The effect of ultraviolet irradiation compared to oral vitamin D supplementation on blood pressure of nursing home residents with dementia

Background Observational studies have reported an inverse association between ultraviolet (UV) radiation and hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess differences in blood pressure changes between persons with dementia receiving UV light versus vitamin D (VD) supplementation. Methods Post-hoc analysis of randomized controlled trial data concerning nursing home residents with dementia (N = 61; 41 women, mean age 84.8 years). The participants received half-body UV irradiation, twice weekly over 6 months, at one standard erythema dose (UV group, n = 22) or 5600 international units of cholecalciferol once a week (VD group, n = 39). Short-term effects were evaluated after 1 month and long-term effects after 3 and 6 months. Differences in blood pressure changes were assessed using linear mixed models. Results With the VD group as a reference, the estimated difference in mean change of systolic blood pressure was − 26.0 mmHg [95% confidence interval (CI) -39.9, − 12.1, p = .000] at 1 month, 4.5 mmHg (95% CI -6.8, 15.9, p = 0.432) at 3 months, and 0.1 (95% CI -14.1, 14.3, p = 0.83) at 6 months. The estimated difference in diastolic blood pressure was − 10.0 mmHg (95% CI -19.2, − 0.7, p = 0.035) at 1 month, 3.6 mmHg (95% CI -4.1, 11.2, p = 0.358) at 3 months, and 2.7 (95% CI -6.8, 12.1, p = 0.580) at 6 months. Conclusions UV light had only a short-term effect but not a long-term effect on blood pressure reduction compared to VD use in this sample of normotensive to mild hypertensive nursing home residents with dementia. Future studies will be needed to determine the effect of UV light in different samples of the population and especially in a population with hypertension.

Effectiveness of Shamak Yoga on Essential Hypertension in comparison with Atenolol: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Hypertension is responsible for many morbidities and increasing mortality in India. A lot needs to be done to find safe and yet effective treatment of hypertension. Ayurveda has no direct reference of blood pressure or hypertension in its classics, but various conditions mentioned in classical texts resembles hypertension. A poly herbal combination of ten Ayurvedic herbs called “Shamak Yoga” was in use in Pakwasa hospital, Nagpur for more than twenty five years for management of hypertension along with anxiety, palpitation and insomnia. Objective- To evaluate the effect of Shamak Yoga (SY) on essential hypertension in comparison of Atenolol. Material and Methods – thirty four clinically freshly diagnosed patients of hypertension were randomly divided in two groups. Control group was treated with Tablet Atenolol 50 mg once a day orally and experimental group was treated with SY 2 gm orally twice a day with plain water for 4 weeks. Subjective criteria and objective criteria were observed and recorded; data was analyzed statistically. Results - SY was found comparable and statistically significant effective with Atenolol for systolic and diastolic blood pressure in mild hypertensive patients. SY is most effective on symptoms like headache, giddiness, fatigue, dizziness, sleeplessness, body ache and palpitation.

Abstract 12: The Role Of Memory Gamma Delta T Cells In Hypertension And Vascular Damage

Background: We recently demonstrated that γδ T cells participate in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Evidence also suggests that memory T cells may develop during an initial hypertensive episode, sensitizing mice to develop hypertension to further mild hypertensive challenges. However, whether memory γδ T cells develop and play a role in hypertension remains unknown. Our objective is to determine if memory γδ T cells sensitize mice to develop hypertension in response to a mild hypertensive challenge. Methods: Ten-12-week-old C57BL/6J mice were exposed or not to a hypertensive challenge (490 ng/kg/min angiotensin II (Ang II), SC) for two weeks, followed by a two-week washout period, and then infused with a subpressor dose of Ang II (140 ng/kg/min Ang II, SC) for two weeks. Blood pressure was measured via telemetry and central, effector, and resident memory γδ T cells were profiled by flow cytometry. Results: Mice exposed to the first hypertensive challenge had a higher systolic blood pressure than the sham group at the end of the subpressor hypertensive challenge (149±6 vs. 122±3 mmHg, P <0.001). After 14-days of Ang II infusion, effector memory γδ T cells increased 5.2-fold in the mesenteric artery perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT, 1.25±0.37% vs. 0.24±0.12%, P <0.05), and 1.8-fold in the mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN, 1.49±0.03% vs. 0.82±0.15%, P <0.05) compared to sham treated mice. After repeated Ang II infusion, central memory γδ T cells decreased by 57% in the aortic PVAT (6.79±1.46% vs. 15.69±2.87%, P <0.05), and by 22% in the mLN (0.18±0.01% vs. 0.23±0.01%, P <0.05) compared to control mice. Conclusion: An initial exposure to a hypertensive stimulus sensitizes mice to develop hypertension to a subsequent subpressor hypertensive challenge and results in the development of memory γδ T cells.

