Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside attenuates endothelial cell dysfunction by modulating miR-204-5p/SIRT1-mediated inflammation and apoptosis

The potential of flavonoids to mitigate cellular senescence in cardiovascular disease

Aging is one of the most significant factors affecting cardiovascular health, with cellular senescence being a central hallmark. Senescent cells (SCs) secrete a specific set of signaling molecules known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The SASP has a remarkable impact on age-associated diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Targeting SCs through anti-aging therapies represents a novel strategy to effectively retard senescence and attenuate disease progression. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that the flavonoids, widely presented in fruits and vegetables worldwide, can delay or treat CVD via selectively eliminating SCs (senolytics) and modulating SASPs (senomorphics). Nevertheless, only sporadic research has illustrated the application of flavonoids in targeting SCs for CVD, which requires further exploration. This review recapitulates the hallmarks and key molecular mechanisms involved in cellular senescence, then summarizes senescence of different types of cardiac cells and describes the mechanisms by which cellular senescence affects CVD development. The discussion culminates with the potential use of flavonoids via exerting their biological effects on cellular senescence to reduce CVD incidence. This summary will provide valuable insights for cardiovascular drug design, development and clinical applications leveraging flavonoids.

Recent advances on cyanidin-3-O-glucoside in preventing obesity-related metabolic disorders: A comprehensive review

Anthocyanins, found in various pigmented plants as secondary metabolites, represent a class of dietary polyphenols known for their bioactive properties, demonstrating health-promoting effects against several chronic diseases. Among these, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) is one of the most prevalent types of anthocyanins. Upon consumption, C3G undergoes phases I and II metabolism by oral epithelial cells, absorption in the gastric epithelium, and gut transformation (phase II & microbial metabolism), with limited amounts reaching the bloodstream. Obesity, characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, is a global health concern associated with heightened risks of disability, illness, and mortality. This comprehensive review delves into the biodegradation and absorption dynamics of C3G within the gastrointestinal tract. It meticulously examines the latest research findings, drawn from in vitro and in vivo models, presenting evidence underlining C3G's bioactivity. Notably, C3G has demonstrated significant efficacy in combating obesity, by regulating lipid metabolism, specifically decreasing lipid synthesis, increasing fatty acid oxidation, and reducing lipid accumulation. Additionally, C3G enhances energy homeostasis by boosting energy expenditure, promoting the activity of brown adipose tissue, and stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis. Furthermore, C3G shows potential in managing various prevalent obesity-related conditions. These include cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and hypertension through the suppression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, enhancement of endogenous antioxidant enzyme levels, and inhibition of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway and by exercising its cardioprotective and vascular effects by decreasing pulmonary artery thickness and systolic pressure which enhances vascular relaxation and angiogenesis. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and insulin resistance (IR) are also managed by reducing gluconeogenesis via AMPK pathway activation, promoting autophagy, protecting pancreatic β-cells from oxidative stress and enhancing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Additionally, C3G improves insulin sensitivity by upregulating GLUT-1 and GLUT-4 expression and regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. C3G exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and shifting macrophage polarization from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. C3G demonstrates antioxidative effects by enhancing the expression of antioxidant enzymes, reducing ROS production, and activating the Nrf2/AMPK signaling pathway. Moreover, these mechanisms also contribute to attenuating inflammatory bowel disease and regulating gut microbiota by decreasing Firmicutes and increasing Bacteroidetes abundance, restoring colon length, and reducing levels of inflammatory cytokines. The therapeutic potential of C3G extends beyond metabolic disorders; it has also been found effective in managing specific cancer types and neurodegenerative disorders. The findings of this research can provide an important reference for future investigations that seek to improve human health through the use of naturally occurring bioactive compounds.

Anthocyanins in Vascular Health and Disease: Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Potential

ABSTRACT

Unhealthy lifestyles have placed a significant burden on individuals' cardiovascular health. Anthocyanins are water-soluble flavonoid pigments found in a wide array of common foods and fruits. Anthocyanins have the potential to contribute to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease by improving lipid profiles and vascular function, reducing blood glucose levels and blood pressure, and inhibiting inflammation. These actions have been demonstrated in numerous clinical and preclinical studies. At the cellular and molecular level, anthocyanins and their metabolites could protect endothelial cells from senescence, apoptosis, and inflammation by activating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/endothelial nitric oxide synthases, silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), or nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2 pathways and inhibiting the nuclear factor kappa B, Bax, or P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. Furthermore, anthocyanins prevent vascular smooth muscle cell from platelet-derived growth factor -induced or tumor necrosis factor-α-induced proliferation and migration by inhibiting the focal adhesion kinase and extracellular regulated protein kinases signaling pathways. Anthocyanins could also attenuate vascular inflammation by reducing the formation of oxidized lipids, preventing leukocyte adhesion and infiltration of the vessel wall, and macrophage phagocytosis of deposited lipids through reducing the expression of cluster of differentiation 36 and increasing the expression of ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1 and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 1. At the same time, anthocyanins could lower the risk of thrombosis by inhibiting platelet activation and aggregation through down-regulating P-selectin, transforming growth factor-1, and CD40L. Thus, the development of anthocyanin-based supplements or derivative drugs could provide new therapeutic approaches to the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases.

