@article{TsuprykovAndoReichetzederetal.2016, author = {Tsuprykov, Oleg and Ando, Ryotaro and Reichetzeder, Christoph and von Websky, Karoline and Antonenko, Viktoriia and Sharkovska, Yuliya and Chaykovska, Lyubov and Rahnenfuehrer, Jan and Hasan, Ahmed Abdallah Abdalrahman Mohamed and Tammen, Harald and Alter, Markus L. and Klein, Thomas and Ueda, Seiji and Yamagishi, Sho-ichi and Okuda, Seiya and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {The dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitor linagliptin and the angiotensin II receptor blocker telmisartan show renal benefit by different pathways in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy}, series = {Kidney international : official journal of the International Society of Nephrology}, volume = {89}, journal = {Kidney international : official journal of the International Society of Nephrology}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {New York}, issn = {0085-2538}, doi = {10.1016/j.kint.2016.01.016}, pages = {1049 -- 1061}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors delay chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in experimental diabetic nephropathy in a glucose-independent manner. Here we compared the effects of the DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin versus telmisartan in preventing CKD progression in non-diabetic rats with 5/6 nephrectomy. Animals were allocated to 1 of 4 groups: sham operated plus placebo; 5/6 nephrectomy plus placebo; 5/6 nephrectomy plus linagliptin; and 5/6 nephrectomy plus telmisartan. Interstitial fibrosis was significantly decreased by 48\% with linagliptin but a non-significant 24\% with telmisartan versus placebo. The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio was significantly decreased by 66\% with linagliptin and 92\% with telmisartan versus placebo. Blood pressure was significantly lowered by telmisartan, but it was not affected by linagliptin. As shown by mass spectrometry, the number of altered peptide signals for linagliptin in plasma was 552 and 320 in the kidney. For telmisartan, there were 108 peptide changes in plasma and 363 in the kidney versus placebo. Linagliptin up-regulated peptides derived from collagen type I, apolipoprotein C1, and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A2/B1, a potential downstream target of atrial natriuretic peptide, whereas telmisartan up-regulated angiotensin II. A second study was conducted to confirm these findings in 5/6 nephrectomy wild-type and genetically deficient DPP-4 rats treated with linagliptin or placebo. Linagliptin therapy in wild-type rats was as effective as DPP-4 genetic deficiency in terms of albuminuria reduction. Thus, linagliptin showed comparable efficacy to telmisartan in preventing CKD progression in non-diabetic rats with 5/6 nephrectomy. However, the underlying pathways seem to be different. Copyright (C) 2016, International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).}, language = {en} } @article{ChaykovskaHeunischvonEinemetal.2016, author = {Chaykovska, Lyubov and Heunisch, Fabian and von Einem, Gina and Alter, Markus L. and Hocher, Carl-Friedrich and Tsuprykov, Oleg and Dschietzig, Thomas and Kretschmer, Axel and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {Urinary Vitamin D Binding Protein and KIM-1 Are Potent New Biomarkers of Major Adverse Renal Events in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography}, series = {PLoS one}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLoS one}, publisher = {PLoS}, address = {San Fransisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0145723}, pages = {11}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Background Vitamin-D-binding protein (VDBP) is a low molecular weight protein that is filtered through the glomerulus as a 25-(OH) vitamin D 3/VDBP complex. In the normal kidney VDBP is reabsorbed and catabolized by proximal tubule epithelial cells reducing the urinary excretion to trace amounts. Acute tubular injury is expected to result in urinary VDBP loss. The purpose of our study was to explore the potential role of urinary VDBP as a biomarker of an acute renal damage. Method We included 314 patients with diabetes mellitus or mild renal impairment undergoing coronary angiography and collected blood and urine before and 24 hours after the CM application. Patients were followed for 90 days for the composite endpoint major adverse renal events (MARE: need for dialysis, doubling of serum creatinine after 90 days, unplanned emergency rehospitalization or death). Results Increased urine VDBP concentration 24 hours after contrast media exposure was predictive for dialysis need (no dialysis: 113.06 +/- 299.61ng/ml, n = 303; need for dialysis: 613.07 +/- 700.45 ng/ml, n = 