Antihyperlipidemic and hepatoprotective activities of polysaccharide fraction from Cyclocarya paliurus in high-fat emulsion-induced hyperlipidaemic mice

The objective of this study was to analyse the structure of CPP-2, and to observe the pharmacological effects of CPP-2 on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. CPP-2, eluted as two main fractions comprised of two polysaccharides with Mw of 307 and 3.7kDa, was mainly consisted of rhamnose, mannose, glucose and galactose in a molar ratio of 1.00:0.78:3.22:0.45. The results showed that treatment with CPP-2 could improve blood lipid levels (TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C), liver lipid levels (TC and TG) and antioxidant status (SOD, T-AOC, GSH-PX, MDA and LPO). In addition, the histopathological observations of mice livers and the GPT activities indicated that CPP-2 could attenuate liver cell injury. The present findings demonstrated that CPP-2 might be effective in lowering lipid and protecting against HFE-induced hyperlipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver.

Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Chronic Kidney Disease

Dyslipidemia is a common feature of various renal diseases. This perturbed lipid metabolism results in accelerated atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Treatment of dyslipidemia, in addition to normalization of blood pressure and reduction of proteinuria, could provide additional means to retard the progression of chronic renal insufficiency. Possible therapeutic approaches include mainly dietary and life-style modifications, selective use of some technical components of dialysis systems, and the judicious prescriptions of lipid-lowering drugs. Even with relatively normal lipid and lipoprotein profiles statin therapy seems to prevent atherogenesis acceleration. A wide range of therapeutic interventions, targeting the lipid abnormalities that may develop in chronic renal patients and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are currently available, though still without convincing evidence based on long-term prospective studies which clearly demonstrate a significant reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality of ESRD patients. However, extensive investigations, concerning the best long-term therapeutic strategy for this high-risk population of patients, are still missing.

Effect of liraglutide on dietary lipid-induced insulin resistance in humans

AIMS

To test whether liraglutide suppresses postprandial elevations in lipids and thus protects against high saturated fatty acid (SFA) diet-induced insulin resistance.

METHODS

In a randomized placebo-controlled crossover study, 32 participants with normal or mildly impaired glucose tolerance received liraglutide and placebo for 3 weeks each. Insulin suppression tests (IST) were conducted at baseline and after a 24-hour SFA-enriched diet after each treatment. Plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured over the initial 8 hours (breakfast and lunch) on the SFA diet. A subset of participants underwent ex vivo measurements of insulin-mediated vasodilation of adipose tissue arterioles and glucose metabolism regulatory proteins in skeletal muscle.

RESULTS

Liraglutide reduced plasma glucose, triglycerides and NEFA concentrations during the SFA diet (by 50%, 25% and 9%, respectively), and the SFA diet increased plasma glucose during the IST (by 36%; all P < .01 vs placebo). The SFA diet-induced impairment of vasodilation on placebo (-9.4% vs baseline; P < .01) was ameliorated by liraglutide (-4.8%; P = .1 vs baseline). In skeletal muscle, liraglutide abolished the SFA-induced increase in thioredoxin-interacting protein (TxNIP) expression (75% decrease; P < .01 vs placebo) and increased 5'AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation (50% vs -3%; P = .04 vs placebo).

CONCLUSIONS

Liraglutide blunted the SFA-enriched diet-induced peripheral insulin resistance. This effect may be related to improved microvascular function and modulation of TxNIP and AMPK pathways in skeletal muscle.

Effects of Cordyceps sinensis on macrophage function in high-fat diet fed rats and its anti-proliferative effects on IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells

Macrophages have been considered an elusive yet emerging therapeutic target in tumor development since they are an important component in tumor microenvironment. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of C. sinensis on macrophage function (a component of tumor microenvironment which can alter the virulence of cancer) in high-fat diet fed rats. IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cell cytotoxicity was also investigated. The following parameters were observed to evaluate macrophage function: superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, lysosomal volume and phagocytic capacity. High fat diet (HFD) plus C. sinensis supplementation promoted a decreased superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide levels as well as lysosomal volume and phagocytic capacity. Nitric oxide was increased in the same group. In summary, C. sinensis offered an important anti-tumoral perspective from the standpoint of the tumor microenvironment and in vitro IMR-32 cytotoxicity.

