Comparison of renal and vascular protective effects between telmisartan and amlodipine in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease with mild renal insufficiency

Telmisartan ameliorates nephropathy and restores the hippo pathway in rats with metabolic syndrome

The main objective of this study was to determine if the telmisartan-ameliorative effects of metabolic syndrome (MetS)-evoked nephropathy are attributed to the Hippo pathway. A secondary objective was to investigate the potential of vitamin D3 to enhance telmisartan-favourable effects. A diet composed of 24% fat and 3% salt, along with drinking water containing 10% fructose, was administered for 12 weeks to induce MetS. MetS-rats were given telmisartan (5 mg/kg/day), vitamin D3 (10 μg/kg/day) or both by gavage, starting in the sixth week of experimental diet administration. Assessments performed at closure included renal function, histological examination, catalase, malondialdehyde (MDA), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) immunostaining was conducted. The expression of the Hippo pathway components, as well as that of angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 (AT1 and AT2), receptors was evaluated. Telmisartan attenuated MetS-evoked nephropathy, as demonstrated by improvement of renal function and histological features, enhancement of catalase, reduction of MDA, inflammation (NF-κB, IL-6), and renal fibrosis (increased PPAR-γ and PTEN and reduced MMP-9 and TGF-β). Telmisartan downregulated AT1-receptor, upregulated AT2-receptor and restored the Hippo pathway. Vitamin D3 replicated most of the telmisartan-elicited effects and enhanced the antifibrotic actions of telmisartan. The alleviative effects of telmisartan on MetS-evoked nephropathy may be related to the restoration of the Hippo pathway. The combination of vitamin D3 and telmisartan exerted more favourable effects on metabolic and nephropathic biomarkers compared with either one administered alone.

Evaluation of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System Components and Enzymes in Systemically Hypertensive Cats Receiving Amlodipine

BACKGROUND

Chronic renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation is harmful. Amlodipine activates RAAS in humans and dogs, but contradictory data exist for systemically hypertensive (SHT) cats.

HYPOTHESIS

Cats with SHT and chronic kidney disease treated with amlodipine (SHT/CKD-A) are RAAS activated.

ANIMALS

Client-owned cats: unmedicated normotensive (NT) cats (n = 9); SHT/CKD-A cats (n = 5) with median systolic blood pressure of 170 mmHg (vs. 195 mmHg, pre-treatment), chronic kidney disease, and receiving no RAAS-suppressive therapy.

METHODS

Serum was frozen (-80 °C) until RAAS analysis via equilibrium analysis. The RAAS variables (reported as median (minimum-maximum)) were compared between groups, using Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Angiotensin 1, angiotensin 1,7, angiotensin III, and angiotensin 1,5, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-2 activity were higher in SHT/CKD-A cats compared to NT cats, while ACE activity was lower in SHT/CKD-A cats compared to NT cats (p < 0.05 all). A marker for alternative RAAS influence (ALT-S) was significantly higher (69; 58-73 pmol/pmol) in SHT/CKD-A cats compared to NT cats (35; 14-63 pmol/pmol; p = 0.001). Aldosterone concentrations were significantly higher (393; 137-564 pmol/L) in SHT/CKD-A cats compared to NT cats (129; 28-206 pmol/L; p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Circulating RAAS is activated in systemically hypertensive cats receiving amlodipine. Although this study did not parse out the individual contributions of SHT, chronic kidney disease, and amlodipine, the findings suggest that the use of concurrent RAAS-suppressant therapy, specifically aldosterone antagonism, in amlodipine-treated SHT cats with chronic kidney disease might be indicated.

Effect of Telmisartan and Quercetin in 5 Fluorouracil-Induced Renal Toxicity in Rats

Purpose

The present study was designed to evaluate the possible synergistic effects of telmisartan and quercetin in 5 fluorouracil (5-FU) induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Methodology

Forty male rats were randomly divided into five groups: The negative control group, the positive control group that received 5-FU, the telmisartan group, receiving 10 mg/kg, the quercetin group, receiving 80 mg/kg, and the combination of telmisartan and quercetin group. All the treatments were given orally for 14 days. A single intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU (150 mg/kg) on day 13 of the experiment was given except for the negative control group. On the 15th day after scarification, approximately 5 mL of blood was collected and used for measurement of CBC, urea, creatinine, and uric acid. The kidneys were used for histopathological examination and for the measurement of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), Cystatin C (Cys-C), and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC).

