic pressure and arterial stiffness in patients with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Soanker, Radhika; Naidu, M U R; Raju, Sree Bhushan; Prasad, A Krishna; Rao, T Ramesh Kumar

    2012-05-01

    Blood pressure (BP) reduction is the major determinant of benefit provided by antihypertensive treatment. Although different drugs reduce peripheral BP to some extent, there may be a significant difference in their effect on central BP reduction. It has been shown that beta-blockers are efficient in reducing peripheral, but not central BP. This study was done to assess the effect of beta-1-blocker, nebivolol, in patients with essential hypertension on central aortic pressures and arterial stiffness. In this single arm, open-labeled study, 13 patients were given nebivolol, 5 mg orally once daily for 15 days. Primary outcome was change in central aortic pressure, and other measures of efficacy included changes in brachial BP, augmentation index (AIx%), AIx%@75 HR, augmentation pressure (AP), heart rate (HR), and carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf). Nebivolol 5 mg significantly reduced central aortic pressures [systolic BP, 131.5-111.6 mmHg; diastolic BP, 96.3-81.7 mmHg; Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), 111.3-94.0 mmHg (all P<0.0001), and Pulse Pressure (PP), 35.2-29.7 mmHg (P<0.01)]. AIx%@75 HR reduced from 29 to 21.6 (P<0.001) and PWVcf reduced from 8.6 to 7.2 m/s (P<0.001). One subject was lost to followup. Nebivolol 5 mg demonstrated antihypertensive efficacy in patients with essential hypertension by reducing not only peripheral brachial pressures, but also significantly reducing central aortic pressures, augmentation index, and carotid femoral pulse wave velocity, which is the marker of arterial stiffness.

  9. A perspective of chronic low exposure of arsenic on non-working women: Risk of hypertension.

    PubMed

    Yu, Yanxin; Guo, Yunhe; Zhang, Jingxu; Xie, Jing; Zhu, Yibing; Yan, Jingjing; Wang, Bin; Li, Zhiwen

    2017-02-15

    The relationship between arsenic (As) exposure and hypertension risk are extensively studied. The As content in scalp hair has been used as a reliable indicator of population for long-time exposure from different sources. Therefore, we investigated the association between hair As concentration and hypertension risk, as well as the potential modifying effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to phase II metabolism enzyme genes. We recruited 398 non-working women in Shanxi Province, northern China, from Aug 2012 to May 2013, including 163 subjects with hypertension (cases) and 235 healthy controls. Scalp hair and blood samples were collected from each subject. We analyzed the As concentrations of ~24-cm-long strands of hair representing the two most recent years of growth and SNPs of three genes (epoxide hydrolase 1, N-acetyltransferase 2, and glutathione S-transferase P1) in each subject. The results revealed that the hair As concentration of this population was significantly lower than in populations living near high As polluted sources in China and other countries. The median As concentration (inter-quartile range) of hair in the cases (i.e. 0.211 [0.114-0.395] μg/g hair) was higher than in the controls (i.e. 0.101 [0.048-0.227] μg/g hair). Higher hair As concentrations were associated with an elevated hypertension risk, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.55 [95% confidence interval: 1.55-4.20]. No interaction effects between hair As concentration and SNPs related to phase II metabolism enzymes on hypertension risk were observed. It was concluded that chronic low exposure level of As might be associated with hypertension risk among the study subjects. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Effect of exercise training in 60- to 69-year-old persons with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Hagberg, J M; Montain, S J; Martin, W H; Ehsani, A A

    1989-08-01

    This study sought to determine whether 9 months of low- or moderate-intensity exercise training could decrease blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive men and women (mean age 64 +/- 3 years). Patients underwent weekly BP evaluations for 1 month to ensure that they had persistently elevated BP and then completed a maximal treadmill exercise test to exclude those with overt coronary artery disease. The low- and moderate-intensity groups trained at 53 and 73% of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max), respectively; however, total caloric expenditure per week was similar in both groups. VO2 max did not increase in the low-intensity group with training, but increased 28% in the moderate-intensity group. Diastolic BP decreased 11 to 12 mm Hg in both training groups. Systolic BP decreased 20 mm Hg in the low-intensity group with training, which was significantly greater than the change in the control and the moderate-intensity groups. Although systolic BP decreased 8 mm Hg in the moderate-intensity training group, this reduction was not significant. Training resulted in a somewhat lower cardiac output at rest in the low-intensity group, whereas total peripheral resistance decreased slightly in the moderate-intensity training group. Plasma and blood volumes, plasma renin levels and urinary sodium excretion did not change in either group with training. Both groups manifested lower plasma norepinephrine levels after training during standing rest, but not while supine. Thus, low-intensity training may lower BP as much or more than moderate-intensity training in older persons with essential hypertension, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear.

  11. Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy of group I and group II metal complexes with Boc-hydroxylamine.

    PubMed

    Dain, Ryan P; Gresham, Gary; Groenewold, Gary S; Steill, Jeffrey D; Oomens, Jos; Van Stipdonk, Michael J

    2013-08-30

    Hydroxamates are essential growth factors for some microbes, acting primarily as siderophores that solubilize iron for transport into a cell. Here we determined the intrinsic structure of 1:1 complexes between Boc-protected hydroxylamine and group I ([M(L)](+)) and group II ([M(L-H)](+)) cations, where M and L are the cation and ligand, respectively, which are convenient models for the functional unit of hydroxamate siderphores. The relevant complex ions were generated by electrospray ionization (ESI) and isolated and stored in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer. Infrared spectra of the isolated complexes were collected by monitoring (infrared) photodissociation yield as a function of photon energy. Experimental spectra were then compared to those predicted by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectra collected are in good agreement with those predicted to be lowest-energy by DFT. The spectra for the group I complexes contain six resolved absorptions that can be attributed to amide I and II type and hydroxylamine N-OH vibrations. Similar absorptions are observed for the group II cation complexes, with shifts of the amide I and amide II vibrations due to the change in structure with deprotonation of the hydroxylamine group. IRMPD spectroscopy unequivocally shows that the intrinsic binding mode for the group I cations involves the O atoms of the amide carbonyl and hydroxylamine groups of Boc-hydroxylamine. A similar binding mode is preferred for the group II cations, except that in this case the metal ion is coordinated by the O atom of the deprotonated hydroxylamine group. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  12. Preferred crystallographic orientation in the ice III transformation and the flow of ice II

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Bennett, K.; Wenk, H.-R.; Durham, W.B.; Stern, L.A.; Kirby, S.H.

    1997-01-01

    The preferred crystallographic orientation developed during the ice III transformation and during the plastic flow of ice II was measured in polycrystalline deuterium oxide (D2O) specimens using low-temperature neutron diffraction. Samples partially transformed from ice I to II under a non-hydrostatic stress developed a preferred crystallographic orientation in the ice II. Samples of pure ice II transformed from ice I under a hydrostatic stress and then when compressed axially, developed a strong preferred orientation of compression axes parallel to (1010). A match to the observed preferred orientation using the viscoplastic self-consistent theory was obtained only when (1010) [0001] was taken as the predominant slip system in ice II.

  13. Exercise training alters the balance between vasoactive compounds in skeletal muscle of individuals with essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Hansen, Ane H; Nyberg, Michael; Bangsbo, Jens; Saltin, Bengt; Hellsten, Ylva

    2011-11-01

    The effects of physical training on the formation of vasodilating and vasoconstricting compounds, as well as on related proteins important for vascular function, were examined in skeletal muscle of individuals with essential hypertension (n=10). Muscle microdialysis samples were obtained from subjects with hypertension before and after 16 weeks of physical training. Muscle dialysates were analyzed for thromboxane A(2), prostacyclin, nucleotides, and nitrite/nitrate. Protein levels of thromboxane synthase, prostacyclin synthase, cyclooxygenase 1 and 2, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), cystathionine-γ-lyase, cytochrome P450 4A and 2C9, and the purinergic receptors P2X1 and P2Y2 were determined in skeletal muscle. The protein levels were compared with those of normotensive control subjects (n=12). Resting muscle dialysate thromboxane A(2) and prostacyclin concentrations were lower (P<0.05) after training compared with before training. Before training, dialysate thromboxane A(2) decreased with acute exercise, whereas after training, no changes were found. Before training, dialysate prostacyclin levels did not increase with acute exercise, whereas after training there was an 82% (P<0.05) increase from rest to exercise. The exercise-induced increase in ATP and ADP was markedly reduced after training (P<0.05). The amount of eNOS protein in the hypertensive subjects was 40% lower (P<0.05) than in the normotensive control subjects, whereas cystathionine-γ-lyase levels were 25% higher (P<0.05), potentially compensating for the lower eNOS level. We conclude that exercise training alters the balance between vasodilating and vasoconstricting compounds as evidenced by a decrease in the level of thromboxane, reduction in the exercise-induced increase in ATP and a greater exercise-induced increase in prostacyclin.

  14. Association of mitofusin 2 methylation and essential hypertension: a case-control study in a Chinese population.

    PubMed

    Jin, Fei; Li, Xiao; Wang, Zuoguang; Liu, Ya; Liu, Jielin; Sun, Dongdong; Jin, Yongxin; Wang, Shiqi; Wen, Shaojun; Wei, Yongxiang

    2018-06-07

    Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), a gene that negatively regulates the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), is expressed at low levels in the VSMCs of hypertensive patients. DNA methylation can inhibit gene expression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Mfn2 methylation and essential hypertension (EH). After bioinformatics analysis, five EH patients and five normal control (NC) subjects were selected for methylation chip screening. Then, bisulfite DNA sequencing was used to analyze the methylation status of differentially methylated fragments of Mfn2 in 40 EH patients and 36 NC subjects. Mfn2 mRNA expression in the blood was detected by RT-qPCR. There were three CpG islands in the full length Mfn2 DNA sequence and some transcription factor binding sites in these regions, including Sp1, Ap2, GATA box, NF-κB, etc. The chip screening showed that only the third CpG island had a significantly high degree of methylation. Subsequent verification experiments found that the EH group had a significantly lower C base rate of methylation than the NC group (2.5% vs. 44.44%, P < 0.0001), but a similar CpG methylation rate (P > 0.05). RT-qPCR detection showed that the level of Mfn2 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the EH group than in the NC group (P = 0.013). Further association analysis showed that the level of Mfn2 methylation was associated with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (r = -0.902, r = -0.713, respectively) but not the other indexes. The DNA methylation level of Mfn2 was significantly lower in hypertensive patients than in control subjects, which may be an independent risk factor for EH.

  15. Coordination behavior of tetraaza [N4] ligand towards Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cu(I) and Pd(II) complexes: Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and anticancer activity

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    El-Boraey, Hanaa A.

    2012-11-01

    Novel eight Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cu(I) and Pd(II) complexes with [N4] ligand (L) i.e. 2-amino-N-{2-[(2-aminobenzoyl)amino]ethyl}benzamide have been synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, spectral, thermal (TG/DTG), magnetic, and molar conductivity measurements. On the basis of IR, mass, electronic and EPR spectral studies an octahedral geometry has been proposed for Co(II), Ni(II) complexes and Cu(II) chloride complex, square-pyramidal for Cu(I) bromide complex. For Cu(II) nitrate complex (6), Pd(II) complex (8) square planar geometry was proposed. The EPR data of Cu(II) complexes in powdered form indicate dx2-y2 ground state of Cu(II) ion. The antitumor activity of the synthesized ligand and some selected metal complexes has been studied. The palladium(II) complex (8) was found to display cytotoxicity (IC50 = 25.6 and 41 μM) against human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and human hepatocarcinoma HEPG2 cell line.

  16. Vitamin D supplementation reduces some AT1-AA-induced downstream targets implicated in preeclampsia including hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Faulkner, Jessica L.; Amaral, Lorena M.; Cornelius, Denise C.; Cunningham, Mark W.; Ibrahim, Tarek; Heep, Autumn; Campbell, Nathan; Usry, Nathan; Wallace, Kedra; Herse, Florian; Dechend, Ralf

    2017-01-01

    Autoantibodies to the ANG II type I receptor (AT1-AA) are associated with preeclampsia (PE). We found that vitamin D supplementation reduced AT1-AA and blood pressure (MAP) in the RUPP rat model of PE. However, it was undetermined whether the decrease in AT1-AA was the mechanism whereby vitamin D lowered MAP or if it were through factors downstream of AT1-AA. Uterine artery resistance index, placental ET-1, and soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 are increased with AT1-AA-induced hypertension and are considered markers of PE in pregnant women. Therefore, we hypothesized that vitamin D would reduce PE factors during AT1-AA-induced hypertension and could lower blood pressure in a model of hypertension during pregnancy without PE features. Either ANG II (50 ng·kg−1·day) or AT1-AA (1:40) was infused from gestational day (GD) 12–19. vitamin D2 (VD2, 270 IU/day) or vitamin D3 (VD3, 15 IU/day) was administered orally from GD14–GD18. MAP (mmHg) increased in AT1-AA (121 ± 4) and ANG II (113 ± 1)-infused pregnant rats compared with normal pregnant rats (NP) (101 ± 2) but was lower in AT1-AA+VD2 (105 ± 2), AT1-AA+VD3 (109 ± 2), ANG II+VD2 (104 ± 4), and ANG II+VD3 (104 ± 3). VD2 and/or VD3 improved PE features associated with AT1-AA during pregnancy, while ANG II did not induce such features, supporting the hypothesis that AT1-AA induces PE features during pregnancy, and these are improved with vitamin D. In this study, we demonstrate that vitamin D improved many factors associated with PE and reduced blood pressure in a hypertensive model without PE features, indicating that vitamin D could be beneficial for various hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. PMID:27903510

  17. Vitamin D supplementation reduces some AT1-AA-induced downstream targets implicated in preeclampsia including hypertension.

    PubMed

    Faulkner, Jessica L; Amaral, Lorena M; Cornelius, Denise C; Cunningham, Mark W; Ibrahim, Tarek; Heep, Autumn; Campbell, Nathan; Usry, Nathan; Wallace, Kedra; Herse, Florian; Dechend, Ralf; LaMarca, Babbette

    2017-01-01

    Autoantibodies to the ANG II type I receptor (AT 1 -AA) are associated with preeclampsia (PE). We found that vitamin D supplementation reduced AT 1 -AA and blood pressure (MAP) in the RUPP rat model of PE. However, it was undetermined whether the decrease in AT 1 -AA was the mechanism whereby vitamin D lowered MAP or if it were through factors downstream of AT 1 -AA. Uterine artery resistance index, placental ET-1, and soluble FMS-like tyrosine kinase-1 are increased with AT 1 -AA-induced hypertension and are considered markers of PE in pregnant women. Therefore, we hypothesized that vitamin D would reduce PE factors during AT 1 -AA-induced hypertension and could lower blood pressure in a model of hypertension during pregnancy without PE features. Either ANG II (50 ng·kg -1 ·day) or AT 1 -AA (1:40) was infused from gestational day (GD) 12-19. vitamin D 2 (VD2, 270 IU/day) or vitamin D 3 (VD3, 15 IU/day) was administered orally from GD14-GD18. MAP (mmHg) increased in AT 1 -AA (121 ± 4) and ANG II (113 ± 1)-infused pregnant rats compared with normal pregnant rats (NP) (101 ± 2) but was lower in AT 1 -AA+VD2 (105 ± 2), AT 1 -AA+VD3 (109 ± 2), ANG II+VD2 (104 ± 4), and ANG II+VD3 (104 ± 3). VD2 and/or VD3 improved PE features associated with AT 1 -AA during pregnancy, while ANG II did not induce such features, supporting the hypothesis that AT 1 -AA induces PE features during pregnancy, and these are improved with vitamin D. In this study, we demonstrate that vitamin D improved many factors associated with PE and reduced blood pressure in a hypertensive model without PE features, indicating that vitamin D could be beneficial for various hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

  18. Aldosteronism and hypertension.

    PubMed

    Calhoun, David A

    2006-09-01

    A growing body of evidence suggests that hyperaldosteronism contributes significantly to the development and the severity of hypertension as well as to resistance to antihypertensive treatment. In cross-sectional analyses, plasma aldosterone levels have been shown to relate to BP levels, particularly in obese individuals. In these same individuals, BP was not related to plasma renin activity, suggesting an effect of aldosterone on BP independent of renin-angiotensin II. In a recent prospective analysis from the Framingham investigators, baseline serum aldosterone was strongly associated with development of hypertension during a 4-yr follow-up.

  19. [Definition and classification of pulmonary arterial hypertension].

    PubMed

    Nakanishi, Norifumi

    2008-11-01

    Pulmonary hypertension(PH) is a disorder that may occur either in the setting of a variety of underlying medical conditions or as a disease that uniquely affects the pulmonary vasculature. Because an accurate diagnosis of PH in a patient is essential to establish an effective treatment, a classification of PH has been helpful. The first classification, established at WHO Symposium in 1973, classified PH into groups based on the known cause and defined primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) as a separate entity of unknown cause. In 1998, the second World Symposium on PPH was held in Evian. Evian classification introduced the concept of conditions that directly affected the pulmonary vasculature (i.e., PAH), which included PPH. In 2003, the third World Symposium on PAH convened in Venice. In Venice classification, the term 'PPH' was abandoned in favor of 'idiopathic' within the group of disease known as 'PAH'.

  20. Effects of traditional Chinese patent medicine on essential hypertension: a systematic review.

    PubMed

    Xiong, Xingjiang; Wang, Pengqian; Zhang, Yuqing; Li, Xiaoke

    2015-02-01

    Traditional Chinese patent medicine (TCPM) is widely used for essential hypertension (EH) in China. However, there is no critically appraised evidence, such as systematic reviews or meta-analyses, regarding the potential benefits and disadvantages of TCPM to justify their clinical use and recommendation. The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate and meta-analyze the effects of TCPM for EH. Seven databases, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the Chinese Scientific Journal Database, the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and the Wanfang Database, were searched from their inception to August 2014 for relevant studies that compared one TCPM plus antihypertensive drugs versus antihypertensive drugs alone. The methodological quality of the included trials was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The primary outcome measures were mortality or progression to severe complications and adverse events. The secondary outcome measures were blood pressure (BP) and quality of life (QOL). Seventy-three trials, which included 8138 patients, on 17 TCPMs were included. In general, the methodological quality was low. Two trials evaluated the effects of TCPMs on mortality and the progression to severe complications after treatment, and no significant difference was identified compared with antihypertensive drugs alone. No severe adverse events were reported. Thirteen TCPMs used in complementary therapy significantly decreased systolic BP by 3.94 to 13.50 mmHg and diastolic BP by 2.28 to 11.25 mmHg. QOL was significantly improved by TCPM plus antihypertensive drugs compared with antihypertensive drugs alone. This systematic review provided the first classification of clinical evidence for the effectiveness of TCPM for EH. The usage of TCPMs for EH was supported by evidence of class level III. As a result of the methodological drawbacks of the included studies, more rigorously designed randomized controlled trials

  1. Collecting duct prorenin receptor knockout reduces renal function, increases sodium excretion, and mitigates renal responses in ANG II-induced hypertensive mice.

    PubMed

    Prieto, Minolfa C; Reverte, Virginia; Mamenko, Mykola; Kuczeriszka, Marta; Veiras, Luciana C; Rosales, Carla B; McLellan, Matthew; Gentile, Oliver; Jensen, V Behrana; Ichihara, Atsuhiro; McDonough, Alicia A; Pochynyuk, Oleh M; Gonzalez, Alexis A

    2017-12-01

    Augmented intratubular angiotensin (ANG) II is a key determinant of enhanced distal Na + reabsorption via activation of epithelial Na + channels (ENaC) and other transporters, which leads to the development of high blood pressure (BP). In ANG II-induced hypertension, there is increased expression of the prorenin receptor (PRR) in the collecting duct (CD), which has been implicated in the stimulation of the sodium transporters and resultant hypertension. The impact of PRR deletion along the nephron on BP regulation and Na + handling remains controversial. In the present study, we investigate the role of PRR in the regulation of renal function and BP by using a mouse model with specific deletion of PRR in the CD ( CD PRR-KO). At basal conditions, CD PRR-KO mice had decreased renal function and lower systolic BP associated with higher fractional Na + excretion and lower ANG II levels in urine. After 14 days of ANG II infusion (400 ng·kg -1 ·min -1 ), the increases in systolic BP and diastolic BP were mitigated in CD PRR-KO mice. CD PRR-KO mice had lower abundance of cleaved αENaC and γENaC, as well as lower ANG II and renin content in urine compared with wild-type mice. In isolated CD from CD PRR-KO mice, patch-clamp studies demonstrated that ANG II-dependent stimulation of ENaC activity was reduced because of fewer active channels and lower open probability. These data indicate that CD PRR contributes to renal function and BP responses during chronic ANG II infusion by enhancing renin activity, increasing ANG II, and activating ENaC in the distal nephron segments. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

  2. Genome-wide study of resistant hypertension identified from electronic health records.

    PubMed

    Dumitrescu, Logan; Ritchie, Marylyn D; Denny, Joshua C; El Rouby, Nihal M; McDonough, Caitrin W; Bradford, Yuki; Ramirez, Andrea H; Bielinski, Suzette J; Basford, Melissa A; Chai, High Seng; Peissig, Peggy; Carrell, David; Pathak, Jyotishman; Rasmussen, Luke V; Wang, Xiaoming; Pacheco, Jennifer A; Kho, Abel N; Hayes, M Geoffrey; Matsumoto, Martha; Smith, Maureen E; Li, Rongling; Cooper-DeHoff, Rhonda M; Kullo, Iftikhar J; Chute, Christopher G; Chisholm, Rex L; Jarvik, Gail P; Larson, Eric B; Carey, David; McCarty, Catherine A; Williams, Marc S; Roden, Dan M; Bottinger, Erwin; Johnson, Julie A; de Andrade, Mariza; Crawford, Dana C

    2017-01-01

    Resistant hypertension is defined as high blood pressure that remains above treatment goals in spite of the concurrent use of three antihypertensive agents from different classes. Despite the important health consequences of resistant hypertension, few studies of resistant hypertension have been conducted. To perform a genome-wide association study for resistant hypertension, we defined and identified cases of resistant hypertension and hypertensives with treated, controlled hypertension among >47,500 adults residing in the US linked to electronic health records (EHRs) and genotyped as part of the electronic MEdical Records & GEnomics (eMERGE) Network. Electronic selection logic using billing codes, laboratory values, text queries, and medication records was used to identify resistant hypertension cases and controls at each site, and a total of 3,006 cases of resistant hypertension and 876 controlled hypertensives were identified among eMERGE Phase I and II sites. After imputation and quality control, a total of 2,530,150 SNPs were tested for an association among 2,830 multi-ethnic cases of resistant hypertension and 876 controlled hypertensives. No test of association was genome-wide significant in the full dataset or in the dataset limited to European American cases (n = 1,719) and controls (n = 708). The most significant finding was CLNK rs13144136 at p = 1.00x10-6 (odds ratio = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.58-0.80) in the full dataset with similar results in the European American only dataset. We also examined whether SNPs known to influence blood pressure or hypertension also influenced resistant hypertension. None was significant after correction for multiple testing. These data highlight both the difficulties and the potential utility of EHR-linked genomic data to study clinically-relevant traits such as resistant hypertension.

  3. [Mortality due to hypertensive diseases: evidence from the southern border of Mexico in the period 1998-2014].

