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Hahka TM, Slotkowski RA, Akbar A, VanOrmer MC, Sembajwe LF, Ssekandi AM, Namaganda A, Muwonge H, Kasolo JN, Nakimuli A, Mwesigwa N, Ishimwe JA, Kalyesubula R, Kirabo A, Anderson Berry AL, Patel KP. Hypertension Related Co-Morbidities and Complications in Women of Sub-Saharan Africa: A Brief Review. Circ Res 2024; 134:459-473. [PMID: 38359096 PMCID: PMC10885774 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.123.324077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease in women, and sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries have some of the highest rates of hypertension in the world. Expanding knowledge of causes, management, and awareness of hypertension and its co-morbidities worldwide is an effective strategy to mitigate its harms, decrease morbidities and mortality, and improve individual quality of life. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) are a particularly important subset of hypertension, as pregnancy is a major stress test of the cardiovascular system and can be the first instance in which cardiovascular disease is clinically apparent. In SSA, women experience a higher incidence of HDP compared with other African regions. However, the region has yet to adopt treatment and preventative strategies for HDP. This delay stems from insufficient awareness, lack of clinical screening for hypertension, and lack of prevention programs. In this brief literature review, we will address the long-term consequences of hypertension and HDP in women. We evaluate the effects of uncontrolled hypertension in SSA by including research on heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, peripheral arterial disease, and HDP. Limitations exist in the number of studies from SSA; therefore, we will use data from countries across the globe, comparing and contrasting approaches in similar and dissimilar populations. Our review highlights an urgent need to prioritize public health, clinical, and bench research to discover cost-effective preventative and treatment strategies that will improve the lives of women living with hypertension in SSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taija M Hahka
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology (T.M.H., A.L.A.B., K.P.P.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
- Department of Pediatrics (T.M.H., R.A.S., A.A., M.C.V., A.L.A.B.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Rebecca A Slotkowski
- Department of Pediatrics (T.M.H., R.A.S., A.A., M.C.V., A.L.A.B.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Anum Akbar
- Department of Pediatrics (T.M.H., R.A.S., A.A., M.C.V., A.L.A.B.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Matt C VanOrmer
- Department of Pediatrics (T.M.H., R.A.S., A.A., M.C.V., A.L.A.B.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Lawrence Fred Sembajwe
- Department of Medical Physiology (L.F.S., A.M.S., A. Namaganda, H.M., J.N.K., R.K.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Abdul M Ssekandi
- Department of Medical Physiology (L.F.S., A.M.S., A. Namaganda, H.M., J.N.K., R.K.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Agnes Namaganda
- Department of Medical Physiology (L.F.S., A.M.S., A. Namaganda, H.M., J.N.K., R.K.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Haruna Muwonge
- Department of Medical Physiology (L.F.S., A.M.S., A. Namaganda, H.M., J.N.K., R.K.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Josephine N Kasolo
- Department of Medical Physiology (L.F.S., A.M.S., A. Namaganda, H.M., J.N.K., R.K.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Annettee Nakimuli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A. Nakimuli), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Naome Mwesigwa
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (N.M., J.A.I., A.K.)
| | - Jeanne A Ishimwe
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (N.M., J.A.I., A.K.)
| | - Robert Kalyesubula
- Department of Medical Physiology (L.F.S., A.M.S., A. Namaganda, H.M., J.N.K., R.K.), Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Annet Kirabo
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (N.M., J.A.I., A.K.)
| | - Ann L Anderson Berry
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology (T.M.H., A.L.A.B., K.P.P.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
- Department of Pediatrics (T.M.H., R.A.S., A.A., M.C.V., A.L.A.B.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
| | - Kaushik P Patel
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology (T.M.H., A.L.A.B., K.P.P.), University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
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Kaur A, Angarita Fonseca A, Lissaman R, Behlouli H, Rajah MN, Pilote L. Sex Differences in the Association of Age at Hypertension Diagnosis With Brain Structure. Hypertension 2024; 81:291-301. [PMID: 38112100 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.123.22180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex differences exist in the likelihood of cognitive decline. The age at hypertension diagnosis is a unique contributor to brain structural changes associated with cerebral small vessel disease. However, whether this relationship differs between sexes remains unclear. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate sex differences in the association between the age at hypertension diagnosis and cerebral small vessel disease-related brain structural changes. METHODS We used data from the UK Biobank to select participants with a known age at hypertension diagnosis and brain magnetic resonance imaging (n=9430) and stratified them by sex and age at hypertension diagnosis. Control participants with magnetic resonance imaging scans but no hypertension were chosen at random matched by using propensity score matching. For morphological brain structural changes, generalized linear models were used while adjusting for other vascular risk factors. For the assessment of white matter microstructure, principal component analysis led to a reduction in the number of fractional anisotropy variables, followed by regression analysis with major principal components as outcomes. RESULTS Males but not females with a younger age at hypertension diagnosis exhibited lower brain gray and white matter volume compared with normotensive controls. The volume of white matter hyperintensities was greater in both males and females with hypertension than normotensive controls, significantly higher in older females with hypertension. Compared with normotensive controls, white matter microstructural integrity was lower in individuals with hypertension, which became more prominent with increasing age. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that the effect of hypertension on cerebral small vessel disease-related brain structure differs by sex and by age at hypertension diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanpreet Kaur
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada (A.K., L.P.)
