Weight Loss-Independent Effect of Liraglutide on Insulin Sensitivity in Individuals With Obesity and Prediabetes.

Metabolic effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are confounded by weight loss and not fully recapitulated by increasing endogenous GLP-1. We tested the hypothesis that GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists exert weight loss-independent, GLP-1R-dependent effects that differ from effects of increasing endogenous GLP-1. Individuals with obesity and prediabetes were randomized to receive for 14 weeks the GLP-1R agonist liraglutide, a hypocaloric diet, or the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor sitagliptin. The GLP-1R antagonist exendin(9-39) and placebo were administered in a two-by-two crossover study during mixed-meal tests. Liraglutide and diet, but not sitagliptin, caused weight loss. Liraglutide improved insulin sensitivity measured by HOMA for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), the updated HOMA model (HOMA2), and the Matsuda index after 2 weeks, prior to weight loss. Liraglutide decreased fasting and postprandial glucose levels, and decreased insulin, C-peptide, and fasting glucagon levels. In contrast, diet-induced weight loss improved insulin sensitivity by HOMA-IR and HOMA2, but not the Matsuda index, and did not decrease glucose levels. Sitagliptin increased endogenous GLP-1 and GIP values without altering insulin sensitivity or fasting glucose levels, but decreased postprandial glucose and glucagon levels. Notably, sitagliptin increased GIP without altering weight. Acute GLP-1R antagonism increased glucose levels in all groups, increased the Matsuda index and fasting glucagon level during liraglutide treatment, and increased endogenous GLP-1 values during liraglutide and sitagliptin treatments. Thus, liraglutide exerts rapid, weight loss-independent, GLP-1R-dependent effects on insulin sensitivity that are not achieved by increasing endogenous GLP-1. ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS: Metabolic benefits of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are confounded by weight loss and are not fully achieved by increasing endogenous GLP-1 through dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibition. We investigated weight loss-independent, GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R)-dependent metabolic effects of liraglutide versus a hypocaloric diet or the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin. GLP-1R antagonism with exendin(9-39) was used to assess GLP-1R-dependent effects during mixed meals. Liraglutide improved insulin sensitivity and decreased fasting and postprandial glucose prior to weight loss, and these benefits were reversed by exendin(9-39). GLP-1R agonists exert rapid, weight loss-independent, GLP-1R-dependent effects on insulin sensitivity not achieved by increasing endogenous GLP-1.

Bradykinin B2 receptor blockade and intradialytic hypotension.

INTRODUCTION: Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a common clinical complication and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). The pathogenesis of IDH has been attributed to the rapid reduction of plasma volume during hemodialysis and the inadequate compensatory mechanisms in response to hypovolemia, such as the lack of vasoconstriction. This may be due to the increased production of vasodilators, such as bradykinin. In this study we test the hypothesis that bradykinin B2 receptor blockade prevents intradialytic hypotension. METHODS: We performed a post-hoc analysis of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, 2 × 2 crossover clinical trial comparing the continuous infusion of icatibant, a bradykinin B2 receptor blocker, and placebo during hemodialysis. Icatibant or placebo was infused for 30 min before and during hemodialysis in 11 patients on MHD. RESULTS: Seven of the patients had IDH, defined as a reduction of systolic blood pressure equal to or greater than 20 mmHg during hemodialysis. Stratified analysis, based on the presence of IDH, revealed that icatibant prevented the decrease in blood pressure compared to placebo in patients with IDH [blood pressure at average nadir (2.5 h after hemodialysis): Placebo,114.3 ± 8.9 vs. icatibant, 125.6 ± 9.1 mmHg, mean ± S.E.M]. Icatibant did not affect blood pressure in the group of patients without IDH. CONCLUSION: Bradykinin B2 receptor blocker may prevent the occurrence of IDH. Further studies should evaluate the hemodynamic effects of icatibant during hemodialysis and the symptomatology associated with IDH.

