Vitamin C prevents the endothelial dysfunction induced by acute ethanol intake

The role of oxidative stress in aortic dissection: a potential therapeutic target

The incidence of aortic dissection (AD) is steadily increasing, driven by the rising prevalence of chronic conditions such as hypertension and the global aging of the population. Oxidative stress emerges as a pivotal pathophysiological mechanism contributing to the progression of AD. Oxidative stress triggers apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells, reshapes the extracellular matrix (ECM), and governs ECM degradation and remodeling, subsequently impacting aortic compliance. Furthermore, oxidative stress not only facilitates the infiltration of macrophages and mononuclear lymphocytes but also disrupts the integral structure and functionality of endothelial cells, thereby inducing endothelial cell dysfunction and furthering the degeneration of the middle layer of the aortic wall. Investigating antioxidants holds promise as a therapeutic avenue for addressing AD.

Detoxification activity of bioactive food compounds against ethanol-induced injuries and hangover symptoms: A review

Alcohol drinking is a popular activity among adolescents in many countries, largely due to its pleasant, relaxing effects. As a major concern, ethanol consumption put the drinkers at risk of nutrients' deficiency due to the disordered eating, anorexia, and malabsorption of nutrients. Moreover, alcohol drinking may lead to the development of hangover symptoms including diarrhea, thirsty, fatigue, and oxidative stress. A broad range of functional food components with antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties including pectin, aloe vera polysaccharides, chito-oligosaccharides, and other herbal components have been explored due to their detoxification effects against ethanol. The underlying anti-hangover mechanisms include reducing the intestinal absorption of ethanol or its metabolites, increasing the activity of ethanol metabolizing enzymes, development of fatty acid β-oxidation in mitochondria, inhibition of inflammatory response, blocking the target receptors of ethanol in the body, and possession of antioxidant activity under the oxidative stress developed by ethanol consumption. Therefore, the development of bioactive food-based therapeutic formula can assist clinicians and also drinkers in the alleviation of alcohol side effects.

Oxidative Stress: Meeting Multiple Targets in Pathogenesis of Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction

Vascular endothelium is the innermost lining of blood vessels, which maintains vasoconstriction and vasodilation. Loss of vascular tone is a hallmark for cardiovascular disorders. Though there are numerous factors, such as over activation of renin angiotensin aldosterone system, kinases, growth factors, etc. play crucial role in induction and progression of vascular abrasion. Interestingly, dysregulation of these pathways either enhances the intensity of oxidative stress, or these pathways are affected by oxidative stress. Thus, oxidative stress has been considered a key culprit in the progression of vascular endothelial dysfunction. Oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species causes abnormal gene expression, alteration in signal transduction, and the activation of pathways leading to induction and progression of vascular injury. In addition, numerous antioxidants have been noted to possess promising therapeutic potential in preventing the development of vascular endothelial dysfunction. Therefore, we have focused on current perspectives in oxidative stress signalling to evaluate common biological processes whereby oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the progression of vascular endothelial dysfunction.

Combining Metabolomics and Interpretable Machine Learning to Reveal Plasma Metabolic Profiling and Biological Correlates of Alcohol-Dependent Inpatients: What About Tryptophan Metabolism Regulation?

