J
JUju2005
Guest
Publication in Circulation Reveals New Insights Into Treatment of Hypertension
in Black Americans
BOSTON, Dec. 5-- Researchers have reported a possible
explanation for the higher risk of heart disease and its complications among
black Americans, along with a way of treating this condition. Over the course
of a three-year investigation, the findings of which were published today in
the prestigious American Heart Association journal, Circulation, researchers
found important differences in the way that blood vessel constituents from
black Americans produced an essential substance required for normal function,
known as nitric oxide. This new study showed a clear link between increased
levels of free radicals and lower production of a key substance that regulates
blood pressure and preserves vascular health.
The findings also showed that this condition in black Americans could be
significantly improved with a new generation beta-blocker known as nebivolol.
Nebivolol was able to favorably enhance the levels of nitric oxide while
simultaneously reducing oxidative stress, a known factor that damages the
heart and blood vessels. The beneficial effects of nebivolol on the blood
vessel function complement its beta-blockade properties.
"This is the first evidence that we can favorably enhance a key regulator
of blood pressure in vessels from black Americans by stimulating the cells own
enzymatic processes," explained investigator Dr. R. Preston Mason, PhD,
faculty member and senior research staff scientist at Brigham & Women's
Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Mason is also the President of Elucida
Research in Beverly, MA. "Treatment of cells in the blood vessels from black
Americans with nebivolol had the effect of markedly improving the release of
nitric oxide, a promoter of vascular health that also preserves normal blood
pressure. Nebivolol also reduced levels of free radicals in the cells."
These findings further address an important health care challenge in black
Americans, a population that suffers a disproportionate incidence of
cardiovascular disease. Black Americans are affected by certain forms of heart
disease at a rate almost twice the rate of the corresponding white population
and are more likely to die from it. Even after accounting for a variety of
factors, including access to medical care and socioeconomic factors, studies
in heart failure show that the mortality rate and the hospitalization rate for
black Americans is significantly higher than for other Americans.
"This is an exciting development as it provides new insights into the
treatment of cardiovascular risk factors, especially hypertension, in black
Americans," said Dr. Mason. "This is the first evidence that a new generation
beta-blocker may have the additional and specific benefit of preserving normal
vascular health in this group of Americans that suffer disproportionately from
cardiovascular disease."
The study can be accessed on-line at: http://www.ahajournals.org
Contact:
R. Preston Mason, Ph.D.
978-771-9252
rpmason@elucidaresearch.com
SOURCE Elucida Research
Web Site: http://www.ahajournals.org
in Black Americans
BOSTON, Dec. 5-- Researchers have reported a possible
explanation for the higher risk of heart disease and its complications among
black Americans, along with a way of treating this condition. Over the course
of a three-year investigation, the findings of which were published today in
the prestigious American Heart Association journal, Circulation, researchers
found important differences in the way that blood vessel constituents from
black Americans produced an essential substance required for normal function,
known as nitric oxide. This new study showed a clear link between increased
levels of free radicals and lower production of a key substance that regulates
blood pressure and preserves vascular health.
The findings also showed that this condition in black Americans could be
significantly improved with a new generation beta-blocker known as nebivolol.
Nebivolol was able to favorably enhance the levels of nitric oxide while
simultaneously reducing oxidative stress, a known factor that damages the
heart and blood vessels. The beneficial effects of nebivolol on the blood
vessel function complement its beta-blockade properties.
"This is the first evidence that we can favorably enhance a key regulator
of blood pressure in vessels from black Americans by stimulating the cells own
enzymatic processes," explained investigator Dr. R. Preston Mason, PhD,
faculty member and senior research staff scientist at Brigham & Women's
Hospital, Harvard Medical School. Dr. Mason is also the President of Elucida
Research in Beverly, MA. "Treatment of cells in the blood vessels from black
Americans with nebivolol had the effect of markedly improving the release of
nitric oxide, a promoter of vascular health that also preserves normal blood
pressure. Nebivolol also reduced levels of free radicals in the cells."
These findings further address an important health care challenge in black
Americans, a population that suffers a disproportionate incidence of
cardiovascular disease. Black Americans are affected by certain forms of heart
disease at a rate almost twice the rate of the corresponding white population
and are more likely to die from it. Even after accounting for a variety of
factors, including access to medical care and socioeconomic factors, studies
in heart failure show that the mortality rate and the hospitalization rate for
black Americans is significantly higher than for other Americans.
"This is an exciting development as it provides new insights into the
treatment of cardiovascular risk factors, especially hypertension, in black
Americans," said Dr. Mason. "This is the first evidence that a new generation
beta-blocker may have the additional and specific benefit of preserving normal
vascular health in this group of Americans that suffer disproportionately from
cardiovascular disease."
The study can be accessed on-line at: http://www.ahajournals.org
Contact:
R. Preston Mason, Ph.D.
978-771-9252
rpmason@elucidaresearch.com
SOURCE Elucida Research
Web Site: http://www.ahajournals.org
