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)

Recently, it was shown that substituting soy nuts for nonsoy protein in a therapeutic lifestyle change (TLC) diet lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 9.9% and 6.8%, respectively, in postmenopausal women with hypertension and by 5.2% and 2.9%, respectively, in normotensive postmenopausal women. In this study, to examine mechanisms for these reductions, markers of inflammation were measured, including soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and matrix metalloproteinase-9. Sixty healthy postmenopausal women (48 normotensive and 12 with hypertension) were randomized in a crossover design to a TLC diet alone or a TLC diet in which 0.5 cups of soy nuts (25 g soy protein and 101 mg aglycone isoflavones) replaced 25 g of nonsoy protein daily. Each diet was followed for 8 weeks. Compared with the TLC diet alone, levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were significantly lower on the soy diet in women with hypertension (623.6 +/- 153.8 vs 553.8 +/- 114.4 ng/ml, respectively, p = 0.003), whereas no significant differences were observed in normotensive women. Soy nuts were associated with a trend toward reduction in C-reactive protein in normotensive women. No effect on levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, interleukin-6, or matrix metalloproteinase-9 was observed. In conclusion, the reduction in soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 with soy nuts in women with hypertension suggests an improvement in endothelial function that may reflect an overall improvement in the underlying inflammatory process underlying atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Effect of soy nuts on adhesion molecules and markers of inflammation in hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women. 1857 41

Cardiac fibrosis represented as perivascular/interstial fibrosis occurs in patients with hypertension. Oxidative stress has been demonstrated to contribute to such structural remodeling. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain to be elucidated. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that oxidative stress mediates cardiac fibrogenesis by stimulating transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 expression, which in turn triggers a series of fibrogenic responses. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with angiotensin (Ang)II (9 microg/h s) for 4 weeks with/without co-treatment of combined antioxidants, apocynin, and tempol (120 mg/kg/day each, oral). Untreated rats served as controls. Appearance of cardiac oxidative stress and its potential effect on the expression of TGF-beta1, population of myofibroblasts, collagen synthesis/degradation, and fibrosis in hearts were examined. Chronic AngII infusion elevated systemic blood pressure (210 +/- 5 mmHg). Extensive perivascular and interstitial fibrosis was found in both ventricles, which were co-localized with oxidative stress represented as upregulated NADPH oxidase (gp91(phox) subunit) expression. Co-treatment with antioxidants led to: (1) markedly decreased cardiac gp91(phox); (2) significantly attenuated gene expression of TGF-beta1, type-I collagen, and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-I/II in the heart; (3) largely reduced population of myofibroblasts at sites of fibrosis; (4) significantly reduced cardiac collagen volume; (5) and partially suppressed blood pressure (190 +/- 4 mmHg). Thus, cardiac oxidative stress promotes the development of cardiac fibrosis by upregulating TGF-beta1 expression, which subsequently enhances cardiac collagen synthesis and suppresses collagen degradation in hypertensive rats.
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PMID:Oxidative stress mediates cardiac fibrosis by enhancing transforming growth factor-beta1 in hypertensive rats. 1858 Dec 2

Arterial hypertension is associated with organ dysfunctions, but the mechanisms are uncertain. We hypothesized that enhanced proteolytic activity in the microcirculation of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) may be a pathophysiological mechanism causing cell membrane receptor cleavage and examine this for 2 different receptors. Immunohistochemistry of matrix-degrading metalloproteinases (matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-9) protein shows enhanced levels in SHR microvessels, mast cells, and leukocytes compared with normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. In vivo microzymography shows cleavage by MMP-1 and -9 in SHRs that colocalizes with MMP-9 and is blocked by metal chelation. SHR plasma also has enhanced protease activity. We demonstrate with an antibody against the extracellular domain that the insulin receptor-alpha density is reduced in SHRs, in line with elevated blood glucose levels and glycohemoglobin. There is also cleavage of the binding domain of the leukocyte integrin receptor CD18 in line with previously reported reduced leukocyte adhesion. Blockade of MMPs with a broad-acting inhibitor (doxycycline, 5.4 mg/kg per day) reduces protease activity in plasma and microvessels; blocks the proteolytic cleavage of the insulin receptor, the reduced glucose transport; normalizes blood glucose levels and glycohemoglobin levels; and reduces blood pressure and enhanced microvascular oxidative stress of SHRs. The results suggest that elevated MMP activity leads to proteolytic cleavage of membrane receptors in the SHR, eg, cleavage of the insulin receptor-binding domain associated with insulin resistance.
Hypertension 2008 Aug
PMID:Proteinase activity and receptor cleavage: mechanism for insulin resistance in the spontaneously hypertensive rat. 1854 34

