Development of obesity can be prevented in rats by chronic icv infusions of AngII but less by Ang(1-7).

Considering that obesity is one of the leading risks for death worldwide, it should be noted that a brain-related mechanism is involved in AngII-induced and AT1-receptor-dependent weight loss. It is moreover established that activation of the Ang(1-7)/ACE2/Mas axis reduces weight, but it remains unclear whether this Ang(1-7) effect is also mediated via a brain-related mechanism. Additionally to Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, we used TGR(ASrAOGEN) selectively lacking brain angiotensinogen, the precursor to AngII, as we speculated that effects are more pronounced in a model with low brain RAS activity. Rats were fed with high-calorie cafeteria diet. We investigated weight regulation, food behavior, and energy balance in response to chronic icv.-infusions of AngII (200 ng•h-1), or Ang(1-7) (200/600 ng•h-1) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid. High- but not low-dose Ang(1-7) slightly decreased weight gain and energy intake in SD rats. AngII showed an anti-obese efficacy in SD rats by decreasing energy intake and increasing energy expenditure and also improved glucose control. TGR(ASrAOGEN) were protected from developing obesity. However, Ang(1-7) did not reveal any effects in TGR(ASrAOGEN) and those of AngII were minor compared to SD rats. Our results emphasize that brain AngII is a key contributor for regulating energy homeostasis and weight in obesity by serving as a negative brain-related feedback signal to alleviate weight gain. Brain-related anti-obese potency of Ang(1-7) is lower than AngII but must be further investigated by using other transgenic models as TGR(ASrAOGEN) proved to be less valuable for answering this question.

The Austrian Bone Marrow Donor Registry: Providing Patients in Austria with Unrelated Donors for Transplant - a Worldwide Cooperation.

BACKGROUND: The Austrian Bone Marrow Donor Registry is the central search coordinating unit in charge of national and international donor searches in Austria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1988 and 2010, a worldwide search for an unrelated donor of blood stem cells (URD) was initiated for 2,166 Austrian patients with haematological disorders, 1,671 adults and 495 children, by the Austrian Bone Marrow Donor Registry. RESULTS: An URD was identified for 78.3% of the patients between 2008 and 2010, for 76.7% of the patients between 2004 and 2007, for 71.3% between 1996 and 2003, but only for 53.4% of the patients in the initial period of 1988-1995. Thus, results of international donor searches improve over time. In contrast, search duration decreases steadily: Search times of successful searches decreased from about 8 months in the first period between 1988 and 1996 to 1.84 months in 2010. Overall, 1,558 of the 2,166 patients (71.9%) could be provided with a matching donor. However, not every patient provided with a URD was transplanted. Overall, only 1,141 of 2,166 patients (52.7%) proceeded to transplant. CONCLUSION: Figures have significantly improved for the latest period of donor searches between 2008 and 2010. In this period, a donor could be found for 78.3%, and 58.5% of the patients received a transplant.

ACUTE-ON-CHRONIC LIVER FAILURE IS INDEPENDENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER SURVIVAL IN PATIENTS WITH SPONTANEOUS BACTERIAL PERITONITIS.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a decompensation of cirrhosis with an in-hospital mortality ranging from 20% to 40%. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to analyze if EASL-CLIF definition of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is able to predict mortality in cirrhotic patients with SBP. METHODS: Historical cohort study conducted in a public tertiary care teaching hospital. Data from medical records from January 2009 to July 2016 were obtained by searching the hospital electronic database for samples of ascites collected in the period. Electronic and physical medical records were analyzed and patients were included if they were over 18-years old, with cirrhosis and an ascites fluid compatible with SBP: 69 patients were included. Liver-specific scores were calculated and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used for univariate analysis and a stepwise approach to the Cox regression for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: All cause mortality was 44%, 56.5% and 74% for 28-, 90- and 365-day, respectively. The prevalence of ACLF was 58%. Of these, 65% grade 1, 17.5% grade 2 and 17.5% grade 3. In multivariate analysis, the use of proton-pump inhi-bitors, alanine transaminase lower than 40 U/L, hemoglobin higher than 9 g/dL, absence of ACLF and lower CLIF-SOFA and MELD scores were independently associated with higher survival for both 28- and 90-day interval. CONCLUSION: The presence of ACLF and higher CLIF-SOFA scores were independently associated with higher 28- and 90-day mortality in cirrhotic patients admitted due to SBP.

Influence of AT1 blockers on obesity and stress induced eating of cafeteria diet.

