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

The aim of the present study was to investigate the link between the changes in vascular responsiveness associated with hyperinsulinemia in established STZ-induced diabetes and the growth factors signal system. We have shown that in rats with established diabetes, high-insulin treatment can enhances NA-induced contractility. This enhancement probably results from an upregulation of the expression of the mRNA for the alpha 1B- or alpha 1D-adrenergic receptor that is secondary to the hyperinsulinemia. The above effects may be made possible as a result of the increase in IGF-1 receptors and the decreased IGFBPs expressions that occur in the aorta in long-term insulin deficiency. In contrast, those insulin treatments can normalise the impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation, probably by inducing an overexpression of eNOS and VEGF. Furthermore, the expression of the IGF-1 receptor was higher in the aorta in insulin-treated diabetic than in untreated diabetes. This presumably increased the expression of VEGF mRNA, and the increased VEGF presumably upregulated eNOS, thereby resulting in an amelioration in the endothelial dysfunction otherwise seen in diabetic rats. The downside is that such a perturbation of the activity in the IGF-1 system in diabetes could be a key event in the progress of arteriosclerosis and hypertension in syndromes involving hyperinsulinemia.
 ...
PMID:[Possible involvement of IGF-1 receptor and IGF-binding protein in insulin-induced enhancement of noradrenaline response in diabetic rat aorta]. 1472 18

This study examined whether retarded angiogenesis in a hypertension animal model was associated with impaired VEGF signaling. Furthermore, we sought to determine whether this impairment could be overcome by VEGF addition. Using a rat sponge implantation model, we confirmed impaired angiogenesis in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs). Fourteen days after sponge implantation, the level of angiogenesis in SHRs was approximately half of those in age-matched normotensive Wistar-Kyoto or Sprague-Dawley rats. Significantly, expression of kinase-insert domain-containing receptor (KDR) and membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) was reduced in SHRs compared to controls. Immunohistological analysis indicated endothelial proliferation was decreased in SHRs. Gene transfer of human VEGF(121) increased KDR and MT1-MMP expression in SHRs. VEGF(121) also up-regulated endothelial proliferation and angiogenesis. Our results indicate down-regulated KDR and MT1-MMP expression is associated with an impaired angiogenesis in SHRs. VEGF gene transfer is effective in ameliorating the impaired angiogenesis in SHRs.
 ...
PMID:Impaired angiogenesis in SHR is associated with decreased KDR and MT1-MMP expression. 1476 16

Reduced extravasation of macromolecules in skeletal muscle has recently been documented in the fructose-fed rat model, corroborating a hypothesis that a functional obliteration of muscle regional microcirculation might lead to hypertension and restrict access of nutrients and hormones to their target cells. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of a treatment with rosiglitazone on the reduced muscle vasopermeability observed previously in the fructose-fed rat model. Fructose-fed Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged with rosiglitazone (10 micromol kg(-1) per day; n = 21) or the vehicle only (n = 19) for 3 consecutive weeks before assessing the extravasation of Evans Blue (EB) dye in vivo in distinct muscle groups. Relative to control group, rosiglitazone reduced mean arterial blood pressure (Delta = -16.7%, P < 0.001), plasma insulin (Delta= -39.1%, P < 0.05) and plasma triglyceride (Delta= -32.8 %, P < 0.01) concentrations in a significant manner. Plasma VEGF concentrations were significantly lower in the rosiglitazone-treated animals compared to the control animals (32.7 +/- 0.8 pg ml(-1) versus 46.1 +/- 1.2 pg ml(-1), P < 0.001). While no changes were observed in the lungs or the kidneys, fructose-fed rats treated with rosiglitazone had a 30-50% increase (P < 0.005) in the extravasation of EB regardless of the skeletal muscle group studied (rectus femoris, soleus, gastrocnemius lateralis, vastus lateralis and tibialis cranalis). In homogenates of skeletal muscles (vastus lateralis) of fructose-fed rats, rosiglitazone resulted in a significant increase in NO synthase (NOS) activity (Delta = +41.9 %, P < 0.003) as well as endothelial NOS immunoreactive mass (Delta = +37.8 %, P < 0.01) compared to the control animals. There was no change in the immunoreactive level of the nNOS isoform, the most abundant muscle isoform, or in the immunoreactive levels of VEGF. In conclusion, rosiglitazone appears to restore a vascular dysfunction previously documented in the skeletal muscle microcirculation, as evidenced by improved skeletal muscle vasopermeability and upregulation of the muscle endothelium-NO system in the fructose-fed rat model. These effects on muscle per se might also result in a partial improvement of the insulin resistance phenomenon by improving the distribution of nutrients and insulin to skeletal muscle. This effect appears to be independent of circulating levels of VEGF since changes in plasma concentrations of this permeability factor were lower in the rosiglitazone-treated group.
 ...
PMID:Rosiglitazone increases extravasation of macromolecules and endothelial nitric oxide synthase in skeletal muscles of the fructose-fed rat model. 1513 Jul 75

