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Martinho S, Adão R, Leite-Moreira AF, Brás-Silva C. Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn: Pathophysiological Mechanisms and Novel Therapeutic Approaches. Front Pediatr 2020; 8:342. [PMID: 32850518 PMCID: PMC7396717 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2020.00342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is one of the main causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. It is characterized by sustained elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), preventing an increase in pulmonary blood flow after birth. The affected neonates fail to establish blood oxygenation, precipitating severe respiratory distress, hypoxemia, and eventually death. Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO), the only approved pulmonary vasodilator for PPHN, constitutes, alongside supportive therapy, the basis of its treatment. However, nearly 40% of infants are iNO resistant. The cornerstones of increased PVR in PPHN are pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling. A better understanding of PPHN pathophysiology may enlighten targeted and more effective therapies. Sildenafil, prostaglandins, milrinone, and bosentan, acting as vasodilators, besides glucocorticoids, playing a role on reducing inflammation, have all shown potential beneficial effects on newborns with PPHN. Furthermore, experimental evidence in PPHN animal models supports prospective use of emergent therapies, such as soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) activators/stimulators, l-citrulline, Rho-kinase inhibitors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonists, recombinant superoxide dismutase (rhSOD), tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) analogs, ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), 5-HT2A receptor antagonists, and recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF). This review focuses on current knowledge on alternative and novel pathways involved in PPHN pathogenesis, as well as recent progress regarding experimental and clinical evidence on potential therapeutic approaches for PPHN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Martinho
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular Research and Development Center-UnIC, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Adão
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular Research and Development Center-UnIC, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Adelino F Leite-Moreira
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular Research and Development Center-UnIC, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Brás-Silva
- Department of Surgery and Physiology, Cardiovascular Research and Development Center-UnIC, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Chen F, Yang M, Wan C, Liu L, Chen L. Efficacy and safety of statin therapy in pulmonary hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 7:786. [PMID: 32042802 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.11.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a multi-causal disease and no satisfactory therapeutic strategies for it. Statins have been suggested as potential drugs in PH, whose effects in different clinic types of PH have not been conclusive. In this study, we included randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of statins therapy in PH. Methods We searched databases including Medline, Embase, Cochrane, PubMed and Web of science, with time up to January 1, 2019. With 95% confidence interval (CI), weighted mean difference (WMD) or standardized mean difference (SMD) was pooled and calculated in a random or fixed effect model according to I2 statistic. Results A total of nine RCTs with 657 patients were included. Four types of statins (atorvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin) were used at different doses (10-80 mg daily) for up to 6 months. In the pooled-data analysis, compared with placebo, there were significant improvements in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), in addition to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in patients treated with statins, but not in 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), cardiac index (CDI). No more adverse events and all-cause mortality were revealed. Subgroup analysis indicated that statins could decrease PAP in the subtype of PH due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but not pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Conclusions This study indicates that statins can efficiently and safely reduce PAP in PH, especially in the subtype due to COPD. Further RCTs are needed to focus on the efficacy and safety of statin therapy in different subtypes of PH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangying Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.,Department of Tuberculosis, the Third People's Hospital of Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa 850000, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Chun Wan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 363 Hospital, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Mikhael M, Makar C, Wissa A, Le T, Eghbali M, Umar S. Oxidative Stress and Its Implications in the Right Ventricular Remodeling Secondary to Pulmonary Hypertension. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1233. [PMID: 31607955 PMCID: PMC6769067 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pulmonary vascular disease characterized by increased pulmonary artery pressures. Long standing pulmonary arterial pressure overload leads to right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy, RV failure, and death. RV failure is a major determinant of survival in PH. Oxidative stress has been associated with the development of RV failure secondary to PH. Here we summarize the structural and functional changes in the RV in response to sustained pulmonary arterial pressure overload. Furthermore, we review the pre-clinical and clinical studies highlighting the association of oxidative stress with pulmonary vasculature and RV remodeling in chronic PH. Targeting oxidative stress promises to be an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of RV failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Mikhael
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Christian Makar
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Amir Wissa
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Trixie Le
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Mansoureh Eghbali
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Soban Umar
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Are statins beneficial for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension? Chronic Dis Transl Med 2017; 3:213-220. [PMID: 29354804 PMCID: PMC5747501 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdtm.2017.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition characterized by vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling with a poor prognosis. The current medical treatments available are supportive care therapy and pulmonary vascular-targeted therapy. Targeted treatments for PH include prostacyclin analogs, endothelin receptor antagonists, and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors; however, these treatments cannot reverse pulmonary vascular remodeling. Recently, many novel treatment options involving drugs such as statins have been emerging. In this review, we attempt to summarize the current knowledge of the role of statins in PH treatment and their potential clinical effects. Many basic researches have proved that statins can be helpful for the treatment of PH both in vitro and in experimental models. The main mechanisms underlying the effects of statins are restoration of endothelial function, attenuation of pulmonary vascular remodeling, regulation of gene expression, regulation of intracellular signaling processes involved in PH, anti-inflammatory responses, and synergy with other targeted drugs. Nevertheless, clinical researches, especially randomized controlled trials for PH are rare. The current clinical researches show contrasting results on the clinical effects of statins in patients with PH. Carefully designed randomized, controlled trials are needed to test the safety and efficacy of statins for PH treatment.
