Valsartan in Chronic Heart Failure

High-Throughput Screening for Prescribing Cascades Among Real-World Angiotensin-II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) Initiators

Objective

Angiotensin-II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) are commonly prescribed; however, their adverse events may prompt new drug prescription(s), known as prescribing cascades. We aimed to identify potential ARB-induced prescribing cascades using high-throughput sequence symmetry analysis.

Methods

Using claims data from a national sample of Medicare beneficiaries (2011-2020), we identified new ARB users aged ≥66 years with continuous enrollment ≥360 days before and ≥180 days after ARB initiation. We screened for initiation of 446 other (non-antihypertensive) 'marker' drug classes within ±90 days of ARB initiation, generating sequence ratios (SRs) reflecting proportions of ARB users starting the marker class after versus before ARB initiation. Adjusted SRs (aSRs) accounted for prescribing trends over time, and for significant aSRs, we calculated the naturalistic number needed to harm (NNTH); significant signals were reviewed by clinical experts for plausibility.

Results

We identified 320,663 ARB initiators (mean ± SD age 76.0 ± 7.2 years; 62.5% female; 91.5% with hypertension). Of the 446 marker classes evaluated, 17 signals were significant, and three (18%) were classified as potential prescribing cascades after clinical review. The strongest signals ranked by the lowest NNTH included benzodiazepine derivatives (NNTH 2130, 95% CI 1437-4525), adrenergics in combination with anticholinergics, including triple combinations with corticosteroids (NNTH 2656, 95% CI 1585-10074), and other antianemic preparations (NNTH 9416, 95% CI 6606-23784). The strongest signals ranked by highest aSR included other antianemic preparations (aSR 1.7, 95% CI 1.19-2.41), benzodiazepine derivatives (aSR 1.18, 95% CI 1.08-1.3), and adrenergics in combination with anticholinergics, including triple combinations with corticosteroids (aSR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.22).

Conclusion

The identified prescribing cascade signals reflected known and possibly under-recognized ARB adverse events in this Medicare cohort. These hypothesis-generating findings require further investigation to determine the extent and impact of these prescribing cascades on patient outcomes.

Evaluation of Pharmacokinetic Interactions Between the New SGLT2 Inhibitor SHR3824 and Valsartan in Healthy Chinese Volunteers

PURPOSE

Hypertension is often observed in patients with diabetes, and the progression of diabetic nephropathy is closely related to blood pressure elevation. Thus, the effects of hypoglycemic drugs on kidney function and pharmacokinetic interactions in combination with antihypertensive and hypoglycemic drugs are of great clinical value. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic interactions between henagliflozin (SHR3824), a new sodium-dependent glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor class drug, and valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker.

METHODS

A single-center, single-arm, open-label, self-controlled study was conducted in healthy Chinese volunteers. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated with Phoenix WinNonlin version 7.0, and the statistical analysis was performed with SAS version 9.4. Data on pharmacokinetic parameters (single and/or steady-state) were collected and tabulated for different analytes (valsartan and SHR3824) according to the sampling time specified in the protocol. Continuous attention was paid to the safety of all subjects. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a single dose of valsartan on the pharmacokinetic behavior of SHR3824 after multiple doses of SHR3824 (C_max,ss and AUC_τ,ss) and the effect of multiple doses of SHR3824 on the pharmacokinetic behavior of valsartan (C_max, AUC_0-24h, and AUC_0-∞). A mixed effect model was used to estimate the point estimation and 90% CI of the geometric mean ratio of the corresponding pharmacokinetic indices at the combined-medication stage (SHR3824 + valsartan) and the single-medication stage (SHR3824 or valsartan).

FINDINGS

Twelve volunteers were screened into this experiment and underwent blood sampling. The pharmacokinetic properties of SHR3824 were evaluated after its administration alone or in combination with valsartan. Point estimates and 90% CIs of the geometric mean ratio of SHR3824 C_max,ss and AUC_τ,ss were within the conventional bioequivalence range of 80% to 125%. The pharmacokinetic properties of valsartan were evaluated after its administration alone or in combination with SHR3824. The geometric mean ratios and 90% CIs of the valsartan C_max, AUC_0-24h, and AUC_0-∞ were also within the range of 80% to 125%. Thirty-four mild adverse events were reported, with no serious adverse events or suspected unexpected serious adverse reactions.

