Biochemistry of blood platelet activation and the beneficial role of plant oils in cardiovascular diseases

Nutrition and Cardiovascular Disease: The Potential Role of Marine Bioactive Proteins and Peptides in Thrombosis Prevention

Thrombus and cardiovascular diseases pose a significant health threat, and dietary interventions have shown promising potential in reducing the incidence of these diseases. Marine bioactive proteins and peptides have been extensively studied for their antithrombotic properties. They can inhibit platelet activation and aggregation by binding to key receptors on the platelet surface. Additionally, they can competitively anchor to critical enzyme sites, leading to the inhibition of coagulation factors. Marine microorganisms also offer alternative sources for the development of novel fibrinolytic proteins, which can help dissolve blood clots. The advancements in technologies, such as targeted hydrolysis, specific purification, and encapsulation, have provided a solid foundation for the industrialization of bioactive peptides. These techniques enable precise control over the production and delivery of bioactive peptides, enhancing their efficacy and safety. However, it is important to note that further research and clinical studies are needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential of marine bioactive proteins and peptides in mitigating thrombotic events. The challenges and future application perspectives of these bioactive peptides also need to be explored.

New light on changes in the number and function of blood platelets stimulated by cocoa and its products

Hyperactivation of blood platelets, one of the causes of heart attack, and other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), is influenced by various dietary components, including phenolic compounds from vegetables, fruits, teas, wines, cocoa and its products, including chocolate. The present paper sheds new light on the effect of cocoa and its products, especially dark chocolate, on the number and function of blood platelets, and the anti-platelet activity of their constituent phenolic compounds. A review was performed of papers identified in various electronic databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar, with the aim of determining whether their anti-platelet activity may serve as part of a sweet strategy in countering CVDs. Various studies demonstrate that cocoa consumption, especially in the form of dark chocolate, with a high flavanol concentration, has anti-platelet activity and may play a significant role in cardioprotection; they also note that cocoa consumption may be a good strategy in diminishing cardiovascular risk, including hyperactivation of blood platelets.

The Cardioprotective Properties of Selected Nuts: Their Functional Ingredients and Molecular Mechanisms

Nuts have been known as a nutritious food since ancient times and can be considered part of our original diet: they are one of the few foods that have been eaten in the same form for thousands of years. They consist of various dry fruits and seeds, with the most common species being almonds (Prunus dulcis), hazelnuts (Corylus avellana), cashews (cashew nuts, Anacardium occidentale), pistachios (Pistacia vera), walnuts (Italian nuts, Juglans regia), peanuts (Arachia hypogaca), Brazil nuts (Bartholletia excels), pecans (Corya illinoinensis), macadamia nuts (Macademia ternifolia) and pine nuts. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have found nuts to possess a range of bioactive compounds with cardioprotective properties, and hence, their consumption may play a role in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The present work reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the functional ingredients of various nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts, pecan nuts, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts) and the molecular mechanisms of their cardioprotective action. The data indicate that almonds, walnuts and pistachios are the best nut sources of bioactive ingredients with cardioprotective properties.

Oil from Mullet Roe Byproducts: Effect of Oil Extraction Method on Human Erythrocytes and Platelets

Background: The valorization of byproducts to obtain high nutritional value foods is of utmost importance for our planet where the population is booming. Among these products are oils rich in ω-3 fatty acids produced from fishery byproducts. Recently, mullet roe oil from roe byproducts was produced that was rich in the ω-3 fatty acids eicosatetraenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Oils are customarily characterized for their composition and degree of oxidation but little is known of their biological effects, especially the effect of the extraction method. Methods: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of freshly extracted mullet roe oil from mullet roe byproducts and the effect of the extraction method on human red blood cells (hRBCs) and platelets. To this end, the hemocompatibility (cytotoxicity), oxidative effects, and erythrocyte membrane changes were examined after 1 and 24 h of incubation. Antiplatelet effects were also assessed in vitro. Results: The expeller press oil extraction method and alcalase-assisted extraction produced the most biocompatible oils, as shown by hemocompatibility measurements and the absence of erythrocyte membrane alterations. Solvent extracts and protease-assisted extraction oils resulted in the rupture of red blood cells at different examined dilutions, creating hemolysis. Conclusions: It seems that the proper functioning of oil-erythrocyte interactions cannot be explained solely by ROS. Further investigations combining chemical analysis with oil-cell interactions could be used as an input to design high nutritional value oils using green extraction technologies. All samples exhibited promising antiplatelet and antiblood clotting effects in vitro.

Roles of non-coding RNA in megakaryocytopoiesis and thrombopoiesis: new target therapies in ITP

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a group of RNA molecules that cannot encode proteins, and a better understanding of the complex interaction networks coordinated by ncRNAs will provide a theoretical basis for the development of therapeutics targeting the regulatory effects of ncRNAs. Platelets are produced upon the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into megakaryocytes, 10¹¹ per day, and are renewed every 8-9 days. The process of thrombopoiesis is affected by multiple factors, in which ncRNAs also exert a significant regulatory role. This article reviewed the regulatory roles of ncRNAs, mainly microRNAs (miRNAs), circRNAs (circular RNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), in thrombopoiesis in recent years as well as their roles in primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).

Use of soybean oil to modulate the gel properties of soybean protein isolation-wheat gluten composite with or without CaCl2

BACKGROUND

Plant protein is widely used in the study of animal protein substitutes and healthy sustainable products. The gel properties are crucial for the production of plant protein foods. Therefore, the present study investigated the use of soybean oil to modulate the gel properties of soybean protein isolation-wheat gluten composite with or without CaCl2 .