Results

The combination therapy significantly attenuated the levels of tissue KIM-1, NGAL, Cys-C, and serum uric acid as well as blood inflammatory markers, Neutrophil/Lymphocyte (NLR), Monocyte/Lymphocyte (MLR), and Platelets/Lymphocyte ratios (PLR), and restored the TAOC. The histopathological findings greatly support the biochemical tests.

Conclusion

The results strongly suggest the renoprotective effects of telmisartan and quercetin in combination against the nephrotoxic effect of 5-FU through decreasing the levels of KIM-1, NGAL, and cys-C, and the novel inflammatory markers of kidney injury like NLP, MLR, and PLR, as well as decreasing uric acid and restoring the TAOC. The proposed mechanism could be the additive inhibitory effect on RAS provided by both telmisartan and quercetin.

Leukocyte subtypes, gelatinases, and their tissue inhibitors in a group of subjects with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis

In a cohort of subjects with asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis (ACA), we have evaluated the neutrophil and lymphocyte count and their ratio (NLR), the gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2). At baseline, no difference was observed between ACA subjects and subject control group regarding neutrophil and lymphocyte count while was evident in ACA subjects a significant increase in MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-2 associated to a significant decrease in TIMP-1. Dividing the ACA according to the number of cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) we have observed an increase in lymphocyte count in the subgroup with 3-5 CRFs. Evaluating the leukocyte subtypes according to all the surrogate markers of insulin resistance has been noted, in the subgroups that exceed the medians of these markers, a significant increase in neutrophil and lymphocyte count without any variation of the NLR. Effecting the same evaluation for the MMP/TIMP pattern we observed, instead, that the same subgroups tend to show a decrease in MMP-2 and an increase in MMP-9. No difference instead for TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. The abnormality of the MMP/TIMP pattern, bearing in mind the cardiometabolic clustering present in this cohort of ACA subjects, would induce to use drugs able not only to cure the cardiometabolic risk factors but also to influence the MMP/TIMP profile.

Renin‑angiotensin system inhibitors may have an advantage over calcium channel blockers in reducing proteinuria in gastric cancer patients receiving ramucirumab

This study aimed to investigate whether renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RAS-I) have an advantage over calcium channel blockers (CCB) for suppression of proteinuria in hypertensive patients with gastric cancer receiving ramucirumab (RAM) treatment. Adult Japanese patients with gastric cancer who were outpatients at Asahikawa Medical University Hospital, National Hospital Organization Hokkaido Cancer Center, and Iwate Medical University Hospital between July 1, 2015, and March 31, 2021, were included in this study. Of these patients, those who had received first-time RAM treatment, and those treated with antihypertensive agents including RAS-I or a CCB at initial RAM administration were included. A total of 36 patients were analyzed in this study. Of these patients, 17 patients were classified into the RAS-I group and the remaining 19 into the CCB group. After 12 weeks of RAM administration, the prevalence of proteinuria in the RAS-I group was significantly lower than that in the CCB group. Additionally, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the cumulative occurrence of proteinuria in the RAS-I group over 12 weeks following RAM administration was significantly lower than that in the CCB group. Furthermore, simulation of the time course of RAM blood concentrations based on the O'Brien model showed that there may not be differences in the RAM blood concentration profiles over 12 weeks between the two groups. RAS-I may have an advantage over CCB for suppressing proteinuria in hypertensive patients with gastric cancer treated with blood pressure antihypertensive agents. Our results provide useful information to healthcare professionals involved in the administration of RAM treatment.

