Issue Highlights

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HomeCirculationVol. 111, No. 23Issue Highlights Free AccessIn BriefPDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyReddit Jump toFree AccessIn BriefPDF/EPUBIssue Highlights Originally published14 Jun 2005https://doi.org/10.1161/circ.111.23.3015Circulation. 2005;111:3015ALDOSTERONE SYNTHASE INHIBITOR AMELIORATES ANGIOTENSIN II–INDUCED ORGAN DAMAGE, by Fiebeler et al.Aldosterone has been shown to contribute to angiotensin II–induced end-organ damage, and clinical studies have confirmed the benefit of adding aldosterone antagonists to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor agents to prevent adverse remodeling. Angiotensin II increases circulating levels of aldosterone levels as well as de novo tissue synthesis of aldosterone by stimulating aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2); however, it is unknown which source of aldosterone plays a greater role in tissue remodeling and damage. In these studies, Fiebeler et al examine this question by utilizing both FAD286, a novel CYP11B2 inhibitor, and adrenalectomy in transgenic rats overexpressing human renin and angiotensinogen genes. Using these models, they are able to isolate the source of aldosterone that modulates some of the adverse cardiac and renal effects associated with hyperaldosteronism. See p 3087.LONG-TERM RESPONSE TO CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS IN IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION, by Sitbon et al.Characteristics of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) who benefit from long-term calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are unknown. Sitbon and colleagues performed acute pulmonary vasodilator testing with epoprostenol or nitric oxide during initial right heart catheterization in 557 IPAH patients. Acute responders were treated initially with oral CCB. Long-term CCB responders were defined as those being in functional class I or II after at least 1 year on CCB monotherapy. Among the 70 patients (12.6%) who displayed acute pulmonary vasoreactivity and received CCB therapy, 38 (6.7%) improved long term. Long-term CCB responders had less severe disease at baseline and displayed a more pronounced fall in mean pulmonary artery pressure during acute vasodilator testing. Of note, long-term CCB responders represented less than 10% of IPAH patients evaluated in a pulmonary vascular referral center. These data suggest that routine administration of CCB as first-line therapy in IPAH patients may be ill advised. See p 3105.APOLIPOPROTEIN E MIMETIC PEPTIDE DRAMATICALLY LOWERS PLASMA CHOLESTEROL AND RESTORES ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN WATANABE HERITABLE HYPERLIPIDEMIC RABBITS, by Gupta et al.Elevated high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels are associated with a reduction in the frequency of cardiovascular events. To develop new drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis, investigators have been evaluating the therapeutic properties of HDL components in both animal models of vascular disease and patients with coronary atherosclerosis. However, some of these agents are structurally complex and difficult to produce. In this issue of Circulation, Gupta et al analyze the atheroprotective properties of a synthetic peptide containing the arginine-rich receptor-binding domain of ApoE fused to an amphipathic helical peptide that possesses ApoA-I–like properties. A single administration of the dual-domain peptide dramatically reduces plasma cholesterol levels and improves vascular reactivity in a dyslipidemic rabbit model. These improvements coincide with a reduction in markers of oxidative stress that are associated with vascular inflammation. These data suggest that this HDL-mimetic peptide could make ‘good‘ cholesterol better and have utility for the treatment of atherosclerosis. See p 3112.Visit http://www.circ.ahajournals.org:Cardiology Patient PageHow to Respond to an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Shock. See p e380.Images in Cardiovascular MedicineReversible Right Ventricular Hypertrophy Due to Cardiac Sarcoidosis. See p e383. Download figureDownload PowerPointThree-Dimensional Imaging in Rupture of Papillary Muscle After Acute Myocardial Infarction. See p e385.Angiosarcoma of the Pericardium: A Fatal Disease. See p e388.CorrespondenceSee p e390. Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails June 14, 2005Vol 111, Issue 23 Advertisement Article InformationMetrics https://doi.org/10.1161/circ.111.23.3015 Originally publishedJune 14, 2005 PDF download Advertisement