APOL1 and the risk of adverse renal outcomes in patients of African ancestry with systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disproportionately affects individuals of African ancestry (AA) compared to European ancestry (EA). In the general population, high risk (HR) variants in the apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1) gene increase the risk of renal and hypertensive disorders in individuals of AA. Since SLE is characterized by an interferon signature and APOL1 expression is driven by interferon, we examined the hypothesis that APOL1 HR genotypes predominantly drive higher rates of renal and hypertensive-related comorbidities observed in SLE patients of AA versus those of EA. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in patients with SLE of EA and AA using a genetic biobank linked to de-identified electronic health records. APOL1 HR genotypes were defined as G1/G1, G2/G2, or G1/G2 and low risk (LR) genotypes as 1 or 0 copies of the G1 and G2 alleles. To identify renal and hypertensive-related disorders that differed in prevalence by ancestry, we used a phenome-wide association approach. We then used logistic regression to compare the prevalence of renal and hypertensive-related disorders in EA and AA patients, both including and excluding patients with the APOL1 HR genotype. In a sensitivity analysis, we examined the association of end stage renal disease secondary to lupus nephritis (LN-related ESRD) with ancestry and the APOL1 genotype. RESULTS: We studied 784 patients with SLE; 195 (24.9%) were of AA, of whom 27 (13.8%) had APOL1 HR genotypes. Eighteen renal and hypertensive-related phenotypes were more common in AA than EA patients (p-value ≤ 1.4E-4). All phenotypes remained significantly different after exclusion of patients with APOL1 HR genotypes, and most point odds ratios (ORs) decreased only slightly. Even among ORs with the greatest decrease, risk for AA patients without the APOL1 HR genotype remained significantly elevated compared to EA patients. In the sensitivity analysis, LN-related ESRD was more prevalent in SLE patients of AA versus EA and AA patients with the APOL1 HR genotype versus LR (p-value < .05 for both). CONCLUSION: The higher prevalence of renal and hypertensive disorders in SLE patients of AA compared to those of EA is not fully explained by the presence of APOL1 high risk variants.

Ancestry, ACKR1 and leucopenia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: SLE is more prevalent in populations of African (AA) than European ancestry (EA) and leucopenia is common. A homozygous variant in ACKR1 (rs2814778-CC) is associated with lower white cell counts; the variant is common in AA but not EA populations. We hypothesised that in SLE: (1) leucopenia is more frequent in patients of AA than EA, and (2) the ACKR1-CC genotype accounts for the higher frequency of leucopenia in AA patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in patients with SLE at a tertiary care system. Ancestry was defined by genetic principal components. We compared the rate of leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and anaemia between (a) EA and AA patients, and (b) ACKR1-CT/TT and CC genotype in AA patients. RESULTS: The cohort included 574 patients of EA and 190 of AA; ACKR1-CC genotype was common in AA (70%) but not EA (0%) patients. Rates of leucopenia for ancestry and genotype were AA 60.0% vs EA 36.8 % (p=1.9E-08); CC 67.7% vs CT/TT 42.1% (p=9.8E-04). The rate of leucopenia did not differ by ancestry comparing EA patients versus AA with CT/TT genotype (p=0.59). Thrombocytopenia (22.2% vs 13.2%, p=0.004) and anaemia (88.4% vs 66.2%, p=3.7E-09) were more frequent in AA patients but were not associated with ACKR1 genotype (p=0.82 and p=0.84, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: SLE of AA had higher rates of anaemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia than those of EA; only the difference in leucopenia was explained by ACKR1-CC genotype. This genotype could affect clinical practice.

Genetic Architecture of Plasma Alpha-Aminoadipic Acid Reveals a Relationship With High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol.

Background Elevated plasma levels of alpha-aminoadipic acid (2-AAA) have been associated with the development of type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis. However, the nature of the association remains unknown. Methods and Results We identified genetic determinants of plasma 2-AAA through meta-analysis of genome-wide association study data in 5456 individuals of European, African, and Asian ancestry from the Framingham Heart Study, Diabetes Prevention Program, Jackson Heart Study, and Shanghai Women's and Men's Health Studies. No single nucleotide polymorphisms reached genome-wide significance across all samples. However, the top associations from the meta-analysis included single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the known 2-AAA pathway gene DHTKD1, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in genes involved in mitochondrial respiration (NDUFS4) and macrophage function (MSR1). We used a Mendelian randomization instrumental variable approach to evaluate relationships between 2-AAA and cardiometabolic phenotypes in large disease genome-wide association studies. Mendelian randomization identified a suggestive inverse association between increased 2-AAA and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.005). We further characterized the genetically predicted relationship through measurement of plasma 2-AAA and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in 2 separate samples of individuals with and without cardiometabolic disease (N=98), and confirmed a significant negative correlation between 2-AAA and high-density lipoprotein (rs=-0.53, P<0.0001). Conclusions 2-AAA levels in plasma may be regulated, in part, by common variants in genes involved in mitochondrial and macrophage function. Elevated plasma 2-AAA associates with reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Further mechanistic studies are required to probe this as a possible mechanism linking 2-AAA to future cardiometabolic risk.

