Salt-Sensitivity of Blood Pressure and Insulin Resistance

Salt sensitivity of blood pressure (SSBP) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality that is seen in both hypertensive and normotensive populations. Insulin resistance (IR) strongly correlates with SSBP and affects nearly 50% of salt sensitive people. While the precise mechanism by which IR and SSBP relate remains elusive, several common pathways are involved in the genesis of both processes, including vascular dysfunction and immune activation. Vascular dysfunction associated with insulin resistance is characterized by loss of nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilation and heightened endothelin-1 induced vasoconstriction, as well as capillary rarefaction. It manifests with increased blood pressure (BP) in salt sensitive murine models. Another common denominator in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, hypertension, and salt sensitivity (SS) is immune activation involving pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. In the last decade, a new understanding of interstitial sodium storage in tissues such as skin and muscle has revolutionized traditional concepts of body sodium handling and pathogenesis of SS. We have shown that interstitial Na+ can trigger a T cell mediated inflammatory response through formation of isolevuglandin protein adducts in antigen presenting cells (APCs), and that this response is implicated in salt sensitive hypertension. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a transcription factor that modulates both insulin sensitivity and BP. PPARγ agonists increase insulin sensitivity and ameliorate salt sensitivity, whereas deficiency of PPARγ results in severe insulin resistance and hypertension. These findings suggest that PPARγ plays a role in the common pathogenesis of insulin sensitivity and salt sensitivity, perhaps via effects on the immune system and vascular function. The goal of this review is to discuss those mechanisms that may play a role in both SSBP and in insulin resistance.

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Abstract 310: Deoxycorticosterone Acetate (doca)-salt Exacerbates Hypertension and Vascular Dysfunction in Mice Expressing Dominant Negative Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-gamma (pparg) in Smooth Muscle

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.62.suppl_1.a310 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 62 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Pimonrat Ketsawatsomkron ◽

Deborah R Davis ◽

Aline M Hilzendeger ◽

Justin L Grobe ◽

Curt D Sigmund

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Smooth Muscle ◽

Transgenic Mice ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Vascular Dysfunction ◽

Critical Role ◽

Surrogate Marker ◽

Dominant Negative ◽

Peroxisome Proliferator ◽

Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor

PPARG, a ligand-activated transcription factor plays a critical role in the regulation of blood pressure and vascular function. We hypothesized that smooth muscle cell (SMC) PPARG protects against hypertension (HT) and resistance vessel dysfunction. Transgenic mice expressing dominant negative PPARG (S-P467L) in SMC or non-transgenic controls (NT) were implanted with DOCA pellet and allowed ad libitum access to 0.15 M NaCl for 21 days in addition to regular chow and water. Blood pressure was monitored by telemetry and mesenteric arterial (MA) function was assessed by pressurized myograph. At baseline, 24-hour mean arterial pressure (MAP) was similar between NT and S-P467L mice, while the transgenic mice were tachycardic. DOCA-salt increased MAP to a much greater degree in S-P467L mice (Δ MAP; S-P467L: +34.2±6.0, NT: +13.3±5.7, p<0.05 vs NT). Heart rate was similarly decreased in both groups after DOCA-salt. Vasoconstriction to KCl, phenylephrine and endothelin-1 did not differ in MA from DOCA-salt treated NT and S-P467L, while the response to vasopressin was significantly reduced in S-P467L after DOCA-salt (% constriction at 10-8 M, S-P467L: 31.6±5.6, NT: 46.7±3.8, p<0.05 vs NT). Urinary copeptin, a surrogate marker for arginine vasopressin was similar in both groups regardless of treatment. Vasorelaxation to acetylcholine was slightly impaired in S-P467L MA compared to NT at baseline whereas this effect was further exaggerated after DOCA-salt (% relaxation at 10-5 M, S-P467L: 56.1±8.3, NT: 79.4±5.6, p<0.05 vs NT). Vascular morphology at luminal pressure of 75 mmHg showed a significant increase in wall thickness (S-P467L: 18.7±0.8, NT: 16.0±0.4, p<0.05 vs NT) and % media/lumen (S-P467L: 8.4±0.3, NT: 7.1±0.2, p<0.05 vs NT) in S-P467L MA after DOCA-salt. Expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-4 and regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS)-5 transcript were 2- and 3.5-fold increased, respectively, in MA of NT with DOCA-salt compared to NT baseline. However, this induction was markedly blunted in S-P467L MA. We conclude that interference with PPARG function in SMC leads to altered gene expression crucial for normal vascular homeostasis, thereby sensitizing the mice to the effects of DOCA-salt induced HT and vascular dysfunction.

