Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor-Induced Angioedema of the Small Bowel: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

BACKGROUND: Angioedema of the tongue, oral mucosa, and pharynx is a highly visible and easily diagnoseable side effect of Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI). Angioedema of the small bowel is a rarer, and underrecognized, adverse event that may present as a diagnostic challenge due to its nonspecific symptoms and lack of visibility, and because of a general lack of awareness of it among physicians. Failure to consider ACEI-induced angioedema of the small bowel in differential diagnoses may result in unnecessary interventions and delay of treatment. METHODS: We describe the case of a 61-year-old female who was diagnosed with ACEI-induced angioedema of the small intestine after several repeated evaluations. We undertook a literature search to help provide diagnostic, treatment, and management suggestions in patients with ACEI-induced angioedema of the small intestine. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the literature, we found that age, patient demographics, and careful medical reconciliation, paired with diagnostic clues in radiology, can assist in accurate diagnosis. More broadly, family and emergency medicine physicians, surgeons, radiologists, and internists should be aware of this rare side effect caused by this commonly prescribed medication to avert unnecessary medical treatments and procedures.

Naringin abrogates angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity and podocin signalling pathway in cobalt chloride-induced nephrotoxicity and hypertension.

PurposeThe persistent and alarming rates of increase in cardiovascular and renal diseases caused by chemicals such as cobalt chloride (CoCl2) in mammalian tissues have led to the use of various drugs for the treatment of these diseases. This study aims at evaluating the nephron-protective action of Naringin (NAR), a metal-chelating antioxidant against CoCl2-induced hypertension and nephrotoxicity.MethodsForty-two male Wistar rats were randomly distributed to seven rats of six groups and classified into Group A (Control), Group B (300 part per million; ppm CoCl2), Group C (300 ppm CoCl2 + 80 mg/kg NAR), Group D (300 ppm CoCl2 + 160 mg/kg NAR), Group E (80 mg/kg NAR), and Group F (160 mg/kg NAR). NAR and CoCl2 were administered via oral gavage for seven days. Biomarkers of renal damage, oxidative stress, antioxidant status, blood pressure parameters, immunohistochemistry of renal angiotensin-converting enzyme and podocin were determined.ResultsCobalt chloride intoxication precipitated hypertension, renal damage, and oxidative stress. Immunohistochemistry revealed higher expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and podocin in rats administered only CoCl2.ConclusionTaken together, the antioxidant and metal-chelating action of Naringin administration against cobalt chloride-induced renal damage and hypertension could be through abrogation of angiotensin-converting enzyme and podocin signalling pathway.

Mineralcorticoid receptor blockers in chronic kidney disease.

There are many experimental data supporting the involvement of aldosterone and mineralcorticoid receptor (MR) activation in the genesis and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular damage. Many studies have shown that in diabetic and non-diabetic CKD, blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) system with conversion enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) decreases proteinuria, progression of CKD and mortality, but there is still a significant residual risk of developing these events. In subjects treated with ACEi or ARBs there may be an aldosterone breakthrough whose prevalence in subjects with CKD can reach 50%. Several studies have shown that in CKD, the aldosterone antagonists (spironolactone, eplerenone) added to ACEi or ARBs, reduce proteinuria, but increase the risk of hyperkalemia. Other studies in subjects treated with dialysis suggest a possible beneficial effect of antialdosteronic drugs on CV events and mortality. Newer potassium binders drugs can prevent/decrease hyperkalemia induced by RAAS blockade, and may reduce the high discontinuation rates or dose reduction of RAAS-blockers. The nonsteroidal MR blockers, with more potency and selectivity than the classic ones, reduce proteinuria and have a lower risk of hyperkalemia. Several clinical trials, currently underway, will determine the effect of classic MR blockers on CV events and mortality in subjects with stage 3b CKD and in dialysis patients, and whether in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and CKD, optimally treated and with high risk of CV and kidney events, the addition of finerenone to their treatment produces cardiorenal benefits. Large randomized trials have shown that sodium glucose type 2 cotransporter inhibitors (SGLT2i) reduce mortality and the development and progression of diabetic and nondiabetic CKD. There are pathophysiological arguments, which raise the possibility that the triple combination ACEi or ARBs, SGLT2i and aldosterone antagonist provide additional renal and cardiovascular protection.