Effects of caloric restriction and aerobic exercise on circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in patients with moderate to severe chronic kidney disease.

Circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) may induce systemic inflammation, a common condition in chronic kidney disease (CKD), by acting as a damage-associated molecular pattern. We hypothesized that in patients with moderate to severe CKD, aerobic exercise would reduce ccf-mtDNA levels. We performed a post hoc analysis of a multicenter randomized trial (NCT01150851) measuring plasma concentrations of ccf-mtDNA at baseline and 2 and 4 mo after aerobic exercise and caloric restriction. A total of 99 participants had baseline ccf-mtDNA, and 92 participants completed the study. The median age of the participants was 57 yr, 44% were female and 55% were male, 23% had diabetes, and 92% had hypertension. After adjusting for demographics, blood pressure, body mass index, diabetes, and estimated glomerular filtration rate, median ccf-mtDNA concentrations at baseline, 2 mo, and 4 mo were 3.62, 3.08, and 2.78 pM for the usual activity group and 2.01, 2.20, and 2.67 pM for the aerobic exercise group, respectively. A 16.1% greater increase per month in ccf-mtDNA was seen in aerobic exercise versus usual activity (P = 0.024), which was more pronounced with the combination of aerobic exercise and caloric restriction (29.5% greater increase per month). After 4 mo of intervention, ccf-mtDNA increased in the aerobic exercise group by 81.6% (95% confidence interval: 8.2-204.8, P = 0.024) compared with the usual activity group and was more marked in the aerobic exercise and caloric restriction group (181.7% increase, 95% confidence interval: 41.1-462.2, P = 0.003). There was no statistically significant correlation between markers of oxidative stress and inflammation with ccf-mtDNA. Our data indicate that aerobic exercise increased ccf-mtDNA levels in patients with moderate to severe CKD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The effects of prolonged exercise on circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) have not been explored in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). We showed that 4-mo aerobic exercise is associated with an increase in plasma ccf-mtDNA levels in patients with stages 3 or 4 CKD. These changes were not associated with markers of systemic inflammation. Future studies should determine the mechanisms by which healthy lifestyle interventions influence biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with CKD.

New insights into muscle function in chronic kidney disease and metabolic acidosis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: : Sarcopenia, defined as decreased muscle mass or function, is prevalent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) increasing the risk of mobility impairment and frailty. CKD leads to metabolic acidosis (MA) and retention of uremic toxins contributing to insulin resistance and impaired muscle mitochondrial energetics. Here we focus on the central role of muscle mitochondrial metabolism in muscle function. RECENT FINDINGS: : Mitochondrial dysfunction underlies muscle wasting and poor physical endurance in CKD. Uremic toxins accumulate in muscle disrupting mitochondrial respiration and enzymes. Changes in mitochondrial quantity, quality, and oxidative capacity contribute to mobility impairment in CKD. Major determinants of muscle mitochondrial function are kidney function, inflammation, and oxidative stress. In CKD, MA is the major determinant of muscle mitochondrial function. Metabolomics reveals defects in pathways linked to mitochondrial energy metabolism and acid-base homeostasis underlying insulin resistance in CKD. SUMMARY: : Decreased mitochondrial capacity and quality control can impair muscle function contributing to decreased physical endurance. MA augments insulin resistance perpetuating the catabolic state underlying muscle wasting in CKD. Further studies are needed to investigate if targeting of MA improves muscle mitochondrial function and insulin resistance translating into meaningful improvements in physical endurance.

Effects of long-term intradialytic oral nutrition and exercise on muscle protein homeostasis and markers of mitochondrial content in patients on hemodialysis.

