Oxidative stress and macrophage foam cell formation during diabetes mellitus‐induced atherogenesis: Role of insulin therapy

A significant correlation between C - reactive protein levels in blood monocytes derived macrophages versus content in carotid atherosclerotic lesions

Background

Atherosclerosis is a complex disease involving different cell types, including macrophages that play a major role in the inflammatory events occurring in atherogenesis. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a sensitive systemic marker of inflammation and was identified as a biomarker of cardiovascular diseases. Histological studies demonstrate CRP presence in human atherosclerotic lesions, and we have previously shown that macrophages express CRP mRNA. CRP could be locally secreted in the atherosclerotic lesion by arterial macrophages and local regulation of CRP could affect its pro-atherogenic effects. Moreover, human blood derived macrophages (HMDM) expression of CRP could reflect atherosclerotic lesion secretion of CRP.

Methods

Ten type 2 diabetic patients and ten non-diabetic patients scheduled to undergo carotid endarterectomy were enrolled in this study, and their blood samples were used for serum CRP, lipid determination, and for preparation of HMDM further analyzed for their CRP mRNA expression and CRP content. Carotid lesions obtained from the patients were analyzed for their CRP and interleukin 6 (IL-6) content by immunohistochemistry.

Results

Lesions from diabetic patients showed substantially higher CRP levels by 62% (p = 0.05) than lesions from non diabetic patients, and CRP staining that co-localized with arterial macrophages. CRP carotid lesion levels positively correlated with CRP mRNA expression (r² = 0.661) and with CRP content (r² = 0.611) in the patient’s HMDM.

Conclusions

Diabetes up-regulated carotid plaques CRP levels and CRP measurements in HMDM could reflect atherosclerotic lesion macrophages secretion of CRP. Understanding the regulation of locally produced macrophage CRP in the arterial wall during atherogenesis could be of major importance in identifying the underlying mechanisms of inflammatory response pathways during atherogenesis.

Insulin-associated neuroinflammatory pathways as therapeutic targets for traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is characterized by an abrupt blow or exchange of force against the head and can be categorized as mild, moderate, and severe. The secondary cell death after TBI displays ischemic-like patterns including neuroinflammation. The scavenger receptor cluster of differentiation (CD) 36 is a lipid-associated protein capable of transducing intracellular signals to promote inflammatory mechanisms within different cell types. Expression and activation of CD36 is closely related to dyslipidemia secondary to diabetes. Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been documented as a co-morbidity factor in TBI, in that patients with a history of diabetes present with more severe brain damage and slower recovery from TBI than non-diabetic patients. Indeed, a strict regulation of blood serum glucose by the use of insulin promotes a better outcome for TBI patients. Based on these recent findings, we now advance the hypothesis that CD36 via DM insulin-associated pathways is closely involved in TBI chronic pathology.

Genetic variants in PCSK1 gene are associated with the risk of coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetes in a Chinese Han population: a case control study

Background

Insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), converted by proprotein convertase 1 (PC1/3) from proinsulin and proglucagon, are associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study is to investigate the association of PCSK1 gene, which encodes PC1/3, with the risk of CAD in Chinese patients with T2DM.

Methods

We selected and genotyped 5 haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at PCSK1 gene (across 39873bp locus) in a case-control study of Chinese Han population involving 425 diabetic patients (62.1% male, mean age 63.2 years) with CAD as positive cases and 258 diabetic patients (44.2% male, mean age 62.0 years) without CAD as controls.

Results

The allele frequencies at rs3811951 were significantly different between cases and controls (30.7% vs. 37.2%), with the allele G associated with decreased risk for CAD (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.59–0.94, p = 0.013). In recessive inheritance mode, the carriers of GG had a lower risk (OR = 0.50, 95%CI = 0.31–0.82, p = 0.005), even after adjusted for gender, age, BMI and smoking (OR = 0.43, 95%CI = 0.24–0.77, p = 0.004). The carriers of the minor allele A at rs156019 had a higher risk (OR = 1.66, 95%CI = 1.10–2.50, p = 0.016 after adjustment) in dominant inheritance mode. The SNP rs6234 was also significantly associated with CAD risk in women, with the carriers of the minor allele G at rs6234 associated with a reduced CAD risk in recessive inheritance mode (OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.18–0.95, p = 0.036 after adjustment).

