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Query: UMLS:C0018801 (heart failure)
 72,216 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

This article describes investigations of several aspects of the molecular biology of the human renin gene and the three-dimensional structure of renin and its precursor, prorenin. Because of the importance of the RAS in hypertension, heart failure, renal failure, and possibly other disorders such as atherosclerosis, it is critical to understand the detailed control of this system. This control involves regulation at the transcriptional level, folding of prorenin, sorting of prorenin to a regulated pathway where it is proteolytically cleaved to renin and released in response to secretogogues, constitutive release of uncleaved prorenin, and nonproteolytic activation of prorenin. Currently there is great interest not only in the control of renin in the kidney, the sole source of circulating renin, but also at extrarenal sites where RAS activity may regulate cardiovascular functions. The renin gene was found to be expressed significantly in the renal juxtaglomerular cells and several other cell types. Most tissue culture cells did not express the gene; exceptions were cultured SK-LMS-1 cells and cAMP-stimulated human lung fibroblasts. Cultured human uterine-placental cells expressed the human renin gene at levels higher than in other cell types assessed. Renin mRNA had the same start site in the placental cells as the kidney and was regulated by calcium ionophores and cAMP. Thus, these cells provide primary nontransformed human cells to study the homologous human promoter. Transfected renin promoters showed cell type-specific expression and cAMP responsiveness in these cells in constructs containing as few as 102 bp of 5'-flanking DNA. DNA upstream from this appears to contain an inhibitory element(s) that may have some tissue specificity in its distribution. The cAMP response is not due to cAMP induction of a transcription factor that secondarily affects the renin promoter. A novel element may be involved, since the promoter does not contain a CRE element that mediates many cAMP responses, and the cells do not appear to respond to another known cAMP-responsive transcription factor, AP-2. Studies with transfected vectors expressing a mutant cAMP-responsive protein kinase A regulatory subunit suggest that cAMP is not responsible for basal renin promoter activity in the placental cells. By contrast, cAMP induces in essence gene activation in WI26VA4 transformed human lung fibroblasts in which renin mRNA levels increase by up to 150-fold in response to forskolin. Thus, cAMP may activate renin gene expression under certain circumstances and tissue-specific renin gene expression may be directed by more than one mechanism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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PMID:Molecular biology of human renin and its gene. 174 21

Minor biochemical changes in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system play a significant role in the formation of clinical chronic heart failure (CHF). Classifying heart failure by the activity of plasma renin identifies 3 large patient groups that are characterized by low, normal or high renin activity. If aldosterone is included into its characterization, the groups should be divided into subgroups by plasma aldosterone levels. The biochemical "profiling" of patients in terms of renal and adrenal hormones may be widely applied to the prediction and individually selected therapy of CHF patients. The present study has demonstrated that in contrast to individuals with normal or high renin activity and of the same age and the same degree of heart failure, patients with its low levels are better protected against arrhythmias and severe and therapy-resistant heart failure. In severe CHF aldosterone concentrations are virtually higher at any time.
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PMID:[Prognostic significance of plasma renin activity and aldosterone levels in patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency]. 175 24

The effects of inhibition of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system on the natriuretic and diuretic actions of an intravenous dose of frusemide 40 mg in patients with chronic cardiac failure maintained on oral diuretics were studied in the supine and erect positions. In the patients studied in the supine position the total 4 hour diuresis was decreased from 995 (92) ml to 668 (66) ml and the total 4 hour natriuresis fell from 105 (14) mmol to 67 (14) mmol following the administration of captopril. Creatinine clearance fell from 87 (8) ml/minute to 52 (15) ml/minute. In the patients studied in the erect position the total 4 hour diuresis was 596 (87) ml without captopril and 562 (83) ml with captopril. Total 4 hour natriuresis was 71 (13) mmol without captopril and 65 (9) mmol with captopril. Creatinine clearance was reduced by captopril from 82 (7) ml/minute to 47 (12) ml/minute. The reduction in the diuretic and natriuretic response to frusemide caused by captopril in the supine position is mediated through a fall in glomerular filtration rate. However, in the erect position, which is associated with even further increases in activity of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system, the reduction in diuresis and natriuresis that a fall in glomerular filtration rate would cause is offset by abolition of the rise in sodium retaining hormones, angiotensin II and aldosterone that mediate the antinatriuretic effect of the erect position.
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PMID:Posture determines the nature of the interaction between angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and loop diuretics in patients with chronic cardiac failure. 176 31