Patients with end-stage kidney disease on maintenance hemodialysis commonly develop protein-energy wasting, a syndrome characterized by nutritional and metabolic abnormalities. Nutritional supplementation and exercise are recommended to prevent protein-energy wasting. In a 6-mo prospective randomized, open-label, clinical trial, we reported that the combination of resistance exercise and nutritional supplementation does not have an additive effect on lean body mass measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. To provide more mechanistic data, we performed a secondary analysis where we hypothesized that the combination of nutritional supplementation and resistance exercise would have additive effects on muscle protein accretion by stable isotope protein kinetic experiments, muscle mass by MRI, and mitochondrial content markers in muscle. We found that 6 mo of nutritional supplementation during hemodialysis increased muscle protein net balance [baseline: 2.5 (-17.8, 13.0) µg·100 mL-1·min-1 vs. 6 mo: 43.7 (13.0, 98.5) µg·100 mL-1·min-1, median (interquartile range), P = 0.04] and mid-thigh fat area [baseline: 162.3 (104.7, 226.6) cm2 vs. 6 mo: 181.9 (126.3, 279.2) cm2, median (interquartile range), P = 0.04]. Three months of nutritional supplementation also increased markers of mitochondrial content in muscle. Although the study is underpowered to detected differences, the combination of nutritional supplementation and exercise failed to show further benefit in protein accretion or muscle cross-sectional area. We conclude that long-term nutritional supplementation increases the skeletal muscle anabolic effect, the fat cross-sectional area of the thigh, and markers of mitochondrial content in skeletal muscle.

Mechanisms Regulating Muscle Protein Synthesis in CKD.

BACKGROUND: CKD induces loss of muscle proteins partly by suppressing muscle protein synthesis. Muscles of mice with CKD have increased expression of nucleolar protein 66 (NO66), as do muscle biopsy specimens from patients with CKD or those undergoing hemodialysis. Inflammation stimulates NO66 expression and changes in NF-κB mediate the response. METHODS: Subtotal nephrectomy created a mouse model of CKD with BUN >80 mg/dl. Crossing NO66flox/flox with MCK-Cre mice bred muscle-specific NO66 (MCK-NO66) knockout mice. Experiments assessed the effect of removing NO66. RESULTS: Muscle-specific NO66 knockout in mice blocks CKD-induced loss of muscle mass and improves protein synthesis. NO66 suppression of ribosomal biogenesis via demethylase activity is the mechanism behind these responses. In muscle cells, expression of NO66, but not of demethylase-dead mutant NO66, decreased H3K4me3 and H3K36me3 and suppressed pre-rRNA expression. Knocking out NO66 increased the enrichment of H3K4me3 and H3K36me3 on ribosomal DNA. In primary muscle cells and in muscles of mice without NO66, ribosomal RNA, pre-rRNA, and protein synthesis all increased. CONCLUSIONS: CKD suppresses muscle protein synthesis via epigenetic mechanisms that NO66 mediates. Blocking NO66 could suggest strategies that counter CKD-induced abnormal muscle protein catabolism.

Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Dysfunction Is Present in Patients with CKD before Initiation of Maintenance Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patients with CKD suffer from frailty and sarcopenia, which is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. Skeletal muscle mitochondria are important for physical function and could be a target to prevent frailty and sarcopenia. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with the severity of CKD. We also evaluated the interaction between mitochondrial function and coexisting comorbidities, such as impaired physical performance, intermuscular adipose tissue infiltration, inflammation, and oxidative stress. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS: Sixty-three participants were studied, including controls (n=21), patients with CKD not on maintenance hemodialysis (CKD 3-5; n=20), and patients on maintenance hemodialysis (n=22). We evaluated in vivo knee extensors mitochondrial function using 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy to obtain the phosphocreatine recovery time constant, a measure of mitochondrial function. We measured physical performance using the 6-minute walk test, intermuscular adipose tissue infiltration with magnetic resonance imaging, and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in plasma. In skeletal muscle biopsies from a select number of patients on maintenance hemodialysis, we also measured markers of mitochondrial dynamics (fusion and fission). RESULTS: We found a prolonged phosphocreatine recovery constant in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (53.3 [43.4-70.1] seconds, median [interquartile range]) and patients with CKD not on maintenance hemodialysis (41.5 [35.4-49.1] seconds) compared with controls (38.9 [32.5-46.0] seconds; P=0.001 among groups). Mitochondrial dysfunction was associated with poor physical performance (r=0.62; P=0.001), greater intermuscular adipose tissue (r=0.44; P=0.001), and increased markers of inflammation and oxidative stress (r=0.60; P=0.001). We found mitochondrial fragmentation and increased content of dynamin-related protein 1, a marker of mitochondrial fission, in skeletal muscles from patients on maintenance hemodialysis (0.86 [0.48-1.35] arbitrary units (A.U.), median [interquartile range]) compared with controls (0.60 [0.24-0.75] A.U.). CONCLUSIONS: Mitochondrial dysfunction is due to multifactorial etiologies and presents prior to the initiation of maintenance hemodialysis, including in patients with CKD stages 3-5.