Vitexin Anew Antihypertensive Drug (Isolated from prosopis farcta [Iraq endogenus] plants)

Vitexin was isolated and identified from pods of prosopis farcta (Iraqi endogenous). In vitro and in vivo cardiovascular actions of vitexin were studied. Vitexin produced positive inotropic effect which was not related to B1 adrenergic receptor activation. Vitexin has a vasodilator activities and it could reverse thevasoconstrictor response of isolated pulmonary artery to potassium chloride and phenylphrine. Vitexin has produced a significant increase in ejection fraction in volunteers with mild heart failure. Also vitexin has produced a significant increase in urinary flow and urinary sodium and potassium excretions in healthy and mild hypertensive volunteers, it’s significantly reduced mean arterial blood pressure of the mild hypertensive volunteers. The positive inotropic effect of vitexin is most properly related to the inhibition of phosphodiesterase enzyme by vitexin. The vasodilator activities of vitexin could be mostly associated to the increase in cGMP (attributed to phosphodiesterase inhibitory effect of vitexin) and the activation of K+-channels. The diuretic effects of vitexin could be attributed to the inhibition of Na-Cl symporter system in the renal distal tubule. The most likely mechanisms of action of vitexin as a hypotensive compound are through its vasodilator and diuretic effects. So this agent could be a best new antihypertensive drug compared with present antihypertensive drugs which are in the market now. In addition to that vitexin can be used in heart failure as cardiotonic drug

Comparison of the Antioxidant Nutrient Profile among Normal Pregnant Women and Women having Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

Background: Preeclampsia is a multifactorial disorder comprising many organs. Oxidative stress (OS) has been intensely linked to its occurrence. Vitamin E, a lipophilic chain breaking antioxidant has been proved to suppress the OS. Present study was designed to investigate antioxidant nutrient profile in patients with different grades of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and to compare them with normal pregnant controls. Methods: The study group comprised 110 patients divided in three groups as Group A (n=40) Normotensive patients, Group B (n=40) Mild hypertensive, Group C (n=30) Severe hypertensive. Vitamin A, B-Carotene, serum alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) and vitamin C levels were analysed. Results: Serum alpha tocopherol (vitamin E) was significantly low in severe and mild cases (0.32±0.00 mg/dl, 0.74±0.03 mg/dl respectively), when compared with normal pregnant women levels (0.78±0.040). All other nutrients were also found to be in reduced quantity for Group C when compared to control group (P value <0.001). Conclusion: It was therefore concluded that in patients with risk of preeclampsia (PE) adequate antioxidant nutrients may have a role in cessation of free radical-mediated cell disturbances, and thereby protecting against endothelial cell damage, which is the key factor in PE development.

12 -week brisk-walking intervention on middle-aged mild-Hypertensive population in Asaba, Delta state, Nigeria.

Purpose: 12 week- brisk walking exercise intervention at 50%-70% intensity was carried out in the study to examine the mean reduction on systolic and diastolic blood pressures of middle-aged mild-hypertensive population in Asaba, Nigeria. Methodology: The study comprised of 42 male and female middle-aged (36-45years) individuals who recorded mild-hypertension. A control group-pre-test and post-test experimental design was used to randomly assign the individuals into treatment and control groups. Whereas, arithmetic mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data according to the difference in mean scores. Conclusion: In conclusion, 12-week brisk walking intervention showed a mean reduction on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of middle-aged mild-hypertensive population. Precisely, the experiment indicated that those who did not partake in the exercise intervention (control group) showed an increase on SBP and a decrease on DBP and thereby indicating a relatively higher mean reduction of 12-week brisk-walking exercise on SBP of middle-aged mild-hypertensive population. Recommendations: The study recommended that 50% -70% intensity of 12-week brisk-walking exercise may likely present a therapeutic intervention for people with mild-hypertension.

Grape Seed Extract Positively Modulates Blood Pressure and Perceived Stress: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study in Healthy Volunteers

It is well established that maintaining healthy blood pressure is fundamental in order to avoid disorders to the heart and blood vessels. In prevention, and alongside pharmacological therapy, the use of natural substances has been proven to be extremely helpful for pre- and mild hypertensive subjects. Our study was therefore focused on the effects, both in vitro and in humans, of a grape seed extract, Enovita (GSEe), a highly standardized extract in polyphenols of Vitis vinifera L. The in vitro human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) model was chosen to explore the extract properties related to vascular inflammation/vasodilation. A significant reduction of both soluble Inter-Cellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (sICAM) and endothelin-1 secretion/release was induced by GSEe in HUVEC cells. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study in healthy volunteers was further performed to investigate GSEe benefits. In healthy volunteers, both supplementations significantly modulated blood pressure, with a pronounced effect after GSEe tablets (300 mg/day for 16 weeks) in respect to placebo. In the male gender subgroup, no placebo effect was observed as it was for the female group. As an additional outcome, an overall GSEe positive modulation emerged on mood related to stress perception. Thus, GSEe resulted in a benefit of modulating endothelial functionality and blood pressure. It was noteworthy that GSEe relieved the perceived stress, promising new future perspectives on mood comfort.