    PubMed

    Rivera, José Luis Manzanares

    2017-01-01

    This article analyzes patterns of mortality due to hypertensive diseases in the southern border of Mexico, as well as the evolution of such mortality in the 1998-2014 period. The emphasis is directed at the causes "Essential (primary) hypertension" (I10X) and "Hypertensive heart disease with heart failure" (I110). Using data from the mortality records of the National Health Information System, two types of analyses were carried out: cross-sectional analysis and time trends. Over the 16 years included in the study, the age-adjusted mortality rates show a clear increase. The findings suggest that the higher presence of indigenous populations is a trait of importance in the determination of the mortality pattern, with the state of Yucatán a case of particular interest. In addition, it is the female population that which exhibits the greatest adverse impact.

  4. Role of the renin-angiotensin system in hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension.

    PubMed

    Shim, Kwang Yong; Eom, Young Woo; Kim, Moon Young; Kang, Seong Hee; Baik, Soon Koo

    2018-05-01

    The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is an important regulator of cirrhosis and portal hypertension. As hepatic fibrosis progresses, levels of the RAS components angiotensin (Ang) II, Ang-(1-7), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) are increased. The primary effector Ang II regulates vasoconstriction, sodium homoeostasis, fibrosis, cell proliferation, and inflammation in various diseases, including liver cirrhosis, through the ACE/Ang II/AT1R axis in the classical RAS. The ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor and ACE2/Ang-(1-9)/AT2R axes make up the alternative RAS and promote vasodilation, antigrowth, proapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects; thus, countering the effects of the classical RAS axis to reduce hepatic fibrogenesis and portal hypertension. Patients with portal hypertension have been treated with RAS antagonists such as ACE inhibitors, Ang receptor blockers, and aldosterone antagonists, with very promising hemodynamic results. In this review, we examine the RAS, its roles in hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension, and current therapeutic approaches based on the use of RAS antagonists in patients with portal hypertension.

  5. Gender affects renal vasoconstrictor response to Ang I and Ang II.

    PubMed

    Gandhi, S K; Gainer, J; King, D; Brown, N J

    1998-01-01

    This study tested the hypothesis that gender affects the pressor and renal vasoconstrictor responses to angiotensin (Ang) I and Ang II in salt-replete normotensive subjects. Ang I and Ang II were infused in graded doses into 9 men and 8 women in a randomized, single-blind, crossover study. There were no differences between genders in baseline blood pressure, heart rate, sodium excretion, renal plasma flow, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genotype, ACE activity, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, or Ang II levels. Although pressor responses to Ang I and Ang II were similar in men and women, there was a negative relationship between the change in mean arterial pressure and the change in heart rate during Ang I and II infusion in women only. The half-time of the pressor response after discontinuation of Ang I but not Ang II infusion was greater in men than in women (9.5+/-2.2 versus 4.3+/-2.1 minutes, P<.05). This difference in duration did not result from gender differences in the metabolism of Ang I because Ang II levels measured during Ang I infusion were identical in men and women. In contrast, the renal vasoconstrictor response to Ang I and Ang II was significantly increased in women compared with that in men (Ang I, -243+/-31 versus -138+/-13 U/1.73 m2; Ang II, -233+/-25 versus -175+/-18 U/1.73 m2; P<.03). These data suggest an effect of gender on baroreflex reactivity during angiotensin infusion. Moreover, in the setting of similar Ang II concentrations, the dramatic difference in the renal vasoconstrictor responses to Ang I and Ang II between salt-replete men and salt-replete women suggests gender differences at a pharmacodynamic level.

  6. Vascular Type 1A Angiotensin II Receptors Control BP by Regulating Renal Blood Flow and Urinary Sodium Excretion.

    PubMed

    Sparks, Matthew A; Stegbauer, Johannes; Chen, Daian; Gomez, Jose A; Griffiths, Robert C; Azad, Hooman A; Herrera, Marcela; Gurley, Susan B; Coffman, Thomas M

    2015-12-01

    Inappropriate activation of the type 1A angiotensin (AT1A) receptor contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension and its associated complications. To define the role for actions of vascular AT1A receptors in BP regulation and hypertension pathogenesis, we generated mice with cell-specific deletion of AT1A receptors in smooth muscle cells (SMKO mice) using Loxp technology and Cre transgenes with robust expression in both conductance and resistance arteries. We found that elimination of AT1A receptors from vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) caused a modest (approximately 7 mmHg) yet significant reduction in baseline BP and exaggerated sodium sensitivity in mice. Additionally, the severity of angiotensin II (Ang II)-dependent hypertension was dramatically attenuated in SMKO mice, and this protection against hypertension was associated with enhanced urinary excretion of sodium. Despite the lower BP, acute vasoconstrictor responses to Ang II in the systemic vasculature were largely preserved (approximately 80% of control levels) in SMKO mice because of exaggerated activity of the sympathetic nervous system rather than residual actions of AT1B receptors. In contrast, Ang II-dependent responses in the renal circulation were almost completely eliminated in SMKO mice (approximately 5%-10% of control levels). These findings suggest that direct actions of AT1A receptors in VSMCs are essential for regulation of renal blood flow by Ang II and highlight the capacity of Ang II-dependent vascular responses in the kidney to effect natriuresis and BP control. Copyright © 2015 by the American Society of Nephrology.

  7. Long-term impact of systolic blood pressure and glycemia on the development of microalbuminuria in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Pascual, Jose Maria; Rodilla, Enrique; Gonzalez, Carmen; Pérez-Hoyos, Santiago; Redon, Josep

    2005-06-01

    The objective was to assess the temporal impact of factors related to the development of microalbuminuria during the follow-up of young adult normoalbuminurics with high-normal blood pressure or at stage 1 of essential hypertension. Prospective follow-up was conducted on 245 normoalbuminuric hypertensive subjects (mean age 40.9 years; 134 men; blood pressure 139.7/88.6 mm Hg; body mass index 28.5 kg/m2) never treated previously with antihypertensive drugs, with yearly urinary albumin excretion measurements, until the development of microalbuminuria. After enrollment, patients were placed on usual care including nonpharmacological treatment or with an antihypertensive drug regime to achieve a blood pressure of <135/85 mm Hg. Thirty subjects (12.2%) developed microalbuminuria after a mean follow-up of 29.9 months (range 12 to 144 months), 2.5 per 100 patients per year. Baseline urinary albumin excretion (hazard ratio, 1.07; P=0.006) and systolic blood pressure during the follow-up (hazard ratio, 1.03; P=0.008) were independent factors related to the follow-up urinary albumin excretion in a Cox proportional hazard model. A significant increase in the risk of developing microalbuminuria for urinary albumin excretion at baseline >15 mg per 24-hour systolic blood pressure >139 mm Hg and a positive trend in fasting glucose were observed in the univariate analyses. However, in the multivariate analysis, only the baseline urinary albumin excretion and the trend of fasting glucose were independently related to the risk of developing microalbuminuria. In mild hypertensives, the development of microalbuminuria was linked to insufficient blood pressure control and to a progressive increment of glucose values.

  8. Silver(II) Oxide or Silver(I,III) Oxide?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Tudela, David

    2008-01-01

    The often called silver peroxide and silver(II) oxide, AgO or Ag[subscript 2]O[subscript 2], is actually a mixed oxidation state silver(I,III) oxide. A thermochemical cycle, with lattice energies calculated within the "volume-based" thermodynamic approach, explain why the silver(I,III) oxide is more stable than the hypothetical silver(II) oxide.…

  9. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms of the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Gene Are Associated with Essential Hypertension and Increased ACE Enzyme Levels in Mexican Individuals

    PubMed Central

    Martínez-Rodríguez, Nancy; Posadas-Romero, Carlos; Villarreal-Molina, Teresa; Vallejo, Maite; Del-Valle-Mondragón, Leonardo; Ramírez-Bello, Julian; Valladares, Adan; Cruz-López, Miguel; Vargas-Alarcón, Gilberto

    2013-01-01

    Aim To explore the role of the ACE gene polymorphisms in the risk of essential hypertension in Mexican Mestizo individuals and evaluate the correlation between these polymorphisms and the serum ACE levels. Methods Nine ACE gene polymorphisms were genotyped by 5′ exonuclease TaqMan genotyping assays and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 239 hypertensive and 371 non- hypertensive Mexican individuals. Haplotypes were constructed after linkage disequilibrium analysis. ACE serum levels were determined in selected individuals according to different haplotypes. Results Under a dominant model, rs4291 rs4335, rs4344, rs4353, rs4362, and rs4363 polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of hypertension after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, triglycerides, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Five polymorphisms (rs4335, rs4344, rs4353, rs4362 and rs4363) were in strong linkage disequilibrium and were included in four haplotypes: H1 (AAGCA), H2 (GGATG), H3 (AGATG), and H4 (AGACA). Haplotype H1 was associated with decreased risk of hypertension, while haplotype H2 was associated with an increased risk of hypertension (OR = 0.77, P = 0.023 and OR = 1.41, P = 0.004 respectively). According to the codominant model, the H2/H2 and H1/H2 haplotype combinations were significantly associated with risk of hypertension after adjusted by age, gender, BMI, triglycerides, alcohol consumption, and smoking (OR = 2.0; P = 0.002 and OR = 2.09; P = 0.011, respectively). Significant elevations in serum ACE concentrations were found in individuals with the H2 haplotype (H2/H2 and H2/H1) as compared to H1/H1 individuals (P = 0.0048). Conclusion The results suggest that single nucleotide polymorphisms and the “GGATG” haplotype of the ACE gene are associated with the development of hypertension and with increased ACE enzyme levels. PMID:23741507

  10. Effects of naltrexone on electrocutaneous pain in patients with hypertension compared to normotensive individuals

    PubMed Central

    Ring, Christopher; France, Christopher R.; al'Absi, Mustafa; Edwards, Louisa; McIntyre, David; Carroll, Douglas; Martin, Una

    2008-01-01

    An opioid mechanism may help explain hypertensive hypoalgesia. A double-blind placebo-controlled design compared the effects of opioid blockade (naltrexone) and placebo on electrocutaneous pain threshold, pain tolerance, and retrospective McGill Pain Questionnaire ratings in 35 unmedicated patients with essential hypertension and 28 normotensive individuals. The hypertensives experienced less pain than normotensives during the assessment of their pain tolerance; however, this manifestation of hypertensive hypoalgesia was not moderated by naltrexone. These findings fail to support the hypothesis that essential hypertension is characterised by relative opioid insensitivity. PMID:18031920

  11. Milan hypertensive rat as a model for studying cation transport abnormality in genetic hypertension

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ferrari, P.; Barber, B.R.; Torielli, L.

    1987-11-01

    Environmental factors, genetic polymorphisms, and different experimental designs have been the main impediments to evaluating a genetic association between cell membrane cation transport abnormalities and human essential or genetic hypertension. We review the results obtained in the Milan hypertensive strain of rats (MHS) and in its appropriate control normotensive strain (MNS) to illustrate our approach to defining the role of cation transport abnormality in a type of genetic hypertension. Before the development of a difference in blood pressure between the two strains, the comparison of kidney and erythrocyte functions showed that MHS had an increased glomerular filtration rate and urinarymore » output, and lower plasma renin and urine osmolality. Kidney cross-transplantation between the strains showed that hypertension is transplanted with the kidney. Proximal tubular cell volume and sodium content were lower in MHS while sodium transport across the brush border membrane vesicles of MHS was faster. Erythrocytes in MHS were smaller and had lower sodium concentration, and Na+-K+ cotransport and passive permeability were faster. The differences in volume, sodium content, and Na+-K+ cotransport between erythrocytes of the two strains persisted after transplantation of bone marrow to irradiated F1 (MHS X MNS) hybrids. Moreover, in normal segregating F2 hybrid populations there was a positive correlation between blood pressure and Na+-K+ cotransport. These results suggest a genetic and functional link in MHS between cell membrane cation transport abnormalities and hypertension. Thus, erythrocyte cell membrane may be used for approaching the problem of defining the genetically determined molecular mechanism underlying the development of a type of essential hypertension. 35 references.« less

  12. The pursuit of secondary prevention targets in Czech coronary patients. A comparison of EuroAspire I and II surveys.

    PubMed

    Mayer, O; Simon, J; Rosolová, H; De Bacquer, Dirk

    2002-09-01

    Definite evidence has been established, that coronary patients benefit from appropriate secondary prevention measures, as recommended by the European and National Guidelines. EuroAspire I (1995) and EuroAspire II (1999) were surveys aimed to evaluate the state of the implementation of guidelines into the every-day medical practice in several European countries, including Czech Republic. We wondered to what extent the practice in secondary prevention of Czech physicians, since the guidelines were published, changed during 5 years, to pursue the targets. We compared two surveys, undertaken in the same geographical areas of the Czech Republic. Consecutive patients, males and females, less than 71 years of age were indentified following acute coronary event or revascularisation procedure and were interviewed and examined at least 6 months after hospitalization. The Czech surveys included 331 patients in EuroAspire I and 410 in EuroAspire II. In EuroAspire II, the total number of smokers decreased in males, but increased in females. The patients were more obese, had higher glucose levels as well, while blood pressure, total and LDL cholesterol and triacylglycerols were lower, than in EuroAspire I. Corresponding changes also occurred in the prevalence of hypertension and hyperlipidaemias by definitions. There was a significant increase in the use of betablockers, ACE inhibitors and hypolipidemic drugs, mainly statins. In conclusion, in spite that the compliance with the recommendations for secondary prevention improved, achievement of targets remained rather unsatisfactory, likewise in other European countries.

  13. 11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-2 and type-1 (11β-HSD2 and 11β-HSD1) and 5β-reductase activities in the pathogenia of essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Campino, Carmen; Carvajal, Cristian A; Cornejo, Javiera; San Martín, Betty; Olivieri, Oliviero; Guidi, Giancesare; Faccini, Giovanni; Pasini, Francesco; Sateler, Javiera; Baudrand, Rene; Mosso, Lorena; Owen, Gareth I; Kalergis, Alexis M; Padilla, Oslando; Fardella, Carlos E

    2010-02-01

    Cortisol availability is modulated by several enzymes: 11β-HSD2, which transforms cortisol (F) to cortisone (E) and 11β-HSD1 which predominantly converts inactive E to active F. Additionally, the A-ring reductases (5α- and 5β-reductase) inactivate cortisol (together with 3α-HSD) to tetrahydrometabolites: 5αTHF, 5βTHF, and THE. The aim was to assess 11β-HSD2, 11β-HSD1, and 5β-reductase activity in hypertensive patients. Free urinary F, E, THF, and THE were measured by HPLC-MS/MS in 102 essential hypertensive patients and 18 normotensive controls. 11β-HSD2 enzyme activity was estimated by the F/E ratio, the activity of 11β-HSD1 in compare to 11β-HSD2 was inferred by the (5αTHF + 5βTHF)/THE ratio and 5β-reductase activity assessed using the E/THE ratio. Activity was considered altered when respective ratios exceeded the maximum value observed in the normotensive controls. A 15.7% of patients presented high F/E ratio suggesting a deficit of 11β-HSD2 activity. Of the remaining 86 hypertensive patients, two possessed high (5αTHF + 5βTHF)/THE ratios and 12.8% had high E/THE ratios. We observed a high percentage of alterations in cortisol metabolism at pre-receptor level in hypertensive patients, previously misclassified as essential. 11β-HSD2 and 5β-reductase decreased activity and imbalance of 11β-HSDs should be considered in the future management of hypertensive patients.

  14. [Systemic arterial hypertension in child and adolescent].

    PubMed

    Rosas-Peralta, Martín; Medina-Concebida, Luz Elena; Borrayo-Sánchez, Gabriela; Madrid-Miller, Alejandra; Ramírez-Arias, Erick; Pérez-Rodríguez, Gilberto

    2016-01-01

    The epidemic of childhood obesity, the risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy, and evidence of the early development of atherosclerosis in children would make the detection of and intervention in childhood hypertension important to reduce long-term health risks; however, supporting data are lacking. Secondary hypertension is more common in preadolescent children, with most cases caused by renal disease. Primary or essential hypertension is more common in adolescents and has multiple risk factors, including obesity and a family history of hypertension. Evaluation involves a through history and physical examination, laboratory tests, and specialized studies. Management is multifaceted. Nonpharmacologic treatments include weight reduction, exercise, and dietary modifications. Although the evidence of first line therapy for hypertension is still controversial, the recommendations for pharmacologic treatment are based on symptomatic hypertension, evidence of end-organ damage, stage 2 of hypertension, or stage 1 of hypertension unresponsive to lifestyle modifications, and hypertension with diabetes mellitus where is the search for microalbuminuria justified.

  15. Association of DD genotype of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (I/D) polymorphism with hypertension among a North Indian population.

    PubMed

    Rana, Garima; Yadav, Suniti; Joshi, Shipra; Saraswathy, K N

    2018-01-01

    Hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Genetic predisposition to the risk of developing hypertension due to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion(I)/deletion(D) polymorphism (through altered serum ACE activity) is well documented among various populations. The present study investigated the possible association between ACE (DD) genotype and hypertension using a nested case-control study design including 451 individuals (of either sex in the age group 30-65 years) from a rural North Indian population practicing agriculture and lacto-vegetarianism. Blood Pressure was classified using JNC-7 criterion. Age- and sex-matched individuals were selected from normotensive (N-122), pre-hypertensive (N-123), hypertensive not on medication (N-122), and hypertensive on medication (N-84) categories. Amplification of DNA and genotyping of PCR product was done using standard protocols. From the analysis, comparatively higher frequency of individuals with DD genotype in the hypertensive category was observed, indicating a possible relation between DD genotype and hypertension. The odds ratio analysis revealed 2.225 (1.13-4.37)-fold significant increased risk for hypertension among cases, validating the vulnerability of individuals with DD genotype towards hypertension. Thus, the present study highlights the increased risk for developing hypertension due to ACE DD genotype in the studied population.

  16. Neocortical layers I and II of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus). I. Intrinsic organization.

    PubMed

    Valverde, F; Facal-Valverde, M V

    1986-01-01

    The intrinsic organization and interlaminar connections in neocortical layers I and II have been studied in adult hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) using the Golgi method. Layer I contains a dense plexus of horizontal fibers, the terminal dendritic bouquets of pyramidal cells of layer II and of underlying layers, and varieties of intrinsic neurons. Four main types of cells were found in layer I. Small horizontal cells represent most probably persisting foetal horizontal cells described for other mammals. Large horizontal cells, tufted cells, and spinous horizontal cells were also found in this layer. Layer II contains primitive pyramidal cells representing the most outstanding feature of the neocortex of the hedgehog. Most pyramidal cells in layer II have two, three or more apical dendrites, richly covered by spines predominating over the basal dendrites. These cells resemble pyramidal cells found in the piriform cortex, hippocampus and other olfactory areas. It is suggested that the presence of these neurons reflects the retention of a primitive character in neocortical evolution. Cells with intrinsic axons were found among pyramidal cells in layer II. These have smooth dendrites penetrating layer I and local axons forming extremely complex terminal arborizations around the bodies and proximal dendritic portions of pyramidal cells. They most probably effect numerous axo-somatic contacts resembling basket cells. The similarity of some axonal terminals with the chandelier type of axonal arborization is discussed. Other varieties of cells located in deep cortical layers and having ascending axons for layers I and II were also studied. It is concluded that the two first neocortical layers represent a level of important integration in this primitive mammal.

  17. Mechanistic approach to the pathophysiology of target organ damage in hypertension from studies in a human model with characteristics opposite to hypertension: Bartter's and Gitelman's syndromes.

    PubMed

    Calò, L A; Maiolino, G

    2015-07-01

    Extensive studies using Bartter's/Gitelman's syndrome patients have provided insights into the angiotensin II (Ang II) signaling pathways involved in the regulation of vascular tone and cardiovascular-renal remodeling. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is activated in these syndromes, however, patients do not develop hypertension and cardiovascular remodeling and clinically manifest conditions opposite to hypertension. The short- and the long-term signaling of Ang II remains an important matter of investigation to shed light on mechanisms responsible for the pathophysiology of hypertension and its long-term complications. The long-term signaling of Ang II is involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular-renal remodeling and inflammatory responses in which the balance between RhoA/Rho kinase pathway and NO system plays a crucial role. In this brief review, the results of our studies in Bartter's and Gitelman's syndromes are reported on these processes. The information obtained from these studies can clarify, confirm or be used to extend the biochemical mechanisms responsible for the pathophysiology of hypertension and its long-term complications and could offer further chances to identify additional potential significant targets of therapy.

  18. Experimental selective elevation of renal medullary blood flow in hypertensive rats: evidence against short-term hypotensive effect.

    PubMed

    Bądzyńska, B; Sadowski, J

    2012-08-01

    Renal medullary blood flow (MBF) can be selectively increased by intrarenal or systemic infusion of bradykinin (Bk) in anaesthetized normotensive rats. We reproduced this effect in a number of rat models of arterial hypertension and examined whether increased perfusion of the renal medulla can cause a short-term decrease in blood pressure (BP) that is not mediated by increased renal excretion and depletion of body fluids. In uninephrectomized Sprague-Dawley rats, BP was elevated to approx. 145 mmHg by acute i.v. infusion of noradrenaline (NA) or angiotensin II (Ang II) (groups 1, 2), 2-week exposure to high-salt diet (3), high-salt diet + chronic low-dose infusion of Ang II using osmotic minipumps (4) or chronic high-dose Ang II infusion on normal diet (5). Uninephrectomized spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) were also examined (6,7). To selectively increase medullary perfusion, in anaesthetized rats, bradykinin was infused during 30-75 min into the renal medullary interstitium or intravenously. Bradykinin increased outer- and inner-medullary blood flow (laser-Doppler fluxes) by 10-20% in groups (1, 2), by 30-50% in groups (3, 4, 5) and approx. 20% in SHR (6, 7). The concurrent increase in total renal blood flow (Transonic probe) was < 3%. A minor (<3%) decrease in BP was seen only in rats acutely rendered hypertensive by NA or Ang II infusions; however, the decreases in BP and increases in medullary perfusion were not correlated. Thus, there was no evidence that in hypertensive rats, substantial selective increases in medullary perfusion can cause a short-term decrease in BP. © 2012 The Authors Acta Physiologica © 2012 Scandinavian Physiological Society.

  19. Chronic production of angiotensin IV in the brain leads to hypertension that is reversible with an angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonist.

    PubMed

    Lochard, Nadheige; Thibault, Gaétan; Silversides, David W; Touyz, Rhian M; Reudelhuber, Timothy L

    2004-06-11

    Angiotensin IV (Ang IV) is a metabolite of the potent vasoconstrictor angiotensin II (Ang II). Because specific binding sites for this peptide have been reported in numerous tissues including the brain, it has been suggested that a specific Ang IV receptor (AT4) might exist. Bolus injection of Ang IV in brain ventricles has been implicated in learning, memory, and localized vasodilatation. However, the functions of Ang IV in a physiological context are still unknown. In this study, we generated a transgenic (TG) mouse model that chronically releases Ang IV peptide specifically in the brain. TG mice were found to be hypertensive by the tail-cuff method as compared with control littermates. Treatment with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril had no effect on blood pressure, but surprisingly treatment with the Ang II AT1 receptor antagonist candesartan normalized the blood pressure despite the fact that the levels of Ang IV in the brains of TG mice were only 4-fold elevated over the normal endogenous level of Ang peptides. Calcium mobilization assays performed on cultured CHO cells chronically transfected with the AT1 receptor confirm that low-dose Ang IV can mobilize calcium via the AT1 receptor only in the presence of Ang II, consistent with an allosteric mechanism. These results suggest that chronic elevation of Ang IV in the brain can induce hypertension that can be treated with angiotensin II AT1 receptor antagonists.

