Circulating plasma concentrations of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in men and women with heart failure and effects of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors.
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ABSTRACT: Aims
The current pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infects a wide age group but predominantly elderly individuals, especially men and those with cardiovascular disease. Recent reports suggest an association with use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a functional receptor for coronaviruses. Higher ACE2 concentrations might lead to increased vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 in patients on RAAS inhibitors.Methods and results
We measured ACE2 concentrations in 1485 men and 537 women with heart failure (index cohort). Results were validated in 1123 men and 575 women (validation cohort).The median age was 69 years for men and 75 years for women. The strongest predictor of elevated concentrations of ACE2 in both cohorts was male sex (estimate = 0.26, P < 0.001; and 0.19, P < 0.001, respectively). In the index cohort, use of ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) was not an independent predictor of plasma ACE2. In the validation cohort, ACE inhibitor (estimate = -0.17, P = 0.002) and ARB use (estimate = -0.15, P = 0.03) were independent predictors of lower plasma ACE2, while use of an MRA (estimate = 0.11, P = 0.04) was an independent predictor of higher plasma ACE2 concentrations.Conclusion
In two independent cohorts of patients with heart failure, plasma concentrations of ACE2 were higher in men than in women, but use of neither an ACE inhibitor nor an ARB was associated with higher plasma ACE2 concentrations. These data might explain the higher incidence and fatality rate of COVID-19 in men, but do not support previous reports suggesting that ACE inhibitors or ARBs increase the vulnerability for COVID-19 through increased plasma ACE2 concentrations.
SUBMITTER: Sama IE
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7239195 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:AimsConcern has been raised that treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers may increase the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which acts as the entry receptor for SARS-CoV-2, and lead to an increased risk of death from SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to address this concern by evaluating the in vivo relationship of treatment with ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) with circulating plasma concentrations of ACE2 in a large cohort of patients with established cardiovascular disease (n = 1864) or cardiovascular risk factors (n = 2144) but without a history of heart failure.Methods and resultsAngiotensin-converting enzyme 2 was measured in 4008 patients (median age 68, 33% women, 31% on ACE-inhibitors, 31% on ARB) using the SOMAscan proteomic platform (SomaLogic Inc, Colorado, USA). Plasma concentration of ACE2 was comparable in 1250 patients on ACE inhibitors (mean 5.99) versus patients without ACE inhibitors (mean 5.98, P = 0.54). Similarly, plasma concentration of ACE2 was comparable in 1260 patients on ARB (mean 5.99) versus patients without ARB (mean 5.98, P = 0.50). Plasma concentration of ACE2 was comparable in 2474 patients on either ACE inhibitors or ARB (mean 5.99) versus patients without ACE inhibitors or ARB (mean 5.98, P = 0.31). Multivariable quantile regression model analysis confirmed the lack of association between treatment with ACE inhibitors or ARB and ACE2 concentrations. Body mass index showed the only positive association with ACE2 plasma concentration (effect 0.015, 95% confidence interval 0.002 to 0.028, P = 0.024).ConclusionsIn a large cohort of patients with established cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular risk factors but without heart failure, ACE inhibitors and ARB were not associated with higher plasma concentrations of ACE2.
| S-EPMC8006721 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundAngiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a homologue of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and produces angiotensin peptides (APs), such as angiotensin 1-9 and 1-7 that are vasodilatory and natriuretic, and act to counterbalance angiotensin II.HypothesisEvidence of ACE2 can be found in tissues and plasma of dogs. Equilibrium concentrations of renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) APs differ in dogs with heart disease compared to healthy dogs and recombinant human ACE2 (rhACE2) alters relative concentrations of APs.AnimalsForty-nine dogs with and 34 dogs without heart disease.MethodsImmunohistochemistry and assays for tissue and plasma ACE2 activity and equilibrium concentrations of plasma RAAS APs were performed.ResultsImmunolabeling for ACE2 was present in kidney and myocardial tissue. Median plasma ACE2 activity was significantly increased in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF; 6.9 mU/mg; interquartile range [IQR], 5.1-12.1) as compared to control (2.2 mU/mg; IQR, 1.8-3.0; P = .0003). Plasma equilibrium analysis of RAAS APs identified significant increases in the median concentrations of beneficial APs, such as angiotensin 1-7, in dogs with CHF (486.7 pg/mL; IQR, 214.2-1168) as compared to those with preclinical disease (41.0 pg/mL; IQR, 27.4-45.1; P < .0001) or control (11.4 pg/mL; IQR, 7.1-25.3; P = .01). Incubation of plasma samples from dogs with CHF with rhACE2 increased beneficial APs, such as angiotensin 1-9 (preincubation, 10.3 pg/mL; IQR, 4.4-37.2; postincubation, 2431 pg/mL; IQR, 1355-3037; P = .02), while simultaneously decreasing maladaptive APs, such as angiotensin II (preincubation, 53.4 pg/mL; IQR, 28.6-226.4; postincubation, 2.4 pg/mL; IQR, 0.50-5.8; P = .02).Conclusions and clinical importanceRecognition of the ACE2 system expands the conventional view of the RAAS in the dog and represents an important potential therapeutic target.
