Erythrocyte sodium-lithium countertransport in non-modulating offspring and essential hypertensive individuals: response to enalapril

Pharmacokinetics of liposomal curcumin (Lipocurc™) infusion: effect of co-medication in cancer patients and comparison with healthy individuals

PURPOSE

Investigation of the impact of co-medication on the plasma levels of curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) in cancer patients and a comparison of the pharmacokinetics of curcumin and plasma levels of THC between cancer patients and healthy individuals following intravenous infusion of Lipocurc™ (liposomal curcumin).

METHODS

Correlation analysis was used to determine the impact of co-medication on infusion rate normalized plasma levels of curcumin and THC in cancer patients and to compare the plasma levels of curcumin and THC at different infusion rates between cancer patients and healthy individuals. In vitro hepatocyte and red blood cell distribution experiments were conducted with Lipocurc™ to support clinical findings. Plasma concentration time data were analyzed by the non-compartmental method to determine and compare the pharmacokinetic parameters of curcumin in cancer patients and healthy individuals.

RESULTS

Of 44 co-medications studied, three medications targeting the renin-angiotensin system, Lisinopril, Ramipril, and Valsartan elevated plasma levels of curcumin and THC in three cancer patients infused with Lipocurc™. Cell distribution experiments indicated that the disposition of curcumin in red blood cells may be a target for elevation of the plasma levels of curcumin. Plasma levels of curcumin in cancer patients increased to a greater extent with increased infusion rate compared to healthy individuals. Upon termination of infusion, the elimination phase for curcumin was shorter with a shorter terminal half-life and smaller volume of distribution for curcumin in cancer patients compared to healthy individuals.

CONCLUSION

Either co-medications or health status, or both, can impact the pharmacokinetics of curcumin infusion (as Lipocurc™) in cancer patients.

Primate response to angiotensin infusion and high sodium intake differ by sodium lithium countertransport phenotype

An increased level of sodium-lithium countertransport (SLC) activity has been associated with salt-sensitive hypertension. Previous findings have suggested that dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) may be involved in the mechanism linking elevated SLC activity and hypertension. Therefore, baboons with different levels of SLC activity were given two diets differing in sodium content, with and without an angiotensin II (ANG II) infusion, to investigate the relationship between SLC activity, the RAAS, and physiological regulation by sodium. Although we anticipated that high SLC activity would be associated with inappropriate function of the RAAS and greater arterial pressure sensitivity to dietary sodium and ANG II and that low SLC activity would be associated with the least BP sensitivity, we found that the low SLC phenotype correlated with BP sensitivity similar to the high SLC phenotype, and the normal SLC phenotype showed the least BP sensitivity to dietary sodium and ANG II.

Vascular oxidative stress is associated with insulin resistance in hyper-reninemic nonmodulating essential hypertension

BACKGROUND

Nonmodulating hypertension (NMHT) is a high-renin subtype of salt-sensitive hypertension due to renal hemodynamic alterations.

AIMS

To evaluate, in NMHT, whether the increased oxidative stress, which interferes with endothelial function, could be the consequence of an elevated renin-angiotensin activity and insulin resistance.

METHODS

Fourteen patients with NMHT and 12 with modulating hypertension (MHT) were included. Plasma renin activity (PRA) and glucose/insulin tolerance test were performed and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index and areas under the curves (AUC) calculated. Urinary nitrites and nitrates (NOx), urinary cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) activity, urinary isoprostanes and plasma nitrotyrosine levels were also measured.

