Lipid Effects of Antihypertensive Medications

A Prospective Study of Lipids in Adult Women With Turner Syndrome

Context

Turner syndrome (TS) is a rare genetic syndrome with an increased mortality, mainly attributed to cardiovascular disease.

Objective

This work aimed to investigate and correlate the lipid profile in adult women with TS to clinical characteristics.

Methods

A 12-year prospective cohort study, including 4 study visits, was conducted at a specialist hospital. A total of 102 women with TS qualified for inclusion. Excluding missing variables and participants lost to follow-up, 86 women (mean age 38.1 years; range, 18.4-62.1 years) were included in this study. Fifty-three women completed the study. Repeated-measurement analysis was performed, using total cholesterol (Total-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TGs), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) as outcome variables and age, karyotype, body mass index (BMI), treatment with statins, antidiabetics, and hormone replacement therapy as explanatory variables. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) analysis were performed at the first study visit.

Results

Hyperlipidemia was present in 30% of the TS cohort. Total-C increased with age (0.12 mmol/L/y; P = .016). LDL (P = .08), TGs (P = .14), and HDL (P = .24) were not associated with age. BMI significantly increased total-C (0.19 mmol/L/kg/m2; P = .006), LDL (0.63 mmol/L/kg/m2; P < .001), and TGs (0.80 mmol/L/kg/m2; P < .001) and decreased HDL (-0.59 mmol/L/kg/m2; P < .001). PCA and PLS analysis found correlations between weight and BMI and total-C, LDL, and TGs.

Conclusion

Hyperlipidemia is more prevalent in adult women with TS across adulthood compared to the background population. Total-C, LDL, TGs, and HDL were significantly associated with BMI characterizing the atherogenic profile in adult women with TS.

Association between dyslipidemia and antihypertensive and antidiabetic treatments in a China multicenter study

Dyslipidemia is an emerging disease in China, especially in the presence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. We investigated the association of dyslipidemia with the use of antihypertensive and antidiabetic agents. The study participants (n = 2423) were hypertensive and diabetic patients enrolled in a China nationwide registry. Serum mean ± (SD, except for serum triglycerides, median [interquatile range]) concentrations were 1.38 (0.97‐2.02) mmol/L, 4.85 ± 1.12 mmol/L, 1.30 ± 0.36 mmol/L, and 2.89 ± 0.92 mmol/L for triglycerides and total, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL), and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, respectively. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 18.9%, 13.5%, 16.6%, and 37.7% for hypertriglyceridemia (serum triglycerides ≥2.3 mmol/L), hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol ≥6.2 mmol/L or LDL cholesterol ≥4.1 mmol/L), low HDL cholesterol (HDL cholesterol <1.0 mmol/L), and any of the three lipid disorders, respectively. Treated (n = 1647), compared with untreated hypertensive patients (n = 303), had a significantly (P ≤ .0006) lower serum total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol, but similar serum triglycerides (P = .20). Treated (n = 1325), compared with untreated diabetic patients (n = 238), had a significantly (P ≤ .004) lower serum triglycerides, and total and LDL cholesterol, but similar serum HDL cholesterol (P = .81). After adjustment, the odds ratios (OR) were significant for hypercholesterolemia (OR 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58‐0.997, P = .048) and low HDL cholesterol (OR 1.56, CI 1.19‐2.03, P = .001) in treated versus untreated hypertension, and for low HDL cholesterol (OR 1.50, CI 1.18‐1.89, P = .0008) in treated versus untreated diabetes. In conclusion, the prevalence of dyslipidemia differed between treated and untreated hypertension and diabetes.

Blockade of Renin Angiotensin System Ameliorates the Cardiac Arrhythmias and Sympathetic Neural Remodeling in Hearts of Type 2 DM Rat Model

OBJECTIVE

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockade on cardiac arrhythmias and sympathetic nerve remodelling in heart tissues of type 2 diabetic rats.

METHODS

Thirty-two male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated into 4 equal groups; a) normal control group: normal rats, b) DM group; after type 2 diabetes induction, rats received 2ml oral saline daily for 4 weeks, c) DM+ ACEi: after type 2 diabetes induction, rats were treated with enalapril (10 mg/kg, orally for 4 weeks) and d) DM+ ARBs: after type 2 diabetes induction, rats were treated with losartan (30 mg/kg, orally for 4 weeks).

RESULTS

In type 2 diabetic rats, the results demonstrated significant prolongation in Q-T interval and elevation of blood sugar, HOMA-IR index, TC, TGs, LDL, serum CK-MB, myocardial damage, myocardial MDA, myocardial norepinephrine and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) density with significant reduction in serum HDL, serum insulin and myocardial GSH and CAT. On the other hand, blockade of RAS at the level of either ACE by enalapril or angiotensin (Ag) receptors by losartan resulted in significant improvement in ECG parameters (Q-T), cardiac enzymes (CK-MB), cardiac morphology, myocardial oxidative stress (low MDA, high CAT and GSH) and myocardial TH density.

