Cardiovascular Complications Of Metabolic Syndrome Research Articles

Nanomembrane-Based Apheresis: A Simple and Safe Procedure for Preventing Cardiovascular Complications in Metabolic Syndrome

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) encompasses various abnormalities, including obesity, arterial hypertension, and diabetes, posing significant cardiovascular risks. Novel interventions are needed to address these risks promptly. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of Nanomembrane-based low-volume plasma exchange (LVPE) in reducing cardiovascular risk factors in MetS patients. Material and Methods: Forty-eight MetS patients (31.3% female, 68.7% male, mean age 50 years) underwent four cycles of LVPE using the Hemofenix device and nanotech membrane PFM 500. LVPE, performed every other day, removed 30% of circulating plasma, replaced with saline. Blood samples were collected pre- and post-treatment for biomarker assessment. Results: LVPE significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.001), sedimentation rate (p<0.0001), glucose (p<0.001), cholesterol (p<0.001), triglycerides (p<0.011), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.006), fibrinogen (p<0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (p<0.02), and high-sensitivity CRP (p<0.06). No significant changes occurred in the complete blood count. Conclusions: LVPE emerges as a promising, minimally invasive intervention for reducing cardiovascular risk factors in MetS patients. By targeting proinflammatory and proatherogenic factors, LVPE could revolutionize MetS management and prevent cardiovascular complications. Future studies should optimize LVPE protocols and assess long-term efficacy in larger cohorts.

Soluble guanylate cyclase chronic stimulation effects on cardiovascular reactivity in cafeteria diet-induced rat model of metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular complications by a mechanism involving mainly decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and impaired NO-soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)- cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signalling (NO-sGC-cGMP). To further develop this scientific point, this study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term treatment with BAY 41–2272 (a sGC stimulator) on cardiovascular reactivity of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) as a model of metabolic syndrome. SHR were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, cafeteria diet (CD)-fed group and CD-fed group treated daily with BAY 41–2272 (5 mg/kg) by gastric gavage for 12 weeks. In vivo measurements of body weight, abdominal circumference, blood pressure and glucose tolerance test were performed. At the end of the feeding period, ex vivo cumulative concentration-response curves were performed on isolated perfused heart (isoproterenol (0.1 nM - 1 μM)) and thoracic aorta (phenylephrine (1 nM–10 μM), acetylcholine (1 nM–10 μM), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (0.1 nM–0.1 μM)). We showed that chronic CD feeding induced abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, glucose intolerance and exacerbated arterial hypertension in SHR. Compared to control group, CD-fed group showed a decrease in β-adrenoceptor-induced cardiac inotropy, in coronary perfusion pressure and in aortic contraction to phenylephrine. While relaxing effects of acetylcholine and SNP were unchanged. BAY 41–2272 long-term treatment markedly prevented arterial hypertension development and glucose intolerance, enhanced the α1-adrenoceptor-induced vasoconstriction, and restored cardiac inotropy and coronary vasodilation. These findings suggest that BAY 41–2272 may be a potential novel drug for preventing metabolic and cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome.

Interference with AGEs formation and AGEs-induced vascular injury mediates curcumin vascular protection in metabolic syndrome