IMPLICATIONS

This study provides basis for the clinical co-administration of SHR3824 with angiotensin II receptor blockers represented by valsartan. Based on these findings, co-administration of SHR3824 and valsartan seemed to have no effect on the pharmacokinetic properties of either drug. Chinadrugtrials.org.cn Identifier: CTR20180002.

Valsartan protects against ER stress-induced myocardial apoptosis via CHOP/Puma signaling pathway in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Recently studies indicated that valsartan could prevent the progression of heart failure caused by diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), while the mechanisms were still poorly understood. The present study was designed to investigate whether valsartan could reduce the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and DCM-induced cardiac remodeling. Our data has shown that valsartan can ameliorate ER stress-induced cardiac remodeling and myocardial apoptosis in DCM rats. By using of immunofluorescence and RT-PCR, valsartan has been found to play a protective role via down-regulating the expression of transcriptional induction of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (Puma), two crucial factors known to be implicated in the ER stress-induced myocardial apoptosis. And the expression level of Puma was closely related to CHOP. Thus, our experiment strongly suggests that the administration of valsartan can ameliorate the ER stress through blocking the activation of CHOP/Puma signaling pathway, which provides a new insight into the potential molecular mechanism of cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Aliskiren/valsartan combination for the treatment of cardiovascular and renal diseases

Chronic activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) plays a key role in the development of hypertension, and cardiac and renal diseases. RAAS inhibitors, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), improve cardiovascular and renal outcomes. However, studies have shown that residual morbidity and mortality remains high, despite current optimal treatment. More comprehensive control of the RAAS might provide additional reductions in morbidity and mortality. Direct renin inhibitors offer the potential for enhanced RAAS control as they target the system at the point of activation, thereby reducing plasma renin activity (PRA); by contrast, ARBs and ACE inhibitors increase PRA. Elevated PRA is independently associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. A single-pill combination of the direct renin inhibitor, aliskiren, and the ARB, valsartan, at once-daily doses of 150/160 mg and 300/320 mg, has recently been approved by the US FDA for the treatment of hypertension in patients not adequately controlled on aliskiren or ARB monotherapy, and as initial therapy in patients likely to need multiple drugs to achieve their blood pressure goals. This article examines the efficacy, safety and tolerability of aliskiren/valsartan combination therapy, and considers the evidence for the potential organ-protection benefits of this treatment.

Mechanism for blockade of angiotensin subtype 1 receptors to lower plasma glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

AIMS

We investigated the mechanism(s) by which valsartan, a selective antagonist of angiotensin subtype 1 (AT(1)) receptor, decreased plasma glucose in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

The plasma glucose concentration was assessed by the glucose oxidase method. The concentration of beta-endorphin in plasma or medium incubating adrenal medulla was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA levels of the subtype 4 form of glucose transporter (GLUT4) in soleus muscle and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in the liver were detected by Northern blotting analysis, while the protein levels of GLUT4 in isolated soleus muscle and hepatic PEPCK were investigated using Western blotting analysis.

RESULTS

A single intravenous injection of valsartan dose-dependently increased plasma beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (BER) in parallel with the lowering of plasma glucose concentration in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Naloxone and naloxonazine inhibited the plasma glucose-lowering action of valsartan at doses sufficient to block opioid micro-receptors. In contrast to its action in wild-type diabetic mice, valsartan failed to modify plasma glucose in opioid micro-receptor knockout diabetic mice. Bilateral adrenalectomy in STZ-induced diabetic rats eliminated both the plasma glucose-lowering action and the plasma BER-elevating action of valsartan. In the isolated adrenal medulla of STZ-induced diabetic rats, angiotensin II (Ang II) or valsartan did not affect spontaneous BER secretion. Activation of cholinergic receptors by 1.0 micromol/l acetylcholine (ACh) enhanced BER secretion from the isolated adrenal medulla of STZ-induced diabetic rats, but not in the presence of 1.0 nmol/l Ang II, while valsartan reversed this inhibition by Ang II in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment of STZ-induced diabetic rats with valsartan (0.2 mg/kg) three times daily for 3 days resulted in an increase in gene expression of GLUT4 in soleus muscle and impeded the reduction of elevated mRNA or protein level of hepatic PEPCK. Both of these effects were blocked by opioid micro-receptor antagonist.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that blockade of AT(1) receptor by valsartan may enhance the adrenal beta-endorphin secretion induced by ACh, activating the opioid micro-receptors to increase glucose utilization and/or to decrease hepatic gluconeogenesis, resulting in the reduction of plasma glucose in STZ-induced diabetic rats.