IGFBP7 mediates oxLDL-induced human vascular endothelial cell injury by suppressing the expression of SIRT1

Endothelial cell injury plays an important role in initiating atherosclerotic lesion formation. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) is known to modulate the behaviors of tumor-associated endothelial cells. This study was conducted to test whether IGFBP7 is involved in endothelial cell injury during atherosclerosis. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) treatment was used to mimic atherosclerosis-related endothelial cell apoptosis and inflammation response. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology was employed to deplete IGFBP7 expression in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). HAECs were exposed to recombinant human IGFBP7 protein to evaluate the function of IGFBP7. Notably, IGFBP7 expression in HAECs was induced by oxLDL treatment. Knockdown of IGFBP7 or treatment with anti-IGFBP7 abolished oxLDL-induced apoptosis and inflammation in HAECs. Moreover, recombinant IGFBP7 (40 ng/mL but not 25 ng/mL) promoted apoptosis and inflammation in HAECs. IGFBP7 co-localized with CD93 on the surface of HAECs. A mechanistic investigation uncovered that IGFBP7 induced endothelial cell injury through interaction with CD93 and reduction of SIRT1 expression via an autocrine manner. Overexpression of SIRT1 rescued IGFBP7-induced phenotype in HAECs. Taken together, IGFBP7 is induced by oxLDL and mediates oxLDL-induced endothelial cell apoptosis and inflammation, likely through downregulation of SIRT1. These observations support a rationale to prevent atherosclerosis by targeting IGFBP7 activity.

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside protects Zearalenone-induced in vitro maturation disorders of porcine oocytes by alleviating NOX4-dependent oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in cumulus cells

Zearalenone (ZEN) is widely found in foodstuffs and has serious harmful effects on female fertility, especially in pigs. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), a type of anthocyanin, exists in most dark fruits and vegetables; it has many positive dietary effects including as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or anti-apoptotic agent. However, the beneficial effects of C3G alongside ZEN-induced damage in porcine oocytes and the underlying molecular mechanism have not been investigated. In this work, porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were divided into Control (Ctrl), ZEN, ZEN + C3G (Z + C), and C3G, and treated for 44-46 h in vitro. The results showed that C3G could alleviate ZEN-induced disorders of first polar body (PBI) extrusion, abnormalities of spindle assembly, cortical granule distribution, and mitochondrial distribution; these results were produced via restoring transzonal projections (TZPs), and inhibiting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX4)-dependent oxidative stress and 'glucose regulatory protein 78/protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase/α subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α/activating transcription factor 4/C/EBP-homologous protein' (GRP78/PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP)-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) during oocyte maturation. Moreover, the over-expression of NOX4 in cumulus cells could result in a significant increase in ROS levels and ER fluorescence intensity in oocytes. In conclusion, C3G promoted in vitro maturation of porcine oocytes exposed to ZEN via mitigating NOX4-dependent oxidative stress and ERS in cumulus cells. These results contribute to our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of C3G against ZEN toxicity in porcine oocytes, and they provide a novel theoretical foundation and strategy for future applications of C3G in the improvement of female reproduction.

Noncoding RNAs in atherosclerosis: regulation and therapeutic potential

Atherosclerosis, a chronic disease of arteries, results in high mortality worldwide as the leading cause of cardiovascular disease. The development of clinically relevant atherosclerosis involves the dysfunction of endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. A large amount of evidence indicates that noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are involved in various physiological and pathological processes. Recently, noncoding RNAs were identified as key regulators in the development of atherosclerosis, including the dysfunction of endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells and it is pertinent to understand the potential function of noncoding RNAs in atherosclerosis development. In this review, the latest available research relates to the regulatory role of noncoding RNAs in the progression of atherosclerosis and the therapeutic potential for atherosclerosis is summarized. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the regulatory and interventional roles of ncRNAs in atherosclerosis and to inspire new insights for the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Flavonoids, gut microbiota, and host lipid metabolism

Flavonoids are widely distributed in nature and have a variety of beneficial biological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity effects. All of these are related to gut microbiota, and flavonoids also serve as a bridge between the host and gut microbiota. Flavonoids are commonly used to modify the composition of the gut microbiota by promoting or inhibiting specific microbial species within the gut, as well as modifying their metabolites. In turn, the gut microbiota extensively metabolizes flavonoids. Hence, this reciprocal relationship between flavonoids and the gut microbiota may play a crucial role in maintaining the balance and functionality of the metabolism system. In this review, we mainly highlighted the biological effects of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiobesity, and discussed the interaction between flavonoids, gut microbiota and lipid metabolism, and elaborated the potential mechanisms on host lipid metabolism.

Identification of common genes and pathways between type 2 diabetes and COVID-19

Background

Numerous studies have reported a high incidence and risk of severe illness due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). COVID-19 patients may experience elevated or decreased blood sugar levels and may even develop diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms linking these two diseases remain unclear. This study aimed to identify the common genes and pathways between T2DM and COVID-19.

Methods

Two public datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE95849 and GSE164805) were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in blood between people with and without T2DM and COVID-19. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed on the common DEGs. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify common genes, and their diagnostic performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Validation was performed on the GSE213313 and GSE15932 datasets. A gene co-expression network was constructed using the GeneMANIA database to explore interactions among core DEGs and their co-expressed genes. Finally, a microRNA (miRNA)-transcription factor (TF)-messenger RNA (mRNA) regulatory network was constructed based on the common feature genes.

