Clinical Science-linking basic science to disease mechanisms

For more than 50 years, Clinical Science has been at the interface linking basic science to disease mechanisms. Here, Rhian Touyz, the Editor-in-Chief, describes the journal, its aims and scope, and recent developments

Cardiotoxicity with vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor therapy

Angiogenesis inhibitors targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway (VSP) have been important additions in the therapy of various cancers, especially renal cell carcinoma and colorectal cancer. Bevazicumab, the first VSP to receive FDA approval in 2004 targeting all circulating isoforms of VEGF-A, has become one of the best-selling drugs of all times. The second wave of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which target the intracellular site of VEGF receptor kinases, began with the approval of sorafenib in 2005 and sunitinib in 2006. Heart failure was subsequently noted, in 2–4% of patients on bevacizumab and in 3–8% of patients on VSP-TKIs. The very fact that the single-targeted monoclonal antibody bevacizumab can induce cardiotoxicity supports a pathomechanistic role for the VSP and the postulate of the “vascular” nature of VSP inhibitor cardiotoxicity. In this review we will outline this scenario in greater detail, reflecting on hypertension and coronary artery disease as risk factors for VSP inhibitor cardiotoxicity, but also similarities with peripartum and diabetic cardiomyopathy. This leads to the concept that any preexisting or coexisting condition that reduces the vascular reserve or utilizes the vascular reserve for compensatory purposes may pose a risk factor for cardiotoxicity with VSP inhibitors. These conditions need to be carefully considered in cancer patients who are to undergo VSP inhibitor therapy. Such vigilance is not to exclude patients from such prognostically extremely important therapy but to understand the continuum and to recognize and react to any cardiotoxicity dynamics early on for superior overall outcomes

Efficient estimation of the distribution of time to composite endpoint when some endpoints are only partially observed.

Two common features of clinical trials, and other longitudinal studies, are (1) a primary interest in composite endpoints, and (2) the problem of subjects withdrawing prematurely from the study. In some settings, withdrawal may only affect observation of some components of the composite endpoint, for example when another component is death, information on which may be available from a national registry. In this paper, we use the theory of augmented inverse probability weighted estimating equations to show how such partial information on the composite endpoint for subjects who withdraw from the study can be incorporated in a principled way into the estimation of the distribution of time to composite endpoint, typically leading to increased efficiency without relying on additional assumptions above those that would be made by standard approaches. We describe our proposed approach theoretically, and demonstrate its properties in a simulation study

Hypertension guidelines: is it time to reappraise blood pressure thresholds and targets?

No abstract available

Reactive oxygen species, vascular noxs, and hypertension: focus on translational and clinical research

Significance: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are signaling molecules that are important in physiological processes, including host defense, aging, and cellular homeostasis. Increased ROS bioavailability and altered redox signaling (oxidative stress) have been implicated in the onset and/or progression of chronic diseases, including hypertension. Recent Advances: Although oxidative stress may not be the only cause of hypertension, it amplifies blood pressure elevation in the presence of other pro-hypertensive factors, such as salt loading, activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and sympathetic hyperactivity, at least in experimental models. A major source for ROS in the cardiovascular-renal system is a family of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (Noxs), including the prototypic Nox2-based Nox, and Nox family members: Nox1, Nox4, and Nox5. Critical Issues: Although extensive experimental data support a role for increased ROS levels and altered redox signaling in the pathogenesis of hypertension, the role in clinical hypertension is unclear, as a direct causative role of ROS in blood pressure elevation has yet to be demonstrated in humans. Nevertheless, what is becoming increasingly evident is that abnormal ROS regulation and aberrant signaling through redox-sensitive pathways are important in the pathophysiological processes which is associated with vascular injury and target-organ damage in hypertension. Future Directions: There is a paucity of clinical information related to the mechanisms of oxidative stress and blood pressure elevation, and a few assays accurately measure ROS directly in patients. Such further ROS research is needed in humans and in the development of adequately validated analytical methods to accurately assess oxidative stress in the clinic

Characterization of constitutive and acid-induced outwardly rectifying chloride currents in immortalized mouse distal tubular cells

