Circulating Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 (ICAM-1): Relationship with carotid artery elasticity in patients with impaired glucose regulation (IGR)

Effectiveness of Regular Aerobic Exercise in Improving Vascular Stiffness in Elderly Korean Women

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of aerobic exercise on carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), cell adhesion molecules (intracellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1), endothelial selectin (E-selectin), and oxidized LDL in elderly women aged 70-85 years, and to identify the effect of and correlation with vascular stiffness. Forty participants were recruited and divided into three groups; vascular stiffness (VSG, n = 14), obesity (OG, n = 14), and normal (NG, n = 12). All groups were given a 16-week intervention of aerobic exercise, and the data collected before and after exercise were analyzed using SPSS Ver. 23.0. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to evaluate between-group and time-dependent interaction effects. One-way ANOVA was used to evaluate between-group variations. In addition, the significance was tested using a post hoc test (Scheffe). The within-group variations by time before and after exercise were examined using a paired t-test, and correlation analysis was performed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Simple regression analysis was performed for variables showing significant differences. The results indicate interaction effects for cf-PWV (p < 0.001), VCAM-1 (p < 0.01), E-selectin (p < 0.05), and oxidized LDL (p < 0.001). The rate of change of cf-PWV was positively correlated with that of VCAM-1 (r = 0.352, p < 0.05) and that of oxidized LDL (r = 0.325, p < 0.05) with statistical significance. To determine the effect of the rate of change of cf-PWV on the rate of change of VCAM-1, the variables were tested, and the coefficient of determination in the regression analysis was 0.124, indicating that 12.4% of the tested variables fit the standard regression line. The variables for the effect of the rate of change of cf-PWV on the rate of change of oxidized LDL were also tested, and the coefficient of determination in the regression analysis was 0.106, indicating that 10.6% of the tested variables fit the standard regression line. Thus, the 16-week regular and consistent aerobic exercise program had significant effects on the cf-PWV, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, and oxidized LDL in elderly Korean women with vascular stiffness, suggesting improvements in vascular stiffness, based on which the intervention is predicted to contribute to the prevention of vascular dysfunction by lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease due to atherosclerosis, as well as having a positive effect in the prevention of impairment of vascular endothelial cells.

Influence of Shift Work on Arterial Stiffness and Systemic Inflammation: A 3-Year Follow-up Study in Industry

OBJECTIVE

To assess changes in cardiovascular disease risk factors during a 3-year follow-up among 57 rotating shift workers and 29 day workers in industry.

METHODS

We collected demographics by questionnaire, examined blood pressure, heart rate, pulse wave velocity, carotid media thickness, and maximal oxygen uptake. We assessed blood samples for determination of lipids, glycosylated hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, markers of inflammation, and particle concentrations/respirable dust. Baseline comparisons were analyzed using logistic regression (plaque) and linear regression for all other outcomes. We applied mixed models to assess differences in change in health outcomes between the shift workers and the day workers.

RESULTS

At baseline, the adhesion molecules soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 and soluble P-selectin were elevated among the shift workers compared with that of the day workers. There was a significant difference in change in pulse wave velocity between shift workers (1.29-m/s increase) and day workers (0.11-m/s increase) over the 3-year follow-up. Respirable dust levels were below the Norwegian occupational exposure limit.

CONCLUSIONS

Shift work in industry is associated with arterial stiffening reflecting increased risk for future cardiovascular disease. More uncertainly, we found some support for systemic inflammation.

Targeting VCAM-1: a therapeutic opportunity for vascular damage

INTRODUCTION

The vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) is a transmembrane sialoglycoprotein detected in activated endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells involved in the adhesion and transmigration of inflammatory cells into damaged tissue. Widely used as a pro-inflammatory marker, its potential role as a targeting molecule has not been thoroughly explored.

AREAS COVERED

We discuss the current evidence supporting the potential targeting of VCAM-1 in atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension and ischemia/reperfusion injury.

EXPERT OPINION

There is emerging evidence that VCAM-1 is more than a biomarker and may be a promising therapeutic target for vascular diseases. While there are neutralizing antibodies that allow preclinical research, the development of pharmacological tools to activate or inhibit this protein are required to thoroughly assess its therapeutic potential.

Roles of Endovascular Calyx Related Enzymes in Endothelial Dysfunction and Diabetic Vascular Complications

In recent years, the number of diabetic patients has rapidly increased. Diabetic vascular complications seriously affect people’s quality of life. Studies found that endothelial dysfunction precedes the vascular complications of diabetes. Endothelial dysfunction is related to glycocalyx degradation on the surface of blood vessels. Heparanase (HPSE), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), hyaluronidase (HYAL), hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS), and neuraminidase (NEU) are related to glycocalyx degradation. Therefore, we reviewed the relationship between endothelial dysfunction and the vascular complications of diabetes from the perspective of enzymes.

CD44, a Predominant Protein in Methylglyoxal-Induced Secretome of Muscle Cells, is Elevated in Diabetic Plasma

Methylglyoxal (MG), a glycolytic intermediate and reactive dicarbonyl, is responsible for exacerbation of insulin resistance and diabetic complication. In this study, MG-induced secretome of rat muscle cells was identified and relatively quantified by SWATH-MS. A total of 643 proteins were identified in MG-induced secretome, of which 82 proteins were upregulated and 99 proteins were downregulated by more than 1.3-fold in SWATH analysis. Further, secretory proteins from the classical secretory pathway and nonclassical secretory pathway were identified using SignalP and SecretomeP, respectively. A total of 180 proteins were identified with SignalP, and 113 proteins were identified with SecretomeP. The differentially expressed proteins were functionally annotated by KEGG pathway analysis using Cytoscape software with plugin clusterMaker. The differentially expressed proteins were found to be involved in various pathways like extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, leukocyte transendothelial migration, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, complement and coagulation cascades, and lysosomal pathway. Since the MG levels are high in diabetic conditions, the presence of MG-induced secreted proteins was inspected by profiling human plasma of healthy and diabetic subjects (n = 10 each). CD44, a predominant MG-induced secreted protein, was found to be elevated in the diabetic plasma and to have a role in the development of insulin resistance.