Combination of berberine and evodiamine inhibits intestinal cholesterol absorption in high fat diet induced hyperlipidemic rats

BACKGROUND

Hyperlipidemia characterized of elevated serum lipid levels is a prevalent disease frequently resulting in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Berberine and evodiamine are herbal products of traditional Chinese herb Coptis chinensis and Evodia rutaecarpa, which are indicated to exert regulation of lipid metabolism. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the lipid-lowering effect of berberine and evodiamine combination in hyperlipidemic rats.

METHOD

The rat model of hyperlipidemia was established by providing high-fat-diet (HFD) for 4 weeks. Berberine (BB), evodiamine (EV), and their combination (BB + EV) were orally administered to HFD induced rats for 4 weeks. Body weight, food utilization, histopathology of liver tissues, lipid profiles of serum and liver were measured. Gas chromatography (GC) analysis was applied to examine the level of plasma total cholesterol and ß- Sitosterol (BS) to estimate cholesterol absorption activity. Furthermore, intestinal NPC1L1, ACAT2, and ApoB48 protein expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemical assay.

RESULT

According to the results, decreased levels of serum cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), as well as hepatic TC were showed in hyperlipidemic rats treated by combination of berberine and evodiamine. GC analysis indicated that the elevated plasma BS was significantly ameliorated by BB, EV, and BB + EV. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that BB + EV treatment down-regulated the expressions of intestinal NPC1L1 and ACAT2, and ApoB48 in HFD induced rats.

CONCLUSION

Based on the above results, combination of berberine and evodiamine exerted a promising preventive effect on hyperlipidemia, partially through inhibiting intestinal absorption of cholesterol.

Hypolipidemic Activity of Camellia euphlebia Flower Extract in High-fat-fed Mice

Camellia euphlebia (family, Theaceae) has been used for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in Southern China. However, there has been no report on the hypolipidemic activity of Camellia euphlebia flower. This study evaluated the hypolipidemic activity of different preparation of Camellia euphlebia flower extracts using in vivo models. Mice intragastrically administered aqueous extract at 400 mg/kg dose or ethanol extract at 100 and 400 mg/kg doses of Camellia euphlebia flower for 28 days exhibited significant decreases in the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, while displaying increased level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum. The Camellia euphlebia flower extracts also improved the antioxidant ability of hyperlipidemic mice as well as protecting the animals against liver damage by lowering the level of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase activity. Furthermore, 400 mg/kg ethanol extract effectively down-regulated the mRNA levels of fatty acid synthase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase and glycerol-3-phosphate acyl transferase, suggesting that Camellia euphlebia flower extract may potentially inhibit lipid accumulation in the liver by regulating the expression of fatty acid synthase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase and glycerol-3-phosphate acyl transferase. These results provided support for the potential hypolipidemic activity of Camellia euphlebia flower and could partly explain the basis of using Camellia euphlebia for the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

Effects of astaxanthin on blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and platelet aggregation in hyperlipidemic rats

CONTEXT

Astaxanthin (ASTX) is a xanthophyll carotenoid that reduces hemostasis in hyperlipidemic organisms. Its antihemostatic mechanisms remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The effects of ASTX on coagulation, the fibrinolytic system and platelet aggregation were investigated in hyperlipidemic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Different doses of ASTX (5, 10 and 30 mg/kg/day, p.o.) were administered for four weeks to high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Serum lipid and lipoprotein levels were measured with an automatic biochemical analyzer. The prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and maximum platelet aggregation rate (MAR) were determined by a coagulation analyzer. The activities of the tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), type-1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), as well as the levels of thromboxane B(2) [TXB(2)], 6-keto prostaglandin F(1α) [6-keto-PGF(1α)] and platelet granule membrane protein (GMP-140), were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Gene and protein expression levels were analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTS

ASTX (30 mg/kg) treatment in hyperlipidemic rats reduced serum TG (0.58 ± 0.14 versus 1.12 ± 0.24 mmol/L), serum TC (1.77 ± 0.22 versus 2.24 ± 0.21 mmol/L), serum LDL-C (1.13 ± 0.32 versus 2.04 ± 0.48 mmol/L), serum MDA (69%), plasma MAR (55%), serum TXB2/6-keto-PGF1α (34%) and serum GMP-140 levels (25%), plasma PAI-1 activity (48%) and downregulated the mRNA (33%) and protein (23%) expression of aorta eNOS, the mRNA (79%) and protein (72%) expression levels of aorta PAI-1. However, ASTX (30 mg/kg/d) treatment increased serum SOD activity (2.1 fold), serum GPx activity (1.8 fold), plasma PT (1.3 fold), plasma APTT (1.7 fold), serum NO (1.4-fold), serum 6-keto-PGF1α (1.3 fold).