11, Mean +/- SD, p < 0.001), death (no death during follow-up: 121.41 +/- 324.45 ng/ml, n = 306; death during follow-up: 522.01 +/- 521.86 ng/ml, n = 8; Mean +/- SD, p < 0.003) and MARE (no MARE: 112.08 +/- 302.00ng/ml, n = 298; MARE: 506.16 +/- 624.61 ng/ml, n = 16, Mean +/- SD, p < 0.001) during the follow-up of 90 days after contrast media exposure. Correction of urine VDBP concentrations for creatinine excretion confirmed its predictive value and was consistent with increased levels of urinary Kidney Injury Molecule1 (KIM-1) and baseline plasma creatinine in patients with above mentioned complications. The impact of urinary VDBP and KIM-1 on MARE was independent of known CIN risk factors such as anemia, preexisting renal failure, preexisting heart failure, and diabetes. Conclusions Urinary VDBP is a promising novel biomarker of major contrast induced nephropathy-associated events 90 days after contrast media exposure.}, language = {en} } @article{SharkovskaReichetzederAlteretal.2014, author = {Sharkovska, Yuliya and Reichetzeder, Christoph and Alter, Markus L. and Tsuprykov, Oleg and Bachmann, Sebastian and Secher, Thomas and Klein, Thomas and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {Blood pressure and glucose independent renoprotective effects of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition in a mouse model of type-2 diabetic nephropathy}, series = {Journal of hypertension}, volume = {32}, journal = {Journal of hypertension}, number = {11}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {0263-6352}, doi = {10.1097/HJH.0000000000000328}, pages = {2211 -- 2223}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Background: Despite the beneficial effects of type 4 dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP-4) inhibitors on glucose levels, its effects on diabetic nephropathy remain unclear. Method: This study examined the long-term renoprotective effects of DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin in db/db mice, a model of type 2 diabetes. Results were compared with the known beneficial effects of renin-angiotensin system blockade by enalapril. Ten-week-old male diabetic db/db mice were treated for 3 months with either vehicle (n = 10), 3 mg linagliptin/kg per day (n = 8), or 20 mg enalapril/kg per day (n = 10). Heterozygous db/m mice treated with vehicle served as healthy controls (n = 8). Results: Neither linagliptin nor enalapril had significant effects on the parameters of glucose metabolism or blood pressure in diabetic db/db mice. However, linagliptin treatment reduced albuminuria and attenuated kidney injury. In addition, expression of podocyte marker podocalyxin was normalized. We also analysed DPP-4 expression by immunofluorescence in human kidney biopsies and detected upregulation of DPP-4 in the glomeruli of patients with diabetic nephropathy, suggesting that our findings might be of relevance for human kidney disease as well. Conclusion: Treatment with DPP-4 inhibitor linagliptin delays the progression of diabetic nephropathy damage in a glucose-independent and blood-pressure-independent manner. The observed effects may be because of the attenuation of podocyte injury and inhibition of myofibroblast transformation.}, language = {en} } @article{HeunischvonEinemAlteretal.2014, author = {Heunisch, Fabian and von Einem, Gina and Alter, Markus L. and Weist, Andreas and Dschietzig, Thomas and Kretschmer, Axel and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {Urinary ET-1 excretion after exposure to radio-contrast media in diabetic patients and patients with preexisting mild impaired renal function}, series = {Life sciences : molecular, cellular and functional basis of therapy}, volume = {118}, journal = {Life sciences : molecular, cellular and functional basis of therapy}, number = {2}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0024-3205}, doi = {10.1016/j.lfs.2013.12.233}, pages = {440 -- 445}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Aims: Contrast media-induced nephropathy (CIN) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The renal endothelin system has been associated with disease progression of various acute and chronic renal diseases. However, robust data coming from adequately powered prospective clinical studies analyzing the short and long-term impacts of the renal ET system in patients with CIN are missing so far. We thus performed a prospective study addressing this topic. Main methods: We included 327 patients with diabetes or renal impairment undergoing coronary angiography. Blood and spot urine were collected before and 24 h after contrast media (CM) application. Patients were followed for 90 days for major clinical events like need for dialysis, unplanned rehospitalization or death. Key findings: The concentration of ET-1 and the urinary ET-1/creatinine ratio decreased in spot urine after CM application (ET-1 concentration: 0.91 +/- 1.23pg/ml versus 0.63 +/- 1.03pg/ml, p<0.001; ET-1/creatinine ratio: 0.14 +/- 0.23 versus 0.09 +/- 0.19, p<0.001). The urinary ET-1 concentrations in patients with CIN decreased significantly more than in patients without CIN (-0.26 +/- 1.42pg/ml vs. -0.79 +/- 1.69pg/ml, p=0.041), whereas the decrease of the urinary ET-1/creatinine ratio was not significantly different (non-CIN patients: -0.05 +/- 0.30; CIN patients: -0.11 +/- 0.21, p=0.223). Urinary ET-1 concentrations as well as the urinary ET-1/creatinine ratio were not associated with clinical events (need for dialysis, rehospitalization or death) during the 90day follow-up after contrast media exposure. However, the urinary ET-1 concentration and the urinary ET-1/creatinine ratio after CM application were higher in those patients who had a decrease of GFR of at least 25\% after 90days of follow-up. Significance: In general the ET-1 system in the kidney seems to be down-regulated after contrast media application in patients with moderate CIN risk. Major long-term complications of CIN (need for dialysis, rehospitalization or death) are not associated with the renal ET system. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.}, language = {en} } @article{ChaykovskaAltervonWebskyetal.2013, author = {Chaykovska, Lyubov and Alter, Markus L. and von Websky, Karoline and Hohmann, Margarete and Tsuprykov, Oleg and Reichetzeder, Christoph and Kutil, Barbara and Kraft, Robin and Klein, Thomas and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {Effects of telmisartan and linagliptin when used in combination on blood pressure and oxidative stress in rats with 2-kidney-1-clip hypertension}, series = {Journal of hypertension}, volume = {31}, journal = {Journal of hypertension}, number = {11}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {0263-6352}, doi = {10.1097/HJH.0b013e3283649b4d}, pages = {2290 -- 2299}, year = {2013}, abstract = {Objective:To investigate the effects of linagliptin alone and in combination with the angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), telmisartan on blood pressure (BP), kidney function, heart morphology and oxidative stress in rats with renovascular hypertension.Methods:Fifty-seven male Wistar rats underwent unilateral surgical stenosis of the renal artery [2-kidney-1-clip (2k1c) method]. Animals were randomly divided into four treatment groups (n=14-18 per group) receiving: telmisartan (10mg/kg per day in drinking water), linagliptin (89ppm in chow), combination (linagliptin 89ppm+telmisartan 10mg/kg per day) or placebo. An additional group of 12 rats underwent sham surgery. BP was measured one week after surgery. Hypertensive animals entered a 16-week dosing period. BP was measured 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Blood and urine were tested for assessment of kidney function and oxidative stress 6, 10, 14 and 18 weeks after surgery. Blood and urine sampling and organ harvesting were finally performed.Results:Renal stenosis caused an increase in meanSD systolic BP as compared with the sham group (157.7 +/- 29.3 vs. 106.2 +/- 20.5mmHg, respectively; P<0.001). Telmisartan alone and in combination with linagliptin, normalized SBP (111.1 +/- 24.3mmHg and 100.4 +/- 13.9mmHg, respectively; P<0.001 vs. placebo). Telmisartan alone and in combination with linagliptin significantly prevented cardiac hypertrophy, measured by heart weight and myocyte diameter. Renal function measured by cystatin C was not affected by 2k1c surgery. Telmisartan significantly increased plasma concentration of cystatin C. 2k1c surgery initiated fibrosis in both kidneys. Telmisartan promoted further fibrotic changes in the clipped kidney, as measured by protein expression of Col1a1 and histology for interstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis. In non-clipped kidneys, telmisartan demonstrated antifibrotic properties, reducing Col1a1 protein expression. Plasma levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein were higher in the placebo-treated 2k1c rats as compared to sham-operated animals. The increase was abolished by linagliptin alone (P=0.03 vs. placebo) and in combination with telmisartan (P=0.02 vs. placebo). Combination therapy also significantly reduced plasma concentration of carbonyl proteins (P=0.04 vs. placebo).Conclusion:Inhibition of type 4 dipeptidyl peptidase with linagliptin did not counter BP-lowering effects of ARB in 2k1c rats. Linagliptin reduced lipid and protein oxidation in 2k1c rats, and this effect was BP-independent.