LSUSHC researchers find potential new target for hypertension treatment

February 02, 2009

New Orleans, LA - Huijing Xia, PhD, a postdoctoral research associate in the lab of Eric Lazartigues, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pharmacology at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, is the lead author on a paper reporting that a recently identified enzyme in the brain plays a critically important role in the central regulation of blood pressure. The LSUHSC research team showed that Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) helps preserve the function of a key spontaneous reflex involved in blood pressure regulation and confirms its potential as a target for the prevention or treatment of High Blood Pressure. The research is published in the February 1, 2009 issue of the peer reviewed journal, Hypertension, and the cover of the issue features images of ACE2 expression from the Lazartigues laboratory at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans.

The LSUHSC researchers had previously identified ACE2 in the mouse brain in areas involved in the central regulation of cardiovascular function. In this study, they wanted to clarify the role it plays.

Beat-to-beat short term regulation of blood pressure is provided by a spontaneous reflex called the baroreceptor reflex. Receptors in the arteries sense blood pressure and relay the information to the central nervous system where a network of brain stem cells adjust vascular resistance and heart rate. Action of a hypertensive hormone - Angiotensin II - is known to interfere with that process.

First, the researchers demonstrated that chronically hypertensive mice showed dramatically decreased baroreceptor reflex sensitivity and ACE2 activity. Following treatment with compounds to block both Angiotensin II receptors, the researchers found that by blocking one of these receptors - AT1Rs - ACE2 activity increased. In order to determine the relationship between AT1Rs blockade and ACE2, as well as the significance of ACE2, the LSUHSC researchers generated a triple-transgenic mouse model with increased ACE2 on a background of chronic hypertension. In this model, they observed that the impaired baroreceptor reflex and other critical functions normalized, as did blood pressure.

"We now have evidence that brain ACE2 plays a critical role in baroreceptor reflex function and , consequently, in the prevention of hypertension," says Dr. Xia.

"Blood pressure" is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood. If this pressure rises and stays high over time, it can damage the body in many ways. According to the National Institutes of Health, in the United States, about 72 million people have hypertension or High Blood Pressure (HBP). This is about 1 in 3 adults. HBP itself usually has no symptoms. Rarely, headaches may occur. Some people only learn that they have HBP after it causes health problems, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, or kidney failure.

"Beyond our discovery of ACE2, we have now confirmed its potential as a target for the treatment of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases," concludes Dr. Lazartigues.