Vascular dysfunction predisposes to cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The current study investigated the mechanism(s) of curcumin’s (CUR) protective effect against vascular reactivity irregularities in MetS. MetS was induced by feeding rats on high fructose high salt diet. Tension studies were undertaken in aortic rings to assess the influence of CUR on vasoconstrictor or vasorelaxant responses. The effect on advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) was studied by incubating aortic tissues with methylglyoxal, the AGEs precursor, in the absence and presence of CUR. In addition, CUR effects on in-vitro generation of AGEs and diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals were studied. The incubation with CUR for 1 hr produced significant and concentration-dependent alleviation of the exaggerated vasoconstriction observed in aortas isolated from MetS, however failed to improve the concomitant attenuation of vasodilatory responses to ACh in PE-precontracted aortas. By contrast, CUR caused direct concentration-dependent vasodilations of precontracted aortas, effects that were blunted after nitric oxide synthase inhibition by L-NAME. Similar to its effects in MetS aortas, CUR alleviated exaggerated PE vasoconstriction but did not affect impaired ACh vasodilations in AGEs-exposed aortas. In addition, CUR showed significant dose-dependent DPPH free radicals scavenging activity and inhibited both MG and fructose induced AGEs formation at the level of protein oxidation step as evident from the effect on dityrosine and N-formylkyramine. CUR alleviates exaggerated vasoconstriction in MetS through interfering with AGEs formation and AGEs-induced vascular injury. Free radical scavenging and direct vasodilatory activities could also participate in the advantageous vascular actions of CUR.

Cardiovascular complications in metabolic syndrome in the Chernobyl NPP accident clean-up workers of in a late period upon exposure to ionizing radiation

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

Ferulic acid, a natural polyphenol, alleviates insulin resistance and hypertension in fructose fed rats: Effect on endothelial-dependent relaxation

Ferulic acid (FER) is a polyphenolic compound contained in various types of fruits. It has a substantial therapeutic effect inhibitory activity against aldose reductase (AR) inhibition. In this study, we examined the effect of FER on fructose-fed rats in comparison to a standard AR inhibitor, zopolrestat (ZOP). We determined the protective role of FER against metabolic syndrome by examining serum insulin/Glucose levels, triglycerides (TGs), cholesterol and advanced glycation end product (AGE) in rats supplied with 10% fructose drinking water. In addition, blood pressure, vascular reactivity of isolated thoracic aortas and acetylcholine-induced NO were all evaluated to estimate the cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome (MetS) associated with fructose feeding. Animals were randomly divided into four groups: control, (+10% fructose, Fru), zopolrestat-treated fructose fed (Fru-zop) and ferulic acid-treated fructose fed rats (Fru-Fer). After 12 weeks of FER treatment, we found significant reduction in both hyperinsulinemia and elevated diastolic blood pressure associated with fructose-fed to levels comparable to those achieved with ZOP. Both FER and ZOP significantly augmented the impaired relaxation associated with fructose-fed, whereas neither showed any significant effect on the developed vasoconstriction. Isolated aortas from fructose-fed rats incubated with either FER or ZOP, reinstated normal relaxation response to acetylcholine (ACh). Furthermore, isolated aortas showed attenuated nitric oxide (NO) production following the addition of (ACh), while both FER and ZOP restored normal induction of NO. Taken together, the current study shows that, FER alleviated insulin resistance and hypertension associated with metabolic syndrome compared to the standard AR inhibitor (ZOP). This potential protective effect is at least mediated by restoring endothelial relaxation.

Estimation of the Long-term Cardiovascular Events Using UKPDS Risk Engine in Metabolic Syndrome Patients.

Long-term cardiovascular complications in metabolic syndrome are a major cause of mortality and morbidity in India and forecasted estimates in this domain of research are scarcely reported in the literature. The aim of present investigation is to estimate the cardiovascular events associated with a representative Indian population of patients suffering from metabolic syndrome using United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study risk engine. Patient level data was collated from 567 patients suffering from metabolic syndrome through structured interviews and physician records regarding the input variables, which were entered into the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study risk engine. The patients of metabolic syndrome were selected according to guidelines of National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Panel III, modified National Cholesterol Education Program - Adult Treatment Panel III and International Diabetes Federation criteria. A projection for 10 simulated years was run on the engine and output was determined. The data for each patient was processed using the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study risk engine to calculate an estimate of the forecasted value for the cardiovascular complications after a period of 10 years. The absolute risk (95% confidence interval) for coronary heart disease, fatal coronary heart disease, stroke and fatal stroke for 10 years was 3.79 (1.5-3.2), 9.6 (6.8-10.7), 7.91 (6.5-9.9) and 3.57 (2.3-4.5), respectively. The relative risk (95% confidence interval) for coronary heart disease, fatal coronary heart disease, stroke and fatal stroke was 17.8 (12.98-19.99), 7 (6.7-7.2), 5.9 (4.0-6.6) and 4.7 (3.2-5.7), respectively. Simulated projections of metabolic syndrome patients predict serious life-threatening cardiovascular consequences in the representative cohort of patients in western India.