Based on findings that treatment with AT1 receptor blocker (ARB) prevents diet-induced obesity and that the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is stimulated by AngII and blocked by ARBs, we aimed to investigate whether ARB treatment can reduce stress-induced eating of cafeteria diet (CD) , thus contributing to alterations in eating behavior. Sprague Dawley rats were fed with chow or CD and treated with telmisartan (TEL, 8mg/kg/d) or vehicle. At weeks 2 and 12, rats were stressed over 5 consecutive days by restraint stress (RS, 4h) and by additional shaking at d5. Tail blood was sampled during RS to determine hormone levels. During the first period of RS, ACTH and corticosterone responses were diminished at d5 in CD- compared to chow-fed rats. Independently of feeding, TEL did not reduce stress hormones. Compared to food behavior before RS, the stress-induced CD eating increased in controls but remained unchanged in TEL-treated rats. After 12 weeks, TEL reduced weight gain and energy intake, particularly in CD-fed rats. Similar to the first RS period, corticosterone response was reduced in CD-fed rats at d5 during the second RS period. TEL did not further reduce stress hormones and did not lessen the CD eating upon RS. We conclude that CD feeding compensates for stress reactions. However, stress-induced CD eating was only reduced by TEL after short-term, but not after long-term drug treatment. Thus, the potency of ARBs to lower HPA activity only plays a minor role in reducing energy intake to prevent obesity.

The brain renin-angiotensin system plays a crucial role in regulating body weight in diet-induced obesity in rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Reduced weight gain after treatment with AT1 receptor antagonists may involve a brain-related mechanism. Here, we investigated the role of the brain renin-angiotensin system on weight regulation and food behaviour, with or without additional treatment with telmisartan. METHODS: Transgenic rats with a brain-specific deficiency in angiotensinogen (TGR(ASrAOGEN)) and the corresponding wild-type, Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were fed (3 months) with a high-calorie cafeteria diet (CD) or standard chow. SD and TGR(ASrAOGEN) rats on the CD diet were also treated with telmisartan (8 mg·kg(-1) ·d(-1) , 3 months). RESULTS: Compared with SD rats, TGR(ASrAOGEN) rats (i) had lower weights during chow feeding, (ii) did not become obese during CD feeding, (iii) had normal baseline leptin plasma concentrations independent of the feeding regimen, whereas plasma leptin of SD rats was increased due to CD, (iv) showed a reduced energy intake, (v) had a higher, strain-dependent energy expenditure, which is additionally enhanced during CD feeding, (vi) had enhanced mRNA levels of pro-opiomelanocortin and (vii) showed improved glucose control. Weight gain and energy intake in rats fed the CD diet were markedly reduced by telmisartan in SD rats but only to a minor extent in TGR(ASrAOGEN) rats. CONCLUSIONS: The brain renin-angiotensin system affects body weight regulation, feeding behaviour and metabolic disorders. When angiotensin II levels are low in brain, rats are protected from developing diet-induced obesity and obesity-related metabolic impairments. We further suggest that telmisartan at least partly lowers body weight via a CNS-driven mechanism.

Insuficiência hepática crônica agudizada está independentemente associada com menor sobrevida em pacientes com peritonite bacteriana espontânea / Acute-on-chronic liver failure is independently associated with lower survival in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a decompensation of cirrhosis with an in-hospital mortality ranging from 20% to 40%. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to analyze if EASL-CLIF definition of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is able to predict mortality in cirrhotic patients with SBP. METHODS: Historical cohort study conducted in a public tertiary care teaching hospital. Data from medical records from January 2009 to July 2016 were obtained by searching the hospital electronic database for samples of ascites collected in the period. Electronic and physical medical records were analyzed and patients were included if they were over 18-years old, with cirrhosis and an ascites fluid compatible with SBP: 69 patients were included. Liver-specific scores were calculated and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used for univariate analysis and a stepwise approach to the Cox regression for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: All cause mortality was 44%, 56.5% and 74% for 28-, 90- and 365-day, respectively. The prevalence of ACLF was 58%. Of these, 65% grade 1, 17.5% grade 2 and 17.5% grade 3. In multivariate analysis, the use of proton-pump inhi­bitors, alanine transaminase lower than 40 U/L, hemoglobin higher than 9 g/dL, absence of ACLF and lower CLIF-SOFA and MELD scores were independently associated with higher survival for both 28- and 90-day interval. CONCLUSION: The presence of ACLF and higher CLIF-SOFA scores were independently associated with higher 28- and 90-day mortality in cirrhotic patients admitted due to SBP.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: A peritonite bacteriana espontânea (PBE) é uma descompensação da cirrose com uma mortalidade intra-hospitalar de 20% a 40%. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é analisar se a definição de insuficiência hepática crônica agudizada (IHCA) como definido pelo consórcio EASL-CLIF é capaz de predizer mortalidade em pacientes cirróticos com PBE. MÉTODOS: Coorte histórica conduzida em um hospital de ensino público terciário. Foram obtidos dados de prontuários médicos de janeiro de 2009 até julho de 2016, buscando no banco de dados eletrônico do hospital por todas as amostras de ascite coletadas no período. Prontuários eletrônicos e físicos foram analisados e os pacientes com mais de 18 anos com cirrose e líquido de ascite compatível com PBE foram incluídos. Foram incluídos 69 pacientes. Escores específicos para o fígado foram calculados e a análise de sobrevida de Kaplan-Meier foi utilizada para a análise univariada, e uma abordagem progressiva para a regressão logística de Cox foi usada para a análise multivariada. RESULTADOS: A mortalidade por todas as causas foi 44%, 56,5% e 74% para 28-, 90- e 365-dias, respectivamente. A prevalência de IHCA foi de 58%. Desses, 65% grau 1, 17,5% grau 2 e 17,5% grau 3. Na análise multivariada, o uso de inibidores da bomba de prótons, alanina transaminase menor que 40 U/L, hemoglobina acima de 9 g/dL, ausência de IHCA e menores valores dos escores CLIF-SOFA e MELD foram independentemente associados com maior sobrevida para ambos intervalos de 28- e 90-dias. CONCLUSÃO: A presença de IHCA e maiores valores de CLIF-SOFA foram independentemente associados em maior mortalidade para pacientes cirróticos admitidos por PBE no intervalo de 28- e 90-dias.