Clinical outcomes between calcium channel blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers in hypertensive patients without established cardiovascular diseases during a 3-year follow-up

Although both angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are all suitable for the initiation of antihypertensive treatment, studies investigating efficacy and safety between ARBs and CCBs are limited, and there is no previous study comparing their clinical outcomes during long-term follow-up periods in real world setting. We compared cardiovascular (CV) events between ARBs and CCBs in 464,948 hypertensive adults using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database during a 3-year follow-up. The patients with hypertension without heart failure, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral artery disease were enrolled. The CV events between only single prescription of CCBs and ARBs were finally compared. The primary endpoint for this study was the first occurrence of a major adverse CV events, defined as the composite of all-cause death, cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke. ARB was significantly more administered in male and patients with higher income, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney diseases, and higher Charlson comorbidity index. The primary endpoints occurred in 10,526 patients (5.2%) in the ARB group and in 19,363 patients (7.3%) in the CCB group (p < 0.001) during a 3-year follow-up (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93–0.98). All the components of CV events including all-cause death, cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and nonfatal stroke occurred more frequently in the CCB group. With multivariable models adjusting age, sex, income, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and Charlson comorbidity index, the primary endpoints less frequently developed in the ARB group than in the CCB group (HR 0.957, 95% CI 0.933–0.983, p < 0.001). After the propensity-score matching, baseline characteristics were similar and still showed significantly better primary endpoints in ARB group than CCB group (5.3% vs. 5.8%, p < 0.001). In this nationwide population-based simple hypertension study, administration of ARBs showed superior protection against CV events than CCBs during a 3-year follow-up. Our results suggest that ARBs could be preferred over CCBs as the initial choice of antihypertensive treatment regardless of age in real-world practice.

Effect of angiotensin receptor blockers on blood pressure and renal function in patients with concomitant hypertension and chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) are among the recommended first-line treatment options in patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD). This meta-analysis evaluated the effect of ARB on blood pressure (BP) and renal function in patients with concomitant hypertension and CKD with or without diabetes.Methods: Literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and BIOSIS to identify parallel-group, randomized controlled trials (≥8 weeks) reporting the effects of ARB on office systolic/diastolic BP (SBP/DBP), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum creatinine (SCr), creatinine clearance (CrCl) or proteinuria in adults with hypertension and CKD. Mean difference (MD, generic inverse variance) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was used to report an outcome.Results: Among the 24 studies identified, 19 evaluated ARB as monotherapy, 4 evaluated ARB as combination therapy and one evaluated ARB both as monotherapy and combination therapy. Median (range) duration of the studies was 12 (1.84-54.0) months. ARB monotherapy significantly (p < 0.01) reduced BP (treatment ≥1 year: SBP [MD: -14.84 mmHg; 95% CI: -17.82 to -11.85]/DBP [-10.27 mmHg; -12.26 to -8.27]) and proteinuria (≥1 year [-0.90 g/L; -1.22 to -0.59]). Results were consistent for combination therapy. In these studies, non-significant changes were observed for eGFR, CrCl and SCr. The impact of SBP changes on eGFR was not significant; however, studies were of a relatively short duration.Conclusion: ARB had a favorable impact on BP and renal parameters such as proteinuria with monotherapy as well as with combination therapy, highlighting their potential benefits in patients with hypertension and CKD. During the short follow-up of these studies, no significant change in eGFR was observed.

Effects of calcium channel blockers comparing to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease stage 3 to 5 and dialysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Calcium channel blocker (CCB) or two renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockades (RAAS), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), are major potent and prevalently used as initial antihypertensive agents for mild to moderate hypertension, but no uniform agreement as to which antihypertensive drugs should be given for initial therapy, especially among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Design

A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing CCBs and the two RAAS blockades for hypertensive patients with CKD stage 3 to 5D. The inclusion criteria for this systematic review was RCT that compared the effects of CCBs and the two RAAS blockades in patients with hypertension and CKD. The exclusion criteria were (1) renal transplantation, (2) CKD stage 1 or 2, (3) combined therapy (data cannot be extracted separately). Outcomes were blood pressure change, mortality, heart failure, stroke or cerebrovascular events, and renal outcomes.

Results

21 randomized controlled trials randomized 9,492 patients with hypertensive and CKD into CCBs and the two RAAS blockades treatments. The evidence showed no significant differences in blood presser change, mortality, heart failure, stroke or cerebrovascular events, and renal outcomes between CCBs group and the two RAAS blockades group. The publication bias of pooled mean blood presser change that was detected by Egger’s test was non-significant.