Functional Relationship between Arterial Tissue and Perivascular Adipose Tissue in Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a complex of disorders that includes visceral obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. It is characterized by an increased risk for serious cardiovascular events. Adipocytes are now recognized to contribute to the development of cardiovascular complications in metabolic syndrome via the release of several bioactive substances (adipocytokines). Obesity induces an increase in the volume of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), which is located outside the blood vessels. In recent years, PVAT has been reported to produce/release vasoactive adipocytokines. Thus, PVAT can modulate vasomotor function by releasing vasorelaxing/vasocontracting factors, resulting in the development of cardiovascular disease due to metabolic syndrome. By using animal models (SHR/NDmcr-cp rats, SHRSP.Z-Lepr(fa)/IzmDmcr rats, and B6.BKS (D)-Lepr(fa)/J mice), we have demonstrated that chronic oxidative-nitrative stress is closely linked to the development of vascular dysfunction in response to nitric oxide (NO) in resistant arteries with increasing age/exposure to metabolic abnormalities. Further, our recent findings have led us to believe that PVAT helps in the regulation of vasodilation to compensate for the impaired vasodilation observed in pathophysiological conditions in the mesenteric arteries of SHRSP.Z-Lepr(fa)/IzmDmcr rats. However, a breakdown of the compensatory system occurs with long-term exposure to metabolic abnormalities. We propose the concept of the functional regulation of vascular tissue by PVAT in metabolic syndrome.

Beneficial effects of melatonin on serum nitric oxide, homocysteine, and ADMA levels in fructose-fed rats

Context: Melatonin, a pineal hormone and a potent antioxidant, has important roles in metabolic regulation.Objective: This study investigated serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), homocysteine (Hcy), nitric oxide (NO) levels, known to be reliable markers of cardiovascular diseases, and determined possible protective effects of melatonin in fructose-fed rats.Materials and methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, fructose, melatonin, and fructose plus melatonin. Metabolic syndrome was induced in rats by 20% (w/v) fructose solution in tap water, and melatonin was administered at the dose of 20 mg/kg bw per day by oral gavage. After 8 weeks, serum lipids, glucose, insulin, ADMA, Hcy, and NOx (the stable end products of NO) levels were quantified.Results: Fructose administration caused a statistically significant increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum insulin, triglycerides, and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)–cholesterol levels compared with the control group and the metabolic syndrome model was successfully demonstrated. In comparison with the control group, fructose caused a significant increase in serum ADMA, Hcy, and NOx levels. Melatonin counteracted the changes in SBP, serum ADMA, and Hcy levels found in rats both alone and administered with fructose.Discussion and conclusion: These results show that high fructose consumption leads to elevated SBP, atherogenic lipid profile, increased serum ADMA, and Hcy levels and melatonin treatment has beneficial effects on these biochemical parameters in rats. Melatonin might be beneficial for the prevention and/or treatment of the cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome not only by reducing the well-known risk factors of the disease but also by diminishing blood ADMA and Hcy levels.

