1.
Early increase in autoantibodies against human oxidized low-density lipoprotein in hypertensive patients after blood pressure control.
Brandão, SA, Izar, MC, Fischer, SM, Santos, AO, Monteiro, CM, Póvoa, RM, Helfenstein, T, Carvalho, AC, Monteiro, AM, Ramos, E, et al
American journal of hypertension. 2010;(2):208-14
Abstract
BACKGROUND Oxidized lipoproteins and antioxidized low-density lipoprotein (anti-oxLDL) antibodies (Abs) have been detected in plasma in response to blood pressure (BP) elevation, suggesting the participation of the adaptive immune system. Therefore, treatment of hypertension may act on the immune response by decreasing oxidation stimuli. However, this issue has not been addressed. Thus, we have here analyzed anti-oxLDL Abs in untreated (naive) hypertensive patients shortly after initiation of antihypertensive therapeutic regimens. METHODS Titers of anti-oxLDL Abs were measured in subjects with recently diagnosed hypertension on stage 1 (n = 94), in primary prevention of coronary disease, with no other risk factors, and naive of antihypertensive medication at entry. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive perindopril, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), or indapamide (INDA) for 12 weeks, with additional perindopril if necessary to achieve BP control. Abs against copper-oxidized LDL were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Twelve-week antihypertensive treatment reduced both office-based and 24-h ambulatory BP measurements (P < 0.0005). The decrease in BP was accompanied by reduction in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) (P < 0.05), increase in anti-oxLDL Ab titers (P < 0.005), and improvement in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) (P < 0.0005), independently of treatment. Although BP was reduced, we observed favorable changes in anti-oxLDL titers and FMD. CONCLUSIONS We observed that anti-oxLDL Ab titers increase after antihypertensive therapy in primary prevention when achieving BP targets. Our results are in agreement with the concept that propensity to oxidation is increased by essential hypertension and anti-oxLDL Abs may be protective and potential biomarkers for the follow-up of hypertension treatment.
2.
Inhibitory effects of micronized fenofibrate on carotid atherosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension.
Zhu, S, Su, G, Meng, QH
Clinical chemistry. 2006;(11):2036-42
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coexistence of hypertension and dyslipidemia synergistically increases the risk of cardiovascular events. We investigated the effect of the lipid-lowering agent micronized fenofibrate on inhibition of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with essential hypertension and mild hyperlipidemia. METHODS We measured serum lipid profiles and inflammatory markers on chemistry or immune analyzers and common or internal carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter (D) by ultrasonography. RESULTS Patients receiving micronized fenofibrate for 24 months in addition to antihypertensive treatment had decreased concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, apolipoprotein B100, oxidized LDL, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, P-selectin, and cytokines. These patients had increased concentrations of HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, and nitric oxide. Common carotid artery IMT (CCAIMT) and internal carotid artery IMT (ICAIMT) remained unchanged during the 24-month intervention. Moreover, the mean CCAIMT/D ratio and ICAIMT/D ratio were significantly decreased in the fenofibrate intervention group. In contrast, CCAIMT/D and ICAIMT/D ratios were increased in the control group. The incidence rates of carotid artery plaque formation and stroke in the fenofibrate intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group. CONCLUSION The combination of antihypertensive agents with micronized fenofibrate can effectively prevent the progression of carotid atherosclerosis and reduce the incidence of stroke in patients with essential hypertension.