Background and Objectives

Although the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Serine/Threonine Kinase 39 (STK39) and hypertension has been reported, the prior studies have been inconsistent. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between rs3754777 and rs6749447, the two SNPs of STK39, and hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in Koreans, residing in the Republic of Korea.

Subjects and Methods

We included 238 hypertensive patients and 260 controls. The associations between genotype and haplotype combination and hypertension were examined. In addition, possible SNP-related differences in the adjusted blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors were analyzed.

Results

There was no significant association between the two SNPs and hypertension. However, the carriers of AA genotype of rs3754777 showed lower blood glucose and cholesterol levels, particularly in females. Genotype of rs6749447 was associated with the waist circumference, triglyceride, and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, only in gender-stratified analysis. The effects of haplotype combinations on risk factors were compatible with genotype effects of each SNP.

Conclusion

Associations between the two SNPs of STK39, rs3754777 and rs6749447, and hypertension were not significant. However, the two SNPs showed genotype-related differences in blood glucose, lipids, and waist circumference, especially in women. Further studies are needed to clarify the effect of STK39 variants in these cardiovascular risk factors.

Background

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) on the cell surface transmits inflammatory signals. A member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, RAGE possesses the V, C1, and C2 ectodomains that collectively constitute the receptor's extracellular structure. However, the molecular mechanism of RAGE biogenesis remains unclear, impeding efforts to control RAGE signaling through cellular regulation.

Methodology and Result

We used co-immunoprecipitation and crossing-linking to study RAGE oligomerization and found that RAGE forms dimer-based oligomers. Via non-reducing SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mutagenesis, we found that cysteines 259 and 301 within the C2 domain form intermolecular disulfide bonds. Using a modified tripartite split GFP complementation strategy and confocal microscopy, we also found that RAGE dimerization occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and that RAGE mutant molecules without the double disulfide bridges are unstable, and are subjected to the ER-associated degradation.

Conclusion

Disulfide bond-mediated RAGE dimerization in the ER is the critical step of RAGE biogenesis. Without formation of intermolecular disulfide bonds in the C2 region, RAGE fails to reach cell surface.

Significance

This is the first report of RAGE intermolecular disulfide bond.

Purpose

The cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) metabolizes arachidonic acid to produce epoxyicosanoid acids, which are involved in vascular tone and regulation of blood pressure. Recent findings suggest that CYP2C19 gene might be considered as a novel candidate gene for treatment of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between two variants, CYP2C19*2 (681G>A) and CYP2C19*3 (636G>A) and the development of essential hypertension (EH) in Koreans.

Materials and Methods

We carried out an association study in a total of 1190 individuals (527 hypertensive subjects and 663 unrelated healthy controls). The CYP2C19 polymorphisms were genotyped using the SNaPShot™ assay.

Results

The distribution of alleles and genotypes of CYP2C19*3 showed significant difference between hypertensive patients and normal controls (p=0.011 and p=0.013, respectively). Logistic regression analysis indicated that the CYP2C19*3 (636A) allele carriers were significantly associated with EH [odds ratio, 0.691; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.512-0.932, p=0.016], in comparison to wild type homozygotes (CYP2C19*1/*1). Neither genotype nor allele distribution of CYP2C19*2 polymorphism showed significant differences between hypertensive and control groups (p>0.05).

Conclusion

Our present findings strengthen the evidence of an association between CYP2C19 gene polymorphism and EH prevalence. In particular, the CYP2C19*3 defective allele may contribute to reduced risk for the development of EH.