  20. Efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with essential hypertension uncontrolled by olmesartan: A randomized, double-blind, 8-week study.

    PubMed

    Cheung, Deanna G; Aizenberg, Diego; Gorbunov, Vladimir; Hafeez, Kudsia; Chen, Chien-Wei; Zhang, Jack

    2018-01-01

    A majority of patients with hypertension fail to achieve blood pressure (BP) control despite treatment with commonly prescribed drugs. This randomized, double-blind phase III trial assessed the superiority of sacubitril/valsartan 200 mg (97/103 mg) to continued olmesartan 20 mg in reducing ambulatory systolic BP after 8-week treatment in patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension uncontrolled with olmesartan 20 mg alone. A total of 376 patients were randomized to receive either sacubitril/valsartan (n = 188) or olmesartan (n = 188). Superior reductions in 24-hour mean ambulatory systolic BP were observed in the sacubitril/valsartan group vs the olmesartan group (-4.3 mm Hg vs -1.1 mm Hg, P < .001). Reductions in 24-hour mean ambulatory diastolic BP and pulse pressure and office systolic BP and diastolic BP were significantly greater with sacubitril/valsartan vs olmesartan (P < .014). A greater proportion of patients achieved BP control with sacubitril/valsartan vs olmesartan. The overall incidence of adverse events was comparable between the groups. Compared with continued olmesartan, sacubitril/valsartan was more effective and generally safe in patients with hypertension uncontrolled with olmesartan 20 mg. ©2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  1. Altered skin flowmotion in hypertensive humans

    PubMed Central

    Bruning, R.S.; Kenney, W.L.; Alexander, L.M.

    2017-01-01

    Essential hypertensive humans exhibit attenuated cutaneous nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vasodilation. Using spectral analysis (fast Fourier transformation) we aimed to characterize the skin flowmotion contained in the laser-Doppler flowmetry recordings during local heating-induced vasodilation before and after concurrent pharmacological inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in hypertensive and age-matched normotensive men and women. We hypothesized that hypertensive subjects would have lower total power spectral densities (PSD), specifically in the frequency intervals associated with intrinsic endothelial and neurogenic control of the microvasculature. Furthermore, we hypothesized that NOS inhibition would attenuate the endothelial frequency interval. Laser-Doppler flowmetry recordings during local heating experiments from 18 hypertensive (MAP: 108±2mmHg) and 18 normotensive (MAP: 88±2mmHg) men and women were analyzed. Within site NO-dependent vasodilation was assessed by perfusion of a non-specific NOS inhibitor (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; L-NAME) through intradermal microdialysis during the heating-induced plateau in skin blood flow. Local heating-induced vasodilation increased total PSD for all frequency intervals (all p<0.001). Hypertensives had a lower total PSD (p=0.03) and absolute neurogenic frequency intervals (p<0.01) compared to the normotensives. When normalized as a percentage of total PSD, hypertensives had reduced neurogenic (p<0.001) and augmented myogenic contributions (p=0.04) to the total spectrum. NOS inhibition decreased total PSD (p<0.001) for both groups, but hypertensives exhibited lower absolute endothelial (p<0.01), neurogenic (p<0.05), and total PSD (p<0.001) frequency intervals compared to normotensives. These data suggest that essential hypertension results in altered neurogenic and NOS-dependent control of skin flowmotion and support the use of spectral analysis as a non-invasive technique to study vasoreactivity. PMID

  2. [Secondary Arterial Hypertension: Uncertainties in Diagnosis].

    PubMed

    Dinis, Paulo Gomes; Cachulo, Maria Carmo; Fernandes, Andreia; Paiva, Luis; Gonçalves, Lino

    2017-06-30

    Arterial hypertension is regarded today as a global public health problem, and the prevalence rate in Portugal is 26.9%. According to the etiology, is classified into primary or secondary arterial hypertension. In about 90% of cases it is not possible to establish a cause, so is called primary arterial hypertension. In the remaining 5 to 10%, it can be identified secondary causes, which are potentially treatable. For secondary arterial hypertension study to be cost-effective, it is essential to understand which patients investigate, and evaluate the best strategy to adopt. The main causes identified as responsible for secondary arterial hypertension are: kidney disease; endocrine and vascular diseases and obstructive sleep apnea. Among these some are consensual, and others more controversial in the literature. In this regard we present two cases of arterial hypertension, which are potentially secondary in etiology, but still focus of debate.

  3. Southernmost carriers of HTLV-I/II in the world.

    PubMed

    Cartier, L; Araya, F; Castillo, J L; Zaninovic, V; Hayami, M; Miura, T; Imai, J; Sonoda, S; Shiraki, H; Miyamoto, K

    1993-01-01

    To clarify the real distribution of HTLV-I and -II carriers among indigenous people in central and South America, blood samples collected from indigenous people in isolated regions of Southern Chile were examined. Among 199 inhabitants from Chiloe Island and Pitrufquen town, three cases (1.5%) showed positive anti-HTLV-I antibodies. Two out of the three (82-year-old male and 58-year-old female) reacted to HTLV-II-specific Gag and/or Env proteins but not to HTLV-I-specific ones. The latter case was confirmed as an HTLV-II carrier by polymerase chain reaction test.

  4. Relationship between occupational exposure to lead and local arterial stiffness and left ventricular diastolic function in individuals with arterial hypertension

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Poreba, Rafal, E-mail: sogood@poczta.onet.pl; Gac, Pawel; Poreba, Malgorzata

    Relationship between occupational exposure to lead and frequency of complications in persons with arterial hypertension has been poorly investigated. This study aimed at evaluation of the relationship between occupational exposure to lead and manifestation of an increased local arterial stiffness and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. The studies included 105 men (mean age: 44.47 {+-} 9.12 years) with arterial hypertension, treated with hypotensive drugs: group I - men occupationally exposed to lead (n = 53), and group II - men not exposed to lead (n = 52). In echocardiographic examination, the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was diagnosed significantly more frequently inmore » group I than in group II. In eTracking examination mean values of stiffness parameter ({beta}), augmentation index (AI) and one-point pulse wave velocity (PWV-{beta}) were significantly higher and mean values of arterial compliance (AC) were significantly lower in group I than in group II. The logistic regression showed that in the group of persons with arterial hypertension occupationally exposed to lead a more advanced age, higher blood lead concentration and higher mean values of augmentation index represent independent risk factors of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. The multifactorial regression showed that amongst persons with arterial hypertension occupationally exposed to lead higher blood zinc protoporphyrin concentration, a more advanced age and higher value of body mass index (BMI) represent independent risk factors of an increased local arterial stiffness. In summary, we should note that in the group of persons with arterial hypertension occupationally exposed to lead the study has demonstrated a significantly more frequent manifestation of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and an increase in local arterial stiffness. - Highlights: > Amongst persons with AH exposed to Pb higher ZnPP represent independent risk factor of increased local arterial stiffness

  5. Dural arteriovenous fistulas as a cause of intracranial hypertension due to impairment of cranial venous outflow

    PubMed Central

    Cognard, C.; Casasco, A.; Toevi, M.; Houdart, E.; Chiras, J.; Merland, J.

    1998-01-01

    OBJECTIVES—A retrospective study was carried out on 13 patients with intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) who presented with isolated or associated signs of intracranial hypertension.
METHODS—Nine patients presented with symptoms of intracranial hypertension at the time of diagnosis. Ocular fundoscopy available in 12 patients showed bilateral papilloedema in eight and optic disk atrophy in four. Clinical evolution was particularly noticeable in five patients because of chronic (two patients) or acute (after lumbar shunting or puncture: three patients, one death) tonsillar herniation.
RESULTS—Two patients had a type I fistula (drainage into a sinus, with a normal antegrade flow direction). The remaining 11 had type II fistulas (drainage into a sinus, with abnormal retrograde venous drainage into sinuses or cortical veins). Stenosis or thrombosis of the sinus(es) distal to the fistula was present in five patients. The cerebral venous drainage was abnormal in all patients.
CONCLUSION—Type II (and some type I) DAVFs may present as isolated intracranial hypertension mimicking benign intracranial hypertension. Normal cerebral angiography should be added as a fifth criterion of benign intracranial hypertension. The cerebral venous drainage pattern must be carefully studied by contralateral carotid and vertebral artery injections to correctly evaluate the impairment of the cerebral venous outflow. Lumbar CSF diversion (puncture or shunting) may induce acute tonsillar herniation and should be avoided absolutely. DAVF may induce intracranial hypertension, which has a poor long term prognosis and may lead to an important loss of visual acuity and chronic tonsillar herniation. Consequently, patients with intracranial hypertension must be treated, even agressively, to obliterate the fistula or at least to reduce the arterial flow and to restore a normal cerebral venous drainage. The endovascular treatment may associate arterial or transvenous

  6. Carotid and aortic stiffness in essential hypertension and their relation with target organ damage: the CATOD study

    PubMed Central

    Bruno, Rosa Maria; Cartoni, Giulia; Stea, Francesco; Armenia, Sabina; Bianchini, Elisabetta; Buralli, Simona; Giannarelli, Chiara; Taddei, Stefano; Ghiadoni, Lorenzo

    2017-01-01

    Objective The objective of the study is to investigate in the hypertensive population the possible differential association between increased aortic and/or carotid stiffness and organ damage in multiple districts, such as the kidney, the vessels, and the heart. Methods In 314 essential hypertensive patients, carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV, by applanation tonometry) and carotid stiffness (from ultrasound images analysis), together with left ventricular hypertrophy, carotid intima–media thickness, urinary albumin–creatinin ratio, and glomerular filtration rate were measured. Increased cfPWV and carotid stiffness were defined according to either international reference values or the 90th percentile of a local control group (110 age and sex-matched healthy individuals). Results When considering the 90th percentile of a local control group, increased cfPWV was associated with reduced glomerular filtration rate, either when carotid stiffness was increased [odds ratio (OR) 13.27 (confidence limits (CL) 95% 3.86–45.58)] or not [OR 7.39 (CL95% 2.25–24.28)], whereas increased carotid stiffness was associated with left ventricular hypertrophy, either when cfPWV was increased [OR 2.86 (CL95% 1.15–7.09)] or not [OR 2.81 (CL95% 1.13–6.97)]. No association between increased cfPWV or carotid stiffness and target organ damage was found when cutoffs obtained by international reference values were used. The concomitance of both increased cfPWV and carotid stiffness did not have an additive effect on organ damage. Conclusion Aortic and carotid stiffness are differentially associated with target organ damage in hypertensive patients. Regional arterial stiffness as assessed by cfPWV is associated with renal organ damage and local carotid stiffness with cardiac organ damage. PMID:27841779

  7. Small Business Innovation Research GRC Phase I, Phase II, and Post-Phase II Opportunity Assessment for 2015

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nguyen, Hung D.; Steele, Gynelle C.

    2016-01-01

    This report outlines the 2015 Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Phase I, Phase II, and Post-Phase II opportunity contract award results associated with NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD), Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD), Science Mission Directorate (SMD), and Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) for NASA Glenn Research Center. The report also highlights the number of Phase I, Phase II, and Post-Phase II contracts awarded by mission directorate. The 2015 Phase I contract awards to companies in Ohio and their corresponding technologies are also discussed.

  8. Stages of Systemic Hypertension and Blood Pressure as Correlates of Computed Tomography-Assessed Aortic Valve Calcium (From the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis)

    PubMed Central

    Linefsky, Jason; Katz, Ronit; Budoff, Matthew; Probstfield, Jeffrey; Owens, David; Takasu, Junichiro; Shavelle, David; Ouyang, Pamela; Psaty, Bruce; O’Brien, Kevin D.

    2010-01-01

    Hypertension has been identified as a risk factor for aortic valve calcium (AVC) but the magnitude of the risk relation with hypertension severity or whether age affects the strength of this risk association has not been studied. The relationship of hypertension severity, as defined by JNC-7 hypertension stages or blood pressure (BP), to CT-assessed AVC prevalence and severity was examined in 4,274 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) without treated hypertension. Analyses were stratified by age < or ≥ 65 years, were adjusted for common cardiovascular risk factors, and excluded those on antihypertensive medications. In age-stratified, adjusted analyses, Stage I/II hypertension was associated with prevalent AVC in those <65 but not in those ≥65 years of age [OR (95% CI): 2.31 (1.35, 3.94) vs. 1.33 (0.96, 1.85), P-interaction = 0.041]. Similarly, systolic BP and pulse pressure (PP) were more strongly associated with prevalent AVC in those <65 than those ≥65 years of age [OR (95% CI): 1.21 (1.08, 1.35) vs. 1.07 (1.01, 1.14) per 10 mmHg increase in systolic BP, Pinteraction = 0.006] and [OR (95% CI): 1.41 (1.21, 1.64) vs. 1.14 (1.05, 1.23) per 10 mmHg increase in PP]. No associations were found between either hypertension stage or BP and AVC severity. In conclusion, stage I/II hypertension, as well as higher systolic pressure and pulse pressure were associated with prevalent AVC. These risk associations were strongest in participants younger than age 65 years. PMID:21146685

  9. Body weight variation and control of cardiovascular risk factors in essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Pascual, Jose Maria; Rodilla, Enrique; Costa, Jose Antonio; Perez-Lahiguera, Francisco; Gonzalez, Carmen; Lurbe, Empar; Redón, Josep

    2009-01-01

    The objective was to assess the impact of weight changes on blood pressure (BP), lipids and glucose goals in a cohort of hypertensive subjects. Prospective follow-up. Hypertension clinic. 326 hypertensive non-diabetic subjects, 46% with metabolic syndrome (MS). Usual care treatment, which included diet, physical exercise and drugs prescribed when indicated. All patients were observed for up to 1 year. BP and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) goal were those in ESH/ESC and ATP III recommendations, respectively. The glucose goal was to delay progression to type 2 diabetes mellitus, or to achieve blood glucose <100 mg/dl for non-diabetics. According to body weight changes, patients were categorized using adjusted ROC curves models. Overall, there was a significant weight increment of 0.5 kg (95% CI 0.1-0.9 kg); 28 patients (8.6%) lost more than 5 kg, and only four (1.2%) lost more than 10 kg. BP, LDL-C and glucose goals were achieved in 56%, 78% and 61% of patients, respectively. To lose or not gain weight was an independent prognostic factor to achieve the BP goal in all the patients and the LDL goal in the presence of MS. For glucose control, being treated with beta-blockers and/or diuretics was a negative factor. In hypertensive subjects, even small changes in weight may have an important impact on achieving cardiovascular goals, mainly in those with MS.

  10. Leisure sedentary time is differentially associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia depending on occupation.

    PubMed

    Lim, Man Sup; Park, Bumjung; Kong, Il Gyu; Sim, Songyong; Kim, So Young; Kim, Jin-Hwan; Choi, Hyo Geun

    2017-03-23

    Sedentary behavior is considered an independent cause of cardio-metabolic diseases, regardless of physical activity level and obesity. Few studies have reported the association between leisure sedentary time and cardio-vascular diseases in terms of occupation. We performed a cross-sectional study using data from the Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) for 240,086 participants assessed in 2011 and 2013. Occupation was categorized into four groups: farmer or fisherman, laborer, and soldier (Group I); service worker, salesperson, technician, mechanic, production worker, and engineer (Group II); manager, expert, specialist, and clerk (Group III); and unemployed (Group IV). Leisure sedentary time was divided into five groups: 0 h, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, and 4+ h. The association between leisure sedentary time on weekdays and hypertension/diabetes mellitus/hyperlipidemia for different occupations was analyzed using simple and multiple logistic regression analyses with complex sampling. In Groups I, II and III, no length of sedentary time was associated with hypertension, and only 3 h or 4+ h of sedentary time was associated with diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia. Group IV showed a significant association with hypertension and diabetes mellitus for the 2 h, 3 h, and 4+ h sedentary times. The unemployed are more susceptible than other occupation groups to cardio-metabolic diseases when leisure time is sedentary.

  11. Anti-Platelet Therapy with Clopidogrel Prevents Endothelial Dysfunction and Vascular Remodeling in Aortas from Hypertensive Rats

    PubMed Central

    Giachini, Fernanda R.; Leite, Romulo; Osmond, David A.; Lima, Victor V.; Inscho, Edward W.; Webb, R. Clinton; Tostes, Rita C.

    2014-01-01

    The aim was to investigate the beneficial effects of clopidogrel in thoracic aorta function and structure and to characterize if P2Y12 receptors contribute to these effects. Male Sprague Dawley rats were infused with angiotensin II [(Ang II) 60 ng.min−1, 14 days] or saline (control rats) and were simultaneously treated with clopidogrel (10 mg.kg−1.day−1) or vehicle. After 14 days, systolic blood pressure (mmHg) was similar in Ang II-hypertensive rats treated with clopidogrel or vehicle (199±9 vs. 190±11, respectively). Systolic blood pressure in control rats was not altered by clopidogrel treatment (128±1 vs. vehicle, 134±2). Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by 2-MeS-ADP was decreased in aortas from vehicle-treated Ang II-hypertensive rats, compared to vehicle-treated control rats. This response was elicited via activation of P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors. In the presence of L-NAME and indomethacin, 2-MeS-ADP induced contraction and this response was augmented in vehicle-treated Ang II-hypertensive rats, compared to vehicle-treated control rats. The contraction to 2-MeS-ADP was evoked by P2Y13 and P2Y12 receptor activation. Clopidogrel-treatment did not normalize relaxation or contractile responses induced by 2-MeS-ADP in aortas from Ang II-hypertensive rats. P2Y1 and P2Y12 protein expression was increased, whereas P2Y13 receptor expression was reduced in aorta from vehicle-treated Ang II-hypertensive rats. Endothelium-dependent relaxation upon acetylcholine-stimulation was reduced in vehicle-treated Ang II-hypertensive rats, and clopidogrel treatment was effective in improving endothelial function. Clopidogrel also prevented vascular remodeling, evidenced by augmented media thickness in aortas from Ang II-hypertensive rats. Clopidogrel has beneficial effects on the aortic endothelium of Ang II-hypertensive rats, but its effects do not seem to be directly related to the presence of P2Y12 receptors in this vessel. PMID:24638017

  12. Genome-wide association study using a high-density SNP-array and case-control design identifies a novel essential hypertension susceptibility locus in the promoter region of eNOS

    PubMed Central

    Salvi, Erika; Kutalik, Zoltán; Glorioso, Nicola; Benaglio, Paola; Frau, Francesca; Kuznetsova, Tatiana; Arima, Hisatomi; Hoggart, Clive; Tichet, Jean; Nikitin, Yury P.; Conti, Costanza; Seidlerova, Jitka; Tikhonoff, Valérie; Stolarz-Skrzypek, Katarzyna; Johnson, Toby; Devos, Nabila; Zagato, Laura; Guarrera, Simonetta; Zaninello, Roberta; Calabria, Andrea; Stancanelli, Benedetta; Troffa, Chiara; Thijs, Lutgarde; Rizzi, Federica; Simonova, Galina; Lupoli, Sara; Argiolas, Giuseppe; Braga, Daniele; D’Alessio, Maria C.; Ortu, Maria F.; Ricceri, Fulvio; Mercurio, Maurizio; Descombes, Patrick; Marconi, Maurizio; Chalmers, John; Harrap, Stephen; Filipovsky, Jan; Bochud, Murielle; Iacoviello, Licia; Ellis, Justine; Stanton, Alice V.; Laan, Maris; Padmanabhan, Sandosh; Dominiczak, Anna F.; Samani, Nilesh J.; Melander, Olle; Jeunemaitre, Xavier; Manunta, Paolo; Shabo, Amnon; Vineis, Paolo; Cappuccio, Francesco P.; Caulfield, Mark J.; Matullo, Giuseppe; Rivolta, Carlo; Munroe, Patricia B.; Barlassina, Cristina; Staessen, Jan A; Beckmann, Jacques S.; Cusi, Daniele

    2012-01-01

    Essential hypertension is a multi-factorial disorder and is the main risk factor for renal and cardiovascular complications. The research on the genetics of hypertension has been frustrated by the small predictive value of the discovered genetic variants. The HYPERGENES Project investigated associations between genetic variants and essential hypertension pursuing a two-stage study by recruiting cases and controls from extensively characterized cohorts recruited over many years in different European regions. The discovery phase consisted of 1,865 cases and 1,750 controls genotyped with 1M Illumina array. Best hits were followed up in a validation panel of 1,385 cases and 1,246 controls that were genotyped with a custom array of 14,055 markers. We identified a new hypertension susceptibility locus (rs3918226) in the promoter region of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene (odds ratio 1.54; 95% CI 1.37-1.73; combined p=2.58·10−13). A meta-analysis, using other in-silico/de novo genotyping data for a total of 21714 subjects, resulted in an overall odds ratio of 1.34 (95% CI 1.25-1.44, p=1.032·10−14). The quantitative analysis on a population-based sample revealed an effect size of 1.91 (95% CI 0.16-3.66) for systolic and 1.40 (95% CI 0.25-2.55) for diastolic blood pressure. We identified in-silico a potential binding site for ETS transcription-factors directly next to rs3918226, suggesting a potential modulation of eNOS expression. Biological evidence links eNOS with hypertension, as it is a critical mediator of cardiovascular homeostasis and blood pressure control via vascular tone regulation. This finding supports the hypothesis that there may be a causal genetic variation at this locus. PMID:22184326

  13. Cutis laxa and fatal pulmonary hypertension: a newly recognized syndrome?

    PubMed Central

    Brunetti-Pierri, Nicola; Piccolo, Pasquale; Morava, Eva; Wevers, Ron A.; McGuirk, Megan; Johnson, Yvette R.; Urban, Zsolt; Dishop, Megan K.; Potocki, Lorraine

    2015-01-01

    Cutis laxa is a connective tissue disorder with distinctive lax, redundant, and inelastic skin. It is a genetically heterogenous disorder with autosomal dominant and recessive patterns of inheritance. We report a patient with cutis laxa supported by clinical, microscopic, and ultrastructural findings. Molecular analysis of fibulin-4 and -5, of the α2 subunit of the V-type H+ ATPase, and of the component of the oligomeric Golgi complex 7 (COG7) genes excluded the type I and type II autosomal recessive forms of cutis laxa, and congenital disorders of glycosylation associated with cutis laxa. Remarkably, our patient also presented severe and lethal pulmonary hypertension as a newborn. This case with cutis laxa, severe pulmonary hypertension, and no detectable mutations in fibulin-4 and -5 genes may represent a previously unrecognized syndrome. PMID:21285876

  14. The obesity-related polymorphism PCSK1 rs6235 is associated with essential hypertension in the Han Chinese population.

    PubMed

    Li, Xiao-Mu; Ling, Yan; Lu, Da-Ru; Lu, Zhi-Qiang; Liu, Ying; Chen, Hong-Yan; Gao, Xin

    2012-10-01

    Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-type 1 (PCSK1) is a prohormone convertase that has an important role in prohormone maturation including the process of prorenin to renin. We studied the association of the PCSK1 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs6235 (encoding an S690T substitution) with essential hypertension (EH), obesity and related traits in the Han Chinese population. The rs6235 SNP in the PCSK1 gene was investigated using a case-control study design, with 1034 hypertension cases and 1112 normotensive controls. In this study, the rs6235 SNP was significantly associated with hypertension (OR=1.26, 95% CI (1.10-1.46), P=0.001); the odds ratios of GC vs GG and CC vs GG were 1.30 (95% CI (1.06-1.58), P=0.010) and 1.55 (95% CI (1.12-2.13), P=0.007), respectively. In the controls, the C-allele was associated with increased systolic (P=0.010) and diastolic (P=0.010) blood pressure levels. In all of the EH patients and EH patients without a history of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system-related antagonists, the C-allele was associated with increased plasma renin activity (P=0.00004 and 0.002, respectively) and aldosterone levels (P=0.018 and 0.005, respectively). The C-allele was also associated with increased body mass index (BMI) (P=0.010) in the normotensive controls. In conclusion, the PCSK1 SNP rs6235 was associated with EH and blood pressure in the Han Chinese population, and this association may be mediated by the SNP's effect on RAA levels. rs6235 was also associated with BMI in this population.

