M1 macrophage subtypes activation and adipocyte dysfunction worsen during prolonged consumption of a fructose-rich diet

Si-Wu-Tang attenuates hepatocyte PANoptosis and M1 polarization of macrophages in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by influencing the intercellular transfer of mtDNA

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a burgeoning challenge for public health with potential progression to malignant liver diseases. PANoptosis, an avant-garde conceptualization of cell deaths, is closely associated with mitochondrial damage and linked to multiple liver disorders. Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese herbal prescription renowned for regulating blood-related disorders and ameliorating gynecological and hepatic diseases, has been demonstrated to alleviate liver fibrosis by regulating bile acid metabolism and immune responses.

AIM OF THE STUDY

However, the mechanisms by which mtDNA is released from PANoptotic hepatocytes, triggering macrophage activation and hepatitis and whether this process can be reversed by SWT remain unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Here, sophisticated RNA-sequencing complemented by molecular approaches were applied to explore the underlying mechanism of SWT against NAFLD in methionine/choline-deficient diet (MCD)-induced mice and relative in vitro models.

RESULTS

We revealed that SWT profoundly repaired mitochondrial dysfunction, blocked mitochondrial permeability transition and mtDNA released to the cytoplasm, subsequently reversing hepatocyte PANoptosis and macrophage polarization both in MCD-stimulated mice and in vitro. Mechanically, loaded lipids dramatically promoted the opening of mPTP and oligomerization of VDAC2 to orchestrate mtDNA release, which was combined with ZBP1 to promote hepatocyte PANoptosis and also taken by macrophages to trigger M1 polarization via the FSTL1 and PKM2 combination. SWT effectively blocked NOXA signaling and reversed all these detrimental outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Our findings show that SWT protects against hepatitis-mediated hepatocyte PANoptosis and macrophage M1 polarization by influencing intrahepatic synthesis, release and intercellular transfer of mtDNA, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for ameliorating NAFLD.

Sweet regulation - The emerging immunoregulatory roles of hexoses

BACKGROUND

It is widely acknowledged that dietary habits have profound impacts on human health and diseases. As the most important sweeteners and energy sources in human diets, hexoses take part in a broad range of physiopathological processes. In recent years, emerging evidence has uncovered the crucial roles of hexoses, such as glucose, fructose, mannose, and galactose, in controlling the differentiation or function of immune cells.

AIM OF REVIEW

Herein, we reviewed the latest research progresses in the hexose-mediated modulation of immune responses, provided in-depth analyses of the underlying mechanisms, and discussed the unresolved issues in this field.

KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW

Owing to their immunoregulatory effects, hexoses affect the onset and progression of various types of immune disorders, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, and tumor immune evasion. Thus, targeting hexose metabolism is becoming a promising strategy for reversing immune abnormalities in diseases.

Vitamin D improves hepatic alterations in ACE1 and ACE2 expression in experimentally induced metabolic syndrome

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a term used to describe a cluster of pathophysiological, biochemical, and metabolic criteria; including high Blood Pressure (BP), high cholesterol, dyslipidaemia, central obesity and Insulin Resistance (IR). The Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) has a regulatory function in BP, hydroelectrolyte balance, and cardiovascular function. RAS is composed of angiotensinogen (AGT), (Ang I), (Ang II), (ACE1), (ACE2), (AT1R), (AT2R), and (Ang 1-7). Vitamin D had been proved to act as a protective factor against MetS. Therefore, the study is pursued to explore vitamin D supplementation roles on hepatic RAS in MetS experimental model. At first, 36 males Albino rats were separated into 4 groups and induced to MetS under controlled circumstances for 3 months. Then, data were collected from blood samples, whereas RNA extracted from liver were analyzed using biochemical and statistical analysis tests. As a result, the major finding was proving that vitamin D can balance the expression of ACE1 and ACE2. Also, confirming that it can improve MetS components by elevating HDL and insulin levels while reducing the levels of BP, cholesterol, LDL, TG, GLU, ALT, AST, and IR. These outcomes may give a new insight into the RAS pathways associated with MetS.

