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BACKGROUND High sodium and low potassium consumption are risk factors for hypertension. The objectives of this study were to describe usual daily intake of sodium and potassium among US Hispanics/Latinos of diverse background groups and estimate the proportion meeting guidelines for dietary sodium and potassium intake. METHODS We studied 16,171 participants of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), a diverse group of self-identified Hispanics/Latinos aged 18–74 years from 4 US communities. In 2008–2011, all HCHS/SOL participants underwent a standardized examination. Median usual daily intake of dietary sodium and potassium were derived from two 24-hour diet recalls; standard errors and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using boot strap methods. Meeting 2015 US Department of Agriculture guidelines was defined as an intake of <2,300 mg/day of sodium and ≥4,700 mg/day of potassium. RESULTS Among US Hispanics/Latinos, median usual daily intake of sodium was 2,574 mg (95% CI: 2,547, 2,600) among women and 3,747 mg (95% CI: 3,697, 3,796) among men. Median usual daily intake of potassium was 2,069 mg (95% CI: 2,046, 2,092) among women and 2,649 mg (95% CI: 2,615, 2,683) among men. Overall, only 21.3% (95% CI: 20.2%, 22.4%) of the US Hispanic/Latino population met 2015 recommendations for sodium and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.4%, 0.8%) for potassium. CONCLUSIONS Among US Hispanics/Latinos intake of sodium is too high and potassium too low. Strategies to reduce sodium intake while simultaneously increasing intake of potassium in this US population are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Intermittent smoking is prevalent amongHispanics, but little is known about whether this smoking pattern associates with increased chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk in this population. The objective of the present study is to identify patterns of exposure associated with CKD in US Hispanics. Methods. We used cross-sectional data on 15 410 participants of the Hispanics Community Health Study/the Study of Latinos, a population-based study of individuals aged 18-74 years, recruited in 2008 to 2011 from four US field centers (Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; San Diego, CA). Smoking exposure was obtained through a questionnaire. CKD was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min/ 1.73 m² or a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio of ≥30 mg/g. Results. Approximately 14% of individuals were daily and 7% were intermittent smokers, and 16% were past smokers. There was a significant interaction between smoking status and packyears of exposure (P = 0.0003). In adjusted models, therewas an increased odds of CKD among daily, intermittent and past smokers by pack-years compared with never smokers. The association of intermittent smokers was significant at 10 pack-years [odds ratio (OR) = 1.38, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.06, 1.81], whereas for daily smokers this association was observed at 40 pack-years (OR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.09, 1.89). Conclusions. Our findings of increased risk of CKD among Hispanics who are intermittent smokers support screening and smoking cessation interventions targeted to this population for the prevention of CKD. It also suggests novel mechanistic pathways for kidney toxicity that should be further explored in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

background The prevention and control of hypertension is an essential component for reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases. Here we describe the prevalence of hypertension in diverse Hispanic/Latino background groups and describe the proportion who are aware of their diagnosis, receiving treatment, and having their hypertension under control. methods The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos is a longitudinal cohort study of 16,415 Hispanics/Latinos, aged 18–74 years from 4 US communities (Bronx, NY; Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; and San Diego, CA). At baseline (2008–2011) the study collected extensive measurements and completed questionnaires related to research on cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension was defined as measured blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg or use of antihypertensive medication. results The total age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension in this study was 25.5% as compared with 27.4% in non-Hispanic whites in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Prevalence of hypertension increased with increasing age groups and was highest in Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican background groups. The percent with hypertension who were aware, being treated with medication, or had their hypertension controlled was lower compared with US non-Hispanic whites with hypertension and it was lowest in those without health insurance. conclusions These findings indicate a significant deficit in treatment and control of hypertension among Hispanics/Latinos residing in the United States, particularly those without health insurance. Given the relative ease of identification of hypertension and the availability of low-cost medications, enabling better access to diagnostic and treatment services should reduce the burden of hypertension in Hispanic populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Current treatment for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases frequently involves the prescription of several combination therapies, particularly antihypertensive medications and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. We have previously shown that in salt-sensitive hypertension either a statin or the calcium channel blocker amlodipine (Aml) have vasoprotective effects. Here, we investigated in aortas from Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats the effects of Aml, the statin atorvastatin (AT), and their combination on endothelial function, superoxide (O2−) production, and the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1). METHODS Groups of DS rats were fed either normal-salt (NS, 0.5% NaCl) or high-salt (HS, 4% NaCl) diet or a HS diet with AT (15mg/kg/day), Aml (5mg/kg/day) or combination of AT/Aml for 6 weeks. RESULTS Rats on the HS diet developed hypertension, aortic hypertrophy, accompanied by increased plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), aortic O2−, MCP-1 (80%), and LOX-1 (55%) expression and reduced eNOS and endothelial-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (EDR). Aml reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP), aortic hypertrophy, plasma CRP, vascular O2−, and MCP-1 expression and improved eNOS and EDR. AT reduced aortic hypertrophy and plasma CRP, improved EDR, and normalized vascular O2−, eNOS, and proinflammatory gene expression with mild reduction in SBP. Combination therapy further reduced the SBP and normalized aortic hypertrophy, EDR, and plasma CRP. CONCLUSIONS The combination therapy of Aml/AT has an additive beneficial effect on the vasculature. These novel findings may provide scientific basis for the combination therapy of statins with antihypertensive agents to reduce and prevent cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: BackgroundCalcium channel blockers such as amlodipine are effective antihypertensive agents. In this study we investigated the effects of amlodipine on vascular oxidative stress, expression of the lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor (LOX-1), and endothelial function in angiotensin (Ang) II-infused rats.: MethodsSprague-Dawley rats were treated with Ang II (0.7 mg/kg/day subcutaneously injected by mini-pump), with or without amlodipine (10 mg/kg/day by gavage), for 5 days and compared with control rats. Levels of aortic ring superoxide (O2−) and peroxynitrite (ONOO−) were determined, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and endothelium-dependent relaxation were evaluated.: ResultsCompared with control rats, Ang II-infused rats developed hypertension (175 ± 3 v 135 ± 2 mm Hg, P < .05), aortic hypertrophy (16.9 ± 1.3 v 13.2 ± 0.3 mg/cm, P < .05), left ventricular hypertrophy (0.236 ± 0.003 v 0.204 ± 0.004 g/100 g body weight, P < .05), and impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation (ED50: 6.6 ± 0.2 v 8.0 ± 0.2 −log mol/L acetylcholine concentration, P < .05). Compared with control rats, Ang II-infused rats also had higher aortic levels of LOX-1 mRNA expression, O2−production (1005 ± 140 v 608 ± 159 counts/min/mg, P < .05), ONOO− production (1875 ± 295 v 782 ± 115 counts/min/mg, P < .05), and plasma free 8-F2α-isoprostanes (67.4 ± 19.1 v 27.2 ± 6.1 pg/mL, P < .05). In Ang II-infused rats SBP, aortic hypertrophy, endothelial dysfunction, LOX-1 expression, aortic O2− and ONOO− production, and plasma free 8-F2α-isoprostane levels were significantly reduced by amlodipine treatment.: ConclusionsAmlodipine has antihypertensive and antioxidant activity in vivo, which effectively inhibits many of the oxidative stress-dependent mechanisms involved in Ang II-mediated cardiovascular injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]