Blood pressure and nutrient intake in the United States.

A data base of the National Center for Health Statistics, Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (HANES I), was used to perform a computer-assisted, comprehensive analysis of the relation of 17 nutrients to the blood pressure profile of adult Americans. Subjects were 10,372 individuals, 18 to 74 years of age, who denied a history of hypertension and intentional modification of their diet. Significant decreases in the consumption of calcium, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C were identified as the nutritional factors that distinguished hypertensive from normotensive subjects. Lower calcium intake was the most consistent factor in hypertensive individuals. Across the population, higher intakes of calcium, potassium, and sodium were associated with lower mean systolic blood pressure and lower absolute risk of hypertension. Increments of dietary calcium were also negatively correlated with body mass. Even though these correlations cannot be accepted as proof of causation, they have implications for future studies of the association of nutritional factors and dietary patterns with hypertension in America.

Purification of granulosa cells from human ovarian follicular fluid using granulosa cell aggregates.

Human follicular fluid can provide a source of human granulosa cells for scientific study. However, removing potentially contaminating cells, such as white and red blood cells, is important for molecular and in vitro studies. We have developed a purification technique for human granulosa cells based on the selection of cellular aggregates. Human granulosa cells from 21 IVF patients were collected. A 50% Percoll gradient was used to remove red blood cells, and granulosa cell aggregates were collected, washed and processed for histology, electron microscopy, flow cytometry analysis, cell culture and RNA extraction. Granulosa cell aggregates were found to be homogeneous and free of white blood cells after histological and electron microscopic analysis. White blood cell contamination, measured by flow cytometry, was found to be between 2 and 4%. Polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed expression of known human granulosa cell genes and a white blood cell marker. Human granulosa cells grown in vitro showed flattened fibroblast-like morphology with lipid droplets consistent with previous reports. Cultured cells expressed the FSH receptor. Selection of human granulosa cell aggregates following centrifugation through a Percoll gradient provides an efficient method of selecting granulosa cells, suitable for both molecular and in vitro studies.

SOLiD SAGE sequencing shows differential gene expression in jejunal lymph node samples of resistant and susceptible red deer (Cervus elaphus) challenged with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis.

This study compared in vivo lymph node gene expression levels between six young red deer that were either relatively resistant (R) or susceptible (S) to paratuberculosis following experimental challenge with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Intestinal lymph nodes were biopsied at 4, 12 and 50 weeks post challenge (pc) and parallel changes in histopathology, immunology and bacterial load monitored. SOLiD SAGE (serial analysis of gene expression) next generation sequencing of biopsied lymph node samples generated a total of 373 million transcript tags 26-28bp in length after filtering. A total of 36,632 unique transcripts were identified and 14,325 of these were able to be annotated. The copy number of each transcript was counted, averaged and compared for R and S animals (R-S). P values and False Discovery Rates (FDR) were calculated for each transcript. Genes differentially upregulated ≥2 fold (FDR<0.5) totalled 9, 40 and 32 in R animals (+ values) and 23, 164 and 47 in S animals (- values) at weeks 4, 12, and 50pc, respectively. Transcripts displaying greatest differential expression between R and S animals at each time point were IFIT2 (189 fold) and S100A8 (-32.7 fold) at week 4, LRR1 (52.7 fold), SERPINF2 (-214.6 fold) at week 12 and CEACAM8 (84.6 fold), and STK31 (-129.5 fold) at week 50, respectively. All 9 genes significantly upregulated at week 4 in R animals relate specifically to host defence and all involve Type I interferon stimulated genes. By contrast genes upregulated in S animals at week 4, relate predominantly to inflammation, but also involve adaptive immune responses, mitochondrial function and apoptosis regulation. At week 12, the genes differentially upregulated in R animals are linked predominantly to regulation of adaptive immunity and mucosal immunity, while many of the genes in S animals are associated with pro-inflammatory interleukins involved with innate and adaptive immunity. These correlated with greater lesion severity and higher MAP numbers in lymph nodes of S animals. By week 50 the number of upregulated genes declined in both groups. A number of genes upregulated in R animals appear to be associated with host resistance and regulation of adaptive immunity, especially CEACAM8. Genes upregulated in S animals involve antigen presentation (ENDOD1) and gut associated immune pathology (HSH2D). In conclusion, gene expression in jejunal lymph nodes of resistant and susceptible deer infer that the resistant phenotype is associated with pathways of adaptive immunity, while susceptibility is linked with upregulated non-protective pro-inflammatory responses, following experimental MAP infection.

