Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0042373 (vascular disease)
 17,070 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We present the hypothesis that most cases of essential hypertension occur via two phases. The first phase is initiated by episodes of renal vasoconstriction induced by a hyperactive sympathetic nervous system, activation of the renin-angiotensin system, or hyperuricemia resulting from diet or genetics. During this phase the hypertension is salt resistant and renin dependent, and the kidney normal. Over time, preglomerular vascular disease develops (arteriolosclerosis), associated with tubulointerstitial inflammation; this shifts the hypertension to a salt-sensitive, volume-dependent, and renal-dependent pathway. This pathway unites many of the previous hypotheses on the etiology of hypertension, and offers insights into ways to prevent, ameliorate, or cure the underlying process.
 ...
PMID:A unifying pathway for essential hypertension. 1579 66

1. Hypertension is a serious risk factor for myocardial infarction, heart failure, vascular disease, stroke and renal failure. The incidence of hypertension is 25-30% in the adult Caucasian population and complications due to hypertension are even greater in African Americans. 2. The renin-angiotensin system plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and previous studies have suggested that angiotensinogen (AGT) gene locus is linked with human essential hypertension. Earlier studies suggested that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that converts methionine to threonine at amino acid 235 is associated with hypertension in the Caucasian population. However, this SNP is not associated with hypertension in African American and Chinese populations. 3. We have found an A/G polymorphism at -217 of the human AGT gene promoter and have shown that the frequency of allele A at -217 is significantly increased in the genomic DNA of African American hypertensive patients. 4. We have also shown that: (i) reporter constructs containing the AGT gene promoter with nucleoside A at -217 have increased promoter activity on transient transfection; and (ii) the CCAAT box enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) family of transcription factors and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) bind preferentially to this region of the promoter when nucleoside A is present at -217. In addition, variant -217A is always present with variants -532T, -793A and -1074T in the human AGT gene promoter. 5. These data suggest that the AGT haplotype containing -217A, -532T, -793A and -1074T may be involved in increased transcription of this gene and may play a role in human hypertension.
 ...
PMID:A haplotype of the angiotensinogen gene is associated with hypertension in african americans. 1585 65

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of delayed graft function and its impact on the antigraft response after cadaver kidney transplantation. The analysis is based on 183 consecutive cadaver kidney transplantations performed in Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu klinikos from January 2000 to December 2004. Delayed graft function occurred in 21.3% (39/183) of kidney transplantations. The frequency and severity of acute rejection episodes in recipients during first three months after transplantation and graft survival rate at one and two years were evaluated. Group 1 consisted of 39 patients with delayed graft function and group 2 (control group) of 144 patients with graft function immediately after transplantation. The maintenance immunosuppressive therapy consisted of cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil/azathioprine and prednisolone. The proportion of patients treated with monoclonal antibodies was similar in both groups (35.9% vs. 33.3%). Actuarial graft survival was estimated by the modified Kaplan-Meier method, graft loss was censored for death of recipient with functioning transplant and other causes of loss not related to rejection. There were no significant differences in the age of recipients (42.3+/-11.3 vs. 39.4+/-14.1), as well as in HLA matching (2.2/6 M vs. 2.2/6 M), in the number retransplanted patients (10.3% vs. 10.4%) and in highly sensitized patients (plasma renin activity >50.0%) (5.1% vs. 4.8%) between those groups. Significant differences were observed in donors over 50 year (33.3% vs. 18.7%; p<0.05), in cold ischemic time over 20 h (53.8 vs. 32.6%, respectively). The occurrence of acute rejection episodes was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (69.2% (27/39) vs. 34.7% (50/144); chi2=14.9945, p<0.05). Graft survival was 88.5%, 84.3% at one year and two years in group 1 and 94.7%, 93.8% at one year and two years in group 2 (ns). Donor age >50, cerebral vascular disease as cause of donor death, and cold ischemic time >20 h are the main risk factors for delayed graft function. Delayed graft function is a risk factor for acute rejection episodes, but it has no impact on graft loss due to immunological reason at one and two years. These data may serve for tailoring immunosuppressive protocols.
 ...
PMID:[Delayed graft function and its impact on the antigraft response after cadaver kidney transplantation]. 1590 85

