Angiotensin receptor blockers shift the circadian rhythm of blood pressure by suppressing tubular sodium reabsorption.

Recently, we found that an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) restored the circadian rhythm of the blood pressure (BP) from a nondipper to a dipper pattern, similar to that achieved with sodium intake restriction and diuretics (Fukuda M, Yamanaka T, Mizuno M, Motokawa M, Shirasawa Y, Miyagi S, Nishio T, Yoshida A, Kimura G. J Hypertens 26: 583-588, 2008). ARB enhanced natriuresis during the day, while BP was markedly lower during the night, resulting in the dipper pattern.

Estrogen and isoflavone attenuate stress-induced gastric mucosal injury by inhibiting decreases in gastric tissue levels of CGRP in ovariectomized rats.

We have previously reported that CGRP plays a critical role in the reduction of stress-induced gastric mucosal injury by increasing gastric prostacyclin (PGI(2)) levels in rats. Estrogen has been shown to increase the production of CGRP in sensory neurons. Isoflavone has estrogen-like effects and is referred to as a phytoestrogen.

Acetaldehyde alters Ca2+-release channel gating and muscle contraction in a dose-dependent manner.

We studied whether acetaldehyde, which is produced by alcohol consumption, impacts ryanodine receptor (RyR) activity and muscle force. Exposure to approximately 50-200 microM acetaldehyde enhanced channel activity of frog RyR and rabbit RyR1 incorporated into lipid bilayers. An increase in acetaldehyde to 1 mM modified channel activity in a time-dependent manner, with a brief activation and then inhibition.