Increased Blood Pressure Research Articles

The Influence of Jasmine Aromatherapy on the Sleep Quality of Stroke Patients at Bogor Hospital in 2023

Introduction: Stroke results in ongoing cognitive impairments that lead to increased blood pressure, heart attacks, and psychological issues such as depression and sleep quality disorders. The impact of untreated sleep quality disorders can hinder the rehabilitation or recovery process. The sleep quality issues experienced by stroke patients can be addressed through both pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, including the use of complementary therapy such as jasmine aromatherapy. Objective: To determine the effect of jasmine aromatherapy on the sleep quality of stroke patients. Methode: The design or type of research used in this study is experimental research. It employs a Non-Equivalent Control Group or Non-Randomized Control Group Pretest-Posttest design. Results: Research was conducted on 36 samples in the intervention group that were given jasmine aromaterapy . The effect size was 2,36 and in the control group the p value was found to be 0,058 with an effect size of 0,491. Conclusion: There is an effect before and after the administration of jasmine aromatherapy.

SECONDARY METABOLITE PROFILE IN STEM AND ROOT OF KEJI PLANT (Staurogyne elongata (Blume) Kuntze)

Keji plant (Staurogyne elongata (Blume) Kuntze) is an herbal medicinal plant that is often found on the islands of Java to Sumatra. The leaves and roots of keji plants (S. elongata) are used by the community as diuretic drugs and increase blood pressure and are believed to treat bladder stones, kidney stones, and joint problems. However, research on secondary metabolites in the stems and roots of keji plants has never been done. The aims of the study were to identify the secondary metabolites content and marker compounds in the stems and roots of keji plants. The research stages were drying and pollination of samples, extraction, and analysis using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the compounds in the stem were nine secondary metabolite compounds from the phenol, terpenoid, alcohol and ester group. Meanwhile, secondary metabolite compounds in the roots of keji plants were ten compounds from coumaran, phenols, and ester group. The marker compounds in the stem were phenol, 2,2'-methylenebis[6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl- while the marker compounds in the roots were octadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyl ester.

The role of T cell stimulated agonistic autoantibodies to the angiotensin II type I receptor (AT1-AA) in mediating multiorgan dysfunction in IL-17 induced hypertension during pregnancy.

Preeclampsia (PE), new-onset hypertension during pregnancy accompanied by organ dysfunction, is associated with chronic inflammation including elevated IL-17, CD4+ T cells, B cells and natural killer (NK) cells. IL-17 can serve as a signal for either the adaptive or innate immune activation. We have previously shown that IL-17 contributes to increased blood pressure in association with elevated TH17 cells, NK cells and B cells secreting angiotensin II type 1 receptor agonistic autoantibodies (AT1-AA) during pregnancy. Moreover, we have shown an important role for CD4+T cells and AT1-AA in multiorgan dysfunction as measured by mitochondrial oxidative stress (mt ROS). However, we do not know the role of adaptive immune cells such as T cells or B cells secreting AT1-AA in mediating the PE phenotype in response to elevated IL-17. In order to answer this question, we infused IL-17 (150 pg/day i.p.) into either Sprague Dawley (SD) or athymic nude rats via mini-osmotic pump from gestational day (GD) 14-19 of pregnancy. On GD 19, blood pressure was determined and NK cells, mtROS and respiration and AT1-AA production from B cells were measured. Infusion of IL-17 increased blood pressure in the presence or absence of T cells. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased with IL-17 from 98±2mm Hg (n=12) to 114±2 (n=12) in SD rats and from 99±4mm Hg (n=7) versus 115±2mm Hg (n=7) in athymic nude rats. Similar trends were seen in NK cells and placental mt ROS. Knowing that IL-17 stimulates AT1-AA in SD pregnant rats, we included a group of SD and athymic nude pregnant rats infused with IL-17 and the AT1-AA inhibitor peptide ('n7AAc'). The inhibitor attenuated blood pressure (104.9±3.2, p=.0001) and normalized NK cells and mt function in SD pregnant rats. Importantly, the AT1-AA was not produced in pregnant nude IL-17 treated rats, nor did 'n7AAc' effect MAP, in nude athymic rats. These findings suggest two conclusions; one is that IL-17 causes hypertension and multiorgan dysfunction in the absence of T cells and AT1-AA, possibly through its activation of innate cells and secondly, in the presence of T cells, blockade of the AT1-AA attenuates the effect of IL-17. This study indicates the critical effects of elevated IL-17 during pregnancy and suggest treatment modalities to consider for PE women.

