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Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to various models of hypertension, including deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-induced hypertension. Recently, we have shown that ROS, generated by cytochrome P-450 1B1 (CYP1B1) from arachidonic acid, mediate vascular smooth muscle cell growth caused by angiotensin II. This study was conducted to determine the contribution of CYP1B1 to hypertension and associated pathophysiological changes produced by DOCA (30 mg/kg) given subcutaneously per week with 1% NaCl + 0.1% KCl in drinking water to uninephrectomized rats for 6 wk. DOCA-salt treatment increased systolic blood pressure (SBP). Injections of the selective inhibitor of CYP1B1, 2,3',4,5'-tetramethoxystilbene (TMS; 300 [micro]g/kg ip every 3rd day) initiated at the 4th week of DOCA-salt treatment normalized SBP and decreased CYP1B1 activity but not its expression in the aorta, heart, and kidney. TMS also inhibited cardiovascular and kidney hypertrophy, prevented the increase in vascular reactivity and endothelial dysfunction, and minimized the increase in urinary protein and [K.sup.+] output and the decrease in urine osmolality, [Na.sup.+] output, and creatinine clearance associated with DOCA-salt treatment. These pathophysiological changes caused by DOCA-salt treatment and associated increase in vascular superoxide production, NADPH oxidase activity, and expression of NOX-1, and ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activities in the aorta, heart, and kidney were inhibited by TMS. These data suggest that CYP1B1 contributes to DOCA-salt-induced hypertension and associated pathophysiological changes, most likely as a result of increased ROS production and ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activity, and could serve as a novel target for the development of agents like TMS to treat hypertension. cytochrome P-450 1B1 activity; reactive oxygen species; vascular reactivity; endothelial dysfunction; renal function doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00655.2010.

Mutations in WNK1 and WNK4 lead to familial hyperkalemic hypertension (FHHt). Because FHHt associates net positive [Na.sup.+] balance together with [K.sup.+] and [H.sup.+] renal retention, the identification of WNK1 and WNK4 led to a new paradigm to explain how aldosterone can promote either [Na.sup.+] reabsorption or [K.sup.+] secretion in a hypovolemic or hyperkalemic state, respectively. WNK1 gives rise to L-WNK1, an ubiquitous kinase, and KS-WNK1, a kinase-defective isoform expressed in the distal convoluted tubule. By inactivating KS-WNK1 in mice, we show here that this isoform is an important regulator of sodium transport. KS-[WNK1.sup.-/-] mice display an increased activity of the Na-Cl cotransporter NCC, expressed specifically in the distal convoluted tubule, where it participates in the fine tuning of sodium reabsorption. Moreover, the expression of the ROMK and BKCa potassium channels was modified in KS-[WNK1.sup.-/-] mice, indicating that KS-WNK1 is also a regulator of potassium transport in the distal nephron. Finally, we provide an alternative model for FHHt. Previous studies suggested that the activation of NCC plays a central role in the development of hypertension and hyperkalemia. Even though the increase in NCC activity in KS-[WNK1.sup.-/-] mice was less pronounced than in mice overexpressing a mutant form of WNK4, our study suggests that the activation of Na--Cl cotransporter is not sufficient by itself to induce a hyperkalemic hypertension and that the deregulation of other channels, such as the Epithelial [Na.sup.+] channel (ENaC), is probably required. transgenic animals | water-electrolyte balance doi/ 10.1073/pnas.1006128107

