Aromatase inhibition increases blood pressure and markers of renal injury in female rats

Evaluation of the Inhibitory Potential of Apigenin and Related Flavonoids on Various Proteins Associated with Human Diseases Using AutoDock

We used molecular docking to determine the binding energy and interactions of apigenin and 16 related flavonoids, with 24 distinct proteins having diverse biological functions. We aimed to identify potential inhibitors of these proteins and understand the structural configurations of flavonoids impacting their binding energy. Our results demonstrate that apigenin exhibits high binding energies (a surrogate for binding affinity or inhibitory potential) to all tested proteins. The strongest binding energy was -8.21 kcal/mol for p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases, while the weakest was -5.34 kcal/mol for cyclin-dependent kinase 4. Apigenin and many other flavonoids showed high binding energies on xanthine oxidase (1.1-1.5 fold of febuxostat) and DNA methyltransferases (1.1-1.2 fold of azacytidine). We uncovered high binding energies of apigenin and certain flavonoids with mutated Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog at G12D (KRAS G12D), G12V, and G12C. Consequently, apigenin and certain flavonoids have the potential to effectively inhibit pan-KRAS oncogenic activity, not just on specific KRAS mutations. Apigenin and certain flavonoids also have high binding energies with aromatase (involved in estrogen production) and bacterial infections, i.e., DNA gyrase B and 3R-hydroxy acyl-ACP dehydratase (FABZ). Our findings are pivotal in identifying specific flavonoids that can effectively inhibit targeted proteins, paving the way for the development of innovative flavonoid-based drugs.

Endothelin receptor B is required for the blood pressure-lowering effect of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 in ovariectomized rats

Activation of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) elicits antihypertensive actions in different animal models. The endothelin-1 signaling system plays a fundamental role in blood pressure regulation. Lack of functional endothelin receptor B (ETB) evokes hypertension and salt sensitivity. GPER1 and ETB interact to promote urinary sodium excretion in female rats. We hypothesized that activation of GPER1 protects against hypertension and salt sensitivity induced by ETB antagonism in female rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with radiotelemetry. Animals were then subjected to ovariectomy and simultaneously implanted with minipumps to deliver either the GPER1 agonist G1 or its corresponding vehicle. Two weeks post surgery, we initiated treatment of rats with the ETB antagonist A-192621. Animals were maintained on a normal-salt diet and then challenged with a high-salt diet for an additional 5 days. Assessment of mean arterial blood pressure revealed an increase in vehicle-treated, but not G1-treated, rats in response to ovariectomy. A-192621 increased blood pressure in normal-salt diet-fed vehicle- and G1-treated rats. G1 improved the circadian blood pressure rhythms that were disrupted in A-192621-treated ovariectomized rats. Thus, although systemic GPER1 activation did not protect ovariectomized rats from hypertension and salt sensitivity induced by ETB antagonism, it maintained circadian blood pressure rhythms. Functional ETB is required to elicit the antihypertensive actions of GPER1. Additional studies are needed to improve our understanding of the interaction between G protein-coupled receptors in regulating circadian blood pressure rhythm.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Systemic G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1) activation in rats prevents the increase in blood pressure evoked by ovariectomy. Blockade of endothelin receptor B negates the blood pressure-lowering impact of GPER1 in ovariectomized rats. Endothelin receptor B plays an important role in mediating the blood pressure-lowering action of GPER1 activation in female rats.

Updates in the management of cancer therapy-related hypertension

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide a comprehensive review of hypertension among patients with cancer. Several cancer therapies cause hypertension which has resulted in a growing and vulnerable population of patients with difficult to control hypertension which has significant downstream effects.

RECENT FINDINGS

Hypertension affects up to 50% of cancer patients and higher comorbidity when compared to the general population. Many anticancer therapies can cause hypertension through their treatment effect. Antihypertensive treatment is crucial given cardiovascular mortality is a leading cause of death among cancer patients. It is already known that hypertension is poorly controlled in the general population, and there are additional challenges in management among patients with cancer. Patients with cancer suffer from multimorbidity, are on multiple medications creating concern for drug interactions, and often have blood pressure lability, which can worsen clinical inertia among patients and their providers. It is crucial to effectively treat hypertension in cancer patients to mitigate downstream adverse cardiovascular events.

SUMMARY

In recent years, there have been significant changes in management guidelines of hypertension and simultaneously as influx of new cancer therapeutics. We provide an update on hypertension treatment among patients with cancer on different chemotherapeutic agents.

Aromatase enzyme: Paving the way for exploring aromatization for cardio-renal protection

Documented male-female differences in the risk of cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases have been largely attributed to estrogens. The cardiovascular and renal protective effects of estrogens are mediated via the activation of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor, and involve interactions with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Aromatase, also called estrogen synthase, is a cytochrome P-450 enzyme that plays a pivotal role in the conversion of androgens into estrogens. Estrogens are biosynthesized in gonadal and extra-gonadal sites by the action of aromatase. Evidence suggests that aromatase inhibitors, which are used to treat high estrogen-related pathologies, are associated with the development of cardiovascular events. We review the potential role of aromatization in providing cardio-renal protection and highlight several meta-analysis studies on cardiovascular events associated with aromatase inhibitors. Overall, we present the potential of aromatase enzyme as a fundamental contributor to cardio-renal protection.