Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0020538 (hypertension)
 170,190 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study-Krypton Laser (AMDS-K) is a multicenter controlled clinical trial designed to determine whether krypton red laser photocoagulation is of value in preventing visual acuity loss in eyes with macular degeneration that have either choroidal neovascularization 1 to 199 microns from the center of the foveal avascular zone or choroidal neovascularization 200 microns or farther from the foveal avascular zone center with blood and/or blocked fluorescence extending within 200 microns of the foveal avascular zone center. Recruitment ended in December 1987 after 247 patients had been assigned to photocoagulation and 249 patients had been assigned to no treatment. At 3 years after randomization, 49% (86/174) of treated eyes, in contrast to 58% (98/169) of untreated eyes, had lost six or more lines of visual acuity. The average visual acuity of treated and untreated eyes at that time was 20/200 and 20/250, respectively. The benefit of laser treatment was largest among patients without evidence of hypertension and diminished to no apparent benefit among patients who had highly elevated blood pressure and/or used antihypertensive medication. Treatment of lesions meeting the AMDS-K eligibility criteria in eyes of patients with no hypertension is recommended. However, treatment cannot be recommended uniformly for patients with definite hypertension having lesions similar to those of patients enrolled in the AMDS-K.
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PMID:Krypton laser photocoagulation for neovascular lesions of age-related macular degeneration. Results of a randomized clinical trial. Macular Photocoagulation Study Group. 170 1

Most of the estimated 40 million blind individuals in the world are in the older age groups. Data on blindness and visual impairment are primarily from blindness registries and prevalence surveys in different countries throughout the world. The quality of these data vary tremendously from one country to another, and comparability of the results from different studies is difficult. However, all studies indicate an increase in the prevalence of visual loss and blindness with increasing age. Cataract is the most prevalent eye disease in the world and is a major cause of visual loss in developing as well as in developed countries. Other major eye diseases in the elderly include age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. A number of risk factors have been suggested for cataract, age related macular degeneration, and glaucoma, yet few have been well established. Certain factors for these conditions are similar, including age, hypertension, prolonged exposure to sunlight, and nutritional factors such as Vitamin E. Epidemiologic studies are needed to define the risk factors for these different eye diseases with the goal of decreasing risk of disease and possible disease prevention, as well as developing better estimates of the magnitude of the problems of visual loss and eye diseases in the elderly.
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PMID:Epidemiology of eye disease in the elderly. 365 39

Fifty patients with senile macular degeneration and 50 age-sex-matched control patients were studied retrospectively by multiple regression analysis. The patients with senile macular degeneration more often had hyperopia by a 2.4:1 ratio and when receiving treatment for hypertension, in a 6.1:1 ratio. The significance of these findings needs prospective study.
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PMID:Senile macular degeneration: a preliminary study. 712 36

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss and blindness in elderly Americans. The etiology of this condition remains unknown and treatment options are limited. Some epidemiological findings point to a cardiovascular risk profile among persons with AMD. Documented risk factors for cardiovascular disease (such as age, smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, post-menopausal estrogen use, diabetes, and dietary intake of fats, alcohol and antioxidants) have also been associated with AMD in some studies. This raises the possibility that the causal pathways for cardiovascular disease and AMD may share similar risk factors. Future research on this hypothesis could lead to important insights into etiologic factors for AMD. Research could also identify modifiable risk factors and suggest new treatment options which could prevent AMD, slow its progression, or reduce visual loss. Susceptible individuals could then be targeted for improved health promotion and disease prevention measures for this disabling and highly prevalent disorder.
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PMID:Do age-related macular degeneration and cardiovascular disease share common antecedents? 1042 Feb 12