CONCLUSIONS

ASTX reduced blood coagulation and platelet aggregation and promoted fibrinolytic activity in hyperlipidemic rats. These activities were closely correlated with ASTX, maintaining the balance of t-PA/PAI-1, NO/ROS and TXA2/PGI2 in vivo.

Ghrelin receptor inverse agonists as a novel therapeutic approach against obesity-related metabolic disease

AIMS

Ghrelin is implicated in the control of energy balance and glucose homeostasis. The ghrelin receptor exhibits ligand-independent constitutive activity, which can be pharmacologically exploited to induce inverse ghrelin actions. Because ghrelin receptor inverse agonists (GHSR-IA) might be effective for the treatment of obesity-related metabolic disease, we tested 2 novel synthetic compounds GHSR-IA1 and GHSR-IA2.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In functional cell assays, electrophysiogical and immunohistochemical experiments, we demonstrated inverse agonist activity for GHSR-IA1 and GHSR-IA2. We used healthy mice, Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats and diet-induced obese (DIO) mice to explore effects on food intake (FI), body weight (BW), conditioned taste aversion (CTA), oral glucose tolerance (OGT), pancreatic islet morphology, hepatic steatosis (HS), and blood lipids.

RESULTS

Both compounds acutely reduced FI in mice without inducing CTA. Chronic GHSR-IA1 increased metabolic rate in chow-fed mice, suppressed FI, and improved OGT in ZDF rats. Moreover, the progression of islet hyperplasia to fibrosis in ZDF rats slowed down. GHSR-IA2 reduced FI and BW in DIO mice, and reduced fasting and stimulated glucose levels compared with pair-fed and vehicle-treated mice. GHSR-IA2-treated DIO mice showed decreased blood lipids. GHSR-IA1 treatment markedly decreased HS in DIO mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates therapeutic actions of novel ghrelin receptor inverse agonists, suggesting a potential to treat obesity-related metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus.

Advanced Glycation End Products in the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are extremely oxidant and biologically reactive compounds, which form through oxidation of sugars, lipids and amino acids to create aldehydes that bind covalently to proteins. AGEs formation and accumulation in human tissues is a physiological process during ageing but it is enhanced in case of persistent hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative or carbonyl stress, which are common in patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Exogenous AGEs may derive from foods, UV irradiation and cigarette smoking. AGEs elicit biological functions by activating membrane receptors expressed on epithelial and inflammatory cell surface. AGEs amplify inflammatory response by favoring the release of cytokines and chemokines, the production of reactive oxygen species and the activation of metalloproteases. AGEs levels are increased in the skin and blood of patients with severe psoriasis independently of associated metabolic disorders. Intensified glycation of proteins in psoriasis skin might have a role in fueling cutaneous inflammation. In addition, AGEs released from psoriatic skin may increase metabolic and cardiovascular risk in patients with severe disease.

Hemolytic anemia in alcoholic liver disease: Zieve syndrome: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Zieve syndrome, a rarely reported disease resulting from alcohol abuse, consists of a triad of symptoms: hemolytic anemia, cholestatic jaundice, and transient hyperlipidemia. It is largely under-recognized and under-reported, possibly because of unawareness of the condition by physicians. Here, we report a case of Zieve syndrome managed at the Jilin University First Bethune Hospital.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 30-year-old Chinese woman presented with a 4-month history of fatigue, yellowish discoloration of the eyes, and tea-colored urine. She had been a heavy drinker for 2 years prior to onset of the disease with an average daily alcohol intake of 60 g/d and more than 80 g/d for the previous 6 months.

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis of Zieve syndrome was confirmed based on hemolysis and cholestatic jaundice secondary to alcoholic liver disease and heavy drinking. Bone marrow biopsy and liver biopsy both supported the diagnosis.

INTERVENTIONS

We treated her with abstinence from alcohol and supportive therapy.