Conclusions

Our results found that common genetic variants in PCSK1 were associated with CAD in Chinese patients with T2DM.

Effect of Polyopes lancifolia Extract on Oxidative Stress in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Induced by High Glucose

The protective effect of Polyopes lancifolia extract on high glucose-induced oxidative stress was investigated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). High concentration of glucose (30 mM) treatment induced HUVECs cell death, but Polyopes lancifolia extract, at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 μg/mL, protected cells from high glucose-induced damage. Furthermore, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, intracellular reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide levels increased by high glucose treatment were effectively decreased by treatment with Polyopes lancifolia extract in a dose-dependent manner. Also, Polyopes lancifolia extract treatment reduced the overexpressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear factor-kappa B proteins activation that was induced by high glucose in HUVECs. These results indicate that Polyopes lancifolia extract is a potential therapeutic material that will reduce the damage caused by high glucose-induced-oxidative stress associated with diabetes.

DPP-4 inhibitors repress foam cell formation by inhibiting scavenger receptors through protein kinase C pathway

Studies show that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors may have an anti-atherosclerotic effect. Since foam cells are key components of atherosclerotic plaque, we studied the effect of DPP-4 inhibitors on foam cell formation. Foam cell formation was studied by treatment of THP-1 macrophages with oxidized low-density lipoprotein in the absence or presence of DPP-4 inhibitors (sitagliptin and NVPDPP728). The expression of scavenger receptors SRA, CD36 and LOX-1 was measured, and their role in foam cell formation in the presence of DPP-4 inhibitors was examined. In additional studies, role of protein kinase C and A in the effect of DPP-4 inhibitors was examined. Foam cell formation was markedly reduced by both DPP-4 inhibitors, as was the expression of CD36 and LOX-1 (CD36 ≫ LOX-1), but not SRA. Simultaneously, there was a reduction in phosphorylated PKC, but not PKA, content. Recovery of phosphorylated PKC following treatment of cells negated the effect of DPP-4 inhibitors on foam cell formation. Further, overexpression of CD36 or LOX-1 blocked the effect of DPP-4 inhibitors on foam cell formation. DPP-4 inhibitors repress foam cell formation through the inhibition of SRs CD36 and LOX-1, most likely via the inhibition of PKC activity. This study provides novel insights into the mechanism of inhibition of atherosclerosis by DPP-4 inhibitors.

Oxidized low density lipoprotein and total antioxidant capacity in type-2 diabetic and impaired glucose tolerance Saudi men

BACKGROUND

Oxidative modification of low density lipoproteins (LDL) convert these native particles into pathogenic, immunogenic and atherogenic particles. Factors enhance LDL oxidation are poorly understood, especially in conditions of hyperglycemia. The present study was conducted to investigate which metabolic conditions are associated with the promotion of LDL oxidation in different glycemic situations.

METHODS

Adult male participants (274) were selected from patients admitted to the outpatient department of Diabetes Center in Al-Noor Specialized Hospital in Makkah and other citizens and residents in the city. The studied group was classified into three sub-groups: Group-I: control group of non-diabetic normal subjects, Group-II: subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and Group-III: cases of type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Measurement of fasting blood glucose, 2 hour post-prandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides, serum cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, ox-LDL, Total Antoxidant capacity (TAC) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were performed. The obtained results were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Oxidation of native LDL increase nearly two folds in Type-2 DM group compared to controls. There is also significant increase in Ox-LDL of IGT group compared to controls. The correlation between Ox-LDL concentration and HbA1c in the whole population of the study confirms the increased Ox-LDL in subjects with hyperglycemia. A negative correlation exists between the concentration of Ox-LDL and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in each studied group and in the whole population of the study as well. A positive correlation also exists between Ox-LDL concentrations and LDL values, more clear in controls and Type-2 DM, while this correlation was not significant in IGT group. The ratio of LDL oxidation as expressed by ox-LDL/LDL was increased in IGT group compared to control. More significant increase was observed in type-2 DM group.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that the concentration of Ox-LDL increased in subjects with type-2 DM and IGT compared to controls. Moreover, oxidation of native LDL was associated with low levels of TAC and positively correlated with LDL levels, total cholesterol, HbA1c, body mass index (BMI) and increased age.