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Zhang MZ, Qian DH, Xu JC, Yao W, Fan Y, Wang CZ. Statins may be beneficial for patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to lung diseases. J Thorac Dis 2017; 9:2437-2446. [PMID: 28932549 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2017.07.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous animal studies and clinical trials report inconsistent findings regarding the role of statins in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Systematic reviews have shown no use of statins on pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This is the first meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) determining the clinical impacts of statin therapy on patients with PH secondary to lung diseases. METHODS Electronic databases and manual bibliographical searches were conducted. Eligible studies included RCTs of at least 3 months that evaluated statin therapy as compared with control in adult patients with PH due to pulmonary diseases. Statistical analyses were performed to calculate mean difference, relative risks (RRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effect model. RESULTS A total of 6 RCTs were identified and included in this study. Five trials reported the effects of statins in patients with both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and PH, and the remaining 1 was based on PH due to pneumoconiosis. We found that statin therapy was associated with increased 6-minute walk distance and reduced pulmonary artery systolic pressure. There was no observed difference in the incidence of death, drug withdrawal, and adverse event between statin and control group. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that statins might be safe and beneficial for patients with PH due to chronic lung diseases. However, larger RCTs with more patients and longer observational duration are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Zhou Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Chongqing Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 40037, China
| | - De-Hui Qian
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 40037, China
| | - Jian-Cheng Xu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Chongqing Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 40037, China
| | - Wei Yao
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Chongqing Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 40037, China
| | - Ye Fan
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Chongqing Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 40037, China
| | - Chang-Zheng Wang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Chongqing Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 40037, China
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Statins Have No Additional Benefit for Pulmonary Hypertension: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168101. [PMID: 27992469 PMCID: PMC5167271 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We performed a meta-analysis to explore the effects of adding statins to standard treatment on adult patients of pulmonary hypertension (PH). METHODS A systematic search up to December, 2015 of Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic reviews and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was performed to identify randomized controlled trials with PH patients treated with statins. RESULTS Five studies involving 425 patients were included into this meta-analysis. The results of our analysis showed that the statins can't significantly increase 6-minute walking distance (6MWD, mean difference [MD] = -0.33 [CI: -18.25 to 17.59]), decrease the BORG dyspnea score (MD = -0.72 [CI: -2.28 to 0.85]), the clinical worsening risk (11% in statins vs. 10.1% in controls, Risk ratio = 1.06 [CI: 0.61, 1.83]), or the systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP) (MD = -0.72 [CI: -2.28 to 0.85]). Subgroup analysis for PH due to COPD or non-COPD also showed no significance. CONCLUSIONS Statins have no additional beneficial effect on standard therapy for PH, but the results from subgroup of PH due to COPD seem intriguing and further study with larger sample size and longer follow-up is suggested.