OUTCOMES

The patient was discharged 14 days after admission with an improvement in symptoms, which continued to subside during the 2-month follow-up period.

LESSONS

Doctors confronted with hemolysis in a patient with alcoholic liver disease should be aware of the under-reported Zieve syndrome. Recognition of this syndrome could help doctors avoid unnecessary invasive procedures and emphasize the importance of alcohol abstinence as the mainstay of management. Glucocorticoids may not be useful in treating hemolytic anemia in Zieve syndrome.

CaMKII Activation Promotes Cardiac Electrical Remodeling and Increases the Susceptibility to Arrhythmia Induction in High-fat Diet-Fed Mice With Hyperlipidemia Conditions

BACKGROUND

Obesity/hyperlipidemia is closely related to both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. CaMKII, a multifunctional serine/threonine kinase, has been involved in cardiac arrhythmias of different etiologies. However, its role in obesity/hyperlipidemia-related cardiac arrhythmia is unexplored. The aim of this was to determine the involvement of CaMKII in the process.

METHODS

Adult male APOE mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), administrated with KN93 (10 mg·kg·2d), a specific inhibitor of CaMKII. Serum lipid and glucose profile, cardiac function, and surface electrocardiogram were determined. Electrophysiological study and epicardial activation mapping were performed in Langendorff-perfused heart. Expression of cardiac ion channels, gap junction proteins, Ca handling proteins, and CaMKII were evaluated, coupled with histological analysis.

RESULTS

A hyperlipidemia condition was induced by HFD in the APOE mice, which was associated with increased expression and activity of CaMKII in the hearts. In Langendorff-perfused hearts, HFD-induced heart showed increased arrhythmia inducibility, prolonged action potential duration, and decreased action potential duration alternans thresholds, coupled with slow ventricular conduction, connexin-43 upregulation, and interstitial fibrosis. Downregulation of ion channels including Cav1.2 and Kv4.2/Kv4.3 and disturbed Ca handling proteins were also observed in HFD-induced heart. Interestingly, all these alterations were significantly inhibited by KN93 treatment.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated an adverse effect of metabolic components on cardiac electrophysiology and implicated an important role of CaMKII underlying this process.

Polysaccharides extraction from Opuntia stricta and their protective effect against HepG2 cell death and hypolipidaemic effects on hyperlipidaemia rats induced by high-fat diet

The aim of this study was to analyse cytoprotective effect of polysaccharides compound from Opuntia stricta (O. stricta) cladode (POS) in vitro including its radical scavenging activities and protective effects against hypercholesterolaemia. Our results showed that glucose was the dominant monosaccharides (30.35%). Arabinose, pyranose, fructose, galactose, glucose, sorbitol, S-inositol, M-inositol, trehalose and saccharose found in this species. O. stricta polysaccharides did not cause any cytotoxic effect on HepG2 cells within the range of concentrations tested (0-400 μgml^-1). Pre-treatment of HepG2 cells with POS (100 μgml^-1) significantly (p < .05) protected against cytotoxicity induced by DPPH and ABTS radicals. The POS showed strong antioxidant potential in vitro. The results indicated also that POS significantly prevented hypercholesterolaemia-induced elevation of serum biomarkers and induced increase in serum lipid profile. Moreover, the hypercholesterolaemia characterised by elevated lipid peroxidation (MDA) and reduced antioxidant enzyme defences (SOD, CAT and GPx) was restored by POS treatment.

Model design for screening effective Antihyperlipidemic drugs using zebrafish system

The purpose of this paper was to explore a new method for screening lipid-lowering drugs in zebrafish models. The suitable drug concentrations of atorvastatin (ATV), fenofibrate (FEF) and ezetimibe (EZE) were first determined. Then, the serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were detected in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed zebrafish. The HFD zebrafish models were constructed and the effects of drugs on them were observed by Oil red O staining and fluorescence labeling. Statistical analyses among groups were conducted using SPSS software. The lowest drug concentration (LDC) and the highest (HDC) of ATV, FEF and EZE were 0.3 μM/37.0μM, 1.2μM/3.5μM, and 6.3 μM/26.4μM, respectively, while, the intermediate (IDC) was, in order, 18.5μM, 1.8μM, 13.2μM. The cholesterol and triglyceride levels in HFD-fed zebrafish were increased after 7 weeks fat feeding (p<0.05). Moreover, the levels of triglyceride were significantly decreased after LDC of ATV and FEF treated (p<0.05), but not that of EZE. While, the cholesterol levels were reduced in three groups (p<0.05). Moreover, the 5 dpf high-fat zebrafish model was established successfully and maintained stably for 24h. ATV produced effects in a concentration-dependent manner, while only IDC and HDC of FEF and EZE made effects on this model. Intravascular cholesterol levels were significantly increased after HCD treatment and decreased after drug treated. The high-fat zebrafish model induced by HFD-fed was available and successful, besides, the Oil red O staining may be an available and rapid method for screening lipid-lowering drugs.