Demographic, dietary, life style, and anthropometric correlates of blood pressure.

The relationships between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and select demographic, dietary, life-style, and anthropometric variables were examined for a specialized sample of 10,419 adults, 18 years and over, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) I conducted in 1971-1974. The bivariate relationships of blood pressure to each of the measurements above were examined using zero-order correlation coefficients, and Step-wise linear regression. Age and body mass index (BMI) played a major role in accounting for most of the variance in blood pressure. These two indices alone accounted for 94.5% and 89.0% of the variance in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In contrast, only 5.5% and 11.0% of the changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were explained by all other variables combined. Diet explained less than 1% of the total variance observed for blood pressure for whites, and less than 5% for nonwhites. Select dietary variables such as sodium/potassium ratio, calories from fat, and % saturated fat were not significantly (p less than 0.001) correlated to blood pressure. On the other hand, food calcium, sodium/calcium ratio, food vitamin C, and calcium/phosphorus ratio were significantly correlated to both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Consumption of sugars.

The mean percent of energy from total sugars minus lactose is 18% in the United States, according to data from the 1987-1988 US Department of Agriculture Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. When sugars intake is distributed among food pyramid groupings, the primary contributor is the "others" group (39%). The relationship between sugars intakes and micronutrients was age and sex dependent. Consumers of high amounts of sugars do not necessarily have poorer quality diets. In the European Union, the mean percent energy from all sugars is 15.2%. The top five sources of sugar contributed 68% of sugar intake but only 11% of fat intake (UK data). Although sugars intake varies among these major developed regions, the consistent inverse relation between fat and sugars intake and the scarcity of individuals achieving dietary guidelines raises serious questions regarding current dietary recommendations.

Food eating patterns and health: a reexamination of the Ten-State and HANES I surveys.

Dietary, clinical, and biochemical data from the Ten-State Nutrition Survey (1968 to 1970) and the Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I (1971 to 1974), have been reexamined by factor analysis to focus attention on eating patterns as a means of relating food intake to health. The seven statistically different eating patterns generated were characterized by disproportionate consumption of different food groups. The relationship between the combination of foods that people ate and the state of their nutritional health was examined for both samples in total, and for various age, sex, race, region, and income groups within the Health and Nutrition Examination Survey I sample. Significantly different associations between the seven eating patterns and the absence of clinical symptoms and biochemical deficiencies were found. Some eating patterns consistently stood out as being significantly better or worse in this regard (p less than 0.05). This food eating pattern model should prove useful for 1) examining the association between food consumption and the incidence of disease states, such as obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and periodontal disease for various large scale dietary-health surveys, 2) establishing food regulatory policies, 3) setting national dietary goals, and 4) educating the public on nutrition and health issues.

Synthesis and anticonvulsant activity of some tetracyclic indole derivatives.

Several related series of cycloalkyl[4,5]pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinolines 7a-g, 8a-c, 10a-3, and 16a-f and indolo[3,2,1-hi]indoles 22a-c and 23a,b were synthesized and tested for anticonvulsant activity. The key preparative step, a Fischer indole reaction between a bicyclic hydrazine and a cyclic ketone, gave the compounds in 34-96% yield. The products were tested in rat maximal electroshock for anticonvulsant activity. Several compounds showed good activity, with 6-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-4,5,6,8,9,10-hexahydrocyclopenta[4,5]pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinoline (7d) and N-methyl-4,5,6,8,9,10,11,12-octahydrocyclohepta[4,5]pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinoline- 6-carboxamide (10c) having ED50's of 12.5 and 12.9 mg/kg po, respectively.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors: 1,5-benzothiazepine derivatives.