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2010.02.007 Byline: Cheryl A.M. Anderson, Lawrence J. Appel, Nagako Okuda, Ian J. Brown, Queenie Chan, Liancheng Zhao, Hirotsugu Ueshima, Hugo Kesteloot, Katsuyuki Miura, J. David Curb, Katsushi Yoshita, Paul Elliott, Monica E. Yamamoto, Jeremiah Stamler Abstract: Public health campaigns in several countries encourage population-wide reduced sodium (salt) intake, but excessive intake remains a major problem. Excessive sodium intake is independently related to adverse blood pressure and is a key factor in the epidemic of prehypertension/hypertension. Identification of food sources of sodium in modern diets is critical to effective reduction of sodium intake worldwide. We used data from the INTERMAP Study to define major food sources of sodium in diverse East Asian and Western population samples. INTERMAP is an international, cross-sectional, epidemiologic study of 4, 680 individuals ages 40 to 59 years from Japan (four samples), People's Republic of China (three rural samples), the United Kingdom (two samples), and the United States (eight samples); four in-depth, multipass 24-hour dietary recalls/person were used to identify foods accounting for most dietary sodium intake. In the People's Republic of China sample, most (76%) dietary sodium was from salt added in home cooking, about 50% less in southern than northern samples. In Japan, most (63%) dietary sodium came from soy sauce (20%), commercially processed fish/seafood (15%), salted soups (15%), and preserved vegetables (13%). Processed foods, including breads/cereals/grains, contributed heavily to sodium intake in the United Kingdom (95%) and the United States (for methodological reasons, underestimated at 71%). To prevent and control prehypertension/hypertension and improve health, efforts to remove excess sodium from diets in rural China should focus on reducing salt in home cooking. To avoid excess sodium intake in Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, salt must be reduced in commercially processed foods. Article History: Accepted 18 September 2009

Epidemiologic studies from several different populations have demonstrated that prenatal insults, which adversely affect fetal growth, result in an increased incidence of hypertension when the offspring reaches adulthood. It is now becoming evident that low-birth-weight infants are also at increased risk for chronic kidney disease. To determine how prenatal insults result in hypertension and chronic kidney disease, investigators have used animal models that mimic the adverse events that occur in pregnant women, such as dietary protein or total caloric deprivation, uteroplacental insufficiency, and prenatal administration of glucocorticoids. This review examines the role of the kidney in generating and maintaining an increase in blood pressure in these animal models. This review also discusses how early postnatal adverse events may have repercussions in later life. Causes for the increase in blood pressure by perinatal insults are likely multifactorial and involve a reduction in nephron number, dysregulation of the systemic and intrarenal renin-angiotensin system, increased renal sympathetic nerve activity, and increased tubular sodium transport. Understanding the mechanism for the increase in blood pressure and renal injury resulting from prenatal insults may lead to therapies that prevent hypertension and the development of chronic kidney and cardiovascular disease. blood pressure; prenatal insults; sodium absorption; renin-angiotensin system doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00288.2009

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2009.10.001 Byline: Karen L. Margolis (a), Kay Dunn (b), Lara M. Simpson (b), Charles E. Ford (b), Jeff D. Williamson (c), David J. Gordon (d), Paula T. Einhorn (d), Jeffrey L. Probstfield (e) Abstract: In previous analyses in ALLHAT, blacks had a significantly lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in the pravastatin group compared to the usual care group, whereas non-blacks had no benefit from pravastatin. No previous statin trial has reported results separately in blacks. Author Affiliation: (a) HealthPartners Research Foundation, Minneapolis, MN (b) Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center School of Public Health, Houston, TX (c) J Paul Sticht Center on Aging, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC (d) Division of Prevention and Population Sciences and Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD (e) Division of Cardiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA Article History: Received 30 April 2009; Accepted 5 October 2009

Hypertension and its complications represent leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Although the cause of hypertension is unknown in most patients, genetic factors are recognized as contributing significantly to an individual's lifetime risk of developing the condition. Here, we investigated the role of the G protein regulator phosducin (Pdc) in hypertension. Mice with a targeted deletion of the gene encoding Pdc ([Pdc.sup.[-/-]] mice) had increased blood pressure despite normal cardiac function and vascular reactivity, and displayed elevated catecholamine turnover in the peripheral sympathetic system. Isolated postganglionic sympathetic neurons from [Pdc.sup.[-/-]] mice showed prolonged action potential firing after stimulation with acetylcholine and increased firing frequencies during membrane depolarization. Furthermore, [Pdc.sup.[-/-]] mice displayed exaggerated increases in blood pressure in response to post-operative stress. Candidate gene-based association studies in 2 different human populations revealed several SNPs in the PDC gene to be associated with stress-dependent blood pressure phenotypes. Individuals homozygous for the G allele of an intronic PDC SNP (rs12402521) had 12-15 mmHg higher blood pressure than those carrying the A allele. These findings demonstrate that PDC is an important modulator of sympathetic activity and blood pressure and may thus represent a promising target for treatment of stress-dependent hypertension., Introduction Hypertension and its cardiovascular consequences contribute to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide (1). In over 90% of hypertensive patients, the causes of increased blood pressure are [...]