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada (A.K., A.A.F., H.B., L.P.)
| | - Adriana Angarita Fonseca
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada (A.K., A.A.F., H.B., L.P.)
| | - Rikki Lissaman
- Douglas Institute Research Centre (R.L.), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (R.L., M.N.R.), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Hassan Behlouli
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada (A.K., A.A.F., H.B., L.P.)
| | - M Natasha Rajah
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (R.L., M.N.R.), McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada (M.N.R.)
| | - Louise Pilote
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada (A.K., L.P.)
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada (A.K., A.A.F., H.B., L.P.)
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Mathieu NM, Nakagawa P, Grobe JL, Sigmund CD. Insights Into the Role of Angiotensin-II AT 1 Receptor-Dependent β-Arrestin Signaling in Cardiovascular Disease. Hypertension 2024; 81:6-16. [PMID: 37449411 PMCID: PMC10787814 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.123.19419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
β-arrestins are a family of intracellular signaling proteins that play a key role in regulating the activity of G protein-coupled receptors. The angiotensin-II type 1 receptor is an important G protein-coupled receptor involved in the regulation of cardiovascular function and has been implicated in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. In addition to canonical G protein signaling, G protein-coupled receptors including the angiotensin-II type 1 receptor can signal via β-arrestin. Dysregulation of β-arrestin signaling has been linked to several cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. Understanding the role of β-arrestins in these conditions is critical to provide new therapeutic targets for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. In this review, we will discuss the beneficial and maladaptive physiological outcomes of angiotensin-II type 1 receptor-dependent β-arrestin activation in different cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pablo Nakagawa
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Justin L. Grobe
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Comprehensive Rodent Metabolic Phenotyping Core, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Curt D. Sigmund
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Cardiovascular Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
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Usselman CW, Lindsey ML, Robinson AT, Habecker BA, Taylor CE, Merryman WD, Kimmerly D, Bender JR, Regensteiner JG, Moreau KL, Pilote L, Wenner MM, O'Brien M, Yarovinsky TO, Stachenfeld NS, Charkoudian N, Denfeld QE, Moreira-Bouchard JD, Pyle WG, DeLeon-Pennell KY. Guidelines on the use of sex and gender in cardiovascular research. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H238-H255. [PMID: 37999647 PMCID: PMC11219057 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00535.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
In cardiovascular research, sex and gender have not typically been considered in research design and reporting until recently. This has resulted in clinical research findings from which not only all women, but also gender-diverse individuals have been excluded. The resulting dearth of data has led to a lack of sex- and gender-specific clinical guidelines and raises serious questions about evidence-based care. Basic research has also excluded considerations of sex. Including sex and/or gender as research variables not only has the potential to improve the health of society overall now, but it also provides a foundation of knowledge on which to build future advances. The goal of this guidelines article is to provide advice on best practices to include sex and gender considerations in study design, as well as data collection, analysis, and interpretation to optimally establish rigor and reproducibility needed to inform clinical decision-making and improve outcomes. In cardiovascular physiology, incorporating sex and gender is a necessary component when optimally designing and executing research plans. The guidelines serve as the first guidance on how to include sex and gender in cardiovascular research. We provide here a beginning path toward achieving this goal and improve the ability of the research community to interpret results through a sex and gender lens to enable comparison across studies and laboratories, resulting in better health for all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte W Usselman
- Cardiovascular Health and Autonomic Regulation Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Merry L Lindsey
- School of Graduate Studies, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Research Service, Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Austin T Robinson
- Neurovascular Physiology Laboratory, School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, United States
| | - Beth A Habecker
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry and Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Chloe E Taylor
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - W David Merryman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Derek Kimmerly
- Autonomic Cardiovascular Control and Exercise Laboratory, Division of Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Jeffrey R Bender
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Judith G Regensteiner
- Divisions of General Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Ludeman Family Center for Women's Health Research, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Kerrie L Moreau
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States
- Eastern Colorado Health Care System, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Aurora, Colorado, United States
| | - Louise Pilote
- Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Megan M Wenner
- Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States
| | - Myles O'Brien
- School of Physiotherapy and Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Timur O Yarovinsky
- Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Nina S Stachenfeld
- John B. Pierce Laboratory, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States
| | - Nisha Charkoudian
- Thermal and Mountain Medicine Division, United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Quin E Denfeld
- School of Nursing and Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - Jesse D Moreira-Bouchard
- Q.U.E.E.R. Lab, Programs in Human Physiology, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
| | - W Glen Pyle
- IMPART Team Canada Network, Dalhousie Medicine, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kristine Y DeLeon-Pennell
- School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, South Carolina, United States
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Schwartz KS, Lang JA, Stanhewicz AE. Angiotensin II type 2 receptor-mediated dilation is greater in the cutaneous microvasculature of premenopausal women compared with men. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2023; 135:1236-1242. [PMID: 37823205 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00382.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Differential activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) likely contributes to sex differences in cardiovascular outcomes in premenopausal women compared with age-matched men. Women demonstrate reduced activation of the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1R) compared with men, and evidence suggests that women also likely have increased sensitivity of the vasodilatory angiotensin II type 2 receptors (AT2R). However, few in vivo studies have directly examined sex differences in AT2R-mediated dilation, or the balance between AT1R- and AT2R-mediated vascular responses in humans. Using the cutaneous microcirculation as a model, we hypothesized that AT2R-mediated dilation would be greater in premenopausal women compared with men, and that AT1R-blockade would augment AT2R-mediated dilation to a greater extent in men than in women. Twelve healthy women (22 ± 3 yr) and 12 men (23 ± 5 yr) had two intradermal microdialysis fibers placed in the ventral forearm for graded infusions of compound 21 (AT2R agonist; 10-12 to 10-8 M) in a control fiber site and a site treated with 43 µM losartan (AT1R antagonist). Red blood cell flux was measured continuously by laser-Doppler flowmetry, and cutaneous vascular conductance [CVC = flux/mean arterial pressure (MAP)] was normalized to maximum [%max; 28 mM sodium nitroprusside (SNP) + 43 °C]. Women had greater AT2R-mediated dilation compared with men (women: 25 ± 4 vs. men: 15 ± 2%max, P = 0.03). Local AT1R inhibition increased AT2R-mediated dilation in men (losartan: 26 ± 4 vs. control: 15 ± 2%max, P < 0.001) but had no effect in women (losartan: 27 ± 6 vs. control: 25 ± 4%max, P > 0.05). These data suggest that premenopausal women have a greater AT2R-mediated vasodilation response than men, and that AT1R activation inhibits AT2R-mediated dilation in men, but not in women.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Premenopausal women have greater protection against cardiovascular disease than age-matched men. However, the role of vasoconstrictor angiotensin II type 1 receptors (AT1R) and vasodilatory angiotensin II type 2 receptors (AT2R) in mediating these sex differences is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that women have greater AT2R-mediated vasodilation than men and that AT1R negates AT2R-mediated dilation in men, but not in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey S Schwartz
- Department of Health and Human Physiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - James A Lang
- Department of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States
| | - Anna E Stanhewicz
- Department of Health and Human Physiology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
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Perticone M, Maio R, Shehaj E, Gigliotti S, Caroleo B, Suraci E, Sciacqua A, Andreozzi F, Perticone F. Sex-related differences for uric acid in the prediction of cardiovascular events in essential hypertension. A population prospective study. Cardiovasc Diabetol 2023; 22:298. [PMID: 37915077 PMCID: PMC10621159 DOI: 10.1186/s12933-023-02006-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uric acid (UA) is an independent prognostic factor for cardiovascular events, but there are no data demonstrating a different risk profile between women and men. Thus, we tested whether UA is associated with a possible sex-related difference in fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events. METHODS In this prospective population-based study we enrolled 1,650 never-treated Caucasian hypertensive outpatients referred to Catanzaro University Hospital (Italy). Inclusion criteria were newly diagnosed hypertensive patients, aged 20 years or more. Exclusion criteria were secondary form of hypertension, previous cardiovascular events, rheumatic and non-rheumatic valvular heart disease, prosthetic valves, cardiomyopathies, type-2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, malignant diseases, gout arthritis and secondary forms of hyperuricemia, liver diseases, peripheral vascular diseases, and heart failure. Anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical parameters were measured. UA prognostic role was investigated by Cox regression analyses. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses and area under the curve were used to determine the predictive validity and the optimal cut-off point of UA. We investigated following endpoints: coronary events (fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, coronary revascularization procedures, coronary death); fatal and nonfatal stroke; all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). RESULTS We enrolled 830 males and 820 females aged 52.2 ± 11.3 years. During 9.5 ± 3.1 years follow-up, there were 424 new clinical events (2.71%): 250 coronary (1.59%), 118 (0.75%) cerebrovascular, and 56 (0.40%) deaths. Comparison between groups demonstrated a higher and significant difference in incidence rate in females for MACE (3.08 vs 2.33%, P = 0.001), coronary (1.82 vs 1.36%, P = 0.014) and cerebrovascular events (0.93 vs 0.57%, P = 0.006). UA at multiple Cox regression analysis resulted a strong and significant predictor of coronary events (HR = 1.493;95% CI 1.375-1.621), cerebrovascular events (HR = 1.256;95% CI 1.109-1.423), MACE (HR = 1.415;95% CI 1.328- 53 1.508), and all-cause mortality (HR = 1.469;95% CI 1.237-1.745) in the whole population and in both groups with a HR higher in females. The best estimated cut-off values of uric acid for males and females predicted these endpoints equally well, but it was always lower in females than males. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate, that UA operates with a sex-related impact and best cut-off value in predicting cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality, reflecting a possible sex difference in disease pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Perticone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Raffaele Maio
- Geriatric Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria R. Dulbecco, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ermal Shehaj
- Cardiology and CICU Unit, Giovanni Paolo II Hospital, Lamezia Terme, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Simona Gigliotti
- Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Benedetto Caroleo
- Internal Medicine Unit, Basso Ionio Hospital, Soverato, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Edoardo Suraci
- Internal Medicine Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria R. Dulbecco, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Angela Sciacqua
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Andreozzi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Perticone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
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Rodríguez-López M, Sepúlveda-Martínez Á, Bernardino G, Crovetto F, Pajuelo C, Sitges M, Bijnens B, Gratacós E, Crispi F. Cardiometabolic sex differences in adults born small for gestational age. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1223928. [PMID: 37953765 PMCID: PMC10634502 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1223928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim This study aimed to assess the cardiometabolic sex similarities and differences in adults born small for gestational age. Methods This study was an ambispective cohort study from a birth registry in Barcelona, Spain, including 523 adult participants (20-40 years-old) subdivided as born small for gestational age (SGA, if birth weight <10th centile) or adequate fetal growth for gestational age (AGA). Cardiometabolic health was assessed by echocardiography, electrocardiogram, blood pressure measurement, vascular ultrasound, anthropometric measurements, and serum glycemia and lipid profile. Stratified analyses by sex were performed by estimation of adjusted absolute difference (AAD) using inverse probability weighting. Results Compared with AGA, the stratified analyses by sex showed a more pronounced reduction in ejection fraction [AAD: female -1.73 (95% CI -3.2 to -0.28) vs. male -1.33 (-3.19 to 0.52)] and increment in heart rate [female 3.04 (0.29-5.8) vs. male 2.25 (-0.82 to 5.31)] in SGA females compared with SGA males. In contrast, a more pronounced reduction in PR interval [female -1.36 (-6.15 to 3.42) vs. male -6.61 (-11.67 to -1.54)] and an increase in systolic blood pressure [female 0.06 (-2.7 to 2.81) vs. male 2.71 (-0.48 to 5.9)] and central-to-peripheral fat ratio [female 0.05 (-0.03 to 0.12) vs. male 0.40 (0.17-0.62)] were mainly observed in SGA male compared with SGA female. Conclusions Sex differences were observed in the effect of SGA on cardiometabolic endpoints with female being more prone to cardiac dysfunction and male to electrocardiographic, vascular, and metabolic changes. Future research including sex-stratification data is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mérida Rodríguez-López
- BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Centro de Investigaciones Biomédica en Red – Enfermedades Raras, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Faculty of Health Science, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
- Clinical Research Center, Fundación Valle del Lili, Cali, Colombia
| | - Álvaro Sepúlveda-Martínez
- BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Centro de Investigaciones Biomédica en Red – Enfermedades Raras, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Gabriel Bernardino
- BCN Medtech, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesca Crovetto
- BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Centro de Investigaciones Biomédica en Red – Enfermedades Raras, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carolina Pajuelo
- Institut Clínic Cardiovascular, Hospital Clínic, Centre for Biomedical Research on CardioVascular Diseases (CIBERCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Sitges
- Institut Clínic Cardiovascular, Hospital Clínic, Centre for Biomedical Research on CardioVascular Diseases (CIBERCV), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bart Bijnens
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Gratacós
- BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Centro de Investigaciones Biomédica en Red – Enfermedades Raras, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fàtima Crispi
- BCNatal - Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (Hospital Clínic and Hospital Sant Joan de Deu), Centro de Investigaciones Biomédica en Red – Enfermedades Raras, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi I Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