  15. 30 CFR 57.22222 - Ventilation materials (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, III, V-A, and V-B mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Ventilation materials (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, III, V-A, and V-B mines). 57.22222 Section 57.22222 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH....22222 Ventilation materials (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, III, V-A, and V-B mines). Brattice cloth and...

  16. 30 CFR 57.22222 - Ventilation materials (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, III, V-A, and V-B mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Ventilation materials (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, III, V-A, and V-B mines). 57.22222 Section 57.22222 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH....22222 Ventilation materials (I-A, I-B, I-C, II-A, III, V-A, and V-B mines). Brattice cloth and...

  17. The Effects of Angiotensin II and Angiotensin-(1–7) in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla of Rats on Stress-Induced Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Du, Dongshu; Chen, Jun; Liu, Min; Zhu, Minxia; Jing, Haojia; Fang, Jie; Shen, Linlin; Zhu, Danian; Yu, Jerry; Wang, Jin

    2013-01-01

    We have shown that angiotensin II (Ang II) and angiotensin-(1–7) [Ang-(1–7)] increased arterial blood pressure (BP) via glutamate release when microinjected into the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) in normotensive rats (control). In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that Ang II and Ang-(1–7) in the RVLM are differentially activated in stress-induced hypertension (SIH) by comparing the effects of microinjection of Ang II, Ang-(1–7), and their receptor antagonists on BP and amino acid release in SIH and control rats. We found that Ang II had greater pressor effect, and more excitatory (glutamate) and less inhibitory (taurine and γ-aminobutyric acid) amino acid release in SIH than in control animals. Losartan, a selective AT1 receptor (AT1R) antagonist, decreased mean BP in SIH but not in control rats. PD123319, a selective AT2 receptor (AT2R) antagonist, increased mean BP in control but not in SIH rats. However, Ang-(1–7) and its selective Mas receptor antagonist Ang779 evoked similar effects on BP and amino acid release in both SIH and control rats. Furthermore, we found that in the RVLM, AT1R, ACE protein expression (western blot) and ACE mRNA (real-time PCR) were significantly higher, whereas AT2R protein, ACE2 mRNA and protein expression were significantly lower in SIH than in control rats. Mas receptor expression was similar in the two groups. The results support our hypothesis and demonstrate that upregulation of Ang II by AT1R, not Ang-(1–7), system in the RVLM causes hypertension in SIH rats by increasing excitatory and suppressing inhibitory amino acid release. PMID:23967142

  18. Safety and efficacy of fimasartan in Mexican patients with grade 1-2 essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Cardona-Muñoz, Ernesto G; López-Alvarado, Agustín; Conde-Carmona, Ignacio; Sánchez-Mejorada, Gerardo; Pascoe-González, Sara; Banda-Elizondo, Ramiro G; García-Castillo, Armando; González-Gálvez, Guillermo; Velasco-Sánchez, Raúl G; Vidrio-Velázquez, Maricela; Leiva-Pons, José L; Villeda-Espinosa, Efraín; Guerra-López, Arturo; Esturau-Santalo, Ramón M

    To evaluate efficacy and safety of 60mg and 120mg Fimasartan (FMS) alone or combined with 12.5mg hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in a Mexican population. A six month, treat-to-target, open study was conducted on subjects with grade 1-2 hypertension. The subjects were initially treated with 60mg FMS once daily. In week 8, those with Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) <90mmHg continued on the same FMS dose during the rest of the study, while those with DBP ≥90mmHg were randomised to either 120mg FMS or 60mg FMS + 12.5mg HCTZ once daily. In week 12, randomised subjects with DBP ≥90mmHg received 120mg FMS+12.5mg HCTZ, while those achieving target continued with their assigned treatment until the end of the study. FMS 60mg (n=272) decreased both DBP and Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) by 11.3±8.9 (p<.0001) and 16.0±14.1 (p<.0001)mmHg, respectively, with 75.4% of subjects reaching the treatment target. Subjects assigned to FMS 120mg, FMS 60mg+HCTZ 12.5mg, or FMS 120mg+HCTZ 12.5mg once daily, showed significant reductions in DBP and SBP with their assigned treatment. At the end of the study, 237/272 subjects (87.1%) achieved a DBP<90mmHg and an SBP<140mmHg. The most frequently reported adverse reactions included headache (3.7%), dry mouth (1.1%), transient liver enzyme increase (1.1%), and dizziness (0.7%). Fimasartan is safe and effective in Mexican subjects with grade 1-2 essential hypertension. Copyright © 2017 Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez. Publicado por Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.

  19. Correlation between renin-angiotensin system gene polymorphisms and essential hypertension in the Chinese Yi ethnic group.

    PubMed

    Yang, Yu-Ling; Mo, Yan-Ping; He, Yong-Shu; Yang, Fang; Xu, Yan; Li, Cheng-Cheng; Wang, Jiao; Reng, Hao-Ming; Long, Li

    2015-12-01

    The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been considered to play an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between RAS gene polymorphisms and essential hypertension (EH) in the Chinese Yi ethnic group. A total of 244 EH subjects and 185 normotensive individuals from the Chinese Yi ethnic group were genotyped for AGT M235T (rs699), AT1R A1166C (rs5186), ACE I/D (rs4340) and ACE G2350A (rs4343) polymorphisms by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. Significant differences in the allele and genotype frequency of ACE G2350A were observed between the EH cases and controls (p=0.001, 0.002). After being grouped by gender, significant differences in the allele and genotype frequency of ACE G2350A and AT1R A1166C were observed between females of the EH cases and controls (ACE G2350A: p=0.000, 0.002; AT1R A1166C: p=0.008, 0.011). After excluding the influence of multifactorial interactions, the ACE G2350A polymorphism is significantly associated with the pathogenesis of EH in the Chinese Yi ethnic group (odds ratio (OR)=1.656, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.807-2.524, p=0.019). The RAS-related ACE G2350A polymorphism is associated with the pathogenesis of EH in the Chinese Yi ethnic group. © The Author(s) 2015.

  20. Vascular structure and oxidative stress in salt-loaded spontaneously hypertensive rats: effects of losartan and atenolol.

    PubMed

    de Cavanagh, Elena M V; Ferder, León F; Ferder, Marcelo D; Stella, Inés Y; Toblli, Jorge E; Inserra, Felipe

    2010-12-01

    Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) modulation by high dietary sodium may contribute to salt-induced hypertension, oxidative stress, and target organ damage. We investigated whether angiotensin II (Ang-II) type 1 (AT1)-receptor blockade (losartan) could protect the aorta and renal arteries from combined hypertension- and high dietary salt-related oxidative stress. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (3-month-old, n = 10/group) received tap water (SHR), water containing 1.5% NaCl (SHR+S), 1.5% NaCl and 30 mg losartan/kg/day (SHR+S+L), or 50 mg atenolol/kg/day (SHR+S+A). Atenolol was used for comparison. Ten Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) were controls. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was determined by tail plethysmography. After 5 months of treatment, vascular remodeling and oxidative stress (superoxide production and NAD(P)H-oxidase activity (chemiluminescence), malondialdehyde (MDA) content (high-performance liquid chromatography), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity [(14)C-arginine to (14)C citrulline], CuZn-SOD activity (spectrophotometry)) were studied. In SHR, salt-loading significantly aggravated hypertension, urinary protein excretion, intraparenchymal renal artery (IPRArt) perivascular fibrosis, aortic and renal artery oxidative stress, and induced endothelial cell loss in IPRArts. In salt-loaded SHR, 5-month losartan and atenolol treatments similarly reduced SBP, but only losartan significantly prevented (i) urinary protein excretion increase, (ii) or attenuated hypertension-related vascular remodeling, (iii) aortic MDA accumulation, (iv) renal artery eNOS activity lowering, and (v) aortic and renal artery superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity reduction. In SHR+S, the contributions to aortic superoxide production were as follows: uncoupled eNOS > xanthine oxidase (XO) > NAD(P)H oxidase. In this salt-sensitive genetic hypertension model, losartan protects from hypertension- and high dietary salt-related vascular oxidative stress, exceeding the benefits of BP

  1. Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells From Hypertensive Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Advance Hypertension Pharmacogenomics.

    PubMed

    Biel, Nikolett M; Santostefano, Katherine E; DiVita, Bayli B; El Rouby, Nihal; Carrasquilla, Santiago D; Simmons, Chelsey; Nakanishi, Mahito; Cooper-DeHoff, Rhonda M; Johnson, Julie A; Terada, Naohiro

    2015-12-01

    Studies in hypertension (HTN) pharmacogenomics seek to identify genetic sources of variable antihypertensive drug response. Genetic association studies have detected single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that link to drug responses; however, to understand mechanisms underlying how genetic traits alter drug responses, a biological interface is needed. Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide a potential source for studying otherwise inaccessible tissues that may be important to antihypertensive drug response. The present study established multiple iPSC lines from an HTN pharmacogenomics cohort. We demonstrated that established HTN iPSCs can robustly and reproducibly differentiate into functional vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), a cell type most relevant to vasculature tone control. Moreover, a sensitive traction force microscopy assay demonstrated that iPSC-derived VSMCs show a quantitative contractile response on physiological stimulus of endothelin-1. Furthermore, the inflammatory chemokine tumor necrosis factor α induced a typical VSMC response in iPSC-derived VSMCs. These studies pave the way for a large research initiative to decode biological significance of identified SNPs in hypertension pharmacogenomics. Treatment of hypertension remains suboptimal, and a pharmacogenomics approach seeks to identify genetic biomarkers that could be used to guide treatment decisions; however, it is important to understand the biological underpinnings of genetic associations. Mouse models do not accurately recapitulate individual patient responses based on their genetics, and hypertension-relevant cells are difficult to obtain from patients. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology provides a great interface to bring patient cells with their genomic data into the laboratory and to study hypertensive responses. As an initial step, the present study established an iPSC bank from patients with primary hypertension and demonstrated an effective

  2. Equity of the essential public health service in rural china: evidence from a nationwide survey of hypertensive patients.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Donghua; Feng, Zhanchun; He, Shasha; Sun, Xi; Ma, Caihui; Lv, Benyan; Zou, Xiong

    2013-07-01

    To explore healthcare disparities in rural China two years after the implementation of the Essential Public Health Service (EPHS) reform in 2009. A cross-sectional study was conducted by surveying 930 hypertension patients (HPs) from different regions in rural China in 2011. The percentages of patients using recommended four or more follow-up visits in a year were calculated by patient socio-demographic characteristics and statistically examined using chi-square and logistic regression to uncover disparities and correlated factors in EPHS use. The rates were not significantly different by age, gender, education, insurance status or income, but significantly different by region and hypertension history (p<0.01). Higher rates were also observed on patients who sought actively follow-up service at clinics, making appointment for the next follow-up with doctors, awareness of the need of follow-up, more satisfied with the follow-up services, and better medication adherence (p<0.01). There were no disparities observed among HPs in the use of follow-up services, suggesting that the reform has to some extent achieved its goal in ensuring equal access to EPHS. In this regard, regional implementation of the national policies and improvement of EPHS management at local level should be further improved.

  3. Characteristics of systemic hypertension in preterm children.

    PubMed

    Shah, Ankur B; Hashmi, S Sharukh; Sahulee, Raj; Pannu, Hariyadarshi; Gupta-Malhotra, Monesha

    2015-05-01

    The prevalence of essential hypertension (EH) among preterm children is unknown. The authors evaluated consecutive children with a diagnosis of hypertension and prematurity (gestational age <37 weeks) in a tertiary pediatric hypertension clinic and identified 36 preterm hypertensive children. Among these preterm children, 23 were diagnosed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU; infantile) and 13 were diagnosed at an older age (childhood). When compared with patients with a childhood diagnosis, patients with an infantile diagnosis had a significantly lower gestational age, longer duration of hospitalization in the NICU, and a higher incidence of perinatal risk factors for hypertension. None with infantile diagnosis had EH, whereas 46% with childhood diagnosis had EH. Among premature children, systemic hypertension was either diagnosed in infancy or in childhood, with each age at diagnosis having unique risk factors and clinical course. Although 83% of preterm children had secondary hypertension, EH was diagnosed in 17% and was only seen in those diagnosed beyond infancy. ©2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  4. UCS Protein Rng3p Is Essential for Myosin-II Motor Activity during Cytokinesis in Fission Yeast

    PubMed Central

    Stark, Benjamin C.; James, Michael L.; Pollard, Luther W.; Sirotkin, Vladimir; Lord, Matthew

    2013-01-01

    UCS proteins have been proposed to operate as co-chaperones that work with Hsp90 in the de novo folding of myosin motors. The fission yeast UCS protein Rng3p is essential for actomyosin ring assembly and cytokinesis. Here we investigated the role of Rng3p in fission yeast myosin-II (Myo2p) motor activity. Myo2p isolated from an arrested rng3-65 mutant was capable of binding actin, yet lacked stability and activity based on its expression levels and inactivity in ATPase and actin filament gliding assays. Myo2p isolated from a myo2-E1 mutant (a mutant hyper-sensitive to perturbation of Rng3p function) showed similar behavior in the same assays and exhibited an altered motor conformation based on limited proteolysis experiments. We propose that Rng3p is not required for the folding of motors per se, but instead works to ensure the activity of intrinsically unstable myosin-II motors. Rng3p is specific to conventional myosin-II and the actomyosin ring, and is not required for unconventional myosin motor function at other actin structures. However, artificial destabilization of myosin-I motors at endocytic actin patches (using a myo1-E1 mutant) led to recruitment of Rng3p to patches. Thus, while Rng3p is specific to myosin-II, UCS proteins are adaptable and can respond to changes in the stability of other myosin motors. PMID:24244528

  5. [Effectiveness of magnetotherapy in elderly hypertensive patients aging at different rates].

    PubMed

    Abramovich, S G; Koriakina, A V; Brodach, L N; Akhmedzianov, Iu A; Makarychkin, S P

    2000-01-01

    Effectiveness of general magnetotherapy was studied in 84 patients with essential hypertension and 36 patients with isolated systolic arterial hypertension of old age. It is thought necessary to determine biological age of the cardiovascular system in hypertensive patients over 60 years of age to specify indications and contraindications to physiotherapy.

  6. Hypertension Vaccine may be a boon to millions in developing world.

    PubMed

    Bairwa, Mohan; Pilania, Manju; Gupta, Vivek; Yadav, Kapil

    2014-01-01

    Hypertension affects around 40% adults aged 25 years and more worldwide, and accounts for 7% of total disability-adjusted life-years. A simple algorithmic program is required to manage hypertension consisting of screening, life style measures, treatment and follow-up, a reliable drug supply and distribution system, and a credible health information system. Despite availability of effective antihypertensive drugs, long term treatment is still costly, tedious, and at the population level rather unsuccessful. Hypertension leaves patients and families with an avoidable heavy economic burden due to failure to control blood pressure. Health policy needs to address gross imbalance between prevention and management by increasing contribution to the preventive programs. During 21st century, the risk factors for morbidity and mortality have been changed, and researchers have started to work upon vaccines against lifestyle diseases like hypertension, diabetes etc. Researchers began experimenting with vaccines against the renin-angiotensin system to control hypertension around six decades ago. The vaccine candidates against hypertension namely ATR12181, pHAV-4Ang IIs, CYT006-AngQb, AngI-R, ATRQβ-001 have shown promising results. A candidate vaccine, CYT006-AngQb, has crossed initial phase and moved into phase 2 trials. However, more human studies in subsequent phases of trials are required to establish the safety and efficacy of anti-hypertensive vaccine. If proved safe and cost effective, a vaccine even with 50% efficacy against hypertension may protect about 90 million people from hypertension and its heavy economic burden. It can be an appropriate solution for low compliance to antihypertensive drug therapy as well as an avalanche to induce efforts on various chronic disease vaccine development programs.

  7. The experimental evidence for weight-loss treatment of essential hypertension: a critical review.

    PubMed Central

    Hovell, M F

    1982-01-01

    The empirical evidence concerning the therapeutic effects of weight loss for hypertension treatment was reviewed. Interventions were critically reviewed for strength of measures and experimental design. Six of 21 intervention studies proved to be methodologically strong. However, only one study was considered a randomized clinical trial, testing the combined effects of weight reduction and pharmacological treatment of hypertension. Average blood pressure decrease obtained from the methodologically strongest studies was -21 mmHg and -13 mmHg, for systolic and diastolic measures, respectively. This magnitude change suggests that weight loss may be a clinically and statistically significant treatment. Confounding and bias variables, such as adherence to diet, medication, salt consumption, etc., were discussed and future areas of research were outlined. It was concluded that weight loss appears to be an effective and safe treatment of hypertension. PMID:7039371

  8. Immunosuppression-Independent Role of Regulatory T Cells against Hypertension-Driven Renal Dysfunctions.

    PubMed

    Fabbiano, Salvatore; Menacho-Márquez, Mauricio; Robles-Valero, Javier; Pericacho, Miguel; Matesanz-Marín, Adela; García-Macías, Carmen; Sevilla, María A; Montero, M J; Alarcón, Balbino; López-Novoa, José M; Martín, Pilar; Bustelo, Xosé R

    2015-10-01

    Hypertension-associated cardiorenal diseases represent one of the heaviest burdens for current health systems. In addition to hemodynamic damage, recent results have revealed that hematopoietic cells contribute to the development of these diseases by generating proinflammatory and profibrotic environments in the heart and kidney. However, the cell subtypes involved remain poorly characterized. Here we report that CD39(+) regulatory T (TREG) cells utilize an immunosuppression-independent mechanism to counteract renal and possibly cardiac damage during angiotensin II (AngII)-dependent hypertension. This mechanism relies on the direct apoptosis of tissue-resident neutrophils by the ecto-ATP diphosphohydrolase activity of CD39. In agreement with this, experimental and genetic alterations in TREG/TH cell ratios have a direct impact on tissue-resident neutrophil numbers, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, cardiorenal fibrosis, and, to a lesser extent, arterial pressure elevation during AngII-driven hypertension. These results indicate that TREG cells constitute a first protective barrier against hypertension-driven tissue fibrosis and, in addition, suggest new therapeutic avenues to prevent hypertension-linked cardiorenal diseases. Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

  9. The effect of sodium pertechnetate human carbonic anhydrase I and II

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sahin, Ali; Senturk, Murat

    2017-04-01

    The inhibitory effects of Na99mTcO4 (Sodium pertechnetate) on human erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase I and II activity were investigated. For this purpose, hCA I was initially purified 114,29-fold at a yield of 69,19 % and hCA II was initially purified 710,82-fold at a yield of 71,72 % using sepharose 4B-tyrosine-sulfanilamide affinity gel chromatography. The in vitro effect of this compound on hCA I and II isoenzyme were studied. It was detected in in vitro studies that the hCA I and II enzymes are inhibited due to Na99mTcO4.

  10. Type I and II β-turns prediction using NMR chemical shifts.

    PubMed

    Wang, Ching-Cheng; Lai, Wen-Chung; Chuang, Woei-Jer

    2014-07-01

    A method for predicting type I and II β-turns using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts is proposed. Isolated β-turn chemical-shift data were collected from 1,798 protein chains. One-dimensional statistical analyses on chemical-shift data of three classes β-turn (type I, II, and VIII) showed different distributions at four positions, (i) to (i + 3). Considering the central two residues of type I β-turns, the mean values of Cο, Cα, H(N), and N(H) chemical shifts were generally (i + 1) > (i + 2). The mean values of Cβ and Hα chemical shifts were (i + 1) < (i + 2). The distributions of the central two residues in type II and VIII β-turns were also distinguishable by trends of chemical shift values. Two-dimensional cluster analyses on chemical-shift data show positional distributions more clearly. Based on these propensities of chemical shift classified as a function of position, rules were derived using scoring matrices for four consecutive residues to predict type I and II β-turns. The proposed method achieves an overall prediction accuracy of 83.2 and 84.2% with the Matthews correlation coefficient values of 0.317 and 0.632 for type I and II β-turns, indicating that its higher accuracy for type II turn prediction. The results show that it is feasible to use NMR chemical shifts to predict the β-turn types in proteins. The proposed method can be incorporated into other chemical-shift based protein secondary structure prediction methods.

  11. Effects of concurrent and aerobic exercises on postexercise hypotension in elderly hypertensive men.

    PubMed

    Ferrari, Rodrigo; Umpierre, Daniel; Vogel, Guilherme; Vieira, Paulo J C; Santos, Lucas P; de Mello, Renato Bandeira; Tanaka, Hirofumi; Fuchs, Sandra C

    2017-11-01

    Despite the fact that simultaneous performance of resistance and aerobic exercises (i.e., concurrent exercise) has become a standard exercise prescription for the elderly, no information is available on its effects on post-exercise hypotension (PEH) in elderly men with hypertension. To compare the effects of different types of exercise on PEH in elderly men with hypertension. Twenty elderly men with essential hypertension participated in three crossover interventions, in random order, and on separate days: a non-exercise control session at seated rest, aerobic exercise performed for 45min, and 45min of concurrent resistance and aerobic exercise consisted of 4 sets of 8 repetitions at 70% 1RM of resistance exercise followed by aerobic exercise on treadmill. After each session, blood pressure (BP) was measured continuously for 1h in the laboratory and for 24h under ambulatory conditions. During the first hour in laboratory, diastolic BP was lower after aerobic (-5mmHg) and concurrent exercise (-6mmHg) in comparison with Control. Day-time diastolic BP was significantly lower after aerobic exercise (-7mmHg) when compared to the control. No significant differences were found among the three experimental sessions for night-time and 24-hour diastolic BP, as well as day-time, night-time and 24-hour systolic BP. Concurrent exercise produced acute PEH similar to aerobic exercise but such effect did not last as long as aerobic exercise in elderly patients with essential hypertension. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. Supplementation of iron in pulmonary hypertension: Rationale and design of a phase II clinical trial in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Howard, Luke S.G.E.; Watson, Geoffrey M.J.; Wharton, John; Rhodes, Christopher J.; Chan, Kakit; Khengar, Rajeshree; Robbins, Peter A.; Kiely, David G.; Condliffe, Robin; Elliott, Charlie A.; Pepke-Zaba, Joanna; Sheares, Karen; Morrell, Nicholas W.; Davies, Rachel; Ashby, Deborah; Gibbs, J. Simon R.; Wilkins, Martin R.