Hypertension induces dysfunctional matrix remodeling that results in the development of myocardial fibrosis. Myocardial fibrosis adversely affects compliance, electrical activity and cardiac function in patients with hypertensive heart disease. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a class of enzymes that regulate the remodeling of the matrix in response to pressure overload. Several studies have shown that the MMP-1/TIMP (tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase) ratio is decreased in hypertensive heart disease. However, the exact role that MMP-1 has in modulating the fibrotic response to hypertension is largely unknown. We hypothesized that cardiac expression of MMP-1 in mice would protect against the development of dysfunctional matrix remodeling during pressure overload. To investigate this, a suprarenal aortic banding model was utilized. Banded and unbanded MMP-1 transgenic mice were compared with appropriately matched wild-type mice. The banded mice were examined at 2 and 5 weeks after banding. MMP-1 attenuated the development of cardiac fibrosis, prevented left ventricular dilation and preserved cardiac function in mice that were exposed to pressure overload. Thus, MMP-1 protected the heart from the dysfunctional remodeling that occurs in response to chronic hypertension. In conclusion, these results suggest that strategies aimed at improving the MMP-1/TIMP balance in the myocardium may help to prevent the onset and progression of hypertensive heart disease.
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PMID:Transgenic expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 inhibits myocardial fibrosis and prevents the transition to heart failure in a pressure overload mouse model. 1863 85

The objective of the present study was to analyse the influence of the ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) gene I/D (insertion/deletion) polymorphism on NADPH oxidase-dependent O(2)(*-) (superoxide radical) production, and to investigate the clinical implication of this association in hypertensive subjects. A case-control study was performed in a random sample of the general population composed of 189 normotensive subjects and 223 hypertensive subjects. The ACE polymorphism was determined by PCR. NADPH oxidase-dependent O(2)(*-) production was quantified in phagocytic cells by chemiluminescence. MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9), a marker of atherosclerosis previously reported to be associated with NADPH oxidase overactivity, was quantified by ELISA in plasma samples. The distribution of genotypes was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The I/D polymorphism was not associated with hypertension. NADPH oxidase-dependent O(2)(*-) production was significantly higher in D/D (deletion/deletion) than in I/I (insertion/insertion) and I/D, both in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Interestingly, plasma levels of angiotensin II were significantly higher in D/D than in I/I and I/D, both in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Plasma levels of MMP-9 and systolic blood pressure values were significantly higher in D/D than in I/I and I/D hypertensive subjects, whereas no differences were found among genotypes in normotensive subjects. Interestingly, NADPH oxidase-dependent O(2)(*-) production positively associated with plasma MMP-9 levels in hypertensive subjects, which remained significant after adjustment for age and gender. In conclusion, in the present study we have reported for the first time an association of the D/D genotype of the ACE I/D polymorphism with phagocytic NADPH oxidase-mediated O(2)(*-) overproduction. Within the group of hypertensive patients, D/D cases also associated with increased blood pressure values and with enhanced plasma levels of MMP-9.
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PMID:The angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion polymorphism is associated with phagocytic NADPH oxidase-dependent superoxide generation: potential implication in hypertension. 1864 35

Expression of bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1A (BMPR1A) is attenuated in the lung vessels of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, but the functional impact of this abnormality is unknown. We ablated Bmpr1a in cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by breeding mice possessing a loxP allele of Bmpr1a (Bmpr1aflox) expressing R26R with SM22alpha-Cre mice. SM22alpha-Cre;R26R;Bmpr1aflox/flox mice died soon after embryonic day 11 (E11) with massive vascular and pericardial hemorrhage and impaired brain development. At E10.5, SM22alpha-Cre;R26R;Bmpr1aflox/flox embryos showed thinning of the myocardium associated with reduced cell proliferation. These embryos also had severe dilatation of the aorta and large vessels with impaired investment of SMCs that was also related to reduced proliferation. SM22alpha-Cre;R26R;Bmpr1aflox/flox mice showed collapsed telencephalon in association with impaired clearing of brain microvessels in areas where reduced apoptosis was observed. Transcript and protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and 9 were reduced in E9.5 and E10.5 SM22alpha-Cre;R26R;Bmpr1aflox/flox embryos, respectively. Knock-down of BMPR1A by RNA interference in human pulmonary artery SMCs reduced MMP2 and MMP9 activity, attenuated serum-induced proliferation, and impaired PDGF-BB-directed migration. RNA interference of MMP2 or MMP9 recapitulated these abnormalities, supporting a functional interaction between BMP signaling and MMP expression. In human brain microvascular pericytes, knock-down of BMPR1A reduced MMP2 activity and knock-down of either BMPR1A or MMP2 caused resistance to apoptosis. Thus, loss of Bmpr1a, by decreasing MMP2 and/or MMP9 activity, can account for vascular dilatation and persistence of brain microvessels, leading to the impaired organogenesis documented in the brain.
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PMID:SM22alpha-targeted deletion of bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1A in mice impairs cardiac and vascular development, and influences organogenesis. 1866 63

