{"title":"Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Roles in the Pathogenesis of COVID-19.","authors":"Azra Kenarkoohi, Maryam Maleki, Tahereh Safari, Mohammad Reza Kaffashian, Fateme Saljoughi, Shahla Sohrabipour","doi":"10.2174/1573402116666200810134702","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1573402116666200810134702","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The new pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes a wide range of clinical consequences, from asymptomatic infection to acute respiratory failure, and it is very heterogeneous. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is well recognized as a key regulating system in circulatory homeostasis that plays prominent roles in pathophysiological processes in abnormal activation, for instance, renal and cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and stroke. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2) is a component of the RAS system. However, unlike the ACE, its activity is not inhibited by the ACE inhibitors. The major product of ACE2 is Ang1-7, known as a vasodilator peptide and part of the depressant arm of the RAS. There are two forms of ACE2; Transmembrane ACE2 and soluble ACE2. Coronavirus is covered with some proteins in order to help viral attachment to the cell membrane ACE2 as a receptor and then fuse and enter the cells. ACE2 was expressed in the oral cavity, salivary glands of the mouth, esophagus, myocardial cells, kidney, and enterocytes, along with all the respiratory tract, intestine, and blood vessels. In this article, the renin- angiotensin system and its components have been explained. Moreover, the organs involved in COVID-19 disease, and the possible causes of damage to these organs have also been discussed. The probable mechanism of using ACE2 in viral attachment and the probable treatment processes will also be reviewed based on the surface proteins of the virus and ACE2. In addition, we briefly discuss anti-angiotensin drugs and why patients with chronic diseases are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection and show worse progression.</p>","PeriodicalId":45941,"journal":{"name":"Current Hypertension Reviews","volume":"17 3","pages":"207-216"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38249448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ramiro A Sanchez, Maria J Sanchez, Agustin J Ramirez
{"title":"Renal Function, Albumin-Creatinine Ratio and Pulse Wave Velocity Predict Silent Coronary Artery Disease and Renal Outcome in Type 2 Diabetic and Prediabetic Subjects.","authors":"Ramiro A Sanchez, Maria J Sanchez, Agustin J Ramirez","doi":"10.2174/1573402116999201210194817","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1573402116999201210194817","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Silent coronary heart disease is frequently undetected in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and pre-diabetes determined by glucose intolerance (GI). Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) have been considered markers of cardiovascular mortality, coronary heart disease and chronic renal failure.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To evaluate the incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the relationship between urinary albumin-creatinine ratio, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and PWV in type 2 DM with silent CAD.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We analyzed 92 individuals (44 male), 49 (60±7y) type 2 DM non-insulin dependents and 43 prediabetics (43±4y), with Grade I-II hypertension and no symptoms of CAD. All type 2 DM patients were under antidiabetic treatment with A1C hemoglobin between 5.5 and 6.5%. Every patient underwent a myocardial perfusion SPECT scan. In those subjects with ischemic patterns, coronary angiography was performed. In addition, PWV, glomerular filtration rate, and ACR were evaluated.</p><p><strong>Statistics: </strong>mean±SEM, and ANOVA among groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>48.59% of DM2 and 25.58% of GI patients had silent coronary artery had silent coronary artery disease and higher ACR, PWV and reduced GFR. Higher ACR and PWV and reduced GFR. DM2 and GI showed a negative relationship between GFR and ACR. Moreover, this relation was also observed in different levels of GFR (>60 ml/min and <60ml.min (p<0.05) in patients with CAD, suggesting a cardio-renal interaction in DM2.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Higher PWV, lower GFR and ACR predict the incidence of CAD in DM2. Dysglycemic individuals also represent a group of higher risk for coronary artery disease with similar predictors as in DM2. Diabetic and prediabetics still develop renal microalbuminuria. Thus, PWV seems to represent a reliable marker of renal impairment and coronary artery disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":45941,"journal":{"name":"Current Hypertension Reviews","volume":"17 2","pages":"131-136"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38702603","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nzube F Olung, Oritoke M Aluko, Sikirullai O Jeje, Ayotunde S Adeagbo, Omamuyovwi M Ijomone