The synthesis of chiral 1,5-benzothiazepines 2a-c, 14a-c, 15c, and 16a prepared from cysteine is described. In vitro inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is reported for each compound. Compound 2c was the most potent in vitro having an IC50 of 2.95 nM. The ester of 2c, i.e. 14c, was found to inhibit the AI pressor response by 75% at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg iv and by 39% at 1.0 mg/kg po. Additionally, 14c lowered blood pressure in the spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR) by 35 mmHg, at a dose of 10 mg/kg po.

Synthesis and biological properties of (carboxyalkyl)amino-substituted bicyclic lactam inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme.

Syntheses of the potent angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (3S)-1-(carboxymethyl)-3-[[(1S)-1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]amino]- 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-[1]benzazepin-2-one (4b; CGS 14831) and the related monoester prodrug (17a; CGS 14824A) are described together with preparative details for six- and eight-membered ring analogues. Inhibitory potencies and in vivo biological activity of the compounds are discussed. The data indicate that 17a has a biological profile comparable to that of enalapril.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors: N-substituted D-glutamic acid gamma dipeptides.

The preparation of two series of N-carbobenzoxy-gamma-D-glutamyl secondary 2S amino acids and (N-substituted gamma-D-glutamyl)indoline-2(S)-carboxylic acid dipeptides is described. In vitro inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is reported for each compound, and the structure-activity relationship is discussed. Oral and iv inhibition of AI pressor response in vivo of selected compounds in Table II is also discussed. The most potent compounds in vitro, 3 and 6a, had an ACE IC50 of 7 and 2.7 X 10(-9) M, respectively.

Substituted chromenes as potent, orally active 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors.

A series of chromene derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro and ex vivo 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibitory activity. These compounds were prepared by condensation of appropriate salicyl aldehydes with alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, followed by transformation to the corresponding hydroxamic acids or N-hydroxyureas. Placement of phenoxy or p-fluorophenoxy substituents at the 6 position of the chromene ring led to a dramatic increase in the in vitro potency as demonstrated by the guinea pig PMN 5-LO assay. Chromene hydroxamic acids, in general, behaved poorly in the ex vivo dog model. On the other hand, replacement of the hydroxamic acid function with N-hydroxyurea yielded potent and long-lasting 5-LO inhibitors in the dog model. In most cases, the oral efficacy of the chromene N-hydroxyureas correlated very well with their in vitro activity. Compounds 43 (CGS 23885) and 55 (CGS 24891) are among the most potent inhibitors prepared, showing IC50 values of 48 and 51 nM, respectively. The values for the duration of action (DA) for compounds 43 and 55 are 21 and 20 h, respectively, following intravenous (i.v.) administration of 1.0 mg/kg. In the oral (po) experiments, 43 and 55 have DA's of 14 and 15 h, respectively, at a 1.0 mg/kg dose. In both iv and po experiments, 43 and 55 showed sustained maximal inhibition (> 95%) at earlier time points. The oral ED50 values of 43 and 55 in the ex vivo dog model are 0.23 and 0.23 mg/kg, respectively, at 6.0 h, and 2.37 and 1.63 mg/kg, respectively, at 24 h. Compound 43, which inhibits sheep seminal vesicle cyclooxygenase (CO) with an IC50 value of 36 microM, was shown to be a selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor in the ex vivo study. These compounds compare favorably with zileuton (A-64077) in all the parameters examined.

Heterocyclic lactam derivatives as dual angiotensin converting enzyme and neutral endopeptidase 24.11 inhibitors.

A series of 13- and 14-membered ring lactam derivatives 9a,b, 10, 11, and 12a-c was prepared from L-cysteine. Compounds 9a,b and 12a,b were tested in vitro for inhibition of neutral endopeptidase 24.11 (NEP) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. The structure-activity profile of the series is discussed. Compound 9b, a 13-membered ring macrocyclic lactam, had an NEP IC50 of 18 nM and an ACEIC50 of 12 nM in vitro and showed dual plasma inhibition after intravenous or oral administration.

