- Current threat of nitrosamines in pharmaceuticals and scientific strategies for risk mitigation. [Review]J Pharm Sci. 2023 Feb 03 [Online ahead of print]JP
- The current global situation of nitrosamine contamination has expanded from angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) to wide range of medicines as the risk of contamination via the drug substances, formulation, manufacturing process, and packaging is possible for many drug products. The understanding of chemistry, toxicology, and root causes of nitrosamines are mandatory to effectively evaluate an…
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- Novel biomarkers and emerging tools to identify causal molecular pathways in hypertension and associated cardiovascular diseases. [Journal Article]Kardiol Pol. 2023 Feb 05 [Online ahead of print]KP
- Hypertension (HT) is a modifiable risk factor for life-threatening cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) including coronary artery disease, heart failure or stroke. Despite significant progress in understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease, the molecular pathways targeted by HT treatment still remain largely unchanged. This warrants the necessity for searching novel biomarkers, wh…
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- Serum potassium level and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist dose in a large cohort of chronic heart failure patients. [Journal Article]ESC Heart Fail. 2023 Feb 03 [Online ahead of print]EH
- CONCLUSIONS: In this large registry of real-world chronic HF patients, both an increase in serum potassium and hyperkalaemia were associated with a lower odds of receiving the guideline-recommended MRA dose.
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- Patient Eligibility for Established and Novel Guideline-Directed Medical Therapies After Acute Heart Failure Hospitalization. [Journal Article]JACC Heart Fail. 2023 Jan 11 [Online ahead of print]JH
- CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients admitted with AHF are eligible for foundational quadruple therapy and additional novel medications across a spectrum of HF phenotypes.
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- Challenges in the evaluation of endothelial cell dysfunction: a statement from the European Society of Hypertension Working Group on Endothelin and Endothelial Factors. [Journal Article]J Hypertens. 2022 Dec 23 [Online ahead of print]JH
- Endothelial cell function is mediated by different mechanisms in different vascular beds. Moreover, in humans, endothelial cell dysfunction triggers and accelerates the progression of cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases. Progression of such diseases can be in part mitigated by the control of cardiovascular risk factors and drugs targeting different systems, including endothelin receptor an…
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- Losartan controls immune checkpoint blocker-induced edema and improves survival in glioblastoma mouse models. [Journal Article]Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2023 Feb 07; 120(6):e2219199120.PN
- Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs) have failed in all phase III glioblastoma trials. Here, we found that ICBs induce cerebral edema in some patients and mice with glioblastoma. Through single-cell RNA sequencing, intravital imaging, and CD8+ T cell blocking studies in mice, we demonstrated that this edema results from an inflammatory response following antiprogrammed death 1 (PD1) antibody treatme…
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- [Retarding progression of chronic kidney disease]. [Review]Inn Med (Heidelb). 2023 Feb 01 [Online ahead of print]IM
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects about 10-15% of the German population with a steady increase. It is assumed that CKD will become the 5th most common cause of death worldwide in 2040. CKD is associated with high risk of mortality, morbidity, related in particular to cardiovascular disease, as well as high healthcare costs. Clinical strategies to manage CKD should encompass extensive life-styl…
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- Alternative Chemotherapies: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Reduce Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells to Benefit Older Patients with Colorectal Cancer. [Journal Article]Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2023 Jan 09; 28(1):2.FB
- Older individuals are more likely to develop solid cancers, but at the same time are more sensitive to the side effects of chemotherapy. In addition, older adults are more likely to present with chronic diseases (comorbidities) and immunosenescence that may decrease immunosurveillance against cancer. Clinical outcomes for the older patient with cancer are different from the younger patient and re…
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- Cardiorenal benefits of finerenone: protecting kidney and heart. [Review]
- Persons with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a high residual risk of developing cardiovascular (CV) complications despite treatment with renin-angiotensin system blockers and sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors. Overactivation of mineralocorticoid receptors plays a key role in the progression of renal and CV disease, mainly by promoting inflammation and fibrosis. Fineren…
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- Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blocker Prevents Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression in Osteoprotegerin-Deficient Mice via Upregulation of Angiotensin (1-7). [Journal Article]J Am Heart Assoc. 2023 Jan 31 [Online ahead of print]JA
- Background Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) have been shown to limit the growth of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), but their efficacy is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the protective effect of ARBs against AAA progression. Methods and Results Olmesartan, an ARB, was administered to wild-type and osteoprotegerin-knockout (Opg-KO) mi…
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- Thymus vulgaris, a natural pharmacy against COVID-19: A molecular review. [Journal Article]
- CONCLUSIONS: Accordingly, TvL and its bioactive components may prevent COVID-19 complications and has a potential protective role against the deleterious consequences of the disease.
