Switching from lipoprotein apheresis to evolocumab in FH siblings on hemodialysis: case reports and discussion.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and chronic kidney disease, especially end-stage renal disease (ESRD), are common and put patients at a high risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). ESRD concomitant with FH may further increase the risk of ASCVD. Achieving target levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is difficult owing to the limitations of statin administration due to its side effects in ESRD. Therefore, some FH patients with ESRD require lipoprotein apheresis for the prevention of secondary ASCVD events. Although proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors may offer a safe and effective option for lowering lipid levels in such patients, no guidelines are available for their use. Here, we report the case of two male siblings with FH in secondary prevention undergoing hemodialysis combined with PCSK9 inhibitor treatment. The siblings, who showed a heterozygous c.1846-1G>A mutation in the LDLR gene, underwent hemodialysis. In combination with the lipoprotein apheresis, siblings were administered evolocumab, a PCSK9 inhibitor. Both the siblings had coronary artery disease, diabetes, and ESRD, and received hemodialysis. Their LDL-C levels did not reach the target values despite administering statin, ezetimibe, and biweekly lipoprotein apheresis. On the introduction of evolocumab treatment, their LDL-C levels were significantly reduced without any adverse effects, resulting in successful withdrawal from lipoprotein apheresis therapy. Although the effects of switching from lipoprotein apheresis to PCSK9 inhibitors for cardiovascular protection remain unclear in FH patients with and without ESRD, our case report will be helpful in guiding future therapeutic decisions.

Synthesis of [1]Benzothieno[3,2- b][1]benzothiophene Derivatives via Successive Iodocyclization/Photocyclization of Alkynes.

A new synthetic method for [1]benzothieno[3,2- b][1]benzothiophene derivatives (BTBTs) was developed. The present method consists of iodocyclization of 1,2-bis(2-methylthiophenyl)ethynes and photolysis of 3-iodo-(2-methylthiophenyl)benzo[ b]thiophenes. With 1,2-bis(2-methylthiophenyl)ethynes treated with I2/PhI(OAc)2 in CH2Cl2 at room temperature, selective cyclization at sulfur took place to give 3-iodo-(2-methylthiophenyl)benzo[ b]thiophenes in good yields. Irradiation of the iodinated benzo[ b]thiophenes with a high-pressure Hg lamp (>290 nm) provided BTBTs in good yields. Furthermore, the present method was applied to the synthesis of bis[1]benzothieno[2,3- d;2',3'- d']benzo[1,2- b;4,5- b']dithiophene (BBTBDT).

Arterial wall hypertrophy is ameliorated by α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist or aliskiren in kidneys of angiotensinogen-knockout mice.

BACKGROUND: Arterial hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis are important characteristics in kidneys of angiotensinogen-knockout (Atg -/-) mice. In these mice, which exhibit polyuria and hypotension, sympathetic nerve signaling is estimated to be compensatorily hyperactive. Furthermore, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 is overexpressed in mice kidneys. To determine whether sympathetic nerve signaling and TGF-ß1 exacerbate arterial hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis, intervention studies of such signaling are required. METHODS: We performed renal denervation and administered the α2-adrenergic receptor (AR) antagonist, atipamezole, to Atg -/- mice. A renin inhibitor, aliskiren, which was preliminarily confirmed to reduce TGF-ß1 gene expression in kidneys of the mice, was additionally administered to assess the effect on the arterial hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis. RESULTS: Norepinephrine content in kidneys of Atg -/- mice was three times higher than in kidneys of wild-type mice. Interventions by renal denervation and atipamezole resulted in amelioration of the histological findings. Overexpression of TGF-ß1 gene in kidneys of Atg -/- mice was altered in a manner linked to the histological findings. Surprisingly, aliskiren reduced α2-AR gene expression, interstitial fibrosis, and arterial hypertrophy in kidneys of Atg -/- mice, which lack renin substrate. CONCLUSIONS: Alpha2-AR signaling is one of the causes of persistent renal arterial hypertrophy in Atg -/- mice. Aliskiren also angiotensinogen-independently reduces the extent of renal arterial hypertrophy, partly thorough downregulation of α2-ARs. Although renal arterial hypertrophy in Atg -/- mice appears to be of multifactorial origin, TGF-ß1 may play a key role in the persistence of such hypertrophy.