Flavonoid-Rich Extract of Paulownia fortunei Flowers Attenuates Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia, Hepatic Steatosis and Insulin Resistance in Obesity Mice by AMPK Pathway

The flavonoid-rich extract from Paulownia fortunei flowers (EPF) has been reported to prevent obesity and other lipid metabolism disease. However, the mechanism of its protective effects is not yet clear. The objective of this study was to investigate molecular factors involved in the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of EPF in obese mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Male h ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice were fed a HFD containing or not containing the EPF (50 or 100 mg/kg) for eight weeks. EPF reduced body weight gain, lipid accumulation in livers and levels of lipid, glucose and insulin in plasma as well as reduced insulin resistance as compared with the HFD group. EPF significantly decreased serum aminotransferase activity of the HFD group. We observed that EPF administration significantly increased the level of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and prevented fat deposits in livers and HepG2 cells, but these effects were blocked by compound C (an AMPK inhibitor). The protective effects of EPF were probably associated with the decrease in HMGCR, SREBP-1c and FAS expressions and the increase in CPT1 and phosphor-IRS-1 expressions. Our results suggest that EPF might be a potential natural candidate for the treatment and/or prevention of overweight and hepatic and metabolic-related alterations induced by HFD.

Phospholipase D2 loss results in increased blood pressure via inhibition of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway

The Phospholipase D (PLD) superfamily is linked to neurological disease, cancer, and fertility, and a recent report correlated a potential loss-of-function PLD2 polymorphism with hypotension. Surprisingly, PLD2 -/- mice exhibit elevated blood pressure accompanied by associated changes in cardiac performance and molecular markers, but do not have findings consistent with the metabolic syndrome. Instead, expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), which generates the potent vasodilator nitric oxide (NO), is decreased. An eNOS inhibitor phenocopied PLD2 loss and had no further effect on PLD2 -/- mice, confirming the functional relationship. Using a human endothelial cell line, PLD2 loss of function was shown to lower intracellular free cholesterol, causing upregulation of HMG Co-A reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. HMG Co-A reductase negatively regulates eNOS, and the PLD2-deficiency phenotype of decreased eNOS expression and activity could be rescued by cholesterol supplementation and HMG Co-A reductase inhibition. Together, these findings identify a novel pathway through which the lipid signaling enzyme PLD2 regulates blood pressure, creating implications for on-going therapeutic development of PLD small molecule inhibitors. Finally, we show that the human PLD2 polymorphism does not trigger eNOS loss, but rather creates another effect, suggesting altered functioning for the allele.

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Zusammenfassung. Trotz aller Kontroversen ist die Empfehlung der Kontrolle der Zufuhr an gesättigten Fetten und Cholesterin bei gleichzeitiger Optimierung der Zufuhr an einfach- und mehrfach ungesättigten Fetten immer noch gültig, sollte aber nicht unabhängig von anderen beeinflussbaren Determinanten betrachtet werden. Diese Empfehlungen können am einfachsten durch Beachtung des gesamten Essmusters erreicht werden, das eigentlich einem semi-vegetarischen Essmuster mit geringer Energiedichte entspricht. Es gilt, regelmässig alle Komponenten des «Foodoms» mit der Ernährung aufzunehmen.

Hyperinsulinemia: a Cause of Obesity?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This perspective is motivated by the need to question dogma that does not work: that the problem is insulin resistance (IR). We highlight the need to investigate potential environmental obesogens and toxins.