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- A Retrospective Study to Evaluate the Association Between the Glasgow Prognostic Score and Atrial Fibrillation, Stroke, and Mortality at 30 Days and at 1 Year After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery. [Journal Article]Med Sci Monit. 2023 Jan 31; 29:e939283.MS
- BACKGROUND The Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) consists of a combination of serum C-reactive protein and albumin levels as indicators of systematic inflammatory response and nutritional status, respectively. The present retrospective study aimed to evaluate the association between the GPS and atrial fibrillation, stroke, and mortality at 30 days and 1 year after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)…
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- Research Progress on the Efficacy and Safety of Spironolactone in Reversing Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hemodialysis Patients. [Review]
- The mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone has been shown to improve cardiac function and reverse left ventricular hypertrophy in heart failure patients, but there are no consistent findings on the efficacy and safety in hemodialysis patients. Abnormal aldosterone secretion plays a critical role in the formation of left ventricular hypertrophy. Because of the existence of "aldostero…
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- The Use of Evidence-Based Medical Therapy in Patients with Critical Limb-Threatening Ischemia. [Journal Article]Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2023 Jan 27 [Online ahead of print]EJ
- CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CLTI were undertreated with EBM and carried a more adverse prognosis, as compared to patients with MI, despite similar guidelines.
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- Effects of the July 2018 worldwide valsartan recall and shortage on global trends in antihypertensive medication use: a time-series analysis in 83 countries. [Journal Article]
- CONCLUSIONS: Global valsartan purchases substantially decreased post-recall, highlighting the far-reaching impacts of drug shortages. Opposing utilisation trends by economic level raise concerns of potential distribution of contaminated medications from developed countries to developing countries. Concerted actions for equitable global access to quality medications and mitigation of drug shortages are needed.
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- Effects of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) on clinical outcomes of patients with hypertension and COVID-19: A 7-month follow-up cohort study. [Journal Article]J Cardiovasc Thorac Res. 2022; 14(4):253-257.JC
- Introduction: Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the use of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in hypertensive patients with COVID-19 has been controversial. Following our previous study, after one year, we intended to extend our sample size and results to investigate the effects of ARBs with both in-hospital outcomes and 7-month follow-up results in patients with COVID-…
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- Hyperuricaemia, gout and related adverse events associated with antihypertensive drugs: A real-world analysis using the FDA adverse event reporting system. [Journal Article]Front Pharmacol. 2022; 13:1045561.FP
- Background: The role of antihypertensive drugs in inducing hyperuricaemia and gout has been a long-term concern in clinical practice. However, clinical studies regarding this issue are limited in number and have yielded inconsistent results. We comprehensively evaluated the association between various antihypertensive drugs and the occurrences of hyperuricaemia, gout and related adverse events (A…
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- The Real-World Price of Switching to an ARNI: A Case for De Novo Sacubitril/Valsartan Initiation. [Editorial]J Am Coll Cardiol. 2023 Jan 31; 81(4):332-335.JACC
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- Comparative Risk of Angioedema With Sacubitril-Valsartan vs Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone Inhibitors. [Journal Article]J Am Coll Cardiol. 2023 Jan 31; 81(4):321-331.JACC
- CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe an increased risk of angioedema among SV new users compared with ACE inhibitor or ARB users. However, there was an increased risk of angioedema among SV users who recently switched from ACE inhibitor or ARB compared with SV new users.
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- [European guidelines on heart failure: pharmacotherapy]. [Review]Herz. 2023 Jan 25 [Online ahead of print]HERZ
- The new 2021 guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) have broken with the old step by step treatment of heart failure and have fundamentally revised the strategy in the pharmacotherapy setting. For patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction ≤ 40%, the 4 substance groups angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI), …
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- Effect of continuing the use of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors on mortality in patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression analysis. [Meta-Analysis]
- CONCLUSIONS: Previous ACEI/ARB treatment could be continued since it was associated with lower hospital deaths, ICU admission, and IMV in patients with COVID-19, although the benefits of continuing use were mainly shown in observational studies. More evidence from multicenter RCTs are still needed to increase the robustness of the data. Trial registration PROSPERO (CRD42022341169). Registered 27 June 2022.