Leptin/obR signaling exacerbates obesity-related neutrophilic airway inflammation through inflammatory M1 macrophages

BACKGROUND

Obesity-related asthma is a kind of nonallergic asthma with excessive neutrophil infiltration in the airways. However, the underlying mechanisms have been poorly elucidated. Among the adipokines related to obesity, leptin is related to the inflammatory response. However, little is understood about how leptin acts on the leptin receptor (obR) in neutrophilic airway inflammation in obesity-associated asthma. We explored the inflammatory effects of leptin/obR signaling in an obesity-related neutrophilic airway inflammation mouse model.

METHODS

We established a neutrophilic airway inflammation mouse model using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and OVA challenge (LPS + OVA/OVA) in lean, obese, or db/db (obR deficiency) female mice. Histopathological, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) inflammatory cell, and lung inflammatory cytokine analyses were used to analyze airway inflammation severity. Western blotting, flow cytometry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to evaluate the underlying mechanisms. In vitro bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) and bone marrow-derived neutrophil experiments were performed.

RESULTS

We found that the serum leptin level was higher in obese than in lean female mice. Compared to LPS/OVA + OVA-treated lean female mice, LPS/OVA + OVA-treated obese female mice had higher peribronchial inflammation levels, neutrophil counts, Th1/Th17-related inflammatory cytokine levels, M1 macrophage polarization levels, and long isoform obR activation, which could be decreased by the obR blockade (Allo-Aca) or obR deficiency, suggesting a critical role of leptin/obR signaling in the pathogenesis of obesity-related neutrophilic airway inflammation in female mice. In in vitro experiments, leptin synergized with LPS/IFN-γ to promote the phosphorylation of the long isoform obR and JNK/STAT3/AKT signaling pathway members to increase M1 macrophage polarization, which was reversed by Allo-Aca. Moreover, leptin/obR-mediated M1 macrophage activity significantly elevated CXCL2 production and neutrophil recruitment by regulating the JNK/STAT3/AKT pathways. In clinical studies, obese patients with asthma had higher serum leptin levels and M1 macrophage polarization levels in induced sputum than non-obese patients with asthma. Serum leptin levels were positively correlated with M1 macrophage polarization levels in patients with asthma.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate leptin/obR signaling plays an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related neutrophilic airway inflammation in females by promoting M1 macrophage polarization.

Chronic Excessive Fructose Intake Maximizes Brown Adipocyte Whitening but Causes Similar White Adipocyte Hypertrophy Than a High-Fat Diet in C57BL/6 Mice

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the differential role of a high-fat diet (HF) or high-fructose diet (HFRU) on white adipose tissue and brown adipose tissue remodeling in C57BL/6 mice.Methods: The animals were randomly assigned to receive HF (50% of energy as lipids), HFRU (50% of energy as fructose), or a control diet (C, 10% of energy as lipids) for 12 weeks. Results: The HF group became overweight from the 7th week onwards, but both HF and HFRU groups showed hyperinsulinemia, oral glucose intolerance, and adverse adipose tissue remodeling. HF and HFRU groups showed interscapular brown adipose tissue whitening, tough the reduced Q_A [nuclei] suggested maximized brown adipocyte dysfunction due to the HFRU diet. In contrast, HF and HFRU diets exerted similar effects upon subcutaneous white adipocytes, with a similar average cross-sectional area. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the whitening enhancement with reduced UCP1 immunodensity in the HFRU group. Conclusion: In conclusion, HF and HFRU diets had indistinguishable effects upon white adipocyte morphology, but the HFRU diet provoked a more pronounced whitening than the HF diet after a 12-week protocol. These results point to the silent and harmful impact that excessive fructose has upon the metabolism of lean mice.