543 The link between preexisting hypertension and COVID-19 severity in a hamster model

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Hypertension is a major risk factor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity. Our goal was to determine if hypertension worsens lung pathology induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in hamsters. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Male hamsters (7-8 weeks old) were infused with angiotensin II (AII; 200 ng/kg/min via osmotic minipump) for 4 weeks to induce hypertension. During the last week of the infusion, the hamsters were inoculated intranasally with vehicle (V) or SARS-CoV-2 (S; 1 x 105 plaque forming units/ml). Half of the hamsters were sacrificed 1 day post-inoculation (dpi-1) and the other half on dpi-6. Two scoring systems were applied to lung tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin to determine the degree and severity of lung pathology: the first system assessed all pertinent alterations in the lungs, while the second system only assessed the pathology related to the pulmonary vasculature. Lung histopathology scores were calculated as the sum of the airway and lung alveolar scores in arbitrary units (AU). RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Studies revealed that the SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters exhibited a 76-fold higher total airway score compared to vehicle controls [(AU): V, 0.25 ± 0.1; S, 19.00 ±1.35; p<0.05; n=4]. Total lung alveolar scores (27-fold) [(AU): V, 0.30 ± 0.11; S, 8.0 ± 4.1; p<0.05; n=4] and total vascular scores (17-fold) [(AU): V, 0.35 ± 0.2; S, 6.0 ±1.4; p<0.05; n=4] were also markedly higher compared to controls on dpi-1. AII increased blood pressure, which was sustained through the 4-week infusion period. Under these conditions, body weight slightly dropped by 4.5%. Ongoing studies are assessing the effect of hypertension on the % of airway, alveoli and vessels affected, airway and alveolar severity, and bronchiolar epithelial and type II pneumocyte hyperplasia. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Establishing the hypertensive hamster as a small animal model of COVID-19 will facilitate investigations into why preexisting hypertension is a risk factor for disease severity. These studies could lead to the development of novel therapeuticsfor treating COVID-19 patients with hypertension.

EFFECT OF WHITE SUGAR, BROWN SUGAR AND JAGGERY POWDER SYRUP ON BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL MARKERS OF SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

Hypertension accounts for 10% of the total annual health budget in developed countries.1 By 2025, the number of people living with hypertension is expected to reach 1.56 billion people.2Dietary factors that increase blood pressure (BP) are of interest to public health authorities.3,4Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were taken. All groups received standard chow ad libitum. Controls (A), received plain drinking water, and the Sucrose treatment rats received 10% sucrose solution prepared daily for 12 weeks. Non-invasive blood pressure was recorded using computer based data recording system power lab model: M-ML 856, Australia with rat tail cuff attachment.Blood samples were collected. Serum aliquots were frozen at ?80°C for: ALT, AST, TG, total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined using commercial enzymatic methods (CELM diagnosis, São Paulo, Brazil). The concentration of VLDL and low-density lipoprotein was measured. ANOVA and Post-Hoc Tukey tests were applied to determine statistical difference among the study groups. The results showed variable effects on biochemical and histopathological findings in rat liver, kidney and pancreas. The pancreas and kidneys of the rats showed adverse inflammatory histopathological changes maximally in rats taking jaggery syrup (Shakkar) flowed by white sugar and minimal in Shakkar. The adverse effects on liver cells were maximally seen on rats given brown sugar. This study enabled us to better understand the biochemical and histopathological effects of various types of sugars available in Pakistani market in order to create awareness regarding their effects on health.

