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Prifti KK, McCarthy R, Ma X, Finck BN, England SK, Frolova AI. Obese mice have decreased uterine contractility and altered energy metabolism in the uterus at term gestation. Biol Reprod 2024:ioae086. [PMID: 38857377 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Over 35% of reproductive-age women in the US are obese, putting them at increased risk for numerous obstetric complications due to abnormal labor. While the association between maternal obesity and abnormal labor has been well documented, the mechanisms responsible for this remain understudied. The uterine smooth muscle, myometrium, has high energy needs in order to fuel regular uterine contractions during parturition. However, the precise mechanisms by which the myometrium meets its energy demands has not been defined. Here, our objective was to define the effects of obesity on energy utilization in the myometrium during labor. We generated a mouse model of maternal diet-induced obesity (DIO) and found that these mice had a higher rate of dystocia than control chow-fed (CON) mice. Moreover, compared to CON mice, DIO mice at term, both before and during labor had lower in vivo spontaneous uterine contractility. Untargeted transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses suggest that DIO is associated with elevated long-chain fatty acid uptake and utilization in the uterus, but also an accumulation of medium-chain fatty acids. DIO uteri also had an increase in the abundance of long chain-specific β-oxidation enzymes, which may be responsible for the observed increase in long-chain fatty acid utilization. This altered energy substrate utilization may be a contributor to the observed contractile dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin K Prifti
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ronald McCarthy
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Xiaofeng Ma
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Brian N Finck
- Department of Medicine, Center for Human Nutrition, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sarah K England
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Antonina I Frolova
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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Sarkar A, Pawar SV, Chopra K, Jain M. Gamut of glycolytic enzymes in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation: Implications for vascular proliferative diseases. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167021. [PMID: 38216067 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the predominant cell type in the media of the blood vessels and are responsible for maintaining vascular tone. Emerging evidence confirms that VSMCs possess high plasticity. During vascular injury, VSMCs switch from a "contractile" phenotype to an extremely proliferative "synthetic" phenotype. The balance between both strongly affects the progression of vascular remodeling in many cardiovascular pathologies such as restenosis, atherosclerosis and aortic aneurism. Proliferating cells demand high energy requirements and to meet this necessity, alteration in cellular bioenergetics seems to be essential. Glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism act as a fuel for VSMC proliferation. Metabolic reprogramming of VSMCs is dynamically variable that involves multiple mechanisms and encompasses the coordination of various signaling molecules, proteins, and enzymes. Here, we systemically reviewed the metabolic changes together with the possible treatments that are still under investigation underlying VSMC plasticity which provides a promising direction for the treatment of diseases associated with VSMC proliferation. A better understanding of the interaction between metabolism with associated signaling may uncover additional targets for better therapeutic strategies in vascular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankan Sarkar
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sandip V Pawar
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Kanwaljit Chopra
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Manish Jain
- University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
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Feng Z, Hu Y, Yu S, Bai H, Sun Y, Gao W, Li J, Qin X, Zhang X. Exercise in cold: Friend than foe to cardiovascular health. Life Sci 2023; 328:121923. [PMID: 37423378 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Exercise has been proven to benefit human health comprehensively regardless of the intensity, time, or environment. Recent studies have found that combined exercise with a cold environment displays a synergistical beneficial effect on cardiovascular system compared to exercise in thermoneutral environment. Cold environment leads to an increase in body heat loss, and has been considered a notorious factor for cardiovascular system. Exercise in cold increases the stress of cardiovascular system and risks of cardiovascular diseases, but increases the body tolerance to detrimental insults and benefits cardiovascular health. The biological effects and its underlying mechanisms of exercise in cold are complex and not well studied. Evidence has shown that exercise in cold exerts more noticeable effects on sympathetic nervous activation, bioenergetics, anti-oxidative capacity, and immune response compared to exercise in thermoneutral environment. It also increases the secretion of a series of exerkines, including irisin and fibroblast growth factor 21, which may contribute to the cardiovascular benefits induced by exercise in cold. Further well-designed studies are needed to advance the biological effects of exercise in cold. Understanding the mechanisms underlying the benefits of exercise in cold will help prescribe cold exercise to those who can benefit from it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihang Feng