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Abstract P264: Endothelial-specific Interference With PPARγ Activity in Offspring Born From AVP-induced Preeclamptic Pregnancies Has Cardio-renal and Metabolic Consequences

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.70.suppl_1.p264 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 70 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Anand R Nair ◽

Masashi Mukohda ◽

Larry N Agbor ◽

Ko-Ting Lu ◽

Jing Wu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Vascular Dysfunction ◽

Female Offspring ◽

Reduce Blood Pressure ◽

Dominant Negative ◽

Peroxisome Proliferator ◽

Hypertensive Disorder ◽

Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽

The Impact

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a ligand-activated transcription factor known to regulate metabolic and vascular function. Mutations in PPARγ result in hypertension, and synthetic agonists of PPARγ reduce blood pressure. Previously we found that mice expressing dominant-negative (DN) PPARγ driven by an endothelium-specific promoter (E-DN) exhibit vascular dysfunction. Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy which carries cardiovascular and metabolic risk to offspring. PE is associated with vascular dysfunction, and we therefore hypothesized a role for endothelial PPARγ in the pathogenesis of PE and its sequelae. C57BL/6J dams were bred with E-DN sires, and symptoms of PE were induced by the infusion of vasopressin (AVP, 24 ng/hr sc) throughout gestation. We assessed phenotypes of PE first in pregnant dams, and then in offspring as adults. Compared to saline infusion (SAL), AVP elevated maternal blood pressure (SBP: 116±3 vs 107±3, p<0.05) at gestational day (GD) 14-15 and urine protein (70±6 vs 27±4 mg/mL, p<0.05) at GD17. Offspring from these pregnancies were phenotyped in adulthood to assess cardiovascular and metabolic function. Data were stratified to sex, genotype, and maternal exposure to AVP vs SAL. Systolic blood pressure in adult male and female offspring born to AVP-infused pregnancies was similar to mice born to SAL pregnancies. At 20 weeks of age, vasorelaxation responses to acetylcholine were not different in offspring exposed to PE compared to mice born from SAL pregnancies. However, urinary protein levels were significantly elevated in both male (58±13 vs 32±5 mg/ml, p<0.05) and female (38±3 vs 25±2 mg/ml, p<0.05) adult E-DN born to PE pregnancies compared to E-DN controls born from SAL pregnancies. Male E-DN offspring exposed to PE showed significantly increased gain in body weight over time compared to male NT exposed to PE (ΔBW: 20±8 vs 14±2 g). These data highlight the impact of in utero exposure to elevated AVP upon cardiovascular function in the mother, and the adverse renal and metabolic consequences of PE upon offspring. Moreover, our data suggests that interference with endothelial PPARγ in pups born from PE pregnancies increases the risk for renal and metabolic dysfunction.

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Differential regulation of insulin resistance and hypertension by sex hormones in fructose-fed male rats

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.00399.2005 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 289 (4) ◽