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a central role in the development of hypertension and the progression of end-organ damage. Although angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II (Ang II) subtype-1 (AT(1)) receptor antagonists can initially suppress plasma aldosterone, it is now well established that aldosterone escape may occur whereby aldosterone levels return to, or exceed, baseline levels. The classical effects of aldosterone relate mainly to its action on epithelial cells to regulate water and electrolyte balance. However, the presence of mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) at nonepithelial sites in the brain, heart and vasculature, is consonant with the fact that aldosterone also has direct effects in these tissues. Substantial evidence now exists that supports the action of aldosterone at non-epithelial sites which in turn provokes a number of deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system including necrosis and fibrosis of the vasculature and the heart, vascular stiffening and injury, reduced fibrinolysis, endothelial dysfunction, catecholamine release and production of cardiac arrhythmias. Several studies have now shown that vascular and target-organ protective effects of MR antagonism occurs in the absence of significant blood pressure lowering or fluid loss, which is consistent with a major role for endogenous mineralocorticoids as direct mediators of cardiovascular injury. Adverse cardiovascular effects may occur in response to aldosterone alone, activation of the RAAS or aldosterone escape during chronic ACE inhibition or AT(1) receptor antagonism. The specific blockade of aldosterone action should prove to be of great therapeutic value in the prevention of cerebral and renal vascular disease and associated end-organ damage.
 ...
PMID:Effect of aldosterone and MR blockade on the brain and the kidney. 1594 92

Current understanding of the genesis of diabetic vascular disease suggests that vascular complications, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, are associated with changes in structural and functional parameters. Experimental and epidemiological data suggest that activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays an important role in the development of micro- and macro-vascular complications. Most of the negative cardiovascular actions of angiotensin II are mediated through AT1 receptors, whereas the AT2 receptors mediate largely beneficial effects. Hence, compared to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), selective AT1 receptor blockers (ARBs) should provide additional end organ protection via AT2 receptors activation. Although ACEIs are useful therapeutically, they are being currently displaced by ARBs. Enhanced calcium ion channel activity is reported in vascular smooth muscles from diabetic animal models. Clinical benefits of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) in diabetic hypertensive patients are controversial, but there is increasing experimental evidence for the beneficial effects of dihydropyridine-type CCBs. Although the treatment of hypertension in diabetics reduces cardiovascular and microvascular complications, the ideal strategy for treating hypertension in diabetics has not been well defined and warrants a combination approach. Only limited clinical data regarding the use of ARBs in combination with CCBs in diabetics are available. The experimental data suggest that combination of a CCB and an AT1 receptor blocker, or a hypothetical dual blocker of AT1 receptors as well as of calcium channels would be an ideal regimen. There is, however, no conclusive clinical evidence to support the combined use of these drugs. This review highlights the available experimental data that support the therapeutic benefits of this combination.
 ...
PMID:Saga of renin-angiotensin system and calcium channels in hypertensive diabetics: does it have a therapeutic edge? 1600 28

Hypertension and cardiovascular disease are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Accumulating data demonstrate a relationship between hypertension and several vascular and metabolic abnormalities that are components of the cardiometabolic syndrome. The components of the cardiometabolic syndrome include insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, microalbuminuria, increased inflammation, and oxidative stress. There is growing evidence that tissue activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system participates in endothelial dysfunction, microalbuminuria, insulin resistance, and subsequent cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease. The notion that hypertension is a metabolic as well as a vascular disease opens a new paradigm for the treatment of this disorder.
 ...
PMID:Hypertension and the cardiometabolic syndrome. 1610 58