}, language = {en} } @article{OttAltervonWebskyetal.2012, author = {Ott, Ina M. and Alter, Markus L. and von Websky, Karoline and Kretschmer, Axel and Tsuprykov, Oleg and Sharkovska, Yuliya and Krause-Relle, Katharina and Raila, Jens and Henze, Andrea and Stasch, Johannes-Peter and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {Effects of Stimulation of Soluble Guanylate Cyclase on Diabetic Nephropathy in Diabetic eNOS Knockout Mice on Top of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockade}, series = {PLOS ONE}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, number = {8}, publisher = {PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE}, address = {SAN FRANCISCO}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0042623}, pages = {9}, year = {2012}, abstract = {The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its complications, such as diabetic nephropathy (DN), is rising worldwide and prevention and treatment are therefore becoming increasingly important. Therapy of DN is particularly important for patients who do not adequately respond to angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) treatment. Novel approaches include the stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) as it is reported to have beneficial effects on cardiac and renal damage. We aimed to investigate the effects of the sGC stimulator riociguat and ARB telmisartan on kidney function and structure in a hypertensive model of diabetic nephropathy. Seventy-six diabetic male eNOS knockout C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided after having received streptozotocin: telmisartan (1 mg/kg/d), riociguat (3 mg/kg/d), riociguat+telmisartan (3+1 mg/kg/d), and vehicle. Fourteen mice were used as non-diabetic controls. Treatment duration was 11 weeks. Glucose concentrations were increased and similar in all diabetic groups. Telmisartan insignificantly reduced blood pressure by 5.9 mmHg compared with diabetic controls (111.2 +/- 2.3 mmHg vs. 117.1 +/- 2.2 mmHg; p = 0.071). Treatment with riociguat both alone and in combination with telmisartan led to a significant reduction of blood pressure towards diabetic vehicle (105.2 +/- 2.5 mmHg and 105.0 +/- 3.2 mmHg, respectively, vs. 117.1 +/- 2.2 mmHg). Combined treatment also significantly decreased albuminuria compared with diabetic controls (47.3 +/- 9.6 mu g/24 h vs. 170.8 +/- 34.2 mu g/24 h; p = 0.002) reaching levels similar to those of non-diabetic controls (34.4 +/- 10.6 mu g/24 h), whereas the reduction by single treatment with either telmisartan (97.8 +/- 26.4 mu g/24 h) or riociguat (97.1 +/- 15.7 mu g/24 h) was not statistically significant. The combination treatment led to a significant (p < 0.01) decrease of tissue immunoreactivity of malondialdehyde, as consequence of reduced oxidative stress. In conclusion, stimulation of sGC significantly reduced urinary albumin excretion in diabetic eNOS knockout mice treated already with ARB. Thus, this new drug class on top of standard ARBs administration may offer a new therapeutic approach for patients resistant to ARB treatment.}, language = {en} } @article{AlterKretschmerVonWebskyetal.2012, author = {Alter, Markus L. and Kretschmer, Axel and Von Websky, Karoline and Tsuprykov, Oleg and Reichetzeder, Christoph and Simon, Alexandra and Stasch, Johannes-Peter and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {Early urinary and plasma biomarkers for experimental diabetic Nephropathy}, series = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion}, volume = {58}, journal = {Clinical laboratory : the peer reviewed journal for clinical laboratories and laboratories related to blood transfusion}, number = {7-8}, publisher = {Clin Lab Publ., Verl. Klinisches Labor}, address = {Heidelberg}, issn = {1433-6510}, doi = {10.7754/Clin.Lab.2011.111010}, pages = {659 -- 671}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: As the prevalence of diabetes rises, its complications such as diabetic nephropathy affect an increaseing number of patients. Consequently, the need for biomarkers in rodent models which reflect the stage and course of diabetic nephropathy is high. This article focuses on Heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP), osteopontin (OPN), nephrin, and Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in urine, and kidney injury molecule (KIM)-1, clusterin, and tissue inhibitior of metalloproteinases (TIMP) 1 in plasma in uni-nephrectomized rats with streptocotozin-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus, a common animal model to explore renal impairment in the setting of diabetes mellitus. Methods: 23 male Wistar rats were uni-nephrectomized and subsequently divided into two study groups. The diabetic group received streptozotocin (STZ) via tail-vein injection, the non-diabetic group received citrate buffer without STZ. Subsequently, blood glucose, body