Drusen are subretinal pigment epithelial deposits that are characteristic of but not uniquely associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Age-related macular degeneration is associated with two types of drusen that have different clinical appearances and different prognoses. Hard drusen appear as small, punctate, yellow nodules and can precede the development of atrophic AMD. Areolar atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), choriocapillaris, and outer retina develop as the drusen disappear, but drusen can regress without evidence of atrophy. Soft drusen appear as large (usually larger than 63 microm in diameter), pale yellow or grayish-white, dome-shaped elevations that can resemble localized serous RPE detachments. They tend to precede the development of clinically evident RPE detachments and choroidal neovascularization. Drusen characteristics correlated with progression to exudative maculopathy include drusen number (five or more), drusen size (larger than 63 microm in diameter), and confluence of drusen. Focal hyperpigmentation in the macula and systemic hypertension also are associated with an increased risk of developing choroidal new vessels (CNVs). Large drusen are usually a sign of diffuse thickening of Bruch's membrane with basal linear deposit, a vesicular material that probably arises from the RPE, constitutes a diffusion barrier to water-soluble constituents in the plasma, results in lipidization of Bruch's membrane, and creates a potential cleavage plane between the RPE basement membrane and the inner collagenous layer of Bruch's membrane through which CNVs can grow. Disappearance of drusen spontaneously and in areas adjacent to laser photocoagulation scars was first noted by Gass (Gass JD: Arch Ophthalmol 90:206-217, 1973; Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 75:580-608, 1971). Subsequent reports have confirmed these observations. Photocoagulation-induced drusen regression might prevent patients with drusen from developing exudative maculopathy. The mechanism for spontaneous drusen regression probably involves RPE atrophy. The mechanism for photocoagulation-induced drusen regression is unknown. If photocoagulation-induced drusen regression is anatomically similar to atrophy-associated drusen regression, then the former will be associated with dissolution of basal linear deposit and a residuum of basal laminar deposit. Sarks and coworkers (Sarks JP, Sarks SH, Killingsworth MC: Eye 11:515-522, 1997) proposed that this in turn will eliminate the potential cleavage plane between the RPE basement membrane and inner collagenous layer of Bruch's membrane through which CNVs grow, thus retarding the growth of CNVs.
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PMID:Drusen in age-related macular degeneration: pathogenesis, natural course, and laser photocoagulation-induced regression. 1046 85

Age related macular degeneration (ARMD) is one of the leading causes of irreversible vision loss in patients over 65 years of age. Nearly 30 percent of persons over 75 years of age will suffer from ARMD. The etiology is not yet fully understood. Besides age, many risk factors such as gender, arterial hypertension, arteriolosclerosis, elevated serum lipids, smoking, alcohol abusus, and exposure to UV light are being discussed. Genetic factors are certainly involved as well; familiar predisposition is assumed in more than 50 percent of cases. White individuals are more affected than colored ones. Predisposing ocular signs are macular drusen, focal hyperpigmentation, and light eyes. In this review, anatomical, pathophysiological and fluorescein-angiographic features and the clinical classification of exudative and dry stages of ARMD are described. Concepts of management of ARMD include pharmacological measures, laser treatment, photodynamic therapy, and surgery including excision of submacular choroidal neovascular membranes and macular translocation. Success rates of any therapeutic method are very limited. Low vision aids are promising by improving quality of life in many cases.
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PMID:[Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)--therapeutic possibilities and new approaches]. 1121 84

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in the United States and other western nations. Limited treatment is available, and there are no established means of prevention. The detection of modifiable risk factors is important to suggest preventive behaviors that can reduce disease occurrence or prevent the progression to the late stages of AMD. Results of recent studies suggest that the etiology and pathogenesis of AMD are a complex interaction of genetic and external factors. Although a number of factors seem promising, only age and cigarette smoking are confirmed as increasing AMD risk. Other factors that most likely play a significant role in AMD are nutritional factors, e.g., antioxidants, and hypertension or other underlying atherosclerotic disease processes. The results of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study suggest a moderate beneficial effect of antioxidant, vitamin, and zinc supplementation in reducing progression to severe AMD.
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PMID:Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration: an update. 1201 86