Results

In the GSE95849 and GSE164805 datasets, 81 upregulated genes and 140 downregulated genes were identified. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that these DEGs were closely related to the negative regulation of phosphate metabolic processes, the positive regulation of mitotic nuclear division, T-cell co-stimulation, and lymphocyte co-stimulation. Four upregulated common genes (DHX15, USP14, COPS3, TYK2) and one downregulated common feature gene (RIOK2) were identified and showed good diagnostic accuracy for T2DM and COVID-19. The AUC values of DHX15, USP14, COPS3, TYK2, and RIOK2 in T2DM diagnosis were 0.931, 0.917, 0.986, 0.903, and 0.917, respectively. In COVID-19 diagnosis, the AUC values were 0.960, 0.860, 1.0, 0.9, and 0.90, respectively. Validation in the GSE213313 and GSE15932 datasets confirmed these results. The miRNA-TF-mRNA regulatory network showed that TYH2 was targeted by PITX1, PITX2, CRX, NFYA, SREBF1, RELB, NR1L2, and CEBP, whereas miR-124-3p regulates THK2, RIOK2, and USP14.

Conclusion

We identified five common feature genes (DHX15, USP14, COPS3, TYK2, and RIOK2) and their co-regulatory pathways between T2DM and COVID-19, which may provide new insights for further molecular mechanism studies.

Molecular Mechanism of SOX18 in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Injury of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Endothelial dysfunction is associated with the progression of sepsis. This study sought to probe the molecular route of sex-determining region on the Y chromosome-box transcription factor 18 (SOX18) in sepsis-associated endothelial injury. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to establish the sepsis cell model. Cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species/malondialdehyde/superoxide dismutase), and inflammation (interleukin-1β/tumor necrosis factor-α/interleukin-6) were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 assay and relevant assay kits. The expression levels of SOX18, microRNA (miR)-204-5p, and cadherin-2 (CDH2) in cells were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay. The interaction of SOX18, miR-204-5p, and CDH2 was analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase assay. LPS induced HUVECs injury and downregulation of SOX18. SOX18 overexpression increased cell viability, while decreased LDH activity, oxidative stress, and inflammation. SOX18 bound to the miR-204-5p promoter to promote miR-204-5p expression, and further repressed CDH2 expression. miR-204-5p knockdown and CDH2 overexpression abrogated the protective role of SOX18 in HUVECs injury. Overall, SOX18 alleviated LPS-induced injury of HUVECs by promoting miR-204-5p and repressing CDH2, suggesting it as a potential target for sepsis treatment.

Effect of high pressure homogenization on the interaction between corn starch and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside

The effects of high pressure homogenization (HPH) at different pressures (50, 100, 150 and 200 MPa) and temperatures (4, 20, 40, 60 and 80 °C) on the interaction between corn starch (CS) and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) were investigated. Based on analyses of zeta potential, attenuated total reflection-flourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and binding rate after adding shielding agents, the main interaction force changed from electrostatic interaction to hydrogen bonds. In comparison, the interaction between CS and C3G exhibited greater strength at low temperatures and pressures. Especially, 4 °C/50 MPa HPH caused the most significant enhancement in binding rate and binding amount, from 9.56 % to 25.16 % and 0.96 μg/mg CS to 2.52 μg/mg CS, respectively. At this condition, the specific surface area of CS-C3G increased from 433.57 ± 0.91 m2/kg to 440.93 ± 1.01 m2/kg. Surface fluorescence reduction was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, further X-ray diffraction patterns indicated the retention of partial spatial structure. Therefore, HPH opened the entry channels, increased contact area and preserved steric hindrance, which increased hydrogen bonding sites. At high temperatures and high pressures (> 40 °C, > 100 MPa), the increasing free starch chains provided new hydrogen bonding sites. Overall, HPH was an effective method to enhance the interaction by affecting starch structure.

Beneficial effects of flavonoids on animal models of atherosclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases that seriously endanger human health. The existing treatment drugs are effective, but they have some side effects. Accumulating evidence suggests that flavonoids have attracted wide attention due to their multiple cardioprotective effects and fewer side effects. PubMed, Web of Science database, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for studies evaluating the effects of flavonoids against atherosclerosis. 119 studies published from August 1954 to April 2023 were included. Random-effects models were performed for synthesis. Compared with the control group, flavonoids significantly reduced longitudinal and cross-sectional plaque area. The findings indicated that flavonoids significantly reduced the concentrations of serum TC, TG, and LDL-C and increased serum HDL-C concentrations. Besides, flavonoids reduced the levels of circulating pro-inflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and increased the serum IL-10 level. This study provides evidence for the potential cardiovascular benefits of flavonoids.

Anti-atherosclerosis mechanisms associated with regulation of non-coding RNAs by active monomers of traditional Chinese medicine

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of numerous cardiovascular diseases with a high mortality rate. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), RNA molecules that do not encode proteins in human genome transcripts, are known to play crucial roles in various physiological and pathological processes. Recently, researches on the regulation of atherosclerosis by ncRNAs, mainly including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, have gradually become a hot topic. Traditional Chinese medicine has been proved to be effective in treating cardiovascular diseases in China for a long time, and its active monomers have been found to target a variety of atherosclerosis-related ncRNAs. These active monomers of traditional Chinese medicine hold great potential as drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis. Here, we summarized current advancement of the molecular pathways by which ncRNAs regulate atherosclerosis and mainly highlighted the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine monomers in regulating atherosclerosis through targeting ncRNAs.

