The Streeten Syndrome revisited: A possible locus on chromosome 18q influencing postural systolic blood pressure changes is linked to a familial
form of orthostatic intolerance originally described by David Streeten.
In a study of 498 hypertensive white sibling-pairs, using a genome-wide scan which included 387 autosomal short-tandem-repeat polymorphisms,
linkage was found on chromosome 18q for the postural systolic blood pressure response.The marker that demonstrated the strongest linkage for the systolic
blood pressure response (D18S858) lies within 20 centiMorgans of a marker previously linked to the rare familial orthostatic hypotensive syndrome (Am J Hum
Gen 1998; 63:1425) originally reported by Streeten as familial hyperbradikininism (Lancet 1972; 2:1048). The eventual identification of the gene located in this
region could improve our understanding of cardiovascular regulation in general, and orthostatic intolerance in particular.
(Pankow JS, et al. Hypertension 2000;36:471-476)
alpha-synuclein deposits and oxidative damage in Lewy body diseases.
Alpha-synuclein in the signature inclusions of Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, the Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease, and
multiple system atrophy brains. Antibodies to specific nitrated tyrosine residues revealed the selective and specific nitration of µ-synuclein in these
disorders. These observations suggest that oxidative and nitrative damage of µ-synuclein plays a role in these neurodegenerative
synucleinopathies
(Giasson BI, et al. Science 2000; 290:985-9)
Overexpression of the alpha1B-adrenergic receptor results in a phenotype resembling multiple system atrophy
Transgenic mice overexpressing either the wild-type or constitutively active µ1B-adrenergic receptors showed granulovascular
neurodegeneration in multiple brain regions and a parkinsonian-like, age-progressing hindlimb disorder.The authors speculate that this apoptotic
neurodegeneration corresponds to the Shy-Drager syndrome.However, mice also had a grand mal seizure disorder, not characteristic of MSA.
(Zuscik MJ, et al. Nat.Med 2000; 6:1388-94)
Acute hypoglycemia induces transient autonomic failure.
Five minutes of hypoglycemia in normal volunteers was enough to induce a blunting of the counterregulatory and sympathetic response to a second
period of hypoglycemia induced 24 hours later.This transient autonomic impairment may explain the observation that diabetics with hypoglycemia are less
protected to subsequent hypoglycemia (“hypoglycemia begets hypoglycemia”).
(Davis SN, et al. Diabetes 2000; 49:1897-903)
Overexpression of beta2-adrenergic receptors results in cardiomyopathy and heart failure phenotype
Transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing b2-adrenergic receptors had normal cardiac function, assessed by echocardiogram, until 6 months of age.Starting at 9
months, however, TG mice showed progressive reduction in fractional shortening and systolic wall thickening, and increase in left ventricular dimensions and left
ventricular mass, indicating onset of heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy and remodeling. Mortality due to heart failure was 81% by 15 months in TG mice vs.
4% in wild-type mice. The onset of heart failure was slower and the expression levels of receptors required are much higher than previously described for
the b1-adrenergic receptor. Chronic and sustained overstimulation of b1- and µ2-adrenergic receptors may
contribute to the development of cardiomyopathy.
(Du XJ, et al. Cardiovasc Res 2000;48:448-454).
Sympathetic abnormalities in obesity-related hypertension.
There is increasing interest about the role of the autonomic nervous system in the development of obesity-related
hypertension. Direct measurements of sympathetic activity, using muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), were greater in a group of obese hypertensives (62±3 bursts/ 100 heart
beats), compared to obese normotensive subjects (49±3 bursts/100 heart beats), lean hypertensive subjects (44±3 bursts/100 heart beats) and lean normotensive
control subjects (32±2 bursts/100 heart beats). Furthermore, whereas in lean hypertensive subjects only baroreflex control of HR was impaired, in obese
hypertensive subjects both HR and MSNA baroreflex changes were attenuated. These results suggest that increased sympathetic activity plays a role in the
pathophysiology of obesity-related hypertension.
(Grassi G, et al. Hypertension 2000;36:538-542).
Positive isoproterenol tilt table testing does not co-segregate with the chronic fatigue syndrome in monozygotic twins.
It has been proposed that orthostatic intolerance and neuraly-mediated syncope contribute to the symptoms of chronic fatigue.This hypothesis
was tesed in a cotwin control study of 21 monozygotic twins who were discordant for chronic fatigue syndrome.The goal was to determine if
neurally-mediated syncope would co-segregate with CFS. A positive tilt table test result was observed in 4 twins with CFS (19%) and in 4 healthy twins (19%).