    2013-01-01

    Our aim is to assess the safety and potential clinical benefit of intravenous iron (Ferinject) infusion in iron deficient patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Iron deficiency in the absence of anemia (1) is common in patients with IPAH; (2) is associated with inappropriately raised levels of hepcidin, the key regulator of iron homeostasis; and (3) correlates with disease severity and worse clinical outcomes. Oral iron absorption may be impeded by reduced absorption due to elevated hepcidin levels. The safety and benefits of parenteral iron replacement in IPAH are unknown. Supplementation of Iron in Pulmonary Hypertension (SIPHON) is a Phase II, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial of iron in IPAH. At least 60 patients will be randomized to intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject) or saline placebo with a crossover point after 12 weeks of treatment. The primary outcome will be the change in resting pulmonary vascular resistance from baseline at 12 weeks, measured by cardiac catheterization. Secondary measures include resting and exercise hemodynamics and exercise performance from serial bicycle incremental and endurance cardiopulmonary exercise tests. Other secondary measurements include serum iron indices, 6-Minute Walk Distance, WHO functional class, quality of life score, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and cardiac anatomy and function from cardiac magnetic resonance. We propose that intravenous iron replacement will improve hemodynamics and clinical outcomes in IPAH. If the data supports a potentially useful therapeutic effect and suggest this drug is safe, the study will be used to power a Phase III study to address efficacy. PMID:23662181

  13. Blood pressure, magnesium and other mineral balance in two rat models of salt-sensitive, induced hypertension: effects of a non-peptide angiotensin II receptor type 1 antagonist.

    PubMed

    Rondón, Lusliany Josefina; Marcano, Eunice; Rodríguez, Fátima; del Castillo, Jesús Rafael

    2014-01-01

    The renin-angiotensin system is critically involved in regulating arterial blood pressure (BP). Inappropriate angiotensin type-1 receptor activation by angiotensin-II (Ang-II) is related to increased arterial BP. Mg has a role in BP; it can affect cardiac electrical activity, myocardial contractility, and vascular tone. To evaluate the relationship between high BP induced by a high sodium (Na) diet and Mg, and other mineral balances, two experimental rat models of salt-sensitive, induced-hypertension were used: Ang-II infused and Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rats. We found that: 1) Ang-II infusion progressively increased BP, which was accompanied by hypomagnesuria and signs of secondary hyperaldosteronism; 2) an additive effect between Ang-II and a high Na load may have an effect on strontium (Sr), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) balances; 3) Dahl SS rats fed a high Na diet had a slow pressor response, accompanied by altered Mg, Na, potassium (K), and phosphate (P) balances; and 4) losartan prevented BP increases induced by Ang II-NaCl, but did not modify mineral balances. In Dahl SS rats, losartan attenuated high BP and ameliorated magnesemia, Na and K balances. Mg metabolism maybe considered a possible defect in this strain of rat that may contribute to hypertension.

  14. Cardiac autonomic tone during trandolapril-irbesartan low-dose combined therapy in hypertension: a pilot project.

    PubMed

    Franchi, F; Lazzeri, C; Foschi, M; Tosti-Guerra, C; Barletta, G

    2002-08-01

    Pharmacological and clinical studies on the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors support the idea of a central role played Angiotensin II which is able to cause cardiovascular and renal diseases also independently of its blood pressure elevating effects. The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the effect(s) of three different pharmacological regimens on both blood pressure and sympathetic drive in uncomplicated essential hypertension, by means of blood pressure laboratory measurements and ambulatory monitoring, 24-h heart rate variability and plasma noradrenaline levels. Thus, an ACE-inhibitor monotherapy (trandolapril, 2 mg/day), an AT(1)-receptor antagonist monotherapy (irbesartan, 300 mg/day), their low-dose combination (0.5 mg/day plus 150 mg/day, respectively) and placebo were given, in a randomised, single-blind, crossover fashion for a period of 3 weeks each to 12 mild essential hypertensives. Power spectral analysis (short recordings) and noradrenaline measurements were also performed in the supine position and after a postural challenge (60 degrees head-up tilting test: HUT). The low-dose combination therapy induced the greatest reduction in LF component and in LF/HF ratio, both in the resting and tilted positions, as well as in blood pressure. However, the physiological autonomic response to HUT was maintained. Noradrenaline plasma levels were lower after the combined therapy than after each drug alone. Our data demonstrate that in mild and uncomplicated essential hypertension, the chronic low-dose combination therapy with an ACE-inhibitor and an AT(1)-antagonist is more effective than the recommended full-dose monotherapy with either drug in influencing the autonomic regulation of the heart, suggesting a relative reduction in sympathetic drive both at cardiac and systemic levels.

  15. Evidence that Mediator is essential for Pol II transcription, but is not a required component of the preinitiation complex in vivo.

    PubMed

    Petrenko, Natalia; Jin, Yi; Wong, Koon Ho; Struhl, Kevin

    2017-07-12

    The Mediator complex has been described as a general transcription factor, but it is unclear if it is essential for Pol II transcription and/or is a required component of the preinitiation complex (PIC) in vivo. Here, we show that depletion of individual subunits, even those essential for cell growth, causes a general but only modest decrease in transcription. In contrast, simultaneous depletion of all Mediator modules causes a drastic decrease in transcription. Depletion of head or middle subunits, but not tail subunits, causes a downstream shift in the Pol II occupancy profile, suggesting that Mediator at the core promoter inhibits promoter escape. Interestingly, a functional PIC and Pol II transcription can occur when Mediator is not detected at core promoters. These results provide strong evidence that Mediator is essential for Pol II transcription and stimulates PIC formation, but it is not a required component of the PIC in vivo.

  16. Study of socio-demographic factors affecting prevalence of hypertension among bank employees of Surat City.

    PubMed

    Momin, Mohmmedirfan H; Desai, Vikas K; Kavishwar, Abhay B

    2012-01-01

    Cardiovascular diseases including hypertension are increasing in developing countries especially among high-risk group people like bank employees. A cross-sectional study of 1493 bank employees of Surat city was conducted during August, 2004 to September, 2005 to study the prevalence of hypertension among bank employees and the effects of socio-demographic factors on prevalence of hypertension. Data were analyzed using epi 6 software. The χ[2] -test was applied as a nonparametric test of statistical significance. Prevalence of hypertension was 30.4% and prehypertension was 34.5%. Out of 455 found as hypertensive, 258 (56.70%) were not having any symptoms at the time of examination. Prevalence was high among persons with age 50 years and above (48.5%); among male (32.5%) as compared to female (23.1%); among employees having small family size; among separated/divorcee person (40.0%). Prevalence of hypertension increased with seniority of the official position of bank employee with highest prevalence among managers (45.9%). Prevalence of hypertension was noted highest among the higher socioeconomic group; SEC I (35.0%) followed by class II (20.4%). Effects of different risk factors of hypertension were observed here. This study may help in identifying the common profile of hypertensive or persons at risk, which may further help in identifying the risk group and planning the group specific IEC interventions.

  17. [Hemodynamic effects of the synthetic analogue of endogenous nitric oxide (II) donors a dinitrosyl iron complex in hypertensive patients with uncomplicated hypertensive crisis].

    PubMed

    Gosteev, A Iu; Zorin, A V; Rodnenkov, O V; Dragnev, A G; Chazov, E I

    2014-01-01

    To examine the antihypertensive effect of the synthetic analogue of the endogenous nitric oxide donors in patients with grades 2-3 hypertension and uncomplicated hypertensive crisis (HC). The study included 30 male patients aged 35 to 73 years (mean age 55.5 ± 10.8 years). All the patients had grades 2-3 essential or secondary hypertension. Thirteen (43.3%) patients were observed to have signs of HC; 17 (56.7%) patients had persistent blood pressure (BP) elevation. A dinitrosyl iron complex was injected in a dose of 1.5 or 3 mg per kg of body weight. The purpose of its administration was to lower BP by at least 20% of its baseline level. No significant side effects associated with the administration of the test drug were recorded when the clinical trial protocol was implemented. All the patients reported fever and facial hyperemia during and 10-20 minutes after injection. They all (100%) showed efficient blood pressure reduction of at least 20% of the baseline level. Blood pressure changes were similar when the agent was administered in doses of 1.5 or 3 mg/kg. At 6-8 minutes after the drug was injected, there was a maximal decrease in blood pressure, then its gradual rise and stabilization at a lower level than the baseline one within the following 8 hours. There were no significant differences in the magnitude of a blood pressure reduction after administration of 1.5 and 3 mg/kg. The findings suggest that the dinitrosyl iron complex is highly effective in treating uncomplicated HC. The antihypertensive effect of the drug persists for 8 hours after its injection, which is very important during prehospital therapy. The drug is well tolerated by patients and causes an insignificant number of side effects.

  18. Interleukin-6 deficiency attenuates angiotensin II-induced cardiac pathogenesis with increased myocyte hypertrophy.

    PubMed

    Chen, Fan; Chen, Dandan; Zhang, Yubin; Jin, Liang; Zhang, Han; Wan, Miyang; Pan, Tianshu; Wang, Xiaochuan; Su, Yuheng; Xu, Yitao; Ye, Junmei

    2017-12-16

    Interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling is critical for cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, while the role of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of myocardium hypertrophy remains controversial. To determine the essential role of IL-6 signaling for the cardiac development during AngII-induced hypertension, and to elucidate the mechanisms, wild-type (WT) and IL-6 knockout (IL-6 KO) mice were infused subcutaneously with either vehicle or AngII (1.5 μg/h/mouse) for 1 week. Immunohistological and serum studies revealed that the extents of cardiac fibrosis, inflammation and apoptosis were reduced in IL-6 KO heart during AngII-stimulation, while cardiac hypertrophy was obviously induced. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, by using myocardial tissue and neonatal cardiomyocytes, we observed that IL-6/STAT3 signaling was activated under the stimulation of AngII both in vivo and in vitro. Further investigation suggested that STAT3 activation enhances the inhibitory effect of EndoG on MEF2A and hampers cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Our study is the first to show the important role of IL-6 in regulating cardiac pathogenesis via inflammation and apoptosis during AngII-induced hypertension. We also provide a novel link between IL-6/STAT3 and EndoG/MEF2A pathway that affects cardiac hypertrophy during AngII stimulation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Management of diabetic hypertensives

    PubMed Central

    Ganesh, Jai; Viswanathan, Vijay

    2011-01-01

    Hypertension occurs twice as commonly in diabetics than in comparable nondiabetics. Patients with both disorders have a markedly higher risk for premature microvascular and macrovascular complications. Aggressive control of blood pressure (BP) reduces both micro- and macrovascular complications. In diabetic hypertensives, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are the first line in management of hypertension, and can be replaced by angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) if patients are intolerant of them. Recent studies suggest ARBs to be on par with ACEI in reducing both macro- and microvascular risks. Adding both these agents may have a beneficial effect on proteinuria, but no extra macrovascular risk reduction. Thiazides can also be used as first line drugs, but are better used along with ACEI/ARBs. Beta-blockers [especially if the patient has coronary artery disease] and calcium channel blockers are used as second line add-on drugs. Multidrug regimens are commonly needed in diabetic hypertensives. Achieving the target BP of <130/80 is the priority rather than the drug combination used in order to arrest and prevent the progression of macro- and microvascular complications in diabetic hypertensives. PMID:22145142

  20. The long non coding RNAs MHRT, FENDRR and CARMEN, their expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with essential hypertension and their relation to heart hypertrophy.

    PubMed

    Kontaraki, Joanna E; Marketou, Maria E; Kochiadakis, George E; Maragkoudakis, Spyros; Konstantinou, John; Vardas, Panos E; Parthenakis, Fragiskos I

    2018-06-19

    Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in the modulation of cardiac hypertrophy and they represent potential therapeutic targets in cardiovascular disease. We investigated the expression profiles of selected lncRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with essential hypertension in relation to left ventricular hypertrophy. We assessed the expression levels of the lncRNAs MHRT, FENDRR and CARMEN using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Hypertensive patients showed significantly higher MHRT, FENDRR and CARMEN expression levels compared with healthy controls. In addition, we observed significant negative correlations of MHRT (r=-0.323, p=0.003) and FENDRR (r=-0.380, p=0.001) and a positive correlation of CARMEN (r=0.458, p<0.001) expression levels with left ventricular mass index. Our data reveal that the lncRNAs MHRT, FENDRR and CARMEN show distinct expression profiles in hypertensive patients and they possibly represent candidate therapeutic targets in hypertensive heart disease. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

  1. Pepsinogens I and II: purification from gastric mucosa and radioimmunoassay in serum

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Samloff, I.M.

    1982-01-01

    Pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II were purified from gastric mucosa and used to develop a radioimmunoassay for pepsinogen II and an improved radioimmunoassay for pepsinogen I. Each immunochemically homogeneous preparation contained only its characteristic components by radioelectophoretic analysis, and migrated as a singly band in polyacrylamide gel. The mean (+/- SD) level of serum pepsinogen II in 42 healthy control subjects was 10,8 +/- 3.8 ng/ml, significantly less (p less than 0.001) than the level of pepsinogen I, which was 62.9 +/- 22.2 ng/ml. The correlation between serum pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II was highly significant (r . 0.700, pmore » less than 0.001) in these subjects. In 20 patients with pernicious anemia the mean serum pepsinogen II level was 10.6 +/- 2.5 ng/ml, not different from normal, but significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than the level of pepsinogen I which was 5.9 +/- 4.7 ng/ml. IN 10 patients with total gastrectomy, serum pepsinogen I was 3.9 +/- 3.1 ng/ml and serum pepsinogen II was 3.2 +/- 3.1 ng/ml; both values were significantly lower (p less than 0.001) than the corresponding levels in pernicious anemia. The predominance of pepsinogen I in the serum of healthy control subjects suggests that either the gastric chief cell normally releases more pepsinogen I than pepsinogen II into the circulation or that pepsinogen I has longer metabolic clearance rate than pepsinogen II. The marked decrease in serum pepsinogen I in patients with pernicious anemia is best explained by a loss of gastric chief cells due to severe atropic gastritis of the fundic glands. The normal distribution of serum pepsinogen II levels in these patients may reflect an increased number of pyloric glands due to pyloric gland metaplasia of the proximal stomach.« less

  2. Hypertension: physiology and pathophysiology.

    PubMed

    Hall, John E; Granger, Joey P; do Carmo, Jussara M; da Silva, Alexandre A; Dubinion, John; George, Eric; Hamza, Shereen; Speed, Joshua; Hall, Michael E

    2012-10-01

    Despite major advances in understanding the pathophysiology of hypertension and availability of effective and safe antihypertensive drugs, suboptimal blood pressure (BP) control is still the most important risk factor for cardiovascular mortality and is globally responsible for more than 7 million deaths annually. Short-term and long-term BP regulation involve the integrated actions of multiple cardiovascular, renal, neural, endocrine, and local tissue control systems. Clinical and experimental observations strongly support a central role for the kidneys in the long-term regulation of BP, and abnormal renal-pressure natriuresis is present in all forms of chronic hypertension. Impaired renal-pressure natriuresis and chronic hypertension can be caused by intrarenal or extrarenal factors that reduce glomerular filtration rate or increase renal tubular reabsorption of salt and water; these factors include excessive activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems, increased formation of reactive oxygen species, endothelin, and inflammatory cytokines, or decreased synthesis of nitric oxide and various natriuretic factors. In human primary (essential) hypertension, the precise causes of impaired renal function are not completely understood, although excessive weight gain and dietary factors appear to play a major role since hypertension is rare in nonobese hunter-gathers living in nonindustrialized societies. Recent advances in genetics offer opportunities to discover gene-environment interactions that may also contribute to hypertension, although success thus far has been limited mainly to identification of rare monogenic forms of hypertension. © 2012 American Physiological Society

  3. A quality improvement plan for hypertension control: the INCOTECA Project (INterventions for COntrol of hyperTEnsion in CAtalonia)

    PubMed Central

    Vallès-Fernandez, Roser; Rosell-Murphy, Magdalena; Correcher-Aventin, Olga; Mengual-Martínez, Lucas; Aznar-Martínez, Núria; Prieto-De Lamo, Gemma; Franzi-Sisó, Alícia; Puig-Manresa, Jordi; Ma Bonet-Simó, Josep

    2009-01-01

    Background Different studies have shown insufficient blood pressure (BP) control in hypertensive patients. Multiple factors influence hypertension management, and the quality of primary care is one of them. We decided therefore to evaluate the effectiveness of a quality improvement plan directed at professionals of Primary Health Care Teams (PHCT) with the aim to achieve a better control of hypertension. The hypothesis of the study is that the implementation of a quality improvement plan will improve the control of hypertension. The primary aim of this study will be to evaluate the effectiveness of this plan. Methods and design Design: multicentric study quasi-experimental before – after with control group. The non-randomised allocation of the intervention will be done at PHCT level. Setting: 18 PHCT in the Barcelona province (Spain). Sample: all patients with a diagnosis of hypertension (population based study). Exclusion criteria: patients with a diagnosis of hypertension made later than 01/01/2006 and patients younger than 18 years. Intervention: a quality improvement plan, which targets primary health care professionals and includes educational sessions, feedback to health professionals, audit and implementation of recommended clinical practice guidelines for the management of hypertensive patients. Measurements: age, sex, associated co-morbidity (diabetes mellitus type I and II, heart failure and renal failure). The following variables will be recorded: BP measurement, cardiovascular risk and antihypertensive drugs used. Results will be measured before the start of the intervention and twelve months after the start of the study. Dependent variable: prevalence of hypertensive patients with poor BP control. Analysis: Chi-square test and Student's t-test will be used to measure the association between independent qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. Non-parametric tests will be used for the analysis of non-normally distributed variables

  4. Obesity-Induced Hypertension: Brain Signaling Pathways

    PubMed Central

    da Silva, Alexandre A.; Wang, Zhen; Fang, Taolin; Aberdein, Nicola; de Lara Rodriguez, Cecilia E. P.; Hall, John E.

    2017-01-01

    Obesity greatly increases the risk for cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal diseases and is one of the most significant and preventable causes of increased blood pressure (BP) in patients with essential hypertension. This review high-lights recent advances in our understanding of central nervous system (CNS) signaling pathways that contribute to the etiology and pathogenesis of obesity-induced hypertension. We discuss the role of excess adiposity and activation of the brain leptin-melanocortin system in causing increased sympathetic activity in obesity. In addition, we highlight other potential brain mechanisms by which increased weight gain modulates metabolic and cardiovascular functions. Unraveling the CNS mechanisms responsible for increased sympathetic activation and hypertension and how circulating hormones activate brain signaling pathways to control BP offer potentially important therapeutic targets for obesity and hypertension. PMID:27262997

  5. The Bionic Clicker Mark I & II.

    PubMed

    Magee, Elliott G; Ourselin, S; Nikitichev, Daniil; Vercauteren, T; Vanhoestenberghe, Anne

    2017-08-14

    In this manuscript, we present two 'Bionic Clicker' systems, the first designed to demonstrate electromyography (EMG) based control systems for educational purposes and the second for research purposes. EMG based control systems pick up electrical signals generated by muscle activation and use these as inputs for controllers. EMG controllers are widely used in prosthetics to control limbs. The Mark I (MK I) clicker allows the wearer to change the slide of a presentation by raising their index finger. It is built around a microcontroller and a bio-signals shield. It generated a lot of interest from both the public and research community. The Mark II (MK II) device presented here was designed to be a cheaper, sleeker, and more customizable system that can be easily modified and directly transmit EMG data. It is built using a wireless capable microcontroller and a muscle sensor.

  6. 30 CFR 57.22228 - Preshift examination (I-A, I-C, II-A, III, and V-A mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Preshift examination (I-A, I-C, II-A, III, and V-A mines). 57.22228 Section 57.22228 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... Preshift examination (I-A, I-C, II-A, III, and V-A mines). (a) Preshift examinations shall be conducted...

  7. 30 CFR 57.22228 - Preshift examination (I-A, I-C, II-A, III, and V-A mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Preshift examination (I-A, I-C, II-A, III, and V-A mines). 57.22228 Section 57.22228 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... Preshift examination (I-A, I-C, II-A, III, and V-A mines). (a) Preshift examinations shall be conducted...

  8. Hypertensive Medications in Competitive Athletes.

    PubMed

    Pelto, Henry

    Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease in athletes. It is an important cause of long-term morbidity and mortality, even in a fit, athletic population. Management options to reduce these long-term risks exist that have minimal impact on athletic performance. Identification and management of underlying lifestyle factors and diseases that may lead to secondary hypertension is critical. These include substance abuse, medications, and underlying medical conditions. After evaluation and management of these issues, medications can be used to reduce blood pressure. In the athletic population, first-line medication treatment should include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), and calcium channel blockers (CCB). The response to treatment should be followed closely to ensure adequate blood pressure control. Athletic participation in sports with high dynamic load should be limited in individuals with stage 2 hypertension or stage 1 hypertension with evidence of end organ damage.

  9. Simultaneous regulation of antenna size and photosystem I/II stoichiometry in Arabidopsis thaliana.

    PubMed

    Jia, Ting; Ito, Hisashi; Tanaka, Ayumi

    2016-11-01

    The photosystem I/II ratio increased when antenna size was enlarged by transient induction of CAO in chlorophyll b -less mutants, thus indicating simultaneous regulation of antenna size and photosystem I/II stoichiometry. Regulation of antenna size and photosystem I/II stoichiometry is an indispensable strategy for plants to acclimate to changes to light environments. When plants grown in high-light conditions are transferred to low-light conditions, the peripheral antennae of photosystems are enlarged. A change in the photosystem I/II ratio is also observed under the same light conditions. However, our knowledge of the correlation between antenna size modulation and variation in photosystem I/II stoichiometry remains limited. In this study, chlorophyll a oxygenase was transiently induced in Arabidopsis thaliana chlorophyll b-less mutants, ch1-1, to alter the antenna size without changing environmental conditions. In addition to the accumulation of chlorophyll b, the levels of the peripheral antenna complexes of both photosystems gradually increased, and these were assembled to the core antenna of both photosystems. However, the antenna size of photosystem II was greater than that of photosystem I. Immunoblot analysis of core antenna proteins showed that the number of photosystem I increased, but not that of photosystem II, resulting in an increase in the photosystem I/II ratio. These results clearly indicate that antenna size adjustment was coupled with changes in photosystem I/II stoichiometry. Based on these results, the physiological importance of simultaneous regulation of antenna size and photosystem I/II stoichiometry is discussed in relation to acclimation to light conditions.

  10. Evidence that Mediator is essential for Pol II transcription, but is not a required component of the preinitiation complex in vivo

    PubMed Central

    Petrenko, Natalia; Jin, Yi; Wong, Koon Ho; Struhl, Kevin

    2017-01-01

    The Mediator complex has been described as a general transcription factor, but it is unclear if it is essential for Pol II transcription and/or is a required component of the preinitiation complex (PIC) in vivo. Here, we show that depletion of individual subunits, even those essential for cell growth, causes a general but only modest decrease in transcription. In contrast, simultaneous depletion of all Mediator modules causes a drastic decrease in transcription. Depletion of head or middle subunits, but not tail subunits, causes a downstream shift in the Pol II occupancy profile, suggesting that Mediator at the core promoter inhibits promoter escape. Interestingly, a functional PIC and Pol II transcription can occur when Mediator is not detected at core promoters. These results provide strong evidence that Mediator is essential for Pol II transcription and stimulates PIC formation, but it is not a required component of the PIC in vivo. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.28447.001 PMID:28699889

  11. Transdermal delivery of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and others for management of hypertension.