Seventy four patients aged 35-74 years who had mitral valvular disease were examined for renin, angiotensin II, aldosterone, and vasopressin, of whom 49 patients were diagnosed as having a mitral valve defect with prevalent stenosis, 25 presented with a mitral valve defect with prevalent heart failure. Circulatory disorders, Stages I-II, were found in 41 patients, Stage IIB in 23, and Stage III in 10 patients. There were no significant differences in the parameters of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and vasopressin in untreated adult and elderly patients with mitral valvular disease at rest. As circulatory disorders progressed, the RAAS parameters significantly increased in all the groups. However, the patients with prevalent stenosis showed higher blood renin levels than did those with prevalent heart failure, irrespective of its severity. In refractory heart failure, the significant differences remained to a greater extent only for renin. The treatment with peripheral vasodilators (isosorbide dinitrate and corinfar) resulted in compensatory activation of the neurohumoral vasoconstrictive system, thereafter the RAAS parameters significantly increased after the drugs.
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PMID:[Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and vasopressin in adult and aged patients with acquired mitral valve defects]. 179 80

In heart failure, neurohumoral factors are important determinants of left-ventricular function, not only by direct mechanisms on the myocardium, but also by indirect effects through modulation of pre- and afterload. In experimental models of heart failure, as well as in patients with cardiac dysfunction, it has been demonstrated in the early phase of the disease that the sympathetic activity and the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide are stimulated. This is associated with an increased synthesis of vasodilator prostaglandins in the kidney, predominately prostaglandin E2. Prostaglandin E2 plays an important role by its vasodilator and natriuretic properties in preserving renal blood flow, natriuresis and diuresis. The stimulation of the secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide in relatively moderate heart failure leads to a suppression of the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. In more severe heart failure vasoconstrictor, sodium and water-retaining mechanisms like the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are activated with the consequence of an increase of systemic vascular resistance, a reduction of renal blood flow, and an increased fluid retention. The inhibition of cyclooxygenase, leading to a blockade of the synthesis of prostaglandins, leads in early heart failure to a dramatic change in renal blood flow with an increase of renal vascular resistance and a decrease of renal perfusion which causes renal functional impairment.
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PMID:[Renin, aldosterone and prostaglandins in heart failure]. 179 34

In contradiction earlier viewpoints, cardiac failure cannot be defined as a purely hemodynamic problem nor as only a cardiac problem. On the other hand decreased cardiac output (Co), increased filling pressure, increased wallstress and myocardial O2-consumption (MVO2) are the cause of many humoral counterregulations. Therefore, it is not always certain if the observed alterations are the causes or consequences of cardiac failure. The systemic counter-regulations will be modulated by desensitized cardiopulmonary mechanoreceptors, followed by decreased inhibition of central vasomotoric stimuli and endothelial and endocardial function, by altered signal transmission, as well as by altered gene expression within the myocytes. Depending on the degree of insufficiency, it may be attempted, by increase of the preload and of the contractility, to restore the hemodynamic basic situation. Such an attempt is based upon increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS) or the increased level of ADH. The reduced contractility and response of the myocytes, caused by the downregulation of beta 1-receptors and Gs-proteins, as well as by the upregulation of Gi-proteins, and the increased afterload with increased MVO2 and decreased CO all lead to a vicious circle. There are only some mechanisms that are directed against these regulations. The decreased response of the myocardium to endogenous catecholamines, the stimulation of ANP-secretion, as well of the prostaglandin-secretion are among the favorable regulations. They cause increase of natri- and diuresis, improved renal perfusion, vasodilatation, and inhibition of the RAAS and ADH-secretion with reduction of true thirst and craving for salt.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:[Synopsis of endocrine and hemodynamic changes in heart failure]. 179 35

We studied sympathetic and renin-angiotensin systems activity in a series of 175 patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction. These two systems were both overactivated especially in the cases complicated by hemodynamically documented left heart failure. The response of these systems to acute heart failure was in the same range for patients younger or older than 65 years and the witness (norepinephrine and plasma renin levels) of sympathetic and renin-angiotensin activities were good independent prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality.
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PMID:[Activity of the sympathetic nervous system and of the renin-angiotensin system in the acute stage of myocardial infarction]. 181 13