Macrophages in Tumor-Associated Adipose Microenvironment Accelerate Tumor Progression

Adipose-tissue macrophages (ATMs), a complex ensemble of diverse macrophage subtypes, are prevalent in the tumor-adipose microenvironment (TAME) and facilitate tumor growth. However, the mechanisms in which the tumor-adipocyte crosstalk may enable the properties and plasticity of macrophages remain unclear. The single-cell RNA-sequence profiling reveals that a subset of macrophages expressed CD163, CCL2, and CCL5 in TAME, exhibiting an immunosuppressive subtype. It is demonstrated that CD163⁺ macrophages aggregate to surround adipocytes in breast cancer tissues. The expressions of CCL2 and CCL5 are also elevated in TAME and enable the recruitment and polarize macrophages. Mechanically, the level of exosomal miRNA-155 increased in the coculture of tumor cells and adipocytes, and then it promoted the generation and release of CCL2 and CCL5 from adipocytes by targeting the SOCS6/STAT3 pathway. Inhibition of exosomal miRNA-155 in tumor cells reduced the CCL2 and CCL5 levels in tumor-adipocytes coculture and further retarded tumor growth. Finally, the deletion of macrophages partially inhibited adipocyte-induced tumor proliferation. Likewise, inhibiting chemokines and their receptors or suppressing the phosphorylation of STAT3 decreased tumor burden in preclinical models. These results demonstrate that the niche factors in TAME, such as exosomal miRNA-155, regulate the function and polarity of macrophages to facilitate tumor progression.

The Pivotal Immunoregulatory Functions of Microglia and Macrophages in Glioma Pathogenesis and Therapy

Gliomas are mixed solid tumors composed of both neoplastic and nonneoplastic cells. In glioma microenvironment, the most common nonneoplastic and infiltrating cells are macrophages and microglia. Microglia are the exact phagocytes of the central nervous system, whereas macrophages are myeloid immune cells that are depicted with ardent phagocytosis. Microglia are heterogeneously located in almost all nonoverlapping sections of the brain as well as the spinal cord, while macrophages are derived from circulating monocytes. Microglia and macrophages utilize a variety of receptors for the detection of molecules, particles, and cells that they engulf. Both microglia and peripheral macrophages interact directly with vessels both in the periphery of and within the tumor. In glioma milieu, normal human astrocytes, glioma cells, and microglia all exhibited the ability of phagocytosing glioma cells and precisely apoptotic tumor cells. Also, microglia and macrophages are robustly triggered by the glioma via the expression of chemoattractants such as monocyte chemoattractant protein, stromal-derived factor-1, and macrophage-colony stimulating factor. Glioma-associated microglia and/or macrophages positively correlated with glioma invasiveness, immunosuppression, and patients' poor outcome, making these cells a suitable target for immunotherapeutic schemes.

Engineered clustered myoblast cell injection augments angiogenesis and muscle regeneration in peripheral artery disease

The low survival rate of administered cells due to ischemic and inflammatory environments limits the efficacy of the current regenerative cell therapy in peripheral artery disease (PAD). This study aimed to develop a new method to enhance the efficacy of cell therapy in PAD using cell sheet technology. Clustered cells (CCs) from myoblast cell sheets obtained from C57/BL6 mice were administered into ischemic mouse muscles 7 days after induction of ischemia (defined as day 0). Control groups were administered with single myoblast cells (SCs) or saline. Cell survival, blood perfusion of the limb, angiogenesis, muscle regeneration, and inflammation status were evaluated. The survival of administered cells was markedly improved in CCs compared with SCs at days 7 and 28. CCs showed significantly improved blood perfusion, augmented angiogenesis with increased density of CD31⁺/α-smooth muscle actin⁺ arterioles, and accelerated muscle regeneration, along with the upregulation of associated genes. Additionally, inflammation status was well regulated by CCs administration. CCs administration increased the number of macrophages and then induced polarization into an anti-inflammatory phenotype (CD11c^-/CD206⁺), along with the increased expression of genes associated with anti-inflammatory cytokines. Our findings suggest clinical potential of rescuing severely damaged limbs in PAD using CCs.

Organokines and Exosomes: Integrators of Adipose Tissue Macrophage Polarization and Recruitment in Obesity

The prevalence of obesity is escalating and has become a worldwide health challenge coinciding with the development of metabolic diseases. Emerging evidence has shown that obesity is accompanied by the infiltration of macrophages into adipose tissue, contributing to a state of low-grade chronic inflammation and dysregulated metabolism. Moreover, in the state of obesity, the phenotype of adipose tissue macrophages switches from the M2 polarized state to the M1 state, thereby contributing to chronic inflammation. Notably, multiple metabolic organs (adipose tissue, gut, skeletal muscle, and the liver) communicate with adipose tissue macrophages via secreting organokines or exosomes. In this review, we systematically summarize how the organokines (adipokines, gut microbiota and its metabolites, gut cytokines, myokines, and hepatokines) and exosomes (adipocyte-, skeletal muscle-, and hepatocyte-derived exosomes) act as important triggers for macrophage recruitment in adipose tissue and adipose tissue macrophage polarization, thus providing further insight into obesity treatment. In addition, we also highlight the complex interaction of organokines with organokines and organokines with exosomes, revealing new paths in understanding adipose tissue macrophage recruitment and polarization.