pp. H1335-H1342 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

Harish Vasudevan ◽

Hong Xiang ◽

John H. McNeill

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Sex Hormones ◽

Threshold Value ◽

Relative Increase ◽

Estrogen Treatment ◽

Male Rats ◽

Normal Chow

Differences in gender are in part responsible for the development of insulin resistance (IR) and associated hypertension. Currently, it is unclear whether these differences are dictated by gender itself or by the relative changes in plasma estrogen and/or testosterone. We investigated the interrelationships between testosterone and estrogen in the progression of IR and hypertension in vivo in intact and gonadectomized fructose-fed male rats. Treatment with estrogen significantly reduced the testosterone levels in both normal chow-fed and fructose-fed rats. Interestingly, fructose feeding induced a relative increase in estradiol levels, which did not affect IR in both intact and gonadectomized fructose-fed rats. However, increasing the estrogen levels improved insulin sensitivity in both intact and gonadectomized fructose-fed rats. In intact males, fructose feeding increased the blood pressure (140 ± 2 mmHg), which was prevented by estrogen treatment. However, the blood pressure in the fructose-fed estrogen rats (125 ± 1 mmHg) was significantly higher than that of normal chow-fed (113 ± 1 mmHg) and fructose-fed gonadectomized rats. Estrogen treatment did not affect the blood pressure in gonadectomized fructose-fed rats (105 ± 2 mmHg). These data suggest the existence of a threshold value for estrogen below which insulin sensitivity is unaffected. The development of hypertension in this model is dictated solely by the presence or absence of testosterone. In summary, the development of IR and hypertension is governed not by gender per se but by the interactions of specific sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.

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Programming of growth, insulin resistance and vascular dysfunction in offspring of late gestation diabetic rats

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs20080550 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 117 (3) ◽

pp. 129-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Emily M. Segar ◽

Andrew W. Norris ◽

Jian-Rong Yao ◽

Shanming Hu ◽

Stacia L. Koppenhafer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Vascular Dysfunction ◽

Diabetic Rats ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Group Differences ◽

Pregnant Rats ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Specific Insulin ◽

Diabetic Mothers

ODM (offspring of diabetic mothers) have an increased risk of developing metabolic and cardiovascular dysfunction; however, few studies have focused on the susceptibility to disease in offspring of mothers developing diabetes during pregnancy. We developed an animal model of late gestation diabetic pregnancy and characterized metabolic and vascular function in the offspring. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (50 mg/kg of body weight, intraperitoneally) in pregnant rats on gestational day 13 and was partially controlled by twice-daily injections of insulin. At 2 months of age, ODM had slightly better glucose tolerance than controls (P<0.05); however, by 6 months of age this trend had reversed. A euglycaemic–hyperinsulinamic clamp revealed insulin resistance in male ODM (P<0.05). In 6–8-month-old female ODM, aortas had significantly enhanced contractility in response to KCl, ET-1 (endothelin-1) and NA (noradrenaline). No differences in responses to ET-1 and NA were apparent with co-administration of L-NNA (NG-nitro-L-arginine). Relaxation in response to ACh (acetylcholine), but not SNP (sodium nitroprusside), was significantly impaired in female ODM. In contrast, males had no between-group differences in response to vasoconstrictors, whereas relaxation to SNP and ACh was greater in ODM compared with control animals. Thus the development of diabetes during pregnancy programmes gender-specific insulin resistance and vascular dysfunction in adult offspring.

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Pioglitazone improves insulin resistance and decreases blood pressure in adult patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/eje-09-0523 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 161 (6) ◽

pp. 887-894 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Jeanne Margot Kroese ◽