Chronic kidney disease attenuates the plasma metabolome response to insulin.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) leads to decreased sensitivity to the metabolic effects of insulin, contributing to protein energy wasting and muscle atrophy. Targeted metabolomics profiling during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic insulin clamp testing may help identify aberrant metabolic pathways contributing to insulin resistance in CKD. Using targeted metabolomics profiling, we examined the plasma metabolome in 95 adults without diabetes in the fasted state (58 with CKD, 37 with normal glomerular filtration rate [GFR]) who underwent hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp. We assessed heterogeneity in fasting metabolites and the response to insulin to identify potential metabolic pathways linking CKD with insulin resistance. Baseline differences and effect modification by CKD status on changes with insulin clamp testing were adjusted for confounders. Mean GFR among participants with CKD was 37.3 compared with 89.3 ml/min per 1.73 m2 among controls. Fasted-state differences between CKD and controls included abnormalities in tryptophan metabolism, ubiquinone biosynthesis, and the TCA cycle. Insulin infusion markedly decreased metabolite levels, predominantly amino acids and their metabolites. CKD was associated with attenuated insulin-induced changes in nicotinamide, arachidonic acid, and glutamine/glutamate metabolic pathways. Metabolomics profiling suggests disruption in amino acid metabolism and mitochondrial function as putative manifestations or mechanisms of the impaired anabolic effects of insulin in CKD.

Excessive Erythrocytosis and Cardiovascular Risk in Andean Highlanders.

Corante, Noemí, Cecilia Anza-Ramírez, Rómulo Figueroa-Mujíca, José Luis Macarlupú, Gustavo Vizcardo-Galindo, Grzegorz Bilo, Gianfranco Parati, Jorge L. Gamboa, Fabiola León-Velarde, and Francisco C. Villafuerte. Excessive erythrocytosis and cardiovascular risk in Andean highlanders. High Alt Med Biol. 19:221-231, 2018.-Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of death worldwide. Life under high-altitude (HA) hypoxic conditions is believed to provide highlanders with a natural protection against cardiovascular and metabolic diseases compared with sea-level inhabitants. However, some HA dwellers become intolerant to chronic hypoxia and develop a progressive incapacitating syndrome known as chronic mountain sickness (CMS), characterized by excessive erythrocytosis (EE; Hb ≥21 g/dL in men, Hb ≥19 g/dL in women). Evidence from HA studies suggests that, in addition to CMS typical signs and symptoms, these highlanders may also suffer from metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. Thus, we hypothesize that this syndrome is also associated to the loss of the cardiometabolic protection observed in healthy highlanders (HH), and therefore to a higher cardiovascular risk (CVR). The aim of the present work was to evaluate the association between EE and CVR calculated using the Framingham General CVR Score and between EE and CVR factors in male highlanders. This cross-sectional study included 342 males from Cerro de Pasco, Peru at 4340 m (HH = 209, CMS = 133). Associations were assessed by multiple logistic regressions adjusted for potential confounders (BMI, pulse oxygen saturation and age). The adjusted models show that the odds of high CVR (>20%) in highlanders with EE was 3.63 times the odds in HH (CI 95%:1.22-10.78; p = 0.020), and that EE is associated to hypertension, elevated fasting serum glucose, insulin resistance, and elevated fasting serum triglycerides. Our results suggest that individuals who suffer from EE are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular events compared with their healthy counterparts.

Systemic inflammation is associated with exaggerated skeletal muscle protein catabolism in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammation and muscle wasting are highly prevalent and coexist in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). We aimed to determine the effects of systemic inflammation on skeletal muscle protein metabolism in MHD patients. METHODS: Whole body and skeletal muscle protein turnover were assessed by stable isotope kinetic studies. We incorporated expressions of E1, E214K, E3αI, E3αII, MuRF-1, and atrogin-1 in skeletal muscle tissue from integrin ß1 gene KO CKD mice models. RESULTS: Among 129 patients with mean (± SD) age 47 ± 12 years, 74% were African American, 73% were male, and 22% had diabetes mellitus. Median high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentration was 13 (interquartile range 0.8, 33) mg/l. There were statistically significant associations between hs-CRP and forearm skeletal muscle protein synthesis, degradation, and net forearm skeletal muscle protein balance (P < 0.001 for all). The associations remained statistically significant after adjustment for clinical and demographic confounders, as well as in sensitivity analysis, excluding patients with diabetes mellitus. In attempting to identify potential mechanisms involved in this correlation, we show increased expressions of E1, E214K, E3αI, E3αII, MuRF-1, and atrogin-1 in skeletal muscle tissue obtained from an animal model of chronic kidney disease. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that systemic inflammation is a strong and independent determinant of skeletal muscle protein homeostasis in MHD patients, providing rationale for further studies using anticytokine therapies in patients with underlying systemic inflammation. FUNDING: This study was in part supported by NIH grants R01 DK45604 and 1K24 DK62849, the Clinical Translational Science Award UL1-TR000445 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, the Veterans Administration Merit Award I01 CX000414, the SatelliteHealth Normon Coplon Extramural Grant Program, and the FDA grant 000943.