Objectives. We assessed the potential health and economic benefits of reducing common risk factors in older Americans. Methods. A dynamic simulation model tracked a national cohort of persons 51 and 52 years of age to project their health and medical spending in prevention scenarios for diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and smoking. Results. The gain in life span from successful treatment of a person aged 51 or 52 years for obesity would be 0.85 years; for hypertension, 2.05 years; and for diabetes, 3.17 years. A 51- or 52-year-old person who quit smoking would gain 3.44 years. Despite living longer, those successfully treated for obesity, hypertension, or diabetes would have lower lifetime medical spending, exclusive of prevention costs. Smoking cessation would lead to increased lifetime spending. We used traditional valuations for a life-year to calculate that successful treatments would be worth, per capita, $198018 (diabetes), $137964 (hypertension), $118946 (smoking), and $51750 (obesity). Conclusions. Effective prevention could substantially improve the health of older Americans, and--despite increases in longevity--such benefits could be achieved with little or no additional lifetime medical spending. (Am J Public Health. 2009;99:2096-2101. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.172627)

Some male salmonids (e.g., rainbow trout) display profound cardiovascular adjustments during sexual maturation, including cardiac growth and hypertension, and tachycardia has been observed in free-ranging male salmonids near their spawning grounds. In the present study, we investigated cardiac control, dorsal aortic blood pressure, cardiac morphometrics, and hematological variables in wild, sexually maturing sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) with a particular aim to decipher any sex-specific differences. Routine heart rate ([f.sub.H]) was significantly higher in females (52 vs. 43 beats/min), which was due to significantly lower cholinergic tone (28 vs. 46%), because there were no differences in adrenergic tone or intrinsic heart rate between sexes. No differences in blood pressure were observed despite males possessing an 11% greater relative ventricular mass. Concomitant with higher routine heart rates, female sockeye had significantly higher levels of cortisol, testosterone, and 17[beta]-estradiol, whereas the level of 11-ketotestosterone was higher in males. There were no differences in hematocrit or hemoglobin concentration between the sexes. The findings of this study highlight the importance of considering sex as a variable in research fields such as conservation biology and when modeling the consequences of local and global climate change. Indeed, this study helps to provide a mechanistic basis for the significantly higher rates of female mortality observed in previous studies of wild-caught sockeye salmon. blood pressure; cardiac sympathovagal tone; hemoglobin; hematocrit; sex hormones doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00363.2009

The study aims to evaluate whether treatment for mild, gestational diabetes helps improve the outcomes during pregnancy. The results indicate that treatment of gestational diabetes did not significantly improve stillbirth or perinatal death or several neonatal complications, it did reduce risks of fetal overgrowth, cesarean delivery and hypertensive disorders.

Dairy product intake could contribute to preventing hypertension, but information linking intake of these foods with changes in blood pressure over long periods of time, particularly in non-whites, is scarce. We analyzed the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, a prospective cohort in the United States, to assess whether different types of dairy products were associated with changes in blood pressure over time. The analysis included 6912 white and 1296 African-American nonhypertensive men and women, aged 45-64 at baseline. After 9 years of follow-up, systolic blood pressure of whites consuming three or more daily servings of low-fat milk increased 2.7 mm Hg less than in those consuming less than one serving per week (P for trend = 0.01). Among African Americans, dairy products intake was not associated with changes in blood pressure over time. In conclusion, higher low-fat milk intake was associated with lower increases in blood pressure in whites but not in African Americans. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2009.50; published online 17 June 2009 Keywords: dairy; blood pressure; cohort; epidemiology; race, An elevated intake of dairy products has been repeatedly associated with reduced risk of high blood pressure (BP) (Pereira et al., 2002; Alonso et al., 2005; Wang et al., 2008; [...]