weight, and blood pressure were checked regularly. After 18 weeks, animals were placed in metabolic cages, blood and urine obtained and subsequently organs were harvested after sacrifice. Results: Blood glucose levels were highly increased in diabetic animals throughout the experiment, whereas systolic blood pressure did not differ between the study groups. At study end, classical biomarkers such as urinary albumin and protein and plasma cystatin c were only slightly but not significantly different between groups indicating a very early disease state. In contrast, urinary excretion of H-FABP, OPN, nephrin, and NGAL were highly increased in diabetic animals with a highly significant p-value (p<0.01 each) compared to non-diabetic animals. In plasma, differences were found for calbindin, KIM-1, clusterin, TIMP-1, and OPN. These findings were confirmed by means of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) analysis. Conclusions: In summary, our study revealed elevated levels of new plasma and urinary biomarkers (urinary osteopontin, urinary nephrin, urinary NGAL, urinary H-FABP, plasma KIM-1, plasma TIMP-1) in uni-nephrectomized diabetic rats, an established rat model of diabetic nephropathy. These biomarkers appeared even before the classical biomarkers of diabetic nephropathy such as albuminuria and urinary protein excretion. The new biomarkers might offer advantage to urinary albumin and plasma cystatin c with respect to early detection.}, language = {en} } @article{AlterOttvonWebskyetal.2012, author = {Alter, Markus L. and Ott, Ina M. and von Websky, Karoline and Tsuprykov, Oleg and Sharkovska, Yuliya and Krause-Relle, Katharina and Raila, Jens and Henze, Andrea and Klein, Thomas and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {DPP-4 Inhibition on top of angiotensin receptor blockade offers a new therapeutic approach for diabetic nephropathy}, series = {Kidney \& blood pressure research : official organ of the Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Nephrologie}, volume = {36}, journal = {Kidney \& blood pressure research : official organ of the Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Nephrologie}, number = {1}, publisher = {Karger}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1420-4096}, doi = {10.1159/000341487}, pages = {119 -- 130}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Background: The need for an improved treatment for diabetic nephropathy is greatest in patients who do not adequately respond to angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). This study investigated the effect of the novel dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor linagliptin alone and in combination with the ARB telmisartan on the progression of diabetic nephropathy in diabetic endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) knockout mice. Methods: Sixty male eNOS knockout C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups after receiving intraperitoneal high-dose streptozotocin: telmisartan (1 mg/kg), linagliptin (3 mg/kg), linagliptin + telmisartan (3 mg/kg + 1 mg/kg) and vehicle. Fourteen mice were used as non-diabetic controls. Results: After 12 weeks, urine and blood were obtained and blood pressure measured. Glucose concentrations were increased and similar in all diabetic groups. Telmisartan alone reduced systolic blood pressure by 5.9 mmHg versus diabetic controls (111.2 +/- 2.3 mmHg vs 117.1 +/- 2.2 mmHg; mean +/- SEM; P = 0.071). Combined treatment significantly reduced albuminuria compared with diabetic controls (71.7 +/- 15.3 mu g/24 h vs 170.8 +/- 34.2 mu g/24 h; P = 0.017), whereas the effects of single treatment with either telmisartan (97.8 +/- 26.4 mu g/24 h) or linagliptin (120.8 +/- 37.7 mu g/24 h) were not statistically significant. DPP-4 inhibition, alone and in combination, led to significantly lower plasma osteopontin levels compared with telmisartan alone. Histological analysis revealed reduced glomerulosclerosis after Linagliptin alone and in combination with telmisartan in comparison to non treated diabetic animals (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). Kidney malonaldehyde immune-reactivity, a marker of oxidative stress, was significantly lower in animals treated with linagliptin. Conclusions: DPP-4 inhibition on top of ARB treatment significantly reduced urinary albumin excretion and oxidative stress in diabetic eNOS knockout mice. Linagliptin on top of an angiotensin II receptor blocker may offer a new therapeutic approach for patients with diabetic nephropathy.