The left ventricle (LV) remodels with age and in response to pressure overload. While aging and pressure overload are superimposed in the clinical context, the structural and functional consequences of the individual processes are not well-understood. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to compare the effects of both early and late chronic hypertension on extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. The following groups of Dahl rats were studied: 1) young salt-resistant (control, n=6); 2) young salt-sensitive (early phase of chronic hypertension, n=6); 3) middle-aged salt-resistant (aging, n=5); and 4) middle-aged salt-sensitive (late phase of chronic hypertension, n=6). We measured LV mass (LVM) and body weight (BW) and immunoblotted a panel of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and ECM proteins. Total collagen increased, several MMPs decreased, and TIMP-1 increased in the early phase of hypertension, consistent with fibrosis. Active MMP-8 decreased from 8,010+/-81 U in young salt-resistant to 5,260+/-313 U in young salt-sensitive (p<0.05) rats. During the late phase, chronic hypertension decreased total collagen levels and increased MMP-8 and MMP-14 (all p<0.05). Based on good-fit modeling analysis, MMP-14 (45 kDa) correlated positively with changes in LVM/BW during the early phase. In conclusion, this is the first study to evaluate MMP levels during both early and late chronic phases of hypertension. Our results highlight that ECM remodeling in response to pressure overload is a dynamic process involving excessive ECM accumulation and degradation.
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PMID:Effects of early and late chronic pressure overload on extracellular matrix remodeling. 1871 51

Lead exposure increases blood pressure (BP) by unknown mechanisms. Many recent studies have shown the involvement of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in hypertension, particularly MMP-2. In this work, we have examined whether MMP-2 levels increase with lead-induced increase in BP. We have also investigated whether doxycycline (an MMP inhibitor) affects these alterations. To this end, rats were exposed to lead (90 ppm) and treated with doxycycline or vehicle for 8 weeks. Similar aortic and whole blood lead levels were found in lead-exposed rats treated with either doxycycline or vehicle. Lead-induced increases in BP and aortic MMP-2 levels (activity, protein, and mRNA) were blunted by doxycycline. Doxycycline also prevented lead-induced increases in the MMP-2/TIMP-2 mRNA ratio. No significant changes in vascular reactivity or morphometric parameters were found. In conclusion, lead exposure increases BP and vascular MMP-2, which is blunted by doxycycline. This observation suggests that MMP-2 may play a role in lead-induced increases in BP.
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PMID:Evidence of early involvement of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in lead-induced hypertension. 1883 2

The early stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by the formation of subretinal pigment epithelium (RPE) deposits as a result of the dysregulation in the turnover of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. However, the mechanism involved remains unclear. Hypertension (HTN) is an important risk factor for AMD, and angiotensin II (ANG II) is the most important hormone associated with HTN. However, the relevance of ANG II receptors and ANG II effects on RPE have not been investigated yet. Therefore, the expression and regulation of ANG II receptors as well as the ECM turnover were studied in human RPE. ANG II receptors were expressed and upregulated by ANG II in human RPE. This regulation resulted in functional receptor expression, since an increase in intracellular concentration of calcium was observed upon ANG II stimulation. ANG II also increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 activity and MMP-14 at the mRNA and protein levels as well as type IV collagen degradation. These ANG II effects were abolished in the presence of the ANG II receptor subtype 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist candesartan. In contrast, ANG II decreased type IV collagen via both AT1 and AT2 receptors, suggesting a synergistic effect of the two receptor subtypes. In conclusion, we have confirmed the presence of ANG II receptors in human RPE and their regulation by ANG II as well as the regulation of ECM molecules via ANG II receptors. Our data support the hypothesis that ANG II may exert biological function in RPE through ANG II receptors and that ANG II may cause dysregulation of molecules that play a major role in the turnover of ECM in RPE basement membrane and Bruch's membrane, suggesting a pathogenic mechanism to explain the link between HTN and AMD.
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PMID:Regulation of angiotensin II receptors and extracellular matrix turnover in human retinal pigment epithelium: role of angiotensin II. 1892 60

One ultimate goal of hypertension therapy is to cause permanent reversal ("regression") of already established hypertension. Our aim was to examine whether high-dose "pulse" treatment with a renin-angiotensin system inhibitor could cause regression of established hypertension and to link this action to reversal of arteriolar hypertrophy and changes in vascular matrix metalloproteinase activities. First, 16-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (n=60) were pulse treated for 2 weeks with high-dose angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (enalapril), angiotensin receptor blocker (candesartan), calcium channel blocker (nifedipine), or vasodilator (hydralazine) with or without salt restriction, and the long-term effects on blood pressure were examined. Second, spontaneously hypertensive rats were treated with angiotensin receptor blocker or calcium channel blocker, and the effects on renal gene expressions, arteriolar structure, and vascular matrix metalloproteinase were compared. Treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats with different antihypertensive agents caused apparently similar reductions in blood pressure during the course of the pulse treatment, within the limitations of the tail-cuff method. After cessation of medications, blood pressure in the rats treated with renin-angiotensin system inhibitor remained reduced by >30 to 40 mm Hg for 4 months. No such effect was seen with calcium channel blocker or vasodilator. The 2-week angiotensin receptor blocker treatment induced a marked reversal of the arteriolar hypertrophy specifically in the small (30 to 100 microm) renal arterioles, together with increased expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-13. In conclusion, transient high-dose pulse treatment with angiotensin receptor blocker caused changes in vascular matrix metalloproteinase activity, specific reversal of renal arteriolar hypertrophy, and regression of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Hypertension 2009 Jan
PMID:"Pulse" treatment with high-dose angiotensin blocker reverses renal arteriolar hypertrophy and regresses hypertension. 1904 81


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