Placental extract suppresses cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis in an angiotensin II-induced cachexia model in mice

Withaferin A as a Potential Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of Angiotensin II-Induced Cardiac Cachexia

In our previous studies, we showed that the generation of ovarian tumors in NSG mice (immune-compromised) resulted in the induction of muscle and cardiac cachexia, and treatment with withaferin A (WFA; a steroidal lactone) attenuated both muscle and cardiac cachexia. However, our studies could not address if these restorations by WFA were mediated by its anti-tumorigenic properties that might, in turn, reduce the tumor burden or WFA's direct, inherent anti-cachectic properties. To address this important issue, in our present study, we used a cachectic model induced by the continuous infusion of Ang II by implanting osmotic pumps in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice. The continuous infusion of Ang II resulted in the loss of the normal functions of the left ventricle (LV) (both systolic and diastolic), including a significant reduction in fractional shortening, an increase in heart weight and LV wall thickness, and the development of cardiac hypertrophy. The infusion of Ang II also resulted in the development of cardiac fibrosis, and significant increases in the expression levels of genes (ANP, BNP, and MHCβ) associated with cardiac hypertrophy and the chemical staining of the collagen abundance as an indication of fibrosis. In addition, Ang II caused a significant increase in expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-17, MIP-2, and IFNγ), NLRP3 inflammasomes, AT1 receptor, and a decrease in AT2 receptor. Treatment with WFA rescued the LV functions and heart hypertrophy and fibrosis. Our results demonstrated, for the first time, that, while WFA has anti-tumorigenic properties, it also ameliorates the cardiac dysfunction induced by Ang II, suggesting that it could be an anticachectic agent that induces direct effects on cardiac muscles.

Placental extract suppresses lipid droplet accumulation by autophagy during the differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells into mature adipocytes

OBJECTIVE

Placental extract, which contains various bioactive compounds, has been used as traditional medicine. Many studies have demonstrated additional applications of placental extract and provided a scientific basis for the broad spectrum of its effects. We have previously reported that porcine placental extract (PPE) strongly suppresses adipogenesis in a 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell line, inhibiting differentiation. This study aimed to examine the effect of PPE on the accumulation of lipid droplets (LD) in adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (ASC).

RESULTS

The study findings revealed that PPE decreased the size of LD during the differentiation of ASC into mature adipocytes. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that PPE increased the gene expression of lysosomal acid lipase A (Lipa), a lipolysis-related gene, in ASC-differentiated adipocytes. However, no differences were noted in the adipocyte differentiation markers (Pparg, Cebpa, and Adipoq), or the adipogenesis-related genes (Dgat1, Dgat2, Fasn, Soat1, and Soat2). In addition, PPE promoted autophagosome formation, which was partially co-localized with the LD, indicating that PPE accelerated the degradation of LD by inducing autophagy (termed lipophagy) during the differentiation of ASC into mature adipocytes. These results suggest that the use of PPE may be a potential novel treatment for regulating adipogenesis for the treatment of obesity.

The human neuroprotective placental protein composition suppressing tinnitus and restoring auditory brainstem response in a rodent model of sodium salicylate-induced ototoxicity

The effect of neuroprotective placental protein composition (NPPC) on the suppression of tinnitus and the restoration of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) characteristics was explored in tinnitus-induced rats. The animals were placed into two groups: (1) the study group, rats received sodium salicylate (SS) at the dose of 200 mg/kg twice a day for two weeks, and then 0.4 mg of the NPPC per day, between the 14th and 28th days, (2) the placebo group, rats received saline for two weeks, and then the NPPC alone between the 14th and 28th days. The gap pre-pulse inhibition of the acoustic startle (GPIAS), the pre-pulse inhibition (PPI), and the ABR assessments were performed on animals in both groups three times (baseline, day 14, and 28). The GPIAS value declined after 14 consecutive days of the SS injection, while NPPC treatment augmented the GPIAS score in the study group on the 28th day. The PPI outcomes revealed no significant changes, indicating hearing preservation after the SS and NPPC administrations. Moreover, some changes in ABR characteristics were observed following SS injection, including (1) higher ABR thresholds, (2) lowered waves I and II amplitudes at the frequencies of 6, 12, and 24 kHz and wave III at the 12 kHz, (3) elevated amplitude ratios, and (4) prolongation in brainstem transmission time (BTT). All the mentioned variables returned to their normal values after applying the NPPC. The NPPC use could exert positive therapeutic effects on the tinnitus-induced rats and improve their ABR parameters.

Human placenta hydrolysates: from V.P. Filatov to the present day: Review

Works of V.P. Filatov and his school laid the foundation for the study and clinical use of human placenta hydrolysates (HPH). To date, the PubMed database contains more than 5,000 publications on basic and clinical research on HPH. Studies of the peptide composition of HPH, carried out using the methods of modern proteomics, have made it possible to propose a complex of molecular mechanisms of the action of HPH in various pathologies. The article discusses the effects of HPH on the treatment of liver diseases, atopic dermatitis, viral infections (herpes, COVID-19, viral hepatitis), iron overload and chronic fatigue syndrome. Stimulation of HPH regenerative capabilities of the body is important for accelerating and improving the quality of wound healing, treatment of diseases of the joints and the reproductive system.

Placental extract suppresses the formation of fibrotic deposits by tumor necrosis factor alpha and transforming growth factor beta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in ARPE-19 cells

Objective

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and subsequent fibrosis. Previously, we demonstrated that placental extract ameliorates fibrosis in a mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. In this study, we evaluated whether placental extract influences EMT and fibrosis through cytokine-induced EMT in the retinal pigment epithelial cells, in vitro.

Results

Placental extract did not inhibit EMT, but it suppressed excessive mesenchymal reactions and the subsequent fibrosis. These results suggest that placental extract effectively ameliorates EMT-associated fibrosis in PVR. This beneficial effect could be partially attributed to the suppression of excessive mesenchymal reactions.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13104-021-05824-0.