Preventing leptin resistance by blocking angiotensin II AT1 receptors in diet-induced obese rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: AT1 receptor blockers (ARBs) represent an approach for treating metabolic syndrome due to their potency in reducing hypertension, body weight and onset of type 2 diabetes. The mechanism underlying ARB-induced weight loss is still unclear. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Leptin resistance tests (LRTs) in diet-induced obese or lean rats were conducted to determine whether telmisartan (8 mg·kg(-1) ·day(-1) , 14 days) enhances leptin sensitivity. Phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) staining was performed in hypothalami to determine leptin transport across the blood-brain barrier. KEY RESULTS: Telmisartin reduced weight gain, food intake and plasma leptin but blood pressure remained unchanged. The 24 h profiles of plasma leptin after saline injections were similar in controls and telmisartan-treated rats, but after leptin injections were higher in controls and slightly lower in telmisartan-treated animals. After telmisartan, energy intake during LRT was lower in leptin- than in saline-pretreated rats, but remained unchanged in controls, irrespectively of whether rats received saline or leptin. Leptin minimized the gain in body weight during LRT in telmisartan-treated rats as compared with saline-treated animals. pSTAT3 staining was reduced in cafeteria diet-fed rats as compared with chow-fed rats but this was normalized by telmisartan. Telmisartin reduced hypothalamic mRNA levels of the orexigenic peptides melanin-concentrating hormone and prepro-orexin. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Rats fed a cafeteria diet develop leptin resistance after 2 weeks. Leptin sensitivity was preserved by telmisartan treatment even in rats fed a cafeteria diet. This pleiotropic effect is not related to the hypotensive action of telmisartan.

Lack of weight gain after angiotensin AT1 receptor blockade in diet-induced obesity is partly mediated by an angiotensin-(1-7)/Mas-dependent pathway.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonists induce weight loss; however, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon is unknown. The Mas receptor agonist angiotensin-(1-7) is a metabolite of angiotensin I and of angiotensin II . As an agonist of Mas receptors, angiotensin-(1-7) has beneficial cardiovascular and metabolic effects. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: We investigated the anti-obesity effects of transgenically overexpressed angiotensin-(1-7) in rats. We secondly examined whether weight loss due to telmisartan (8 mg·kg(-1) ·d(-1) ) in diet-induced obese Sprague Dawley (SD) rats can be blocked when the animals were co-treated with the Mas receptor antagonist A779 (24 or 72 µg·kg(-1) ·d(-1) ). KEY RESULTS: In contrast to wild-type controls, transgenic rats overexpressing angiotensin-(1-7) had 1.) diminished body weight when they were regularly fed with chow; 2.) were protected from developing obesity although they were fed with cafeteria diet (CD); 3.) showed a reduced energy intake that was mainly related to a lower CD intake; 5.) remained responsive to leptin despite chronic CD feeding; 6.) had a higher, strain-dependent energy expenditure, and 7.) were protected from developing insulin resistance despite CD feeding. Telmisartan-induced weight loss in SD rats was partially antagonized after a high, but not a low dose of A779. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Angiotensin-(1-7) regulated food intake and body weight and contributed to the weight loss after AT1 receptor blockade. Angiotensin-(1-7)-like agonists may be drug candidates for treating obesity.