Increased arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease independent from blood pressure. Recent studies have shed new light on the importance of inflammation on the pathogenesis of arterial stiffness. Arterial stiffness is associated with the increased activity of angiotensin II, which results in increased NADPH oxidase activity, reduced NO bioavailability and increased production of reactive oxygen species. Angiotensin II signaling activates matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which degrade TGFβ precursors to produce active TGFβ, which then results in increased arterial fibrosis. Angiotensin II signaling also activates cytokines, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, TNF-α, interleukin-1, interleukin-17 and interleukin-6. There is also ample clinical evidence that demonstrates the association of inflammation with increased arterial stiffness. Recent studies have shown that reductions in inflammation can reduce arterial stiffness. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, increased aortic pulse wave velocity in patients was significantly reduced by anti tumor necrosis factor-α therapy. Among the major classes of anti hypertensive drugs, drugs that block the activation of the RAS system may be more effective in reducing the progression of arterial stiffness. Thus, there is rationale for targeting specific inflammatory pathways involved in arterial stiffness in the development of future drugs. Understanding the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of arterial stiffness is important to understanding the complex puzzle that is the pathophysiology of arterial stiffening and may be important for future development of novel treatments.

Purpose

Plasma adiponectin concentrations are inversely related with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and MetS is associated with increased risk for heart failure (HF). However, the relationship between adiponectin and MetS in HF remains undetermined. Therefore, we tested whether MetS was associated with the degree of plasma adiponectin concentrations in HF patients.

Materials and Methods

One hundred twenty eight ambulatory HF patients with left ventricular ejection fraction of <50% (80 males, 61.8±11.9 years old) were enrolled for this cross-sectional study. Echocardiographic measurements were performed, and plasma concentrations of adiponectin, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins (apoB, apoA1) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured.

Results

Adiponectin concentrations in HF patients with MetS (n=43) were significantly lower than those without MetS (n=85) (9.7±7.0 vs. 15.8±10.9 µg/mL, p=0.001). Higher concentrations of apoB (p=0.017), apoB/A1 ratio (p<0.001), blood urea nitrogen (p=0.034), creatinine (p=0.003), and fasting insulin (p=0.004) were observed in HF patients with MetS compared with those without MetS. In HF patients with MetS, adiponectin concentrations were negatively correlated with hsCRP (r=-0.388, p=0.015) and positively correlated with the ratio of early mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity, E/E' (r=0.399, p=0.015). There was a significant trend towards decreased adiponectin concentrations with an increasing number of components of MetS (p for trend=0.012).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that adiponectin concentrations decreased in HF patients with MetS, and that relationship between adiponectin, inflammation and abnormal diastolic function, possibly leading to the progression of HF.

We have hypothesized that non-dipper status and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) are associated with the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in non-diabetic hypertensive patients. This study included 102 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and echocardiography were performed at the beginning of the study, and the serum creatinine levels were followed. During the average follow-up period of 51 months, CKD developed in 11 patients. There was a significant difference in the incidence of CKD between dippers and non-dippers (5.0% vs 19.0%, P < 0.05). Compared to patients without CKD, patients with incident CKD had a higher urine albumin/creatinine ratio (52.3 ± 58.6 mg/g vs 17.8 ± 29.3 mg/g, P < 0.01), non-dipper status (72.7% vs 37.4%, P < 0.05), the presence of LVH (27.3% vs 5.5%, P < 0.05), and a lower serum HDL-cholesterol level (41.7 ± 8.3 mg/dL vs 50.4 ± 12.4 mg/dL, P < 0.05). Based on multivariate Cox regression analysis, non-dipper status and the presence of LVH were independent predictors of incident CKD. These findings suggest that non-dipper status and LVH may be the therapeutic targets for preventing the development of CKD in non-diabetic hypertensive patients.

Background

Lipid metabolites and cytokines, including chemokines and growth factors, are the key regulators of immune cell function and differentiation, and thus, dysregulation of these regulators is associated with various human diseases. However, previous studies demonstrating a positive correlation of cytokine levels with aging may have been influenced by various environmental factors and underlying diseases. Also, data regarding cytokine profiling in the elderly are limited to a small subset of cytokines.

Methods

We compared the profiles of 22 cytokines, including chemokines and growth factors, in a case-controlled study group of a gender-matched, healthy cohort of 55 patients over the age of 65 and 55 patients under the age of 45. Assessment of serum cytokine concentrations was performed using commercially-available multiplex bead-based sandwich immunoassays.

