Hypertension and valsartan

Hypertension, which is pointed to be the most frequent cause of death in the World and in Turkey and defined by the World Health Organization as global health crisis and the prominent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, is a problem threatening public health. Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in pathophysiology and in turn treatment of the disease. The drugs suppressing RAS are recommended both for monotherapy and combinations. Together with the blood pressure lowering effects and positive contributions of this group of drugs to the cardiovascular and renal process have been proved by clinical studies. In this review, the recent developments about the hypertension treatment were summarized and the place of valsartan molecule, being an angiotensin receptor blocker in hypertension treatment, was examined in the light of the studies in which the effectiveness, tolerability and safety of valsartan were evaluated

The effects of losartan and immobilization stress on heart rate variability and plasma corticosterone levels in rats

In this study, the effects of losartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, on heart rate variability and the changes of plasma corticosterone levels caused by immobilization stress were investigated. Losartan (3 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly prevented increases in plasma corticosterone levels in both losartan+acute stress and losartan +chronic stress groups. But, losartan did not prevent the diminution of the power of heart rate variability caused by stress. Our results supported the idea that the renin-angiotensin system is also involved in the stress-induced cardiovascular response, besides the autonomic nervous system. But, the effects of losartan on heart rate variability remained controversial

Efficacy and Safety of S-Amlodipine 2.5 and 5 mg/d in Hypertensive Patients Who Were Treatment-Naive or Previously Received Antihypertensive Monotherapy

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of S-amlodipine 2.5 and 5 mg/d in patients with hypertension who were treatment-naive or previously received antihypertensive monotherapy. During the 8-week treatment period, all patients received S-amlodipine 2.5 mg/d for the first 4 weeks, followed by S-amlodipine 5 mg/d for the second 4 weeks. For efficacy assessments, ambulatory and office blood pressure (BP) measurements were performed during the baseline, fourth-week, and eighth-week visits. For safety assessments, all adverse events and abnormal laboratory findings were recorded. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03038451). Of 43 patients evaluated at the screening visit, 33 were enrolled. In the treatment-naive arm, significant reductions in both office and ambulatory systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were observed with S-amlodipine 2.5 mg/d and additional significant reductions were achieved with dose titration (S-amlodipine 5 mg/d). At the end of the study, the rate of the treatment-naive patients with BP under control (SBP/DBP <140/90 mm Hg) was 53% with S-amlodipine 2.5 mg and increased to 78% with S-amlodipine 5 mg. For the noninferiority evaluation, S-amlodipine 2.5 and 5 mg/d treatments were generally noninferior to both office and ambulatory BP levels achieved with the medications that the patients received before participating in the study. Five nonserious adverse events likely to be associated with the study drug were observed. No serious adverse event was encountered. Consequently, S-amlodipine can be suggested as an effective and safe treatment option for patients with hypertension

Effects of Blood Pressure Lowering With Different Antihypertensive Agents on Cognitive Function and Plasma Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Levels: A Comparative Study

Purpose: Hypertension is a risk factor for cognitive impairment (CI). However, the specific effect of antihypertensive therapy on cognitive function is still controversial. We aimed to investigate the effect of antihypertensive agents targeting the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on CI and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF)

Cardiovascular Efficacy and Safety of Bococizumab in High-Risk Patients

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