Conclusions

CCBs has similar effects on long term blood pressure, mortality, heart failure, stroke or cerebrovascular events, and renal function to RAAS blockades in patients CKD stage 3 to 5D and hypertension.

Effect of telmisartan on kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease: an observational study

Background: Globally the burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising, an important cause of death and loss of disability-adjusted life years. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is involved in its pathogenesis. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of telmisartan (40 mg/day), an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) in Indian patients with CKD in real-life setting.

Method: This was a prospective observational study. Fifty-six patients (>18 years) diagnosed with CKD were enrolled into the study. Serum creatinine, 24-h urinary protein, spot urine protein-to-creatinine ratio, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and blood pressure (BP) were assessed along with safety.

Results: A total of 55 patients (96.36% hypertensive; 63.61% diabetic) with mean age of 48.23 years completed the study. At the end of 3 months treatment with telmisartan, 24-h urinary protein, spot urine protein-to-creatinine, serum creatinine and BP significantly reduced (p < .05) by 806.78 mg, 0.95, 0.44 mg/dl and 8.9/4.7 mmHg in the overall population. GFR increased from the baseline value of 52.13 to 65.01 ml/min. Telmisartan was well tolerated and treatment was discontinued in one patient because of hyperkalemia.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that telmisartan effectively and safely reduces proteinuria in chronic kidney disease patients.

A Systematic Review on the Efficacy of Amlodipine in the Treatment of Patients With Hypertension With Concomitant Diabetes Mellitus and/or Renal Dysfunction, When Compared With Other Classes of Antihypertensive Medication

The long-term cardiovascular (CV) effects of calcium channel blockers, with special focus on amlodipine, were compared with other classes of antihypertensive medications in high-risk hypertensive patient subgroups. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was undertaken of 38 unique randomized, active-controlled, parallel-group trials comparing amlodipine/calcium channel blockers with diuretics, β-blockers, α-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or angiotensin II receptor blockers, with ≥6-month follow-up, and which had included assessment of blood pressure (BP) and CV events [all-cause death, CV death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, congestive heart failure (CHF), or major CV events (MACE: MI, CHF, stroke, and CV death)], in hypertensive patients (baseline systolic/diastolic BP ≥140/≥90 mm Hg) with either concomitant diabetes and/or renal dysfunction. In hypertensive patients with diabetes, no difference was found for amlodipine versus comparators with respect to all-cause death, CV death, MACE, and MI; a decrease in stroke risk, and an increase in CHF risk, was seen. In hypertensive patients with renal dysfunction, no difference was found for amlodipine versus comparators with respect to all-cause death, CV death, MACE, MI, and CHF; a decrease in stroke risk was seen. Amlodipine was found to be at least as efficacious as all the other classes of antihypertensive agents in reducing systolic and diastolic BP. Long-term control of BP is critical for avoiding complications of hypertension in high-risk patients, particularly CV and cerebrovascular events such as stroke. This analysis has provided evidence that amlodipine is an appealing therapeutic option in the long-term management of hypertension in both diabetic and renal dysfunction patients.

Serum Levels of IL-1 β , IL-6, TGF- β , and MMP-9 in Patients Undergoing Carotid Artery Stenting and Regulation of MMP-9 in a New In Vitro Model of THP-1 Cells Activated by Stenting

Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiological process after carotid artery stenting (CAS). Monocyte is a significant source of inflammatory cytokines in vascular remodeling. Telmisartan could reduce inflammation. In our study, we first found that, after CAS, the serum IL-1β, IL-6, TGF-β, and MMP-9 levels were significantly increased, but only MMP-9 level was elevated no less than 3 months. Second, we established a new in vitro model, where THP-1 monocytes were treated with the supernatants of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) that were scratched by pipette tips, which mimics monocytes activated by mechanical injury of stenting. The treatment enhanced THP-1 cell adhesion, migration and invasion ability, and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Elk-1 and MMP-9 expression were significantly increased. THP-1 cells pretreated with PD98095 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) attenuated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Elk-1 and upregulation of MMP-9, while pretreatment with telmisartan merely decreased the phosphorylation of Elk-1 and MMP-9 expression. These results suggested that IL-1β, IL-6, TGF-β, and MMP-9 participate in the pathophysiological process after CAS. Our new in vitro model mimics monocytes activated by stenting. MMP-9 expression could be regulated through ERK1/2/Elk-1 pathway, and the protective effects of telmisartan after stenting are partly attributed to its MMP-9 inhibition effects via suppression of Elk-1.

