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)

Increased common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) and carotid and/or iliofemoral (C/IF) plaque are frequent in subjects treated for hypertension, but their association with pulse pressure (PP) has rarely been studied. Using ultrasound techniques, CCA-IMT and C/IF plaques were studied in 323 hypertensive subjects, who were classified into four groups according to the adequacy of blood pressure (BP) control (systolic BP (SBP) <140 mmHg and diastolic BP (DBP) <90 mmHg) and PP (high or low). After adjustment for confounding variables, an increase in CCA-IMT was the only factor significantly and independently associated with high PP, irrespective of the effectiveness of blood pressure control and of antihypertensive drug treatment. CCA-IMT correlated with age, PP, waist-to-hip ratio, tobacco consumption, and heart rate. C/IF plaques correlated with age, tobacco consumption, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidaemia. To conclude, even with SBP<140 mmHg and DBP<90 mmHg on treatment, hypertensive subjects may have increased CCA-IMT values and C/IF plaque. Four cardiovascular risk factors seem to be involved in these alterations, namely tobacco consumption, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and increased PP. Only the latter factor does not have a standardized effective treatment.
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PMID:Association between pulse pressure, carotid intima-media thickness and carotid and/or iliofemoral plaque in hypertensive patients. 1474 11

An increase in the thickness of the intima-media (IMT) of the carotid artery is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hypertension is one of the underlying mechanisms for the progression of carotid atherosclerosis. However, office blood pressure (BP) has been shown to have only a weak association with carotid IMT. Since self-measured home BP has less variation than office BP, home BP could be a better predictor of carotid atherosclerosis. To explore this hypothesis, we compared the relationships between carotid IMT and office BP or home BP in a community-dwelling population. One-hundred and one community residents, aged 50 years or older and not taking any medication, were enrolled in this study. Morning home BP was measured according to the guidelines of the Japanese Society of Hypertension. The results were recorded for 2 weeks and averaged. Carotid atherosclerosis was defined as IMT > or =0.80 mm, which corresponds to the first quartile. Home systolic BP showed a more significant association with carotid IMT (r=0.422, p <0.0001) than with office systolic BP (r=0.021, p=0.027). Logistic regression analysis for the presence of carotid atherosclerosis further showed that the relative risk of hypertension defined using home BP (> or =135/85 mmHg) was 6.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.0 to 19.6), while that using office BP was 1.5 (95% CI: 0.5 to 4.2). These results suggest that home BP is a better predictor of the development of carotid atherosclerosis than office BP.
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PMID:Home blood pressure is a better predictor of carotid atherosclerosis than office blood pressure in community-dwelling subjects. 1575 Feb 56

The contribution of the clinical or laboratory risk factors associated with the metabolic syndrome to the changes in peripheral vascular reactions and to the natural history of atherosclerosis has not been established until now. The aim of the work was to study interrelations between the risk factors entering the symptom complex of the metabolic syndrome, to assess their impact on endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and constrictor component of vascular reactivity as well as on the change in the thickness of the intima-media complex (TIMC) of the common carotid artery (CCA). The study accrued 122 practically normal men aged 35 to 50 years. Stepwise multiple regression analysis has established interrelations between the disorder of vasoregulating endothelium function and the intensity of atherosclerotic lesion according to the maximal value of the TIMC of the CCA, glucose concentration 120 min after glucose load, IMT, the signs of arterial hypertension. The data have been obtained that confirmed the hypothesis of the role played by endothelium dysfunction manifesting by the disturbance of vasoregulating function, as an early marker of atherosclerosis. Carbohydrate metabolism, tissue sensitivity to insulin and the presence of arterial hypertension were most significant predictive factors of the TIMC of the CCA and disorder of arterial wall function.
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PMID:[Predictive significance of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome for assessment of the degree of endothelium disfunction and early signs of atherosclerotic lesion]. 1603 98

This study was done to see whether 27-base pair repeats polymorphism in intron 4 of ecNOS gene is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. The polymorphism was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ultrasound parameters of carotid atherosclerosis were analyzed in relation to the genotype in 210 patients with type 2 diabetes. The ecNOS4a allele was detected in 34 (16.2%) of this study group. With the exception of the plaque count (P = 0.069), all other parameters obtained by ultrasound examination of carotid arteries were significantly correlated with presence of ecNOS4a allele (P < 0.05). As all the measured carotid parameters correlated well each other, we selected the total mean carotid IMT (intima-media thickness) value to be used for this analysis. In the multivariate analysis including several variables such as age, sex, hypertension, LDL cholesterol, waist-hip ratio, and fasting insulin, all determined to be significant by univariate analysis, ecNOS4a allele had a significant correlation with total mean IMT (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the ecNOS4a allele is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients in Korea.
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PMID:Association of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) gene polymorphism with carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes. 1637 20