Обоснование персонифицированного подхода к диагностике, профилактике и лечению метаболического синдрома среди жителей Хакасии

The article gives the justification of the personified approach to diagnostics, prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome among inhabitants of Khakassia. The article reveals additional data confirming the phenomenon of a population dimorphism of metabolic syndrome referring to a complex clinical laboratory examination of two ethnic populations living in Khakassia – Khakas who represent the indigenous people originating from Mongoloids and non-indigenous population (Caucasians). The authors demonstrate statistically and clinically significant differences in the frequency of their occurrence and intensity of separate symptoms and cardiovascular complica-tions of metabolic syndrome. It is shown that indigenous people suffering from metabolic syndrome have less intensive visceral obesity in comparison with non-indigenous population. Multiagent metabolic syndrome is estab-lished to prevail among both indigenous and non-indigenous people. The combination of only two agents is consi-derably rarer among Khakas with metabolic syndrome than among non-indigenous inhabitants with this disease. The ultrasonic examination of carotids proves that Khakas suffering from metabolic syndrome have more intensive thickening of intima-media in comparison with the non-indigenous, with less intensive visceral obesity among Khakas. Visceral obesity of Khakas associates with high risk of intima-media thickening (OR=2,95).

Обоснование персонифицированного подхода к диагностике, профилактике и лечению метаболического синдрома среди жителей Хакасии

The article gives the justification of the personified approach to diagnostics, prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome among inhabitants of Khakassia. The article reveals additional data confirming the phenomenon of a population dimorphism of metabolic syndrome referring to a complex clinical laboratory examination of two ethnic populations living in Khakassia – Khakas who represent the indigenous people originating from Mongoloids and non-indigenous population (Caucasians). The authors demonstrate statistically and clinically significant differences in the frequency of their occurrence and intensity of separate symptoms and cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome. It is shown that indigenous people suffering from metabolic syndrome have less intensive visceral obesity in comparison with non-indigenous population. Multiagent metabolic syndrome is established to prevail among both indigenous and non-indigenous people. The combination of only two agents is considerably rarer among Khakas with metabolic syndrome than among non-indigenous inhabitants with this disease. The ultrasonic examination of carotids proves that Khakas suffering from metabolic syndrome have more intensive thickening of intima-media in comparison with the non-indigenous, with less intensive visceral obesity among Khakas. Visceral obesity of Khakas associates with high risk of intima-media thickening (OR=2,95).

Measurement of antioxidant capacity using the biological antioxidant potential test and its role as a predictive marker of metabolic syndrome

Background/AimsOxidative stress increases the risk of cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study was conducted to examine the difference in antioxidant capacity according to the presence of MetS, and to characterize the association between antioxidant capacity and MetS-related factors.MethodsWe used the biological antioxidant potential (BAP) test to estimate antioxidant capacity. The BAP test has recently been used as an indicator of antioxidant capacity. We measured BAP levels in 45 patients with MetS (mean age, 44.6 ± 1.1 years) and 47 age- and sex-matched controls (mean age, 42.7 ± 1.1 years). To evaluate the association between antioxidant capacity and MetS, adiponectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), linear regression and logistic analyses were performed.ResultsThe mean BAP of the MetS group (1,937.3 ± 36.5 µmol/L) was significantly lower than that of the non-MetS group (2,101.7 ± 29.5 µmol/L). Also, the mean BAP was low in persons having low high density lipoprotein and high triglyceride. Reduced antioxidant capacity was significantly associated with adiponectin, HOMA-IR and hs-CRP after adjusting for age and sex. The odds ratios for MetS with BAP, log adiponectin, log HOMA-IR, and log hs-CRP were 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49 to 0.82), 0.22 (0.10 to 0.51), 14.24 (4.35 to 46.58), and 1.93 (1.36 to 2.75), respectively.ConclusionsPersons with MetS showed reduced antioxidant capacity. We identified relationships between antioxidant capacity measured by BAP test and MetS, as well as MetS-related factors, such as insulin resistance, hs-CRP, and adiponectin.

