The Fok1 vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism is associated with plasma renin activity in Caucasians.

Objectives: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency and excess activity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) are both associated with cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D interacts with the vitamin D receptor (VDR) to negatively regulate renin expression in mice; however, human studies linking genetic variation in the VDR with renin are lacking. We evaluated (i) whether genetic variation in the VDR at the Fok1 polymorphism was associated with plasma renin activity (PRA) in a population of hypertensives and a separate population of normotensives and (ii) whether the association between Fok1 genotype and PRA was independent of 25(OH)D levels.

The influence of body mass index and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity on the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and adiponectin in Caucasian men.

Objective: Previous studies have suggested that circulating adiponectin concentrations are associated positively with vitamin D and negatively with body mass index (BMI) but have not accounted for the influence of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in this relationship. This is particularly relevant because increased RAAS activity is associated with obesity and is known to lower adiponectin levels. We evaluated the association between adiponectin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) after controlling RAAS activity with dietary sodium equilibration and also evaluated whether this relationship was influenced by BMI.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D is associated with plasma renin activity and the pressor response to dietary sodium intake in Caucasians.

Introduction: Concentrations of 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D have been positively associated with dietary sodium and salt sensitivity (SS) of blood pressure (BP), and inversely with plasma renin activity (PRA). We investigated the association between PRA and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), the most clinically relevant vitamin D metabolite, and whether 25OHD associates with SS of BP in renin phenotypes of hypertension.

Methods: We performed cross-sectional analyses on 223 Caucasian subjects with hypertension maintained in high and low dietary sodium balance.

Thyroid autoimmunity and ophthalmopathy related to melanoma biological therapy.

Objective: Ipilimumab is a fully human MAB against cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4). CTLA4 negatively regulates immune cell activation. In patients with metastatic melanoma, ipilimumab increases survival time and induces complete remission in some patients.

The association of plasma resistin with dietary sodium manipulation, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in human hypertension.

Objective: Both resistin and vitamin D have been associated with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). We investigated the association between resistin and the RAAS, and resistin and vitamin D under controlled dietary sodium conditions.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study of subjects from the HyperPATH Consortium, who were maintained in high dietary sodium (HS) and low dietary sodium (LS) balance for 1 week each.

Dietary sodium alters the prevalence of electrocardiogram determined left ventricular hypertrophy in hypertension.

Background: Determination of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) via electrocardiogram (ECG) is a known independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertension (HTN). Dietary sodium and HTN are both associated with unfavorable alterations in left ventricular mass, however, to what extent their interplay affects ECG screening for LVH is unclear.

Methods: The effects of controlled dietary sodium manipulation on ECG determinants of LVH in hypertensive subjects were evaluated using well-established voltage criteria for LVH.

Angiotensin receptor blockade with candesartan attenuates atherosclerosis, plaque disruption, and macrophage accumulation within the plaque in a rabbit model.

Background: Little is known about whether direct angiotensin receptor blockade can reduce atherosclerosis and plaque disruption. This study evaluated the effect of angiotensin receptor blockade on both the development of atherosclerosis and the disruption of plaque in a modified Constantinides animal model.

Methods And Results: Twenty-eight New Zealand White rabbits underwent aortic balloon injury followed by a 1% cholesterol diet for 8 weeks.

In vivo molecular imaging of acute and subacute thrombosis using a fibrin-binding magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

Background: Plaque rupture with subsequent thrombosis is recognized as the underlying pathophysiology of most acute coronary syndromes and stroke. Thus, direct thrombus visualization may be beneficial for both diagnosis and guidance of therapy. We sought to test the feasibility of direct imaging of acute and subacute thrombosis using MRI together with a novel fibrin-binding gadolinium-labeled peptide, EP-1873, in an experimental animal model of plaque rupture and thrombosis.