Thiazides block Na+ reabsorption while enhancing Ca2 + reabsorption in the kidney. As previously demonstrated in immortalized mouse DCT (MDCT) cells, chlorothiazide application induced a robust plasma membrane hyperpolarization, which increased Ca2 + uptake. This essential thiazide-induced hyperpolarization was prevented by the Cl− channel inhibitor 5-Nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB), implicating NPPB-sensitive Cl− channels, however the nature of these Cl− channels has been rarely described in the literature. Here we show that MDCT cells express a dominant, outwardly rectifying Cl− current at extracellular pH 7.4. This constitutive Cl− current was more permeable to larger anions (Eisenman sequence I; I− > Br− ≥ Cl−) and was substantially inhibited by > 100 mM [Ca2 +]o, which distinguished it from ClC-K2/Barttin. Moreover, the constitutive Cl− current was blocked by NPPB, along with other Cl− channel inhibitors (DIDS, FFA). Subjecting the MDCT cells to an acidic extracellular solution (pH < 5.5) induced a substantially larger outwardly rectifying NPPB-sensitive Cl− current. This acid-induced Cl− current was also anion permeable (I− > Br− > Cl−), but was distinguished from the constitutive Cl− current by its rectification characteristics, ion sensitivities, and response to FFA. In addition, we have identified similar outwardly rectifying and acid-sensitive currents in immortalized cells from the inner medullary collecting duct (mIMCD-3 cells). Expression of an acid-induced Cl− current would be particularly relevant in the acidic IMCD (pH < 5.5). To our knowledge, the properties of these Cl− currents are unique and provide the mechanisms to account for the Cl− efflux previously speculated to be present in MDCT cells

Vascular biology of ageing—implications in hypertension

Ageing is associated with functional, structural and mechanical changes in arteries that closely resemble the vascular alterations in hypertension. Characteristic features of large and small arteries that occur with ageing and during the development of hypertension include endothelial dysfunction, vascular remodelling, inflammation, calcification and increased stiffness. Arterial changes in young hypertensive patients mimic those in old normotensive individuals. Hypertension accelerates and augments age-related vascular remodelling and dysfunction, and ageing may impact on the severity of vascular damage in hypertension, indicating close interactions between biological ageing and blood pressure elevation. Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying vascular alterations in ageing and hypertension are common and include aberrant signal transduction, oxidative stress and activation of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic transcription factors. Strategies to suppress age-associated vascular changes could ameliorate vascular damage associated with hypertension. An overview on the vascular biology of ageing and hypertension is presented and novel molecular mechanisms contributing to these processes are discussed. The complex interaction between biological ageing and blood pressure elevation on the vasculature is highlighted

Hypertension guidelines: effect of blood pressure targets

There has been an abundance of hypertension guidelines over the years. Their purpose is to convey evidence-based findings from clinical trials to clinicians so that best medical choices can be made for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with hypertension. Over the past 3 years new hypertension guidelines have been published in the United States, Canada, Europe, and elsewhere with new or refined recommendations made regarding diagnosis, therapy, and intensity of treatment. Previous national guidelines were generally well aligned. However, there are major differences in the current North American and European recommendations in terms of the classification of hypertension and treatment goals, with the diagnosis of hypertension starting at 140/90 mm Hg for the European guidelines and 130/80 mm Hg for the American and Canadian guidelines. An important controversial aspect in the updated guidelines relates to a lowered threshold (130/80 mm Hg) at which hypertension is diagnosed and treated, because growing evidence indicates that individuals at low cardiovascular risk might be exposed to incremental harm because of overtreatment with antihypertensive drugs. However, these concerns need to be weighed against the robust evidence from the landmark Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) study and numerous meta-analyses, which clearly showed that intensive blood pressure-lowering aimed at a systolic blood pressure of 120-130 mm Hg causes ̴a significant, > 25% reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This review highlights some of the important discrepancies between the major current guidelines, with a focus on definitions and treatment goals of hypertension. The effect of lower blood pressure targets and intensive antihypertensive treatment on cardiovascular benefit and risk is also discussed

Magnesium and other biometals in oxidative medicine and redox biology

No abstract available

Vascular complications of cancer chemotherapy

Development of new anticancer drugs has resulted in improved mortality rates and 5-year survival rates in patients with cancer. However, many of the modern chemotherapies are associated with cardiovascular toxicities that increase cardiovascular risk in cancer patients, including hypertension, thrombosis, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmias. These limitations restrict treatment options and might negatively affect the management of cancer. The cardiotoxic effects of older chemotherapeutic drugs such as alkylating agents, antimetabolites, and anticancer antibiotics have been known for a while. The newer agents, such as the antiangiogenic drugs that inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor signalling are also associated with cardiovascular pathology, especially hypertension, thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, and proteinuria. Exact mechanisms by which vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors cause these complications are unclear but impaired endothelial function, vascular and renal damage, oxidative stress, and thrombosis might be important. With increasing use of modern chemotherapies and prolonged survival of cancer patients, the incidence of cardiovascular disease in this patient population will continue to increase. Accordingly, careful assessment and management of cardiovascular risk factors in cancer patients by oncologists and cardiologists working together is essential for optimal care so that prolonged cancer survival is not at the expense of increased cardiovascular events