RESULTS

Oil droplets filled protein network pores under the addition of soybean oil (1-2%). This resulted in an enhanced gel hardness and water holding capacity. Further addition of soybean oil (3-4%), oil droplets and some protein-oil compounds increased the distance between the protein molecule chain. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and intermolecular interaction also showed that the disulfide bond and β-sheet ratio decreased in the gel system, which damaged the overall structure of the gel network. Compared with the addition of 0 m CaCl2 , salt ion reduced the electrostatic repulsion between proteins, and local protein cross-linking was more intense at 0.005 m CaCl2 concentration. In the present study, structural properties and rheological analysis showed that the overall strength of the gel was weakened after the addition of CaCl2 .

CONCLUSION

The presence of appropriate amount of soybean oil can fill the gel pores and improve the texture properties and network structure of soy protein isolate-wheat gluten (SPI-WG) composite gel. Excessive soybean oil may hinder protein-protein interaction and adversely affect protein gel. In addition, the presence or absence of CaCl2 significantly affected the gelling properties of SPI-WG composite protein gels. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Free Cholesterol Bioavailability and Atherosclerosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

As both a cholesterol acceptor and carrier in the reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) pathway, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is putatively atheroprotective. However, current pharmacological therapies to increase plasma HDL cholesterol (HDL-c) concentration have paradoxically failed to prevent or reduce atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Given that free cholesterol (FC) transfer between surfaces of lipoproteins and cells is reversible, excess plasma FC can be transferred to the cells of peripheral tissue sites resulting in atherosclerosis. Here, we summarize potential mechanisms contributing to this paradox and highlight the role of excess free cholesterol (FC) bioavailability in atherosclerosis vs. atheroprotection.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent findings have established a complex relationship between HDL-c concentration and atherosclerosis. Systemic scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) knock out (KO) mice exhibit with increased diet-induced atherosclerosis despite having an elevated plasma HDL-c concentration compared to wild type (WT) mice. The greater bioavailability of HDL-FC in SR-B1 vs. WT mice is associated with a higher FC content in multiple cell types and tissue sites. These results suggest that dysfunctional HDL with high FC bioavailability is atheroprone despite high HDL-c concentration. Past oversimplification of HDL-c involvement in cholesterol transport has led to the failures in HDL targeted therapy. Evidence suggests that FC-mediated functionality of HDL is of higher importance than its quantity; as a result, deciphering the regulatory mechanisms by which HDL-FC bioavailability can induce atherosclerosis can have far-reaching clinical implications.

Mechanism of Improving Aspirin Resistance: Blood-Activating Herbs Combined With Aspirin in Treating Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases

Atherosclerotic thrombotic disease continues to maintain a high morbidity and mortality rate worldwide at present. Aspirin, which is reckoned as the cornerstone of primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs), has been applied in clinics extensively. However, cardiovascular events continue to occur even though people utilize aspirin appropriately. Therefore, the concept of aspirin resistance (AR) was put forward by scholars, which is of great significance for the prediction of the clinical outcome of diseases. The pathogenesis of AR may be incorporated with low patient compliance, insufficient dose, genetic polymorphism, increased platelet transformation, inflammation, and the degenerative changes and calcification of platelets. The improvement of AR in the treatment of ASCVDs has gradually become a research hot spot in recent years. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) regards individuals as a whole and treats them from a holistic view, which has been found to have advantages in clinical studies on the treatment of AR. Many kinds of blood-activating TCM have the effect of improving AR. The potential mechanism for the improvement of AR by blood-activating herbs combined with aspirin was explored. The combination of blood-activating herbs and aspirin to improve AR is likely to turn into a hot topic of research in the future.

Thrombosis and COVID-19: The Potential Role of Nutrition

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is a contagion that has rapidly spread around the globe. COVID-19 has caused significant loss of life and disrupted global society at a level never before encountered. While the disease was predominantly characterized by respiratory symptoms initially, it became clear that other systems including the cardiovascular and neurological systems were also involved. Several thrombotic complications were reported including venous thrombosis, vasculitis, cardiomyopathy, and stroke. Thrombosis and inflammation are implicated in various non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This is of significant concern as people with pre-existing conditions such as cardiovascular disorders, renal disorders, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes are at greater risk of severe COVID-19 infection. Consequently, the research surrounding the use of anticoagulants, antiplatelet, and antithrombotic strategies for prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19 is of critical importance. The adoption of a healthy diet, physical exercise, and lifestyle choices can reduce the risk factors associated with NCDs and the thrombo-inflammatory complications. In this review, these thrombotic complications and potential foods, nutraceuticals, and the antithrombotic constituents within that may prevent the onset of severe thrombotic complications as a result of infection are discussed. While nutrition is not a panacea to tackle COVID-19, it is apparent that a patient's nutritional status may affect patient outcomes. Further intensive research is warranted to reduce to incidence of thrombotic complications.

Differential roles of Scavenger receptor class B type I: A protective molecule and a facilitator of atherosclerosis (Review)

The scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) is a multi-ligand membrane protein receptor that binds to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) under physiological conditions, promoting the selective uptake of cholesterol esters from HDL into cells. SR-BI also promotes the reverse transport of excess cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver, contributing to the synthesis of bile acids for excretion and the removal of excess cholesterol from the body, thereby lowering the cholesterol load and exerting anti-atherosclerotic effects. Studies in mice and humans have demonstrated that a functional defect of SR-BI can cause atherosclerotic lesions and cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Additionally, SR-BI in vascular endothelial cells promoted the deposition of low-density lipoprotein under the endothelium. Although SR-BI is widely expressed in various tissues and cell types throughout the body, its expression level and function vary accordingly. The present review focuses on the biological functions and mechanisms of SR-BI in regulating atherosclerosis.