Population studies indicate that moderate hyperbilirubinemia is associated with reduced incidence of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Despite this correlative evidence, no studies have directly tested the hypothesis that moderate increases in plasma bilirubin levels can attenuate the development of hypertension. This hypothesis was tested by treating mice with Indinavir, a drug that competes with bilirubin for metabolism by UDP-glucuronosyltransferase IAI (UGTIA1). Treatment of rnice with Indinavir (500 mg x [kg.sup.-1] x [day.sup.-1], gavage) resulted in a twofold increase in plasma unconjugated bilirubin levels. Next, we determined the effect of Indinavir-induced changes in plasma bilirubin on the development of ANG II-dependent hypertension. Moderate hyperbilirubinemia was induced 3 days before the implantation of an osmotic minipump that delivered ANG II at a rate of 1 [micro]g x [kg.sup.-1] x [min.sup.-1]. ANG lI infusion increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) by 20 mmHg in control mice but by only 6 mmHg in mice treated with Indinavir (n = 6). Similar to Indinavir treatment, direct infusion of bilirubin (37.2 mg x [kg.sup.-1] x [day.sup.-1] iv) resulted in a twofold increase in plasma bilirubin levels and also attenuated the development of ANG If-dependent hypertension. Moderate hyperbilirubinemia resulted in an increase in plasma nitrate/nitrite levels, which averaged 36 [+ or -] 2 vs. 50 [+ or -] 7 [micro]M in ANG II vehicle vs. Indinavir-treated mice (n = 5). Moderate hyperbilirubinemia resulted in attenuation of vascular oxidative stress as determined by dihydroethidium staining of aortic segments. These results indicate that moderate hyperbilirubinemia prevents ANG IIdependent hypertension by a mechanism that may involve decreases in vascular oxidative stress. bilirubin; angiotensin II hypertension; uridine 5'-triphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1, heme oxygenase

A study was conducted to evaluate the incidence of hypertension and its relationship with diet and lifestyle factors. Results indicated that low-risk dietary and lifestyle factors were responsible for a lower risk of hypertension and can help prevent the onset of hypertension among young women.

The present study tested the hypotheses that male and female rats respond differently to subcutaneous infusions of aldosterone (Aldo; 1.8 [micro]g x [kg.sup.-1] x [h.sup.-1], 1% NaCl to drink; 28 days) and that central estrogen plays a protective role against the development of hypertension. In rats with blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) measured by Data Sciences International telemetry, chronic Aldo/NaC1 treatment induced a greater increase in BP in males ([DELTA]25.4 [+ or -] 2.4 mmHg) than in females ([DELTA]7.1 [+ or -] 2.2 mmHg). Gonadectomy augmented Aldo/NaCl-induced hypertension in females ([DELTA]18.2 [+ or -] 2.0 mmHg) but had no effect in males ([DELTA]23.1 [+ or -] 2.9 mmHg). Immunohistochemistry for Fra-like activity was higher in the paraventricular nucleus of intact males, castrated males, and ovariectomized (OVX) females compared with intact females after 28 days of Aldo/NaCl treatment. In intact males, central 17[beta]-estradiol ([E.sub.2]) inhibited the Aldo/NaC1 increase in BP ([DELTA]10.5 [+ or -] 0.8) compared with that in central vehicle plus systemic Aldo/NaCL ([DELTA]26.1 [+ or -] 2.5 mmHg) rats. Combined administration of [E.sub.2] and estrogen receptor antagonist ICI182780 (ICI) blocked the protective effect of [E.sub.2] ([DELTA]23.2 [+ or -] 2.4 mmHg). In intact females central, but not peripheral, infusions of ICI augmented the Aldo/NaC1 ([DELTA]20.4 [+ or -] 1.8 mmHg) BP increase. Finally, ganglionic blockade after Aldo infusions resulted in a smaller reduction in BP in intact females (-23.9 [+ or -] 2.5 mmHg) and in central estrogen-treated males (-30.2 [+ or -] 1.0 mmHg) compared with other groups (intact males, -39.3 [+ or -] 3.4; castrated males, -41.8 [+ or -] 1.9; intact males with central [E.sub.2] + ICI, -42.3 [+ or -] 2.1; OVX females, -40.3 [+ or -] 3.3; and intact females with central ICI, -39.1 [+ or -] 1.3 mmHg). Chronic Aldo infusion produced increases in NaCl intake and decreases in HR that were both similar in all groups. Taken together, the results indicate that central estrogen plays a protective role in the development of Aldo/NaCl-induced hypertension and that this may result from reduced sympathetic outflow. estrogen receptor; blood pressure; heart rate; sympathetic nervous system