RECENT FINDINGS

The prequel to severe metabolic disease includes three interacting components that are abnormal: (a) IR, (b) elevated lipids and (c) elevated basal insulin (HI). HI is more common than IR and is a significant independent predictor of diabetes. We hypothesize that (1) the initiating defect is HI that increases nutrient consumption and hyperlipidemia (HL); (2) the cause of HI may include food additives, environmental obesogens or toxins that have entered our food supply since 1980; and (3) HI is sustained by HL derived from increased adipose mass and leads to IR. We suggest that HI and HL are early indicators of metabolic dysfunction and treating and reversing these abnormalities may prevent the development of more serious metabolic disease.

Relationship of hyperlipidemia to comorbidities and lung function in COPD: Results of the COSYCONET cohort

Although hyperlipidemia is common in COPD, its relationship to comorbidities, risk factors and lung function in COPD has not been studied in detail. Using the baseline data of the COSYCONET cohort we addressed this question. Data from 1746 COPD patients (GOLD stage 1-4; mean age 64.6 y, mean FEV1%pred 57%) were evaluated, focusing on the comorbidities hyperlipidemia, diabetes and cardiovascular complex (CVC; including arterial hypertension, cardiac failure, ischemic heart disease). Risk factors comprised age, gender, BMI, and packyears of smoking. The results of linear and logistic regression analyses were implemented into a path analysis model describing the multiple relationships between parameters. Hyperlipidemia (prevalence 42.9%) was associated with lower intrathoracic gas volume (ITGV) and higher forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) when adjusting for its multiple relationships to risk factors and other comorbidities. These findings were robust in various statistical analyses. The associations between comorbidities and risk factors were in accordance with previous findings, thereby underlining the validity of our data. In conclusion, hyperlipidemia was associated with less hyperinflation and airway obstruction in patients with COPD. This surprising result might be due to different COPD phenotypes in these patients or related to effects of medication.

Protein malnutrition during fetal programming induces fatty liver in adult male offspring rats

We evaluated the effects of protein malnutrition on liver morphology and physiology in rats subjected to different malnutrition schemes. Pregnant rats were fed with a control diet or a low protein diet (LPD). Male offspring rats received a LPD during gestation, lactation, and until they were 60 days old (MM group), a late LPD that began after weaning (CM), or a LPD administrated only during the gestation-lactation period followed by a control diet (MC). On day 60, blood was collected and the liver was dissected out. We found a decrease in MM rats' total body (p < 0.001) and liver (p < 0.05) weight. These and CM rats showed obvious liver dysfunction reflected by the increase in serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGOT) (MM p < 0.001) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) (MM and CM p < 0.001) enzymes, and liver content of cholesterol (MM and CM p < 0.001) and triglycerides (MM p < 0.01; CM p < 0.001), in addition to what we saw by histology. Liver dysfunction was also shown by the increase in gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) (MM, MC, and CM p < 0.001) and GST-pi1 (MM and CM p < 0.001, MC p < 0.05) expression levels. MC rats showed the lowest increment in GST-pi1 expression (MC vs. MM; p < 0.001, MC vs. CM; p < 0.01). ROS production (MM, CM, and MC: p < 0.001), lipid peroxidation (MM, CM, and MC p < 0.001), content of carbonyl groups in liver proteins (MM and CM p < 0.001, MC p < 0.01), and total antioxidant capacity (MM, CM, and MC p < 0.001) were increased in the liver of all groups of malnourished animals. However, MM rats showed the highest increment. We found higher TNF-α (MM and CM p < 0.001), and IL-6 (MM and CM p < 0.001) serum levels and TGF-β liver content (MM p < 0.01; CM p < 0.05), in MM and CM groups, while MC rats reverted the values to normal levels. Pro-survival signaling pathways mediated by tyrosine or serine/threonine kinases (pAKT) (MM and CM p < 0.001; MC p < 0.01) and extrasellular signal-regulated kinase (pERKs) (MM p < 0.01; CM p < 0.05) appeared to be activated in the liver of all groups of malnourished rats, suggesting the presence of cells resistant to apoptosis which would become cancerous. In conclusion, a LPD induced liver damage whose magnitude was related to the developmental stage at which malnutrition occurs and to its length.