{"title":"Vascular Dysfunction in the Brain; Implications for Heavy Metal Exposures.","authors":"Nzube F Olung, Oritoke M Aluko, Sikirullai O Jeje, Ayotunde S Adeagbo, Omamuyovwi M Ijomone","doi":"10.2174/1573402117666210225085528","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1573402117666210225085528","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Normal or diseased conditions that alter the brain's requirement for oxygen and nutrients via alterations to neurovascular coupling have an impact on the level of the neurovascular unit; comprising neuronal, glial and vascular components. The communications between the components of the neurovascular unit are precise and accurate for its functions; hence a minute disturbance can result in neurovascular dysfunction. Heavy metals such as cadmium, mercury, and lead have been identified to increase the vulnerability of the neurovascular unit to damage. This review examines the role of heavy metals in neurovascular dysfunctions and the possible mechanisms by which these metals act. Risk factors ranging from lifestyle, environment, genetics, infections, and physiologic ageing involved in neurological dysfunctions were highlighted, while stroke was discussed as the prevalent consequence of neurovascular dysfunctions. Furthermore, the role of these heavy metals in the pathogenesis of stroke consequently pinpoints the importance of understanding the mechanisms of neurovascular damage in a bid to curb the occurrence of neurovascular dysfunctions.</p>","PeriodicalId":45941,"journal":{"name":"Current Hypertension Reviews","volume":"17 1","pages":"5-13"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25405518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Heart Failure and Diabetes: Perspective of a Dangerous Association.","authors":"Liliana E Favaloro, Roxana D Ratto, Carla Musso","doi":"10.2174/1573402117666210406111927","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1573402117666210406111927","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The relationship between diabetes and risk of heart failure has been described in previous trials, releasing the importance of the hyperglycemic state that, added to other risk factors, favors the development of coronary heart disease. The mechanism by which, in the absence of hypertension, obesity and/or dyslipidemia, diabetic patients develop cardiomyopathy has been less studied. Recently, the Sodium Glucose Co-transporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT2 inhibitors) used for the treatment of heart failure patients with or without diabetes has been a breakthrough in the field of medicine. This review describes the established pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy and SGLT2 inhibitors, their mechanisms of action, and benefits in this group of patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":45941,"journal":{"name":"Current Hypertension Reviews","volume":"17 2","pages":"85-93"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25564755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alejandro F do Prado, Cahy M Bannwart, Victoria M T Shinkai, Ildercílio M de Souza Lima, César A Meschiari
{"title":"Phyto-derived Products as Matrix Metalloproteinases Inhibitors in Cardiovascular Diseases.","authors":"Alejandro F do Prado, Cahy M Bannwart, Victoria M T Shinkai, Ildercílio M de Souza Lima, César A Meschiari","doi":"10.2174/1573402116666200510011356","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1573402116666200510011356","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes that present a metallic element in their structure. These enzymes are ubiquitously distributed and function as extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelers. MMPs play a broad role in cardiovascular biology regulating processes such as cell adhesion and function, cellular communication and differentiation, integration of mechanical force and force transmission, tissue remodeling, modulation of damaged-tissue structural integrity, cellular survival or apoptosis and regulation of inflammation-related cytokines and growth factors. MMPs inhibition and downregulation are correlated with minimization of cardiac damage, i.e., Chinese herbal medicine has shown to stabilize abdominal aorta aneurysm due to its antiinflammatory, antioxidant and MMP-2 and 9 inhibitory properties. Thus phyto-derived products rise as promising sources for novel therapies focusing on MMPs inhibition and downregulation to treat or prevent cardiovascular disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":45941,"journal":{"name":"Current Hypertension Reviews","volume":"17 1","pages":"47-58"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37915904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Association of Low BMI with Aortic Stiffness in Young Healthy Individuals","authors":"Satish G Patil, Sneha Arakeri, Vitthal Khode","doi":"10.2174/1573402117666210121100936","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1573402117666210121100936","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Increased arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is unknown whether low BMI has any detrimental effect on the arterial wall during young age.