CONCLUSION

RAS plays a role in the cardiac sympathetic nerve sprouting and cardiac arrhythmias induced by type 2 DM and its blockade might have a cardioprotective effect via attenuation of sympathetic nerve fibres remodelling, myocardial norepinephrine contents and oxidative stress.

Anthropometric variables, physical activity and dietary intakes of patients with uric acid nephrolithiasis

To evaluate anthropometric variables, energy expenditure by physical activity and nutrient intake of uric acid stone formers (UA-RSFs) compared to non-forming subjects (C). The study included 33 consecutive male patients with a diagnosis of "pure" stones of anhydrous uric acid at infrared spectroscopy and 49 male control subjects with no history of urinary stones. A personal interview was conducted including questionnaires for physical activity and dietary intakes. Anthropometric parametric and blood pressure were measured. Mean age, weight, height, waist circumference, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, dietary energy, carbohydrate intake, lipid intake, dietary acid load, time spent for different physical activities and total energy expenditure for physical activity were not different in UA-RSFs with respect to C. Mean dietary protein (76.2 ± 19.6 vs 65.4 ± 14.7 g/day, P = 0.006) and ethanol intake (10.4 ± 8.8 vs 4.1 ± 8.6, P = 0.002) were higher in UA-RSFs than in C. History of renal disease, heart disease and treatment with thiazides or allopurinol were more frequent and mean serum glucose and triglycerides (104 ± 12 vs 97 ± 11 mg/dl, P = 0.043) (172 ± 77 vs 123 ± 52 mg/dl, P = 0.023) were higher in UA-RSFs. Metabolic syndrome was more frequent in UA-RSFs (57% vs 39%) but not significant (p = 0.09). Increased dietary animal protein (and ethanol) intake can act as co-factors for uric acid stone formation although a more complex and not fully elucidated metabolic background can have an even more crucial role in the pathogenesis of this disease even in the absence of overweight.

The Results of ACES (Antihypertensive Combinations' Long Term Efficacy Comparing Study): Analysis of Metabolic Effects of Antihypertensive Combination Therapies

BACKGROUND

More than 50 % of hypertensive patients have lipid disorders, and one-third of hypertensive patients have impaired glucose metabolism. Owing to the high prevalence of metabolic risk factors and/or comorbidities, antihypertensives with favorable or neutral metabolic effects are preferred. Based on the available evidence, diuretics and β-blockers are heterogeneous regarding their metabolic effects.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of ACES (Antihypertensive Combinations' Long Term Efficacy Comparing Study) was to compare the efficacy and metabolic effects of a carvedilol/indapamide free combination, a fixed-dose combination of perindopril/amlodipine, and a fixed combination of perindopril/indapamide in everyday practice.

METHODS

This study was a 6-month, multi-center, prospective, observational, non-interventional, open-label clinical study. The data of 9124 outpatients (4898 female, 4226 male; mean age 61.7 ± 11.7 years) with mild, moderate, or severe essential (primary) hypertension with one or more metabolic risk factors were subjected to statistical analysis. At visits one (day 1), three (month 3), and four (month 6), the following metabolic parameters were monitored: fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, estimated glomerular filtration rate, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, and serum potassium, sodium, creatinine, and uric acid levels. A total of 3888 patients took perindopril/amlodipine, while 2992 took perindopril/indapamide, and 2244 took a combination of carvedilol/indapamide. Statistical analysis was carried out using the one-paired t test and the Chi square test; the two-sided level of significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS

The observed changes in the main metabolic parameters were favorable and similar in all therapeutic groups: fasting blood glucose decreased by 5.5-5.5-5.5 %, total cholesterol by 9.0-10.2-9.9 %, and triglycerides by 12.7-15.4-13.8 % (respectively in perindopril/amlodipine, perindopril/indapamide and carvedilol/indapamide groups).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our findings, we conclude that the metabolic profile of indapamide is very similar to the metabolically neutral and well-documented metabolic profiles of the calcium-channel blocker amlodipine and the vasodilator β-blocker carvedilol and that all the combinations studied had similar beneficial effects on the main metabolic parameters. The favorable changes of metabolic parameters are because of the discontinuation of active substances (e.g., conventional thiazides, second-generation β-blockers) used in the previous therapy, which were associated with unfavorable metabolic effects, and to the increase in the ratio of administered lipid-lowering drugs and oral antidiabetic drugs.

Approach to Antihypertensive Therapy

Antihypertensive agents are commonly prescribed by physicians to prevent the long-term mortality from chronic hypertension. They are also given to improve survival in a number of conditions (eg, heart failure, coronary artery disease), independent of the effect on blood pressure. Several classes of antihypertensives are available with unique pharmacologic characteristics and adverse effects. Not all agents in the same class have identical effects, and careful selection of drugs based on the comorbid conditions is recommended.