}, language = {en} } @article{ChaykovskavonWebskyRahnenfuehreretal.2011, author = {Chaykovska, Lyubov and von Websky, Karoline and Rahnenf{\"u}hrer, Jan and Alter, Markus L. and Heiden, Susi and Fuchs, Holger and Runge, Frank and Klein, Thomas and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {Effects of DPP-4 Inhibitors on the Heart in a Rat Model of Uremic Cardiomyopathy}, series = {PLoS one}, volume = {6}, journal = {PLoS one}, number = {11}, publisher = {PLoS}, address = {San Fransisco}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0027861}, pages = {9}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Background: Uremic cardiomyopathy contributes substantially to mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) may improve cardiac function, but is mainly degraded by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). Methodology/Principal Findings: In a rat model of chronic renal failure, 5/6-nephrectomized [5/6N] rats were treated orally with DPP-4 inhibitors (linagliptin, sitagliptin, alogliptin) or placebo once daily for 4 days from 8 weeks after surgery, to identify the most appropriate treatment for cardiac dysfunction associated with CKD. Linagliptin showed no significant change in blood level AUC(0-infinity) in 5/6N rats, but sitagliptin and alogliptin had significantly higher AUC(0-infinity) values; 41\% and 28\% (p=0.0001 and p=0.0324), respectively. No correlation of markers of renal tubular and glomerular function with AUC was observed for linagliptin, which required no dose adjustment in uremic rats. Linagliptin 7 mu mol/kg caused a 2-fold increase in GLP-1 (AUC 201.0 ng/l*h) in 5/6N rats compared with sham-treated rats (AUC 108.6 ng/l*h) (p=0.01). The mRNA levels of heart tissue fibrosis markers were all significantly increased in 5/6N vs control rats and reduced/normalized by linagliptin. Conclusions/Significance: DPP-4 inhibition increases plasma GLP-1 levels, particularly in uremia, and reduces expression of cardiac mRNA levels of matrix proteins and B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP). Linagliptin may offer a unique approach for treating uremic cardiomyopathy in CKD patients, with no need for dose-adjustment.}, language = {en} } @article{KalkSharkovskaKashinaetal.2011, author = {Kalk, Philipp and Sharkovska, Yuliya and Kashina, Elena and von Websky, Karoline and Relle, Katharina and Pfab, Thiemo and Alter, Markus L. and Guillaume, Philippe and Provost, Daniel and Hoffmann, Katrin and Fischer, Yvan and Hocher, Berthold}, title = {Endothelin-Converting Enzyme/Neutral Endopeptidase Inhibitor SLV338 Prevents Hypertensive Cardiac Remodeling in a Blood Pressure-Independent Manner}, series = {HYPERTENSION}, volume = {57}, journal = {HYPERTENSION}, number = {4}, publisher = {LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS \& WILKINS}, address = {PHILADELPHIA}, issn = {0194-911X}, doi = {10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.110.163972}, pages = {755 -- 763}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Hypertensive heart disease is a major contributor to cardiovascular mortality. Endothelin is a potent vasoconstrictive and profibrotic mediator produced by the endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE), whereas natriuretic peptides, degraded by the neutral endopeptidase (NEP), have diuretic, vasodilatory, and antifibrotic properties. Thus, combined ECE/NEP inhibition may halt hypertensive cardiac remodeling. This study examined effects of SLV338, a novel ECE/NEP inhibitor, on cardiac protection in experimental renovascular hypertension (2-kidney, 1-clip [2K1C]). Male rats were allocated to 5 groups: sham-operated rats, untreated animals with 2K1C, 2K1C animals treated with oral SLV338 (30 and 100 mg/kg per day), and 2K1C animals treated with oral losartan (20 mg/kg per day). Treatment duration was 12 weeks. Blood pressure was assessed every 4 weeks. At study end, hearts were taken for histology/computer-aided histomorphometry/immunohistochemistry. Pharmacological properties of SLV338 are described. SLV338 is a dual ECE/NEP inhibitor, as demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. In the 2K1C study, losartan lowered blood pressure by <= 46 mm Hg, whereas both dosages of SLV338 had no effect. However, SLV338 (both dosages) completely normalized cardiac interstitial fibrosis, perivascular fibrosis, myocyte diameter, and media: lumen ratio of cardiac arteries, as did losartan. Cardiac transforming growth factor-beta 1 expression was significantly enhanced in untreated 2K1C rats versus controls, whereas treatment with SLV338 and losartan prevented this effect. Taken together, dual ECE/NEP inhibitor SLV338 prevents cardiac remodeling to the same extent as losartan, but in a blood pressure-independent manner, in a rat model of renovascular hypertension. This effect is at least partially mediated via suppression of cardiac transforming growth factor-beta 1 expression. (Hypertension. 2011;57:755-763.)}, language = {en} }