Results

Soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-α) levels were significantly higher in the elderly patients, whereas granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels were significantly lower in the elderly patients. The partial correlation analysis demonstrating the correlation between cytokine levels when controlled for gender, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, and serum creatinine levels further demonstrated that G-CSF, GM-CSF, and MCP-1 had significant negative correlations with age, whereas sCD40L and TGF-α had significant positive correlations.

Conclusions

Future studies will focus on examining the significance of these age-related changes in circulating cytokines and other biological markers and their potential contribution to the development of different age-associated diseases.

Background and Objectives

Vascular perturbation induced by advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) leads to progression of atherosclerosis, plaque instability, and vascular inflammation, which results in a higher risk of neointimal proliferation. Here we investigated the inhibitory effect of alagebrium chloride (ALT-711), a breaker of AGE-based cross links, on neointimal proliferation in a carotid artery balloon injury model in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ).

Materials and Methods

Rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) were treated with 1-100 µM of alagebrium added 24 hours before the addition of AGEs. This in vivo study was done using 8-week-old male rats that were injected intraperitoneally with 80 mg/kg STZ. Sixteen weeks later, the diabetic rats were treated with 10 mg/kg alagebrium for 4 weeks, after which carotid artery balloon injury was induced. After 4 weeks, the animals were sacrificed for histological analysis.

Results

Proliferation of RASMCs was significantly inhibited in alagebrium-treated cells. Alagebrium dose-dependently inhibited AGE-mediated formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation, and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. The cellular mechanisms of AGE-induced connective tissue and extracellular matrix expression were decreased in the alagebrium-treated group. This in vivo study shows that expression of AGE receptors and neointima hyperplasia are significantly suppressed in balloon-injured rats treated with alagebrium.

Conclusion

Alagebrium treatment in diabetic rats significantly inhibits neointimal hyperplasia after carotid balloon injury due to its inhibition of intracellular ROS synthesis, which results in inhibition of RASMCs proliferation.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine whether retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), adiponectin and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin are associated with insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic parameters in non-diabetic hypertensive patients. Also, we sought to compare the predictive values of these adipocytokines for IR in non-diabetic hypertensive patients.

Materials and Methods

Analyses of RBP4, adiponectin, and HMW adiponectin were performed on 308 non-diabetic hypertensives (148 males, age 58 ± 10 years, 189 non-metabolic syndrome and 119 metabolic syndrome). The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index for IR, lipid profiles, and anthropometric measure-ments were assessed.

Results

There was no significant difference in RBP4 levels according to the presence of metabolic syndrome, although adiponectin and HMW adiponectin were significantly lower in metabolic syndrome. Correlation analysis of log RBP4 with IR and metabolic indices revealed that there was no significant correlation of RBP4 with waist circumference (r = 0.056, p = 0.324), HDL cholesterol (r = 0.005, p = 0.934), ApoB/ApoAI ratio (r = 0.066, p = 0.270), and the HOMA index (r = 0.017, p = 0.756). However, adiponectin and HMW adiponectin showed significant correlations with the HOMA index (r = - 0.247, p < 0.001; r = - 0.296, p < 0.001) and metabolic parameters. With IR defined as HOMA index ≥ 2.5, HMW adiponectin did not demonstrate a superior predictive value for IR compared to adiponectin (AUC = 0.680 vs. 0.648, p = 0.083). The predictive value of RBP4 for IR was minimal (AUC = 0.534).

Conclusion

RBP4 was not associated with IR or metabolic indices and the predictive value for IR was minimal in hypertensives. HMW adiponectin didn't have a superior predictive value for IR compared to adiponectin. Therefore, we can suggest that RBP4 and HMW adiponectin don't have more additive information than adiponectin in non-diabetic hypertensives.