Hypertension produced by renal artery occlusive disease is an important secondary form of hypertension. Clinicians commonly encounter forms of renal arterial disease of varying severity, many of which are of little hemodynamic significance when first detected. Experimental studies emphasize that transient activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is necessary for initiation of renovascular hypertension. At some point, angiotensin II activates additional mechanisms responsible for sustained increased blood pressure including sodium retention, endothelial dysfunction, and vasoconstriction related to production of reactive oxygen species. Widespread application of agents that block the renin-angiotensin system, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers, render many patients with unilateral renal arterial disease manageable primarily by medical means for many years. In the setting of high a priori likelihood of renovascular disease, recognizing the potential for disease progression during medical therapy and individually evaluating the risks and benefits of renal revascularization are important tasks. Recent prospective studies show limited, but real, benefit regarding blood pressure control for patients with atherosclerotic disease. Whether earlier renal revascularization offers benefits regarding improved morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular end point reduction is an important question to be addressed in multicenter, prospective, randomized trials. Our paradigm stresses the fact that patients with renovascular hypertension require intensive blood pressure control and cardiovascular risk factor intervention, both before and after revascularization. Hence, management of such patients requires close attention and periodic review regarding restenosis and progression of vascular disease.
 ...
PMID:Renovascular hypertension: current concepts. 1620 99

The incidence of type-2 diabetes is increasing throughout the world. By 2010, 350 million people will have this disease. Microalbuminuria is present in more than one third, for some at diabetes diagnosis. Rather than a complication, it is an indication of a vascular disorder that is part of the metabolic syndrome. 25% will develop end-stage kidney failure. Several studies have identified microalbuminuria or proteinuria as an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Others have shown that antihypertensive treatments acting on the renin-angiotensin system (ACE inhibitors, ARBs agents) can reduce the progression of nephropathy in people with hypertension, type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria. The "nephroprotective" effects of these drug classes, beyond their role in blood-pressure reduction, are suggested by modifications in renal structure and protein expression. But no study has so far examined their value in primary prevention in persons with type 2 diabetes without--but at risk of developing--microalbuminuria. The Roadmap study (Randomized Olmesartan And Diabetes Microalbuminuria Prevention Study) of primary prevention has as its objective measurement of the impact of ARBs (olmesartan 40 mg/d) treatment on renal outcome in 4400 patients with type 2 diabetes without microalbuminuria. Follow-up of this placebo-controlled study will last for 5 years. Conducted in 200 European centers, its results are expected for 2012.
 ...
PMID:[Primary cardiorenal prevention in patients with type-2 diabetes. The Roadmap study]. 1626 93

Dyslipidemia is a common complication of progressive kidney disease and contributes to the high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Recent evidence also suggests a role for dyslipidemia in the development and progression of renal disease. Experimental studies have demonstrated that lipids may induce glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury, and that lipid-lowering treatments ameliorate renal injury. Various lipid abnormalities have been associated with the development and progression of renal disease in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Population-based studies and studies of diabetic patients have reported associations of various lipid abnormalities with the development of renal disease. In patients with CKD, lipid abnormalities have also been associated with renal disease progression. Post hoc analyses of some large clinical trials on patients with vascular disease, diabetes, or dyslipidemia, and a meta-analysis of small, prospective, controlled studies on patients with CKD (diabetics and nondiabetics) suggest that statins may slow the progression of kidney disease. It is unclear whether the beneficial renal effects of statins are due to the reduction of serum cholesterol levels and/or their pleiotropic effects. There is also evidence for synergistic renoprotective effects between statins and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. According to the results of post hoc analysis of several studies, treatment with fibrates does not seem to confer renoprotection, but evidence is scarce. In summary, there is growing evidence that lipid abnormalities may be a risk factor for renal disease, and that statins appear to confer a renoprotective effect.
 ...
PMID:Dyslipidemia and the progression of renal disease in chronic renal failure patients. 1633 84

Since their discovery in the 1980s, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have been shown to decrease angiotensin formation, prevent breakdown of bradykinin, and may also act on peptides of the renin-angiotensin system. They are effective in reducing the risk of heart failure, myocardial infarction, and death from cardiovascular causes in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction or heart failure, and have been shown to reduce atherosclerotic complications in patients who have vascular disease without heart failure. They may preserve endothelial function and counteract initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Broadly, ACE inhibitors can be divided into tissue specific or serum ACE inhibitors. Tissue-specific ACE inhibitors as a group are not superior to serum ACE inhibitors in the treatment of coronary artery disease. Pending direct comparator clinical trials between a tissue ACE inhibitor and a plasma ACE inhibitor, both ramipril and perindopril can be recommended for secondary risk prevention, based on the evidence.
 ...
PMID:Tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: are they more effective than serum angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors? 1640 97


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