Understanding arteriosclerosis: How blood vessels restructure under pressure (Also, why calcium channel blockers curb restructuring & why macrophages build up in vessel walls)

Medical Xpress / Nagoya City University / Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ^ | Apr. 22, 2022 | Yoshiaki Suzuki et al

[ConservativeMind]

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a very common condition. Unfortunately, persistent hypertension can cause long-lasting changes in the structure of vascular smooth muscle cells (the cells making up the walls of blood vessels) through a process called "vascular remodeling." If left unchecked, this restructuring can stiffen arterial walls, which lose their ability to adjust their size appropriately. This, in turn, leads to arteriosclerosis and increases the risk of cerebrovascular disease.

Why and how hypertension triggers vascular remodeling is not clear.

…In neurons, for example, an excitation in the form of calcium ions (Ca2+) entering the cell through calcium channels activates certain transcription factors and enzymes...

Researchers recently investigated a mechanism known as "excitation–transcription (E–T) coupling" in vascular smooth muscle cells. By unveiling the mysteries behind the E–T coupling in these cells through experiments, they successfully linked the E–T coupling mechanism with vascular remodeling.

By taking a detailed look at the genes promoted by E–T coupling and observing their effects when blocked or amplified, the researchers made some important discoveries. Firstly, some of these genes were related to chemotaxis, the phenomenon by which cells movement is triggered and directed by chemical stimuli. This helped explain the accumulation of macrophages in blood vessel walls from outside the vessels.

Additionally, these genes promoted the remodeling of the "medial" layer of arteries, where vascular smooth muscle cells reside and control blood flow through contraction and expansion. "Taken together, our results explain how E–T coupling caused by high pressure in vascular smooth muscle cells can modulate macrophage migration and subsequent inflammation, altering the vascular structure," explains Dr. Suzuki.

The findings of this study have important implications regarding anti-hypertension drugs. For one, they explain why medications like nicardipine, a classic calcium channel blocker, prevents vascular remodeling and the progression of arteriosclerosis.

[ConservativeMind]

Several neat insights were provided by this study, including finding out genes promote macrophage invasion of the vessel walls.

More information at the link.

[ConservativeMind]

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This potentially high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Now keeping a new list (“Common/Top Issues”) for conditions expected to only concern at least 1% of the population. Ask to be on either the “Common/Top Issues” or “Everything” list.

Please email or private message me if you want on or off of a list and of which list you desire.

[ConservativeMind]

I would think calcium channel blockers directly (and accidentally) block atherosclerosis, while other blood pressure medicines indirectly block it, just by keeping blood pressure more normal.

Just my slightly learned opinion, here.

[S.O.S121.500]

BOOKbump

[griffin]

Thanks!

[TECTopcat]

I read the article, I don’t think this is new news