Mechanism(s) Underlying Hypotensive Response to ARB/NEP Inhibition - Aim 1
Hypertension

About this trial
This is an interventional basic science trial for Hypertension
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Patients with essential hypertension defined as having
- untreated, seated systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 130 mmHg or greater on three separate occasions, or
- untreated, seated diastolic BP (DBP) of 80 or greater on three separate occasions, or
- taken anti-hypertensive agent(s) for a minimum of six months.
For female subjects, the following conditions must be met:
- postmenopausal status for at least one year, or
- status post-surgical sterilization, or
- if of childbearing potential, utilization of adequate birth control and willingness to undergo urine beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) testing prior to drug treatment and on every study day.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Presence of secondary form of hypertension
- Symptomatic hypertension and/or SBP>170 mmHg or DBP>110 mmHg, relevant to the washout period
- History of hypersensitivity or allergy to any of the study drugs, drugs of similar chemical classes, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi), ARBs, or NEPi, as well as known or suspected contraindications to the study drugs
- History of angioedema
- History of pancreatitis or known pancreatic lesions
- History of significant cardiovascular disease (other than essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy)
- Symptomatic hypotension and/or a SBP<100 mmHg at screening or <95 mmHg during the study
- Serum potassium >5.2 mmol/L at screening or >5.4 mmol/L during the study
- Individuals using oral contraceptives and smokers in order to reduce the risk of thrombosis following arterial line placement
- History of serious neurologic disease such as cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, seizure, or transient ischemic attack within six months
- Presence of significant pulmonary disorders
- Type 1 diabetes
- Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), defined as a HgbA1c >9%
- Hematocrit <35%
- Impaired renal function [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <30 mL/min/1.73 m2] as determined by the four-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation, where serum creatinine (Scr) is expressed in mg/dL and age in years: eGFR (mL/min/1.73m2)=175 • Scr-1.154 • age-0.203 • (1.212 if Black) • (0.742 if female)
- Use of hormone-replacement therapy
- Breast feeding and pregnancy
- History or presence of immunological or hematological disorders
- History of malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer
- Diagnosis of asthma requiring use of inhaled beta agonist more than once a week
- Clinically significant gastrointestinal impairment that could interfere with drug absorption
- Impaired hepatic function [aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and/or alanine amino transaminase (ALT) >3.0 x upper limit of normal range]
- Any underlying or acute disease requiring regular medication which could possibly pose a threat to the subject or make implementation of the protocol or interpretation of the study results difficult, such as arthritis treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Treatment with chronic systemic glucocorticoid therapy within the last year
- Treatment with lithium salts
- History of alcohol or drug abuse
- Treatment with any investigational drug in the one month preceding the study
- Mental conditions rendering the subject unable to understand the nature, scope, and possible consequences of the study
- Inability to comply with the protocol, e.g., uncooperative attitude, inability to return for follow-up visits, and unlikelihood of completing the study
Sites / Locations
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
valsartan then LCZ696
LCZ696 then valsartan
After four-week treatment with valsartan, participants will receive intra-arterial infusions of bradykinin, substance P, and BNP in the presence and absence of sitagliptin. Then, after three-week washout and four week therapy with LCZ696, participants will receive intra-arterial infusions of bradykinin, substance P, and BNP in the presence and absence of sitagliptin.
After four-week treatment with LCZ696, participants will receive intra-arterial infusions of bradykinin, substance P, and BNP in the presence and absence of sitagliptin. Then, after three-week washout and four week therapy with valsartan, participants will receive intra-arterial infusions of bradykinin, substance P, and BNP in the presence and absence of sitagliptin.