    PubMed

    Ahad, Abdul; Al-Mohizea, Abdullah Mohammed; Al-Jenoobi, Fahad Ibrahim; Aqil, Mohd

    2016-01-01

    Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are some of the most commonly prescribed medications for hypertension. Most of all conventional dosage forms of ARBs and ACEIs undergo extensive first-pass metabolism, which significantly reduces bioavailability. Majority of ARBs and ACEIs are inherently short acting due to a rapid elimination half-life. In addition, oral dosage forms of ARBs and ACEIs have many high incidences of adverse effects due to variable absorption profiles, higher frequency of administration and poor patient compliance. Many attempts have been made globally at the laboratory level to investigate the skin permeation and to develop transdermal therapeutic systems of various ARBs, ACEIs and other anti-hypertensives, to circumvent the drawbacks associated with their conventional dosage form. This manuscript presents an outline of the transdermal research specifically in the area of ARBs, ACEIs and other anti-hypertensives reported in various pharmaceutical journals. The transdermal delivery has gained a significant importance for systemic treatment as it is able to avoid first-pass metabolism and major fluctuations of plasma levels typical of repeated oral administration. As we can experience from this review article that transdermal delivery of different ARBs and ACEIs improves bioavailability as well as patient compliance by many folds. In fact, the rationale development of some newer ARBs, ACEIs and other anti-hypertensives transdermal systems will provide new ways of treatment, circumventing current limitations for conventional dosage forms.

  12. ``Smart'' baroreception along the aortic arch, with reference to essential hypertension

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kember, G. C.; Zamir, M.; Armour, J. A.

    2004-11-01

    Beat-to-beat regulation of heart rate is dependent upon sensing of local stretching or local “disortion” by aortic baroreceptors. Distortions of the aortic wall are due mainly to left ventricular output and to reflected waves arising from the arterial tree. Distortions are generally believed to be useful in cardiac control since stretch receptors or aortic baroreceptors embedded in the adventitia of the aortic wall, transduce the distortions to cardiovascular neural reflex pathways responsible for beat-to-beat regulation of heart rate. Aortic neuroanatomy studies have also found a continuous strip of mechanosensory neurites spread along the aortic inner arch. Although their purpose is now unknown, such a combined sensing capacity would allow measurement of the space and time dependence of inner arch wall distortions due, among other things, to traveling waves associated with pulsatile flow in an elastic tube. We call this sensing capability-“smart baroreception.” In this paper we use an arterial tree model to show that the cumulative effects of wave reflections, from many sites far downstream, have a surprisingly pronounced effect on the pressure distribution in the root segment of the tree. By this mechanism global hemodynamics can be focused by wave reflections back to the aortic arch, where they can rapidly impact cardiac control via smart baroreception. Such sensing is likely important to maintain efficient heart function. However, alterations in the arterial tree due to aging and other natural processes can lead in such a system to altered cardiac control and essential hypertension.

  13. "I have to live like I'm old." Young adults' perspectives on managing hypertension: a multi-center qualitative study.

    PubMed

    Johnson, Heather M; Warner, Ryan C; LaMantia, Jamie N; Bowers, Barbara J

    2016-03-11

    In the U.S., young adults (18-39 year-olds) have the lowest hypertension control rates among hypertensive adults. Understanding young adults' unique perceptions about hypertension and perceived barriers to hypertension control is critical to develop effective interventions for this population. This multi-center study explored young adults': 1) emotions and reactions after a hypertension diagnosis, 2) attitudes about managing hypertension (lifestyle changes, follow-up visits, antihypertensive medication use), 3) opinions about their healthcare system's hypertension education materials, and 4) opinions about using social media to manage hypertension. Young adults (18-39 year-olds) with a diagnosis of hypertension and regular primary care access were recruited by the Wisconsin Research and Education Network (WREN). Two focus groups (one per age range: 18-29 years, 30-39 years) were conducted in three Midwestern Family Medicine Clinics (academic, rural, and urban). Conventional content analysis was performed. Thirty-eight young adults (mean: 26.7 [9.6] years old, 34% male, 45% Black, 42% with ≥1 year of college) identified barriers to managing hypertension. Emergent themes overlapped across age groups and geographic regions. Most respondents were surprised and angry about a hypertension diagnosis; they expected to develop hypertension, but at a much older age. A hypertension diagnosis negatively altered their "young" self-identity; suggested behavior changes and antihypertensive medications made them feel "older" than their peers. Young adults missed blood pressure follow-up visits due to co-payments, transportation barriers, and longer than desired wait times for brief visits. Contrary to our hypothesis, most young adults disliked social media or text messaging to support self-management; they were most concerned that their peers would see the hypertension communication. Current hypertension education materials were described as not addressing young adults' health

  14. Distinct Mechanisms of Transcription Initiation by RNA Polymerases I and II.

    PubMed

    Engel, Christoph; Neyer, Simon; Cramer, Patrick

    2018-05-20

    RNA polymerases I and II (Pol I and Pol II) are the eukaryotic enzymes that catalyze DNA-dependent synthesis of ribosomal RNA and messenger RNA, respectively. Recent work shows that the transcribing forms of both enzymes are similar and the fundamental mechanisms of RNA chain elongation are conserved. However, the mechanisms of transcription initiation and its regulation differ between Pol I and Pol II. Recent structural studies of Pol I complexes with transcription initiation factors provided insights into how the polymerase recognizes its specific promoter DNA, how it may open DNA, and how initiation may be regulated. Comparison with the well-studied Pol II initiation system reveals a distinct architecture of the initiation complex and visualizes promoter- and gene-class-specific aspects of transcription initiation. On the basis of new structural studies, we derive a model of the Pol I transcription cycle and provide a molecular movie of Pol I transcription that can be used for teaching.

  15. Antihypertension and anti-cardiovascular remodeling by phenylalanine in spontaneously hypertensive rats: effectiveness and mechanisms.

    PubMed

    Zhao, G; Li, Z; Gu, T

    2001-03-01

    To investigate mechanisms of anti-hypertension and anti-cardiovascular remodeling by phenylalanine (phe) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The comparison of blood pressure (BP) increment with the ages and cardiovascular changes of SHRs was made between the 3% phe-intervented group (SHR-phe) and the control SHRs group. Detection of the structural changes with the VIDAS digital vedio-frequency processing technique and light and electron microscopy were made. The cell growth and proliferation of cultured smooth muscle cells (CSMCs) of the thoracic aortas or myocardial fibroblasts were evaluated by measuring the 3H-thymidine counts per minute (cpm) incorporated into the new synthesized desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and determining the cell number with the crystal violet stain technique. The Ca2+ influx was measured in counts/min of 45CaCl2 after incubating it with 5 different concentrations of phenylalanine and the intracellular [Ca2+]i by Fura-II/Am indicator. The total messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) of the myocardium was extracted and Northern blot analysis was performed with the probe collagen alpha 2 (I) cDNA. The tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detector after having reacted with its substrate tyrosine and other reagents. The catecholamine contents in brain homogenat were detected by HPLC method. The comparison of pharmacokinetics of phenylalanine among SHR-phe, SHRs and control Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats was made after intravenous injection of 3H-L-phe (1 ml/kg) by PK-GRAPH Program for kinetic calculation. The 3H-L-phe uptake by CSMCs after incubating for definite intervals was also detected and compared. Phenylalanine could prevent the increase of BP with ages and the heart weight (heart/body weight index). The aortic media thickness and the collagen content in the myocardium were decreased significantly in SHR-phe. Whereas the dearranged cardiovascular structure was

  16. Concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α and its soluble receptors in the serum of teenagers with atherosclerosis risk factors: obesity or obesity combined with hypertension.

    PubMed

    Obuchowicz, Anna; Kniażewska, Maria; Zmudzińska-Kitczak, Joanna; Urban, Katarzyna; Gonciarz-Majda, Anna

    2014-11-01

    Obesity and hypertension are recognised risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. It has not been proven whether their co-existence increases the synthesis of pro-inflammatory TNF-α and what the levels of soluble receptors of this cytokine (sTNF-R) are. This study is aimed to investigate whether there exists a relationship between TNF-α and sTNF-R concentrations in blood serum with the occurrence of obesity or obesity combined with primary hypertension in teenagers. 68 persons, aged 9-17, including 32 persons with primary obesity (Group I) and 36 with primary obesity combined with primary hypertension (Group II). TNF-α (pg/mL) and sTNF-R (ng/mL) concentrations were determined in serum samples using the ELISA method with sets of reagents manufactured by Bender Med Systems GmbH. No significant differences in TNF-α, sTNF-R, glucose or insulin concentrations were found between Group I and Group II. These concentrations were not correlated with the age and the nutritional status of the patients or with each other in either of the groups. Both obese teenagers and teenagers exhibiting obesity combined with hypertension (as two atherosclerosis risk factors) are characterised by comparable concentrations of TNF-α and its soluble receptors.

  17. [Poisons of DNA topoisomerases I and II].

    PubMed

    Charcosset, J Y; Soues, S; Laval, F

    1993-11-01

    Over the past decade, DNA topoisomerase I and II appeared to be the targets of some antitumor agents: CPT-11 and Topotecan derived from Camptothecin which interact with topoisomerase I; Actinomycin D, Adriamycin and Daunorubicin, Elliptinium Acetate, Mitoxantrone, Etoposide and Teniposide, Amsacrine which interact with topoisomerase II. The multiple functions of these enzymes are important as they play a role during replication, transcription, recombination, repair and chromatine organisation. Particularly, they relax torsional constraints which appear when intertwined DNA strands are separated while replication fork or RNA polymerases are moving. To some extent, topoisomerase I and II are structurally and functionally different. Moreover, topoisomerase I is not indispensable for a living cell whereas topoisomerase II is. Drug-topoisomerase interaction which probably leads to antitumoral effect of the compounds studied in this review is not a trivial inhibition of the enzyme but rather a poisoning due to stabilization of cleavable complexes between the enzyme and DNA. These stabilized complexes are likely to induce apoptosis-like programmed cell death, which is characterised by DNA fragmentation. However, it appears that it is the collision of the replication fork with the drug-stabilized cleavable complex that is responsible for the cytotoxicity of the drug: poisoning of topoisomerases by antitumor agents leads to a new concept of "dynamic toxicity". Although they interact with a common target, topoisomerase II poisons have differential effects on macromolecules syntheses, cell cycle and chromosome fragmentation; a few compounds may produce free radicals. Because of these differential effects in addition to quantitative and qualitative variations of stabilized cleavable complexes, in particular DNA sequences on which topoisomerase II is stabilized, these antitumor agents do not resemble each other. Cellular resistance to topoisomerases poisons results of two

  18. Sympathetic nervous system and the kidney in hypertension.

    PubMed

    DiBona, Gerald F

    2002-03-01

    Long-term control of arterial pressure has been attributed to the kidney by virtue of its ability to couple the regulation of blood volume to the maintenance of sodium and water balance by the mechanisms of pressure natriuresis and diuresis. In the presence of a defect in renal excretory function, hypertension arises as the consequence of the need for an increase in arterial pressure to offset the abnormal pressure natriuresis and diuresis mechanisms, and to maintain sodium and water balance. There is growing evidence that an important cause of the defect in renal excretory function in hypertension is an increase in renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). First, increased RSNA is found in animal models of hypertension and hypertensive humans. Second, renal denervation prevents or alleviates hypertension in virtually all animal models of hypertension. Finally, increased RSNA results in reduced renal excretory function by virtue of effects on the renal vasculature, the tubules, and the juxtaglomerular granular cells. The increase in RSNA is of central nervous system origin, with one of the stimuli being the action of angiotensin II, probably of central origin. By acting on brain stem nuclei that are important in the control of peripheral sympathetic vasomotor tone (e.g. rostral ventrolateral medulla), angiotensin II increases the basal level of RSNA and impairs its arterial baroreflex regulation. Therefore, the renal sympathetic nerves may serve as the link between central sympathetic nervous system regulatory sites and the kidney in contributing to the renal excretory defect in the development of hypertension.

  19. [Insulin resistance--a physiopathological condition with numerous sequelae: non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), android obesity, essential hypertension, dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis].

    PubMed

    Pedersen, O

    1992-05-11

    Recent research has demonstrated that reduced insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle (insulin resistance) and hyperinsulinism are common features in widespread diseases such as essential hypertension, android obesity, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia (in the form of raised serum triglyceride and reduced serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol) and arteriosclerosis. Simultaneously, investigations in a comprehensive group of healthy middle-aged men have revealed insulin resistance in one fourth. On the basis of these observations, a working hypothesis is suggested which postulates that genetic abnormalities in one or more of the candidate genes in the modes of action of insulin occur in a great proportion of the population. These may result in insulin resistance (primary genetic insulin resistance). Primary insulin resistance may be potentiated by a series of circumstances such as ageing, high-fat diet, lack of physical activity, hormonal and metabolic abnormalities or drugs (secondary insulin resistance). As a consequence of the reduced effect of insulin on muscle tissue, compensatory hyperinsulinism develops. Depending on the remaining vulnerability of the individual the hyperinsulinism is presumed to result in development of one or more phenotypes. For example if the beta-cells of the pancreas are unable to secrete sufficient insulin to compensate the insulin resistance on account of genetic defects, glucose intolerance will develop. In a similar manner, hyperinsulinism in insulin-resistant individuals who are predisposed to essential hypertension is presumed to reveal genetic defects in the blood pressure regulating mechanisms and thus contribute to development of the disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  20. The Bionic Clicker Mark I & II

    PubMed Central

    Magee, Elliott G.; Ourselin, S.; Nikitichev, Daniil; Vercauteren, T.; Vanhoestenberghe, Anne

    2017-01-01

    In this manuscript, we present two 'Bionic Clicker' systems, the first designed to demonstrate electromyography (EMG) based control systems for educational purposes and the second for research purposes. EMG based control systems pick up electrical signals generated by muscle activation and use these as inputs for controllers. EMG controllers are widely used in prosthetics to control limbs. The Mark I (MK I) clicker allows the wearer to change the slide of a presentation by raising their index finger. It is built around a microcontroller and a bio-signals shield. It generated a lot of interest from both the public and research community. The Mark II (MK II) device presented here was designed to be a cheaper, sleeker, and more customizable system that can be easily modified and directly transmit EMG data. It is built using a wireless capable microcontroller and a muscle sensor. PMID:28829413

  1. 30 CFR 57.22235 - Actions at 1.0 percent methane (I-C, II-A, II-B, and IV mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Actions at 1.0 percent methane (I-C, II-A, II-B, and IV mines). 57.22235 Section 57.22235 Mineral Resources MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION... Actions at 1.0 percent methane (I-C, II-A, II-B, and IV mines). (a) If methane reaches 1.0 percent in the...

  2. 30 CFR 57.22235 - Actions at 1.0 percent methane (I-C, II-A, II-B, and IV mines).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 30 Mineral Resources 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Actions at 1.0 percent methane (I-C, II-A, II-B... AND NONMETAL MINES Safety Standards for Methane in Metal and Nonmetal Mines Ventilation § 57.22235 Actions at 1.0 percent methane (I-C, II-A, II-B, and IV mines). (a) If methane reaches 1.0 percent in the...

  3. Chronic fructose intake accelerates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the presence of essential hypertension.

    PubMed

    Lírio, Layla Mendonça; Forechi, Ludimila; Zanardo, Tadeu Caliman; Batista, Hiago Martins; Meira, Eduardo Frizera; Nogueira, Breno Valentim; Mill, José Geraldo; Baldo, Marcelo Perim

    2016-01-01

    The growing epidemic of metabolic syndrome has been related to the increased use of fructose by the food industry. In fact, the use of fructose as an ingredient has increased in sweetened beverages, such as sodas and juices. We thus hypothesized that fructose intake by hypertensive rats would have a worse prognosis in developing metabolic disorder and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Male Wistar and SHR rats aged 6weeks were given water or fructose (10%) for 6weeks. Blood glucose was measured every two weeks, and insulin and glucose sensitivity tests were assessed at the end of the follow-up. Systolic blood pressure was measure by plethysmography. Lean mass and abdominal fat mass were collected and weighed. Liver tissue was analyzed to determine interstitial fat deposition and fibrosis. Fasting glucose increased in animals that underwent a high fructose intake, independent of blood pressure levels. Also, insulin resistance was observed in normotensive and mostly in hypertensive rats after fructose intake. Fructose intake caused a 2.5-fold increase in triglycerides levels in both groups. Fructose intake did not change lean mass. However, we found that fructose intake significantly increased abdominal fat mass deposition in normotensive but not in hypertensive rats. Nevertheless, chronic fructose intake only increased fat deposition and fibrosis in the liver in hypertensive rats. We demonstrated that, in normotensive and hypertensive rats, fructose intake increased triglycerides and abdominal fat deposition, and caused insulin resistance. However, hypertensive rats that underwent fructose intake also developed interstitial fat deposition and fibrosis in liver. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Oxidative Stress State Is Associated with Left Ventricular Mechanics Changes, Measured by Speckle Tracking in Essential Hypertensive Patients.

    PubMed

    Moreno-Ruíz, Luis Antonio; Ibarra-Quevedo, David; Rodríguez-Martínez, Erika; Maldonado, Perla D; Sarabia-Ortega, Benito; Hernández-Martínez, José Gustavo; Espinosa-Caleti, Beda; Mendoza-Pérez, Beatriz; Rivas-Arancibia, Selva

    2015-01-01

    The oxidative stress state is characterized by an increase in oxygen reactive species that overwhelms the antioxidant defense; we do not know if these pathological changes are correlated with alterations in left ventricular mechanics. The aim was correlating the oxidative stress state with the left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) and the left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP). Twenty-five patients with essential hypertension and 25 controls paired by age and gender were studied. All of the participants were subjected to echocardiography and biochemical determination of oxidative stress markers. The hypertensive patients, compared with control subjects, had significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of oxidized proteins (5.03 ± 1.05 versus 4.06 ± 0.63 nmol/mg), lower levels of extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) activity (0.045 ± 0.02 versus 0.082 ± 0.02 U/mg), higher LVEDP (16.2 ± 4.5 versus 11.3 ± 1.6 mm Hg), and lower GLS (-12% versus -16%). Both groups had preserved ejection fraction and the results showed a positive correlation of oxidized proteins with GLS (r = 0.386, p = 0.006) and LVEDP (r = 0.389, p = 0.005); we also found a negative correlation of EC-SOD activity with GLS (r = -0.404, p = 0.004) and LVEDP (r = -0.347, p = 0.014).

  5. [EVALUATION OF ARTERIAL STIFFNESS AND POSSIBILITY TO PREDICT CAROTID ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION BASED ON AN OUTPATIENT FACILITY].

    PubMed

    Polipanov, A G; Mamasaidov, Zh A; Geleskhanova, Yu N; Cheskidova, N B; Romanova, T A; Dzhumagulova, A S

    2016-01-01

    To estimate the possibility of predicting the presence and severity of coronary atherosclerosis from arterial stiffness characteristics and augmentation index (AIx) in patients with essential hypertension (EH) obtained under outpatient conditions. The general clinical examination of 15 patients aged 30-70 yr with EH was supplemented by measuring blood glucose and creatinine levels, the lipid status (LWLP, HDLP, TG), duplex scanning of carotid arteries, and evaluation of arterial stiffness by pulsed wave contour analysis. AIx and age were independent risk factors of coronary atherosclerosis in patients with EH and severity of its manifestations. AIx values over 25% were with high specificity (over 85%) associated with atherosclerotic lesions.

  6. Structural analysis of group II chitinase (ChtII) catalysis completes the puzzle of chitin hydrolysis in insects.

    PubMed

    Chen, Wei; Qu, Mingbo; Zhou, Yong; Yang, Qing

    2018-02-23

    Chitin is a linear homopolymer of N -acetyl-β-d-glucosamines and a major structural component of insect cuticles. Chitin hydrolysis involves glycoside hydrolase family 18 (GH18) chitinases. In insects, chitin hydrolysis is essential for periodic shedding of the old cuticle ecdysis and proceeds via a pathway different from that in the well studied bacterial chitinolytic system. Group II chitinase (ChtII) is a widespread chitinolytic enzyme in insects and contains the greatest number of catalytic domains and chitin-binding domains among chitinases. In Lepidopterans, ChtII and two other chitinases, ChtI and Chi-h, are essential for chitin hydrolysis. Although ChtI and Chi-h have been well studied, the role of ChtII remains elusive. Here, we investigated the structure and enzymology of Of ChtII, a ChtII derived from the insect pest Ostrinia furnacalis We present the crystal structures of two catalytically active domains of Of ChtII, Of ChtII-C1 and Of ChtII-C2, both in unliganded form and complexed with chitooligosaccharide substrates. We found that Of ChtII-C1 and Of ChtII-C2 both possess long, deep substrate-binding clefts with endochitinase activities. Of ChtII exhibited structural characteristics within the substrate-binding cleft similar to those in Of Chi-h and Of ChtI. However, Of ChtII lacked structural elements favoring substrate binding beyond the active sites, including an extra wall structure present in Of Chi-h. Nevertheless, the numerous domains in Of ChtII may compensate for this difference; a truncation containing one catalytic domain and three chitin-binding modules ( Of ChtII-B4C1) displayed activity toward insoluble polymeric substrates that was higher than those of Of Chi-h and Of ChtI. Our observations provide the last piece of the puzzle of chitin hydrolysis in insects. © 2018 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  7. Type I and II Endometrial Cancers: Have They Different Risk Factors?

    PubMed Central

    Setiawan, Veronica Wendy; Yang, Hannah P.; Pike, Malcolm C.; McCann, Susan E.; Yu, Herbert; Xiang, Yong-Bing; Wolk, Alicja; Wentzensen, Nicolas; Weiss, Noel S.; Webb, Penelope M.; van den Brandt, Piet A.; van de Vijver, Koen; Thompson, Pamela J.; Strom, Brian L.; Spurdle, Amanda B.; Soslow, Robert A.; Shu, Xiao-ou; Schairer, Catherine; Sacerdote, Carlotta; Rohan, Thomas E.; Robien, Kim; Risch, Harvey A.; Ricceri, Fulvio; Rebbeck, Timothy R.; Rastogi, Radhai; Prescott, Jennifer; Polidoro, Silvia; Park, Yikyung; Olson, Sara H.; Moysich, Kirsten B.; Miller, Anthony B.; McCullough, Marjorie L.; Matsuno, Rayna K.; Magliocco, Anthony M.; Lurie, Galina; Lu, Lingeng; Lissowska, Jolanta; Liang, Xiaolin; Lacey, James V.; Kolonel, Laurence N.; Henderson, Brian E.; Hankinson, Susan E.; Håkansson, Niclas; Goodman, Marc T.; Gaudet, Mia M.; Garcia-Closas, Montserrat; Friedenreich, Christine M.; Freudenheim, Jo L.; Doherty, Jennifer; De Vivo, Immaculata; Courneya, Kerry S.; Cook, Linda S.; Chen, Chu; Cerhan, James R.; Cai, Hui; Brinton, Louise A.; Bernstein, Leslie; Anderson, Kristin E.; Anton-Culver, Hoda; Schouten, Leo J.; Horn-Ross, Pamela L.