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Tryfonos A, Christodoulou F, Pamboris GM, Christodoulides S, Theodorou AA. Short-Term L-Citrulline Supplementation Does Not Affect Blood Pressure, Pulse Wave Reflection, or Arterial Stiffness at Rest and during Isometric Exercise in Older Males. Sports (Basel) 2023; 11:177. [PMID: 37755854 PMCID: PMC10535063 DOI: 10.3390/sports11090177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypertension and arterial stiffness are significant factors contributing to cardiovascular disease. L-citrulline, a nitric oxide precursor, has been proposed as a nutritional, non-pharmacological blood pressure-lowering intervention. This study aimed to investigate the impact of L-citrulline on central and peripheral blood pressure, pulse wave reflection, and central arterial stiffness at rest and during an isometric knee extension exercise protocol. Twelve older males received 6 g of L-citrulline or a placebo for six days using a double-blind crossover design. Blood hemodynamics parameters (i.e., aortic and brachial systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure, heart rate), pulse wave reflection (i.e., augmented pressure, augmentation index, forward/backward wave pressure), and arterial stiffness (i.e., carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity) were measured at baseline, post-supplementation, and during isometric exercise. No significant effects of L-citrulline supplementation were observed at rest or during exercise on blood pressure, pulse wave reflection, or arterial stiffness. Both central and peripheral blood pressure were increased during the exercise, which is consistent with isometric contractions. The results of the present study do not support any blood pressure-lowering effect of short-term L-citrulline at rest or during low-intensity isometric exercise compared to the pre-exercise values in older males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Tryfonos
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus; (A.T.); (F.C.); (G.M.P.); (S.C.)
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Filippos Christodoulou
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus; (A.T.); (F.C.); (G.M.P.); (S.C.)
| | - George M. Pamboris
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus; (A.T.); (F.C.); (G.M.P.); (S.C.)
| | - Stephanos Christodoulides
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus; (A.T.); (F.C.); (G.M.P.); (S.C.)
- School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus
| | - Anastasios A. Theodorou
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia 1516, Cyprus; (A.T.); (F.C.); (G.M.P.); (S.C.)
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Connelly PJ, Delles C. Journal of Human Hypertension special issue on sex and gender differences in hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 2023; 37:587-588. [PMID: 37474602 DOI: 10.1038/s41371-023-00847-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Connelly
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, 126 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
| | - Christian Delles
- School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow, BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, 126 University Place, Glasgow, G12 8TA, UK.
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Kilama D, Ayella DO, Asiimwe I, Nakibuuka B, Laker F, Bongomin F. Undiagnosed Hypertension Among Market Salespersons in Kitgum Central Market, Northern Uganda. Integr Blood Press Control 2023; 16:37-46. [PMID: 37484203 PMCID: PMC10362878 DOI: 10.2147/ibpc.s402988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hypertension may be common among market salespersons who are mostly physically inactive throughout the day. However, the burden of hypertension in this population remains unknown. In this study, we determined the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension and associated factors among market salesperson in Kitgum central market, Kitgum district, Northern Uganda. Methods A cross-sectional study, recruiting market salespersons aged 18 years or older without a prior diagnosis of hypertension or currently on anti-hypertensive therapy was conducted. A standardized questionnaire was administered, and body mass index (BMI) estimated. Hypertension was defined as two consistent measurements of systolic blood pressure ≥140mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90mmHg measured 4 hours apart. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors independently associated with undiagnosed hypertension. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results We enrolled 240 participants. The mean age was 39.4 ± 12.8 years. Most (83.3%, n=199) participants were female and urban dwellers (88.3%, n=212). The prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 16.7% (n=40). Of the 40 participants with hypertension, 16 (40%) were younger than 40 years. Factors associated with undiagnosed hypertension were, age >50 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 7.0, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-25.6, p=0.003), male gender (aOR: 4.2, 95CI: 1.5-11.1, p=0.005), alcohol consumption (aOR: 2.6, 95CI: 1.1-6.0, p=0.021), and being overweight (aOR: 3.6, 95CI: 1.5-8.8, p=0.005). Conclusion About one in six of market salespersons had undiagnosed hypertension, with a disproportionately high burden among those younger than 40 years. A larger multi-centric study is recommended to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denish Kilama
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Daniel Okumu Ayella
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Isaac Asiimwe
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Betty Nakibuuka
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Florence Laker
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
| | - Felix Bongomin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
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