APOL1 genotype, blood pressure, and survival in African Americans with nondiabetic nephropathy

Todd W Robinson1, Barry I Freedman1

  • 1Section on Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.

Kidney International
|January 15, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Aggressive blood pressure control has shown disappointing results in slowing chronic kidney disease progression. Future research focuses on long-term survival and gene-environment interactions, like apolipoprotein L1, in kidney disease management.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Aggressive hypertension control trials for chronic kidney disease (CKD) have yielded limited success.
  • Lowering blood pressure, even with renin-angiotensin system blockade, does not consistently prevent end-stage kidney disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current findings on hypertension control and CKD progression.
  • To discuss the impact of hypertension management on CKD survival.
  • To explore apolipoprotein L1 gene interactions with blood pressure in CKD.

Main Methods:

  • Review of landmark clinical trials on hypertension control in nondiabetic CKD.
  • Analysis of data on long-term effects of blood pressure management on CKD survival.
  • Examination of genetic factors, specifically apolipoprotein L1, in relation to blood pressure and CKD.

Main Results:

  • Aggressive hypertension control has generally failed to halt the progression of nondiabetic CKD.
  • Current evidence suggests limited benefits of intensive blood pressure lowering on preventing end-stage kidney disease.
  • Longer-term survival data in CKD patients with hypertension is an emerging area of study.

Conclusions:

  • Intensive blood pressure management alone is insufficient for preventing end-stage kidney disease in CKD patients.
  • Further investigation into gene-environment interactions, such as apolipoprotein L1 and blood pressure, is crucial for understanding CKD progression.
  • A comprehensive approach considering genetic factors may be necessary for optimizing CKD management and patient survival.

Related Concept Videos

Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants01:27

Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants

The human genome is over 99.9% identical between individuals, yet genetic differences exist at millions of bases. The human genome contains approximately 3 million variant positions per individual, many of which are heterozygous, contributing to genetic diversity and individual traits. Genetic variations include single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions, deletions, and copy number variations (CNVs).SNPs, the most common variation, involve single-base changes in DNA. These can be...
68
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu01:29

Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu

Genetic variations significantly influence drug response through pharmacokinetics, receptor interactions, and biologic milieu modifications. Pharmacokinetic alterations impact drug metabolism and clearance, affecting efficacy and toxicity. Variants in drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, alter drug activation and elimination. For example, CYP2C9 loss-of-function variants require lower warfarin doses to prevent excessive bleeding, while CYP2C19 variants reduce clopidogrel...
77
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters01:16

Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters

The pharmacogenetics of drug transporters is increasingly recognized as a critical factor influencing interindividual variability in drug absorption, distribution, and elimination. These membrane-bound proteins regulate drugs' movement across cellular barriers by actively pumping them out (efflux) or facilitating their uptake (influx). Among the major transporter families, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) and solute carrier (SLC) transporters play particularly prominent roles. Genetic polymorphisms...
85
Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure01:18

Hypertension and Regulation of Blood Pressure

Hypertension, the most common cardiovascular disease, is diagnosed through repeated measurements of elevated blood pressure. Its risks, including damage to the kidney, heart, and brain, are directly proportional to blood pressure levels. Starting from 115/75 mm Hg, the risk of cardiovascular disease doubles with each increment of 20/10 mm Hg. The diagnosis relies on blood pressure measurements, not on patient symptoms, as hypertension is often asymptomatic until end-organ damage is imminent or...
4.6K
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors01:30

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a vital component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, is abundant in lung endothelial cells. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide, angiotensin I, into the active octapeptide, angiotensin II. This potent vasoconstrictor narrows blood vessels, increasing resistance to blood flow and elevating blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone production, encouraging kidney cells to reabsorb more sodium and water from urine, thereby increasing...
2.7K
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers01:30

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

In the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, a hormone called angiotensin II plays a crucial role. It binds to the AT1 receptors in vascular smooth muscles coupled with Gq proteins. The activation of these receptors activates an enzyme called phospholipase C, which releases two molecules: inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. These molecules cause a chain reaction that leads to the phosphorylation of myosin light chains and promotes interaction between actin and myosin, leading to smooth...
2.9K