Nucleolin protects macrophages from oxLDL-induced foam cell formation through up-regulating ABCA1 expression

Our recent studies have indicated that nucleolin, as a multifunctional RNA-binding protein, exerts protective effects in the myocardial cells and endothelial cells under the condition of oxidative stress. However, the function of nucleolin and its potential mechanism in macrophage-derived foam cell formation remain largely unexplored. ApoE-/- mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 10-24 weeks. Protein expression was measured by western blotting or immunofluorescence, and gene expression at the mRNA level was detected by qRT-PCR. The level of lipid in macrophages was examined by Oil Red O staining, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and NBD-cholesterol. Actinomycin D (Act D) was used to determine the stability of ABCA1 mRNA in macrophages. The interaction of nucleolin with ABCA1 mRNA was assessed using co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP). The aortas advanced plaques demonstrated significantly lower levels of nucleolin protein compared with early plaques in ApoE-/- mice, in which the macrophage foam cells occupied main body. Nucleolin expression at the mRNA and protein levels in RAW264.7 macrophages was significantly reduced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, nucleolin overexpression markedly attenuated lipid accumulation in oxLDL-challenged macrophages through increasing cholesterol efflux. In addition, nucleolin overexpression significantly increased the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) at the mRNA and protein levels without affecting expressions of scavenger receptors (SR)-A, SR-B1, CD36 and ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) at the mRNA level. Moreover, nucleolin overexpression increased the stability of ABCA1 mRNA in macrophages, whereas nucleolin ablation abrogated the oxLDL-induced up-regulation of ABCA1. The up-regulation of ABCA1 by nucleolin resulted from its protein-RNA interaction. Our data suggested that nucleolin inhibited foam cell formation through enhancing stability of ABCA1 mRNA and subsequently increasing cholesterol efflux.

Transcriptome analysis of the effects of chitosan on the hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in high-fat diet fed mice

Transcriptome analysis was performed to investigate the alterations in gene expression after chitosan (CS) treatment on the liver of mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD). The results showed that the body weight, the liver weight and the epididymal fat mass of HFD mice, which were 62.98%, 46.51% and 239.37%, respectively, higher than those of control mice, could be significantly decreased by chitosan supplementation. Also, high-fat diet increased both plasma lipid and liver lipid as compared with the control mice. Chitosan supplementation decreased the plasma lipid and liver lipid, increased the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) activity, increased T-AOC and decreased MDA in the liver and the epididymis adipose as compared with the HFD mice. Transcriptome analysis indicated that increased Mups, Lcn2, Gstm3 and CYP2E1 expressions clearly indicated HFD induced lipid metabolism disorder and oxidative damage. Especially, chitosan treatment decreased the Mup17 and Lcn2 expressions by 64.32% and 82.43% respectively as compared with those of HFD mice. These results indicated that chitosan possess the ability to improve the impairment of lipid metabolism as strongly associated with increased Mups expressions and gene expressions related to oxidative stress.

Hypolipidemic effect of oleanolic acid is mediated by the miR-98-5p/PGC-1β axis in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic mice

Oleanolic acid (OA) is an active component of the traditional Chinese herb Olea europaea L. and has been found to exhibit a significant lipid-lowering effect; however, its direct molecular target is still unknown, which limits its clinical application and the possible structure modification to improve its beneficial functions. In this regard, we carried out the present study to identify potential hepatic targets of OA to mediate its lipid-lowering effect. We found that both acute and chronic OA treatments reduced serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol, and decreased hepatic expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1β (PGC-1β), which is an important regulator in maintaining hepatic lipid homeostasis, and its downstream target genes. Of note, liver-specific knockdown of PGC-1β recapitulated the hypolipidemic effects of OA. At the molecular level, OA accelerated mRNA degradation of PGC-1β. Microarray analysis revealed a host of microRNAs that potentially mediate OA-induced PGC-1β mRNA degradation, among which, miR-98-5p significantly inhibited activity of Pgc-1β 3' UTR as well as PGC-1β expression and promoted its mRNA degradation. Conversely, miR-98-5p inhibitors blunted the inhibitory effects of OA on PGC-1β expression. Collectively, our data demonstrated that OA ameliorated hyperlipidemia, likely via regulation of the miR-98-5p/PGC-1β axis.-Chen, S., Wen, X., Zhang, W., Wang, C., Liu, J., Liu, C. Hypolipidemic effect of oleanolic acid is mediated by the miR-98-5p/PGC-1β axis in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic mice.