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>The present study was aimed to determine if low BMI can increase arterial stiffness in young, healthy individuals.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted on young, healthy subjects (n=100) with low BMI <18.5 (n=50) and normal BMI: 18.5-24.9 (n=50) with ages ranging between 15-23 years. BMI, heart rate, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness indices such as regional pulse wave velocity (PWV) between brachial-ankle (baPWV), carotid-femoral (cfPWV), heart-ankle (haPWV), heartbrachial (hbPWV) were measured.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A significantly increased pulse pressure (p=0.014), baPWV (1059.2 ± 140.26 cm/s vs 994.66 ± 129.23 cm/s; p=0.019) and cfPWV (641.03 ± 113.83 cm/s vs 583.96 ± 120.48 cm/s; p=0.017) was found in individuals with low BMI than normal BMI group. There was a significant negative correlation between BMI and central arterial PWV. Further multiple regression analysis showed that BMI was robustly associated with cf-PWV (p=0.004) and baPWV (p=0.016) even after multiple adjustments with potential confounders using several models.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings show a significant increased aortic stiffness and pulse pressure in low BMI subjects compared to those with normal BMI. Low BMI was inversely and independently associated with central arterial or aortic stiffness. These findings suggest that low BMI may be a risk factor for aortic stiffness in young, healthy individuals.</p>","PeriodicalId":45941,"journal":{"name":"Current Hypertension Reviews","volume":"17 3","pages":"245-249"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38842823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Airton C Martins, Alessanda A D Santos, Ana C B A Lopes, Anatoly V Skalny, Michael Aschner, Alexey A Tinkov, Monica M B Paoliello
{"title":"Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by Cadmium and Mercury and its Relationship to Hypertension.","authors":"Airton C Martins, Alessanda A D Santos, Ana C B A Lopes, Anatoly V Skalny, Michael Aschner, Alexey A Tinkov, Monica M B Paoliello","doi":"10.2174/1573402117666210121102405","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1573402117666210121102405","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hypertension is an important public health concern that affects millions globally, leading to a large number of morbidities and fatalities. The etiology of hypertension is complex and multifactorial, and it involves environmental factors, including heavy metals. Cadmium and mercury are toxic elements commonly found in the environment, contributing to hypertension. We aimed to assess the role of cadmium and mercury-induced endothelial dysfunction in the development of hypertension. A narrative review was carried out through database searches. In this review, we discussed the critical roles of cadmium and mercury in the etiology of hypertension and provided new insights into potential mechanisms of their effect, focusing primarily on endothelial dysfunction. Although the mechanisms by which cadmium and mercury induce hypertension have yet to be completely elucidated, evidence for both implicates impaired nitric oxide signaling in their hypertensive etiology.</p>","PeriodicalId":45941,"journal":{"name":"Current Hypertension Reviews","volume":"17 1","pages":"14-26"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38842825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Godela M Brosnahan, Zhiying You, Wei Wang, Berenice Y Gitomer, Michel Chonchol
{"title":"Serum Uric Acid and Progression of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: Results from the HALT PKD Trials.","authors":"Godela M Brosnahan, Zhiying You, Wei Wang, Berenice Y Gitomer, Michel Chonchol","doi":"10.2174/1573402116666200817113125","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1573402116666200817113125","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Epidemiological studies have suggested that elevated serum uric acid may contribute to the progression of chronic kidney disease. However, no large prospective study has examined whether hyperuricemia is an independent risk factor for the progression of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We measured uric acid in stored serum samples from the 2-year study visit of 671 participants from the HALT PKD multicenter trials. Participants were categorized according to uric acid tertiles. For Study A (participants aged 15-49 years with preserved kidney function, n=350), we used linear mixed effects models to examine the association between uric acid and repeated measures of height-adjusted total kidney volume (htTKV), the primary outcome for Study A. For Study B (participants aged 18-64 with decreased kidney function, n=321), we used Cox proportional hazards models to assess the hazard for the combined endpoint of 50% loss in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), or death, the primary outcome for Study B. To assess the association of uric acid with the slope of eGFR decline (secondary outcome of HALT A and B), we used linear mixed effects models for the combined population of Study A and B.