a-Methyldopa sesquihydrate is used in the treatment of hypertension; over 20 million prescriptions are written annually for a -methyldopa or a-methyldopa sesquihydrate in the United States. a-Methyldopa sesquihydrate (USP grade, greater than 99% pure) was selected for study because of widespread human exposure and the lack of carcinogenicity studies on this compound. Fourteen-day, 13-week, and 2-year studies were conducted in F344/N rats and B6C3F1 mice. The chemical was administered in feed because human exposure is primarily by the oral route. Short-term studies were performed in bacteria and mammalian cells to evaluate the potential for genetic damage. Fourteen-Day and Thirteen-Week Studies: In the 14-day studies, the chemical was administered at dietary concentrations of 0 and 6,250-100,000 ppm. All rats receiving 100,000 ppm and 2/5 female rats receiving 50,000 ppm died. All mice lived until the end of the studies. Final mean body weights of dosed male rats were 14%-43% lower than that of controls, and those of dosed female rats were 9%-24% lower. Feed consumption by dosed male and female rats was reduced. Final mean body weights of dosed mice were generally within 10% of those of controls; feed consumption by dosed groups was lower than that by controls during the first week of the studies. In the 13-week studies, the chemical was administered at dietary concentrations of 0 and 3,100-50,000 ppm. Deaths occurred in 4/10 male rats, 7/10 female rats, and 2/10 female mice at 50,000 ppm and in 1/10 female rats at 25,000 ppm. Final mean body weights of dosed rats were 6%-46% lower than those of controls. Feed consumption by dosed rat groups was lower than that by controls. Final mean body weights of male mice at 25,000 and 50,000 ppm and female mice at 50,000 ppm were reduced 12%-19%. Feed consumption by dosed and control mice was comparable. Rats and mice receiving 25,000 and 50,000 ppm exhibited clinical signs of toxicity including lethargy, hyperexcitability, ocular discharge, and rough hair coats. Clinical signs of toxicity were judged to be more severe in dosed male mice than in female mice. Minimal to moderate kidney tubular cell regeneration was seen in male and female rats at 12,500, 25,000, and 50,000 ppm. Bone marrow hypoplasia occurred in male rats at 25,000 and 50,000 ppm and in female rats at 6,300 ppm and higher. Nuclear enlargement (karyomegaly) of the renal corticaltubular epithelium was observed in male and female mice administered 12,500-50,000 ppm; these kidney lesions were judged to be more severe and occurred more frequently at concentrations of 25,000 ppm and higher. Because of kidney lesions, bone marrow responses, and body weight effects at 12,500 ppm and higher and increased deaths and clinical signs at 25,000 and 50,000 ppm, dietary concentrations selected for male and female rats in the 2-year studies were 0, 3,100, and 6,300 ppm. Based on clinical signs, kidney effects, and body weight decreases at 25,000 and 50,000 ppm, dietary concentrations selected for male and female mice in the 2-year studies were 0, 6,300, and 12,500 ppm. Diets containing the chemical at these concentrations were fed to groups of 50 male and 50 female rats and 50 male and 50 female mice for 103 weeks. Body Weight and Survival in the Two-Year Studies: Mean body weights of dosed rats were generally 8%-17% lower than those of controls, and mean body weights of dosed mice were generally 5%-22% lower than those of controls throughout the studies. The average amount of a-methyldopa sesquihydrate consumed per day was approximately 110-120 or 230-240 mg/kg per day by low and high dose rats and 830-890 or 1,760-1,800 mg/kg by low and high dose mice. Survival was comparable among dosed and control groups (male rats: control, 28/50; low dose, 26/50; high dose, 27/50; female rats: 35/50; 34/50; 29/50; male mice: 44/50; 42/50; 39/50; female mice: 42/50; 40/50; 38/50). Clinical signs considered to be dose-related included fighting in male rats, irritability in male mice, and rough hair coats in female mice. Nonneoplastic and Neoplasle rats, irritability in male mice, and rough hair coats in female mice. Nonneoplastic and Neoplastic Effects in the Two-Year Studies: Several lesions of the forestomach, including edema, chronic inflammation, epithelial hyperplasia, and ulcers, were seen at low incidences in high dose rats. No forestomach neoplasms occurred. No neoplastic lesions were observed in either male or female rats which were considered related to a-methyldopa sesquihydrate exposure. Nephropathy (control, 3/50; low dose, 21/50; high dose, 32/50), karyomegaly (nuclear enlargement) of cells of the tubular epithelium (0/50; 46/50; 44/50, and cysts (2/50; 10/50; 10/50) were observed in the kidney of dosed female mice. Low incidences of tubular cell hyperplasia (0/50; 1/50; 1/50), tubular cell adenomas (0/50; 2/50; 0/50), and