LncRNA profiles of Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside ameliorated Zearalenone-induced damage in porcine granulosa cells

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), a class of RNA molecules with transcripts longer than 200 nt, is crucial for maintaining animal reproductive function. Zearalenone (ZEN) damaged animal reproduction by targeting ovarian granulosa cells (GCs), especially in pigs. Nonetheless, it is not quite clear that whether Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) exert effects on porcine GCs (pGCs) after ZEN exposure by altering lncRNA expression. Here, we sought to gain novel information regarding C3G protect against damages induced by ZEN in pGCs. The pGCs were divided into control (Ctrl), ZEN, ZEN + C3G (Z + C), and C3G groups. Results revealed that C3G effectively increased cell viability and suppressed ZEN-induced apoptosis in pGCs. 87 and 82 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) were identified in ZEN vs. Ctrl and Z + C vs. ZEN group, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis observed that the DELs were related to cell metabolism and cell-matrix adhesion biological processes. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis found that the DELs were associated with the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. In brief, we demonstrated that C3G could shield apoptosis induced by ZEN, which may be connected with the changes of lncRNA expression profiles in pGCs. This study complemented our understanding of the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms by which C3G mitigated the toxicity of ZEN in pGCs.

Effects of anthocyanin supplementation on blood lipid levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Dyslipidemia is a major cardiovascular disease risk factor associated with increased mortality. The intake of plant food-derived bioactive compounds is associated with beneficial cardiovascular effects, including decreased blood lipid levels and cardiovascular risk. We aimed to evaluate the effects of anthocyanin intake on blood lipid levels by analyzing relevant randomized controlled trials.

Methods

We searched the PubMed and Embase databases using the "Patient/Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcomes" format to determine whether anthocyanin supplementation intervention affected blood lipid levels compared with placebo supplementation in human participants.

Results

A total of 41 studies with 2,788 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Anthocyanin supplementation significantly reduced triglyceride [standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.18, -0.01) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (SMD = -0.16; 95% CI -0.26, -0.07) levels and increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (SMD = 0.42; 95% CI 0.20, 0.65).

Discussion

Anthocyanin supplementation significantly improved blood lipid component levels in the included studies. Larger, well-designed clinical trials are needed to further investigate the effects of anthocyanin intake on blood lipid levels and the safety of anthocyanin supplementation for treating dyslipidemia.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021257087, identifier: CRD42021257087.

Exploring the Impact of Cyanidin-3-Glucoside on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Investigating New Mechanisms for Emerging Interventions

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G), the most widely distributed anthocyanin (ACN) in edible fruits, has been proposed for several bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective, antimicrobial, anti-viral, anti-thrombotic and epigenetic actions. However, habitual intake of ACNs and C3G may vary widely among populations, regions, and seasons, among individuals with different education and financial status. The main point of C3G absorption occurs in the small and large bowel. Therefore, it has been supposed that the treating properties of C3G might affect inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). IBDs develop through complex inflammatory pathways and sometimes may be resistant to conventional treatment strategies. C3G presents antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and antimicrobial effects useful for IBD management. In particular, different studies have demonstrated that C3G inhibits NF-κB pathway activation. In addition, C3G activates the Nrf2 pathway. On the other hand, it modulates the expression of antioxidant enzymes and cytoprotective proteins, such as NAD(P)H, superoxide dismutase, heme-oxygenase (HO-1), thioredoxin, quinone reductase-oxide 1 (NQO1), catalase, glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase. Interferon I and II pathways are downregulated by C3G inhibiting interferon-mediating inflammatory cascades. Moreover, C3G reduces reactive species and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as C reactive protein, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-5, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p70, and IL-17A in UC and CD patients. Finally, C3G modulates gut microbiota by inducing an increase in beneficial gut bacteria and increasing microbial abundances, thus mitigating dysbiosis. Thus, C3G presents activities that may have potential therapeutic and protective actions against IBD. Still, in the future, clinical trials should be designed to investigate the bioavailability of C3G in IBD patients and the proper therapeutic doses through different sources, aiming to the standardization of the exact clinical outcome and efficacy of C3G.

Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside Rescues Zearalenone-Induced Apoptosis via the ITGA7-PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathway in Porcine Ovarian Granulosa Cells

Zearalenone (ZEN) is an important secondary metabolite of Fusarium fungi, exposure to which can cause reproductive disorders through its effects on ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) in many mammals, especially in pigs. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) on the ZEN-induced negative effects in porcine GCs (pGCs). The pGCs were treated with 30 µM ZEN and/or 20 µM C3G for 24 h; they were divided into a control (Ctrl) group, ZEN group, ZEN+C3G (Z+C) group, and a C3G group. Bioinformatics analysis was used to systematically screen differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the rescue process. Results showed that C3G could effectively rescue ZEN-induced apoptosis in pGCs, and notably increase cell viability and proliferation. Furthermore, 116 DEGs were identified, and the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases-protein kinase B (PI3K-AKT) signaling pathway was the center of attention, of which five genes and the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway were confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and/or Western blot (WB). As analyzed, ZEN inhibited mRNA and protein levels of integrin subunit alpha-7 (ITGA7), and promoted the expression of cell cycle inhibition kinase cyclin-D3 (CCND3) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (CDKN1A). After the knock-down of ITGA7 by siRNA, the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway was significantly inhibited. Meanwhile, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression decreased, and apoptosis rates and pro-apoptotic proteins increased. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that C3G exhibited significant protective effects on the ZEN-induced inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis via the ITGA7-PI3K-AKT pathway.