Types of carbohydrate intake and breast cancer survival

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the associations of different types of carbohydrate intake after breast cancer diagnosis with breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality.

METHODS

We prospectively assessed post-diagnostic intake of total sugar, added sugar, and natural sugar as well as carbohydrate from different sources, among 8932 women with stage I-III breast cancer that were identified in the Nurses' Health Study from 1980 to 2010 and Nurses' Health Study II from 1991 to 2011. Participants completed a validated food frequency questionnaire every four years after diagnosis and were followed up for death.

RESULTS

We prospectively documented 1071 deaths due to breast cancer and 2532 all-cause deaths, over a mean of 11.5 years of follow-up. After adjustment for confounding variables, greater post-diagnostic total sugar intake was suggestively associated with greater risk of breast cancer-specific mortality [hazard ratio (HR)_Q5vsQ1 = 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI ) = 0.95-1.41; P_trend = 0.02] and significantly associated with greater risk of all-cause mortality (HR_Q5vsQ1 = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.08-1.41; P_trend = 0.0001). Greater post-diagnostic added sugar intake was significantly associated with greater risk of all-cause mortality (HR_Q5vsQ1 = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.06-1.36; P_trend = 0.001). Post-diagnostic natural sugar (occurring in foods and not added as an ingredient) intake was not associated with mortality risk. Greater post-diagnostic fructose intake was significantly associated with greater risk of breast cancer-specific mortality (HR_Q5vsQ1 = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.10-1.64; P_trend = 0.005) and all-cause mortality (HR_Q5vsQ1 = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.02-1.32; P_trend = 0.01). High post-diagnostic intake of sucrose was associated with higher risk of breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality. Increased post-diagnostic intake of carbohydrate from fruit juice was significantly associated with higher risk of breast cancer-specific and all-cause mortality and carbohydrate from vegetables was significantly associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality. High post-diagnostic intake of carbohydrate from potatoes was suggestively associated with higher risk of breast cancer-specific mortality and carbohydrate from refined grains was suggestively associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that higher total sugar intake, especially added sugar, sucrose, and fructose, as well as carbohydrate from fruit juice after a breast cancer diagnosis were associated with poorer prognosis. High post-diagnostic intake of carbohydrate from vegetables was associated with reduced risk of mortality.

Recent Developments in Rodent Models of High-Fructose Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is the physiological clustering of hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. The MetS-related chronic illnesses encompass obesity, the cardiovascular system, renal operation, hepatic function, oncology, and mortality. To perform pre-clinical research, it is imperative that these symptoms be successfully induced and optimized in lower taxonomy. Therefore, novel and future applications for a disease model, if proven valid, can be extrapolated to humans. MetS model establishment is evaluated based on the significance of selected test parameters, paradigm shifts from new discoveries, and the accessibility of the latest technology or advanced methodologies. Ultimately, the outcome of animal studies should be advantageous for human clinical trials and solidify their position in advanced medicine for clinicians to treat and adapt to serious or specific medical situations. Rodents (Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus) have been ideal models for mammalian studies since the 18th century and have been mapped extensively. This review compiles and compares studies published in the past five years between the multitude of rodent comparative models. The response factors, niche parameters, and replicability of diet protocols are also compiled and analyzed to offer insight into MetS-related disease-specific modelling.

Fruit and vegetable consumption and incident breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies

BACKGROUND

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies to clarify the relation of fruit and vegetable consumption with incident breast cancer.