Effect of mahanimbine, an alkaloid from curry leaves, on high-fat diet-induced adiposity, insulin resistance, and inflammatory alterations

Spices and condiments, small but an integral part of the daily diet, are known to affect physiological functions. This study evaluated the effects of mahanimbine, a major carbazole alkaloid from Murraya koenigii (curry leaves), against progression of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic complications in mice (male and female). Mahanimbine at 2 mg/kg (HFD + LD) and 4 mg/kg (HFD + HD) of body weight was administered daily along with HFD feeding for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, male HFD + LD and HFD + HD groups showed 51.70 ± 3.59% and 47.37 ± 3.73% weight gain, respectively, as compared with 71.02 ± 6.04% in HFD fed mice whereas female HFD + LD and HFD + HD groups showed 24.31 ± 1.68% and 25.10 ± 2.61% weight gain as compared with HFD group with 36.69 ± 3.60% of weight gain. Mahanimbine prevented HFD-induced hyperlipidemia and fat accumulation in adipose tissue and liver along with the restricted progression of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, mahanimbine treatment improved glucose clearance and upregulated the expression of insulin responsive genes in liver and adipose tissue. Male and female mice showed different traits in development of HFD-induced metabolic disturbances; however, mahanimbine treatment exerted similar effects in both the sexes. In addition, mahanimbine lowered the absorption of dietary fat resulting in dietary fat excretion. In conclusion, daily consumption of mahanimbine and thereby curry leaves may alleviate development of HFD-induced metabolic alterations. © 2016 BioFactors, 43(2):220-231, 2017.

Molecular factors involved in the hypolipidemic- and insulin-sensitizing effects of a ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) extract in rats fed a high-fat diet

Hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties of ginger in animal models have been reported. However, information related to the mechanisms and factors involved in the metabolic effects of ginger at a hepatic level are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate molecular factors involved in the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of a hydroethanolic ginger extract (GE) in the liver of rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The study was conducted in male Wistar rats divided into the following 3 groups: (i) Rats fed a standard diet (3.5% fat), the control group; (ii) rats fed an HFD (33.5% fat); and (iii) rats fed an HFD treated with GE (250 mg·kg-1·day-1) for 5 weeks (HFD+GE). Plasma levels of glucose, insulin, lipid profile, leptin, and adiponectin were measured. Liver expression of glycerol phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT), cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR), PPARα and PPARγ, glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2), liver X receptor, sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP1c), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and collagen I was measured. Data were analyzed using a 1-way ANOVA, followed by a Newman-Keuls test if differences were noted. The study showed that GE improved lipid profile and attenuated the increase of plasma levels of glucose, insulin, and leptin in HFD rats. This effect was associated with a higher liver expression of PPARα, PPARγ, and GLUT-2 and an enhancement of plasma adiponectin levels. Furthermore, GE reduced liver expression of GPAT, SREBP1c, CTGF, and collagen I. The results suggest that GE might be considered as an alternative therapeutic strategy in the management of overweight and hepatic and metabolic-related alterations.

Diagnosis and management of nephrotic syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is defined by a triad of clinical features: oedema, substantial proteinuria (> 3.5 g/24 hours) and hypoalbuminaemia (< 30 g/L). It is often associated with hyperlipidaemia, thromboembolism and an increased risk of infection. Nephrotic syndrome develops following pathological injury to renal glomeruli. This may be a primary problem, with a disease specific to the kidneys, or secondary to a systemic disorder such as diabetes mellitus. The most common cause in children is minimal change glomerulonephritis. In white adults, nephrotic syndrome is most frequently due to membranous nephropathy whereas in populations of African ancestry the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome is focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Diabetic nephropathy is the most common multisystem disease that can cause nephrotic syndrome. Patients typically present with periorbital oedema (most noticeable in the morning) or dependent pitting oedema (more common later in the day). Proteinuria should be documented by a quantitative measurement e.g. urine protein: creatinine ratio (PCR) or albumin: creatinine ratio (ACR). PCR > 300-350 mg/mmol indicates nephrotic range proteinuria. Urgent referral to a nephrologist (ideally within 2 weeks) is necessary and a renal biopsy is usually performed. This will establish what form of glomerular disease is responsible. Additional tests may be undertaken to assess if nephrotic syndrome is secondary to another disorder e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus or amyloidosis.