Rural-dwelling adults face different health concerns and risks than do adults living in urban areas, with reduced assess to care. Studies examining the associations between anxiety and/or depression and blood pressure have yielded mixed results. This study addressed this by examining the association of these symptoms to blood pressure in ...

PURPOSE:: To analyze an association between the presumed risk factors for glaucoma and the actual extent of glaucomatous damage in untreated primary open-angle glaucoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS:: In 50 untreated open-angle glaucoma patients, we analyzed an association between the level of glaucomatous damage and presumed glaucoma risk factors: mean untreated ...

BackgroundCCR5 is expressed on infiltrating T cells in hypertensive mice and CCR5 antagonists reduce hypertension making CCR5 an interesting target in treatment of hypertension.MethodsTo evaluate the role of CCR5 in hypertensive renal and cardiac end-organ damage, we induced hypertension with desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) and angiotensin II (Ang II) in wild-type ...

ABSTRACT: Neurohumoral disturbances characterize chronic heart failure (CHF) and are reflected, in part, as impairment of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and sympathetic function. However the mechanisms that trigger these neurohumoral abnormalities in CHF are not clear. We hypothesized that the BRS is blunted early in CHF and that the humoral effects ...

OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerotic plaque in the aortic arch is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke. Although high blood pressure (BP) measured at the doctor's office is known to be associated with aortic atherosclerosis, little is known on the association between 24-h ambulatory BP and aortic arch plaque presence and severity. ...

It is widely believed that salt-dependent hypertension is induced and maintained by expansion of intravascular fluid volume resulting from excessive retention of sodium. The purpose of this brief article is to present a series of arguments in support of the thesis that volume overload per se does not raise the ...

Pulse wave velocity (PWV), a direct marker of arterial stiffness, is an independent cardiovascular risk factor. Although the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade belongs to major antihypertensive and cardioprotective therapies, less is known about the effects of long-term stimulation of the angiotensin II type 2 receptor. Previously, compound 21, ...

Hypertension is the most important controllable and modifiable risk factor for stroke. The relationship between blood pressure and stroke mortality is strong and linear. Angiotensin receptor blockers (sartans) are competitive pharmacological antagonists of angiotensin II receptors, and some of them are approved for use in the treatment of hypertension. These ...

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) and abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) are significantly associated with morbidity and mortality. We performed a prospective observational study and applied recently published consensus criteria to measure and describe the incidence of IAH and ACS, identify risk factors for their development and define their association with outcomes. We ...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Emerging evidence suggests that the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products (sRAGE) is implicated in the development of vascular disease. We investigated the interrelationships of sRAGE with albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR) and arterial stiffness in essential hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS: In 309 untreated non-diabetic hypertensives, ACR ...

In portal hypertension (PH), development of a hyperdynamic circulation is preceded by transient mesenteric vasoconstriction. PH increases splenic venous outflow pressure. We hypothesized that this causes direct reflex activation of mesenteric vasoconstrictor nerves and splenorenal reflex-mediated activation of the renin-angiotensin system. In anaesthetized male rats, we measured mesenteric efferent nerve ...

Background: The widely observed between-subject variability in cardiovascular responses to coffee may have a genetic basis.Objective: We evaluated acute blood pressure (BP) responses to caffeine and explored whether they are influenced by candidate gene variants affecting caffeine metabolism (for cytochrome P450 1A2), adenosine metabolism (for adenosine receptor and AMP deaminase), ...

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of D(3) receptor on intraocular pressure regulation using WT and KO D(3)R(-/-) mice. Both mice were used with normal eye pressure or steroid-induced ocular hypertension. As measured by tonometry, the topical application of 7-OH-DPAT, a dopamine D(3)-preferring receptor agonist, ...

ABSTRACT: Severe sepsis and septic shock are often accompanied by acute cardiovascular depression. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) signaling via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) can induce septic organ dysfunction. The aim of this study was to elucidate the in vivo impact of pharmacological TLR4 antagonism on LPS-induced cardiovascular depression using eritoran tetrasodium (E5564). ...

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist on the expression of glutamine synthetase (GS) and glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST) in rat retinal Müller cells at elevated hydrostatic pressure in vitro. Immunofluorescence staining of GS and GFAP was used for the identification ...

Angiogenesis inhibition with agents targeting tyrosine kinases of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors is an established anticancer treatment, but is, unfortunately, frequently accompanied by systemic hypertension and cardiac toxicity. Whether vascular endothelial growth factor receptor antagonism also has adverse effects on the pulmonary and coronary circulations is presently unknown. In ...

BackgroundG-Protein coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) represents a regulator of cell function in different cardiovascular conditions, including high blood pressure. The relationship between elevated GRK2 levels and impaired vasorelaxant responses is causative of hypertension through the increase in vascular resistances. The aim of this study is to ascertain if this ...