English

Background: Oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of diabetes and cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome. Endothelial dysfunction which is the key feature of metabolic syndrome and its vascular complication is intimately linked to insulin resistance. This relationship is partly due to oxidative stress. Methods: Twenty five patients with metabolic syndrome (mean age 47.3 ± 2.6 years, 13 males) diagnosed on the basis of National Cholesterol Education Programme/Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP/ATPIII) criteria along with 25 age and gender matched healthy controls (mean age 42.1 ± 1.8 years, 11 males) were studied. Malondialdehyde (MDA), as an index of changes in lipid peroxidation was estimated as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) along with plasma total antioxidant capacity as ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). Results: A significant increase (p=0.001) in MDA levels in the study group was observed when compared to the control group, where as FRAP levels were decreased in the study group compared to the control group (p=0.001). Among the components of metabolic syndrome hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, hypertension and waist circumference positively correlated with MDA levels whereas hyperglycaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and waist circumference correlated negatively with FRAP. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest the presence of oxidative stress in patients with metabolic syndrome which further increases the cardiovascular risk in these patients. Antioxidant therapy monitored with a simple assay like FRAP would definitely add to the existing measures like reducing abdominal obesity in preventing the cardiovascular sequelae and hence CVD risk in these patients.

Pathophysiological Insights into Cardiovascular Health in Metabolic Syndrome

Pathophysiological Insights into Cardiovascular Health in Metabolic Syndrome

Effect of vitamins a, C, and e supplementation in the treatment of metabolic syndrome in albino rats.

Obesity and metabolic syndrome increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress seems to be involved in the path physiology of cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome. In this study we investigated the effects of vitamins A, C, and E in the management of metabolic syndrome traits condition in albino rats fed with high salt diet. The rats were placed on 8% NaCl diet for 5 weeks and then supplemented with these vitamins for additional 4 weeks in the presence of salt diet. Supplementation with vitamins significantly (P < 0.01 ) decreased blood pressure of the rats as compared with the control. Supplementation also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total antioxidant status as compared with untreated group. The percentage protection of the supplemented groups against atherogenesis indicated 55.50 ± 3.75%. Percentage weight gain indicated significant positive correlation with triglyceride, insulin resistance, and malondialdehyde while total antioxidant status and nitric oxide showed significant negative correlation. Salt diet significantly (P < 0.05) induced features of metabolic syndrome. The result, therefore, indicated strong relationship between obesity and metabolic syndrome and underscores the role of these vitamins in the management of metabolic syndrome.

Can dietary modification reduce the cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome? ‘All for one’ or ‘one for all’?

Metabolic syndrome describes a constellation of physical and metabolic abnormalities that confer increased cardiovascular risk, and that are modifiable through diet. These abnormalities include a h...

LIPID PROFILE AND PLASMA ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN SWEET CARBONATED BEVERAGE-INDUCED METABOLIC SYNDROME IN RATS: PP.34.409

Oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology and cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome. Objective: To investigate changes in plasma profile of biomarkers of altered redox mechanisms and lipid metabolism, associated with experimentally-induced metabolic syndrome. Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were allowed to drink ad libitum: 1) regular cola (sucrose-sweetened carbonated drink); 2) diet cola (non-nutritive sweetener containing, low-calorie carbonated drink); 3) tap water (controls). After 6 months, all groups were switched to an additional 6 months of tap water drinking (wash-out). Plasma concentrations of the endogenous antioxidants α-tocopherol and ubiquinone-10 were measured using RP-HPLC with UV detection. Plasma concentrations of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were measured by standard enzymatic methods. Determinations were performed at 6 months (end of treatment) and 12 months (end of wash-out). Results: In group 1, 6 months of sucrose-sweetened beverage drinking led to significant weight gain (7 ± 1%, p < 0.01), hypertension (7.5 ± 0.5% increase in systolic blood pressure, p < 0.01), hypertriglyceridemia (3-fold, p < 0.01), hyperglycemia (15 ± 1%, p < 0.05), and low ubiquinone-10 levels (52 ± 2% decrease, p < 0.05). Light cola-drinking rats showed normoglycemia, but an unexpected tendency to hypertriglyceridemia (2-fold, N.S.) and hypercholesterolemia (29% increase in total cholesterol, N.S.); CoQ10 levels were slightly decreased compared to controls (27%, N.S.), but higher than group 1 (51% increase, N.S). These metabolic alterations reversed after wash-out, except for hypertriglyceridemia and low ubiquinone-10 levels. Interestingly, by this time decreased α-tocopherol concentrations and hypercholesterolemia were observed in all 3 groups (i.e., unrelated to treatment). Conclusions: Experimentally-induced metabolic syndrome induces oxidative stress-related biochemical changes; some of these alterations may be shared by the natural aging process.