RESULTS

PRA was higher in NMHT than MHT. In addition, L-arginine infusion increased effective renal plasma flow in MHT but not in NMHT. Insulin levels were higher in NMHT both at fasting and at 120 min, as were HOMA and AUC values. In MHT, NOx and cGMP significantly increased when moving from low to high Na+ intake, while nitrotyrosine mass and isoprostanes failed to show any change. On the contrary, in NMHT under low Na+ intake, urinary NOx levels were significantly higher than MHT under high Na+ intake, and failed to show any change under high Na intake; cGMP also failed to show any change when patients moved from low to high Na+ intake. Nitrotyrosine mass and isoprostanes, like to NOx, were significantly higher in NMHT under both low and high Na+ intake.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that, in NMHT, a possible association between higher renin-angiotensin system activity, insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction, showed for the first time in the same subjects, might result in systemic vascular and renal endothelial dysfunction, salt-sensitive hypertension and high cardiovascular risk.

Involvement of the Na+-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchange (AE) isoform in the compensation of myocardial Na+/H+ isoform 1 hyperactivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Enhanced activity of Na+/H+ isoform 1 (NHE-1) and the Na+-independent Cl-/HCO3- exchange (AE) is a feature of the hypertrophied myocardium in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The present study explored the possibility that sustained intracellular acidosis due to increased myocardial acid loading through AE causes NHE-1 enhancement. To this aim, SHR were treated for 2 weeks with a rabbit polyclonal antibody against an AE3 isoform that was recently developed and proven to have inhibitory effects on myocardial AE activity. We then compared the AE activity in the left ventricle papillary muscles isolated from untreated SHR with antiAE3-treated SHR; AE activity was measured in terms of the rate of intracellular pH recovery after an intracellular alkali load was introduced. AE activity was diminished by approximately 70% in SHR treated with the antiAE3 antibody, suggesting that the AE3 isoform is a major carrier of acid-equivalent influx in the hypertrophied myocardium. However, the antibody treatment failed to normalize NHE-1 activity that remained elevated in the myocardium of normotensive rats. The data therefore rule out the possibility that NHE-1 hyperactivity in hypertensive myocardium was due to sustained intracellular acidosis induced by increased AE activity that characterizes SHR myocardial tissue.

Reduced activity of the kallikrein-kinin system predominates over renin-angiotensin system overactivity in all conditions of sodium balance in essential hypertensives and family-related hypertension

OBJECTIVE

To study the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and kallikrein-kinin systems in essential hypertensives and offspring of hypertensive parents during different sodium loads, and to explore their possible influence on renal hemodynamics.

METHODS

Forty-five essential hypertensives (35 +/- 4 years old, 25 males), 30 offspring of hypertensive parents (26 +/- 8 years old, 16 males) and 30 normotensive controls (28 +/- 5 years old, 20 males) were submitted to three different sodium loads (high, 250 mmol/l; normal, 140 mmol/l; and low, 20 mmol/l). Blood pressure, plasma renin activity, serum aldosterone, total kallikrein and urinary kallikrein-like activity were measured after each period. Effective renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate were also measured. In essential hypertensive subjects, renal hemodynamic and hormonal parameters were also measured after 3 days of 20 mg enalapril administration.

RESULTS

Plasma renin activity and serum aldosterone were higher in normotensives, essential hypertensives and offspring of hypertensive parents only during low sodium intake, whereas urinary kallikrein activity was lower in hypertensive offspring and essential hypertensives, compared with normotensives, during the three diet conditions. Effective renal plasma flow was found to be reduced in hypertensives and normotensive offspring, while the glomerular filtration rated was similar in the three groups. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) administration to essential hypertensives for 3 days normalized effective renal plasma flow, increased plasma renin activity and decreased aldosterone and urinary kallikrein activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations confirmed the presence of a hormonal imbalance between the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and the kallikrein-kinin system, not only in essential hypertensives but also in the offspring of hypertensive parents. This imbalance probably affects the renal circulation and sodium homeostasis, since there was reduced effective renal plasma flow in both populations compared with normotensive subjects. The positive effect of ACEI, resulting in normalization of the effective renal plasma flow in essential hypertensive patients, suggests the involvement of both systems in impaired renal circulation.