Gravity has a structural role for living systems. Tissue development, architecture and organization are modified when the gravity vector is changed. In particular, microgravity induces a redistribution of blood volume and thus pressure in the astronaut body, abolishing an upright blood pressure gradient inducing orthostatic hypotension. The present study was ...

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists as to whether angiotensin (1-7) (Ang (1-7)) acts as a protective hormone against renal injury. METHODS: We compared the degree of improvement of hypertensive nephropathy following 8 weeks' treatment with either the angiotensin II receptor type 1 antagonist olmesartan medoxomil or the cardioselective beta blocker atenolol in ...

Local renin-angiotensin systems are common throughout the human body. Recent evidence supports the existence of such local renin-angiotensin systems in the penis, clitoris, bladder, ureter, internal anal sphincter, and urethral sphincter. Beyond its role in regulating blood pressure through its effects on vascular tone, sodium balance, and fluid homeostasis, angiotensin ...

Dietary deficiency of ω-3 fatty acids (ω-3 DEF) produces hypertension in later life. This study examined the effect of ω-3 DEF on blood pressure and hypothalamic gene expression in young rats, before the development of hypertension, and in older rats following the onset of hypertension. Animals were fed experimental diets ...

Purpose: To evaluate the association between variants in the prostaglandin F(α) receptor (PTGFR) and solute carrier organic anion transporter family 2A1 (SLCO2A1) genes and intraocular pressure (IOP) response to prostaglandin analogs. Methods: The medical records of subjects with previously diagnosed open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were searched for intraocular ...

The P2X4 receptor is involved in endothelium-dependent changes in large arterial tone in response to shear stress and is, therefore, potentially relevant to arterial compliance and pulse pressure. Four identified nonsynonymous polymorphisms in P2RX4 were reproduced in recombinantly expressed human P2X4. Electrophysiological studies showed that one of these, the Tyr315>Cys ...

There are limited data concerning the effects of 5-HT(1A) receptor activation on esophageal motility. Sumatriptan, a 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist, was recently reported to enhance esophageal peristalsis after intravenous administration. Buspirone, an orally available 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist, was shown to modulate gastroduodenal motor function. Our aim was to evaluate the effect ...

Hypertension is a common chronic disease that leads to significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Blood pressure control is essential to prevent end-organ complications, such as stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, or kidney disease. Azilsartan is the eighth angiotensin II receptor blocker approved for the management of hypertension, alone or in ...

A prompt rise in blood pressure occurs when arginine-vasopressin is administered in quantities adequate to activate vascular V1a subtype vasopressin receptors. However, it has been controversial whether the endogenous vasopressin-V1a system contributes to the maintenance of basal blood pressure during normal development and aging. Mutant mice lacking the V1a receptor ...

OBJECTIVES: Arterial hypertension and its pharmacological control are discussed in view of the high cardiovascular risk due to lack of target blood pressure achievement. It is, therefore, underlined the need for a highly effective therapy, able to provide protection from organ damage through a marked antihypertensive activity. In addition to ...

The mechanism of action of 3,4-methylenedioximethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) involves the carrier-mediated and potentially vesicular release of monoamines. We assessed the effects of the sympatholytic α2-adrenergic receptor agonist clonidine (150 µg, p.o.), which inhibits the neuronal vesicular release of norepinephrine, on the cardiovascular and psychotropic response to MDMA (125 mg, p.o.) ...

The cannabinoids comprise three major classes of substances, including compounds derived from the cannabis plant (e.g., Δ(9) -tetrahydrocannabinol and the chemically related substances CP55940 and HU210), endogenously formed (e.g., anandamide) and synthetic compounds (e.g., WIN55212-2). Beyond their psychotropic effects, cannabinoids have complex effects on blood pressure including biphasic changes of ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Arginine vasopressin V(1) receptors have been suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology of acute brain injury. Therefore, we aimed to determine the role of arginine vasopressin V(1) receptors after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to SAH by endovascular puncture received either vehicle or ...

Aims Depression often coexists with cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension and heart failure, in which sympathetic hyperactivation is critically involved. Reduction of the brain sigma-1 receptor (S1R) functions in depression pathogenesis via neuronal activity modulation. We hypothesized that reduced brain S1R exacerbates heart failure, especially with pressure-overload via sympathetic hyperactivation ...

The conventional antihypertensive therapies including renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system antagonists (converting enzyme inhibitors, receptor blockers, renin inhibitors, and mineralocorticoid receptor blockers), diuretics, β-blockers, and calcium channel blockers are variably successful in achieving the challenging target blood pressure values in hypertensive patients. Difficult to treat hypertension is still a commonly observed problem world-wide. ...

We investigated the effects of chronic mineralocorticoid receptor blockade with eplerenone on the development and progression of hypertension and end organ damage in Dahl salt-sensitive rats. Eplerenone significantly attenuated the progressive rise in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (204 ± 3 vs. 179±3 mmHg, p < 0.05), reduced proteinuria (605.5 ± ...