    2013-01-01

    Purpose Endometrial cancers have long been divided into estrogen-dependent type I and the less common clinically aggressive estrogen-independent type II. Little is known about risk factors for type II tumors because most studies lack sufficient cases to study these much less common tumors separately. We examined whether so-called classical endometrial cancer risk factors also influence the risk of type II tumors. Patients and Methods Individual-level data from 10 cohort and 14 case-control studies from the Epidemiology of Endometrial Cancer Consortium were pooled. A total of 14,069 endometrial cancer cases and 35,312 controls were included. We classified endometrioid (n = 7,246), adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified (n = 4,830), and adenocarcinoma with squamous differentiation (n = 777) as type I tumors and serous (n = 508) and mixed cell (n = 346) as type II tumors. Results Parity, oral contraceptive use, cigarette smoking, age at menarche, and diabetes were associated with type I and type II tumors to similar extents. Body mass index, however, had a greater effect on type I tumors than on type II tumors: odds ratio (OR) per 2 kg/m2 increase was 1.20 (95% CI, 1.19 to 1.21) for type I and 1.12 (95% CI, 1.09 to 1.14) for type II tumors (Pheterogeneity < .0001). Risk factor patterns for high-grade endometrioid tumors and type II tumors were similar. Conclusion The results of this pooled analysis suggest that the two endometrial cancer types share many common etiologic factors. The etiology of type II tumors may, therefore, not be completely estrogen independent, as previously believed. PMID:23733771

  8. Renin and aldosterone measurements in the management of arterial hypertension.

    PubMed

    Viola, A; Monticone, S; Burrello, J; Buffolo, F; Lucchiari, M; Rabbia, F; Williams, T A; Veglio, F; Mengozzi, G; Mulatero, P

    2015-06-01

    Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is recognized as the main regulatory system of hemodynamics in man, and its derangements have a key role in the development and maintenance of arterial hypertension. Classification of the hypertensive states according to different patterns of renin and aldosterone levels ("RAAS profiling") allows the diagnosis of specific forms of secondary hypertension and may identify distinct hemodynamic subsets in essential hypertension. In this review, we summarize the application of RAAS profiling for the diagnostic assessment of hypertensive patients and discuss how the pathophysiological framework provided by RAAS profiling may guide therapeutic decision-making, especially in the context of uncontrolled hypertension not responding to multi-therapy. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  9. Advances in the treatment of portal hypertension in cirrhosis.

    PubMed

    Kimer, N; Wiese, S; Mo, S; Møller, S; Bendtsen, F

    2016-08-01

    Non-selective beta-blockers and handling of esophageal varices has been key elements in the treatment of portal hypertension in recent decades. Liver vein catheterization has been essential in diagnosis and monitoring of portal hypertension, but ongoing needs for noninvasive tools has led to research in areas of both biomarkers, and transient elastography, which displays promising results in discerning clinically significant portal hypertension. Novel research into the areas of hepatic stellate cell function and the dynamic components of portal hypertension has revealed promising areas of treatment modalities, targeting intestinal decontamination, angiogenesis, inflammation and oxidative stress. Future studies may reveal if these initiatives lead to developments of new drugs for treatment of portal hypertension.

  10. Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I and MHC Class II Proteins: Conformational Plasticity in Antigen Presentation

    PubMed Central

    Wieczorek, Marek; Abualrous, Esam T.; Sticht, Jana; Álvaro-Benito, Miguel; Stolzenberg, Sebastian; Noé, Frank; Freund, Christian

    2017-01-01

    Antigen presentation by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins is essential for adaptive immunity. Prior to presentation, peptides need to be generated from proteins that are either produced by the cell’s own translational machinery or that are funneled into the endo-lysosomal vesicular system. The prolonged interaction between a T cell receptor and specific pMHC complexes, after an extensive search process in secondary lymphatic organs, eventually triggers T cells to proliferate and to mount a specific cellular immune response. Once processed, the peptide repertoire presented by MHC proteins largely depends on structural features of the binding groove of each particular MHC allelic variant. Additionally, two peptide editors—tapasin for class I and HLA-DM for class II—contribute to the shaping of the presented peptidome by favoring the binding of high-affinity antigens. Although there is a vast amount of biochemical and structural information, the mechanism of the catalyzed peptide exchange for MHC class I and class II proteins still remains controversial, and it is not well understood why certain MHC allelic variants are more susceptible to peptide editing than others. Recent studies predict a high impact of protein intermediate states on MHC allele-specific peptide presentation, which implies a profound influence of MHC dynamics on the phenomenon of immunodominance and the development of autoimmune diseases. Here, we review the recent literature that describe MHC class I and II dynamics from a theoretical and experimental point of view and we highlight the similarities between MHC class I and class II dynamics despite the distinct functions they fulfill in adaptive immunity. PMID:28367149

  11. Transitiometric analysis of solid II/solid I transition in anhydrous theophylline.

    PubMed

    Legendre, Bernard; Randzio, Stanislaw L

    2007-10-01

    For the first time, with the use of a high sensitivity, low heating rate, scanning transitiometry, it was possible to distinguish and characterise the polymorphic equilibrium transition between forms II and I in anhydrous theophylline. In this manner it was univocally proved, that forms II and I in theophylline are enantiotropically related. The temperature and enthalpy for that transition are as follows: T(trs)(II/I)=536.8+/-2.2K; Delta(trs)H(II/I)=1.99+/-0.09 kJ/mol. Making use of advantages of very slow heating rate and of a high energetic sensitivity of the transitiometer it was possible to observe in detail the polymorphic transition followed by melting of high temperature form I and to stop the solid I-liquid transition at a desired point of equilibrium. Such a solid I-liquid equilibrium could be stabilised and then displaced back to the crystallisation of form I with an adequate use of a precise temperature programming. In such a way a pure single phase of form I of theophylline was prepared. This fact was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction patterns and calorimetric traces of fusion of the crystallised product. The temperature and enthalpy of the form I-liquid transition are as follows: T(fus)(I)=546.5+/-0.2K and Delta(fus)H(I)=29.37+/-0.29 kJ/mol.

  12. A rare cause of hypertension in pregnancy: Phaeochromocytoma.

    PubMed

    Shah, Sonali; Edwards, Lindsay; Robinson, Andrew; Crosthwaite, Amy; Houlihan, Christine; Paizis, Kathy

    2017-06-01

    A 26-year-old primigravida at 35 weeks' gestation was transferred to our institution from a regional hospital for management of presumed preeclampsia. Due to the labile nature of her hypertension, further investigation was undertaken which revealed a right-sided phaeochromocytoma. Alpha blockade was commenced, and an uncomplicated elective caesarean delivery was performed at 38 weeks' gestation under spinal anaesthetic. The patient underwent an elective right laparoscopic adrenalectomy six weeks post-partum. This case highlights the importance of investigating young women for secondary causes of hypertension to avoid mislabelling as essential or gestational hypertension.

  13. Hypertension: renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system alterations.

    PubMed

    Te Riet, Luuk; van Esch, Joep H M; Roks, Anton J M; van den Meiracker, Anton H; Danser, A H Jan

    2015-03-13

    Blockers of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), that is, renin inhibitors, angiotensin (Ang)-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, Ang II type 1 receptor antagonists, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, are a cornerstone in the treatment of hypertension. How exactly they exert their effect, in particular in patients with low circulating RAAS activity, also taking into consideration the so-called Ang II/aldosterone escape that often occurs after initial blockade, is still incompletely understood. Multiple studies have tried to find parameters that predict the response to RAAS blockade, allowing a personalized treatment approach. Consequently, the question should now be answered on what basis (eg, sex, ethnicity, age, salt intake, baseline renin, ACE or aldosterone, and genetic variance) a RAAS blocker can be chosen to treat an individual patient. Are all blockers equal? Does optimal blockade imply maximum RAAS blockade, for example, by combining ≥2 RAAS blockers or by simply increasing the dose of 1 blocker? Exciting recent investigations reveal a range of unanticipated extrarenal effects of aldosterone, as well as a detailed insight in the genetic causes of primary aldosteronism, and mineralocorticoid receptor blockers have now become an important treatment option for resistant hypertension. Finally, apart from the deleterious ACE-Ang II-Ang II type 1 receptor arm, animal studies support the existence of protective aminopeptidase A-Ang III-Ang II type 2 receptor and ACE2-Ang-(1 to 7)-Mas receptor arms, paving the way for multiple new treatment options. This review provides an update about all these aspects, critically discussing the many controversies and allowing the reader to obtain a full understanding of what we currently know about RAAS alterations in hypertension. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

  14. The relationship between red blood cell distribution width and blood pressure abnormal dipping in patients with essential hypertension: a cross-sectional study.

    PubMed

    Su, Dan; Guo, Qi; Gao, Ya; Han, Jin; Yan, Bin; Peng, Liyuan; Song, Anqi; Zhou, Fuling; Wang, Gang

    2016-02-23

    To investigate whether red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with the blood pressure (BP) reverse-dipper pattern in patients with hypertension. Cross-sectional study. Single centre. Patients with essential hypertension were included in our study (n=708). The exclusion criteria included age <18 or >90 years, incomplete clinical data, night workers, diagnosis of secondary hypertension, under antihypertensive treatment, intolerance for the 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and BP reading success rate <70%. Physical examination and ABPM were performed for all patients in our study. The value of RDW was measured using an automated haematology analyser. The distribution of RDW in patients with hypertension among different circadian BP pattern groups was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Multinomial logistic regression was applied to explore the associations of RDW and other relevant variables with ABPM results. There was significantly increased RDW in reverse dippers (13.52 ± 1.05) than dippers (13.25 ± 0.85) of hypertension (p=0.012). Moreover, multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that RDW (OR 1.325, 95% CI 1.037 to 1.692, p=0.024) and diabetes mellitus (OR 2.286, 95% CI 1.380 to 3.788, p=0.001) were significantly different when comparing the reverse-dipper BP pattern with the dipper pattern. However, there was no difference of RDW between the non-dipper pattern and the reverse-dipper pattern (OR 1.036, 95% CI 0.867 to 1.238, p=0.693). In addition to this, RDW was negatively correlated with the decline rate of nocturnal systolic BP (r=-0.113; p=0.003) and diastolic BP (r=-0.101; p=0.007). Our results suggested that RDW might associate with the abnormal dipper BP patterns of either reverse dipping or non-dipping homogeneously examined with 24 h ABPM. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

  15. Transcription factor Etv5 is essential for the maintenance of alveolar type II cells.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Zhen; Newton, Kim; Kummerfeld, Sarah K; Webster, Joshua; Kirkpatrick, Donald S; Phu, Lilian; Eastham-Anderson, Jeffrey; Liu, Jinfeng; Lee, Wyne P; Wu, Jiansheng; Li, Hong; Junttila, Melissa R; Dixit, Vishva M

    2017-04-11

    Alveolar type II (AT2) cell dysfunction contributes to a number of significant human pathologies including respiratory distress syndrome, lung adenocarcinoma, and debilitating fibrotic diseases, but the critical transcription factors that maintain AT2 cell identity are unknown. Here we show that the E26 transformation-specific (ETS) family transcription factor Etv5 is essential to maintain AT2 cell identity. Deletion of Etv5 from AT2 cells produced gene and protein signatures characteristic of differentiated alveolar type I (AT1) cells. Consistent with a defect in the AT2 stem cell population, Etv5 deficiency markedly reduced recovery following bleomycin-induced lung injury. Lung tumorigenesis driven by mutant KrasG12D was also compromised by Etv5 deficiency. ERK activation downstream of Ras was found to stabilize Etv5 through inactivation of the cullin-RING ubiquitin ligase CRL4 COP1/DET1 that targets Etv5 for proteasomal degradation. These findings identify Etv5 as a critical output of Ras signaling in AT2 cells, contributing to both lung homeostasis and tumor initiation.

  16. Differential distribution of annexins-I, -II, -IV, and -VI in synovium.

    PubMed Central

    Goulding, N J; Dixey, J; Morand, E F; Dodds, R A; Wilkinson, L S; Pitsillides, A A; Edwards, J C

    1995-01-01

    OBJECTIVES--To examine the distribution of four annexins in non-inflamed rheumatoid arthritic and osteoarthritic synovial tissue. METHODS--Frozen sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies (MAb) specific for annexins-I, -II, -IV, and -VI, and for cell lineage related markers including CD68 and CD14 (macrophages), prolyl hydroxylase (fibroblasts), and CD3 (T cells). RESULTS--Each of the annexins was present in synovial tissues in significant amounts in the three groups studied. Annexin-I was predominantly found within the synovial lining layer and double labelling showed it to be present predominantly in cells of the macrophage lineage. In rheumatoid specimens there was increased staining within the lining layer, perivascularly and on macrophages within the tissue stroma. Annexin-II was present in a distribution similar to that of annexin-I, but with more prominent perivascular staining. Annexins-IV and -VI were seen chiefly in association with areas of lymphocyte infiltration in rheumatoid tissue, whereas annexins-I and -II were absent from these areas. Endothelial cells stained weakly positive for annexins-I and -II, and more strongly for -IV and -VI. CONCLUSIONS--This study demonstrates that annexins (particularly annexin-I, a putative mediator of the anti-inflammatory activities of glucocorticoids) are abundant in rheumatoid and non-rheumatoid synovial tissue, annexins-IV and -VI having a distribution distinct from that of -I and -II. Images PMID:7492225

  17. 2 CFR 1.200 - Purpose of chapters I and II.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... (and thereby implement the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999, Pub. L. 106... Introduction toSubtitle A § 1.200 Purpose of chapters I and II. (a) Chapters I and II of subtitle A provide OMB... procedures for management of the agencies' grants and agreements. (b) There are two chapters for publication...

  18. Vascular protective effects of aqueous extracts of Tribulus terrestris on hypertensive endothelial injury.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Yue-Hua; Guo, Jin-Hao; Wu, Sai; Yang, Chuan-Hua

    2017-08-01

    Angiotensin II (Ang II) is involved in endothelium injury during the development of hypertension. Tribulus terrestris (TT) is used to treat hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and post-stroke syndrome in China. The present study aimed to determine the effects of aqueous TT extracts on endothelial injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and its protective effects against Ang II-induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). SHRs were administered intragastrically with TT (17.2 or 8.6 g·kg -1 ·d -1 ) for 6 weeks, using valsartan (13.5 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ) as positive control. Blood pressure, heart rate, endothelial morphology of the thoracic aorta, serum levels of Ang II, endothelin-1 (ET-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malonaldehyde (MDA) were measured. The endothelial injury of HUVECs was induced by 2 × 10 -6 mol·L -1 Ang II. Cell Apoptosisapoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), ET-1, SOD, and MDA in the cell culture supernatant and cell migration were assayed. The expression of hypertension-linked genes and proteins were analyzed. TT decreased systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, mean arterial pressure and heart rate, improved endothelial integrity of thoracic aorta, and decreased serum leptin, Ang II, ET-1, NPY, and Hcy, while increased NO in SHRs. TT suppressed Ang II-induced HUVEC proliferation and apoptosis and prolonged the survival, and increased cell migration. TT regulated the ROS, and decreased mRNA expression of Akt1, JAK2, PI3Kα, Erk2, FAK, and NF-κB p65 and protein expression of Erk2, FAK, and NF-κB p65. In conclusion, TT demonstrated anti-hypertensive and endothelial protective effects by regulating Erk2, FAK and NF-κB p65. Copyright © 2017 China Pharmaceutical University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. Discrimination between human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I and II (HTLV-I and HTLV-II) infections by using synthetic peptides representing an immunodominant region of the core protein (p19) of HTLV-I and HTLV-II.

    PubMed Central

    Bonis, J; Baillou, A; Barin, F; Verdier, M; Janvier, B; Denis, F

    1993-01-01

    We describe enzyme immunoassays that use synthetic oligopeptides to discriminate serologically between human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I and II (HTLV-I and HTLV-II) infections. The peptides represented 20-amino acid segments between residues 111 and 130 (MA1) and residues 116 and 135 (MA2) of the p19 gag proteins of HTLV-I and HTLV-II, respectively. The assays were sensitive since 69 of 74 HTLV-positive sera were reactive to at least one of the two matrix (MA) peptides (sensitivity, 93.2%). By using the ratio of the optical density of MA1 to the optical density of MA2, which represents for every serum sample the ratio between the absorbance value obtained in the MA1 assay and the absorbance value obtained in the MA2 assay, 59 of the 69 reactive serum samples were clearly and easily typed as positive for either antibody to HTLV-I or antibody to HTLV-II. Eight of the 10 remaining reactive serum samples were analyzed further by an inhibition procedure, and their type specificities were then clearly identifiable. Therefore, the results indicate that all MA-reactive sera were serologically distinguished by our peptide assays. Images PMID:8314990

  20. Activating autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type I receptor play an important role in mediating hypertension in response to adoptive transfer of CD4+ T lymphocytes from placental ischemic rats.

    PubMed

    Novotny, Sarah Richards; Wallace, Kedra; Heath, Judith; Moseley, Janae; Dhillon, Pushpinder; Weimer, Abram; Wallukat, Gerd; Herse, Florian; Wenzel, Katrin; Martin, James N; Dechend, Ralf; Lamarca, Babbette

    2012-05-15

    Hypertension in rats with chronic placental ischemia (reduced uterine perfusion pressure, RUPP) is associated with elevated inflammatory cytokines, agonistic autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1-AA) and CD4(+) T cells; all of which are elevated in preclamptic women. Additionally, we have shown that adoptive transfer of RUPP CD4(+) T cells increases blood pressure, inflammatory cytokines, and sFlt-1. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term effects of RUPP CD4(+) T cells on AT1-AA, renal and systemic hemodynamics in pregnant rats. To answer this question CD4(+) T splenocytes were magnetically isolated on day 19 of gestation from control RUPP and normal pregnant (NP) rats and injected into a new group of NP rats at day 13 of gestation. On day 19 of gestation mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal function (glomerular filtration rates, GFR) were analyzed and serum collected for AT1-AA analysis. To determine a role for AT1-AA to mediate RUPP CD4(+) T cell-induced blood pressure increases, MAP was analyzed in a second group of rats treated with AT1 receptor blockade losartan (10 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)) and in a third group of rats treated with rituximab, a B cell-depleting agent (250 mg/kg) we have shown previously to decrease AT1-AA production in RUPP rats. MAP increased from 101 ± 2 mmHg NP to 126 ± 2 mmHg in RUPP rats (P < 0.001) and to 123 ± 1 mmHg in NP rats injected with RUPP CD4(+) T cells (NP+RUPP CD4(+)T cells) (P < 0.001). Furthermore, GFR decreased from 2.2 ml/min (n = 7) in NP rats to 1.0 ml/min (n = 5) NP+RUPP CD4(+)T cell. Circulating AT1-AA increased from 0.22 ± 0.1 units in NP rats to 13 ± 0.7 (P < 0.001) units in NP+RUPP CD4(+)T cell-treated rats but decreased to 8.34 ± 1 beats/min in NP+RUPP CD4(+) T cells chronically treated with rituximab. Hypertension in NP+RUPP CD4(+)T cell group was attenuated by losartan (102 ± 4 mmHg) and with B cell depletion (101 ± 5 mmHg). Therefore, we conclude that one mechanism

  1. Overexpressed connective tissue growth factor in cardiomyocytes attenuates left ventricular remodeling induced by angiotensin II perfusion.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Ying; Yan, Hua; Guang, Gong-Chang; Deng, Zheng-Rong

    2017-01-01

    To evaluate the improving effects of specifically overexpressed connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in cardiomyocytes on mice with hypertension induced by angiotensin II (AngII) perfusion, 24 transgenic mice with cardiac-restricted overexpression of CTGF (Tg-CTGF) were divided into two equal groups that were perfused with acetic acid and AngII, respectively, for 7 days. Another 24 cage-control wild-type C57BL/6 mice (NLC) were divided and treated identically. Blood pressure was detected by caudal artery cannulation. Cardiac structural and functional changes were observed by echocardiography. Cardiac fibrosis was detected by Masson staining. After AngII perfusion, blood pressures of NLC and Tg-CTGF mice, especially those of the formers, significantly increased. Compared with NLC + AngII group, Tg-CTGF + AngII group had significantly lower left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole and left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-systole as well as significantly higher left ventricular end-systolic diameter and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (P < 0.05). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that Tg-CTGF + AngII group had significantly lower collagen I, α-SMA, and TGF-β mRNA expressions in cardiac tissues (P < 0.05). Tg-CTGF can protect AngII-induced cardiac remodeling of mice with hypertension by mitigating inflammatory response. CTGF may be a therapy target for hypertension-induced myocardial fibrosis, but the detailed mechanism still needs in-depth studies.

  2. The role of psychic factors in pathogenesis of essential hypertension and its management by Shirodhara and Sarpagandha Vati.

    PubMed

    Kundu, Chittaranjan; Shukla, V D; Santwani, M A; Bhatt, N N

    2010-10-01

    This clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Shirodhara and that of Sarpagandha Vati in essential hypertension. A total 47 patients were selected for study, out of which 40 patients (20 in each group) completed the course of treatment. Study subjects were randomly allotted into two groups, with one group being treated with Shirodhara and the other with Sarpagandha Vati. Specialized Ayurvedic rating scales like Manasa Pariksha Bhava as well as the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were adopted to assess the effect of therapy. The effects of treatment on the chief complaints and the associated complaints were also evaluated. The results in the Shirodhara group were better than that in the Sarpagandha group. Although both Sarpagandha Vati and Shirodhara helped in reducing systolic and diastolic pressures, the effect of Shirodhara was more marked.

  3. Secondary hypertension: the ways of management.

    PubMed

    Rossi, Gian P; Seccia, Teresa M; Pessina, Achille C

    2010-11-01

    The prevalence of secondary hypertension is lower than that of primary (essential) hypertension, but it is likely that it has been underestimated because appropriate tests were not generally performed. Hence, before embarking on a search for secondary hypertension physicians are generally advised to select populations of patients with a high pre-test probability of secondary forms of hypertension in order to maximize the positive predictive value and the gain in "ruling in" of the diagnostic tests. Based on updated information on prevalence and pathophysiology we herein critically review the general diagnostic strategy and the management of the main forms of secondary hypertension. In particular, strategies for identifying primary aldosteronism, the most frequent form of endocrine secondary hypertension, and for determining its unilateral or bilateral causes are discussed in details, because of the differences of treatment that requires adrenalectomy in the unilateral forms and mineralocorticoid receptor blockade in the bilateral forms. The tests available for the diagnosing pheochromocytoma (pheo), which is much rarer but extremely important to identify, as it can be fatal if unrecognized are also discussed, with emphasis on the recent developments in genetic testing. Renovascular hypertension is also a common curable form of hypertension, which should be identified as early as possible to avoid the onset of cardiovascular target organ damage and events, is also discussed.

  4. Genetic and Functional Evidence Supports LPAR1 as a Susceptibility Gene for Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Xu, Ke; Ma, Lu; Li, Yang; Wang, Fang; Zheng, Gu-Yan; Sun, Zhijun; Jiang, Feng; Chen, Yundai; Liu, Huirong; Dang, Aimin; Chen, Xi; Chun, Jerold; Tian, Xiao-Li

    2015-09-01

    Essential hypertension is a complex disease affected by genetic and environmental factors and serves as a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Serum lysophosphatidic acid correlates with an elevated blood pressure in rats, and lysophosphatidic acid interacts with 6 subtypes of receptors. In this study, we assessed the genetic association of lysophosphatidic acid receptors with essential hypertension by genotyping 28 single-nucleotide polymorphisms from genes encoding for lysophosphatidic acid receptors, LPAR1, LPAR2, LPAR3, LPAR4, LPAR5, and LPAR6 and their flanking sequences, in 3 Han Chinese cohorts consisting of 2630 patients and 3171 controls in total. We identified a single-nucleotide polymorphism, rs531003 in the 3'-flanking genomic region of LPAR1, associated with hypertension (the Bonferroni corrected P=1.09×10(-5), odds ratio [95% confidence interval]=1.23 [1.13-1.33]). The risk allele C of rs531003 is associated with the increased expression of LPAR1 and the susceptibility of hypertension, particularly in those with a shortage of sleep (P=4.73×10(-5), odds ratio [95% confidence interval]=1.75 [1.34-2.28]). We further demonstrated that blood pressure elevation caused by sleep deprivation and phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction was both diminished in LPAR1-deficient mice. Together, we show that LPAR1 is a novel susceptibility gene for human essential hypertension and that stress, such as shortage of sleep, increases the susceptibility of patients with risk allele to essential hypertension. © 2015 American Heart Association, Inc.