Higher urinary albumin excretion is associated with abnormal erythrocyte Na(+)/Li(+) countertransport (SLC) in non-modulating essential hypertensives and offspring of hypertensive parents

Non-modulating is a highly reproducible type of sodium-sensitive hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate in non-modulating individuals the erythrocyte sodium-lithium countertransport (SLC) abnormalities, which have been mentioned as a marker of non-modulation, and the association with increased microalbuminuria, as a marker of an early kidney impairment. We measured erythrocyte SLC in 10 normotensives (NT, 28 +/- 4 years), 20 offspring of hypertensive parents being 10 modulating (MHO, 25 +/- 6 years) and 10 non-modulating (NMHO, 26 +/- 5 years), and 23 essential hypertensives being 12 modulating (MHT, 34 +/- 5 years) and 11 non-modulating (NMHT, 32 +/- 4 years). In all the subjects studied, microalbuminuria was determined by duplicate 24-h urine collection by radioimmunoassay. In non-modulating offspring of hypertensive parents and essential hypertensives. SLC was significantly elevated when compared either with normotensives without family history of hypertension, modulating offspring of hypertensive parents or essential hypertensives (P < 0.025). Likewise, 24-h urinary albumin excretion was found higher in non-modulating individuals (essential hypertensives and offspring of hypertensive parents) than in modulating individuals (P < 0.01). In conclusion, non-modulators with higher SLC countertransport sodium transport abnormalities showed higher elimination of microalbuminuria suggesting that non-modulators may have an increased risk for developing cardiovascular morbidity and kidney impairment even in normotensive subjects with familiarity history of hypertension.

Fibroblast Na+-Li+ countertransport rate is elevated in essential hypertension

OBJECTIVES

Elevated erythrocyte Na+- Li+ countertransport (SLC) rates are commonly found in essential hypertension. We have recently shown that human skin fibroblasts functionally express a phloretin-sensitive Na+-H+ exchange (NHE) which may also be similar to erythrocyte SLC because of amiloride-insensitivity.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We investigated whether elevations in fibroblast SLC parallel the known elevations in erythrocyte SLC and in cell NHE that characterize essential hypertension.

RESULTS

Higher fibroblast SLC rates were found among hypertensive patients (n = 23, median 48.8 nmol Li+/ mg(protein) per min) than in 19 normotensive individuals of similar age and sex (median 14.8 nmol Li+/mg(protein) per min, P= 0.0002). As expected, erythrocyte SLC was elevated in patients with hypertension (median 411 versus 329 micromol/l(cell) per h, P= 0.0273), but was not quantitatively related to fibroblast SLC. Finally, fibroblast NHE exchange activity was higher in essential hypertension (median Vmax 14.2 versus 7.6 mmol H+/l(cell) per min, P= 0.002), but was unrelated to fibroblast SLC.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings extend to human skin fibroblasts the notion of abnormal Li+ transport in essential hypertension, and appear to be in accordance with the hypothesis that fibroblast SLC may be independent of NHE. However, molecular studies will be required to understand whether distinct exchangers and/or regulation mechanisms underlie these dysregulations.

Sodium-lithium countertransport activity is linked to chromosome 5 in baboons

The genes involved in the regulation of cellular sodium transport characteristics, which are correlated with some forms of essential hypertension, have not yet been identified. We are studying the genes and environmental factors that affect red blood cell sodium-lithium countertransport (SLC) activity and intracellular sodium (ICNa) concentration in 634 baboons that comprise 11 pedigrees of 2 and 3 generations each. To detect and locate possible quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that affect SLC activity and ICNa concentration, we performed a genome screen by using a maximum likelihood-based variance-components linkage analysis program (SOLAR). SLC and ICNa phenotypes as well as genotypes on 281 microsatellite loci were available for all pedigreed animals. Both SLC and ICNa traits were highly heritable (residual heritability 0.593+/-0.083 [P<0.0001] and 0.739+/-0.082 [P<0.0001], respectively). We obtained evidence that a possible QTL for SLC activity is located on the baboon homologue of human chromosome 4 between D4S2456 and D4S2365 with a maximum multipoint lod score of 9.3 (P<10(-)(10)) near D4S1645. This QTL accounts for approximately two thirds of the total additive genetic variation in SLC activity in baboons. Although ICNa concentration was highly heritable, we found no evidence for linkage to a QTL with use of this methodology. Thus, we have evidence that a gene located on the baboon homologue of human chromosome 4 (baboon chromosome 5) affects cell sodium transport in baboons.