Surgical Treatment of Obesity in Adolescence

ADOLESCENT OBESITY IS A VEXING PROBLEM FOR WHICH there are few good solutions. Obese children develop metabolic syndrome. Because the cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome result from many years of exposure to hyperglycemia, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, early onset of these problems portends significant disease later in life. For these reasons, treating adolescent obesity is important. How can sustained weight loss be achieved in children and adolescents? As with adults, effective treatments are lacking. Bariatric surgery has been proposed for children but remains controversial. Evidence in support of these operations is based on small-scale studies that have mostly emanated from single institutions reporting outcomes from small numbers of patients with inadequate follow-up. Most studies have investigated gastric bypass–type procedures. Because these operations permanently alter the stomach, most clinicians are reluctant to advise these operations for children or adolescents except in the most compelling circumstances. Laparoscopic adjustable banding operations have become popular in recent years because these procedures can result in reasonable weight loss with relatively few complications and substantial potential for reversibility. As with adult bariatric surgery, the literature supporting the use of bariatric procedures is incomplete, causing policy makers to be hesitant in recommending this procedure for treatment of adolescent obesity. In this issue of JAMA, O’Brien and colleagues report their findings regarding the use of the laparoscopic banding procedure in adolescents. This study is important not only in providing difficult-to-come-by level 1 evidence in support of bariatric surgery but also because the work demonstrates that randomized controlled trials can and should be conducted to evaluate surgical technologies. The investigators randomized 50 obese adolescents to either receive a laparoscopic band or enroll in a medically supervised weight loss program. All participants received free care and those involved in the medical care group were offered an unusually intense program that included the provision of a personal trainer for 6 weeks. At 2 years of followup, there was substantial heterogeneity in weight loss outcomes for both groups with greater average weight loss for those receiving laparoscopic banding procedures. Even though weight loss was modest in the medical weight loss group, there was substantial improvement in hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance, demonstrating that lifestyle interventions are worthwhile even though they did not result in the amount of weight loss achievable with surgery. Although adverse events were common in both groups, 8 reoperations were required among 7 of the 24 patients who had received laparoscopic banding. This finding is particularly important because O’Brien et al are among the most experienced group in the world with these operations, suggesting that these complication rates will probably be higher in actual community practice. This randomized controlled trial demonstrates that the decision to offer laparoscopic banding procedures to adolescents is not straightforward. Patients enrolled in this trial were obese but did not have particularly severe complications of their obesity. Medical intervention was successful at improving many of the metabolic complications of obesity, but improvements in the surgical group were greater and included a higher degree of quality of life. Surgery was also associated with greater weight loss, but that benefit was possibly offset by the high complication rate associated with the laparoscopic banding devices. Even though this study by O’Brien et al raises many questions, it does answer some important ones. Laparoscopic banding procedures appear to be a feasible means for treating obesity in adolescents. The operation is known to require more patient compliance than Rouxen-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery, and concerns have existed about the ability of teenagers to comply with the rigorous follow-up required to lose weight after laparoscopic banding placement. Because laparoscopically placed adjustable bands have fewer complications and are reversible, they represent a better alternative than RYGB

2010 Annual Fall Conference and Scientific Session of the American Heart Association Council for High Blood Pressure Research in Association With the Council on the Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease

The American Heart Association (AHA) High Blood Pressure Research Conference is considered to be among the most important and prestigious medical meetings on hypertension in the world, designed as a scientific program that focuses on disseminating information about recent advances in hypertension research. This program provides an opportunity and platform for learning, interacting, and networking among scientists, clinicians, and allied health care workers. The 2009 meeting was an enormous success, with a record number of 749 registrants from more than 20 countries. The program committee and council chairs, Clinton Webb (high blood pressure research) and Jeff Sands (kidney in cardiovascular disease), are to be applauded. The council meeting was preceded by a 1-day workshop titled, “Systems Medicine Strategies in Hypertension: From Molecules to Patients,” and focused on state-of-the-art technologies and approaches to better understand molecular and physiological mechanisms of hypertension in experimental and clinical settings. The workshop, organized by Ernesto L. Schiffrin (McGill University), Thomas M. Coffman (Duke University), and Anna F. Dominiczak (University of Glasgow), attracted more than 250 registrants and was the largest ever at a Council for High Blood Pressure Research (CHBPR) meeting. World-renowned investigators led the workshop with presentations and discussions. The workshop concluded with a presentation given by Daniel Levy (Framingham, MA), who linked all of the topics of the workshop through his talk titled, “Genes, Molecules, Systems Biology, and Epidemiology: Bringing It Together Through Framingham.” This was a perfect foundation to start the official council meeting. The scientific program of the conference was abstract based and included more than 400 reviewed abstracts presented in oral and poster sessions. In addition, numerous named award lectures were given by the most outstanding investigators in the hypertension community. The objectives of the meeting were certainly met, and by the end of the 1.0-day workshop and 2.5-day conference, …

262 Are Zucker Obese Rats a Useful Model for Cardiovascular Complications in Metabolic Syndrome? Physical, Biochemical and Oxidative Stress Considerations

We wondered if Zucker obese (ZO) rats would be a good experimental model to evaluate cardiovascular complications of Metabolic Syndrome (MS). ZO rats were compared with both their littermate controls, Zucker lean (ZL) rats and to Wistar rats (reference strain). We designed this work 1) to measure certain physical and biochemical characteristics of MS 2) to evaluate coronary and cardiac function in isolated conditions and after ischemia 3) to study plasma and heart tissue oxidative stress markers. In vivo, ZO rats had higher levels of plasma glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides than their ZL littermates, but there was no difference between the groups for systolic arterial blood pressure and heart rate. In vitro, coronary endothelial function was notably impaired in ZO and ZL rats. After global ischemia, the worse ventricular recovery in ZO and ZL rats was associated with arrhythmias during reperfusion. We detected similar levels of plasma ascorbyl free radical, Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity and vitamin C concentrations in the three groups. DHE staining showed higher superoxide production in the coronary vessels of ZO rats than in ZL and Wistar rats. Our results show that ZO might only correspond to early-stage cardiovascular complications associated with MS.

Are Zucker obese rats a useful model for cardiovascular complications in metabolic syndrome? Physical, biochemical and oxidative stress considerations

We wondered if Zucker obese (ZO) rats would be a good experimental model to evaluate cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome (MS). ZO rats were compared with both their littermate controls, Zucker lean (ZL) rats and to Wistar rats (reference strain). We designed this work:(i) to measure certain physical and biochemical characteristics of MS; (ii) to evaluate coronary and cardiac function in isolated conditions and after ischemia; and (iii) to study plasma and heart tissue oxidative stress markers. In vivo, ZO rats had higher levels of plasma glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides than their ZL littermates, but there was no difference between the groups for systolic arterial blood pressure and heart rate. In vitro, coronary endothelial function was notably impaired in ZO and ZL rats. After global ischemia, the worse ventricular recovery in ZO and ZL rats was associated with arrhythmias during reperfusion. We detected similar levels of plasma ascorbyle free radical, oxygen radical absorbance capacity and vitamin C concentrations in the three groups. Dihydroethidium staining showed higher superoxide production in the coronary vessels of ZO rats than in ZL and Wistar rats. Our results show that ZO might only correspond to early-stage cardiovascular complications associated with MS.