Metabolic syndrome, indicated by insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, obesity, central obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, and hypertension, contributes to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, it is controversial whether the indicators of metabolic syndrome are related to subclinical atherosclerosis collectively or individually. Whether there is any gender-based difference in the mechanisms of metabolic syndrome-induced atherosclerosis progression is also unknown. Two models were compared in this study. Model 1 assumes that a latent factor, metabolic syndrome per se, impacts subclinical atherosclerosis (collective effects model); Model 2 assumes the effect of the syndrome is mediated through its indicators (individual effects model). Data were obtained from the Los Angeles Atherosclerosis Study. The cohort consists of 573 adults (age, 40-60 years) who were asymptomatic for cardiovascular disease. Subclinical atherosclerosis was assessed by measuring common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) using B-mode ultrasound. Three examinations were completed at 1.5-year intervals from 1995-1999. The analyses were performed with SAS 8.2 and AMOS 4.0. The results showed that atherogenic effects of metabolic syndrome were mediated through its indicators; there were gender-based differences in the mechanisms of metabolic syndrome-induced atherosclerosis. Central obesity was significantly associated with the baseline IMT for men only, whereas triglycerides were significantly associated with the progression of IMT for women only. Systolic blood pressure was significantly associated with the baseline and progression for both men and women. However, fasting insulin was not found to be significantly associated with the baseline and progression of IMT in the multivariate model, although it was significantly associated with other components of metabolic syndrome.
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PMID:Metabolic syndrome and progression of atherosclerosis among middle-aged US adults. 1650 91

We recently developed a novel method for evaluating the elasticity of arterial walls, the phased tracking method. Herein, we evaluated atherosclerosis of the carotid artery with this method in 242 individuals with type 2 diabetes. In multiple regression analysis of subject status, age, systolic blood pressure and hyperlipidemia were found to be independently associated with carotid artery elasticity values. We also measured currently established values for atherosclerosis, carotid artery IMT and baPWV, in these subjects. Carotid artery elasticity correlated with max IMT (r=0.291, p<0.01), plaque score (PS) (r=0.220, p<0.01) and baPWV (r=0.345, p<0.01). Elasticity, max IMT and plaque score, all correlated with the number of risk factors for atherosclerosis, i.e. hypertension, hyperlipidemia and smoking, in addition to diabetes, consistent with the view that these values reflect atherosclerosis. Importantly, however, in subjects with IMT <1.1mm, who are classified as not having atherosclerosis as defined by IMT criteria, only carotid artery elasticity correlated with the number of risk factors (p<0.05). These results suggest that (1) the measured carotid artery elasticity values reflect atherosclerosis and (2) our novel method has potential for detecting atherosclerosis in its early stage.
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PMID:A novel method for evaluating human carotid artery elasticity: possible detection of early stage atherosclerosis in subjects with type 2 diabetes. 1717 21

We tried to evaluate and to compare usefulness of two brief cognitive tests in early detection of cognitive decline in subjects with increased cerebrovascular (CV) risk. As CV risk factors are recognised as important in etiology of dementia, we also aimed to determine the possible associations of specific CV risk factors and cognitive results. Patients (PGs) with first-ever stroke or TIA (N=110) and CV symptoms-free controls (CGs) with CV risk factors present (N=45) matched for age, gender and education level were tested using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) on admission, at three- and six-month points. In all subjects, detailed CV risk factors profile was assessed. We observed the decrement in cognitive performance during the six-month study period in both groups, more evident if MoCA (p<0.001) than if MMSE was used (p=0.022). Six months after first stroke/TIA 83.6% PGs scored below normal range on MoCA. In PGs, positive associations for cognitive decrement and multiple CV risk factors (>2) were found (p=0.034 for MMSE; p=0.002 for MoCA). In CGs, positive associations were found for cognitive decrement and arterial hypertension with increased IMT values (p<0.001 for MMSE) and for multiple CV risk factors and arterial hypertension (p=0.003 for MoCA). The use of MoCA could aid to early recognition of cognitive deficits in persons with increased CV risk. Individuals with multiple CV risk factors seem to have increased risk of cognitive decline.
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PMID:Mild cognitive impairment in symptomatic and asymptomatic cerebrovascular disease. 1732 16

Mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals have a high affinity for sulfhydryl (-SH) groups, inactivating numerous enzymatic reactions, amino acids, and sulfur-containing antioxidants (NAC, ALA, GSH), with subsequent decreased oxidant defense and increased oxidative stress. Both bind to metallothionein and substitute for zinc, copper, and other trace metals reducing the effectiveness of metalloenzymes. Mercury induces mitochondrial dysfunction with reduction in ATP, depletion of glutathione, and increased lipid peroxidation; increased oxidative stress is common. Selenium antagonizes mercury toxicity. The overall vascular effects of mercury include oxidative stress, inflammation, thrombosis, vascular smooth muscle dysfunction, endothelial dysfunction, dyslipidemia, immune dysfunction, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The clinical consequences of mercury toxicity include hypertension, CHD, MI, increased carotid IMT and obstruction, CVA, generalized atherosclerosis, and renal dysfunction with proteinuria. Pathological, biochemical, and functional medicine correlations are significant and logical. Mercury diminishes the protective effect of fish and omega-3 fatty acids. Mercury, cadmium, and other heavy metals inactivate COMT, which increases serum and urinary epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This effect will increase blood pressure and may be a clinical clue to heavy metal toxicity. Cadmium concentrates in the kidney, particularly inducing proteinuria and renal dysfunction; it is associated with hypertension, but less so with CHD. Renal cadmium reduces CYP4A11 and PPARs, which may be related to hypertension, sodium retention, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia, and zinc deficiency. Dietary calcium may mitigate some of the toxicity of cadmium. Heavy metal toxicity, especially mercury and cadmium, should be evaluated in any patient with hypertension, CHD, or other vascular disease. Specific testing for acute and chronic toxicity and total body burden using hair, toenail, urine, serum, etc. with baseline and provoked evaluation should be done.
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PMID:The role of mercury and cadmium heavy metals in vascular disease, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and myocardial infarction. 1740 90

Polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein E (Apo E) gene have been associated with lipid levels, carotid intima media thickness (CCA-IMT), inflammation and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Earlier findings suggested an association of the Apo E alleles with increased CCA-IMT following a recessive pattern. Whether associations might be independent of C-reactive protein (CRP), lipid levels and other CVD risk factors is not known. We investigated the relationships between Apo E (epsilon2, epsilon3 and epsilon4 alleles) and CCA-IMT, measured by B-mode ultrasound, in dominant and recessive models in a community-based sample of 437 men 75 years of age. In men homozygous for the epsilon4 allele CCA-IMT was significantly increased by 0.13 mm to 0.86 +/- 0.16 mm compared to 0.73 +/- 0.19 mm in non- epsilon4-carriers (P = 0.0012) and 0.73 +/- 0.21 mm in epsilon4 heterozygous (P = 0.0044) in unadjusted recessive models. The association between Apo E epsilon4 genotype and CCA-IMT was independent of Apo E epsilon2 and Apo E epsilon3 alleles, CRP, lipid variables (TG, LDL, HDL) and other CVD risk factors (smoking, hypertension, body mass index, diabetes) (P = 0.018). No relations between Apo E genotype and CCA-IMT were observed in dominant models. No significant associations between the Apo E epsilon2 and epsilon3 alleles and CCA-IMT were found. In this study, men homozygous with the ApoE epsilon4 allele had thicker CCA-IMT, independently of Apo E epsilon2 and epsilon3 alleles, CRP, lipid variables (TG, LDL, HDL) and other CVD risk factors (smoking, hypertension, body mass index, diabetes), suggesting CCA-IMT to be modified by the ApoE epsilon4 genotype in a recessive pattern.
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PMID:Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 genotype is independently associated with increased intima-media thickness in a recessive pattern. 1742 96

We investigated 77 patients (61 men, 16 women) with clinical signs of PAOD, without previous arterial intervention, using the color dupplex sonography and angiography. An average age was 63.5 +/- 11 years. We followed the risk factors of the atherosclerosis (smoking, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity) and almost 86% of the patients had multiple risk factors. We found significantly higher prevalence of smoking in men and higher prevalence of obesity in women. We found significantly higher occurrence of hemodynamicaly significant atherosclerotic changes in the infrapopliteal area in diabetic patients. Examination of the carotid arteries found pathologic IMT in 82% of the patients, what confirmed common simultaneous atherosclerotic changes of carotid and lower extremities arteries, even 5.2% of the patients had to undergo carotid endarterectomy due to the severe atherosclerotic changes. The average ABI value showed severe occlusion. We excluded diabetic patients with mediocalcinos from the ABI evaluation. We found significant correlation between IMT and ABI values. Comparing the angiography and dupplex sonography, we found 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity of dupplex sonography in a femoro-popliteal area, but significantly lower sensitivity and specificity in an infra-popliteal area (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref 7) Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.
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PMID:Ischemic disease of lower extremities--risk factors and ultrasound diagnostic. 1768 8


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