Delayed Diagnosis of Vasopressor-induced Symmetrical Peripheral Gangrene in Septic Shock Patient

Vasopressors are powerful vasoconstrictors used in critically ill patients to raise blood pressure after volume resuscitation attempts fail. These medications, while lifesaving, carry the risk of severe and under-reported side effects, digital ischemia, and gangrene due to decreased digital perfusion. We here present a case of vasopressin-induced digital gangrene in a female patient who underwent elective surgery for nephrolithiasis without any pre-existing peripheral vascular disease or smoking. The patient developed bilateral upper and lower limb symmetrical acronecrosis. The causality assessment as per the World Health Organisation – Uppsala Monitoring Centre scale was suggestive of a “Possible adverse” event. The patient denied surgical intervention, eventually developed multiorgan failure, and died of cardiopulmonary arrest. Although lifesaving, vasopressors due to alpha constricting activity can cause severe limb ischemia with dreadful consequences. These drugs should be used judiciously with careful monitoring and tapering as soon as possible when the condition improves. The consequences could be dreadful if timely surgical intervention and measures are not taken.

PREVALENCE OF PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE USE AMONG SECURITY GUARDS AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Introduction: Drug addiction is a prevalent problem in Pakistan, and screening tools are available for diagnosis. Seeking guidance from healthcare professionals is important for appropriate treatment. Assessing addiction among security personnel is important for safety and policy formulation Aims & Objectives: This cross-sectional study aims to investigate drug addiction screening and its correlates among security guards in a tertiary care hospital. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan. Purposive convenience sampling was used to select a sample size of 184 Results: The study conducted among 184 security guards showed significant associations between gender, marital status, and age categories. A considerable proportion of guards were found to be overweight, had increased blood pressure, and substance use in the form of nicotine-related substances was found to be The study highlights the need for interventions promoting healthy lifestyles and substance use education and prevention efforts among security guards in such settings. Conclusion: This study revealed a prevalence of substance use among security guards in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan and identified the need for interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and substance use education/prevention. Seeking guidance from healthcare professionals and implementing public health initiatives to address drug addiction and promote healthy lifestyles among security personnel are crucial.

Ayurvedic management for hypertension with micro albuminuria: a case report

Hypertension is a non-communicable disease in which the pressure of blood pushing against the arterial walls becomes high. In chronic stage it leads to severe systemic diseases, which affects heart, kidney, lung etc. The main causative factors are unhealthy food and lifestyle, stress, smoking, Alcohol, obesity and hereditary. Microalbuminuria in Hypertension is an early sign of kidney damage and is considered as a predictor for the end stage of renal disease and cardiovascular disease. So, it is of great importance to manage microalbuminuria or high urine albumin creatinine ratio and progression of kidney disease in hypertensive patient. In Ayurveda references no proper description of hypertension is available. By viewing the pathogenesis and physiology, it is formed by the involvement of Tridoshas, Srotorodha, and Dhatudushti. The present case is a 60-year male patient was diagnosed uncontrolled hypertension with microalbuminuria, admitted for 1month, presented with complaints such as frothy urine, over tiredness, uncontrolled anger and increased blood pressure during evening time, not controlled by hypertensive modern medicines. His urine albumin-creatinine ratio was 106.98 mg/dl of creatinine, microalbumin in urine 138 mg/dl and uric acid was 11.5 mg/dl. He was advised the internal Ayurveda medicines, diet restriction and yogic breathing exercise. Within one month of treatment the urine albumin creatinine ratio and uric acid was reduced and became normal. His blood pressure also became controlled and recovered all symptoms. Ayurvedic treatment module appears to be safe and efficacious with early recovery and better outcomes in this case.