Elevation of plasma VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) has been noted in patients with hypertension or atherosclerosis. VEGF has been regarded as a marker for endothelial dysfunction. However, the role of VEGF in hypertension-induced vascular injury and its relationship with endothelial function have not been studied. This study included 20 untreated hypertensive men with grade 1 or 2 hypertensive retinopathy, 10 untreated hypertensive men without hypertensive retinopathy and 10 healthy controls. None of the hypertensive patients had diabetes, renal impairment or overt vascular diseases. Plasma VEGF and adhesion molecules were measured using ELISAs. Endothelial function was measured by FMD (flow-mediated vasodilation) of the brachial artery. Plasma levels of VEGF, excluding adhesion molecules, were significantly higher in hypertensive patients with retinopathy when compared with patients without retinopathy (152.4+/-80.8 pg/ml versus 104.7+/-27.2 pg/ml, P = 0.035) or controls (152.4+/-80.8 pg/ml versus 98.9+/-23.7 pg/ml, P = 0.025). Levels of FMD were significantly lower in hypertensive patients than controls, but there were no significant differences between patients with or without retinopathy. Degrees of FMD were inversely correlated with VEGF levels (r = -0.351, P = 0.031). Elevation of plasma VEGF was associated with hypertensive retinopathy. Plasma VEGF could be used as a marker of early vascular damage induced by hypertension.
 ...
PMID:Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor as a marker for early vascular damage in hypertension. 1574 Apr 59

Ischemic or hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease (CVD) produces injury of brain regions important for executive function, behavior, and memory leading to decline in cognitive functions and vascular dementia (VaD). Cardiovascular disease may cause VaD from hypoperfusion of susceptible brain areas. CVD may worsen degenerative dementias such as Alzheimer disease (AD). Currently, the global diagnostic category for cognitive impairment of vascular origin is vascular cognitive disorder (VCD). VCD ranges from vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) to VaD. The term VCI is limited to cases of cognitive impairment of vascular etiology, without dementia; VCI is equivalent to vascular mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Risk factors for VaD include age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease), atrial fibrillation, left ventricular hypertrophy, hyperhomocysteinemia, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, hyperfibrinogenemia, sleep apnea, infection, and high C-reactive protein. Research on biomarkers revealed increased CSF-NFL levels in VaD, whereas CSF-tau was normal. CSF-TNF-alpha, VEGF, and TGF-beta were increased in both AD and VaD. VaD shows low CSF acetylcholinesterase levels. This condition responds to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, confirming the central role of cholinergic deficit in its pathogenesis. Evidence strongly suggests that control of vascular risk factors, in particular hypertension, could prevent VaD.
 ...
PMID:Vascular dementia. Advances in nosology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. 1587 77

Nicotine, a component of cigarette smoke, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. We examined whether nicotine regulates angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), an enzyme that plays an important role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and hypertension. Human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells were treated with nicotine (0.1-1 microM) alone or in combination with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; 0.5 nM) or GF-109203X (GFX; 2.5 microM). The amount of ACE in intact endothelial cells was measured by an inhibitor-binding assay method, and ACE mRNA levels were quantified using LightCycler technology. Phosphorylated PKC levels were measured by Western immunoblotting. Nicotine did not modulate basal ACE production but significantly potentiated VEGF-induced ACE upregulation. Treatment of endothelial cells with the PKC inhibitor GFX totally blocked VEGF- and nicotine-induced ACE upregulation. VEGF induced PKC phosphorylation, which was potentiated by cotreatment with nicotine. We conclude that nicotine significantly potentiated VEGF-induced ACE upregulation. This effect was probably mediated by PKC phosphorylation. The interaction of nicotine with VEGF in ACE induction may contribute to the pathogenesis of smoking-related cardiovascular disease.
 ...
PMID:Regulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme production by nicotine in human endothelial cells. 1596 16