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- Management of heart failure in patients with kidney disease - updates from the 2021 ESC guidelines. [Journal Article]Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2023 Jan 23 [Online ahead of print]ND
- The wide overlap between the syndromes of chronic kidney disease and chronic heart failure means that familiarity with the 2021 European Society of Cardiology guidelines is of importance to nephrologists. The common risk factors for the two syndromes together with the adverse cardiac structural remodelling associated with chronic kidney disease means that many kidney disease patients are breathle…
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- Losartan impairs HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast migration through inhibition of angiotensin II-induced pro-inflammatory profile in human endometrial stromal cells. [Journal Article]Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2023 Jan 20; 461:116383.TA
- A deep interaction between the endometrium and the invading trophoblast occurs during implantation in humans, with the acquisition of uterine receptivity to the invading embryo promoted by an elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the endometrium, and the invasiveness of decidualizing endometrial stromal cells, augmented by trophoblast-derived signals. Considering that usage of angiotensin II…
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- [Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)-associated mechanisms in diabetic kidney disease and clinical significance of MR antagonists]. [Review]Am J Nephrol. 2023 Jan 20 [Online ahead of print]AJ
- CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is an important contributor to kidney disease progression, as highlighted by the results of trials evaluating angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in patients with albuminuria. Increasing evidence suggests the existence of a multidirectional network that involves aldosterone, the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and the Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) as driving forces in the generation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress-induced injury in the initiation of interstitial nephritis and eventual fibrosis in chronic kidney disease and DKD. The MR is a key element of this triangle, as highlighted by the beneficial effect of MR antagonists in preventing or reducing aldosterone- or Rac1-related effects in basic science studies, and the improved patient outcomes observed in clinical studies.Aldosterone can promote kidney disease in diabetes via the MR and via MR-independent actions through Rac1. However, the MR remains a key element of this triangle, with clinical data supporting the use of MR antagonists in delaying the progression of kidney disease in diabetes.
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- Effects of switching from sacubitril/valsartan to valsartan alone on plasma levels of natriuretic peptides and myocardial remodeling in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. [Journal Article]
- CONCLUSIONS: Switching from ARNI to ARB may worsen HF due to returning to myocardial remodeling induced by a sustained decline in ANP levels.
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- Management of Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction. [Review]Curr Probl Cardiol. 2023 Jan 18 [Online ahead of print]CP
- Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a complex and progressive clinical condition characterized by dyspnea and functional impairment. HFrEF has a high burden of mortality and readmission rate making it one of the most significant public health challenges. Basic treatment strategies include diuretics for symptom relief and use of quadruple therapy (Angiotensin receptor blocker/n…
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- Long-Term Prognosis of Patients with Heart Failure: Follow-Up Results of Journey HF-TR Study Population. [Journal Article]Anatol J Cardiol. 2023 Jan; 27(1):26-33.AJ
- CONCLUSIONS: Despite advances in therapeutic management of patients with heart failure, our study demonstrated that the long-term mortality still is high. Much more efforts are needed to improve the inhospital and long-term survival of patients with chronic heart failure.
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- Concentrations of Transition Metal Ions in Rat Lungs after Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Treatment with His-Leu Dipeptide. [Journal Article]
- Tobacco smoking is deleterious to the lungs because it exposes them to many toxic substances. These include transition metal ions, such as cadmium. However, there is a lack of information about the influence of endogenous metal-binding peptides, such as His-Leu (HL), on the lung distribution of transition metals in smokers. To address this, we administered HL subcutaneously to rats exposed to tob…
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- Effects of Losartan, Atorvastatin, and Aspirin on Blood Pressure and Gut Microbiota in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. [Journal Article]
- Many studies have shown that alterations in the gut microbiota are associated with hypertension. Our study aimed to observe the characteristics of the gut microbiota in hypertension and to further explore whether drug molecules can play a therapeutic role in hypertension by interfering with the gut microbiota. We evaluated the differences in the composition of the gut microbiota in spontaneously …
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- The Neurohormonal Overactivity Syndrome in Heart Failure. [Journal Article]
- Heart failure (HF) is categorized arbitrarily based on the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in HF with reduced (HFrEF; LVEF < 40%), mildly reduced (HFmrEF; LVEF 40-49%), or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF; LVEF ≥ 50%). In this opinion paper, based on (patho)physiological considerations, we contend that the neurohormonal overactivity syndrome (NOHS), which is present in all symptomatic…
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