Background/Objectives: Several studies support the effectiveness of increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V) to prevent hypertension. However, none of them have been conducted in a Mediterranean setting. The aim of this study was to assess the association between F&V consumption and the risk of hypertension. Subjects/Methods: A prospective Mediterranean study (the SUN cohort), including 8594 participants aged 20-95 years (mean, 41.1) with median follow-up of 49 months. Results: Analyses according to the joint classification by olive oil and F&V consumption showed a significant inverse relation between F&V consumption and the risk of hypertension only among participants with a low olive oil consumption ( Conclusions: We found a statistically significant interaction (P = 0.01) between olive oil intake and F&V consumption. These data suggest a sub-additive effect of both food items. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2008.22; published online 27 February 2008 Keywords: fruit; vegetable; hypertension; olive oil; Mediterranean diet; prospective studies, Introduction High blood pressure (HBP) has a high prevalence in many populations and it is associated to an excess risk of myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke and kidney disease (Chobanian [...]

Green tea (GT), through its antioxidant properties, may be useful to treat or prevent human diseases. Because several lines of evidence suggest that oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, we tested the hypothesis that GT prevents diabetes and hypertension-related renal oxidative stress, attenuating renal injury. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and nondiabetic SHR were treated daily with tap water or freshly prepared GT (13.3 g/L). After 12 wk, the systolic blood pressure did not differ between treated and untreated nondiabetic or diabetic rats. However, body weight was less (P < 0.05) and glycemia was greater in diabetic SHR rats than in nondiabetic rats. Renal oxidative stress variables such as 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and nitrotyrosine expression, NADPH oxidase-dependent superoxide generation, and the expression of renal cortex Nox4 were greater (P < 0.05) in diabetic rats that received water (DW) than in nondiabetic rats that received water (CW). The 8-OHdG and NADPH oxidase-dependent superoxide generation were significantly less in rats treated with GT. Nitrotyrosine and Nox4 expression were significantly less in diabetic rats that received GT (DGT) than in DW. Likewise, the indices of renal injury, albuminuria, and renal expression of collagen IV were significantly greater in DW than in CW. These differences were significantly less in DGT than in DW. GT reestablished the redox state and reduced the indicators of nephropathy without altering glycemia and blood pressure levels in diabetic SHR. These findings suggest that the consumption of GT may ameliorate nephropathy in diabetic hypertensive patients.