Endothelial dysfunction is an early sign of atherosclerosis. Patients with risk factors for atherosclerosis (e.g., hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus) often show endothelial dysfunction at early stages of atherosclerosis before cardiovascular complications develop. Clinical studies and basic researches are revealing that calcium antagonists not only protect the endothelium through their hypotensive action but also improve the endothelial function through the stimulation of NO production. Regarding the mechanism for this kind of action by nifedipine (a calcium antagonist), it seems likely that the drug stimulates SOD expression in endothelial cells through enhanced VEGF expression by vascular smooth muscle cells, and thus reduces oxidative stress, leading to increased NO production.
 ...
PMID:[Calcium antagonists and endothelial function]. 1619 12

The pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not understood. We have previously shown increased levels of mediators that control vasoconstriction (endothelin-1), vascular cell proliferation (endothelin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor), and vasodilation (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) in the intrapulmonary arteries of animals exposed to cigarette smoke. To determine whether these mediators could be implicated in the structural remodeling of the arterial vasculature and increased pulmonary arterial pressure caused by chronic cigarette smoke exposure, guinea pigs were exposed to daily cigarette smoke for 6 mo. Pulmonary arterial pressures were measured. Intrapulmonary artery structure was analyzed by morphometry, artery mediator protein expression by immunohistochemistry, and artery mediator gene expression by laser capture microdissection and real-time RT-PCR. We found that the smoke-exposed animals developed increases in pulmonary arterial pressure and increased muscularization of the small pulmonary arteries. Gene expression and protein levels of all three mediators were increased, and pulmonary arterial pressure correlated both with the levels of mediator production and with the degree of arterial muscularization. We conclude that chronic smoke exposure produces increased vasoactive mediator expression in the small intrapulmonary arteries and that these mediators are associated with vascular remodeling as well as increased pulmonary arterial pressure. These findings support the idea that hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a result of direct cigarette smoke-mediated effects on the vasculature and suggest that interference with endothelin and VEGF production and activity or augmentation of nitric oxide levels may be beneficial.
 ...
PMID:Vasoactive mediators and pulmonary hypertension after cigarette smoke exposure in the guinea pig. 1621 Apr 40

AG-013736 is an oral anti-angiogenesis agent with activity against a variety of receptor tyrosine kinases, including VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3, c-kit, and PDGFR-beta. A phase 2 study was conducted in patients with poor prognosis AML or MDS. Twelve patients (six AML; six MDS) were treated with AG-013736 at a dose of 10mg orally daily for a median of 56 days (range, 1-248 days). Median age was 80 years (range, 58-88 years). Grade 3 or 4 drug-related toxicities included hypertension (42%), mucositis (8%) and deep venous thrombosis (8%). No objective responses occurred; two patients with MDS had stable disease for 8.3 and 6.2 months, respectively. Bone marrow expression of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 was observed in 11% and 0% of patients, respectively. Sustained decreases in soluble VEGFR-2 plasma levels with concomitant elevation in plasma VEGF and placental growth factor levels were obtained during the course of therapy with AG-013736. AG-01736 had minimal biologic or clinical activity in this elderly patient population.
 ...
PMID:The anti-angiogenesis agent, AG-013736, has minimal activity in elderly patients with poor prognosis acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). 1633 90

Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes. It represents one of the frequent causes of visual disability among diabetic subjects during the period of active life. The risk factors for diabetic retinopathy are poor glycemic control, hypertension, duration of diabetes, hyperlipidemia and proteinuria. It has been observed that prevalence of hypertension is higher in diabetic subjects than in the general population and as it also plays a major role in the progression of diabetic retinopathy, so tight control of hypertension is mandatory. The possible mechanisms by which hypertension affects diabetic retinopathy are haemodynamic (impaired autoregulation and hyperperfusion) and secondly through VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), as it has been observed that hypertension independent of hyperglycaemia upregulates the VEGF expression in retinal endothelial cells and ocular fluids. The level of control of blood pressure are debatable but nearer the blood pressure to the normal levels, better the chances of preventing the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy. The lowering of blood pressure to a normal range is more important than the type of antihypertensive medication used. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the important causes of visual disability in diabetic subjects during the period of active life. It is characterized by gradually progressive alterations in the retinal microvasculature, leading to increased vasopermeability, areas of retinal occlusion and retinal neovascularization. The complications associated with increased vasopermeability and uncontrolled neovascularization can result in severe and permanent visual loss.
 ...
PMID:Does hypertension play a role in diabetic retinopathy? 1633 27


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>