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    Immediate Administration of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Spironolactone Prevents Post-Infarct Left Ventricular Remodeling Associated With Suppression of a Marker of Myocardial Collagen Synthesis in Patients With First Anterior Acute Myocardial Infarction
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    Abstract:
    Aldosterone (ALD) has been shown to stimulate cardiac collagen synthesis and fibroblast proliferation via activation of local mineralocorticoid receptors. In patients with acute myocardial infarction, we demonstrated that ALD was extracted through the infarct heart and extracting ALD-stimulated post-infarct left ventricular (LV) remodeling.To evaluate the effect of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) spironolactone on post-infarct LV remodeling, 134 patients with first anterior acute myocardial infarction were randomly divided into the MRA (n=65) or non-MRA (n=69) groups after revascularization. All patients were administered angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and study drug just after revascularization. Left ventriculography with contrast medium was performed at the acute stage and after 1 month to evaluate LV remodeling. ALD was measured at aortic root and coronary sinus. There was no difference in the baseline characteristics including infarct size and LV performance between the two groups. However, LV ejection fraction was significantly improved in the MRA group compared with that in the non-MRA group (46.0+/-0.6% to 53.2+/-0.8% versus 46.5+/-0.8% to 51.0+/-0.8%, Pinteraction=0.012). LV end-diastolic volume index was significantly suppressed in the MRA group compared with that in non-MRA group (86.5+/-1.0 to 90.6+/-2.4 versus 87.5+/-1.3 to 106.8+/-3.5 mL/m2, Pinteraction=0.002). Transcardiac extraction of ALD through the heart was significantly suppressed in the MRA group (Pinteraction=0.001), and plasma procollagen type III aminoterminal peptide level, a biochemical marker of fibrosis, was significant lower in the MRA group compared with the non-MRA group (Pinteraction=0.002).These findings indicate that MRA combined with ACE inhibitor can prevent post-infarct LV remodeling better than ACE inhibitor alone in association with the suppression of a marker of collagen synthesis.
    Keywords:
    Ventricular remodeling
    Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists of aldosterone (spironolactone and eplerenone) display beneficial effects in the treatment of cardiopathies; however, many of these responses are independent of this antagonism. The mechanisms of action of these drugs are not well known; few studies have comparatively evaluated whether eplerenone as well as spironolactone display cardioprotective effects independent of the blockade of aldosterone. To study these mechanisms, which lead to cardioprotective responses, and to evaluate comparatively their effects in vitro, we have evaluated the proliferative effect of spironolactone and eplerenone in primary culture of cardiomyocytes and fibroblasts of neonatal Wistar rats in the presence and absence of aldosterone. Spironolactone and eplerenone promoted proliferation of cardiomyocyte even in the absence of aldosterone, suggesting a signaling pathway independent of the antagonism over aldosterone. Spironolactone was able to reduce the proliferation of fibroblasts and to reverse the proliferation promoted by aldosterone, which was also displayed by eplerenone. To elucidate the biochemical pathways evoked by these drugs, we sought to analyze Ca 2+ , cAMP, and cGMP, and the activity of PKC and ERK1/2. Spironolactone and eplerenone increased the levels of Ca 2+ , cGMP and activity of ERK 1/2, and reversed the action of aldosterone on the activity of PKC and ERK1/2. Interestingly, only spironolactone increased the levels of cAMP. Our data support the fact that in addition to aldosterone, both spironolactone and eplerenone display rapid responses (non-genomic) such as an increase on cAMP, Ca 2+ , and cGMP by spironolactone, and Ca 2+ and cGMP by eplerenone. We have observed a more consistent cardioprotection promoted by spironolactone; however, these effects have yet to be tested clinically. Therefore, our data show that these drugs do not only act as an antagonist of MR, but could lead to a new pharmacological classification of these drugs.
    Eplerenone
    Mineralocorticoid
    Citations (21)
    Abstract Background: Several studies have shown that the modulation of fibrotic scar in cardiac diseases has beneficial effects on cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, recent reports suggest a potential role of mineralocorticoid receptor upregulation in atrial fibrillation (AF). The role of spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor blocker and a potent antifibrotic agent, in AF is as yet unexplored. The aim of this study was to determine if spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor blocker with potent antifibrotic properties, has beneficial effects on AF. Hypothesis: Spironolactone therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation provides additional clinical benefits in addition to the current conventional pharmacological agents. Methods: A comprehensive retrospective analysis was performed on 83 patients with AF, including 23 who were treated with spironolactone for ≥3 months. The combined primary outcome of hospitalization for AF or direct current cardioversion (DCCV) was compared between patients treated with spironolactone in addition to the usual care for AF and those receiving conventional medical therapy alone. Results: Patients receiving spironolactone had significantly fewer primary outcome events (AF‐related hospitalizations or DCCV) (22% vs 53%, P = 0.027). Conclusions: Spironolactone therapy is associated with a reduction in the burden of AF, as reflected by a combination of hospitalizations for AF and DCCV. Larger randomized controlled studies should be performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of spironolactone as an adjunctive therapy for patients with AF. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. This work was supported by American Heart Association grants 0705170Y, 0830313N (RHN), and 0640084N (JAH), and National Institutes of Health grants HL‐075173, HL‐090842, and HL‐080144 (JAH). The authors have no other funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
    Citations (40)
    Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonism has proven to effectively attenuate the pathophysiological effects of aldosterone in clinical and experimental settings of hypertension and heart failure. MR activates transcription of target genes upon aldosterone binding, and eplerenone selectively binds to MR and blocks aldosterone- mediated activation. In this review, we summarize the preclinical and clinical evidence supporting the beneficial effects of eplerenone (INSPRATM), a selective aldosterone blocker, in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. We also review the current status in understanding the molecular mechanisms of action of the MR and its ligand. In addition, we compare the effects of eplerenone and spironolactone, a nonselective aldosterone blocker, on the transcriptional activity of MR and provide a molecular explanation for the improved side-effect profile of eplerenone compared with spironolactone.