tubular cell adenocarcinomas (0/50; 0/50; 1/50) were observed in male mice. Tubular cell adenomas (3/2,029, 0.15%) and tubular cell adenocarcinomas (3/2,029, 0.15%)are uncommon in untreated control male B6C3F1 mice. No neoplastic lesions in female mice were considered related to a-methyldopa sesquihydrate exposure. Decreased incidences of several site-specific neoplasms were observed in dosed rats and mice; these decreases might have been due in part to decreased weight gain in dosed groups. The decreases occurred in the adrenal medulla of male rats (pheochromocytomas or malignant pheochromocytomas, combined: 21/49; 3/49; 10/50), uterus of female rats (endometrial stromal polyps: 15/50; 5/49; 1/50), liver of male and female mice (hepatocellular adenomas or carcinomas, combined-- male: 15/50; 5/50; 6/50; female: 4/50; 1/50; 0/50), and anterior pituitary gland of female mice (adenoma: 9/49; 4/40; 2/50). The incidences of malignant tumors (male: 19/50; 9/50; 8/50; female: 21/50; 16/50; 12/50) and benign or malignant tumors (combined) (male: 32/50; 15/50; 17/50; female: 33/50; 22/50; 21/50) were reduced in dosed mice. Reproductive Studies: a-Methyldopa sesquihydrate was administered to male F344/N rats in corn oil by gavage 5 days per week for 65 days at doses of 0, 50, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg. Decreased body weight was seen in dosed animals. Male rats were mated to untreated female F344/N rats on days 57-61, necropsies were performed on days 65-67, and reproductive toxicity was measured by sperm count, sperm motility, organ weights, hormone levels, and histologic evaluation of the testis. Decreased fertility was observed in males dosed with a-methyldopa sesquihydrate at 200 and 400 mg/kg. Decreases were also seen in sperm count, sperm motility, apparent number of late spermatids, and plasma testosterone levels in males in the 200 and 400 mg/kg groups. This alteration of reproductive function in male rats was found to be reversible after a 13-week recovery period (without dosing). The decreased fertility observed after a-methyldopa sesquihydrate administration was probably due in part to the decreases in plasma testosterone levels. Genetic Toxicity: a-Methyldopa sesquihydrate was not mutagenic when tested with or without exogenous metabolic activation with a preincubation protocol in four strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA97, TA98, TA100, or TA1535). No increase in chromosomal aberrations or sister chromatid exchanges was observed in Chinese hamsterovary (CHO) cells exposed to a-methyldopa sesquihydrate with or without S9. Audit: The data, documents, and pathology materials from the 2-year studies of a-methyldopa sesquihydrate have been audited. The audit findings show that the conduct of the studies is documented adequately and support the data and results given in this Technical Report. Conclusions: Under the conditions of these 2-year feed studies, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of a-methyldopa sesquihydrate for male or female F344/N rats fed diets containing 3,100 or 6,300 ppm. There was equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity of a-methyldopa sesquihydrate for male B6C3F1 mice, as shown by three dosed mice having uncommon tubular cell tumors of the kidney. There was no evidence of carcinogenic activity of a -methyldopa sesquihydrate for female B6C3F1 mice fed diets containing 6,300 or 12,500 ppm. Nonneoplastic lesions of the kidney including karyomegaly were observed in dosed female mice. Decreased incidences of several tumor types (in the adrenal gland in male rats, uterus in female rats, liver in male and female mice, and anterior pituitary gland in female mice) were considered related to a-methyldopa sesquihydrate exposure. Synonyms for a-Methyldopa or a-Methyldopa sesquihydrate: 3-hydroxy-a-methyl-L-tyrosine sesquihydrate; L-(a-MD); a-methyl-L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine; L(-)-b-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-a -methylalanine; L-(-)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-methylalanine; L-a-methyl-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine; a-methyl-b-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine; L-(-)-a-methyl-b-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)alanine; (-)-methyldopa; L-methyldopa; L-a-methyldopa; a-methyl-L-dopa Trade Names for a-Methyldopa or a-Methyldopa sesquihydrate: Aldomet; Aldometil; Aldomin; a-Medopa; AMD; Bayer 1440 L; Baypresol; Dopamet; Dopatec; Dopegyt; Hyperpax; Medomet; Medopren; Methoplain; MK. B51; MK-351; Presinol; Presolisin; Sedometil; Sembrina
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PMID:NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of alpha-Methyldopa Sesquihydrate (CAS No. 41372-08-1) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Feed Studies). 1270 36