METHODS

We searched systematically PubMed and EMBASE databases up to November 2020 to include prospective studies that reported the association of fruit and vegetable consumption with incident breast cancer. The pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the highest versus the lowest category of total fruit and vegetable, total fruit and total vegetable consumption, as well as fruit juice and subgroups of vegetables in relation to breast cancer incidence, using a random-effect model.

RESULTS

Total fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with lower overall (RR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.87-0.95) and postmenopausal breast cancer risk (RR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.79-0.99). Total fruit consumption was associated with lower overall (RR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.88-0.99) and postmenopausal breast cancer risk (RR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.87-0.99). Total fruit and vegetable intake were associated with 11% and 26% lower risk of oestrogen- and progesterone-receptor-positive (ER+/PR+) and -negative (ER-/PR-) breast cancer, respectively. Total vegetable consumption was associated with 27% lower risk of ER-/PR- breast cancer. Fruit juice consumption was associated with increased overall breast cancer risk (RR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.07). We did not find significant associations for subgroups of vegetable intake and breast cancer risk.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that high total fruit and vegetable consumption are associated with reduced risk of overall, postmenopausal, ER+/PR+ and ER-/PR- breast cancer.

Infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Promotes Both M1/M2 Polarization and MMP Production in Cigarette Smoke-Exposed Macrophages

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a risk factor for COPD. Our previous study revealed more severe emphysema in COPD patients (mostly smokers) with prior tuberculosis. However, the mechanisms of interactions between cigarette smoke (CS) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) are unknown. In this study, we found that the frequencies of both M1 and M2 macrophages, and levels of MMP9 and MMP12 in bronchoalveolar lavage were increased in PTB patients with smoking. Between-group analysis showed that the frequency of M1 macrophages was higher in non-smoker PTB patients while more M2 macrophages were found in smokers without PTB, as compared to the non-smoker healthy controls. Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) infection in CS extract (CSE)-incubated MH-S cells further enhanced secretion of M1-related (iNOS, IFN-γ and TNF-α) and M2-related (TGF-β and IL-10) cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cellular apoptosis, concomitantly with up-regulation of MMP9 and MMP12, but not TIMP1. Moreover, BCG infection in acutely CS-exposed mice promoted macrophage polarization toward both M1 and M2 phenotypes, along with increased lung inflammatory infiltration. MMP9 and MMP12, but not TIMP1, were further up-regulated in lung tissues and BAL fluid after BCG infection in this model. Taken together, Mtb Infection promoted CS-exposed macrophages to polarize toward both M1 and M2 phenotypes, along with enhanced production of MMP9 and MMP12. These findings provide insights into the mechanistic interplay between CS exposure and tuberculosis in the pathogenesis of COPD.

PPAR-α activation counters brown adipose tissue whitening: a comparative study between high-fat- and high-fructose-fed mice

OBJECTIVES

To examine the effects of a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-α) agonist treatment on interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) whitening, focusing on thermogenic, lipolysis, and lipid oxidation markers in mice fed a high-fat or high-fructose diet.

METHODS

Fifty animals were randomly assigned to receive a control diet (C, 10% lipids as energy), high-fat diet (HF, 50% lipids as energy), or high-fructose diet (HFRU, 50% fructose as energy) for 12 wk. Each group was redivided to begin the 5-wk treatment, totaling five experimental groups: C, HF, HF-a, HFRU, and HFRU-a. The drug was mixed with diet at the dose of 3.5 mg/kg body mass.

RESULTS

HF group was the heaviest group, and the HF and HFRU groups had glucose intolerance. PPAR-α activation alleviated these metabolic constraints. HF and HFRU groups had negative vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) immunostaining, but only the HF group had a pattern of lipid droplet accumulation that resembled the white adipose tissue, characterizing the whitening phenomenon. Whitening in the HF group was accompanied by decreased expression of genes related to thermogenesis, β-oxidation, and antiinflammatory effects. All of them were augmented by the PPAR-α activation in HF-a and HFRU-a groups, countering the whitening in the HF-a group. Treated groups also had a lower respiratory exchange ratio than untreated groups, suggesting that lipids were used as fuel for the enhanced thermogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

The PPAR-α agonist countered iBAT whitening by inducing the thermogenic pathway and reducing the lipid droplet size, in addition to enhanced VEGF-A expression, adrenergic stimulus, and lipolysis in HF-fed mice.