Response to unfairness across the suicide risk spectrum.

Suicidal behavior is frequently triggered by social crises, such as familial, romantic, social or work-related conflict. A variety of cognitive and social functioning impairments has been associated with suicidal thoughts and acts. One of the precipitating and perpetuating factors of social conflict is the desire for retribution after a perceived offense, even at one's own detriment. We utilized the Ultimatum Game-a behavioral economic task which examines the behavioral response to perceived unfairness-in order to characterize the response to unfairness across the acute suicide risk spectrum. We examined five groups of adult individuals of both genders (n = 204): High- and Low-Lethality recent Suicide Attempters, Suicidal Ideators, Non-Suicidal Depressed Patients; and Healthy Controls. We also measured demographic and clinical variables. Even though all depressed groups showed similar rejection rates in the Ultimatum Game, there was a higher likelihood of rejecting offers in the low stakes condition in all acutely suicidal groups compared with healthy controls. Stake size, offer, education, and gender of the proposer were significantly associated with rejection rates. Acutely suicidal patients may be more vulnerable to adverse interpersonal interactions. Further characterization of social behavior may provide targets for secondary and tertiary prevention for high-risk individuals.

Sirt3 Impairment and SOD2 Hyperacetylation in Vascular Oxidative Stress and Hypertension.

RATIONALE: Clinical studies have shown that Sirt3 (Sirtuin 3) expression declines by 40% by 65 years of age paralleling the increased incidence of hypertension and metabolic conditions further inactivate Sirt3 because of increased NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced form) and acetyl-CoA levels. Sirt3 impairment reduces the activity of a key mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) because of hyperacetylation. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined whether the loss of Sirt3 activity increases vascular oxidative stress because of SOD2 hyperacetylation and promotes endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. METHODS AND RESULTS: Hypertension was markedly increased in Sirt3-knockout (Sirt3-/-) and SOD2-depleted (SOD2+/-) mice in response to low dose of angiotensin II (0.3 mg/kg per day) compared with wild-type C57Bl/6J mice. Sirt3 depletion increased SOD2 acetylation, elevated mitochondrial O2· -, and diminished endothelial nitric oxide. Angiotensin II-induced hypertension was associated with Sirt3 S-glutathionylation, acetylation of vascular SOD2, and reduced SOD2 activity. Scavenging of mitochondrial H2O2 in mCAT mice expressing mitochondria-targeted catalase prevented Sirt3 and SOD2 impairment and attenuated hypertension. Treatment of mice after onset of hypertension with a mitochondria-targeted H2O2 scavenger, mitochondria-targeted hydrogen peroxide scavenger ebselen, reduced Sirt3 S-glutathionylation, diminished SOD2 acetylation, and reduced blood pressure in wild-type but not in Sirt3-/- mice, whereas an SOD2 mimetic, (2-[2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl-4-ylamino]-2-oxoethyl) triphenylphosphonium (mitoTEMPO), reduced blood pressure and improved vasorelaxation both in Sirt3-/- and wild-type mice. SOD2 acetylation had an inverse correlation with SOD2 activity and a direct correlation with the severity of hypertension. Analysis of human subjects with essential hypertension showed 2.6-fold increase in SOD2 acetylation and 1.4-fold decrease in Sirt3 levels, whereas SOD2 expression was not affected. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that diminished Sirt3 expression and redox inactivation of Sirt3 lead to SOD2 inactivation and contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Cytochrome P450 epoxygenase-derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids contribute to insulin sensitivity in mice and in humans.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Insulin resistance is frequently associated with hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The cytochrome P450 (CYP) arachidonic acid epoxygenases (CYP2C, CYP2J) and their epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) products lower blood pressure and may also improve glucose homeostasis. However, the direct contribution of endogenous EET production on insulin sensitivity has not been previously investigated. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that endogenous CYP2C-derived EETs alter insulin sensitivity by analysing mice lacking CYP2C44, a major EET producing enzyme, and by testing the association of plasma EETs with insulin sensitivity in humans. METHODS: We assessed insulin sensitivity in wild-type (WT) and Cyp2c44 -/- mice using hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamps and isolated skeletal muscle. Insulin secretory function was assessed using hyperglycaemic clamps and isolated islets. Vascular function was tested in isolated perfused mesenteric vessels. Insulin sensitivity and secretion were assessed in humans using frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests and plasma EETs were measured by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Cyp2c44 -/- mice showed decreased glucose tolerance (639 ± 39.5 vs 808 ± 37.7 mmol/l × min for glucose tolerance tests, p = 0.004) and insulin sensitivity compared with WT controls (hyperinsulinaemic clamp glucose infusion rate average during terminal 30 min 0.22 ± 0.02 vs 0.33 ± 0.01 mmol kg-1 min-1 in WT and Cyp2c44 -/- mice respectively, p = 0.003). Although glucose uptake was diminished in Cyp2c44 -/- mice in vivo (gastrocnemius Rg 16.4 ± 2.0 vs 6.2 ± 1.7 µmol 100 g-1 min-1, p < 0.01) insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was unchanged ex vivo in isolated skeletal muscle. Capillary density was similar but vascular KATP-induced relaxation was impaired in isolated Cyp2c44 -/- vessels (maximal response 39.3 ± 6.5% of control, p < 0.001), suggesting that impaired vascular reactivity produces impaired insulin sensitivity in vivo. Similarly, plasma EETs positively correlated with insulin sensitivity in human participants. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: CYP2C-derived EETs contribute to insulin sensitivity in mice and in humans. Interventions to increase circulating EETs in humans could provide a novel approach to improve insulin sensitivity and treat hypertension.