In 33 patients with heart failure (NYHA II-III), the 24-h blood pressure rhythm was examined before and after the titration period of two ACE inhibitors. Blood pressure was measured by the oscillometric method using the blood pressure monitor 90202 from SpaceLabs, Inc. The measurements were taken from 06:00 to 22:00 h every 20 min and from 22:00 to 06:00 h every hour. Patients were randomized to therapy with either captopril (group 1, n = 17) or enalapril (group 2, n = 16). The average daily dosage of captopril was 41 +/- 3 mg given in three divided doses (08:00, 12:00, and 17:00 h). The mean dose of enalapril was 8 +/- 1 mg once daily (08:00 h). Serum electrolytes, serum creatinine, and plasma renin activity were measured before and during therapy with both ACE inhibitors. Twenty-four-hour blood pressure measurements were taken before and on the fifth day of treatment with ACE inhibitors. Both groups were not different with respect to the degree of heart failure, the concomitant medication, and the 24-h profiles of blood pressure and heart rate before initiation of ACE inhibition. The 24-h blood pressure values on day 5 were consistently below the pretreatment values (p less than 0.005) in both groups. Both groups did not differ significantly during ACE inhibition in their 24-h blood pressure and heart rate profiles. In both groups, the mesor of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly by the same degree (by 4.7/5.1 mmg Hg in group 1 and 6.4/4.1 mm Hg in group 2). The systolic/diastolic blood pressure amplitude decreased slightly in both groups. Before treatment, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine were within the normal range. The increase in potassium (0.5 +/- 0.1 mmol/L) reached statistical significance (p less than 0.01) only in the captopril group, whereas it was not significant in the enalapril group (0.1 +/- 0.1 mmol/L). Serum creatinine was not significantly altered by both ACE inhibitors. No relationship could be found between the changes in serum potassium or creatinine and the mean of the 24-h blood pressure values during ACE inhibition. Captopril and enalapril showed comparable blood pressure profiles and similar effects on renal function at the end of the titration on day 5. It can therefore be concluded that the effects on blood pressure rhythm and renal function are similar with a single daily dose of enalapril compared to captopril given three times daily.
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PMID:Circadian rhythm of blood pressure in congestive heart failure and effects of ACE inhibitors. 181 90

Systemic vasoconstriction is a hallmark in chronic heart failure and due to several compensatory mechanisms such as neural, humoral and local vascular factors. Peripheral vasoconstriction mediated by increased sympathetic tone and activated plasma renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may act primarily for short-term control. The effects of the vascular RAS, impaired endothelium-mediated dilation (possibly due to chronically reduced flow) and structural alterations of the vessel wall slowly emerge over time. In addition, fluid and sodium retention may contribute to increase vascular stiffness in chronic heart failure. Improved cardiac output with acute administration of vasodilators and inotropic agents appears to exert redistribution of blood flow without improving blood flow to working muscle during exercise. Even if such agents do improve blood flow to the exercising skeletal muscle with short-term administration, oxygen utilization of the skeletal muscle is not immediately increased because intrinsic abnormalities of skeletal muscle exist in chronic heart failure; e.g. due to chronic deconditioning, resulting in reduced oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle as suggested by ultrastructural analysis and NMR-spectroscopy. The reversal of the above delineated peripheral alterations develop slowly over time. Chronically increased flow may improve impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation of the vessel wall and the oxidative capacity may increase, in part, due to a training effect.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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PMID:[Peripheral adaptation in chronic heart failure: therapeutic implications]. 182 Mar 1

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and plasma renin activity (PRA) were studied in 19 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) under haemodialysis (HD). On the basis of clinical findings, patients were divided into three groups: group A, 6 patients, of mean age 41 +/- 15 years, without heart failure and in need of ultrafiltration (658 +/- 282 ml h-1); group B, 6 patients, of mean age 54 +/- 15 years, without heart failure under isovolaemic HD; group C, 7 patients, of mean age 60 +/- 3 years, with heart failure (NYHA III-IV) and in need of ultrafiltration (607 +/- 120 ml h-1). The highest predialysis ANP levels were found in group C (1534 +/- 471 pg ml-1) followed by group A (476 +/- 168 pg ml-1) and group B (236 +/- 138 pg ml-1) (normal range 62 +/- 27 pg ml-1). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate did not correlate with ANP levels in either of the groups. However, iso-osmotic reduction of the body weight by ultrafiltration was correlated with decreasing ANP levels during HD (for groups A and C, r = 0.88 and 0.98, respectively). Isovolaemic HD did not alter ANP concentrations (group B). All patients received a volume bolus at the end of HD, and they responded with an instant increase in ANP concentration, which was most pronounced in patients with concomitant heart failure. PRA was not significantly correlated with ANP levels during HD. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that there is a sensitive response of ANP levels to changes in body fluid status in ESRD.
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PMID:Atrial natriuretic peptide in dialysis patients under various conditions of volume homeostasis. 182 25


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