Amygdalin attenuates PM2.5-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury via the TLR4/NF-κB and Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathways

Mounting evidence supports that long-term exposure to fine particle pollutants (PM2.5) is closely implicated in cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis. Amygdalin is reported to attenuate external stimuli-induced cardiovascular diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms are still not understood. In this study, we aim to explore the protective effects of amygdalin on PM2.5-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury and unravel the specific mechanisms by MTT, DCFH-DA, biochemical, immunofluorescence, ELISA, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, TUNEL and western blot analysis. The results reveal that amygdalin reverses PM2.5-induced cytotoxicity and attenuates intracellular ROS production. Moreover, amygdalin increases the levels of SOD and GSH and alleviates the MDA content. Additionally, amygdalin causes a decline of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and COX-2 levels. Moreover, amygdalin inhibits NF-κB p50 and TLR4 protein expressions and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. Concomitantly, a decline of phospho-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 and phospho-IκB-α/IκB-α is detected. Meanwhile, amygdalin pretreatment reduces HUVEC apoptosis. In addition, amygdalin triggers an upregulation of Bcl-2 and a downregulation of Bax after stimulation with PM2.5. Collectively, these results suggest that amygdalin suppresses PM2.5-induced HUVEC injury by regulating the TLR4/NF-κB and Bcl-2/Bax signaling pathways, indicating that amygdalin may be a novel target for atherosclerosis treatments.

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside extracted from the Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.) alleviates antibiotic-associated diarrhea by regulating gut microbiota and down-regulating inflammatory factors in NF-κB pathway

Chinese bayberry has been used to treat diarrhea in China for more than 2,000 years, but the mechanism is not clear. Due to the extensive use of antibiotics, antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is becoming more and more common in clinic, but there is no effective drug for the treatment. The present study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of Chinese bayberry on AAD for the first time, and explained the underlying mechanism from different aspects. The BALB/c mice model was established by intragastric administration of lincomycin (3 g/kg). Successfully modeled mice were treated with purified water, dried bayberry powder suspension (100 mg/kg), C3G suspension (40 mg/kg) and montmorillonite powder suspension (40 mg/kg), respectively. The changes of body weight, diarrhea index, diarrhea status score were recorded and calculated regularly. 16S rRNA gene sequencing, intestinal immunofluorescence and inflammatory factor detection were further performed. The treatment with dried bayberry powder suspension and C3G suspension could rapidly reduce the diarrhea score and diarrhea index, increase food intake and restore body weight gain. The gut microbiota richness and diversity were significantly increased after dried bayberry powder suspension and C3G suspension treatments, typically decreased bacterial genera Enterococcus and Clostridium senus stricto 1. In addition, intake of Chinese bayberry powder and C3G significantly decreased the level of p65 phosphorylation, and up-regulated the expression of intestinal tight junction protein claudin-1 and ZO-1. Chinese bayberry fruit had the effect of alleviating AAD, and C3G was supposed to play the predominant role. The mechanism was indicated to be related with restoring the homeostasis of gut microbiota, inhibiting the level of harmful bacteria and increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria, down-regulating TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12 factors to reduce inflammation, restoring intestinal tight junction proteins and reducing intestinal permeability.

Maize Flavonoid Biosynthesis, Regulation, and Human Health Relevance: A Review

Maize is one of the most important crops for human and animal consumption and contains a chemical arsenal essential for survival: flavonoids. Moreover, flavonoids are well known for their beneficial effects on human health. In this review, we decided to organize the information about maize flavonoids into three sections. In the first section, we include updated information about the enzymatic pathway of maize flavonoids. We describe a total of twenty-one genes for the flavonoid pathway of maize. The first three genes participate in the general phenylpropanoid pathway. Four genes are common biosynthetic early genes for flavonoids, and fourteen are specific genes for the flavonoid subgroups, the anthocyanins, and flavone C-glycosides. The second section explains the tissue accumulation and regulation of flavonoids by environmental factors affecting the expression of the MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) transcriptional complex. The study of transcription factors of the MBW complex is fundamental for understanding how the flavonoid profiles generate a palette of colors in the plant tissues. Finally, we also include an update of the biological activities of C3G, the major maize anthocyanin, including anticancer, antidiabetic, and antioxidant effects, among others. This review intends to disclose and integrate the existing knowledge regarding maize flavonoid pigmentation and its relevance in the human health sector.

The Potential Roles of Dietary Anthocyanins in Inhibiting Vascular Endothelial Cell Senescence and Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels and is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Increasingly more evidence has shown that the senescence of vascular endothelial cells is the key to endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases. Anthocyanin is a type of water-soluble polyphenol pigment and secondary metabolite of plant-based food widely existing in fruits and vegetables. The gut microbiome is involved in the metabolism of anthocyanins and mediates the biological activities of anthocyanins and their metabolites, while anthocyanins also regulate the growth of specific bacteria in the microbiota and promote the proliferation of healthy anaerobic flora. Accumulating studies have shown that anthocyanins have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects. Many animal and in vitro experiments have also proven that anthocyanins have protective effects on cardiovascular-disease-related dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanism of anthocyanin in eliminating aging endothelial cells and preventing cardiovascular diseases is very complex and is not fully understood. In this systematic review, we summarize the metabolism and activities of anthocyanins, as well as their effects on scavenging senescent cells and cardioprotection.