Christiaan F Mooij ◽

Marinette van der Graaf ◽

Ad R M M Hermus ◽

Cees J Tack

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Body Fat ◽

Matched Control ◽

Fat Distribution ◽

Body Fat Distribution ◽

Adrenal Hyperplasia ◽

Insulin Resistant ◽

Steroid Profiles

ContextPatients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are chronically treated with supraphysiological doses of glucocorticoids, which are known to induce insulin resistance. Thiazolidinediones might reverse this effect and improve insulin sensitivity.ObjectivesTo assess insulin sensitivity in CAH patients and the effect of pioglitazone treatment on insulin sensitivity in CAH patients. Secondary objectives were the effects of treatment with pioglitazone on blood pressure, body fat distribution, lipid, and steroid profiles.DesignRandomized placebo controlled crossover trial.ParticipantsTwelve CAH patients and 12 body mass and age-matched control subjects.InterventionSixteen-week treatment with pioglitazone (45 mg/day) or placebo.Main outcome measureInsulin sensitivity measured by euglycemic clamp and oral glucose tolerance test. Further measures were 24-h blood pressure profiles, body fat distribution measured by magnetic resonance imaging, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and bioimpedance procedures, liver fat by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, lipid, and steroid profiles.ResultsCAH patients were insulin resistant compared with healthy controls. Treatment with pioglitazone significantly improved insulin sensitivity in CAH patients (glucose infusion rate (GIR) from 28.5±11.6 to 38.9±11.0 μmol/kg per min, P=0.000, GIR in controls 46.2±23.4 μmol/kg per min, P<0.05 versus CAH). Treatment with pioglitazone decreased blood pressure (systolic: 124.0±13.6 vs 127.0±14.9 mmHg, P<0.001, diastolic: 72.8±11.5 vs 77.4±12.6 mmHg, P<0.001). No changes in body fat distribution, lipid, and steroid profiles were observed.ConclusionsCAH patients are insulin resistant compared with matched control subjects. Treatment with pioglitazone improves insulin sensitivity and decreases blood pressure in CAH patients.

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Abstract P006: Liraglutide Attenuates Cardiac Fibrosis and Vascular Dysfunction in a Non-diabetic Angiotensin II-infusion Model via Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidant Mechanisms

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.66.suppl_1.p006 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 66 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Huey Wen Lee ◽

Melita Brdar ◽

Robert Widdop ◽

Anthony Dear ◽

Tracey Gaspari

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Cardiac Fibrosis ◽

Vascular Dysfunction ◽

Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy ◽

High Dose ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Ang Ii ◽

Treatment Protocols ◽

Glucose Levels

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) based therapies are used to treat type II diabetes via increasing insulin secretion and inhibiting glucagon production. Recent evidence suggests that activating the GLP-1 receptor may also mediate direct vaso-protective effects. Therefore the objective of the study was to determine whether GLP-1R stimulation conferred cardio- and vaso-protection in a non-diabetic setting using the angiotensin (Ang) II infusion model of hypertension and cardiovascular dysfunction. Male C57Bl/6J mice (4-6 months) were assigned to one of the following 4 week treatment protocols: 1) vehicle (saline), 2) Ang II (800ng/kg/day), 3) Ang II + liraglutide (30μg/kg/day), 4) Ang II + liraglutide (300μg/kg/day). All treatments were administered via osmotic mini-pumps (s.c). After 4 weeks the effect of liraglutide treatment on blood pressure, vascular function and cardiac remodelling was examined. Liraglutide (both doses) attenuated Ang II-induced increase in systolic blood pressure (Ang II: 175.3 ± 8.6mmHg vs Ang II+Lirag (30) 150.2 ± 6.4 mmHg or Ang II+Lirag (300): 145.4 ± 6.9 mmHg) without affecting blood glucose levels. Liraglutide (both doses) completely prevented Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction (% maximum relaxation: Ang II=50.7 ± 7.8%; Ang II+Lirag (30)=82.7 ± 5.8; Ang II+Lirag (300)=81.5 ± 6.1%). In the heart, liraglutide prevented Ang II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (n=7-10; p<0.05) and reduced collagen deposition (% collagen expression: Ang II=4.4 ± 0.5 vs Ang II+Lirag(300)=2.9 ± 0.3; n=7-9; p<0.01). This anti-fibrotic effect was attributed to reduced fibroblast/myofibroblast expression as well as decreased inflammation with reduced NFκB and MCP-1 expression and decreased oxidative stress with a significant reduction in superoxide production using high dose of liraglutide. Overall, stimulation of GLP-1R in a non-diabetic setting protected against Ang II-mediated cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis and vascular dysfunction, indicating potential for use of GLP-1 based therapies in treatment of cardiovascular disease independent of diabetes.