The impact of angiotensin receptor blockers on arterial stiffness: a meta-analysis

Some studies reported a protective role of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) against arterial stiffness. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of published clinical trials to systematically assess the impact of ARBs on arterial stiffness as measured by using pulse wave velocity (PWV). Eligible articles were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Wanfang and CNKI databanks before 31 July 2014. The data were extracted independently and in duplicate. Forty articles including 53 clinical trials qualified, including 1650 and 1659 subjects in ARB treatment and control groups, respectively. Overall reductions in carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV) and brachial-ankle PWV (baPWV) were statistically significant, with an average of -42.52 cm s(-1) (95% CI: -81.82 to -3.21; P=0.034) and -107.08 cm s(-1) (95% CI: -133.98 to -80.18; P<0.0005), respectively, after receiving ARBs. Subgroup analysis by ARB type revealed that telmisartan (weighted mean difference or WMD=-100.82 cm s(-1); P<0.0005) and valsartan (WMD=-104.59 cm s(-1); P<0.0005) significantly reduced baPWV, but only valsartan reduced cfPWV (WMD=-65.58; P=0.030). cfPWV was significantly reduced in comparisons of ARBs with placebo (WMD=-79.65 cm s(-1); P=0.001), and baPWV was significantly reduced with calcium channel blockers (WMD=-130.74 cm s(-1); P<0.0005). There were low probabilities of publication bias. Taken together, our findings support the important role of ARB treatment in improving arterial stiffness.

Comparative effect of angiotensin II type I receptor blockers and calcium channel blockers on laboratory parameters in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Both angiotensin II type I receptor blockers (ARBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are widely used antihypertensive drugs. Many clinical studies have demonstrated and compared the organ-protection effects and adverse events of these drugs. However, few large-scale studies have focused on the effect of these drugs as monotherapy on laboratory parameters. We evaluated and compared the effects of ARB and CCB monotherapy on clinical laboratory parameters in patients with concomitant hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

We used data from the Clinical Data Warehouse of Nihon University School of Medicine obtained between Nov 1, 2004 and July 31, 2011, to identify cohorts of new ARB users (n = 601) and propensity-score matched new CCB users (n = 601), with concomitant mild to moderate hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We used a multivariate-adjusted regression model to adjust for differences between ARB and CCB users, and compared laboratory parameters including serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), non-fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), sodium, potassium, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), hemoglobin and hematocrit, and white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) counts up to 12 months after the start of ARB or CCB monotherapy.

RESULTS

We found a significant reduction of serum TC, HbA1c, hemoglobin and hematocrit and RBC count and a significant increase of serum potassium in ARB users, and a reduction of serum TC and hemoglobin in CCB users, from the baseline period to the exposure period. The reductions of RBC count, hemoglobin and hematocrit in ARB users were significantly greater than those in CCB users. The increase of serum potassium in ARB users was significantly greater than that in CCB users.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that hematological adverse effects and electrolyte imbalance are greater with ARB monotherapy than with CCB monotherapy.

Telmisartan improves morphologic and functional changes in both left ventricular myocardium and carotid arterial wall in patients with hypertension: assessment by tissue Doppler imaging and carotid ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to clarify the beneficial effects of telmisartan on the morphologic and functional changes in left ventricular (LV) myocardium and carotid arterial wall in patients with hypertension (HT) using tissue Doppler imaging and carotid ultrasonography.

METHODS

Telmisartan (20-40 mg daily) was administered to 35 previously untreated patients with HT. Conventional and pulsed tissue Doppler echocardiography were performed after medication had been continued for 1-2 months with normal values for blood pressure (BP) (phase I) and for 12 months (phase II). Subclinical atherosclerosis also was determined by measuring the intima-media thickness (IMT) and stiffness β of the left and right common carotid arteries using B- and M-mode ultrasonography.