PREDICTION OF HYPERTENSION USING ITS RISK FACTORS: A CASE CONTROL STUDY IN AZIZ BHATTI SHAHEED HOSPITAL

Hypertension is becoming the major risk factor of the cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension is also known as “raised blood pressure” in medical terms. The main purpose of this study is to identify the potential risk factor of hypertension using chi-square test of association and also predict and classify the respondents into hypertension and healthy controls by Artificial Neural Network (ANN). A sample of 300 (150 cases and 150 controls) were selected using purposive sampling from Aziz Bhatti shaheed Hospital Gujrat, Pakistan. Data collected by interviewing the patients using well-designed questionnaire and checked their BP where cases considered as hypertension patients with (BP: 140/90) and healthy controls (BP: 120/80). High prevalence of hypertension is observed in males (54.7%) as compared to females (45.3%). Results also revealed that BMI, family income, age, extra salt intake and stress were the significant risk factors of hypertension in current study. ANN model showed good classification among hypertension and controls. It also predicted 98% chance of patient to have hypertension on the basis of age group 50-59 years, having normal weight, belongs to middle class family, presence of BP issue in family history, take stress and extra salt consumption in diet.

PERBANDINGAN TEKANAN DARAH ANTARA PEROKOK DAN BUKAN PEROKOK TERHADAP PENDERITA HIPERTENSI DI DESA CIMPU

The smoking behavior of Indonesian people has an impact on health, namely suffering from hypertension. Nicotine in cigarettes can increase blood pressure, while carbon monoxide can reduce the amount of oxygen carried in the blood. This study aims to analyze whether there is a comparison of blood pressure between smokers and non-smokers with hypertension sufferers in Cimpu Village, Suli District, Luwu Regency in 2023. The type of research used is a comparative study with a cross-sectional design. As for the comparison of the blood pressure of smokers and non-smokers in hypertension sufferers in Cimpu Village, Suli District, Luwu Regency in 2023 with a systolic p value of 0.000 <0.025, the result is that there is a significant difference between the blood pressure of smokers and non-smokers. It is hoped that hypertensive patients can stop smoking, so that they can improve their health status and reduce the incidence of hypertension.

Retinal Microcirculation Measurements in Response to Endurance Exercises Analysed by Adaptive Optics Retinal Camera.

This study aimed to precisely investigate the effects of intensive physical exercise on retinal microvascular regulation in healthy volunteers through adaptive optics retinal camera (AO) measurement. We included healthy volunteers (11 men and 14 women) aged 20.6 ± 0.9. The heart rate (HR) and systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP, DBP) were recorded before and after a submaximal physical exertion of continuously riding a training ergometer. The superior temporal retinal artery measurements were captured using the AO-rtx1TM (Imagine Eyes, Orsay, France) without pupil dilation. We compared measures of vessel diameter (VD), lumen diameter (LD), two walls (Wall 1, 2), wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR), and wall cross-sectional analysis (WCSA) before and immediately after the cessation of exercise. Cardiovascular parameter results: After exercise, SBP, DBP, and HR changed significantly from 130.2 ± 13.2 to 159.7 ± 15.6 mm Hg, 81.2 ± 6.3 to 77.1 ± 8.2 mm Hg, and 80.8 ± 16.1 to 175.0 ± 6.2 bpm, respectively (p < 0.002). Retinal microcirculation analysis showed no significant decrease in LD, Wall 1 after exercise: from 96.0 ± 6.8 to 94.9 ± 6.7 (p = 0.258), from 11.0 ± 1.5 to 10.4 ± 1.5 (p = 0.107), respectively, and significant reduction in VD from 118.5 ± 8.3 to 115.9 ± 8.3 (p = 0.047), Wall 2 from 11.5 ± 1.0 to 10.7 ± 1.3 (p = 0.017), WLR from 0.234 ± 0.02 to 0.222 ± 0.010 (p = 0.046), WCSA from 3802.8 ± 577.6 to 3512.3 ± 535.3 (p = 0.016). The AO is a promising technique for investigating the effects of exercise on microcirculation, allowing for the tracking of changes throughout the observation. Intensive dynamic physical exertion increases blood pressure and heart rate and causes the vasoconstriction of small retinal arterioles due to the autoregulation mechanism.