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Vascular dysfunction and insulin stimulated blood flow : impact of physical inactivity and type 2 diabetes

10.32469/10355/48201 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

◽

Leryn J. Boyle

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Insulin Resistance ◽

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Blood Flow ◽

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Endothelial Function ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Vascular Dysfunction ◽

Insulin Stimulation

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have blunted femoral artery insulin mediated blood flow which is critical for the delivery and uptake of glucose into skeletal muscle. However, it is unclear in humans the precise mechanisms by which insulin resistance impairs insulin stimulated blood flow. Further, chronic physical inactivity is a powerful stimulus for reduced insulin sensitivity and vascular dysfunction; however, the effects of short term, modest reductions in physical activity are limited. Thus, we examined 1) if inactivity for 5 days would impair endothelial function in healthy individuals (study one) 2) if reducing whole body insulin sensitivity, via 5 days of inactivity, would impair the blood flow response to insulin stimulation in parallel with glycemic control (study two) and 3) phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) production to insulin stimulation would be decreased and increased, respectively, in insulin resistant individuals (study three). We demonstrated significant reductions in endothelial function with only 5 days of reduced daily steps while blood flow to glucose ingestion was unaltered. Further, in obese humans with type 2 diabetes it does not appear that that the reduction in blood flow to 1 hr of insulin stimulation is due to altered peNOS or ET-1. Collectively, these data suggest that reduced daily physical activity and chronic insulin resistance mediate negative impacts on vascular function and insulin stimulated blood flow and signaling.

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Abstract P172: Activation of Pgc1α by EET Stimulates Insulin Sensitivity, Normalizes Blood Pressure and Increases Mitochondrial Oxphos in Obese Mice

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.68.suppl_1.p172 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 68 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Shailendra P Singh ◽

Maayan Waldman ◽

Joseph Schragenheim ◽

Lars Bellner ◽

Jian Cao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Mitochondrial Biogenesis ◽

Mitochondrial Function ◽

Fasting Blood Glucose ◽

Cardiovascular Complications ◽

Peroxisome Proliferator ◽

Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽

Glucose Levels ◽

Obesity In Mice

Background/Objectives: Obesity is a risk factor in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, predominantly as a result of cardiovascular complications. Increased adiposity is a systemic condition characterized by increased oxidative stress (ROS), inflammation, inhibition of anti-oxidant genes such as HO-1 and increased degradation of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs). Hypothesis: We postulate that EETs increase peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) activity, which controls mitochondrial function, oxidative metabolism and may also increase antioxidants and HO-1 gene expression. Methods: C57/B16 mice were fed a high fat (HF) diet for 26 wks. The protocol comprised three groups: A) WT, B) HF control and C) HF-treated with EET agonist (EET-A). Renal and visceral fat tissues were harvested to measure signaling protein. Consumption was measured at 6 and 24 wks. Mice were used to assess insulin levels, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure and mitochondrial OXPHOS and mitochondrial biogenesis (Mfn1, 2 and Opa1), and oxygen consumption (VO 2 ). Results: Animals on a HF diet exhibited increased body weight, fat content, fasting blood glucose levels, systolic blood pressure (BP) and a significant reduction in VO 2 . Administration of EET-A to HF-fed mice decreased the RQ (VCO 2 /VO 2 ) ratio and normalized BP. The HF diet produced increased levels of the adipogenic markers MEST, aP2, C/EBPα and FAS. EET-A attenuated these perturbations through an increase in renal and adipose tissue PGC1α levels. The EET-mediated HO-1 induction increased mitochondrial function as measured by OXPHOS, MnSOD and thermogenic genes, TFAM, UCP1 and SIRT 1. EET-A also increased adiponectin levels, and insulin receptor phosphorylation IRP Tyr 972 and 1146 and normalized glucose levels. Conclusion: These data show that an EET agonist increased PGC-1α-HO-1 levels thereby providing metabolic protection and increased VO 2 consumption in HF-induced obesity in mice. This novel finding suggests that the EET-mediated PGC-1α activation is essential to increase HO-1 levels, mitochondrial biogenesis, and to decrease mitochondrial ROS and adiposity.