Activation of the renin-angiotensin system in high fructose-induced metabolic syndrome

High fructose intake induces hyperglycemia and hypertension. However, the mechanism by which fructose induces metabolic syndrome is largely unknown. We hypothesized that high fructose intake induces activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), resulting in hypertension and metabolic syndrome. We provided 11-week-old Sprague–Dawley rats with drinking water, with or without 20% fructose, for two weeks. We measured serum renin, angiotensin II (Ang II), and aldosterone (Aldo) using ELISA kits. The expression of RAS genes was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. High fructose intake increased body weight and water retention, regardless of food intake or urine volume. After two weeks, fructose intake induced glucose intolerance and hypertension. High fructose intake increased serum renin, Ang II, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels, but not Aldo levels. High fructose intake increased the expression of angiotensinogen in the liver; angiotensin-converting enzyme in the lungs; and renin, angiotensin II type 1a receptor (AT1aR), and angiotensin II type 1b receptor (AT1bR) in the kidneys. However, expression of AT1aR and AT1bR in the adrenal glands did not increase in rats given fructose. Taken together, these results indicate that high fructose intake induces activation of RAS, resulting in hypertension and metabolic syndrome.

"Spexin improves adipose tissue inflammation and macrophage recruitment in obese mice"

Spexin (SPX) is a novel adipokine related to many metabolic effects, such as gastrointestinal movements, insulin and glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism and energy balance. This study evaluates the role of SPX in the improvement of the metabolic and inflammatory profile in fructose-rich-diet obese mice. Adult Swiss mice were supplemented or not with fructose (20% in tap water, FRD and CTR, respectively) for 10 weeks. The last ten days, mice were treated or not with SPX (ip. 29 μg/Kg/day, FRD-SPX and CTR-SPX, respectively). A positive correlation was observed between body weight prior to treatment and weight loss after SPX challenge. Moreover, plasma and liver triglycerides and adipose tissue (AT) features (mass, adipocyte hypertrophy, mRNA of leptin) were improved. SPX also induced a reduction in epididymal AT (EAT) expression of TNFα, IL1β and IL6 and an improvement in IL10 and CD206. M1 macrophages in EAT, principally the Ly6C^- populations (M1a and M1b), were decreased. Adipocytes from FRD-SPX mice induced less macrophage activation (IL6, mRNA and secretion) than FRD after overnight co-culture with the monocyte cell line (RAW264.7) in stimulated conditions (M1 activation, LPS 100 ng/mL). Finally, in vitro, monocytes pre-incubated with SPX and stimulated with LPS showed decreased inflammatory mRNA markers compared to monocytes with LPS alone. In conclusion, SPX decreased body weight and improved the metabolic profile and adipocyte hypertrophy. Inflammatory Ly6C^- macrophages decreased, together with inflammatory marker expression. In vitro studies demonstrate that SPX induced a decrease in M1 macrophage polarization directly or through mature adipocytes.

High-fat diet triggers obesity-related early infiltration of macrophages into adipose tissue and transient reduction of blood monocyte count

Infiltration of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) is a typical feature of obesity, and circulating immune cells may indicate immune cell accumulation. However, it remains unclear whether this is true in the early stages of obesity. This study aimed to define the role of blood monocytes in obesity and the relationship between blood monocytes and ATMs in early-stage obesity. Two groups of male C57BL/6 J mice were fed on a 60 % high-fat diet (HFD) or a 10 % fat normal diet (ND), respectively, and monitored at 1, 2, 3, 7, and 12 weeks. Populations of circulating blood monocytes (CD11b + CD115+), ATMs (F4/80+CD11b+), and their subtypes were collected and analyzed using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Some cytokines (TNF-a, IL-1β) and chemokines (CCL2, CCL7) were also analyzed by real-time PCR. HFD induced obesity, dramatic fat expansion, and accumulation of ATMs in mice after 12 weeks. However, an acute and transient reduction of circulating monocyte count, elevated expression of CD11c in ly6c^low monocytes, and concurrent infiltration of ATMs into visceral adipose tissues (VAT) were observed as early as 1 week after initiating HFD. Further, HFD-induced changes in VAT, but not blood monocyte count, were partially reversed upon reverting to ND for 6 weeks. An acute but transient reduction of blood monocyte count was observed at the early stages of HFD feeding, which might be related to early infiltration of macrophages into adipose tissues. We believe that blood monocytes could be targeted as a new obesity treatment following additional studies.