The Effect of Mindfulness Meditation Based on Spiritual Care with Rose Aromatherapy on Stress and Blood Pressure in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Patients

Background: Uncontrolled blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus can trigger various complications, one of which is macroangiopathy, which is a complication of large blood vessels that affects changes in blood pressure. Stress is considered a psychological factor that can increase blood pressure. Stressful conditions in patients with diabetes mellitus can affect the control of blood sugar levels. Aim: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of Mindfulness Meditation based on spiritual care with rose aromatherapy on stress and blood pressure in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) sufferers. Methods: The design of this study used Quasy Experimental design with pre test and post test with control group . The population in this study were all type 2 Diabetes Mellitus sufferers. Sampling was done by purposive sampling. The total number of respondents in this study was 102, divided into 51 intervention groups and 51 control groups. The independent variables in this study were mindfulness meditation based on care and rose aromatherapy and the dependent variables in this study were stress and blood pressure. The instrument used in this study was the DASS 42 questionnaire and measuring blood pressure with a digital spygmomanometer and stethoscope. data analysis using paired t test and independent t test. The hypothesis is accepted if the p value &lt;0.05. Results: statistical test on stress levels obtained a p value of 0.000 in the intervention group and obtained a p value of 0.003 in the control group. For systolic blood pressure, a p value of 0.000 was obtained in the intervention group and and p value of 0.011 was obtained in the control group. For diastolic blood pressure, a p value of 0.000 was obtained in the intervention group and a p value of 0.042 was obtained in the control group. Conclusion: Mindfulness Meditation therapy based on Spiritual Care with Rose Aromatherapy can reduce stress and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. So this research is highly recommended for nurses in carrying out independent assignments, especially in providing nonpharmacological therapy.

Social Engineering for Reducing Hypertension Case in Indonesia: a Qualitative Study in a Rural Area

Consuming foods with a large amount of salt is an unhealthy lifestyle that raises blood pressure. People currently love salty foods in Indonesia. One of district in Indonesia called Jeneponto referred to hypertension as Nai’ Cera. The Jeneponto community consumes more significant salty food higher than the provincial average for South Sulawesi. An intervention study was carried out to change the habit of consuming high salt, smoking and drinking coffee. This study is qualitative with participatory action research approach. The in-depth interviews and focused group discussion were addressed to twenty-two informants which involved in an intervention program. Social engineering became the key-point to socialize the importance of the program. Well-trained local people recruited as an agent of change. They followed the social engineering intervention and focused on what people need to reduce hypertension. The program raised awareness on hypertension towards their lives by educating as well as discussing on their risky habits on over consumptions fatty, sugar, salt substances. The successful behavior changes in this program comprised several keys to consider such as: the intervention locations, the closest relationship towards the agent, the agent as frontliner, sustainability of the program, and commitment of all components of intervention.

An evolutionarily conserved olfactory receptor is required for sex differences in blood pressure.

Sex differences in blood pressure are well-established, with premenopausal women having lower blood pressure than men by ~10 millimeters of mercury; however, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. We report here that sex differences in blood pressure are absent in olfactory receptor 558 knockout (KO) mice. Olfr558 localizes to renin-positive cells in the kidney and to vascular smooth muscle cells. Female KOs exhibit increased blood pressure and increased pulse wave velocity. In contrast, male KO mice have decreased renin expression and activity, altered vascular reactivity, and decreased diastolic pressure. A rare OR51E1 (human ortholog) missense variant has a statistically significant sex interaction effect with diastolic blood pressure, increasing diastolic blood pressure in women but decreasing it in men. In summary, our findings demonstrate an evolutionarily conserved role for OLFR558/OR51E1 to mediate sex differences in blood pressure.