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center

---

---

	The Blood Pressure Cure: 8 Weeks to Lower Blood Pressure without Prescription Drugs by Robert E. Kowalski (Author) "The book is exceptional in its clarity and depth. I would recommend it to anyone with a tendency to hypertension." —Charles Keenan Jr., M.D., Associate Professor of Family Practice, UCLA"Hypertension is an important member of the quartet of risk factors for cardiovascular disease--the other three are elevated cholesterol levels, diabetes, and cigarette smoking. Robert Kowalski endeavors to bring all these risk factors under control without resorting to medications. This book presents simple answers to the questions that arise when people take charge of their own health in partnership with their physician." —Calvin Ezrin, M.D., author of Your Fat Can Make You Thin"The Blood Pressure Cure offers a comprehensive, nutritionally sound, and easily accessible guide to lowering one's...
	The Magnesium Solution for High Blood Pressure by Jay S. Cohen (Author) Written by health professionals who are well recognized in their respective fields, these concise, easy-to-read books focus on a wide range of important health concerns. From migraine headaches to high cholesterol, each title looks at a specific problem; each provides a clear explanation of the disorder, its causes, and its symptoms; and each offers natural solutions that can either greatly reduce or completely eliminate the problem. Some titles also focus on natural alternatives to drugs with serious side effects alternatives that in many cases can be used in conjunction with prescription medications. This growing series of titles can be counted on to provide safe and sensible solutions to all-too-common health problems.
	The Blood Pressure Miracle by Frank Mangano (Author), Steve G. Jones (Foreword) The Blood Pressure Miracle is a unique, all-natural system for lowering your blood pressure that is not based on a single approach such as stress reduction, or herbs or special foods or exercise. It’s actually a combination of methods that have been scientifically proven to work, complied into one comprehensive lifestyle program. You will be surprised at how many options you have: Simple lifestyle changes, inexpensive natural supplements and even regular foods you can buy at your local grocery store have all been proven to improve heart health and reduce blood pressure. When you combine these strategies all together as in The Blood Pressure Miracle, the results are multiplied (and it probably explains why, if you tried a single natural remedy in the past, it did very little or nothing...
	Harvard Medical School Guide to Lowering Your Blood Pressure (Harvard Medical School Guides) by Aggie Casey (Author), Herbert Benson (Author) An innovative approach to lowering blood pressure that builds on the national bestseller The Relaxation Response For the 100 million people worldwide dealing with high blood pressure, bestselling author Dr. Herbert Benson and cardiac wellness expert Aggie Casey have created a proven plan for lowering blood pressure. Based on the groundbreaking work done at the Mind/Body Medical Institute, the authors' program goes beyond advice about nutrition and exercise to incorporate a proven stress-management program--including the relaxation response.
	The High Blood Pressure Hoax by Sherry A. Rogers (Author) Blood pressure drugs guarantee you will get worse, for they actually deplete the nutrients that cause high blood pressure, making sure you will need even more medications. They also shrink the brain and raise your risk of heart attack, senility and blindness. High blood pressure is not a deficiency of blood pressure-lowering drugs. But there are dozens of ways you can permanently cure your high blood pressure without drugs. And since healthy blood vessels determine the longevity of every organ in the entire body, you need this book even if you don't have high blood pressure, for vascular health is key to total body health and longevity. First of all every single cell of your body depends on the health of your blood vessels that supply them. If you don't want to get Alzheimer's, then you...
	Blood pressure (52 Brilliant Ideas) by Infinite Ideas (Trade) High blood pressure affects nearly one in three women and two in five men, and is a major contributor to strokes and heart disease. But how much do we really know and understand about the causes of high blood pressure and what can be done to control it? With the perfect mixture of medical and practical advice, Dr Rob Hicks' Blood pressure helps you to understand the problems and recognise the dangers, while also offering techniques to ensure that you stay on top of hypertension.
	Bringing Down High Blood Pressure by Chad Rhoden (Author), Sarah Wiley Schein (Collaborator) Bringing Down High Blood Pressure offers readers straightforward solutions they can incorporate into their lives both immediately and long term. The authors focus on factors readers can change, including diet and nutrition, weight loss, exercise, binge eating, alcohol, tobacco and drug use, emotional wellness and stress management. Additionally, the book provides in-depth discussion of the risks and benefits of medications and when lifestyle changes may allow an individual to reduce or eliminate medication. Dr. Rhoden also weighs in on alternative therapies for reducing blood pressure. Sarah Schein brings her dietary expertise to the table with practical advice on nutrition, tips for healthy food selection and preparation, and 70 tantalizing recipes, each with its own nutritional...
	High Blood Pressure for Dummies by Alan L. Rubin MD (Author) New info on high blood pressure in women, children, and the elderlyThe fun and easy way to take charge of hypertension and add years to your life!Are you battling high blood pressure? This updated guide explains all the latest breakthroughs in the detection, treatment, and prevention of high blood pressure, helping you determine whether you're at risk and develop a diet and exercise program to keep your blood pressure at healthy levels. You'll also find new information on protecting your heart, kidneys, and brain and dealing with secondary high blood pressure.Measure your blood pressure properlyDevelop a successful treatment planImprove your lifestyle habitsEvaluate new drug therapiesFind resources and outside support
	Natural Cures for High Blood Pressure:How to Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally (Simple Solutions presents:) Research has shown that high blood pressure affects about 1/3 of all Americans. The problem is that at times there are no symptoms of this deadly condition. So, it is important to get checked and take necessary steps to resolve the issue of hypertension. This report gives you the low down on high blood pressure and gives you quick, simple, easy, and inexpensive methods of eliminating this condition. You will learn how to reduce high blood pressure using over ten natural remedies including allium sativum, hawthorn, and Aloe Vera. This book contains: 1. INTRODUCTION 2. THE LOWDOWN ON HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE 3. CAUSAL (RISK) FACTORS 4. SOME SYMPTOMS OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE 5. REMEDIES THAT WORK 6. SUMMARY 7. BONUS MATERIAL
	Controlling High Blood Pressure the Natural Way by David Carroll (Author), Wahida S. Karmally (Author) Of the countless ailments that rack the human machine, high blood pressure is one of the easiest to prevent and one of the most responsive to treatment. Who gets high blood pressure? Should you panic if you or someone you love develops hypertension? How can you help yourself, even if you're in a high-risk group? High blood pressure is commonly the result of an unhealthy lifestyle, and it can almost always be controlled--without debilitating medications--simply by eating the right foods, taking the proper herb and vitamin supplements, getting the correct types of exercise, and practicing such stress-reducing techniques as meditation, visualization, tai chi, and yoga. This book gives you a firm grip on all these tools. Start using them today to build yourself a healthy,...