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Mitochondria abnormalities in skeletal muscle may contribute to frailty and sarcopenia, commonly present in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dysfunctional mitochondria are also a major source of oxidative stress and may contribute to cardiovascular disease in CKD We tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial structure and function worsens with the severity of CKD Mitochondrial volume density, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, BNIP3, and PGC1α protein expression were evaluated in skeletal muscle biopsies obtained from 27 subjects (17 controls and 10 with CKD stage 5 on hemodialysis). We also measured mtDNA copy number in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), plasma isofurans, and plasma F2-isoprostanes in 208 subjects divided into three groups: non-CKD (eGFR>60 mL/min), CKD stage 3-4 (eGFR 60-15 mL/min), and CKD stage 5 (on hemodialysis). Muscle biopsies from patients with CKD stage 5 revealed lower mitochondrial volume density, lower mtDNA copy number, and higher BNIP3 content than controls. mtDNA copy number in PBMCs was decreased with increasing severity of CKD: non-CKD (6.48, 95% CI 4.49-8.46), CKD stage 3-4 (3.30, 95% CI 0.85-5.75, P = 0.048 vs. non-CKD), and CKD stage 5 (1.93, 95% CI 0.27-3.59, P = 0.001 vs. non-CKD). Isofurans were higher in patients with CKD stage 5 (median 59.21 pg/mL, IQR 41.76-95.36) compared to patients with non-CKD (median 49.95 pg/mL, IQR 27.88-83.46, P = 0.001), whereas F2-isoprostanes did not differ among groups. Severity of CKD is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and markers of oxidative stress. Mitochondrial abnormalities, which are common in skeletal muscle from patients with CKD stage 5, may explain the muscle dysfunction associated with frailty and sarcopenia in CKD Further studies are required to evaluate mitochondrial function in vivo in patients with different CKD stages.

Comparative effects of immediate-release and extended-release aspirin on basal and bradykinin-stimulated excretion of thromboxane and prostacyclin metabolites.

