Role of renin-angiotensin aldosterone system on short-term blood pressure variability in hypertensive patients.

The relationship between the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system and short-term blood pressure variability has not been well elucidated. Here, we investigated whether blood pressure variability determined by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring differed among patients with primary aldosteronism (PA), renovascular hypertension (RVHT), and essential hypertension (EHT). We examined 25 patients with PA, 28 patients with RVHT, and 18 patients with EHT.

Impact of obstructive sleep apnea on blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors in Japanese men: A cross-sectional study in work-site group.

It has been shown that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is related to hypertension and cardiovascular disease; however, the prevalence of OSA in general population and the impact of it on blood pressure especially in Japan has not been well determined. We have conducted a screening test for OSA from 2003 to 2011. In addition, a cross-sectional analysis was performed in 2012 to determine the association of OSA and cardiovascular risk factors in Japanese men (18-69 years of age; mean age, 44.

Disruption of xanthine oxidoreductase gene attenuates renal ischemia reperfusion injury in mice.

Aims: We examined the roles of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) in renal ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury.

Main Methods: XOR+/+ and XOR+/- mice were subjected to 24-h reperfusion after a 45-min bilateral renal artery occlusion or sham operation. We evaluated the renal damage based on the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr), and histological changes were detected by PAS staining.

Downregulation of Endothelial Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 4 Channel and Small-Conductance of Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels Underpins Impaired Endothelium-Dependent Hyperpolarization in Hypertension.

Endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH)-mediated responses are impaired in hypertension, but the underlying mechanisms have not yet been determined. The activation of small- and intermediate-conductance of Ca-activated K channels (SK and IK) underpins EDH-mediated responses. It was recently reported that Ca influx through endothelial transient receptor potential vanilloid type 4 channel (TRPV4) is a prerequisite for the activation of SK/IK in endothelial cells in specific beds.

Trends in blood pressure control and medication use during 20 years in a hypertension clinic in Japan.

Guidelines for the management of hypertension have recommended strict control of blood pressure to help prevent cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the current status of blood pressure control and trends over the past two decades. Four hundred patients treated for hypertension at Kyushu University Hospital were included in the present study.

Mice heterozygous for the xanthine oxidoreductase gene facilitate lipid accumulation in adipocytes.

Objective: Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) catalyzes the production of uric acid with concomitant generation of reactive oxygen species. XOR has been shown to regulate adipogenesis through the control of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, but its role in adipose tissue remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the role of XOR in adipose tissue using XOR genetically modified mice.

Low diastolic blood pressure was one of the independent predictors of ischemia-like findings of electrocardiogram in patients who underwent coronary angiography.

Background: The underlying cause of a high cardiovascular event rate in the population with low diastolic blood pressure (DBP) has not been fully elucidated.

Methods And Results: The relationship between DBP and ischemia-like findings on electrocardiography (ECG) was investigated in 187 patients who underwent coronary angiography. Patients with conditions affecting ECG (e.

Effects of intravenous nicorandil on the mid-term prognosis of patients with acute heart failure syndrome.

Background: Acute heart failure syndrome (AHFS) remains a major clinical challenge because of its poor prognosis. Nicorandil, a hybrid compound of a potassium-channel opener and nitric oxide donor, has been reported to improve the prognosis of ischemic heart disease. We sought to evaluate the effect of intravenous nicorandil on the mid-term prognosis of AHFS.