In Wistar rats, increasing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) [Na.sup.+] concentration ([[Na.sup.+]]) by intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of hypertonic saline causes sympathetic hyperactivity and hypertension that can be prevented by blockade of brain mineralocorticoid receptors (MR). To assess the role of aldosterone produced locally in the brain in the activation of MR in the central nervous system (CNS), Wistar rats were infused ICV with artificial CSF (aCSF), [Na.sup.+]-rich (800 mmol/1) aCSF, aCSF plus the aldosterone synthase inhibitor FAD286 (100 [micro]g*[kg.sup.-1] * [day.sup.-1]), or [Na.sup.+]-rich aCSF plus FAD286. After 2 wk of infusion, rats treated with [Na.sup.+]-rich aCSF exhibited significant increases in aldosterone and corticosterone content in the hypothalamus but not in the hippocampus, as well as increases in resting blood pressure (BP) and sympathoexcitatory responses to air stress, and impairment of arterial baroreflex function. Concomitant ICV infusion of FAD286 prevented the [Na.sup.+]-induced increase in hypothalamic aldosterone but not corticosterone and prevented most of the increases in resting BP and sympathoexcitatory and pressor responses to air stress and the baroreflex impairment. FAD286 had no effects in rats infused with ICV aCSF. In another set of rats, 24-h BP and heart rate were recorded via telemetry before and during a 14-day ICV infusion of [Na.sup.+]-rich aCSF with or without FAD286. [Na.sup.+]-rich aCSF without FAD286 caused sustained increases (~10 mmHg) in resting mean arterial pressure that were absent in the rats treated with FAD286. These data suggest that in Wistar rats, an increase in CSF [[Na.sup.+]] may increase the biosynthesis of corticosterone and aldosterone in the hypothalamus, and mainly aldosterone activates MR in the CNS leading to sympathetic hyperactivity and hypertension. brain sodium; brain steroids; mineralocorticoid receptor; cytochrome P-450 aldosterone synthase; hypothalamus; sympathoexcitation; diurnal variation

The objective was to determine whether the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) plays a role in the initiation and development of cold-induced hypertension (CIH) by testing the hypothesis that the RNA interference (RNAi) inhibition of the MR attenuates CIH. The recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying a short-hairpin small-interference RNA for MR (MRshRNA) or a scrambled sequence (ControlshRNA) was constructed. Six groups of albino mice were used (6 mice/group). Three groups were exposed to cold (6.7[degrees]C), whereas the remaining three groups were kept at room temperature (RT; warm) as controls. In each temperature condition, three groups received an intravenous injection of MRshRNA, ControlshRNA, or virus-free PBS, respectively, before exposure to cold. The viral complexes (0.35 [10.sup.11] particles/mouse, 0.5 ml) or PBS (0.5 ml) was delivered into the circulation via the tail vein. The blood pressure (BP) of the mice treated with ControlshRNA or PBS increased significantly during exposure to cold, whereas the BP of the cold-exposed MRshRNA-treated mice did not increase and remained at the level of the control group kept at RT. Thus AAV delivery of MRshRNA prevented the initiation of CIH. MRshRNA significantly attenuated cardiac and renal hypertrophy. MRshRNA decreased the cold-induced increase in MR protein expression to the control level in the hypothalamus, kidneys, and heart, indicating an effective prevention of the cold-induced upregulation of MR. RNAi inhibition of MR resulted in significant decreases in the plasma level of norepinephrine, plasma renin activity, and plasma level of aldosterone in cold-exposed mice. MR played a critical role in the initiation and development of CIH. AAV delivery of MRshRNA may serve as a new approach for the prevention of cold-induced hypertension. short-hairpin RNA; aldosterone; blood pressure; adeno-associated virus; cardiac hypertrophy; RNA interference

Background/Objectives: Dietary patterns are linked to risk and outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dietary intake varies by race, region and age. The relationship between a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and CKD in elderly Koreans is unclear. Subjects/Methods: We conducted cross-sectional analyses of 2408 community-dwelling elderly participants from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2012). DASH dietary patterns for six nutrients (protein, fiber, calcium, potassium, total fat and sodium) were collected by 24 h recall. DASH-US (based on the US recommendations) and DASH-KQ (Korean quartile) scores were generated by summing the scores for the six nutrients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) for the association between a DASH diet and CKD. Results: Mean subject age was 72.4[+ or -]5.1 years, 13.9% had CKD and 23.8% had diabetes. Protein, fiber, calcium and potassium intake was lower in CKD than non-CKD participants. In multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, comorbid conditions and other factors, a high DASH score was associated with a low odds for CKD based on DASH-US (OR=0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.65-0.94, P=0.009) and DASH-KQ (OR=0.95, 95% CI, 0.91-0.99, P=0.022). In six nutrients of DASH diet, high fiber intake showed a low odds for CKD in the DASH-KQ model (P for trend=0.010). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that higher adherence to a DASH diet and higher fiber intake are associated with lower odds of CKD in elderly Koreans. These results should be corroborated through longitudinal studies of the association between a DASH diet and high-fiber diet on the risk of developing CKD. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2017) 71, 755-761; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2016.240; published online 14 December 2016, Author(s): H S Lee [1]; K B Lee [1]; Y Y Hyun [1]; Y Chang [2, 3]; S Ryu [2, 3]; Y Choi [3] Introduction Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is [...]