| S-EPMC6639469 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) with ACE inhibitors has been a cornerstone of heart failure therapy for over 15 years. More recently, further blockade of RAAS with aldosterone antagonists and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) has been studied. While these therapies have certainly improved outcomes in the treatment of heart failure, morbidity and mortality remain extremely high. Furthermore, polypharmacy and complex regimens of seven medications on average is the norm for management of heart failure. This results in increased costs, patient burden, and uncertainty as to the best course of therapy. The ability to personalize patients' therapeutic regimens using pharmacogenomics has the potential of providing more effective and efficient use of RAAS-modulating medications. This review highlights the implications of major RAAS pharmacogenetic studies, while outlining future directions for translation to practice.
| S-EPMC5013832 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundRenin inhibitors (RIs) reduce blood pressure more than placebo, with the magnitude of this effect thought to be similar to that for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. However, a drug's efficacy in lowering blood pressure cannot be considered as a definitive indicator of its effectiveness in reducing mortality and morbidity. The effectiveness and safety of RIs compared to ACE inhibitors in treating hypertension is unknown.ObjectivesTo evaluate the benefits and harms of renin inhibitors compared to ACE inhibitors in people with primary hypertension.Search methodsThe Cochrane Hypertension Group Information Specialist searched the following databases for randomized controlled trials up to August 2020: the Cochrane Hypertension Specialized Register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (from 1946), Embase (from 1974), the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov. We also contacted authors of relevant papers about further published and unpublished work. The searches had no language restrictions.Selection criteriaWe included randomized, active-controlled, double-blinded studies (RCTs) with at least four weeks follow-up in people with primary hypertension, which compared renin inhibitors with ACE inhibitors and reported morbidity, mortality, adverse events or blood pressure outcomes. We excluded people with proven secondary hypertension.Data collection and analysisTwo review authors independently selected the included trials, evaluated the risks of bias and entered the data for analysis.Main resultsWe include 11 RCTs involving 13,627 participants, with a mean baseline age from 51.5 to 74.2 years. Follow-up duration ranged from four weeks to 36.6 months. There was no difference between RIs and ACE inhibitors for the outcomes: all-cause mortality: risk ratio (RR) 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93 to 1.18; 5 RCTs, 5962 participants; low-certainty evidence; total myocardial infarction: RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.22 to 3.39; 2 RCTs, 957 participants; very low-certainty evidence; adverse events: RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.03; 10 RTCs, 6007 participants; moderate-certainty evidence; serious adverse events: RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.64; 10 RTCs, 6007 participants; low-certainty evidence; and withdrawal due to adverse effects: RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.06; 10 RTCs, 6008 participants; low-certainty evidence. No data were available for total cardiovascular events, heart failure, stroke, end-stage renal disease or change in heart rate. Low-certainty evidence suggested that RIs reduced systolic blood pressure: mean difference (MD) -1.72, 95% CI -2.47 to -0.97; 9 RCTs, 5001 participants; and diastolic blood pressure: MD -1.18, 95% CI -1.65 to -0.72; 9 RCTs, 5001 participants, to a greater extent than ACE inhibitors, but we judged this to be more likely due to bias than a true effect. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: For the treatment of hypertension, we have low certainty that renin inhibitors (RI) and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors do not differ for all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction. We have low to moderate certainty that they do not differ for adverse events. Small reductions in blood pressure with renin inhibitors compared to ACE inhibitors are of low certainty. More independent, large, long-term trials are needed to compare RIs with ACE inhibitors, particularly assessing morbidity and mortality outcomes, but also on blood pressure-lowering effect.