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the unadjusted model, the annual change in htTKV was 2.7% higher in the highest uric acid tertile compared to the lowest (p<0.001), but this difference became insignificant after adjustment for gender. Men had faster TKV growth than women (p<0.001). There was no difference in eGFR decline between the 3 uric acid tertiles. Hazard ratios for the clinical endpoint were 2.9 (95% confidence interval, 1.9-4.4) and 1.8 (1.1-2.8) respectively in the high and medium uric acid groups in unadjusted and partially adjusted models (p<0.001), but the significance was lost after adjustment for baseline eGFR. Results were similar when uric acid was examined as a continuous variable.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Elevated serum uric acid is not an independent risk factor for disease progression in ADPKD.</p>","PeriodicalId":45941,"journal":{"name":"Current Hypertension Reviews","volume":"17 3","pages":"228-237"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7887140/pdf/nihms-1629002.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38275292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vladimir A Kashkin, Alexei Y Egorov, Evgeniy M Krupitsky, Alexei Y Bagrov
{"title":"Endogenous Bufadienolide, Blood Pressure and Alcohol Withdrawal.","authors":"Vladimir A Kashkin, Alexei Y Egorov, Evgeniy M Krupitsky, Alexei Y Bagrov","doi":"10.2174/1573402116999200819162306","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1573402116999200819162306","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and objective: </strong>Previously, it was demonstrated that marinobufagenin (MBG) is implicated in the development of ethanol withdrawal in rats. It has been shown that ethanol withdrawal is associated with a pressor response in the alcoholics. We hypothesized that elevated levels of sodium pump ligand, MBG, would underline the increase in systolic blood pressure during alcohol withdrawal in humans.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The cohort included 9 patients with the diagnosis \"alcohol dependence syndrome\" (F10.(1-3) according to ICD-10). The blood samples for measurement of MBG concentration were collected from the subjects on the first day of withdrawal and after 7 days treatment of the abstinence. Arterial blood pressure was measured via plethysmography at the same time points.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The beginning of the alcoholic abstinence was associated with the rise of arterial blood pressure with enhanced levels of plasma MBG. At day 7 following withdrawal, the systolic blood pressure and MBG levels were decreased to normal values.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The development of alcohol withdrawal is accompanied by an increase in arterial blood pressure, which is associated with increased plasma MBG concentration.</p>","PeriodicalId":45941,"journal":{"name":"Current Hypertension Reviews","volume":"17 2","pages":"170-173"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"38282627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in the Diagnosis and Management of Arterial Hypertension in Current Medical Practice in Algeria.","authors":"Naima Hammoudi-Bendib, Leila Manamani, Souhila Ouabdesselam, Dalila S Ouamer, Sofiane Ghemri, Laurene Courouve, Amine Cherif, Lamine Mahi, Salim Benkhedda","doi":"10.2174/1573402116666200324144223","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2174/1573402116666200324144223","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>There are limited data on the management of hypertension (HT) in Algeria. The aim of this study was to assess, in current medical practice, the use and benefits of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for the diagnosis and management of HT.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective, observational, multicenter study was performed in 2017. Patients aged ≥ 18 years with suspected or treated HT were included. A 24-hour ABPM was performed at baseline in all patients. Therapeutic decision was taken by the physician according to ABPM results and patients were then followed up to 6 weeks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis included 1027 patients (mean age, 51.0 years; women, 61.6%) with treated HT (37.3%) or suspected HT (62.7%). Major cardiovascular risk factors were diabetes (15.7%) and lipid disorders (7.2%). ABPM was pathological in 55.1% of patients on antihypertensive treatment and in 60.8% of patients with suspected HT. A therapeutic adjustment or a treatment switch was performed after pathological ABPM in 37.4% of patients already on antihypertensive treatment and an antihypertensive therapy was initiated in 54.9% of patients with initially suspected HT.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study is the first evaluation of the usefulness of ABPM for the management of HT in Algeria. Our results emphasize that ABPM is a highly valuable method for avoiding the whitecoat effect and for detecting patients who are insufficiently treated with antihypertensive drugs.</p>","PeriodicalId":45941,"journal":{"name":"Current Hypertension Reviews","volume":"17 1","pages":"75-82"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"37768194","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}