RESULTS

In the phase II, the LV mass index and isovolumic relaxation time were lower, the peak systolic and early diastolic mitral annular motion velocities were greater compared to the phase I. The stiffness β and mean IMT were lower in the phase II than in the phase I. On multivariate regression analyses, age, BP, and LV diastolic variables emerged as stronger predictors of carotid arterial IMT and stiffness β.

CONCLUSIONS

The 1-year use of telmisartan improved LV hypertrophy, regional LV myocardial contraction and relaxation, and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with HT. Our results support cardio- and arterioprotective benefits from continuous long-term telmisartan monotherapy, and combined analysis of tissue Doppler imaging and carotid ultrasonography may be a useful tool for understanding ventriculoarterial coupling in patients with HT.

Renovascular protective effects of erythropoietin in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Erythropoietin (EPO) has been widely used for the treatment of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD). A growing body of evidence indicates that the therapeutic benefits of EPO could extend beyond the improvement of anemia. The aim of the present study was to determine whether EPO affects renovascular and oxidative stress biomarkers in pre-dialysis CKD patients with anemia.

METHODS

The study was a single-arm prospective study. Fifteen CKD patients (9 males and 6 females, mean age 63 years) with anemia (mean Hb: 8.1 g/dL) were treated with recombinant human EPO; 12,000 U administered subcutaneously once every 2 weeks. Various parameters were measured before and 6 months after treatment. These included serum hemoglobin (Hb), creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria, urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP--a biomarker of renal injury), urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG--a marker of oxidative stress), serum asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) as vascular markers and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as cardiac function markers and cardio-thoracic ratio (CTR) and inferior vena cava dimension (IVCS) as extra fluid retention markers.

RESULTS

After 6 months, serum Hb was significantly increased (p<0.001) and urinary levels of protein, L-FABP and 8-OHdG, carotid IMT, baPWV, plasma BNP and serum ADMA levels were significantly decreased (p<0.001). Serum creatinine, eGFR, LVEF, CTR and IVCS showed little difference throughout the experimental period.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that recombinant human EPO may ameliorate renal injury, oxidative stress and progression of atherosclerosis in addition to improving anemia in CKD patients.

Differential effect of telmisartan and amlodipine on monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma gene expression in peripheral monocytes in patients with essential hypertension

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) play a significant role in monocyte activation, vascular inflammation, and atherogenesis. Angiotensin receptor blockers and calcium channel blockers are antihypertensive drugs with established efficacy and a favorable safety profile. We investigated the effect of telmisartan--an angiotensin receptor blocker with PPAR-γ agonist activity--and amlodipine on the activation state of peripheral blood monocytes with respect to MCP-1 and PPAR-γ gene expression in hypertensives. We recruited 31 previously untreated patients with essential hypertension who were randomly assigned to receive treatment with telmisartan (n = 16) or amlodipine (n = 15). Blood samples were taken before and 3 months after therapy initiation. Mononuclear cells were isolated and mRNAs of MCP-1 and PPAR-γ were estimated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction each time. The 2 treatments decreased all blood pressure components significantly (p <0.001). In contrast, in the amlodipine group, MCP-1 gene expression was significantly downregulated after treatment with telmisartan (from 21.4 ± 20.5 to 8.1 ± 6.5, p = 0.009), whereas the amlodipine group did not show any significant change (12.5 ± 8.5 vs 17.6 ± 16.4, p = NS). In addition, PPAR-γ mRNA levels showed a significant increase in telmisartan-treated patients (from 20 ± 18.5 to 42.6 ± 36, p = 0.006) and no significant alterations in the amlodipine group (from 29.6 ± 42.5 to 24.2 ± 27.7, p = NS). In conclusion, treatment with telmisartan results in a significant attenuation of MCP-1 gene expression and an increase of PPAR-γ gene expression in peripheral monocytes in patients with essential hypertension. Our findings may provide new insights into the cardiovascular protection of telmisartan in hypertensives.