| S-EPMC8094968 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Ever since its outbreak, Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 has affected more than 26 million individuals in more than 200 countries. Although the mortality rate of COVID-19 is low, but several clinical studies showed, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) or other major complication at high risk of COVID-19 and reported more severe disease and increased fatality. The angiotensin-converting-enzyme 2 (ACE2), a component of renin-angiotensin-system (RAS); acts on ACE/Ang-II/AT1recptor axis, and regulates pathological processes like hypertension, cardiac dysfunction, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) etc. The progression of T2DM and hypertension show decreased expression and activity of ACE2. There are several treatment strategies for controlling diabetes, hypertension, etc; like ACE2 gene therapies, endogenous ACE2 activators, human recombinant ACE2 (hrACE2), Angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) and ACE inhibitors (ACEi) medications. ACE2, the receptors for SARS-CoV2, facilitates virus entry inside host cell. Clinicians are using two classes of medications for the treatment of COVID-19; one targets the SARS-CoV-2-ACE2 interaction, while other targets human immune system. The aim of this review is to discuss the role of ACE2 in diabetes and in COVID-19 and to provide an analysis of data proposing harm and benefit of RAS inhibitor treatment in COVID-19 infection as well as showing no association whatsoever. This review also highlights some candidate vaccines which are undergoing clinical trials.
| S-EPMC7908946 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is hypothesized to be in the center of COVID pathophysiology as the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) represents the main entrance of the virus, thus there is a need to address the effect of chronic use of RAAS blockers, as in case of treatment of cardiovascular diseases, on the expression of ACE2. Accordingly, this study aimed to clarify the effect of ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) on ACE2 and to assess the correlation between ACE2 and several anthropometric and clinic-pathological factors. A total of 40 healthy controls and 60 Egyptian patients suffering from chronic cardiovascular diseases were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into 40 patients treated with ACEIs and 20 patients treated with ARBs. Serum ACE2 levels were assessed by ELISA. Assessment of serum ACE2 level in different groups showed a significant difference between ACEIs and healthy groups and ACEIs and ARBs group, while there was no difference between ARBs and healthy. Multivariate analysis using ACE2 level as constant and age, female sex, ACEIs use and myocardial infarction (MI) showed that there was a significant effect of female sex and ACEIs use on ACE2 level with no effect of age, MI and diabetes. ACE2 levels varied between ACEIs and ARBs. It tends to be lower in ACEIs group and there is a strong positive association between ACE2 level and the female sex. This needs to be considered in Future studies to further understand the relationship between gender, sex hormones and ACE2 level. Retrospectively registered ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05418361 (June 2022).
| S-EPMC10103030 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between biomarkers of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation and decongestion strategies, worsening renal function, and clinical outcomes.BackgroundHigh-dose diuretic therapy in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) is thought to activate the RAAS; and alternative decongestion strategies, such as ultrafiltration (UF), have been proposed to mitigate this RAAS activation.MethodsThis study analyzed 427 AHF patients enrolled in the DOSE-AHF (Diuretic Optimization Strategies in Acute Heart Failure) and CARRESS-HF (Cardiorenal Rescue Study in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure) trials. We assessed the relationship between 2 markers of RAAS activation (plasma renin activity [PRA] and aldosterone) from baseline to 72 h and 96 h and decongestion strategy: high- versus low-dose and continuous infusion versus bolus furosemide for DOSE-AHF and UF versus stepped pharmacologic care for CARRESS-HF. We determined the relationships between RAAS biomarkers and 60-day outcomes.ResultsPatients with greater RAAS activation at baseline had lower blood pressures, lower serum sodium levels, and higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration. Continuous infusion furosemide and UF were associated with greater PRA increases (median: +1.66 vs. +0.66 ng/ml/h with continuous vs. bolus infusion, respectively, p = 0.021; +4.05 vs. +0.56 ng/ml/h with UF vs. stepped care, respectively, p = 0.014). There were no significant differences in RAAS biomarker changes with high- versus low-dose diuretic therapy (both: p > 0.5). Neither baseline log PRA nor log aldosterone was associated with increased death or HF hospitalization (hazard ratio [HR] for a doubling of 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.98 to 1.13; p = 0.18; and HR: 1.13; 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.28; p = 0.069, respectively). The change in RAAS biomarkers from baseline to 72 and 96 h was not associated with outcomes (both: p > 0.5).ConclusionsHigh-dose loop diuretic therapy did not result in RAAS activation greater than that with low-dose diuretic therapy. UF resulted in greater PRA increase than stepped pharmacologic care. Neither PRA nor aldosterone was significantly associated with short-term outcomes in this cohort. (Determining Optimal Dose and Duration of Diuretic Treatment in People With Acute Heart Failure [DOSE-AHF]; NCT00577135; Effectiveness of Ultrafiltration in Treating People With Acute Decompensated Heart Failure and Cardiorenal Syndrome [CARRESS]; NCT00608491).
