Central role of obesity in endothelial cell dysfunction and cardiovascular risk

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of mortality in the contemporary world. The critical role of the endothelial cells (EC) in vascular homeostasis, the metabolic changes that take place when the cell is activated, and the elements involved in these processes have been widely explored over the past years. Obesity and its impact, promoting a rise in blood levels of free fatty acids (FAs) are often associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular mortality. However, the mechanisms that promote cardiovascular structural changes and adaptive changes in the ECs, particularly in the context of obesity, are little known. Here, we reviewed studies that assessed the metabolic adaptations of healthy and dysfunctional ECs during exposure to FAs, as well as the epidemiological perspectives of cardiovascular structural changes in obesity. Finally, we explored the role of new agents - sphingolipids, dietary unsaturated fatty acids and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (iSGLT2) - in atherosclerosis and their relationship with obesity.651879

The role of SGLT2i in attenuating residual cardiovascular risk through blood pressure-lowering: mechanistic insights and perspectives

Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2) have been increasingly pursued as a promising target for addressing residual cardiovascular risk. Prior trials demonstrated that SGLT2i not only promotes glucose-lowering, but also improves endothelial dysfunction, adiposity, fluid overload, and insulin sensitivity thus contributing to hemodynamic changes implicated in its cardiorenal benefits. The mechanisms in the effect of SGLT2i on blood pressure and their potential role in preventing cardiovascular events are hereby revised

Infliximabe reduz débito cardíaco em pacientes com artrite reumatoide sem insuficiência cardíaca

OBJECTIVE: Human anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) monoclonal antibody (infliximab) is used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the risk of worsening heart failure has been described in patients under chronic treatment, the acute cardiovascular effects of this drug are unknown in RA patients without heart failure. METHODS: 14 RA patients with normal echocardiography and no history of heart failure were evaluated during the 2-hour infliximab (3-5 mg/kg) infusion period, using a noninvasive hemodynamic beat-to-beat system (Portapres). Stroke volume (SV); systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures (SBP, DBP and MBP, respectively); cardiac output (CO); heart rate (HR); and total peripheral vascular resistance (PVR) were recorded. All patients also received saline infusion instead of infliximab as a control. Significant differences in hemodynamic parameters were determined using Tuckey's test. All values were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). RESULTS: Fourteen RA patients (6M/8F) with mean age of 47.2 ± 8.8 years were evaluated. A significant decrease was found in cardiac output and stroke volume (7.04 ± 2.3 to 6.12 ± 2.1 l/min and 91 ± 29.0 to 83 ± 28.8 mL/beat, respectively) after infliximab infusion. Although not statistically significant, a progressive increase was detected in SBP, DBP and total PVR during infusion. Saline infusion did not cause significant hemodynamic changes in the same group of RA patients. No adverse effects were observed during the infusion period. CONCLUSION: Acute infliximab administration decreased cardiac output due to low stroke volume in RA patients without heart disease. The results also demonstrated that, in spite of its negative inotropic effect, infliximab enhanced BP, probably by increasing PVR.OBJETIVO: O inibidor de fator de necrose tumoral (TNF-α) infliximabe é usado no tratamento de doenças autoimunes como a artrite reumatoide (AR). Embora o risco de piora de insuficiência cardíaca em pacientes submetidos a tratamento crônico tenha sido descrito, os efeitos cardiovasculares agudos da infusão desta droga em pacientes com AR sem insuficiência cardíaca são desconhecidos. MÉTODOS: Pacientes com AR e ecocardiogramas normais e sem antecedentes de insuficiência cardíaca foram avaliados durante o período de infusão de infliximabe (3-5mg/kg), de 2 horas, utilizando um sistema de monitoramento hemodinâmico não invasivo batimento-a-batimento (Portapres). As variáveis avaliadas foram: volume sistólico (VS), pressão arterial sistólica, diastólica e média (PAS, PAD e PAM, respectivamente), débito cardíaco (DC), frequência cardíaca (FC) e resistência vascular periférica total (RVPT). Todos os voluntários também receberam infusão de soro fisiológico (SF) como estudo controle. Estatísticas foram avaliadas usando o teste de Tuckey. Os valores estão expressos em média ± desvio-padrão. RESULTADOS: Catorze pacientes (6M/8F), com idade média de 47,2 ± 8,8 anos, foram avaliados. Reduções significativas no débito cardíaco e volume sistólico foram encontradas após a infusão do infliximabe (7,04 ± 2,3 a 6,12 ± 2,1 L/min e 91 ± 29,0 a 83 ± 28,8 mL/batimento, respectivamente). Embora não estatisticamente significante, detectaram-se aumentos progressivos na PAS, PAD e RVPT durante a infusão. A infusão controle de SF não causou mudanças hemodinâmicas significativas nos pacientes estudados. Não foram observados efeitos adversos no período de infusão. CONCLUSÃO: A administração de infliximabe reduz agudamente o débito cardíaco devido a redução no volume sistólico em pacientes com AR sem insuficiência cardíaca. Nossos resultados mostram que, apesar do efeito inotrópico negativo, o infliximabe elevou a pressão arterial, provavelmente devido ao aumento na RVPT.698702Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Acute cardiac and hemodynamic effects of sildenafil on resistant hypertension : modulation by T-786C eNOS polymorphism