Alcohol dependence (AD) is a condition of alcohol use disorder in which the drinkers frequently develop emotional symptoms associated with a continuous alcohol intake. AD characterized by metabolic disturbances can be quantitatively analyzed by metabolomics to identify the alterations in metabolic pathways. This study aimed to: i) compare the plasma metabolic profiling between healthy and AD-diagnosed individuals to reveal the altered metabolic profiles in AD, and ii) identify potential biological correlates of alcohol-dependent inpatients based on metabolomics and interpretable machine learning. Plasma samples were obtained from healthy (n = 42) and AD-diagnosed individuals (n = 43). The plasma metabolic differences between them were investigated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (AB SCIEX^® QTRAP 4500 system) in different electrospray ionization modes with scheduled multiple reaction monitoring scans. In total, 59 and 52 compounds were semi-quantitatively measured in positive and negative ionization modes, respectively. In addition, 39 metabolites were identified as important variables to contribute to the classifications using an orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) (VIP > 1) and also significantly different between healthy and AD-diagnosed individuals using univariate analysis (p-value < 0.05 and false discovery rate < 0.05). Among the identified metabolites, indole-3-carboxylic acid, quinolinic acid, hydroxy-tryptophan, and serotonin were involved in the tryptophan metabolism along the indole, kynurenine, and serotonin pathways. Metabolic pathway analysis revealed significant changes or imbalances in alanine, aspartate, glutamate metabolism, which was possibly the main altered pathway related to AD. Tryptophan metabolism interactively influenced other metabolic pathways, such as nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism. Furthermore, among the OPLS-DA-identified metabolites, normetanephrine and ascorbic acid were demonstrated as suitable biological correlates of AD inpatients from our model using an interpretable, supervised decision tree classifier algorithm. These findings indicate that the discriminatory metabolic profiles between healthy and AD-diagnosed individuals may benefit researchers in illustrating the underlying molecular mechanisms of AD. This study also highlights the approach of combining metabolomics and interpretable machine learning as a valuable tool to uncover potential biological correlates. Future studies should focus on the global analysis of the possible roles of these differential metabolites and disordered metabolic pathways in the pathophysiology of AD.

Clinical characterization of delayed alcohol-induced headache

Objective

To evaluate the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) criteria and to characterize the clinical phenotype of delayed alcohol-induced headache (DAIH).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of university students who voluntarily consumed alcohol and experienced headache. Participants completed a survey that included demographic and clinical data. We analyzed the phenotype of the headache, validated ICHD phenotype criteria for DAIH, and analyzed whether participants fulfilled criteria for low-CSF-pressure headache or migraine.

Results

A total of 1,108 participants were included (58% female, mean age 23 years, 41% with headache history). Mean alcohol intake was 158 g; spirits were consumed by 60% of the participants; beer was consumed by 41%; and wine was consumed by 18%. The ICHD criteria for DAIH were met in 95% of the participants. Headache duration (mean, 6.7 hours) correlated with total grams of alcohol consumed (r = 0.62, p = 0.03). Pain was bilateral in 85% of patients with predominantly frontal topography (43%). Pain quality was mainly pressing (60%) or pulsatile (39%) and was aggravated by physical activity in 83% of participants. ICHD low-CSF pressure-headache criteria were fulfilled in 58% of patients, and migraine criteria were fulfilled by 36%.

Conclusions

DAIH is a moderate-intensity headache, is typically bilateral, and presents with frontal predominance and a pressing quality. The phenotype of DAIH combines features of both migraine and low-CSF-pressure headaches.

Alcohol Consumption Can be a "Double-Edged Sword" for Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Excessive drinking of alcohol is becoming a worldwide problem, and people have recognized that there exists a close relationship between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and alcohol consumption. However, there are many inconsistencies between experimental and clinical studies on alcohol consumption and kidney damage. The possible reason for this contradictory conclusion is the complex drinking pattern of humans and some bioactivators in wine. In addition, the design itself of the clinical studies can also produce conflicting interpretations of the results. Considering the benefits of light-to-moderate alcohol consumption, we recommend that CKD patients continue light-to-moderate drinking, which is beneficial to them. Because alcohol consumption can lead to adverse events, we do not advise non-drinkers to start to drink. Although light-to-moderate alcohol consumption may not pose a risk to patients with CKD, the patients’ condition needs to be considered. Consumption of even small amounts of alcohol can be associated with increased death risk. Additional clinical and experimental studies are needed to clarify the effect of alcohol on the kidneys and alcohol consumption on CKD patients.