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Insulin sensitivity and big ET-1 conversion to ET-1 after ETA- or ETB-receptor blockade in humans

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.00477.2002 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 93 (6) ◽

pp. 2112-2121 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Gunvor Ahlborg ◽

Jonas Lindström

Keyword(s):

Insulin Resistance ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Healthy Subjects ◽

Receptor Blockade ◽

Receptor Stimulation ◽

Renal Vasoconstriction ◽

Arterial Blood ◽

Etb Receptor

Cardiovascular diseases are characterized by insulin resistance and elevated endothelin (ET)-1 levels. Furthermore, ET-1 induces insulin resistance. To elucidate this mechanism, six healthy subjects were studied during a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp during infusion of (the ET-1 precursor) big ET-1 alone or after ETA- or ETB-receptor blockade. Insulin levels rose after big ET-1 with or without the ETB antagonist BQ-788 ( P < 0.05) but were unchanged after the ETA antagonist BQ-123 + big ET-1. Infused glucose divided by insulin fell after big ET-1 with or without BQ-788 ( P < 0.05). Insulin and infused glucose divided by insulin values were normalized by ETA blockade. Mean arterial blood pressure rose during big ET-1 with or without BQ-788 ( P < 0.001) but was unchanged after BQ-123. Skeletal muscle, splanchnic, and renal blood flow responses to big ET-1 were abolished by BQ-123. ET-1 levels rose after big ET-1 ( P< 0.01) in a similar way after BQ-123 or BQ-788, despite higher elimination capacity after ETA blockade. In conclusion, ET-1-induced reduction in insulin sensitivity and clearance as well as splanchnic and renal vasoconstriction are ETA mediated. ETA-receptor stimulation seems to inhibit the conversion of big ET-1 to ET-1.

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The Gut Microbiota Is Associated with Vascular Function and Blood Pressure Phenotypes in Overweight and Obese Middle-Aged/Older Adults (P21-024-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz041.p21-024-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sarah Johnson ◽

Nicole Litwin ◽

Hannah Van Ark ◽

Shannon Hartley ◽

Emily Fischer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Vascular Function ◽

Vascular Dysfunction ◽

Reactive Hyperemia ◽

Bifidobacterium Longum ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Principal Coordinates ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Objectives The gut microbiota is emerging as an important regulator of cardiovascular health. Indeed, gut dysbiosis is increasingly being linked to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aging and obesity are associated with the development of CVD largely due to the development of vascular dysfunction, namely endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the gut microbiota, blood pressure, and vascular function in aging overweight and obese individuals. Methods This cross-sectional study included fifteen overweight and obese (mean body mass index, BMI: 29.5; range: 25.8–37.0) middle-aged/older men and postmenopausal women (mean age: 53; range: 42–64 years). Blood pressure, arterial stiffness (augmentation index, AIx, and aortic pulse wave velocity, aPWV), and endothelial function (reactive hyperemia index, RHI) were assessed. Stool samples were collected for gut microbiota analysis using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing. Principal coordinates analysis and Pearson's correlations were performed to evaluate the relationship between the gut microbiota and measures of vascular function and blood pressure. Results Global gut microbiota phenotypes clustered most strongly by aPWV (groups separated by median value) as visualized by Non-Metric Dimensional Scaling plot of Bray-Curtis Distances (stress = 0.09; P = 0.07). Several bacterial taxa correlated with vascular parameters. For example, Bifidobacterium longum (r = 0.80, P < 0.001) and Akkermansia muciniphila (r = 0.56, P = 0.047) were positively correlated with RHI. Bifdobacterium bifidum (r = −0.61, P = 0.02) and Oxalobacter formigenes (r = −0.62, P = 0.02) were negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure. Interestingly, there was no significant clustering by BMI groupings (overweight vs. obese) or correlations between BMI and specific taxa. Conclusions These preliminary data suggest that the gut microbiota is linked to vascular dysfunction and increased blood pressure in aging overweight and obese individuals independent of BMI. Further data collection and analysis are currently underway to explore these relationships in a larger human cohort, and to explore underlying mechanisms through transferring of vascular phenotypes in humans to germ-free mice through microbiota transplantation. Funding Sources NIFA, USDA.

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