Effects of telmisartan and enalapril on renoprotection in patients with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND

Blocking the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with angiotensin receptor blockers or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors protects against renal injury in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to compare the chronic effects of telmisartan and enalapril on proteinuria, urinary liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) and endothelin (ET)-1 levels in patients with mild CKD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty CKD patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency (20 men and 10 women; mean age, 37 years; estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 60 mL min(-1) and blood pressure > 130/85 mmHg) were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive telmisartan at 80 mg day(-1) (n = 15) or enalapril at 10 mg day(-1) (n = 15). We measured blood pressure, serum creatinine, eGFR, urinary protein, L-FABP and ET-1 before the start of treatment and 6 and 12 months after the start of treatment.

RESULTS

The blood pressure reduction rate was similar between the two groups. Urinary protein, L-FABP and ET-1 levels were significantly reduced in both groups 6 and 12 months (P < 0.001) after treatment, but the reduction rates were more pronounced in patients receiving telmisartan than in those receiving enalapril (P < 0.001). Estimated glomerular filtration rate was increased similarly in both groups at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The study results suggest that telmisartan results in a greater reduction of urinary markers than does enalapril and that this effect occurs by a mechanism independent of blood pressure reduction. It would be needed to investigate whether the differences may be distinct or not the same when other dosages are used.

The estimated GFR, but not the stage of diabetic nephropathy graded by the urinary albumin excretion, is associated with the carotid intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study

Background

To study the relationship between the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery and the stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and diabetic nephropathy graded by the urinary albumin excretion (UAE) in the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed in 338 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The carotid IMT was measured using an ultrasonographic examination.

Results

The mean carotid IMT was 1.06 ± 0.27 mm, and 42% of the subjects showed IMT thickening (≥ 1.1 mm). Cerebrovascular disease and coronary heart disease were frequent in the patients with IMT thickening. The carotid IMT elevated significantly with the stage progression of CKD (0.87 ± 0.19 mm in stage 1, 1.02 ± 0.26 mm in stage 2, 1.11 ± 0.26 mm in stage 3, and 1.11 ± 0.27 mm in stage 4+5). However, the IMT was not significantly different among the various stages of diabetic nephropathy. The IMT was significantly greater in the diabetic patients with hypertension compared to those without hypertension. The IMT positively correlated with the age, the duration of diabetes mellitus, and the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocities (baPWV), and negatively correlated with the eGFR. In a stepwise multivariate regression analysis, the eGFR and the baPWV were independently associated with the carotid IMT.

Conclusions

Our study is the first report showing a relationship between the carotid IMT and the renal parameters including eGFR and the stages of diabetic nephropathy with a confirmed association between the IMT and diabetic macroangiopathy. Our study further confirms the importance of intensive examinations for the early detection of atherosclerosis and positive treatments for hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obesity, as well as hyperglycaemia are necessary when a reduced eGFR is found in diabetic patients.

Resveratrol attenuates angiotensin II-induced interleukin-6 expression and perivascular fibrosis

Recent studies have shown that resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene), a polyphenolic compound found in grapes and red wine, has various beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases and prolongs the life span of mice fed a high-fat diet. We hypothesized that resveratrol may attenuate vascular inflammatory response induced by angiotensin (Ang) II. We examined the effect of resveratrol on Ang II-induced interleukin (IL)-6 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Resveratrol significantly attenuated Ang II-induced IL-6 mRNA expression and IL-6 protein in the supernatant of VSMC in a dose-dependent manner. Resveratrol suppressed the IL-6 gene promoter activity. Resveratrol inhibited the Ang II-induced cAMP-response element-binding protein and nuclear factor-kappa B activity, which are critical for Ang II-induced IL-6 gene activation. An increase in the serum concentration of IL-6 induced by Ang II infusion was attenuated by an oral administration of resveratrol. Resveratrol also inhibited Ang II-induced hypertension and perivascular fibrosis of the heart. Although hydralazine reduced blood pressure level equal to resveratrol, it did not reduce the Ang II-induced IL-6 production and perivascular fibrosis. These data suggest that the inhibition of Ang II-induced vascular inflammation and high blood pressure by resveratrol may contribute, at least in part, to the anti-atherogenic effects of resveratrol.