    Eplerenone
    Mineralocorticoid
    Citations (36)
    Chronic administration of aldosterone promotes myocardial fibrosis in rats. The Randomized Aldactone Evaluation Study reported that the aldosterone antagonist spironolactone improved outcome in patients with congestive heart failure, suggesting a deleterious effect of aldosterone in the heart. Aldosterone has been shown to have rapid nongenomic effects in different tissues including the heart. However, the hemodynamic actions of aldosterone and spironolactone are not well characterized. In this study, we examined the hemodynamic effects of aldosterone and its receptor antagonist, spironolactone, in the isolated rat heart by use of the Langendorff-Neely technique. Perfusion with 10 nmol/L aldosterone increased contractility by 45% within 2 to 4 minutes (P<0.01). Similar to the aldosterone effect, 10 nmol/L spironolactone increased contractility by 41% (P<0.01). Furthermore, 100-fold molar excess of spironolactone did not block the aldosterone effect. Perfusion of aldosterone plus spironolactone resulted in the highest increase in contractility 106% (P<0.01). The threshold response for aldosterone occurred within physiological concentrations (0.5 to 1 nmol/L), and maximal contractility was achieved with 10 nmol/L aldosterone. For spironolactone, the threshold and maximal contractile responses occurred at concentrations readily achieved with clinical dosing, 0.1 to 0.5 nmol/L and 1.0 nmol/L, respectively. These data demonstrate that aldosterone and spironolactone have rapid, positive inotropic actions on the myocardium. Moreover, addition of spironolactone to aldosterone increased contractility beyond the maximal responses elicited by each agent when perfused alone, thus suggesting different pathways of action. Furthermore, the intrinsic inotropic effects of spironolactone might be relevant to the apparent beneficial effect this compound has in patients with congestive heart failure.
    Contractility
    Mineralocorticoid
    SUMMARY The effects of d -aldosterone and spironolactone on the sodium and potassium concentrations in the milk of rats were determined. d -Aldosterone caused a highly significant fall in the milk sodium concentration and the Na:K ratio when compared with control animals. The administration of spironolactone shortly before aldosterone gave results not significantly different from control animals. It is concluded that aldosterone has a specific sodium-lowering action in the milk of the lactating rat.
    Mineralocorticoid
    Citations (7)
    Aldosterone antagonists are used in the treatment of hypertension. However, the cardiac influences of aldosterone and its antagonists have not been thoroughly investigated. In the present study, we investigated the effects of aldosterone and spironolactone on an isolated rat working heart model. Aldosterone (10–8 mol/l) decreased the coronary flow and increased aortic flow and cardiac output. Spironolactone (10–5 mol/l) inhibited these effects. These results suggest that aldosterone directly influences the cardiac function. Spironolactone appears able to inhibit the adverse cardiac effects of aldosterone. The exact mechanisms remain to be elucidated, but the early effects of aldosterone under our experimental conditions on the functional parameters of the heart suggest a nongenomic response including activation of receptors different from those transmitting genomic steroid actions.
    Mineralocorticoid
    Citations (19)
    While mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) have been shown to benefit patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), spironolactone did not reduce the primary endpoint of cardiovascular death, heart failure hospitalization, or aborted cardiac arrest in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) in the TOPCAT trial, which enrolled patients with LVEF of 45% or greater. We utilized data from TOPCAT to assess the relationship between LVEF as well as outcomes and efficacy of spironolactone. We assessed differences in baseline characteristics and outcomes across LVEF categories in 3444 patients with HFpEF, and determined whether LVEF modified the treatment effect of spironolactone. Ejection fraction ranged from 44 to 85%. Patients with higher ejection fraction were older, more likely to be female, less likely to have a history of myocardial infarction, and more likely to have a history of hypertension and diabetes. The incidence of the primary endpoint and cardiovascular death was highest in patients at the lower end of the ejection fraction spectrum. Ejection fraction modified the spironolactone treatment effect, particularly in the patients enrolled in the Americas, for the primary outcome (P = 0.046) and for heart failure hospitalization (P = 0.039), with stronger estimated benefits of spironolactone at the lower end of the ejection fraction spectrum with respect to the primary endpoint (LVEF <50%: HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.50, 1.05; LVEF ≥60%: HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.76, 1.23) and heart failure hospitalization (LVEF <50%: HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.46, 1.27; LVEF ≥60%: HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.74, 1.30). In patients with HFpEF enrolled in TOPCAT, patient characteristics and outcomes varied substantially by LVEF. The potential efficacy of spironolactone was greatest at the lower end of the LVEF spectrum. NCT00094302.
    Fraction (chemistry)
    Citations (470)