Purpose

In the present study, we tested whether the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) would worsen the features of inflammation, plasma omega 3 fatty acid levels and antioxidant potential in treated hypertensive patients.

Materials and Methods

Two groups were classified by the components of MetS: a reference group of treated hypertensive subjects: hypertension (HTN) group (n = 39) and with more than two additional MetS components: HTN with Mets group (n = 40). We further compared the parameters between HTN group and HTN with MetS group.

Results

The results showed that age (p < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001) were significantly different between HTN group and HTN with MetS group. Age- and BMI-adjusted total radical trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) (p < 0.01) was significantly lower, whereas age- and BMI-adjusted CD (p < 0.05) and interleukin (IL) 6 (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in HTN with MetS group than in HTN group. Moreover, HTN with MetS group had significantly lower levels of age- and BMI-adjusted plasma phospholipid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) than HTN group (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the levels of age- and BMI-adjusted intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), adiponectin and high molecular weight (HMW)-adiponectin were not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our results showed increased inflammatory marker, reduced antioxidant potential and EPA levels in treated hypertensive patients in the presence of MetS, suggesting the importance of changes of therapeutic lifestyle to modify the features of MetS.

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a pattern recognition receptor (PRR) that interacts with diverse endogenous ligands. Ligation of RAGE triggers a series of cellular signaling events, including the activation of transcription factor NF-κB, leading to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and causing inflammation. While acute inflammation serves to resolve pathogen infection and stresses, which promote tissue repair, persistent inflammation results in maladaptive tissue remodeling and damage. RAGE signaling has been implicated in multiple detrimental human illnesses including diabetes, atherosclerosis, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, prolonged inflammation often serves as the precursor for arterial remodeling that underlies the exponential increase of age-associated arterial diseases. Despite the significant progress and exciting discoveries in RAGE research, little is known on the biochemistry of RAGE and the signaling mechanism of RAGE remains poorly defined. The biological impact of RAGE signaling in clinical situations and aging-associated diseases also remains to be fully realized. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive summary on both recent findings and missing pieces of the RAGE puzzle.

Purpose

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are known to inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) by increasing the activity of p27Kip1 and retinoblastoma protein (RB). However, the upstream signaling mechanisms associated with this pathway have not been elucidated. The Akt-mTOR-P70S6 kinase pathway is the central regulator of cell growth and proliferation, and increases cell proliferation by inhibiting the activities of p27Kip1 and retinoblastoma protein (RB). Therefore, we hypothesized in this study that rosiglitazone inhibits VSMC proliferation through the inhibition of the Akt-TOR-P70S6K signaling pathway.

Materials and Methods

Rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RAoSMCs) were treated with 10 µM of rosiglitazone 24 hours before the addition of insulin as a mitogenic stimulus. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the inhibitory effect of rosiglitazone treatment on the Akt-mTOR-P70S6K signaling pathway. Carotid balloon injury was also performed in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) diabetic rats that were pretreated with 3 mg/kg of rosiglitazone.

Results

Western blot analysis demonstrated significant inhibition of activation of p-Akt, p-m-TOR, and p-p70S6K in cells treated with rosiglitazone. The inhibition of the activation of the p-mTOR-p-p70S6K pathway seemed to be mediated by both the upstream PI3K pathway and MEK-ERK complex.

Conclusion

The inhibitory effect of rosiglitazone on RAoSMC proliferation in vitro and in vivo is mediated by the inhibition of the Akt-mTOR-P70S6K pathway.

Purpose

This study was designed as a multicenter, randomized, open-label study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Clotinab™. We expected to obtain same results as with ReoPro® in improving ischemic cardiac complications in high-risk patients who were about to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Patients and Methods

Patients of 19 - 80 years of age with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who were about to undergo PCI were enrolled. After screening and confirmation of eligibility, patients were randomly assigned to different groups. Clotinab™ was given to 84 patients (58.7 ± 10.6 years, M : F = 68 : 16) and ReoPro® (59.0 ± 10.5 years, M : F = 30 : 10) was given to 40 patients before PCI. The primary efficacy endpoint was the onset of major adverse cardiac event (MACE) within 30 days from day 1. The tolerability endpoints were assessed based on bleeding, thrombocytopenia, change in Hb/Hct, human antichimetric antibody development, and adverse events.