Relationship between oxidized low-density lipoprotein antibodies and obesity in different glycemic situations

BACKGROUND

Autoantibodies to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) are a heterogeneous group of antibodies that are controversially discussed to be either pathogenic or protective. Biochemical and anthropometric measurements correlated with increased levels of these antibodies are also controversial, especially in conditions of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present study was conducted to evaluate levels of oxLDL antibodies and their correlation with obesity in different glycemic situations.

METHODS

Two hundred and seventy-four adult males were classified into three subgroups: group 1 (n=125), comprising a control group of nondiabetic subjects; group 2 (n=77), comprising subjects with impaired glucose tolerance; and group 3 (n=72), comprising patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Body mass index was calculated, and measurement of oxLDL and oxLDL antibodies was performed.

RESULTS

Higher mean concentrations of oxLDL were found in the type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance groups (143.5±21.9 U/L and 108.7±23.7 U/L, respectively). The mean value for the control group was 73.5±27.5 U/L (P<0.001). Higher mean concentrations of anti-oxLDL antibodies were observed in the type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance groups (55.7±17.8 U/L and 40.4±17.6 U/L, respectively). The mean value for the control group was 20.4±10 U/L (P<0.001). Levels of anti-oxLDL antibodies were found to be positively and significantly correlated with body mass index in the control group (r=0.46), impaired glucose tolerance (r=0.51), type 2 diabetes mellitus group (r=0.46), and in the whole study population (r=0.44; P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Anti-oxLDL antibody levels were increased in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance and were positively correlated with obesity and body mass index.

Genetic modulation of islet β-cell iPLA₂β expression provides evidence for its impact on β-cell apoptosis and autophagy

β-cell apoptosis is a significant contributor to β-cell dysfunction in diabetes and ER stress is among the factors that contributes to β-cell death. We previously identified that the Ca²⁺-independent phospholipase A₂β (iPLA₂β), which in islets is localized in β-cells, participates in ER stress-induced β-cell apoptosis. Here, direct assessment of iPLA₂β role was made using β-cell-specific iPLA₂β overexpressing (RIP-iPLA₂β-Tg) and globally iPLA₂β-deficient (iPLA₂β-KO) mice. Islets from Tg, but not KO, express higher islet iPLA₂β and neutral sphingomyelinase, decrease in sphingomyelins, and increase in ceramides, relative to WT group. ER stress induces iPLA₂β, ER stress factors, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (∆Ψ), caspase-3 activation, and β-cell apoptosis in the WT and these are all amplified in the Tg group. Surprisingly, β-cells apoptosis while reduced in the KO is higher than in the WT group. This, however, was not accompanied by greater caspase-3 activation but with larger loss of ∆Ψ, suggesting that iPLA₂β deficiency impacts mitochondrial membrane integrity and causes apoptosis by a caspase-independent manner. Further, autophagy, as reflected by LC3-II accumulation, is increased in Tg and decreased in KO, relative to WT. Our findings suggest that (1) iPLA₂β impacts upstream (UPR) and downstream (ceramide generation and mitochondrial) pathways in β-cells and (2) both over- or under-expression of iPLA₂β is deleterious to the β-cells. Further, we present for the first time evidence for potential regulation of autophagy by iPLA₂β in islet β-cells. These findings support the hypothesis that iPLA₂β induction under stress, as in diabetes, is a key component to amplifying β-cell death processes.