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in Australia and other Western countries. As there is no cure for AMD, and treatments to stop its progression have met with limited success, there is an interest in identifying modifiable risk factors to prevent or slow disease progression. To date, smoking is the only proven modifiable risk factor for AMD. Other factors under study include (i) cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, body mass index, and atherosclerosis; and (ii) dietary risk factors including fat and antioxidant intake, but so far these studies have produced conflicting results. Dietary fat in relation to AMD has recently attracted media attention. Despite very limited work supporting an association between vegetable fat and AMD, widespread publicity advocating margarine as a cause of AMD and encouraging use of butter instead has caused confusion and anxiety among sufferers of AMD and the general public, as well as concern among health professionals. The antioxidant carotenoids--lutein and zeaxanthin--found in dark green or yellow vegetables exist in high concentrations in the macula and are hypothesised to play a protective role. Of nine controlled trials of supplementation with carotenoids and other antioxidants, three suggested that various combinations of antioxidants and carotenoids were protective. While a low-fat diet rich in dark green and yellow vegetables is advocated in general, any specific recommendations regarding certain fats or antioxidant supplementation and AMD are not based on consistent findings at this stage.
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PMID:Modifiable risk factors for age-related macular degeneration. 1664 46

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of blindness in the elderly. Linkage has been shown to the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene and ocular levels of VEGF are raised in individuals with the neovascular form of disease. To examine the role of VEGF further, we conducted a case-control study where 45 individuals with neovascular AMD and 94 age-matched controls were genotyped for 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VEGF promoter and gene. The single SNP +674 CC genotype was significantly associated with AMD (OR=2.40, 95%CI 1.09-5.26, P=0.027). Haplotype analysis of SNPs +674, +4618, +5092, +9162 and +9512 revealed that CTCCT and TCACC were associated with AMD (OR=15.77, 95% CI 1.91-130.24, P=0.0161 and OR=9.95, 95%CI 3.22-30.74, P=0.000053, respectively). The haplotype TCACT was associated with the control group (P=0.0001832). Furthermore, haplotype analysis of promoter SNPs revealed that possession of the -460T, -417T, -172C, -165C, -160C, -152G, -141A, -116A, +405C haplotype was strongly associated with AMD (OR=18.24, 95%CI 2.25-148.25, P=0.0074). This is the most extensive analysis of the VEGF gene in AMD, demonstrating a clear association with the exudative form of disease, thereby creating the possibility for predictive testing. Smoking, high fat intake and hypertension are negative environmental risk factors in AMD, whereas increased consumption of dietary antioxidants can have a protective effect. Identification of those at risk in the population would allow individual counselling with lifestyle advice to reduce the risks of blindness. (Genbank accession nos M63971 and AF437895).
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PMID:VEGF polymorphisms are associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. 1694 Mar 9


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