Perivascular adipose tissue protects against the vascular dysfunction induced by acute ethanol intake: Role of hydrogen peroxide

AIM

We investigated the consequences of acute ethanol intake on the anti-contractile effect of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT).

METHODS

The effects of a single dose of ethanol (1 g/kg; p.o. gavage) on the vascular function were assessed within 30 min in male Wistar rats.

RESULTS

Ethanol decreased the relaxation induced by acetylcholine and increased the contraction induced by phenylephrine in endothelium-intact, but not in endothelium-denuded aortas without PVAT. The vascular dysfunction induced by ethanol was not observed in aortic rings with PVAT. N^ω-Nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), NG-nitro-l-arginine (L-NNA) and 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), but not tiron or tempol, increased the contraction induced by phenylephrine in endothelium-intact aortas with PVAT from control and ethanol-treated rats. Catalase increased phenylephrine-induced contraction in aortas with PVAT from ethanol-treated rats, but not from control rats. Conversely, inhibition of catalase with aminotriazole decreased phenylephrine-induced contraction in aortas from ethanol-treated rats. Treatment with ethanol increased hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels and decreased catalase activity in aortas with PVAT. Ethanol increased superoxide anion (O₂^-) generation in aortas with or without PVAT. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was not affected by ethanol intake. In situ quantification of H₂O₂ using 2'7'dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) revealed increased levels of H₂O₂ in periaortic PVAT from ethanol-treated rats. However, in situ evaluation of nitric oxide (NO) in both aorta and PVAT showed no differences between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study provides novel evidence that the periaortic PVAT protects against the vascular dysfunction induced by acute ethanol intake through a mechanism that involves increased generation of H₂O₂.

Baccharis trimera protects against ethanol induced hepatotoxicity in vitro and in vivo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Baccharis trimera has been traditionally used in Brazil to treat liver diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the protective effect of Baccharis trimera in an ethanol induced hepatotoxicity model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antioxidant capacity was evaluated in vitro by the ability to scavenged the DPPH radical, by the quantification of ROS, NO and the transcription factor Nrf2. Hepatotoxicity was induced in animals by administration of absolute ethanol for 2 days (acute) or with ethanol diluted for 28 days (chronic). The biochemical parameters of hepatic function (ALT and AST), renal function (urea and creatinine) and lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL) were evaluated. In addition to antioxidant defense (SOD, catalase, glutathione), oxidative damage markers (TBARS and carbonylated protein), MMP-2 activity and liver histology.

RESULTS

Baccharis trimera promoted a decrease in ROS and NO, and at low concentrations promoted increased transcription of Nrf2. In the acute experiment it promoted increase of HDL, in the activity of SOD and GPx, besides diminishing TBARS and microesteatosis. Already in the chronic experiment B. trimera improved the hepatic and renal profile, decreased triglycerides and MMP-2 activity, in addition to diminishing microesteatosis.

CONCLUSION

We believe that B. trimera action is possibly more associated with direct neutralizing effects or inhibition of reactive species production pathways rather than the modulation of the antioxidant enzymes activity. Thus it is possible to infer that the biological effects triggered by adaptive responses are complex and multifactorial depending on the dose, the time and the compounds used.

Mechanisms Underlying Chronic Binge Alcohol Exposure-Induced Uterine Artery Dysfunction in Pregnant Rat

BACKGROUND

A cardinal feature of fetal alcohol syndrome is growth restriction. Maternal uterine artery adaptations to pregnancy correlate with birthweight and survival. We hypothesized that gestational binge alcohol exposure impairs maternal uterine vascular function, affecting endothelial nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilation.

METHODS

Pregnant rats grouped as pair-fed control or binge alcohol exposed received a once-daily, orogastric gavage of isocaloric maltose-dextrin or alcohol, respectively. On gestational day 20, primary uterine arteries were isolated, cannulated, and connected to a pressure transducer, and functional studies were conducted by dual-chamber arteriography. Uterine arteries maintained at constant intramural pressure (90 mm Hg) were maximally constricted with thromboxane, and a dose-response for acetylcholine (Ach) was recorded.

