leukotriene-c4 and Hypertension

Leukotrienes are potent inflammatory mediators synthesized locally within the cardiovascular system through the 5-lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism. The leukotrienes, consisting of dihydroxy leukotriene LTB4 and the cysteinyl leukotrienes LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4, act by targeting cell surface receptors expressed on inflammatory cells and on structural cells of vessel walls. LTB, induces leukocyte activation and chemotaxis via high- and low-affinity receptor subtypes (BLT1 and BLT2), respectively. Recently, BLT, receptors were found on human vascular smooth muscle cells, inducing their migration and proliferation. Cysteinyl leukotrienes are vasoconstrictors and induce endothelium-dependent vascular responses through the CysLT, and CysLT2 receptor subtypes. There is also pharmacological evidence for the existence of further CysLT receptor subtypes. Taken together, experimental and genetic studies suggest a major role of leukotrienes in atherosclerosis and in its ischemic complications such as acute coronary syndromes and stroke. Furthermore, the effects on vascular smooth muscle cells suggest a role in the vascular remodeling observed after coronary angioplasty, as well as in aortic aneurysm. Further experimental and clinical studies are needed to determine the potential of therapeutic strategies targeting the leukotriene pathway in cardiovascular disease.

Topics: Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; Animals; Aortic Aneurysm; Arachidonic Acid; Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cell Movement; Coronary Restenosis; Disease Models, Animal; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Hypertension; Leukotriene Antagonists; Leukotriene B4; Leukotriene C4; Leukotriene D4; Leukotriene E4; Leukotrienes; Mice; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Rats; Receptors, Leukotriene; Stroke

In the heart and heart mitochondria spontaneously hypertensive rats investigated the effect of physical exercise training (swimming in a moderate and excessive training mode) on the physiological indicators of cardiac hemodynamics and biochemical parameters that characterize the level of oxidative and nitrosative stress. The index of coupling Ca(2+)-dependent constitutive NO-synthases (cNOS = eNOS + nNOS) and biochemical index of dysfunction were calculated. It turned out that both modes of training is completely restored, and even exceed the reference values in untrained rats Wistar conjugate cNOS state and Ca(2+)-dependent synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). Intensity regime of exercise on the border of functionality have been ineffective for improving the functional state of the cardiovascular system and hypertension can provoke it further. Moderate physical training regime, on the contrary, improves the diastolic function of the heart due to an increase dP/dtmin, reducing end-diastolic pressure and a significant reduction in end-diastolic stiffness. Moderate exercise decreased peripheral resistance and cardiac afterload, as indicated by the decrease in end-systolic pressure and arterial stiffness, which contributed to more efficient and energy-saving of heart work. Improve physiological indicators of cardiac hemodynamics and functional state of the heart in moderate mode of training correlated with changes in both the calculated indices. Moderate mode of training is recommended as a simple physiological preconditioning method for the prevention of cardiac dysfunction, hypertension as a result of state uncoupling cNOS and the resulting excessive generation of superoxide and, conversely, inhibition of Ca(2+)-dependent synthesis of NO.

Topics: Animals; Blood Pressure; Calcium; Disease Progression; Hydroxyl Radical; Hypertension; Leukotriene C4; Male; Mitochondria, Heart; Myocardium; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Physical Exertion; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Stroke Volume; Thromboxane B2; Uric Acid; Vascular Stiffness

Cysteinyl-leukotrienes, i.e. leukotriene (LT) C4, D4 and E4, are inflammatory mediators and potent airway- and vasoconstrictors. Two different cysteinyl-leukotriene receptors have been cloned, CysLT1 and CysLT2. This report reviews recent data on CysLT receptor characterisation as well as studies of modulatory mechanisms involved in cysteinyl-leukotriene-induced responses. On the basis of functional studies in isolated smooth muscle preparations, the existence of an additional receptor for cysteinyl-leukotrienes is suggested. In addition, cysteinyl-leukotriene responses in pulmonary vessels were regulated by the release of modulatory factors, of which cyclooxygenase products dominated in the arteries and nitric oxide was the main modulator in porcine pulmonary veins. Moreover, the interconversion between LTC4 and LTD4 and the metabolism into LTE4 may represent a major modulatory mechanism in the guinea-pig trachea by deciding which CysLT receptor is activated by the cysteinyl-leukotrienes.

Topics: Animals; Bronchoconstriction; Endothelium, Vascular; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Hypertension; Leukotriene Antagonists; Leukotriene C4; Leukotriene D4; Leukotriene E4; Membrane Proteins; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth; Nitric Oxide; Prostaglandins; Pulmonary Artery; Pulmonary Veins; Receptors, Leukotriene; Swine; Trachea

It is well known that in haemodialysis patients suffering from oligoanuria, extracellular hypervolaemia develops and this hypervolaemia is the main reason for hypertension occurring in some of the patients. The absence of vasorelaxation during hypervolaemia may be secondary to an increased activity of vasoconstrictor systems and/or a decreased formation of vasodilator agents like prostaglandin E2(PGE2) and prostaglandin I2(PGI2). In the present study, arterial PGE2 and leukotriene C4(LTC4)-like activities and the effect of fluid removal on these arachidonic acid metabolites during haemodialysis were measured in normotensive and hypertensive patients. Plasma PGE2 and LTC4-like activities were significantly different between hypertensive and normotensive patients. PGE2/LTC4 ratio did not change in normotensive patients while it was increased in hypertensive patients after haemodialysis. These results indicate that haemodialysis alters the synthesis of arachidonic acid metabolites especially in hypertensive patients.

Topics: Arachidonic Acid; Blood Pressure; Contraindications; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Dinoprostone; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Leukotriene C4; Male; Renal Dialysis