A goal of aspirin therapy is to inhibit thromboxane production and platelet aggregation without inhibiting endothelial production of the vasodilator and anti-thrombotic prostacyclin. This study tested the hypothesis that extended-release aspirin (NHP-554C) would have increased selectivity for inhibition of basal and simulated thromboxane formation compared to immediate-release aspirin (ASA). Thirty-six healthy subjects were randomized to NHP-554C or ASA groups. Within each group, subjects were randomized to 5-day treatment with 81 mg/d, 162.5 mg/d and placebo in a crossover design in which treatment periods were separated by 2-week washout. On the fifth day of treatment, 81 mg/d and 162.5 mg/d ASA reduced basal urinary excretion of the stable thromboxane metabolite 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 62.3% and 66.2% and basal excretion of the stable prostacyclin metabolite 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1α 22.8% and 26.5%, respectively, compared to placebo. NHP-554C 81 mg/d and 162.5 mg/d reduced 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 53% (P = 0.03 vs. ASA 81 mg/d) and 67.9% and 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1α 13.4% and 18.5%, respectively. NHP-554C 81 mg/d did not significantly reduce basal excretion of the prostacyclin metabolite. Both doses of ASA and NHP significantly reduced excretion of both thromboxane and prostacyclin metabolites following intravenous bradykinin. During NHP-554C 162.5 mg/d, but not during ASA, bradykinin significantly increased urinary 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1α. Nevertheless, 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 and 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1α responses to bradykinin were statistically similar during ASA and NHP-554C. In conclusion, at doses of 81 and 162.5 mg/d immediate- and extended-release aspirin selectively decrease basal thromboxane production. Both forms of aspirin decrease bradykinin-stimulated thromboxane and prostacyclin production, but some stimulated prostacyclin production remains during treatment with NHP-554C.

Treatment with Sildenafil Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Prediabetes: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT: Sildenafil increases insulin sensitivity in mice. In humans, phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition improves disposition index, but the mechanism of this effect has not been elucidated and may depend on duration. In addition, increasing cyclic GMP without increasing nitric oxide could have beneficial effects on fibrinolytic balance. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to test the hypothesis that chronic phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition with sildenafil improves insulin sensitivity and secretion without diminishing fibrinolytic function. DESIGN: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. SETTING: This trial was conducted at Vanderbilt Clinical Research Center. PARTICIPANTS: Participants included overweight individuals with prediabetes. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomized to treatment with sildenafil 25 mg three times a day or matching placebo for 3 months. Subjects underwent a hyperglycemic clamp prior to and at the end of treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes of the study were insulin sensitivity and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. RESULT: Twenty-one subjects completed each treatment arm. After 3 months, the insulin sensitivity index was significantly greater in the sildenafil group compared to the placebo group by 1.84 mg/kg/min per µU/mL*100 (95% confidence interval, 0.01 to 3.67 mg/kg/min per µU/mL*100; P = .049), after adjusting for baseline insulin sensitivity index and body mass index. In contrast, there was no effect of 3-month treatment with sildenafil on acute- or late-phase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (P > .30). Sildenafil decreased plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (P = .01), without altering tissue-plasminogen activator. In contrast to placebo, sildenafil also decreased the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio from 12.67 ± 14.67 to 6.84 ± 4.86 µg/mg Cr. This effect persisted 3 months after sildenafil discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Three-month phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition enhances insulin sensitivity and improves markers of endothelial function.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition increases ADMA concentration in patients on maintenance hemodialysis--a randomized cross-over study.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) contributes to endothelial dysfunction in ESRD. In the general population, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) decrease ADMA levels, but no study has compared the effect of these drugs in patients with ESRD on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). METHODS: We evaluated the effect of 1-week treatment with ramipril (5 mg/d), valsartan (160 mg/d), and placebo on ADMA levels in 15 patients on MHD in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, three x three cross-over study. RESULTS: We found that ADMA levels were increased at baseline and throughout the dialysis session during ramipril treatment (p < 0.001 compared to both, placebo and valsartan). Ramipril did not increase ADMA levels in a study of patients without ESRD, suggesting that factors related to ESRD or hemodialysis contribute to the ACE inhibitor-induced increase in ADMA. We have previously shown that ACE inhibition increases bradykinin (BK) levels during hemodialysis. We therefore evaluated the effect of bradykinin on ADMA production in A549 cells; a cell line that expresses BK receptors. Incubation with BK increased intracellular ADMA concentration through BK B2-receptor stimulation. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that short-term ACE inhibition increases ADMA in patients on MHD whereas ARBs do not. In vitro studies further suggest that this may occur through BK-mediated increase in ADMA production during ACE inhibition. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00732069 August 6 2008 and NCT00607672 February 4 2008.