Essential hypertension is a common disease, yet its pathogenesis is not well understood. Altered control of sodium excretion in the kidney may be a key causative feature, but this has been difficult to test experimentally, and recent studies have challenged this hypothesis. Based on the critical role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the type I ([AT.sub.1]) angiotensin receptor in essential hypertension, we developed an experimental model to separate [AT.sub.1] receptor pools in the kidney from those in all other tissues. Although actions of the RAS in a variety of target organs have the potential to promote high blood pressure and end-organ damage, we show here that angiotensin II causes hypertension primarily through effects on [AT.sub.1] receptors in the kidney. We find that renal [AT.sub.1] receptors are absolutely required for the development of angiotensin II-dependent hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. When [AT.sub.1] receptors are eliminated from the kidney, the residual repertoire of systemic, extrarenal [AT.sub.1] receptors is not sufficient to induce hypertension or cardiac hypertrophy. Our findings demonstrate the critical role of the kidney in the pathogenesis of hypertension and its cardiovascular complications. Further, they suggest that the major mechanism of action of RAS inhibitors in hypertension is attenuation of angiotensin II effects in the kidney. transgenic mice | kidney transplantation | blood pressure

A qualitative study was done to explore attitudes and beliefs of African Americans regarding hypertension-preventive self-care behaviors. Five focus groups, with 34 participants, were held using interview questions loosely based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Analysis revealed themes broadly consistent with the TPB and also identified an overarching theme labeled 'circle of culture.' The circle is a metaphor for ties that bind individuals within the larger African American community and provides boundaries for culturally acceptable behaviors. Three subthemes were identified: One describes how health behaviors are 'passed from generation to generation,' another reflects a sense of being 'accountable' to others within the culture, and the third reflects negative views toward people who are 'acting different,' moving outside the circle of culture. Findings provide an expanded perspective of the TPB by demonstrating the influence of culture and collective identity on attitude formation and health-related behaviors among African Americans. Keywords: African American; culture; collective identity; hypertension; self-care; Theory of Planned Behavior

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ahj.2005.09.011 Byline: Christopher J. Cooper (a), Timothy P. Murphy (b), Alan Matsumoto (c), Michael Steffes (d), David J. Cohen (e), Michael Jaff (f), Richard Kuntz (g), Kenneth Jamerson (h), Diane Reid (i), Kenneth Rosenfield (f), John Rundback (j), Ralph D' Agostino (k), William Henrich (l), Lance Dworkin (b) Abstract: Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis is a problem with no consensus on diagnosis or therapy. The consequences of renal ischemia are neuroendocrine activation, hypertension, and renal insufficiency that can potentially result in acceleration of atherosclerosis, further renal dysfunction, myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, and death. Whether revascularization improves clinical outcomes when compared with optimum medical therapy is unknown. Author Affiliation: (a) Medical University of Ohio, Toledo, OH (b) Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI (c) University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (d) University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN (e) Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA (f) Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA (g) Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (h) University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (i) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD (j) Holy Name Hospital, Teaneck, NJ (k) Boston University, Boston, MA (l) University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD Article History: Received 22 July 2005; Accepted 9 September 2005 Article Note: (footnote) The CORAL trial is funded by a cooperative agreement with the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute of the NIH, HL071556 (Bethesda, MD). Study drug is provided by AstraZeneca (Wilmington, DE), and study device is supplied by Cordis Endovascular (Warren, NJ).