Efektivitas Senam Iringan Gamelan Terhadap Tekanan Darah Lansia Dengan Hipertensi

Background: Hypertension is a cardiovascular disease that attacks many elderly people and increases the risk of death. The aging process causes elderly people to decrease their activity, resulting in the emergence of obesity, fat accumulation in blood vessels, and increased blood pressure. Data in the area supported by the Srondol Semarang Community Health Center in 2020 shows that hypertension is in first place on the list of the top 10 diseases there. One intervention that is safe and popular with the elderly and can help control blood pressure in the elderly is gamelan accompaniment exercise because it can increase blood flow and oxygen supply throughout the body, increase the elasticity of blood vessels and provide a relaxing effect. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of gamelan accompaniment to blood pressure in elderly people with hypertension. This research method is a pre-experimental one group pre and post test design and sampling using purposive sampling technique. The population of this study were elderly people who were recorded as suffering from hypertension at the Srondol Semarang Community Health Center. The research instrument used a digital spygmomanometer and video of gamelan accompaniment of exercises. The research stages consist of preparation, implementation and processing of research data. The steps taken at the preparation stage were literature studies, field surveys, discussions with lecturers and experts, developing procedures for implementing gamelan accompaniment exercises, expert reviews, and socializing the implementation of gamelan accompaniment exercises to the elderly and their families. The implementation stage was carried out by collecting data on elderly people registered at the Srondol Semarang Community Health Center, pre and post tests by measuring blood pressure using a spigmomanometer, implementing gamelan accompaniment exercises in accordance with the prepared SOP, observing the implementation of gamelan accompaniment exercises with an observation sheet. Then, at the data processing stage, a test was carried out on the effectiveness of gamelan accompaniment exercises on the blood pressure of elderly people with hypertension. The targeted output is publication in national journals indexed by Sinta and HAKI. The TKT target for implementing this gamelan accompaniment exercise is at level 2. The results of the study show a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p value 0.0001) with an error level (α) of 0.05, namely from 163.25 mmHg to 146.75 mmHg and from 100 .50 mmHg to 89.25 mmHg. Gamelan accompaniment exercises were concluded to be effective in lowering blood pressure in elderly people with hypertension

Parental obesity predisposes offspring to kidney dysfunction and increased susceptibility to ischemia-reperfusion injury in a sex-dependent manner.

Although obesity is recognized as a risk factor for cardiorenal and metabolic diseases, the impact of parental obesity on the susceptibility of their offspring to renal injury at adulthood is unknown. We examined the impact of parental obesity on offspring kidney function, morphology, and markers of kidney damage after acute kidney injury (AKI). Offspring from normal (N) diet-fed C57BL/6J parents were fed either N (NN) or a high-fat (H) diet (NH) from weaning until adulthood. Offspring from obese H diet-fed parents were fed N (HN) or H diet (HH) after weaning. All offspring groups were submitted to bilateral AKI by clamping the left and right renal pedicles for 30 min. Compared with male NH and NN offspring from lean parents, male HH and HN offspring from obese parents exhibited higher kidney injury markers such as urinary, renal osteopontin, plasma creatinine, urinary albumin excretion, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels, and worse histological injury score at 22 wk of age. Only albumin excretion and NGAL were elevated in female HH offspring from obese parents compared with lean and obese offspring from lean parents. We also found an increased mortality rate and worse kidney injury scores after AKI in male offspring from obese parents, regardless of the diet consumed after weaning. Female offspring were protected from major kidney injury after AKI. These results indicate that parental obesity leads to increased kidney injury in their offspring after ischemia-reperfusion in a sex-dependent manner, even when their offspring remain lean.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Offspring from obese parents are more susceptible to kidney injury and worse outcomes following an acute ischemia-reperfusion insult. Male, but not female, offspring from obese parents exhibit increased blood pressure early in life. Female offspring are partially protected against major kidney injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion.