Anthocyanins in Chronic Diseases: The Power of Purple

Anthocyanins are mainly purple-coloured phenolic compounds of plant origin that as secondary metabolites are important in plant survival. Understanding their health benefits in humans requires sourcing these unstable compounds in sufficient quantities at a reasonable cost, which has led to improved methods of extraction. Dark-coloured fruits, cereals and vegetables are current sources of these compounds. The range of potential sustainable sources is much larger and includes non-commercialised native plants from around the world and agri-waste containing anthocyanins. In the last 5 years, there have been significant advances in developing the therapeutic potential of anthocyanins in chronic human diseases. Anthocyanins exert their beneficial effects through improvements in gut microbiota, oxidative stress and inflammation, and modulation of neuropeptides such as insulin-like growth factor-1. Their health benefits in humans include reduced cognitive decline; protection of organs such as the liver, as well as the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract and kidneys; improvements in bone health and obesity; and regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. This review summarises some of the sources of anthocyanins and their mechanisms and benefits in the treatment of chronic human diseases.

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside inhibits the β-catenin/MGMT pathway by upregulating miR-214-5p to reverse chemotherapy resistance in glioma cells

Overcoming resistance to alkylating agents has important clinical significance in glioma. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) has a tumor-suppressive effect on tumor cells. However, whether it plays a role in temozolomide resistance in glioma is still unclear. We constructed a TMZ-resistant LN-18/TR glioma cell line, observed the effect of C3G on TMZ resistance in this cell line, and explored the role of miR-214-5p in chemoresistance. Results showed that β-catenin and MGMT were significantly upregulated in LN-18/TR cells. C3G upregulated miR-214-5p and enhanced the cytotoxic effect of temozolomide on LN-18/TR cells. Contrarily, C3G downregulated β-catenin and MGMT. Moreover, the miR-214-5p mimic downregulated β-catenin and MGMT in LN-18/TR cells, whereas the miR-214-5p inhibitor had the opposite effect; the miR-214-5p inhibitor significantly blocked the C3G-induced downregulation of β-catenin and MGMT. C3G or the miR-214-5p mimic enhanced temozolomide-induced apoptosis in LN-18/TR cells, whereas the miR-214-5p inhibitor blocked this effect. Furthermore, C3G or miR-214-5p agomir combined with TMZ significantly inhibited the growth of LN-18/TR tumors. Collectively, our research discovered the potential signaling mechanism associated with C3G-mediated suppression of TMZ resistance in LN-18/TR cells through miR-214-5p, which can facilitate the treatment of MGMT-induced resistance in glioma cells.

LncRNA LYPLAL1-DT screening from type 2 diabetes with macrovascular complication contributes protective effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells via regulating the miR-204-5p/SIRT1 axis

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in diabetes related diseases. However, the role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes with macrovascular complication (DMC) has seldomly been recognized. This study screened lncRNA profiles of leukocytes from DMC patients and explored protective role of lncRNA LYPLAL1-DT in endothelial cells (EC) under high glucose (HG) and inflammatory conditions (IS). Between DMC and healthy controls, 477 differential expression lncRNAs (DE-lncRNAs) were identified. The enrichment and pathway analysis showed that most of the DE-lncRNAs belonged to inflammatory, metabolic, and vascular diseases. A total of 12 lncRNAs was validated as significant DE-lncRNAs in expanding cohorts. Furthermore, these DE-lncRNAs were shown to be significantly related to hypoxia, HG, and IS in EC, especially lncRNA LYPLAL1-DT. LYPLAL1-DT overexpression results in the promotion of the proliferation, and migration of EC, as well as an elevation of autophagy. Overexpressed LYPLAL1-DT reduces the adhesion of monocytes to EC, boosts anti-inflammation, and suppresses inflammatory molecules secreted in the medium. Mechanistically, LYPLAL1-DT acts as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by downregulating miR-204-5p, therefore enhancing SIRT1 and protecting EC autophagy function; thus, alleviating apoptosis. Finally, exosome sequencing revealed LYPLAL1-DT expression was 4 times lower in DMC cells than in healthy samples. In general, we identified LYPLAL1-DT having protective effects on EC as ceRNA mediated through the miR-204-5p/SIRT1 pathway. Therefore, it inhibits the autophagy of EC as well as modulating systemic inflammation. This approach could be regarded as a new potential therapeutic target in DMC.

Vascular Protective Effect and Its Possible Mechanism of Action on Selected Active Phytocompounds: A Review

Vascular endothelial dysfunction is characterized by an imbalance of vasodilation and vasoconstriction, deficiency of nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), and proinflammatory factors. This dysfunction is a key to the early pathological development of major cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. Therefore, modulation of the vascular endothelium is considered an important therapeutic strategy to maintain the health of the cardiovascular system. Epidemiological studies have shown that regular consumption of medicinal plants, fruits, and vegetables promotes vascular health, lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This is mainly attributed to the phytochemical compounds contained in these resources. Various databases, including Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Directory of Open Access Journals, were searched to identify studies demonstrating the vascular protective effects of phytochemical compounds. The literature had revealed abundant data on phytochemical compounds protecting and improving the vascular system. Of the numerous compounds reported, curcumin, resveratrol, cyanidin-3-glucoside, berberine, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and quercetin are discussed in this review to provide recent information on their vascular protective mechanisms in vivo and in vitro. Phytochemical compounds are promising therapeutic agents for vascular dysfunction due to their antioxidative mechanisms. However, future human studies will be necessary to confirm the clinical effects of these vascular protective mechanisms.