Synthesis and biological activity of some transition-state inhibitors of human renin.

A series of renin inhibitors containing the dipeptide transition state mimics (2S,4S,5S)-5-amino-4-hydroxy-2-isopropyl-7-methyloctanoic acid (Leu (OH)/Val) and (2S,4S,5S)-5-amino-4-hydroxy-2-isopropyl-6-cyclohexylhexanoic acid (CHa /(OH)/Val) was prepared. A structure-activity study with Boc-Phe-His-Leu (OH)/Val-Ile-His-NH2 (8a) as starting material led to N-[(2S)-2-[(tert-butylsulfonyl)methyl]-3-phenylpropionyl]-His-Cha (OH)/ Val- NHC4H9-n (8i) which has the length of a tetrapeptide and contains only one natural amino acid. Compound 8i had an IC50 of 2 x 10(-9) M against human renin and showed high enzyme specificity; IC50 values against the related aspartic proteinases pepsin and cathepsin D were (8 x 10(-6) and 3 x 10(-6) M, respectively). In salt-depleted marmosets, 8i inhibited plasma renin activity PRA and lowered blood pressure for up to 2 h after oral administration of a dose of 10 mg/kg.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors: N-substituted monocyclic and bicyclic amino acid derivatives.

The synthesis of N-(3-mercaptopropionyl)-N-arylglycines (14a-x),- N-arylalanines (15a,b),-N-cycloalkylglycines (16a-k), and -1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids (17a-d), -1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-2-carboxylic acids (18a-f), and -indoline-2-carboxylic acids (19a-k) is described. In vitro inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is reported for each compound, and the structure--activity relationship for each series is discussed. The in vivo inhibition of ACE and antihypertensive effects of representative compounds from each series are discussed. The most potent compound, 19d, had an in vitro ACE IC50 of 2.6 X 10(-9) M and lowered blood pressure in spontaneous hypertensive rats 85 mm at a dose of 10 mg/kg po.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors: 1-glutarylindoline-2-carboxylic acids derivatives.

The preparation of a series of 1-glutarylindoline-2(S)-carboxylic acid derivatives, 6a-v and 21a-c, is described. The above compounds were tested for inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme. The structure-activity relationship of the series is also discussed. Compound 6u, the most potent member of the series, had an in vitro IC50 of 4.8 X 10(-9) M. Compound 6v, an ethyl ester of 6u, lowered blood pressure 70 mm in spontaneous hypertensive rats at an oral dose of 30 mg/kg.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors: structure-activity profile of 1-benzazepin-2-one derivatives.

The preparation of a series of 3-amino-2-oxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepine-1-acetic acid derivatives 5a-y by reductive amination of 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepine-2,3-dione (7) with L-amino acid derivatives is described. The compounds were tested for inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme. The structure-activity profile of the series is discussed. Compound 5a was especially potent when tested in dogs for inhibition of angiotensin I pressor response, having an ID50 = 0.07 mg/kg po.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of oxamic acid and acetic acid derivatives related to L-thyronine.

Aryloxamic acids 7 and 23, (arylamino)acetic acids 29, arylpropionic acids 33, arylthioacetic acids 37, and (aryloxy)acetic acid 41 related to L-triiodothyronine (L-T3) were prepared and tested in vitro for binding to the rat liver nuclear L-T3 receptor and the rat membrane L-T3 receptor. The structure-activity relationships for these compounds are described, with 7f, 23a, 29c, 33a, 37b, and 41 showing excellent potency (IC50's of 0.19, 0.16, 1.1, 0.11, 3.5, and 0.10 nM, respectively) to the nuclear receptor and significantly lower binding affinity to the membrane receptor (IC50's > 5 microM). Some of these compounds, especially in the oxamic acid series 7 and 23, showed an unprecedented potency for methyl-substituted derivatives such as 7f and 23a. Compounds 7f and 23a showed good lipid lowering effects in rats with ED50's of 20 and 5 micrograms/kg po, respectively, and a lack of cardiac side effects in rats at doses as high as 10 and 25 mg/kg po, respectively.