New drug candidates for depression - a nationwide population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether continued use of non-aspirin NSAID, low-dose aspirin, high-dose aspirin, statins, allopurinol and angiotensin agents decreases the rate of incident depression using Danish nationwide population-based registers. METHODS: All persons in Denmark who purchased the exposure medications of interest between 1995 and 2015 and a random sample of 30% of the Danish population was included in the study. Two different outcome measures were included, (i) a diagnosis of depressive disorder at a psychiatric hospital as in-patient or out-patient and (ii) a combined measure of a diagnosis of depression or use of antidepressants. RESULTS: A total of 1 576 253 subjects were exposed to one of the six drugs of interest during the exposure period from 2005 to 2015. Continued use of low-dose aspirin, statins, allopurinol and angiotensin agents was associated with a decreased rate of incident depression according to both outcome measures. Continued uses of non-aspirin NSAIDs as well as high-dose aspirin were associated with an increased rate of incident depression. CONCLUSION: The findings support the potential of agents acting on inflammation and the stress response system in depression as well as the potential of population-based registers to systematically identify drugs with repurposing potential.

Activation of Bone Marrow-Derived Cells Angiotensin (Ang) II Type 1 Receptor by Ang II Promotes Atherosclerotic Plaque Vulnerability.

Angiotensin (Ang) II triggers vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque development. Bone marrow (BM)-derived cells are key players in atherogenesis but whether Ang II induces plaque vulnerability directly through Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) activation on these cells remains to be clarified. In the present study, we investigated whether a lack of AT1R on BM-derived cells might affect Ang II-mediated vulnerable plaque development. The 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K1C) model (Ang II-dependent mouse model of advanced atherosclerosis and vulnerable plaques) was generated in ApoE-/- mice transplanted with AT1aR-/- or AT1aR+/+ BM. Plasma cholesterol as well as hepatic mRNA expression levels of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism were significantly lower in 2K1C mice transplanted with AT1aR-/- BM than in controls. Atherosclerotic lesions were significantly smaller in AT1aR-/- BM 2K1C mice (-79% in the aortic sinus and -71% in whole aorta compared to controls). Plaques from AT1aR-/- BM 2K1C mice exhibited reduced lipid core/fibrous cap and macrophage/smooth muscle cells ratios (-82% and -88%, respectively), and increased collagen content (+70%), indicating a more stable phenotype. Moreover, aortic mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-12p35, IL-1ß, and TNF-α were significantly reduced in AT1aR-/- BM 2K1C mice. No significant differences in either the number of circulating Ly6Chigh inflammatory monocytes and Ly6Clow resident anti-inflammatory monocyte subsets, or in mRNA levels of aortic M1 or M2 macrophage markers were observed between the two groups. No significant differences were observed in splenic mRNA levels of T cell subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg) markers between the two groups. In conclusion, direct AT1R activation by Ang II on BM-derived cells promotes hepatic mRNA expression of cholesterol-metabolism-related genes and vascular mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines that may lead to plaque instability.

Enteropatía similar a enfermedad celíaca asociada a olmesartán / Spruelike enteropathy related to olmesartán treatment

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A mouse model of intracranial aneurysm: technical considerations.