Orientador: Heitor Moreno JuniorTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências MédicasResumo: Objetivo: A falha no controle da pressão arterial (PA), apesar do uso de três ou mais antihipertensivos caracteriza hipertensão arterial resistente (HAR). A disfunção endotelial está intrinsecamente associada a esta condição e inibidores da fosfodiesterase 5 (iPDE5)-inibindo a degradação de GMP cíclico (GMPc)-reduzem a PA em pacientes com HAR. A administração aguda de iPDE5 poderia melhorar parâmetros hemodinâmicos, endoteliais e de função diastólica do ventrículo esquerdo (FDVE) em pacientes com HAR e o polimorfismo T-786C da sintase de óxido nítrico (NO) endotelial (eNOS) modularia essas respostas. Métodos: Os pacientes (n = 26) foram dispostos em três grupos de acordo com o genótipo da eNOS T-786C: CC (n = 8), a CT (n = 9) e TT (n = 9). Doses crescentes de sildenafil oral (37,5, 50 e 100 mg) e placebo (em datas separadas por pelo menos 2 semanas) foram administradas a intervalos de 30 minutos, enquanto parâmetros hemodinâmicos (não invasivos e contínuos) foram obtidos. Também foram determinados: FDVE; vasodilatação mediada por fluxo (VMF); e nitrito e GMPc plasmáticos ao início e término do protocolo. Resultados: PA média (PAM) e resistência periférica total (RPT) diminuíram no grupo total (n=26) após o sildenafil (84,17 ± 21,04-75 ± 17,21 mmHg, 1149 ± 459,7-1,037 dyn.s/cm-5 ± 340, respectivamente; p<0,05). Similarmente, o sildenafil melhorou a FDVE (volume atrial esquerdo: 25 ± 5,8-20 ± 4,4; Tempo de relaxamento isovolumétrico: 104 ± 19,33-88 ± 15,22; E/e'septal: 9,7 ± 3,8-7,9 ± 2,9; E/e' lateral: 7,7 ± 3,4-6,4 ± 3,2; p<0,05). Os grupos TT e TC obtiveram redução sustentada da RPT ao longo do protocolo. No CC, os valores da RPT retornaram aos basais após as doses. Não houve alterações significativas da VMF, nitrito e GMPc após a administração do sildenafil. Conclusão: A administração aguda de iPDE5 melhora o perfil hemodinâmico e função diastólica em HAR e o polimorfismo T-786C da eNOS modula a resposta hemodinâmica, mas não a FDVEAbstract: Purpose: Failure to control blood pressure (BP) despite the use of three or more drugs characterizes resistant hypertension (RHTN). Impaired endothelial function is associated to this condition and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5i)-inhibiting cGMP breakdown-reduce BP in RHTN patients. We hypothesized that acute administration of PDE5i could ameliorate hemodynamic, endothelial parameters and left ventricular diastolic function (LVDF) in RHTN patients and that the T-786C nitric oxide (NO) endothelial synthase (eNOS) polymorphism could modulate these responses. Methods: Subjects (n= 26) were arranged into three groups: CC (n= 8), TC (n= 9) and TT (n= 9) according to T-786C eNOS genotype. Increasing doses of oral sildenafil (37.5, 50 and 100 mg) and placebo (in protocols at least 2 weeks apart) were given at 30 minute intervals while continuous non-invasive hemodynamic measures were assessed. LVDF, Flow Mediated Dilation (FMD), plasma nitrite and cGMP were also determined. Results: Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and total peripheral resistance (RPT) decreased in all patients (84.17 ± 21.04 to 75 ± 17.21 mmHg; 1149 ± 459.7 to 1037 ± 340 dyn.s/cm-5, respectively; p<0.05). Likewise, sildenafil improved LVDF parameters (Left atrial volume: 25 ± 5.8 to 20 ± 4.4; Isovolumetric relaxation time: 104 ± 19.33 to 88 ± 15.22; E/e' septal: 9.7 ± 3.8 to 7.9 ± 2.9; E/e' lateral: 7.7 ± 3.4 to 6.4 ± 3.2; p<0.05). While TT and TC genotype groups sustained RPT reduction during the increasing sildenafil doses, CC group failed to sustain the RPT drop, by the end of the protocol. No statistical changes were found in FMD, nitrite and cGMP after PDE5i administration. Conclusion: Our data suggest PDE5i acutely improves hemodynamic profile and diastolic function in RHTN, also T-786C eNOS polymorphism modulates the hemodynamic response, but not diastolic functionDoutoradoFarmacologiaDoutor em Farmacologi

