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Remote Limb Ischemic Preconditioning: A Neuroprotective Technique in Rodents
Published on: June 2, 2015
Chronic Limb Remote Ischemic Conditioning may have an Antihypertensive Effect in Patients with Hypertension
Wenting Guo1, Changhong Ren2,3, Bowei Zhang1
11Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Insights
Limb remote ischemic conditioning (LRIC) may lower blood pressure by activating protective bodily mechanisms. This review explores LRIC
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Nephrology
- Neurology
Background:
- Hypertension is a primary global risk factor for morbidity and mortality.
- Current blood pressure control rates remain suboptimal despite available treatments.
- Novel therapeutic strategies are needed to manage hypertension effectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing literature on limb remote ischemic conditioning (LRIC) and its effect on blood pressure.
- To investigate the potential antihypertensive effects of LRIC.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which LRIC may influence blood pressure.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of studies investigating LRIC and blood pressure.
- Analysis of reported blood pressure changes in response to LRIC interventions.
- Examination of proposed mechanisms of action for LRIC.
Main Results:
- Existing studies report controversial findings regarding the antihypertensive effects of LRIC.
- LRIC involves autonomic nervous system regulation, humoral factors, endothelial function, and immune modulation.
- These mechanisms theoretically support a potential blood pressure-lowering effect of LRIC.
Conclusions:
- LRIC presents a potential novel therapeutic approach for hypertension.
- Further research is warranted to clarify the efficacy and mechanisms of LRIC in blood pressure management.
- LRIC may offer a non-pharmacological strategy to reduce the burden of hypertensive disease.
Abstract:
Hypertension is the leading preventable risk factor for all-cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite antihypertensive medications have been available for decades, a big challenge we are facing is to increase the blood pressure (BP) control rate among the population. Therefore, it is necessary to search for new antihypertensive means to reduce the burden of disease caused by hypertension. Limb remote ischemic conditioning (LRIC) can trigger endogenous protective effects through transient and repeated ischemia on the limb to protect specific organs and tissues including the brain, heart, and kidney. The mechanisms of LRIC involve the regulation of the autonomic nervous system, releasing humoral factors, improvement of vascular endothelial function, and modulation of immune/inflammatory responses. These underlying mechanisms of LRIC may restrain the pathogenesis of hypertension through multiple pathways theoretically, leading to a potential decline in BP. Several existing studies have explored the impact of LRIC on BP, however, controversial findings were reported. To explore the potential antihypertensive effect of LRIC and the underlying mechanisms, we systematically reviewed the relevant articles to provide an insight into the novel therapy of hypertension.
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