Results

The number of Clotinab™ patients experiencing MACE was 0 out of 76 per protocol (PP) patients. The MACE rate was 0%, and its 95% exact CI was [0.00 - 4.74%]. A major bleeding event developed in 3 patients in the ReoPro® group. The probability of MACE onset in Clotinab™ was estimated to be less than 5%. There was no clinically significant result in tolerability variables.

Conclusion

Clotinab™ is an effective and safe medicine in preventing ischemic cardiac complications for high-risk patients who will receive PCI.

Purpose

The objective of this study was to determine whether the progressive increase of metabolic syndrome (MetS) score, the number of components of MetS, is correlated significantly with increasing pulse pressure (PP).

Materials and Methods

4,034 subjects were enrolled from the Cardiovascular Genome Center of Yonsei University (M : F = 2344 : 1690, 55.2 ± 10.5). Most of the study population were recruited from hypertension clinics, controlled with medications according to JNC7 guidelines. The Asian modified criteria of MetS were applied and MetS score was estimated. The HOMA index for insulin resistance, cholesterol profiles, and anthropometric measurements were assessed.

Results

Among 4034 participants, 1690 (41.9%) were classified as MetS. Progressive increase in PP was demonstrated for increasing components of the MetS score. Multiple linear regression analysis with PP as the dependent variable showed that age (β = 0.311, p < 0.001), MetS score (β = 0.226, p < 0.001), male gender (β = -0.093, p < 0.001) and HOMA index IR (β = 0.033, p = 0.03) are significantly associated with PP (R2 = 0.207, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The present results from this study demonstrate that increasing MetS score is an independent determinant of increasing PP. The results also demonstrate the independent role of MetS in increasing arterial stiffness and PP.

Purpose

Hypertensive response to exercise (HRE) is known to be an adverse prognostic factor for future cardiovascular events and may be associated to endothelial dysfunction. Previous studies regarding endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) Glu298Asp polymorphism focused upon its relation to hypertension. In this study, we hypothesize that the polymorphism may be associated with inherent difference in endothelial response to exercise.

Patients and Methods

Two hundred sixty nine patients who underwent treadmill test were enrolled in this study; 77 patients (mean age 55.8 ± 9.4 years) had hypertensive response (peak systolic BP of ≥ 210mmHg in men and ≥ 190mmHg in women). Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured on 153 patients of them. The Glu298Asp exchange in exon 7 was determined by the methods of single base extension with amplifying primers and probes for TaqMan.

Results

The percentages of the GG, GT and TT genotypes were 81.0, 18.6 and 0.4%, respectively. The presence of GT or TT genotype was independently associated with prevention of HRE when controlled for age, sex, baseline systolic BP and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index (OR = 0.35, p = 0.016). Subgroup analysis showed that preventive effect for HRE of T allele was significant in females (p < 0.001) and patients without insulin resistance (p = 0.009).

Conclusion

In our study, eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphism was significantly associated with HRE. This result suggests that the presence of T allele of the Glu298Asp polymorphism may be a favorable factor to in preventing HRE, especially in female and patients without insulin resistance.

Antiarrhythmic agents may increase capture threshold, but this is rarely of clinical significance. Flecainide acetate, a class IC agent, is reported to have a significant effect on the myocardial capture threshold. In this presentation, we report the case of a 72-year-old male, with a previously implanted VVI pacemaker due to sick sinus syndrome, who was treated with flecainide acetate for paroxysmal atrial arrhythmia control. During the fifteenth day of treatment, an abrupt rise in the ventricular capture threshold with ventricular pacing failure was noted. The capture threshold decreased two days after discontinuation of flecainide acetate.