The Protective Effect of UBE2G2 Knockdown Against Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice and Its Association with miR-204-5p

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease. Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2G 2 (UBE2G2) has been reported to be differentially expressed in subjects with abnormal coronary endothelial function. We intended to further explore the effect of UBE2G2 in AS using apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mice. Relative UBE2G2 expression in aortic sinus tissues was examined by Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining. Atherosclerotic plaque formation was observed through hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein levels of adhesion biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines was analyzed by western blotting. The direct interaction between UBE2G2 and miR-204-5p was predicted by bioinformatic analysis, and the correlation was analyzed by Pearson's correlation test, and verified by luciferase reporter assay. Human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) development was detected by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine labeling assay and wound healing assays. UBE2G2 was highly expressed in the aortic sinus tissues of high-fat diet-fed ApoE^-/- mice. The atherosclerotic plaque formation was increased in ApoE^-/- mice, while UBE2G2 knockdown reduced it. Silencing of UBE2G2 also inhibited the expression and protein levels of adhesion biomarkers and inflammatory cytokines in ApoE^-/- mice. MiR-204-5p was the upstream effector of UBE2G2 and miR-204-5p overexpression was found to inhibit the proliferation and migration of human VSMCs through regulating UBE2G2 expression. UBE2G2 inhibition attenuated AS in ApoE^-/- mice and UBE2G2 expression was negatively regulated by miR-204-5p in human VSMCs.

Natural Flavonoids Derived From Fruits Are Potential Agents Against Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, as a chronic inflammatory response, is one of the main causes of cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis is induced by endothelial cell dysfunction, migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, accumulation of foam cells and inflammatory response, resulting in plaque accumulation, narrowing and hardening of the artery wall, and ultimately leading to myocardial infarction or sudden death and other serious consequences. Flavonoid is a kind of natural polyphenol compound widely existing in fruits with various structures, mainly including flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavanols, anthocyanins, isoflavones, and chalcone, etc. Because of its potential health benefits, it is now used in supplements, cosmetics and medicines, and researchers are increasingly paying attention to its role in atherosclerosis. In this paper, we will focus on several important nodes in the development of atherosclerotic disease, including endothelial cell dysfunction, smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation, foam cell accumulation and inflammatory response. At the same time, through the classification of flavonoids from fruits, the role and potential mechanism of flavonoids in atherosclerosis were reviewed, providing a certain direction for the development of fruit flavonoids in the treatment of atherosclerosis drugs.

Cyanidin-3-glucoside protects against high glucose-induced injury in human nucleus pulposus cells by regulating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling

Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) is a well-known natural anthocyanin with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we explored the role and action mechanism of C3G in high glucose (HG)-induced damage of human nucleus pulposus cells (HNPCs). Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay. TUNEL assay was performed for detecting apoptotic rate. Western blot was performed to determine the expression levels of cl-caspase-3, caspase-3, Bax, Bim, collagen II, aggrecan, MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS5. ROS generation was analyzed using DCFH-DA staining. The Nrf2 was knocked down or overexpressed in HNPCs through transfection with si-Nrf2 or pcDNA3.0-Nrf2. C3G treatment (12.5, 25, and 50 μM) improved cell viability of HNPCs under HG condition. HG-induced cell apoptosis of HNPCs was attenuated by C3G with decreased apoptotic rate and relative levels of cl-caspase-3/caspase-3, Bax, and Bim. C3G treatment caused significant increase in expression levels of collagen II and aggrecan and decrease in the relative levels of MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS5. After treatment with C3G, ROS generation in HNPCs was markedly reduced. Treatment with N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) reversed HG-induced cell apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. C3G treatment induced the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in HG-induced HNPCs. Moreover, knockdown of Nrf2 reversed the inhibitory effect of C3G on ROS production. Summarily, C3G exerted a protective effect on ROS-mediated cellular damage in HNPCs under HG condition, which was attributed to the induction of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Cyanidin-3-o-glucoside (C3G) inhibits vascular leakage regulated by microglial activation in early diabetic retinopathy and neovascularization in advanced diabetic retinopathy

Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) is a kind of anthocyanin which shows strong anti-inflammation, anti-tumor and anti-oxidant properties. This paper was designed to explore the potential effects of C3G on diabetic retinopathy (DR). C57BL/6 mice were administrated with streptozotocin (STZ) or vehicle control for the establishment of diabetic models. To simulate hyperglycemia and hypoxia, D-glucose (30 mM) and CoCl₂ (200 μm/l) were utilized to treat HRECs, respectively. The migration, invasion, inflammation and tube formation abilities of cells were evaluated with the adoption of wound healing, transwell, ELISA and tube formation assays, respectively. Besides, immunofluorescence staining was utilized to detect proliferation and retinal vessels. Evans blue permeation assay were performed to evaluate the vascular leakage in DR mice. Moreover, western blot and qPCR were used to quantify the mRNA and protein expressions of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule (Iba)-1 and tight junction proteins. Results showed that C3G alleviated the inflammation, microglial activation and angiogenesis in DR mice. Moreover, the proliferation and inflammation of BV2 cells induced by high glucose (HG) were suppressed by C3G. Evans blue permeation assay demonstrated the potency of C3G in attenuating vascular leakage. In addition, C3G suppressed the migration, invasion and angiogenesis of human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) DR model in vitro.By confirming the role of C3G in inhibiting vascular leakage regulated by microglia activation in early DR and angiogenesis in advanced DR, this study pointed out the potential of C3G as a therapeutic drug for DR management.

