Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

H Gavras

Publications and source records attributed to H Gavras.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources

Angiotensin-sodium interaction in blood pressure maintenance of renal hypertensive and normotensive rats.

A specific inhibitor of angiotensin II was used in rats to investigate whether angiotensin is involved in the maintenance of blood pressure in one-kidney Goldblatt hypertension, in which plasma renin levels are not usually increased. The inhibitor produced marked falls in blood pressure, often down to normal levels in the hypertensive animals only when they were depleted in sodium and not after sodium repletion. Much lesser but still significant falls in blood pressure were also produced in normotensive sodium-depleted rats but not in repleted rats. We conclude that the importance of angiotensin for maintaining blood pressure is largely determined by its relation to available sodium or fluid volume, since the renin component in maintenance of either the hypertensive or the normotensive state could be exposed only by sodium deprivation. Therefore, volume expansion per se or other pressor factors may be involved in maintaining blood pressure of these sodium-replete normotensive or hypertensive animals.

Angiotensin II↗

Effect of a new beta-adrenergic blocker, l-bunolol, on blood pressure and on the renin-aldosterone system.

The antihypertensive effect of a new beta-adrenergic receptor blocker, l-bunolol, was evaluated in 11 hospitalized hypertensive patients of whom four belonged to the high-renin, five to the normal-renin, and two to the low-renin subgroup. There was a significant decrease in blood pressure in most patients, often to normal. Moreover, plasma renin levels were nearly always markedly suppressed, and this suppression preceded the fall in blood pressure. While most high and normal renin patients responded, the numbers of patients within each subgroup were too small to correlate the blood pressure responses with changes in renin levels. There was a significant induced decrease in aldosterone excretion, which usually paralleled the renin suppression. Pulse rate was also consistently reduced during treatment. No weight gain was observed, except in one patient who developed overt congestive cardiac failure. No other side effects were recorded. Ii is concluded that l-bunolol is another beta-blocking drug with significant antihypertensive action. It was found to be effective in cases that were resistant to propranolo. It is well tolerated and safe to use, provided that early evidence of fluid retention is sought for and treated immediately.

Adult↗

Effect of nadolol in treatment of hypertension.

Nadolol, a new beta-adrenergic blocking agent, was administered orally in gradually increasing single daily doses to 13 hospitalized patients with essential hypertension. Maximal doses ranged from 200 to 480 mg/day. Blood pressure was reduced in nine patients and heart rate was decreased in 11 patients. The decrease in blood pressure was either partial or temporary in five of the nine patients who responded. Concomitant administration of the diuretic chlorthalidone decreased blood pressure in a previously unresponsive patient. Nadolol effectively inhibited isoproterenol-induced tachycardia and decreased cardiac output by 18 per cent. Plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone concentration were not changed significantly by the treatment. Body weight was not altered significantly. Blood pressure response was independent of the pretreatment renin levels or the change in renin induced by nadolol; it was also independent of the changes in cardiac output and heart rate but was more pronounced in patients with milder baseline hypertension. The decline in serum concentration of nadolol was consistent with the drug's reported half-life of 12.2 hours. The results indicate that single daily doses of nadolol alone can reduce blood pressure significantly with minimal cardiodepressant effects and no important side effects. The effectiveness of nadolol may be enhanced by the addition of a diuretic.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗

Effect of pindolol on blood pressure, plasma renin activity, and catecholamines in hypertensive patients.

The effects of 45 mg pindolol daily on blood pressure, heart rate, plasma renin activity, and plasma catecholamines were assessed on 11 hospitalized hypertensive patients. Blood pressure decreased significantly after nine days of treatment, but heart rate remained unchanged. Plasma renin activity was in the same average range before and during treatment, with individual values variably increasing, decreasing, or remaining unchanged. Blood pressure changes were independent from the baseline level of plasma renin activity or the change in renin activity observed during treatment. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels also remained unchanged during treatment. Lack of change in heart rate and hormonal levels may be attributed to the combined effects of the beta-antagonistic and partial agonistic properties of this agent. Thus, pindolol used as monotherapy at this dose significantly lowered blood pressure, but not to normal levels, with only minimal side effects. Because of its combined adrenergic agonistic and antagonistic effects, it may be a preferable alternative to pure antagonists in selected patients.

Adult↗