Flow-mediated Dilation: An Evolving Method

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State-of-the-art quantitative assessment of myocardial ischemia by stress perfusion cardiac magnetic resonance

Ischennic heart disease remains the foremost determinant of death and disability across the world. Quantification of the ischemia burden is currently the preferred approach to predict event risk and to trigger adequate treatment. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can be a prime protagonist in this scenario due to its synergistic features. It allows assessment of wall motility, myocardial perfusion, and tissue scar by means of late gadolinium enhancement imaging. We discuss the clinical and preclinical aspects of gadolinium-based, perfusion CMR imaging, including the relevance of high spatial resolution and 3-dimensional whole-heart coverage, among important features of this auspicious method27349150

Assessment of cardiotoxicity of cancer chemotherapy the value of cardiac MR imaging

Chemotherapy is associated with cardiovascular injury, including the development of a cardiomyopathy and vascular remodeling. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is sensitive to detect not only established morphologic and functional abnormalities but also early, potentially reversible, signs of myocardial injury. It robustly detects and quantifies myocardial edema, inflammation, and focal fibrosis, as well as interstitial fibrosis and vascular remodeling. These capabilities support the role of CMR as an excellent tool for evaluating cardiotoxicity. Novel CMR markers may even enhance patient management by facilitating the early detection of reversible myocardial tissue remodeling before classic morphologic and functional changes appear273533544CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP303366/2015-0; 453960/2016-22015/15402-2Dr Coelho-Filho is supported by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) Productivity in Research award grant (303366/2015-0) and travel award grant (453960/2016-2). Dr Coelho-Filho is also supported by a Young Investigators grant from The São Paulo Research Foundation (2015/15402-2). Dr Neilan has the following support: The Kohlberg Foundation, National Institutes of Health/ National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (1R01HL130539-01A1; 1R01HL137562 - 01A1) and National Institutes of Health/ Harvard Center for AIDS Research (P30 AI060354