Renal response to captopril reflects state of local renin system in healthy humans

BACKGROUND

Heightened activity of the renin-angiotensin system has been linked to the development of both essential hypertension and diabetic nephropathy. Blunting of the renal vasoconstrictor response to Ang II, specifically when it is corrected by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, is a feature which we have employed as a marker for activation of the intrarenal RAS. In this study we tested the hypothesis that variation in the renal vasodilator response to ACE inhibition in healthy humans reflected the variation in angiotensin-mediated renal vasoconstriction provoked by a low-salt diet.

METHODS

We studied 20 healthy people (ages 19 to 57; 15 males) who were in balance on a low sodium diet. Ang II was infused for 45 minutes (3 ng/kg/min), followed by 25 mg captopril and a repeat Ang II infusion; PAH clearance was measured at the end of each interval.

RESULTS

All subjects responded to captopril with a rise in renal plasma flow (range 43 to 242, mean 118 + 12 ml/min/1.73 m2). Individual vasodilator response to captopril was a strong inverse predictor of the precaptopril vasoconstrictor response to Ang II (P = 0.006, r = -0.59). There was a stronger, positive correlation of the vasodilator response to captopril and enhancement of Ang II responsiveness after captopril (r = 0.57). Plasma renin activity was significantly correlated with captopril response among the large responders (P = 0.003; r = 0.83), but not at all among those with little response.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest substantial variation in angiotensin-mediated control of the renal circulation in healthy individuals on a low sodium intake. Variation in the vasodilator response to captopril, correlated with responses to Ang II, provides a measure of that control.

Prospective analysis of traits related to 6-year change in sodium-lithium countertransport. Gubbio Population Study Research Group

Sodium-lithium countertransport (Na-Li CT) activity in red blood cells relates cross-sectionally and longitudinally to blood pressure and hypertension. Lifestyle and metabolic factors relate cross-sectionally to this sodium transporter. The aim of this study was to conduct a prospective analysis of 6-year Na-Li CT change and of traits related to Na-Li CT change. In 2183 participants in the Gubbio Population Study (972 men and 1211 women; baseline ages, 18 to 74 years), the following data collected at baseline and 6-year follow-up were analyzed: Na-Li CT; gender; age; body mass index (BMI); blood pressure; antihypertensive treatment; alcohol intake; smoking habits; urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio; and plasma cholesterol, glucose, uric acid, sodium, potassium, and triglycerides (measured only at follow-up). Six-year changes were defined as follow-up minus baseline values. Na-Li CT was higher at follow-up than at baseline in both genders (P<0.001). Baseline Na-Li CT; baseline and change values of BMI; and change values of alcohol intake, plasma potassium, and plasma glucose related to Na-Li CT change significantly and independently with control for other variables. Follow-up plasma triglyceride levels also related independently to Na-Li CT change. Coefficients were positive for BMI, alcohol intake, and plasma glucose and triglyceride levels and were negative for baseline Na-Li CT and plasma potassium levels. Baseline and change values of other variables did not relate significantly to Na-Li CT change. In conclusion, in prospective analyses, BMI, alcohol intake, plasma glucose, and lipids were directly related to Na-Li CT change; baseline Na-Li CT and plasma potassium levels were inversely related. The data support the concept that lifestyle and related metabolic factors influence Na-Li CT.