Intracranial aneurysms can be induced by a single stereotaxic injection of elastase into the cerebrospinal fluid at the right basal cistern in hypertensive mice. This mouse model produces large aneurysm formations with an incidence of 60-80% within 3-4 weeks. Intracranial aneurysms in this model recapitulate key pathological features of human intracranial aneurysms. Several technical factors are critical for the successful induction of intracranial aneurysms in this model. Precise stereotaxic placement of the needle tip into the cerebrospinal fluid space is especially important. Aneurysm formations in this model can serve as a simple and easily interpretable outcome for future studies that utilize various inhibitors, knockout mice, or transgenic mice to test roles of specific molecules and pathways in the pathophysiology of intracranial aneurysms.

Influência do bloqueador de receptor de angiotensina (Losartana potássica) na função renal e pressão arterial em cães GRMD / Influence of angiotensin receptor blocker of renal function and arterial pression in GRMD dogs

A distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD) é uma alteração neuromuscular caracterizada por contínua necrose muscular e degeneração, com eventual fibrose e infiltração por tecido adiposo. O aumento progressivo da fibrose intersticial no músculo impede a migração das células miogênicas, necessárias para a formação muscular. O modelo canino constitui-se nas melhores fenocópias da doença em humanos, quando comparados com outros modelos animais com distrofia. O tratamento antifibrose de pacientes DMD, tendo como alvo os mediadores da citocina, TGF-beta, e o tratamento com antiinflamatórios, podem limitar a degeneração muscular e contribuir para a melhora do curso da doença. O presente estudo teve como objetivo observar os possíveis efeitos adversos na fisiologia renal, por meio de avaliação bioquímica sanguínea e da pressão arterial, verificando a viabilidade do uso do Losartan (um inibidor de TGF-beta) nos cães afetados pela distrofia muscular. Foram utilizados quatro cães adultos, sendo dois machos e duas fêmeas. Utilizou-se a dose de 50mg de Losartan, administrada via oral, uma vez ao dia. Os exames clínicos, bem como alterações na função renal, o nível do potássio sérico e a pressão arterial não evidenciaram reação adversa durante todo o período do experimento. O uso de Losartan, por um período de 9 semanas, mostrou-se como uma terapia segura para o tratamento antifibrótico em cães adultos, não afetando a função renal ou pressão arterial dos animais.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by a continuous muscle necrosis and degeneration with eventual fibrosis and fatty tissue infiltration. Progressive increase in muscle interstitial fibrosis prevents the movement of myogenic cells, which is necessary for myotube formation. Canine model is the best phenocopies of the disease in humans when comparing with others animal models with dystrophy. Anti-fibrotic treatment of DMD patients, targeting the cytokine mediators, TGF-beta, and the treatment with antiinflammatories, may limit muscle degeneration and contribute for the improvement of the course of the illness. This work aimed to verify the possible adverse effects in renal physiology by means of evaluation sanguineous biochemist and arterial pressure, in order to verifying the viability of Losartan (a TGF-beta inhibiter) in affected dogs by muscle dystrophy. It was used four adults dogs, two of each gender. A dose of 50mg of Losartan was orally given once a day. The clinical exams, the kidney function, arterial blood pressure and potassium level did not show any adverse effect through the experimental period. Losartan utilization showed to be a safe therapy for the antifibrotic treatment in adults dogs, not affecting neither the kidney function nor the arterial blood pressure.

Hypercoagulable state and disseminated intravascular coagulation following an effective chemotherapy in tumor-bearing rats.

OBJECTIVE: To detect the changes in blood coagulation system and clarify the related mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation. METHODS: Changes in blood coagulation system and immunohistochemistry for fibrinogen were investigated in six groups of rats designed for different purposes. RESULTS: Decreased platelet count, prolonged prothrombin time and active partial thromboplastin time, elevated fibrinogen level, and decreased antithrombin were observed in the rats receiving a newly developed chemotherapy (NDC group), in which mitomycin C was administered intravenously together with angiotensin. Accumulation of fibrinogen and microthrombi in the blood vessels of multiple organs were also found in the NDC group by immunohistochemistry and histopathological examination. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid reduction of tumor mass induced by an effective chemotherapy could cause hypercoagulable state and disseminated intravascular coagulation.