Spatiotemporal analysis of the effects of exercise on the hemodynamics of the aorta in hypertensive rats using fluid-structure interaction simulation

Abstract Background and Objective Hemodynamic changes that lead to increased blood pressure represent the main drivers of organ damage in hypertension. Prolonged increases to blood pressure can lead to vascular remodeling, which also affects vascular hemodynamics during the pathogenesis of hypertension. Exercise is beneficial for relieving hypertension, however the mechanistic link between exercise training and how it influences hemodynamics in the context of hypertension is not well understood. Methods n exercise model was developed using spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) subject to a 12-week treadmill training regime. The heart rates and blood pressures of rats were measured using the tail cuff method, while micro-computed tomography (CT) scanning was used to develop three-dimensional structures of rat aorta, and ultrasound was used to detect rat aortic blood flow and changes to vessel wall structures. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and fluid-structure interaction (FSI) models were used to simulate and measure hemodynamic parameters of the rat aortic vessels. In parallel, Masson staining was performed on fixed samples of blood vessels to investigate collagen volume fraction. Hypertensive rats in the sedentary and long-term exercise training groups were subjected to a single bout exercise training, and their aortic hemodynamic parameters were analyzed before, 5 min, 24 h, and 72 h after the single bout exercise. Results Of the two models, in comparison to actual ultrasonic measurement values recorded, we found that numerical simulation results from the FSI model could more accurately model blood flow in the ascending aorta of hypertensive rats, compared to the CFD model. Moreover, longterm exercise training improved local hemodynamic parameters of blood vessels, and led to improvements in adverse hemodynamic features documented, including time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), and relative residence time (RRT). Longterm exercise training of SHR also improved local vascular collagen deposition in the aorta, while improvements in vascular remodeling were also correlated with favorable hemodynamic parameters. Compared with sedentary SHR, signals for low TAWSS regions of the aortic arch in SHR on the long-term exercise regime shifted to the position of the ascending aorta after a single bout of exercise. Conclusions This study demonstrates that FSI is informative to study the spatiotemporal effects of long-term exercise training on hemodynamic changes within the aortas of hypertensive rats, and that long-term exercise is beneficial through its effects to modulate vascular hemodynamics in hypertension.

Ethnic variations in metabolic syndrome components and their associations with the gut microbiota: the HELIUS study

BackgroundThe occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and the gut microbiota composition are known to differ across ethnicities yet how these three factors are interwoven is unknown. Also, it is unknown what the relative contribution of the gut microbiota composition is to each MetS component and whether this differs between ethnicities. We therefore determined the occurrence of MetS and its components in the multi-ethnic HELIUS cohort and tested the overall and ethnic-specific associations with the gut microbiota composition.MethodsWe included 16,209 treatment naïve participants of the HELIUS study, which were of Dutch, African Surinamese, South-Asian Surinamese, Ghanaian, Turkish, and Moroccan descent to analyze MetS and its components across ethnicities. In a subset (n = 3443), the gut microbiota composition (16S) was associated with MetS outcomes using linear and logistic regression models.ResultsA differential, often sex-dependent, prevalence of MetS components and their combinations were observed across ethnicities. Increased blood pressure was commonly seen especially in Ghanaians, while South-Asian Surinamese and Turkish had higher MetS rates in general and were characterized by worse lipid-related measures. Regarding the gut microbiota, when ethnic-independent associations were assumed, a higher α-diversity, higher abundance of several ASVs (mostly for waist and triglyceride-related outcomes) and a trophic network of ASVs of Ruminococcaceae, Christensenellaceae, and Methanobrevibacter (RCM) bacteria were associated with better MetS outcomes. Statistically significant ethnic-specific associations were however noticed for α-diversity and the RCM trophic network. Associations were significant in the Dutch but not always in all other ethnicities. In Ghanaians, a higher α-diversity and RCM network abundance showed an aberrant positive association with high blood pressure measures compared to the other ethnicities. Even though adjustment for socioeconomic status-, lifestyle-, and diet-related variables often attenuated the effect size and/or the statistical significance of the ethnic-specific associations, an overall similar pattern across outcomes and ethnicities remained.ConclusionsThe occurrence of MetS characteristics among ethnicities is heterogeneous. Both ethnic-independent and ethnic-specific associations were identified between the gut microbiota and MetS outcomes. Across multiple ethnicities, a one-size-fits-all approach may thus be reconsidered in regard to both the definition and/or treatment of MetS and its relation to the gut microbiota.

Treatment of Sleep Apnea and Reduction in Blood Pressure: The Role of Heart Rate Response and Hypoxic Burden.

Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with increased blood pressure (BP). Obstructive sleep apnea treatment reduces BP with substantial variability, not explained by the apnea-hypopnea index, partly due to inadequate characterization of obstructive sleep apnea's physiological consequences, such as oxygen desaturation, cardiac autonomic response, and suboptimal treatment efficacy. We sought to examine whether a high baseline heart rate response (ΔHR), a marker of high cardiovascular risk in obstructive sleep apnea, predicts a larger reduction in post-treatment systolic BP (SBP). Furthermore, we aimed to assess the extent to which a reduction in SBP is explained by a treatment-related reduction in hypoxic burden (HB). ΔHR and HB were measured from pretreatment and posttreatment polygraphy, followed by a 24-hour BP assessment in 168 participants treated with continuous positive airway pressure or nocturnal supplemental oxygen from the HeartBEAT study (Heart Biomarker Evaluation in Apnea Treatment). Multiple linear regression models assessed whether high versus mid (reference) ΔHR predicted a larger reduction in SBP (primary outcome) and whether there was an association between treatment-related reductions in SBP and HB. A high versus mid ΔHR predicted improvement in SBP (adjusted estimate, 5.8 [95% CI, 1.0-10.5] mm Hg). Independently, a greater treatment-related reduction in HB was significantly associated with larger reductions in SBP (4.2 [95% CI, 0.9-7.5] mm Hg per 2 SD treatment-related reduction in HB). Participants with substantial versus minimal treatment-related reductions in HB had a 6.5 (95% CI, 2.5-10.4) mm Hg drop in SBP. A high ΔHR predicted a more favorable BP response to therapy. Furthermore, the magnitude of the reduction in BP was partly explained by a greater reduction in HB.

The effects of metabolic syndrome on arterial stiffness: A concise review.

Madam, The term "metabolic syndrome" describes a collection of diseases that escalates a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, adult-onset diabetes, and other severe health issues. It is also known as Insulin resistance syndrome. A major cause of metabolic syndrome is the development of resistance to insulin due to high levels of fats. (1) Multiple risk factors, including abdominal and central obesity, increased blood pressure, low amount of HDL, and higher amount of LDL and triacylglycerides characterize it. Metabolic syndrome and arterial stiffness are interconnected conditions that can significantly impact cardiovascular health. (2) Arterial stiffness is a condition that considers the rigidity of the arterial wall. It involves modification of the automated aspects of the walls of arteries. The macroscopic geometry as well as the intrinsic characteristics of the artery, play a role in its stiffness. (3) Several mechanisms lead to arterial stiffness in metabolic syndrome patients, the first being inflammation. Upon excess nutrition, adipocytes increase in size and number, which causes decreased perfusion, causing hypoxia. Cell necrosis with the invasion of macrophages and the synthesis of adipocytokines, which consist of the pro-inflammatory mediators, might result from this condition. (1) The increased vascular inflammation will promote vascular fibrosis, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and endothelial-mediated vasodilation, which will ultimately increase arterial stiffness. (4) Metabolic syndrome is also related to insulin resistance, lipidemia, and central obesity. Chronic hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia may enhance sympathetic nervous system activity, vascular inflammation, and renin-angiotensin system activity. Vascular tissue's angiotensin-aldosterone system results in fibrosis and wall enlargement. Middle-aged people transitioning from gaining body weight to established conditions like hypertension and type 2 diabetes experience arterial stiffness. This transition typically starts with a few minor changes, but Metabolic Syndrome develops when several risk factors are present. (5) In conclusion, there is evidence to suggest arterial stiffness and metabolic syndrome are closely related and have significant implications for the well-being of an individual. It is essential to address both conditions as they may lead to atherosclerosis, followed by more frequent cardiovascular events and higher mortality. There are various strategies to counter the rise of arterial stiffness, like adding exercises to routines and vitamin K-rich foods to the diet, which will in turn reduce the occurrence of metabolic syndrome disorders in individuals, thus leading to a healthier society.