RESULTS

The alcohol group exhibited significantly impaired endothelium-dependent, Ach-induced uterine artery relaxation (↓∼30%). Subsequently, a dose-response was recorded following inhibition of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (apamin and TRAM-34) and prostacyclin (indomethacin). Ach-induced relaxation in the pair-fed control decreased by ~46%, and interestingly, relaxation in alcohol group further decreased by an additional ~48%, demonstrating that gestational binge alcohol impairs the NO system in the primary uterine artery. An endothelium-independent sodium nitroprusside effect was not observed. Immunoblotting indicated that alcohol decreased the level of endothelial excitatory P-Ser¹¹⁷⁷ endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) (p < 0.05) and total eNOS expression (p < 0.05) compared to both the normal and pair-fed controls. P-Ser¹¹⁷⁷ eNOS level was also confirmed by immunofluorescence imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to demonstrate maternal binge alcohol consumption during pregnancy disrupts uterine artery vascular function via impairment of the eNOS vasodilatory system.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 activation ameliorates pulmonary endothelial dysfunction in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension through mediating phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase

This study aims to investigate the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) activation on pulmonary endothelial function in the process of preventing pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in rat models and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Specific pathogen free rats were randomly divided into five groups including control group, PAH group, PAH + Resorcinolnaphthalein (Res) group (ACE2 activation), PAH + Res + MLN4760 group (ACE2 inhibition), and PAH + Res + L-NAME group (endothelial nitric oxide synthase [eNOS] inhibition). Rat PAH model was constructed using combined left pneumonectomy with a single dose of monocrotaline injection 1 week after the surgery, and the rats were then given corresponding reagents. Hemodynamics, endothelial function, and pathologic changes were evaluated 3 weeks after monocrotaline injection. The concentration of nitric oxide (NO), expression of eNOS, and phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser1177 and Thr495 in the lung tissues from rats were also investigated.The Res-induced activation of ACE2 led to decreased mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary artery remodeling in the PAH + Res group comparing with the PAH rats (P < .05). In addition, the reduction in mPAP induced by acetylcholine (Ach) was augmented in PAH + Res group (P < .05), but this was not observed under the treatment with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (P > .05). The ratio of decrease in mPAP caused by Ach to that caused by SNP (Ach/SNP) was also increased (P < .05) in ACE2-activated rats. However, the protective effects of ACE2 activation on PAH were counteracted by co-administration of MLN4760, an ACE2 antagonist (all P > .05). The mechanistic study showed that the concentration of NO in the lung tissues was downregulated in the PAH group but upregulated in the PAH + Res group (P < .05), whereas the NO concentration in the PAH + Res + MLN4760 group was not obviously different from that in the PAH group (P > .05). Regarding the factors regulating NO release, we found that the eNOS was upregulated in the PAH group, and Res did not affect the expression of eNOS. The phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser1177 was increased but at Thr495 was reduced after Res injection, when compared with the PAH group (P < .05). As expected, co-injection of MLN4760 eliminated these differences (P > .05). The reduction in mPAP induced by Ach was attenuated in the PAH + Res + L-NAME group compared with the PAH + Res group (P < .05), but this was not observed in rats treated with SNP (P > .05). The Ach/SNP ratio of decline in mPAP was also decreased in the PAH + Res + L-NAME group (P < .05). Activation of ACE2 had a protective role in the development of PAH via improving the function of pulmonary arterial endothelium. This effect was potentially mediated by promoted NO release as a consequence of increased phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser1177 and dephosphorylation of eNOS at Thr495.