| S-EPMC4324057 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) is a key component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Yet, little is known about the clinical and biologic correlates of circulating ACE2 levels in humans. We assessed the clinical and proteomic correlates of plasma (soluble) ACE2 protein levels in human heart failure. We measured plasma ACE2 using a modified aptamer assay among PHFS (Penn Heart Failure Study) participants (n=2248). We performed an association study of ACE2 against ≈5000 other plasma proteins measured with the SomaScan platform. Plasma ACE2 was not associated with ACE inhibitor and angiotensin-receptor blocker use. Plasma ACE2 was associated with older age, male sex, diabetes mellitus, a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, worse New York Heart Association class, a history of coronary artery bypass surgery, and higher pro-BNP (pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) levels. Plasma ACE2 exhibited associations with 1011 other plasma proteins. In pathway overrepresentation analyses, top canonical pathways associated with plasma ACE2 included clathrin-mediated endocytosis signaling, actin cytoskeleton signaling, mechanisms of viral exit from host cells, EIF2 (eukaryotic initiation factor 2) signaling, and the protein ubiquitination pathway. In conclusion, in humans with heart failure, plasma ACE2 is associated with various clinical factors known to be associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including older age, male sex, and diabetes mellitus, but is not associated with ACE inhibitor and angiotensin-receptor blocker use. Plasma ACE2 protein levels are prominently associated with multiple cellular pathways involved in cellular endocytosis, exocytosis, and intracellular protein trafficking. Whether these have a causal relationship with ACE2 or are relevant to novel coronavirus-2 infection remains to be assessed in future studies.
| S-EPMC10681288 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC7224688 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Rationale: Smoking is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. The importance of the renin–angiotensin system in the development of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease is well established. Angiotensin-II, by means of its type 1 receptor (angiotensin type 1 receptor, AT1R), promotes increased sympathetic activity, salt and water reabsorption, vasoconstriction, inflammation, and aldosterone and vasopressin release, contributing to tissue fibrosis, endothelium dysfunction, and hypertension. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 cleaves angiotensin-II into the vasodilator peptide, angiotensin-(1–7), hence playing a pivotal role in the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/angiotensin-(1–7) compensatory axis of the renin–angiotensin system. Angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R), another receptor for angiotensin-II, opposes the deleterious effects of AT1R activation, and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2–formed angiotensin-(1–7) has been shown to activate AT2R. Objectives: The goal of the present study was to examine how nicotine, the addictive component of cigarette smoke, alters the homeostasis of the renin–angiotensin system. Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to examine the expression of the components of the renin–angiotensin system after cigarette smoke exposure or direct nicotine inhalation. Radio telemetry was used for continuous blood pressure recording in conscious, unrestrained mice. Results: Our study showed that cigarette smoke or direct nicotine inhalation inhibits the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/AT2R in multiple organs and cell types. In the lung, cigarette smoke (6 cigarettes/d, 12 wk) inhibited the expression of both angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and AT2R. In cardiac fibroblasts, nicotine exposure resulted in near complete suppression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and AT2R. In the brain, nicotine vapor inhalation inhibited angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 expression in the hypothalamus, a region involved in central regulation of cardiopulmonary function. In addition, cultured Neuro2A cells exposed to nicotine showed a dose-dependent reduction of enzymatic activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2. Functionally, mice exposed to nicotine vapor (12 h/d, 4 wk) exhibited significantly increased mean arterial blood pressure, which was more pronounced during the night active cycle (mean?±?SE, 124?±?0.6 mm Hg in nicotine vapor–exposed mice vs. 107?±?0.4 mm Hg in air control mice; P <?0.0001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that, by downregulating the compensatory angiotensin-converting enzyme 2/AT2R elements, nicotine disrupts the homeostasis of the renin–angiotensin system in multiple organs, which is likely an important mechanism leading to the development of cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.
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