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Wong MJ, Kantores C, Ivanovska J, Jain A, Jankov RP. Simvastatin prevents and reverses chronic pulmonary hypertension in newborn rats via pleiotropic inhibition of RhoA signaling. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2016; 311:L985-L999. [DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00345.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic neonatal pulmonary hypertension (PHT) frequently results in early death. Systemically administered Rho-kinase (ROCK) inhibitors prevent and reverse chronic PHT in neonatal rats, but at the cost of severe adverse effects, including systemic hypotension and growth restriction. Simvastatin has pleiotropic inhibitory effects on isoprenoid intermediates that may limit activity of RhoA, which signals upstream of ROCK. We therefore hypothesized that statin treatment would safely limit pulmonary vascular RhoA activity and prevent and reverse experimental chronic neonatal PHT via downstream inhibitory effects on pathological ROCK activity. Sprague-Dawley rats in normoxia (room air) or moderate normobaric hypoxia (13% O2) received simvastatin (2 mg·kg−1·day−1 ip) or vehicle from postnatal days 1–14 (prevention protocol) or from days 14–21 (rescue protocol). Chronic hypoxia increased RhoA and ROCK activity in lung tissue. Simvastatin reduced lung content of the isoprenoid intermediate farnesyl pyrophosphate and decreased RhoA/ROCK signaling in the hypoxia-exposed lung. Preventive or rescue treatment of chronic hypoxia-exposed animals with simvastatin decreased pulmonary vascular resistance, right ventricular hypertrophy, and pulmonary arterial remodeling. Preventive simvastatin treatment improved weight gain, did not lower systemic blood pressure, and did not cause apparent toxic effects on skeletal muscle, liver or brain. Rescue therapy with simvastatin improved exercise capacity. We conclude that simvastatin limits RhoA/ROCK activity in the chronic hypoxia-exposed lung, thus preventing or ameliorating hemodynamic and structural markers of chronic PHT and improving long-term outcome, without causing adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew J. Wong
- Physiology & Experimental Medicine Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Crystal Kantores
- Physiology & Experimental Medicine Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julijana Ivanovska
- Physiology & Experimental Medicine Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amish Jain
- Heart and Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert P. Jankov
- Physiology & Experimental Medicine Program, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Heart and Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Oishi P, Datar SA, Fineman JR. Pediatric pulmonary arterial hypertension: current and emerging therapeutic options. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2011; 12:1845-64. [PMID: 21609302 DOI: 10.1517/14656566.2011.585636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease in neonates, infants and children that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. An adequate understanding of the controlling pathophysiologic mechanisms is lacking and although mortality has decreased as therapeutic options have increased over the past several decades, outcomes remain unacceptable. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the currently available therapies for neonates, infants and children with PAH and describes emerging therapies in the context of what is known about the underlying pathophysiology of the disease. EXPERT OPINION All of the currently approved PAH therapies impact one of three endothelial-based pathways: nitric oxide-guanosine-3'-5'cyclic monophosphate, prostacyclin or endothelin-1. The beneficial effects of these agents may relate to their impact on pulmonary vascular tone, and/or their antiproliferative and antithrombotic properties. Fundamental advances in PAH therapy are likely to relate to: i) a better understanding of PAH subpopulations, allowing for therapies to be better tailored to individual patients and pathophysiologic processes; and ii) therapies that promote the regression of advanced structural remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Oishi
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143-1346, USA.
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Kawut SM, Bagiella E, Lederer DJ, Shimbo D, Horn EM, Roberts KE, Hill NS, Barr RG, Rosenzweig EB, Post W, Tracy RP, Palevsky HI, Hassoun PM, Girgis RE. Randomized clinical trial of aspirin and simvastatin for pulmonary arterial hypertension: ASA-STAT. Circulation 2011; 123:2985-93. [PMID: 21593252 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.110.015693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease that causes exercise limitation, heart failure, and death. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of aspirin and simvastatin in PAH. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 2×2 factorial clinical trial of aspirin and simvastatin in patients with PAH receiving background therapy at 4 centers. A total of 92 patients with PAH were to be randomized to aspirin 81 mg or matching placebo and simvastatin 40 mg or matching placebo. The primary outcome was 6-minute walk distance at 6 months. Sixty-five subjects had been randomized when the trial was terminated by the Data Safety and Monitoring Board after an interim analysis showed futility in reaching the primary end point for simvastatin. After adjustment for baseline 6-minute walk distance, there was no significant difference in the 6-minute walk distance at 6 months between aspirin (n=32) and placebo (n=33; placebo-corrected difference −0.5 m, 95% confidence interval −28.4 to 27.4 m; P=0.97) or between simvastatin (n=32) and placebo (n=33; placebo-corrected difference −27.6 m, 95% confidence interval −59.6 to 4.3 m; P=0.09). There tended to be more major bleeding episodes with aspirin than with placebo (4 events versus 1 event, respectively; P=0.17). CONCLUSIONS Neither aspirin nor simvastatin had a significant effect on the 6-minute walk distance, although patients randomized to simvastatin tended to have a lower 6-minute walk distance at 6 months. These results do not support the routine treatment of patients with PAH with these medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven M Kawut
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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