The injury of fine particulate matter from cooking oil fumes on umbilical cord blood vessels in vitro

Cooking oil fumes (COFs) derived PM_2.5 is the major source of indoor air pollution in Asia. For this, a pregnant rat model within different doses of cooking oil fumes (COFs) derived PM_2.5 was established in pregnancy in our research. Our previous studies have showed that exposure to COFs-derived PM_2.5 was related to adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, the mechanisms of signaling pathways remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms induced by COFs-derived PM2.5 injury on umbilical cord blood vessels (UCs) in vitro. Exposure to COFs-derived PM_2.5 resulted in changing the expression of eNOS, ET-1, ETRA, and ETRB. In additions, western blot analysis indicated that the HIF-1α/iNOS/NO signaling pathway and VEGF/VEGFR1/iNOS signaling pathway were involved in UCs injury triggered by COFs-derived PM_2.5. In conclusion, our data suggested that exposure to COFs-derived PM_2.5 resulted in increasing of oxidative stress and inflammation, as well as dysfunction of UCs.

Acute Ethanol Intake Induces NAD(P)H Oxidase Activation and Rhoa Translocation in Resistance Arteries

Background

The mechanism underlying the vascular dysfunction induced by ethanol is not totally understood. Identification of biochemical/molecular mechanisms that could explain such effects is warranted.

Objective

To investigate whether acute ethanol intake activates the vascular RhoA/Rho kinase pathway in resistance arteries and the role of NAD(P)H oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) on such response. We also evaluated the requirement of p47phox translocation for ethanol-induced NAD(P)H oxidase activation.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were orally treated with ethanol (1g/kg, p.o. gavage) or water (control). Some rats were treated with vitamin C (250 mg/kg, p.o. gavage, 5 days) before administration of water or ethanol. The mesenteric arterial bed (MAB) was collected 30 min after ethanol administration.

Results

Vitamin C prevented ethanol-induced increase in superoxide anion (O₂^-) generation and lipoperoxidation in the MAB. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities and the reduced glutathione, nitrate and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels were not affected by ethanol. Vitamin C and 4-methylpyrazole prevented the increase on O₂^- generation induced by ethanol in cultured MAB vascular smooth muscle cells. Ethanol had no effect on phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B (Akt) and eNOS (Ser¹¹⁷⁷ or Thr⁴⁹⁵ residues) or MAB vascular reactivity. Vitamin C prevented ethanol-induced increase in the membrane: cytosol fraction ratio of p47phox and RhoA expression in the rat MAB.

Conclusion

Acute ethanol intake induces activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway by a mechanism that involves ROS generation. In resistance arteries, ethanol activates NAD(P)H oxidase by inducing p47phox translocation by a redox-sensitive mechanism.

The structural and functional effects of fine particulate matter from cooking oil fumes on rat umbilical cord blood vessels

A growing body of epidemiological evidence has supported the association between maternal exposure to airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during pregnancy and adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, the specific biological mechanisms implicated in the causes of adverse pregnancy outcomes are not well defined. In this study, a pregnant rat model of exposure to different doses of cooking oil fumes (COFs)-derived PM2.5 by tail intravenous injection in different pregnant stages was established. The results indicated that exposure to COFs-derived PM2.5 was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, changed the structure of umbilical cord blood vessels, decreased the diameter and lumen area, and increased wall thickness. What's more, a significant increase of maximum contraction tension was observed in the early pregnancy high-dose exposure group and pregnant low-dose exposure group compared to the control group. Based on the maximum contraction tension, acetylcholine (ACh) did not induce vasodilation but caused a dose-dependent constriction, and there were significant differences in the two groups compared to the control group. Exposure to COFs-derived PM2.5 impaired the vasomotor function of umbilical veins by affecting the expression of NO and ET-1. This is the first study that evaluated the association of risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and pregnant rats exposed to COFs-derived PM2.5 and primarily explored the potential mechanisms of umbilical cord blood vessels injury on a rat model. More detailed vitro and vivo studies are needed to further explore the mechanism in the future.