Exosomes derived from pro-inflammatory bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells reduce inflammation and myocardial injury via mediating macrophage polarization

Exosomes are served as substitutes for stem cell therapy, playing important roles in mediating heart repair during myocardial infarction injury. Evidence have indicated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) pre-conditioning bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and their secreted exosomes promote macrophage polarization and tissue repair in several inflammation diseases; however, it has not been fully elucidated in myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to investigate whether LPS-primed BMSC-derived exosomes could mediate inflammation and myocardial injury via macrophage polarization after MI. Here, we found that exosomes derived from BMSCs, in both Exo and L-Exo groups, increased M2 macrophage polarization and decreased M1 macrophage polarization under LPS stimulation, which strongly depressed LPS-dependent NF-κB signalling pathway and partly activated the AKT1/AKT2 signalling pathway. Compared with Exo, L-Exo had superior therapeutic effects on polarizing M2 macrophage in vitro and attenuated the post-infarction inflammation and cardiomyocyte apoptosis by mediating macrophage polarization in mice MI model. Consequently, we have confidence in the perspective that low concentration of LPS pre-conditioning BMSC-derived exosomes may develop into a promising cell-free treatment strategy for clinical treatment of MI.

Maternal High-Fructose Intake Induces Multigenerational Activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System

Although maternal high-fructose intake induces cardiometabolic syndrome in adult offspring, whether it induces hypertension in successive multiple generations has not yet been studied. We hypothesized that maternal high-fructose intake induces multigenerational activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Pregnant mice were offered 20% fructose in drinking water, of which subsequent first to fourth generation offspring were raised without being offered fructose. Blood pressure was measured via the tail-cuff method, mRNA expression was determined using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and fibrosis was evaluated using trichrome staining. Maternal high-fructose intake statistically significantly increased blood pressure in the first and second, but not the third and fourth, generation offspring as compared to the control group, with maximal increases in serum renin, angiotensin II, and aldosterone in the third generation offspring. It increased the mRNA expression of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system genes as well as the expression of renin in the kidneys in the first to third generation offspring, with the exception of the vasodilatory Mas1 gene, the mRNA expression of which was the lowest in the second generation offspring. Moreover, it maximally increased fibrosis and the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines in the second generation offspring and increased the mRNA expression of oxidative factors in the first to third generation offspring, but maximally decreased the mRNA expression of antioxidant-encoding Sod1 in the second generation offspring. Maternal high-fructose intake induces multigenerational activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and the results of this study implicate that it epigenetically induces cardiometabolic syndrome in multiple generations of offspring.

Effect of the Anti-Inflammatory Diet in People with Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Feeding Study

Introduction

Inflammation underlies a variety of chronic medical conditions, including diabetes. The anti-inflammatory diet, one that excludes foods that may stimulate inflammation and includes foods that reduce inflammation, may improve inflammatory biomarkers in people with diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Study Design

Thirty participants with diabetes or pre-diabetes were randomized (2:1) in a controlled feeding study that compared the anti-inflammatory diet (n=20) to a control diet (n=10) based on the American Diabetes Association recommendations. Diets were matched for protein, carbohydrate, fat, and fiber content as closely as possible. Participants were fed an isocaloric diet for 2 weeks, followed by continued ad libitum feeding in their dietary group assignment for an additional 4 weeks. All meals were prepared by the study team.

Outcomes

Primary outcomes included inflammatory markers, including cytokines and hsCRP. Secondary outcomes included body weight and biomarkers for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Results

Both diets resulted in trends in reduced markers of inflammation, especially with weight loss. In addition, glucose, lipids, and triglycerides all trended downward, also non-significantly and equally in both groups.

Conclusion

Dietary change can improve inflammation as well as other cardiometabolic risk factors. In this study, the anti-inflammatory diet did not affect markers of inflammation more than the control diet.