This difference was not statistically significant (matched-pair odds ratio, 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.2- 5.4, P>.90). These
results do not support a major role for neurally-mediated syncope in CFS.It should be noted, however, the relatively large incidence of neurally-mediated syncope in the healthy individuals in this
study.
(Poole J, et al. Arch Intern Med 2000;160:3461-3468)
A case of Orthostatic Intolerance associated by an endogenous circulating sympatholytic factor.
A patient with orthostatic intolerance, tachycardia, hypotension and elevated plasma norepinephrine was found to be unresponsive to the pressor
effects of a1-adrenergic receptor agonists.Her plasma contained a factor that acted as a selective and irreversible antagonists of a
1B-adrenergic receptors in vitro.The nature of this antagonist has not been defined, but this finding represents a novel pathophysiological
mechanism of orthostatic intolerance.
(Shapiro RE, et al.Hypertension2000;36:553-560)
Is pacing useful in the management of syncope?
The usefullness of cardiac pacing in the treatment of neurogenic syncope remains controversial.A recent study suggest that the effectiveness of
syncope depends on the cardiovascular characteristics of the patients.A-V sequential pacing was successful in 13 of 17 patients with a predominant
cardioinhibitory response to tilt, versus 5 of 14 patients with a mixed cardioinhibitory/vasodepressor response (P = 0.024). However, a successful response to A-V
pacing was defined as a greater than or equal to 30-second increase between onset of symptoms and syncope, or mitigation of symptoms compared with the
baseline tilt test. Future studies should consider the hemodynamic pattern of neurogenic syncope when assessing the usefulness of pacing in the tryeatment of this
condition.Long-term follow-up and sham pacing would also be useful.
(Kurbaan AS, et al.Pace 2000; 23:1792-4)
Send comments or suggestions about Autonomic News to: italo.biaggioni@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
Davis SN, Mann S, Galassetti P et al. Effects of differing durations of antecedent hypoglycemia on counterregulatory responses to subsequent
hypoglycemia in normal humans. Diabetes 2000; 49: 1897-903.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine whether the duration of antecedent hypoglycemia regulates the magnitude of subsequent counterregulatory failure. A
total of 31 lean healthy overnight-fasted individuals (16 men/15 women) were studied. There were 15 subjects (8 men/7 women) who underwent two separate
2-day randomized experiments separated by at least 2 months. On day 1, 2-h hyperinsulinemic (9 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1)) euglycemic (5.2 +/- 0.1 mmol/l) or
hypoglycemic (2.9 +/- 0.1 mmol/l) glucose clamps (prolonged hypoglycemia) were carried out in the morning and afternoon. Of the other subjects, 16 participated in
a 2-day study in which day 1 consisted of morning and afternoon short-duration hypoglycemia experiments (hypoglycemic nadir of 2.9 +/- 0.1 mmol for 5 min), and
10 of these individuals underwent an additional 2-day study in which day 1 consisted of morning and afternoon intermediate-duration hypoglycemia (hypoglycemic
nadir of 2.9 +/- 0.1 mmol for 30 min). The next morning (day 2) all subjects underwent an additional 2-h hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic clamp (2.9 +/- 0.1 mmol/l).
The rate of fall of glucose (0.07 mmol/min) was carefully controlled during all hypoglycemic studies so that the
glucose nadir was reached at 30 min. Despite equivalent day 2 plasma glucose and insulin levels, there were significant differences in counterregulatory physiological responses. Steady-state epinephrine,
glucagon, growth hormone, cortisol, and pancreatic polypeptide levels were similarly significantly blunted (P < 0.01) by the differing duration day 1 hypoglycemia
compared with day 1 euglycemia. Muscle sympathetic nerve activity and endogenous glucose production were also similarly blunted (P < 0.01) by day 1
hypoglycemia (relative to day 1 euglycemia). Day 2 hypoglycemic symptoms were significantly reduced (P < 0.01) after day 1 prolonged intermediate- but not
short-duration hypoglycemia. In summary, two episodes of short-duration moderate hypoglycemia can produce significant blunting of key neuroendocrine and
metabolic counterregulatory responses. Hypoglycemic symptom scores are reduced by prolonged but not short-duration prior hypoglycemia. We conclude that in
healthy overnight fasted humans, 1) neuroendocrine, autonomic nervous system, and metabolic counterregulatory responses are sensitive to the blunting effects of
even short-duration prior hypoglycemia, and 2) the duration of antecedent hypoglycemia results in a hierarchy of blunted physiological responses with hypoglycemic
symptom awareness less vulnerable than neuroendocrine responses
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Du XJ, Gao XM, Wang BH, Jennings GL, Woodcock EA, Dart AM. Age-dependent cardiomyopathy and heart failure phenotype in mice
overexpressing beta(2)-adrenergic receptors in the heart. Cardiovascular Research 2000; 48: 448-54.