BACKGROUND: Apelin and its receptor APJ have been shown to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular function. Apelin was shown to elicit hypotensive effects and also a positive inotropic effect on failing hearts. In this study, we investigated the effect of apelin on blood pressure and cardiac contractility in a two-kidney-one-clip ...

The use of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) represents a favorable approach for the control of blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Azilsartan medoxomil, a prodrug that undergoes rapid hydrolysis to its active moiety azilsartan, is an angiotensin AT(1) receptor antagonist with promising antihypertensive activity and a good safety profile. The ...

Probenecid has long been used in the treatment of gout. Its anti-gout mechanisms consist of uric acid reuptake inhibition and the consequent facilitation of uric acid excretion. In the present study, we investigated whether probenecid could exert an anti-hypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The noninvasive indirect tail cuff ...

The immediate and short-term chemosensory impacts of coffee and caffeine on cardiovascular activity. Introduction: Caffeine is detected by 5 of the 25 gustatory bitter taste receptors (hTAS2Rs) as well as by intestinal STC-1 cell lines. Thus there is a possibility that caffeine may elicit reflex autonomic responses via chemosensory stimulation. ...

Objectives:  The β(2) -adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) is located on smooth muscle cells and is an important regulator of smooth muscle tone. The Thr164Ile polymorphism (rs1800888) in the ADRB2 gene is rare, but has profound functional consequences on receptor function and could cause lifelong elevated smooth muscle tone. We tested the ...

Recently, we found that an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) restored the circadian rhythm of the blood pressure (BP) from a non-dipper to dipper pattern, similar to that achieved with sodium intake restriction and diuretics. ARB enhanced natriuresis during the day, while BP was markedly lower during the night, resulting ...

Introduction: Although all of the first-line antihypertensive drugs effectively reduce blood pressure, there are some conditions that may favor the use of angiotensin receptor blockers over others, such as left ventricular hypertrophy, microalbuminuria, renal dysfunction, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome, among others. Areas covered: This manuscript reviewed the data supporting the ...

Activation of type 1 angiotensin II (AT(1)) receptors in the kidney promotes blood pressure elevation and target organ damage, but whether renal AT(1) receptors influence the level of hypertension by stimulating sodium retention or by raising systemic vascular resistance has not been established. In the current studies, we used a ...

BACKGROUND: -The angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) plays a key role in regulating cardiorenal function. Classical "unbiased" AT1R antagonists block receptor coupling to both G(αq) and β-arrestin mediated signals, which desensitize G-protein signaling as well as transduce G-protein-independent signals. TRV120027 is a novel β-arrestin biased AT1R ligand, which engages ...

OBJECTIVE:: We recently reported decreased σ1 receptor expression in the heart after abdominal aortic stenosis in bilateral ovariectomized rats. Here, we use ovariectomized female rats to investigate the distinct cardioprotective effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in pressure overload (PO)-induced cardiac dysfunction. METHODS:: E2 (0.1 mg/kg) and DHEA (30 ...

The pharmacological profile of a novel angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, azilsartan medoxomil, was compared with that of the potent angiotensin II receptor blocker olmesartan medoxomil. Azilsartan, the active metabolite of azilsartan medoxomil, inhibited the binding of [(125)I]-Sar(1)-I1e(8)-angiotensin II to angiotensin II type 1 receptors. Azilsartan medoxomil inhibited angiotensin ...

AIMS: C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a local regulator of vascular tone and remodeling in many vascular beds. However, the role of CNP in modulating pulmonary arterial hypertensive and vascular remodeling responses is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine if CNP is capable of preventing the development ...

Hypertension is a well established risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and is the leading cause of chronic kidney failure. Although a number of pharmacologic agents are available for the treatment of hypertension including agents that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), unmet needs in the treatment of hypertension ...

To investigate whether there is a change in airway rapidly adapting receptor (RAR) activity during high altitude exposure, rabbits were placed in a high altitude simulation chamber (barometric pressure, 429mm Hg). With 12h exposure, when there was pulmonary congestion, an increase in basal RAR activity was observed. With 36h exposure, ...

Gain-of-function mutations in the human WNK1 (with-no-lysine[K]1) gene are responsible for a monogenic form of arterial hypertension, and WNK1 polymorphisms have been associated with common essential hypertension. The role of WNK1 in renal ionic reabsorption has been established, but no investigation of its possible influence on vascular tone, an essential ...

All components of the renin angiotensin system necessary for ANG II generation and action have been reported to be present in renal proximal convoluted tubules. Given the close relationship between renal sodium handling and blood pressure regulation, we hypothesized that modulating the action of ANG II specifically in the renal ...

Glucocorticoid-induced hypertension is a common clinical problem that is poorly understood, thus rendering treatment strategies sub-optimal. This form of hypertension has been commonly thought to be mediated by excess sodium and water reabsorption by the renal mineralocorticoid receptor. However, experimental and clinical data in both humans and animal models suggest ...