The Integrative Analysis of Competitive Endogenous RNA Regulatory Networks in Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of cardiovascular death. The competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) hypothesis is a new theory that explains the relationship between lncRNAs and miRNAs. The mechanism of ceRNAs in the pathological process of CAD has not been fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to explore the ceRNA mechanism in CAD using the integrative bioinformatics analysis and provide new research ideas for the occurrence and development of CAD.

Methods: The GSE113079 dataset was downloaded, and differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and genes (DEGs) were identified using the limma package in the R language. Weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) was performed on DElncRNAs and DEGs to explore lncRNAs and genes associated with CAD. Functional enrichment analysis was performed on hub genes in the significant module identified via WGCNA. Four online databases, including TargetScan, miRDB, miRTarBase, and Starbase, combined with an online tool, miRWalk, were used to construct ceRNA regulatory networks.

Results: DEGs were clustered into ten co-expression modules with different colors using WGCNA. The brown module was identified as the key module with the highest correlation coefficient. 188 hub genes were identified in the brown module for functional enrichment analysis. DElncRNAs were clustered into sixteen modules, including seven modules related to CAD with the correlation coefficient more than 0.5. Three ceRNA networks were identified, including OIP5-AS1-miR-204-5p/miR-211-5p-SMOC1, OIP5-AS1-miR-92b-3p-DKK3, and OIP5-AS1-miR-25-3p-TMEM184B.

Conclusion: Three ceRNA regulatory networks identified in this study may play crucial roles in the occurrence and development of CAD, which provide novel insights into the ceRNA mechanism in CAD.

Effects of miR-204 on apoptosis and inflammatory response of Clostridium perfringens beta2 toxin induced IPEC-J2 cells via targeting BCL2L2

Clostridium perfringens beta2 (CPB2) toxin can cause intestinal damage and inflammatory responses in a variety of animals, which seriously endanger the healthy development of animal husbandry. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) can play an important regulatory role in the process of pathogenic infection. In our previous study, we found that miR-204 was highly expressed in the ileum tissues of the susceptible group diarrhea piglets after infection with Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) type C. In this study, we found that miR-204 was also up-regulated in different time points after CPB2 toxin treatment. Overexpression of miR-204 promoted apoptosis and inflammatory response of intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-J2), whereas the opposite results were displayed after transfected with miR-204 inhibitor. Furthermore, the luciferase reporter assays confirmed that BCL2L2 was a direct target gene of miR-204. Interestingly, we found that overexpression BCL2L2 attenuated the apoptosis and inflammatory response of CPB2 toxin induced IPEC-J2 cells. In conclusion, these results find that miR-204 promotes the apoptosis and intensify inflammatory response of CPB2 toxin induced IPEC-J2 cells via targeting BCL2L2. These data provide a valuable reference for the piglets resistance diarrhea at the molecular level.

Neuroprotective effect of miR-204-5p downregulation against isoflurane-induced learning and memory impairment via targeting EphB2 and inhibiting neuroinflammation

BACKGROUND

Isoflurane, one of the most commonly used inhalational anesthetics, is usually used in surgery patients and often causes long-term learning and memory impairment. The aim of this study was to explore the role of microRNA-204-5p (miR-204-5p) in isoflurane-induced learning and memory impairment in rats.

METHODS

The Morris Water Maze (MWM) test was used to estimate the spatial learning and memory abilities of laboratory rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations in the hippocampal tissues. The expression level of miR-204-5p was determined by using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The potential target genes of miR-204-5p were predicted and verified by the TargetScan and dual-luciferase reporter assay, respectively.

RESULTS

Isoflurane-induced rats showed significantly higher neurological function scores, higher escape latency and shorter time spent in the original quadrant. Isoflurane could significantly induce neuroinflammation, and the expression of miR-204-5p was increased in the hippocampal tissue of rats exposed to isoflurane. Moreover, downregulation of miR-204-5p attenuated the effect of isoflurane treatment on the escape latency and the time in the original quadrant, and inflammatory cytokines level was downregulated by inhibiting the expression of miR-204-5p. EphB2 was verified as a direct target gene of miR-204-5p.

CONCLUSION

Downregulated miR-204-5p exerts protective effects against isoflurane-induced learning and memory impairment via targeting EphB2 and inhibiting neuroinflammation. MiR-204-5p could serve as a potential therapeutic target for the lightening of cognitive dysfunction induced by isoflurane.

Targeting the epigenome in in-stent restenosis: from mechanisms to therapy

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. The introduction of percutaneous revascularization has revolutionized the therapy of patients with CAD. Despite the advent of drug-eluting stents, restenosis remains the main challenge in treating patients with CAD. In-stent restenosis (ISR) indicates the reduction in lumen diameter after percutaneous coronary intervention, in which the vessel's lumen re-narrowing is attributed to the aberrant proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and dysregulation of endothelial cells (ECs). Increasing evidence has demonstrated that epigenetics is involved in the occurrence and progression of ISR. In this review, we provide the latest and comprehensive analysis of three separate but related epigenetic mechanisms regulating ISR, namely, DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs. Initially, we discuss the mechanism of restenosis. Furthermore, we discuss the biological mechanism underlying the diverse epigenetic modifications modulating gene expression and functions of VSMCs, as well as ECs in ISR. Finally, we discuss potential therapeutic targets of the small molecule inhibitors of cardiovascular epigenetic factors. A more detailed understanding of epigenetic regulation is essential for elucidating this complex biological process, which will assist in developing and improving ISR therapy.