Abstract: Objective: To explore long-term cardiac phenotype in transgenic (TG) mice with 300-fold overexpression of beta (2)-adrenergic receptors (AR).
Methods: Echocardiography was performed serially on a cohort of wild-type and TG mice (n=26 each) between 4 and 15 months of age. Survival was monitored
and autopsy and histological examinations were performed. Results: Heart rate was higher in TG than in wild-type mice throughout the study period. The left
ventricular dimensions and fractional shortening were similar between TG and wild-type groups during 4-6 months. Starting at 9 months, however, TG mice showed
progressive reduction in fractional shortening and systolic wall thickening, and increase in left ventricular dimensions and left ventricular mass, indicating onset of heart
failure, left ventricular hypertrophy and remodeling. Abnormal waveforms in the electrocardigram and episodes of ventricular ectopic beats were also observed in
TG mice. Death of TG mice started at 8.5 months, and the cumulative mortality was 81% by 15 months (P<0.0001 vs. 4% in wild-type mice). The majority of
deaths were due to severe heart failure, indicated by cardiac dilatation, lung congestion, pleural effusion and atrial thrombus. Left ventricular sections showed
widespread interstitial fibrosis, loss of myocytes and myocyte hypertrophy in TG mice. Conclusions: A high level of <beta>(2)AR overexpression results in
cardiomyopathy and heart failure. The onset was slower and the expression levels of receptors required are much higher than previously described for the beta
(1)AR overexpression.
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Giasson BI, Duda JE, Murray IVJ et al. Oxidative damage linked to neurodegeneration by selective alpha-synuclein nitration in synucleinopathy
lesions. Science 2000; 290: 985-9.
Abstract: Aggregated alpha -synuclein proteins form brain Lesions that are hallmarks of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies, and oxidative stress has been
implicated in the pathogenesis of some of these disorders. Using antibodies to specific nitrated tyrosine residues in alpha -synuclein, we demonstrate extensive and
widespread accumulations of nitrated alpha -synuclein in the signature inclusions of Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, the Lewy body variant of
Alzheimer's disease, and multiple system atrophy brains. We also show that nitrated alpha -synuclein is present in the major filamentous building blocks of these
inclusions, as well as in the insoluble fractions of affected brain regions of synucleinopathies. The selective and specific nitration of alpha -synuclein in these disorders
provides evidence to directly link oxidative and nitrative damage to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies
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Grassi G, Seravalle G, Dell'Oro R, Turri C, Bolla GB, Mancia G.
Adrenergic and reflex abnormalities in obesity-related hypertension. Hypertension
2000; 36: 538-42.
Abstract: Previous studies have shown that essential hypertension and obesity are both characterized by sympathetic activation coupled with a baroreflex impairment.
The present study was aimed at determining the effects of the concomitant presence of the 2 above-mentioned conditions on sympathetic activity as well as on
baroreflex cardiovascular control. In 14 normotensive lean subjects (aged 33.5+/-2.2 years, body mass index 22.8+/-0.7 kg/m(2) [mean+/-SEM]), 16
normotensive obese subjects (body mass index 37.2+/-1.3 kg/m(2)), 13 lean hypertensive subjects (body mass index 24.0+/-0.8 kg/m(2)), and 16 obese
hypertensive subjects (body mass index 37.5+/-1.3 kg/m(2)), all age-matched, we measured beat-to-beat arterial blood pressure (by Finapres device), heart rate
(KR, by EGG), and postganglionic muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA, by microneurography) at rest and during baroreceptor stimulation and deactivation
induced by stepwise intravenous infusions of phenylephrine and nitroprusside, respectively. Blood pressure values were higher in lean hypertensive and obese
hypertensive subjects than in normotensive lean and obese subjects. MSNA was significantly (P<0.01) greater in obese normotensive subjects (49.1+/-3.0 bursts
per 100 heart beats) and in lean hypertensive subjects (44.5+/-3.3 bursts per 100 heart beats) than in lean normotensive control subjects (32.2+/-2.5 bursts per 100
heart beats); a further increase was detectable in individuals with the concomitant presence of obesity and hypertension (62.1+/-3.4 bursts per 100 heart beats).