Anilides of (R)-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid as inhibitors of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase.

The optimization of a series of anilide derivatives of (R)-3,3, 3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid as inhibitors of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDHK) is described that started from N-phenyl-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamide 1 (IC(50) = 35 +/- 1.4 microM). It was found that small electron-withdrawing groups on the ortho position of the anilide, i.e., chloro, acetyl, or bromo, increased potency 20-40-fold. The oral bioavailability of the compounds in this series is optimal (as measured by AUC) when the anilide is substituted at the 4-position with an electron-withdrawing group (i.e., carboxyl, carboxyamide, and sulfoxyamide). N-(2-Chloro-4-isobutylsulfamoylphenyl)-(R)-3,3, 3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionamide (10a) inhibits PDHK in the primary enzymatic assay with an IC(50) of 13 +/- 1.5 nM, enhances the oxidation of [(14)C]lactate into (14)CO(2) in human fibroblasts, lowers blood lactate levels significantly 2.5 and 5 h after oral doses as low as 30 micromol/kg, and increases the ex vivo activity of PDH in muscle, kidney, liver, and heart tissues. However, in contrast to sodium dichloroacetate (DCA), these PDHK inhibitors did not lower blood glucose levels. Nevertheless, they are effective at increasing the utilization and disposal of lactate and could be of utility to ameliorate conditions of inappropriate blood lactate elevation.

Secondary amides of (R)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid as inhibitors of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase.

N'-methyl-N-(4-tert-butyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine)thiourea, SDZ048-619 (1), is a modest inhibitor (IC(50) = 180 microM) of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDHK). In an optimization of the N-methylcarbothioamide moiety of 1, it was discovered that amides with a small acyl group, in particular appropriately substituted amides of (R)-3,3,3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropionic acid, are inhibitors of PDHK. Utilizing this acyl moiety, herein is reported the rationale leading to the optimization of a series of acylated piperazine derivatives. Methyl substitution of the piperazine at the 2- and 5-positions (with S and R absolute stereochemistry) markedly increased the potency of the lead compound (>1,000-fold). Oral bioavailability of the compounds in this series is good and is optimal (as measured by AUC) when the 4-position of the piperazine is substituted with an electron-poor benzoyl moiety. (+)-1-N-[2,5-(S, R)-Dimethyl-4-N-(4-cyanobenzoyl)piperazine]-(R)-3,3, 3-trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamide (14e) inhibits PDHK in the primary enzymatic assay with an IC(50) of 16 +/- 2 nM, enhances the oxidation of [(14)C]lactate into (14)CO(2) in human fibroblasts with an EC(50) of 57 +/- 13 nM, diminishes lactate significantly 2.5 h post-oral-dose at doses as low as 1 micromol/kg, and increases the ex vivo activity of PDH in muscle, liver, and fat tissues in normal Sprague-Dawley rats. These PDHK inhibitors, however, do not lower glucose in diabetic animal models.

Using expressed sequence tag databases to identify ovarian genes of interest.

GenBank contains 4879 expressed sequence tags (EST) derived from four non-normalized human ovarian cDNA libraries. Of these EST, 2646 are contributors to UniGene clusters and have UniGene numbers. The EST map to 1206 distinct UniGenes. A gene expression profile was established for the human ovary by identifying the abundance of each UniGene cluster and its corresponding annotation. The most highly expressed transcripts were for proteins associated with protein synthesis (ribosomal proteins, elongation factors, thymosins, etc.). However, there are also transcripts for genes of unknown function that are ovary-specific. This ovarian gene expression profile provides useful data for the design of DNA microarrays targeted at ovarian function and highlights novel sequences that warrant further investigation.