  5. Increased frequency of class I and II anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma and associated factors: a comparative study.

    PubMed

    Tozkir, Hilmi; Pamuk, Omer Nuri; Duymaz, Julide; Gurkan, Hakan; Yazar, Metin; Sari, Gulce; Tanrikulu, Hazel; Pamuk, Gulsum Emel

    2016-12-01

    There is significant autoantibody production in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and scleroderma (SSc); microchimerism is also thought to play a role in pathogenesis. We determined the frequency of anti-HLA antibodies in SLE and SSc patients and evaluated associated clinical factors. We included 77 SLE patients, 46 SSc patients and 53 healthy controls into the study. Clinical data about the patients were obtained from hospital records. Anti-human leukocyte (anti-HLA) antigen antibody analysis of sera was performed by applying Lifecodes anti-HLA Class I and Class II Screening kits based on xMAP technology. The frequencies of class I and II anti-HLA antibodies were significantly higher in SLE (27.3% and 41.6%) and SSc (26.1% and 41.3%) groups than in healthy controls (1.9% and 5.7%) (all P < 0.001). Frequencies of thrombocytopenia (P = 0.021), anti-ribonucleoprotein (P = 0.037) and anti-Ro (P = 0.027) were significantly higher in the class I antibody-positive SLE group; however, pericarditis was less frequent (P = 0.05). On the other hand, the class II antibody-positive SLE group had more frequent anti-ribosomal P antibody (P = 0.038), but less frequent active disease (P = 0.038). In the SSc group, class I antibody-positive patients had more frequent digital ulcers (P = 0.048) and anti-centromere antibodies (P = 0.01). There was no association of anti-HLA antibodies with pulmonary hypertension and interstitial fibrosis in SSc patients. Both class I and class II antibodies were found to be significantly increased in SLE and SSc. Rather than major organ involvement, anti-HLA antibodies were associated with the presence of other antibodies in both diseases. © 2014 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

  6. ACE/DD genotype is associated with hemostasis balance disturbances reflecting hypercoagulability and endothelial dysfunction in patients with untreated hypertension.

    PubMed

    Makris, T K; Stavroulakis, G A; Dafni, U G; Gialeraki, A E; Krespi, P G; Hatzizacharias, A N; Tsoukala, C G; Vythoulkas, J S; Kyriakidis, M K

    2000-11-01

    Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism has been associated with an increased incidence of myocardial infarction. Recent studies have investigated a potential influence of ACE gene polymorphism on fibrinolysis or endothelial function. It has been previously established that essential hypertension is accompanied by endothelial dysfunction and fibrinolytic balance disorders. The aim of our study was to study the relation between ACE gene polymorphism and fibrinolytic/hemostatic factors as well as endothelial cell damage markers in patients with hypertension. The following parameters were evaluated in 104 patients with previously untreated hypertension: plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) antigen, fibrinogen, D-dimer, and von Willebrand factor (vWF). The genotype of the ACE gene was also determined (by the polymerase chain reaction method), and patients were characterized according to the observed alleles as deletion/deletion (DD), insertion/insertion (II), or insertion/deletion (ID). Those with DD genotype (n = 42) had significantly higher plasma levels of PAI-1 antigen (P =. 012), tPA antigen (P =.0001), fibrinogen (P =.0002), D-dimer (P =. 0001) and vWF (P =.0004) compared with ID (n = 30) or II (n = 32) genotypes. The ACE gene genotypes appeared to be significant predictors for plasma PAI-1 antigen, tPA antigen, fibrinogen, D -dimer, and vWF even after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. Our findings suggest that the ACE/DD genotype is associated with hemostasis balance disturbances reflecting hypercoagulability and endothelial damage in patients with untreated hypertension.

  7. PMCA activity and membrane tubulin affect deformability of erythrocytes from normal and hypertensive human subjects.

    PubMed

    Monesterolo, Noelia E; Nigra, Ayelen D; Campetelli, Alexis N; Santander, Verónica S; Rivelli, Juan F; Arce, Carlos A; Casale, Cesar H

    2015-11-01

    Our previous studies demonstrated formation of a complex between acetylated tubulin and brain plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA), and the effect of the lipid environment on structure of this complex and on PMCA activity. Deformability of erythrocytes from hypertensive human subjects was reduced by an increase in membrane tubulin content. In the present study, we examined the regulation of PMCA activity by tubulin in normotensive and hypertensive erythrocytes, and the effect of exogenously added diacylglycerol (DAG) and phosphatidic acid (PA) on erythrocyte deformability. Some of the key findings were that: (i) PMCA was associated with tubulin in normotensive and hypertensive erythrocytes, (ii) PMCA enzyme activity was directly correlated with erythrocyte deformability, and (iii) when tubulin was present in the erythrocyte membrane, treatment with DAG or PA led to increased deformability and associated PMCA activity. Taken together, our findings indicate that PMCA activity is involved in deformability of both normotensive and hypertensive erythrocytes. This rheological property of erythrocytes is affected by acetylated tubulin and its lipid environment because both regulate PMCA activity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Mechanoactivation Involves RGS5 (Regulator of G Protein Signaling 5) in Skeletal Muscle Arteries: Impaired Trafficking of RGS5 in Hypertension.

    PubMed

    Hong, Kwangseok; Li, Min; Nourian, Zahra; Meininger, Gerald A; Hill, Michael A

    2017-12-01

    Studies suggest that arteriolar pressure-induced vasoconstriction can be initiated by GPCRs (G protein-coupled receptors), including the AT 1 R (angiotensin II type 1 receptor). This raises the question, are such mechanisms regulated by negative feedback? The present studies examined whether RGS (regulators of G protein signaling) proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells are colocalized with the AT 1 R when activated by mechanical stress or angiotensin II and whether this modulates AT 1 R-mediated vasoconstriction. To determine whether activation of the AT 1 R recruits RGS5, an in situ proximity ligation assay was performed in primary cultures of cremaster muscle arteriolar vascular smooth muscle cells treated with angiotensin II or hypotonic solution in the absence or presence of candesartan (an AT 1 R blocker). Proximity ligation assay results revealed a concentration-dependent increase in trafficking/translocation of RGS5 toward the activated AT 1 R, which was attenuated by candesartan. In intact arterioles, knockdown of RGS5 enhanced constriction to angiotensin II and augmented myogenic responses to increased intraluminal pressure. Myogenic constriction was attenuated to a higher degree by candesartan in RGS5 siRNA-transfected arterioles, consistent with RGS5 contributing to downregulation of AT 1 R-mediated signaling. Further, translocation of RGS5 was impaired in vascular smooth muscle cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats. This is consistent with dysregulated (RGS5-mediated) AT 1 R signaling that could contribute to excessive vasoconstriction in hypertension. In intact vessels, candesartan reduced myogenic vasoconstriction to a greater extent in spontaneously hypertensive rats compared with controls. Collectively, these findings suggest that AT 1 R activation results in translocation of RGS5 toward the plasma membrane, limiting AT 1 R-mediated vasoconstriction through its role in G q/11 protein-dependent signaling. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

  9. Pathology of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.

    PubMed

    Guido, Maria; Sarcognato, Samantha; Sacchi, Diana; Colloredo, Guido

    2018-04-12

    Idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension is an under-recognized vascular liver disease of unknown etiology, characterized by clinical signs of portal hypertension in the absence of cirrhosis. By definition, any disorder known to cause portal hypertension in the absence of cirrhosis and any cause of chronic liver disease must be excluded to make a diagnosis of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. However, the diagnosis is often difficult because the disease resembles cirrhosis and there is no gold standard test. Liver biopsy is an essential tool: it is able to exclude cirrhosis and other causes of portal hypertension and it allows the identification of the characteristic lesions. Nonetheless, the histological diagnosis of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension is not always straightforward, in particular by needle biopsy samples, because there is no pathognomonic lesion, but rather a variety of vascular changes which are unevenly distributed, very subtle, and not all necessarily identified in a single specimen. Pathologists should be able to recognize several patterns of injury, involving portal/periportal areas as well as parenchymal structures.The histological features of idiopathic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension are described in this review, focusing on their interpretation in needle biopsy specimens.

  10. Renin Gene Polymorphisms in Bangladeshi Hypertensive Population

    PubMed Central

    Afruza, Rownock; Islam, Laila N; Banerjee, Sajal; Hassan, Md. Mahbub; Suzuki, Fumiaki; Nabi, AHM Nurun

    2014-01-01

    Objective: Linkages of renin gene polymorphisms with hypertension have been implicated in several populations with contrasting results. Present study aims to assess the pattern of renin gene polymorphisms in Bangladeshi hypertensive individuals. Methodology: Introns 1, 9 of renin gene and 4063 bases upstream of promoter sequence of renin gene were amplified from the genomic DNA of the total 124 (hypertensive and normotensive) subjects using respective primers. Polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphisms were performed using BglI, MboI and TaqI restriction enzymes. Results: Homozygosity was common in renin gene regarding BglI (bb=48.4%, Bb=37.9%, BB=13.7%, χ2 =1.91, P>0.05), TaqI (TT=81.5%, Tt=14.5%, tt=4.0%, χ2 =7.50, P<0.01) and MboI (mm=63.7%, Mm=32.3%, MM=4.0%, χ2=0.00, P>0.05) polymorphisms among total study population. For BglI and TaqI genotype distribution, hypertensive subjects (BglI: χ2 =6.66, P<0.05; TaqI: χ2 = 10.28, P<0.005) significantly deviate from Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium law compared to normotensive subjects (BglI: χ2=0.51, P>0.05; TaqI: χ2=0.20, P>0.05). On the other hand, with respect to MboI polymorphisms of renin gene, only normotensive subjects deviate from the law (patients: χ2=1.28, P>0.05; vs controls: χ2=6.81, P<0.01). In the context of allelic frequency, common T allele was clearly prevalent (T frequency=0.86, t frequency = 0.14) for TaqI, but rare alleles b and m were more frequent for both BglI (b frequency=0.69, B frequency=0.31) and MboI (m frequency=0.80 M frequency=0.20) polymorphisms, respectively. Conclusion: Thus, we report that Bangladeshi hypertensive subjects did not show any distinct pattern of renin gene polymorphisms compared to their healthy control subjects with regard to their genotypic and allelic frequencies. PMID:25057323

  11. Effect of Aminoglutethimide on Blood Pressure and Steroid Secretion in Patients with Low Renin Essential Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Taylor, Addison A.; Mitchell, Jerry R.; Bartter, Frederic C.; Snodgrass, Wayne R.; McMurtry, Randolph J.; Gill, John R.; Franklin, Ronald B.

    1978-01-01

    An inhibitor of adrenal steroid biosynthesis, aminoglutethimide, was administered to seven patients with low renin essential hypertension, and the antihypertensive action of the drug was compared with its effects on adrenal steroid production. In all patients aldosterone concentrations in plasma and urine were within normal limits before the study. Mean arterial pressure was reduced from a pretreatment value of 117±2 (mean±SE) mm Hg to 108±3 mm Hg after 4 days of aminoglutethimide therapy and further to 99±3 mm Hg when drug administration was stopped (usually 21 days). Body weight was also reduced from 81.6±7.2 kg in the control period to 80.6±7.0 kg after 4 days of drug treatment and to 80.1±6.7 kg at the termination of therapy. Plasma renin activity was not significantly increased after 4 days of treatment but had risen to the normal range by the termination of aminoglutethimide therapy. Mean plasma concentrations of deoxycorticosterone and cortisol were unchanged during aminoglutethimide treatment whereas those of 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone, progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, and 11-deoxycortisol were increased as compared to pretreatment values. In contrast, aminoglutethimide treatment reduced mean plasma aldosterone concentrations to about 30% of control values. Excretion rates of 16β-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone, 16-oxo-androstenediol, 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and 17-ketosteroids, and the secretion rate of 16β-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone were not significantly altered by aminoglutethimide treatment whereas the excretion rate of aldosterone was reduced from 3.62±0.5 (mean±SE) in the control period to 0.9±0.2 μg/24 h after 4 days and to 1.1±0.3 μg/24 h at the termination of aminoglutethimide treatment. The gradual lowering of blood pressure and body weight during aminoglutethimide therapy is consistent with the view that the antihypertensive effect of the drug is mediated through a reduction in the patients' extracellular fluid volume

  12. Observations of local interstellar Mg I and Mg II

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bruhweiler, F.C.; Oegerle, W.; Weiler, E.

    1984-11-01

    Copernicus and IUE observations of 5 stars within 50 pc of the Sun were combined to study the ionization of magnesium in the Local Interstellar Medium (LISM). The high resolution Copernicus spectrometer was used to detect interstellar MG I 2852 in the spectra of alpha Gru, alpha Eri, and alpha Lyr, while placing upper limits on Mg I in the spectra of alpha CMa and alpha PsA. Observations of Mg II 2795, 2802 for these stars were also obtained with IUE and Copernicus. The column densities of Mg I and Mg II are used to place constraints on the temperaturemore » of the LISM.« less

  13. Observations of Local Interstellar Mg I and Mg II

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bruhweiler, F. C.; Oegerle, W.; Weiler, E.; Stencel, R. E.; Kondo, Y.

    1984-01-01

    Copernicus and IUE observations of 5 stars within 50 pc of the Sun were combined to study the ionization of magnesium in the local interstellar medium (LISM). The high resolution Copernicus spectrometer was used to detect interstellar MG I 2852 in the spectra of alpha Gru, alpha Eri, and alpha Lyr, while placing upper limits on Mg I in the spectra of alpha CMa and alpha PsA. Observations of Mg II 2795, 2802 for these stars were also obtained with IUE and Copernicus. The column densities of Mg I and Mg II are used to place constraints on the temperature of the LISM.

  14. Controlled release nifedipine and valsartan combination therapy in patients with essential hypertension: the adalat CR and valsartan cost-effectiveness combination (ADVANCE-combi) study.

    PubMed

    Saito, Ikuo; Saruta, Takao

    2006-10-01

    This study was designed to compare the clinical efficacy of two calcium channel blocker-based combination therapies with an angiotensin receptor blocker in Japanese patients with essential hypertension. A 16-week, double-blind, parallel-arm, randomized clinical trial was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of controlled release nifedipine (nifedipine CR) plus valsartan vs. that of amlodipine plus valsartan. The primary endpoint was the target blood pressure achievement rate. Eligible patients were randomly allocated to nifedipine CR-based or amlodipine-based treatment groups. Patients were examined every 4 weeks to determine whether the blood pressure had reached the target level. When the target level was not achieved, the drug regimen was changed; when the target blood pressure was achieved, the same study medication was continued. A total of 505 patients were enrolled in the study (nifedipine CR group: 245 cases; amlodipine group: 260 cases). After 16 weeks of treatment, blood pressure was significantly reduced in both groups, but to a larger extent in the nifedipine CR group than in the amlodipine group (p < 0.01). The target blood pressure achievement rate was also significantly higher in the nifedipine CR group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of drug-related adverse events between the groups. These results indicate that the nifedipine CR-based combination therapy was superior to the amlodipine-based therapy for decreasing blood pressure and achieving the target blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.

  15. Phosphoproteomic analysis of AT1 receptor-mediated signaling responses in proximal tubules of angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats.

    PubMed

    Li, Xiao C; Zhuo, Jia L

    2011-09-01

    The signaling mechanisms underlying the effects of angiotensin II in proximal tubules of the kidney are not completely understood. Here we measured signal protein phosphorylation in isolated proximal tubules using pathway-specific proteomic analysis in rats continuously infused with pressor or non-pressor doses of angiotensin II over a 2-week period. Of the 38 phosphoproteins profiled, 14 were significantly altered by the pressor dose. This included increased phosphorylation of the protein kinase C isoenzymes, PKCα and PKCβII, and the glycogen synthase kinases, GSK3α and GSK3β. Phosphorylation of the cAMP-response element binding protein 1 and PKCδ were decreased, whereas PKCɛ remained unchanged. By contrast, the phosphorylation of only seven proteins was altered by the non-pressor dose, which increased that of PKCα, PKCδ, and GSKα. Phosphorylation of MAP kinases, ERK1/2, was not increased in proximal tubules in vivo by the pressor dose, but was in proximal tubule cells in vitro. Infusion of the pressor dose decreased, whereas the non-pressor dose of angiotensin II increased the phosphorylation of the sodium and hydrogen exchanger 3 (NHE-3) in membrane fractions of proximal tubules. Losartan largely blocked the signaling responses induced by the pressor dose. Thus, PKCα and PKCβII, GSK3α and GSK3β, and cAMP-dependent signaling pathways may have important roles in regulating proximal tubular sodium and fluid transport in Ang II-induced hypertensive rats.

  16. Phosphorylation of varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein gpI by mammalian casein kinase II and casein kinase I

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Grose, C.; Jackson, W.; Traugh, J.A.

    1989-09-01

    Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) glycoprotein gpI is the predominant viral glycoprotein within the plasma membranes of infected cells. This viral glycoprotein is phosphorylated on its polypeptide backbone during biosynthesis. In this report, the authors investigated the protein kinases which participate in the phosphorylation events. Under in vivo conditions, VZV gpI was phosphorylated on its serine and threonine residues by protein kinases present within lysates of either VZV-infected or uninfected cells. Because this activity was diminished by heparin, a known inhibitor of casein kinase II, isolated gpI was incubated with purified casein kinase II and shown to be phosphorylated in an inmore » vitro assay containing ({gamma}-{sup 32}P)ATP. The same glycoprotein was phosphorylated when ({sup 32}P)GTP was substituted for ({sup 32}P)ATP in the protein kinase assay. They also tested whether VZV gpI was phosphorylated by two other ubiquitous mammalian protein kinases--casein kinase I and cyclic AMP-dependent kinase--and found that only casein kinase I modified gpI. When the predicted 623-amino-acid sequence of gpI was examined, two phosphorylation sites known to be optimal for casein kinase II were observed. In summary, this study showed that VZV gpI was phosphorylated by each of two mammalian protein kinases (casein kinase I and casein kinase II) and that potential serine-threonine phosphorylation sites for each of these two kinases were present in the viral glycoprotein.« less

  17. Angiotensin receptor blockers for management of hypertension.

    PubMed

    Catanzaro, Daniel F; Frishman, William H

    2010-07-01

    The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a major role in blood pressure regulation and is thus an important therapeutic target in the management of hypertension. Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), which interrupt RAAS overactivity by blocking a specific receptor that mediates the pathogenic activity of angiotensin II, represent a major addition to the clinician's armamentarium for the management of hypertension. A solid body of clinical evidence demonstrates that ARBs are effective in the management of hypertension as monotherapy or in combination with other agents. Although comparable to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and other major classes of antihypertensive agents in the treatment of hypertension, the favorable tolerability profile of ARBs make them an attractive alternative for many patients. Recent evidence suggests that treatment persistence with ARB therapy during a 12-month period is typically higher than with other antihypertensive classes, a finding perhaps driven by fewer treatment-limiting side effects. The combination of clinical efficacy and tolerability should render ARBs as a major treatment alternative for hypertension.

  18. Role of mitochondrial oxidative stress in hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Ungvari, Zoltan

    2013-01-01

    Based on mosaic theory, hypertension is a multifactorial disorder that develops because of genetic, environmental, anatomical, adaptive neural, endocrine, humoral, and hemodynamic factors. It has been recently proposed that oxidative stress may contribute to all of these factors and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the development of hypertension. Previous studies focusing on the role of vascular NADPH oxidases provided strong support of this concept. Although mitochondria represent one of the most significant sources of cellular ROS generation, the regulation of mitochondrial ROS generation in the cardiovascular system and its pathophysiological role in hypertension are much less understood. In this review, the role of mitochondrial oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of hypertension and cross talk between angiotensin II signaling, pathways involved in mechanotransduction, NADPH oxidases, and mitochondria-derived ROS are considered. The possible benefits of therapeutic strategies that have the potential to attenuate mitochondrial oxidative stress for the prevention/treatment of hypertension are also discussed. PMID:24043248

  19. Renal Denervation Prevents Immune Cell Activation and Renal Inflammation in Angiotensin II–Induced Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Xiao, Liang; Kirabo, Annet; Wu, Jing; Saleh, Mohamed A.; Zhu, Linjue; Wang, Feng; Takahashi, Takamune; Loperena, Roxana; Foss, Jason D.; Mernaugh, Raymond L.; Chen, Wei; Roberts, Jackson; Osborn, John W.; Itani, Hana A.; Harrison, David G.

    2015-01-01

    Rationale Inflammation and adaptive immunity plays a crucial role in the development of hypertension. Angiotensin II and likely other hypertensive stimuli activate the central nervous system and promote T cell activation and end-organ damage in peripheral tissues. Objective To determine if renal sympathetic nerves mediate renal inflammation and T cell activation in hypertension. Methods and Results Bilateral renal denervation (RDN) using phenol application to the renal arteries reduced renal norepinephrine (NE) levels and blunted angiotensin II induced hypertension. Bilateral RDN also reduced inflammation, as reflected by decreased accumulation of total leukocytes, T cells and both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the kidney. This was associated with a marked reduction in renal fibrosis, albuminuria and nephrinuria. Unilateral RDN, which partly attenuated blood pressure, only reduced inflammation in the denervated kidney, suggesting that this effect is pressure independent. Angiotensin II also increased immunogenic isoketal-protein adducts in renal dendritic cells (DCs) and increased surface expression of costimulation markers and production of IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-6 from splenic dendritic cells. NE also dose dependently stimulated isoketal formation in cultured DCs. Adoptive transfer of splenic DCs from angiotensin II-treated mice primed T cell activation and hypertension in recipient mice. RDN prevented these effects of hypertension on DCs. In contrast to these beneficial effects of ablating all renal nerves, renal afferent disruption with capsaicin had no effect on blood pressure or renal inflammation. Conclusions Renal sympathetic nerves contribute to dendritic cell activation, subsequent T cell infiltration and end-organ damage in the kidney in the development of hypertension. PMID:26156232

  20. Types of aggressiveness and catecholamine response in essential hypertensives and healthy controls.

    PubMed

    Netter, P; Neuhäuser-Metternich, S

    1991-01-01

    Relationships between plasma catecholamine responses, and levels and types of aggression in hyper- and normotensives were investigated by analyses of data obtained in a large psychophysiological experiment on 97 hypertensives (EH) and 98 normotensives (CO) each. Subjects were divided according to levels (high vs low) and types (repressed vs manifest) of aggressiveness according to self rating questionnaire scores. Their plasma catecholamine responses to defined stressors indicating sympathetic arousability were compared by four factor analyses of covariance adjusting for age. Repressed aggression was significantly more frequent among male EH, whereas manifest aggression was significantly more frequent among the male COs. High as compared to low hostility was associated with significantly elevated values of plasma epinephrine in EH but not in CO. The immediate norepinephrine stress response was blunted but showed a delayed increase during the subsequent period of rest in high aggressives of both the EH and CO group, a pattern particularly pronounced in repressed aggressive hypertensives. Neither cardiovascular reactions nor speed of performance were observed to be substantially different in subjects of repressed and of manifest hostility. It was concluded that aggression in general is characterized by a delayed norepinephrine stress response and that an association with high epinephrine is typical for aggressiveness in hypertensives. Repressed hostility, however, does not produce a sympathomedullary pattern substantially different from that of manifest aggression thus casting doubt on the physiological significance of repression claimed by Alexander.