Furthermore, whereas in lean hypertensive subjects, only baroreflex control of HR was impaired, in obese normotensive subjects, both HR and MSNA baroreflex
changes were attenuated, with a further attenuation being observed in obese hypertensive patients. Thus, the association between obesity and hypertension triggers a
sympathetic activation and an impairment in baroreflex cardiovascular control that are greater in magnitude than those found in either of the above- mentioned
abnormal conditions alone
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Kurbaan AS, Franzen AC, Heaven D et al. Cardioinhibition during tilt testing identifies patients who may benefit from pacing.
Pace-Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology 2000; 23: 1792-4.
Abstract: This study examined whether the various hemodynamic collapse patterns observed during tilt testing in patients with suspected neurocardiogenic syncope
are relevant when planning therapy, particularly whether a predominantly cardioinhibitory response predicts a beneficial response from pacing. Methods: The effects
of temporary atrioventricular (A-V) sequential pacing were studied during tilt testing in 34 patients 48.2 +/- 18.5 years of age. The patient population was divided
into a cardioinhibitory group (VASlS classes 2A and 2B) or mixed group (VASIS classes 1 and 3) according to their response to baseline tilt testing. The test was
then repeated during A-Vpacing with rate hysteresis. A positive response to A-V pacing was defined as a greater than or equal to 30-second increase between
onset of symptoms and syncope, or mitigation of symptoms compared with the baseline tilt test. Results: The study protocol was not successfully completed in three
patients. Among the remaining 31 patients, a baseline cardioinhibitory response was observed in 17, and a mixed response in 14 patients. A-V sequential pacing was
successful in 13 of 17 patients with a cardioinhibitory response versus 5 of 14 patients with a mixed response (P = 0.024). Conclusion: The presence of a
predominantly cardioinhibitory collapse pattern (VASIS 2A and 2B) during baseline tilt testing doubled the likelihood of successful temporary A-V sequential
pacing, and may identify patients with neurocardiogenic syncope most likely to benefit from permanent dual chamber pacing
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Pankow JS, Rose KM, Oberman A et al. Possible locus on chromosome 18q influencing postural systolic blood pressure changes. Hypertension 2000;
36: 471-6.
Abstract: We conducted a genome-wide scan for quantitative trait loci influencing the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and pulse responses to a
postural challenge in 498 white sibling-pairs from the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Network, a multicenter study of the genetic susceptibility to hypertension.
All participants were hypertensive (systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 140 mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90 mm Hg, or on
antihypertensive medications) with diagnosis before age 60. Blood pressure and pulse were measured by an oscillometric method after a 5-minute rest in a supine
position and again immediately on standing. The genome scan included a total of 387 autosomal short-tandem-repeat
polymorphisms typed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Mammalian Genotyping Service at Marshfield, We used multipoint variance-components linkage analysis to identify possible quantitative
trait loci influencing postural change phenotypes after adjusting for sex, age, and use of antihypertensive medications. There was suggestive evidence for linkage on
chromosome 18q for the postural systolic blood pressure response (maximum logarithm of the odds score=2.6 at 80 centiMorgans). We also observed a maximum
logarithm of the odds score of 1.9 for the systolic blood pressure response and 1.7 for the diastolic blood pressure response on chromosome 6p, The marker that
demonstrated the strongest evidence for linkage for the systolic blood pressure response (D18S858) lies within 20 centiMorgans of a marker previously linked to
rare familial orthostatic hypotensive syndrome. Our findings indicate that there may be 1 or more genes on chromosome 18q that regulate systolic blood pressure
during the physiological recovery period after a postural stressor
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Poole J, Herrell R, Ashton S, Goldberg J, Buchwald D. Results of isoproterenol tilt table testing in monozygotic twins discordant for chronic fatigue
syndrome. Archives of Internal Medicine 2000; 160: 3461-8.
Abstract: Background: The pathogenesis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is unknown. Neurally mediated hypotension (NMH) has been suggested as a common
comorbid condition or a potential underlying cause. Methods: We conducted a cotwin control study of 21 monozygotic twins who were discordant for CFS. One
twin met the 1994 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for CFS, and the other twin was healthy and denied chronic fatigue. The twins were selected
from a volunteer twin registry in which at least 1 member reported persistent fatigue. As part of a 7-day clinical evaluation, all 21 twin pairs were evaluated with a
3-stage tilt table test with isoproterenol hydrochloride for the assessment of NMH. The presence of NMH was defined as syncope or presyncope associated with a
decrease of 25 mm Hg in blood pressure and no associated increase in heart rate. Results: A positive tilt table test result was observed in 4 twins with CFS (19%)
and in 4 healthy twins (19%). This difference was not statistically significant (matched-pair odds ratio, 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.2- 5.4, P>.90). Compared
with the healthy twins, the twins with CFS reported more severe symptoms of CFS and NMH both in the week before and during the tilt table test. Conclusions:
These results do not support a major role for NMH in CFS. They highlight the importance of selecting well-matched control subjects, as well as the unique value of
the monozygotic cotwin control design in the study of this illness
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Shapiro RE, Winters B, Hales M et al. Endogenous circulating sympatholytic factor in orthostatic intolerance. Hypertension 2000; 36: 553-60.
Abstract: Sympathotonic orthostatic hypotension (SOH) is an idiopathic syndrome characterized by tachycardia, hypotension, elevated plasma norepinephrine, and
symptoms of orthostatic intolerance provoked by assumption of an upright posture. We studied a woman with severe progressive SOH with blood pressure
unresponsive to the presser effects of alpha (1)-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonists, We tested the hypothesis that a circulating factor in this patient interferes with
vascular adrenergic neurotransmission. Preincubation of porcine pulmonary artery vessel rings with patient plasma produced a dose-dependent inhibition of
vasoconstriction to phenylephrine in vitro, abolished vasoconstriction to direct electrical stimulation, and had no effect on nonadrenergic vasoconstrictive stimuli
(endothelin-1), PGF-2 alpha (or KCl), Preincubation of vessels with control plasma was devoid of these effects.
SOH plasma inhibited the binding of an alpha (1)-selective antagonist radioligand ([I-125]HEAT) to membrane fractions derived from porcine pulmonary artery vessel rings, rat liver, and cell lines selectively
overexpressing human ARs of the alpha (1B) subtype but not other AR subtypes (alpha (1A) and alpha (1D)), We conclude that a factor in SOH plasma can
selectively and irreversibly inhibit adrenergic ligand binding to alpha (1B) ARs, We propose that this factor contributes to a novel pathogenesis for SOH in this
patient. This patient's syndrome represents a new disease entity, and her plasma may provide a unique tool for probing the selective functions of alpha (1)-ARs
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Zuscik MJ, Sands S, Ross SA et al. Overexpression of the alpha1B-adrenergic receptor causes apoptotic neurodegeneration: Multiple system
atrophy. Nat.Med. 2000; 6: 1388-94.
Abstract: Progress toward elucidating the function of alpha1B-adrenergic receptors (alpha1BARs) in the central nervous system has been constrained by a lack of
agonists and antagonists with adequate alpha1B-specificity. We have obviated this constraint by generating transgenic mice engineered to overexpress either
wild-type or constitutively active alpha1BARs in tissues that normally express the receptor, including the brain. All transgenic lines showed granulovacular
neurodegeneration, beginning in alpha1B-expressing domains of the brain and progressing with age to encompass all areas. The degeneration was apoptotic and did
not occur in non-transgenic mice. Correspondingly, transgenic mice showed an age-progressive hindlimb disorder that was parkinsonian-like, as demonstrated by
rescue of the dysfunction by 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine and considerable dopaminergic-neuronal degeneration in the substantia nigra. Transgenic mice also had a
grand mal seizure disorder accompanied by a corresponding dysplasia and neurodegeneration of the cerebral cortex. Both behavioral phenotypes (locomotor
impairment and seizure) could be partially rescued with the alpha1AR antagonist terazosin, indicating that alpha1AR signaling participated directly in the pathology.
Our results indicate that overstimulation of alpha1BAR leads to apoptotic neurodegeneration with a corresponding multiple system atrophy indicative of
Shy-Drager syndrome, a disease whose etiology is unknown
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