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, School of Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China; School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, School of Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Sen Yu
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, School of Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Haomiao Bai
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, School of Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China; School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yubo Sun
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, School of Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China; School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Weilu Gao
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, School of Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China; School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Jia Li
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, School of Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Xiangyang Qin
- Department of Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Xing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education, School of Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
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Park J, Shin YK, Kim U, Seol GH. Ginsenoside Rb 1 Reduces Hyper-Vasoconstriction Induced by High Glucose and Endothelial Dysfunction in Rat Aorta. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1238. [PMID: 37765046 PMCID: PMC10536350 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute hyperglycemia induces oxidative damage and inflammation, leading to vascular dysfunction. Ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) is a major component of red ginseng with anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, we investigated the beneficial effects and the underlying mechanisms of Rb1 on hypercontraction induced by high glucose (HG) and endothelial dysfunction (ED). The isometric tension of aortic rings was measured by myography. The rings were treated with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) to induce chemical destruction of the endothelium, and Rb1 was added after HG induction. The agonist-induced vasoconstriction was significantly higher in the aortic rings treated with L-NAME + HG50 than in those treated with HG50 or L-NAME (p = 0.011) alone. Rb1 significantly reduced the hypercontraction in the aortic rings treated with L-NAME + HG50 (p = 0.004). The ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP) blocker glibenclamide tended to increase the Rb1-associated reduction in the agonist-induced vasoconstriction in the rings treated with L-NAME + HG50. The effect of Rb1 in the aortic rings treated with L-NAME + HG50 resulted from a decrease in extracellular Ca2+ influx through the receptor-operated Ca2+ channel (ROCC, 10-6-10-4 M CaCl2, p < 0.001; 10-3-2.5 × 10-3 M CaCl2, p = 0.001) and the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGCC, 10-6 M CaCl2, p = 0.003; 10-5-10-2 M CaCl2, p < 0.001), whereas Rb1 did not interfere with Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. In conclusion, we found that Rb1 reduced hyper-vasoconstriction induced by HG and ED by inhibiting the ROCC and the VGCC, and possibly by activating the KATP in rat aorta. This study provides further evidence that Rb1 could be developed as a therapeutic target for ED in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jubin Park
- Department of Basic Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea (U.K.)
- BK21 FOUR Program of Transdisciplinary Major in Learning Health Systems, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - You Kyoung Shin
- Department of Basic Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea (U.K.)
| | - Uihwan Kim
- Department of Basic Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea (U.K.)
- BK21 FOUR Program of Transdisciplinary Major in Learning Health Systems, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Geun Hee Seol
- Department of Basic Nursing Science, College of Nursing, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea (U.K.)
- BK21 FOUR Program of Transdisciplinary Major in Learning Health Systems, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
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Exercise Enhances Branched-Chain Amino Acid Catabolism and Decreases Cardiac Vulnerability to Myocardial Ischemic Injury. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101706. [PMID: 35626742 PMCID: PMC9139679 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term exercise-induced metabolic adaptations occupy a central position in exercise-afforded cardiac benefits. Emerging evidence suggests that branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolic defect contributes to cardiac dysfunction in multiple cardiometabolic diseases. However, the role of BCAA catabolism in exercise-afforded cardiac benefits remains unknown. Here, we show that exercise improves BCAA catabolism and thus reduce cardiac vulnerability to myocardial ischemic injury. Exercise increased circulating BCAA levels in both humans (male adolescent athletes) and mice (following an 8-week swimming intervention). It increased the expression of mitochondrial localized 2C-type serine-threonine protein phosphatase (PP2Cm), a key enzyme in regulating BCAA catabolism, and decreased BCAA accumulation in mouse hearts, indicating an increase in BCAA catabolism. Pharmacological promotion of BCAA catabolism protected the mouse heart against myocardial infarction (MI) induced by permanent ligation of the left descending coronary artery. Although cardiac-specific PP2Cm knockout showed no significant effects on cardiac structural and functional adaptations to exercise, it blunted the cardioprotective effects of exercise against MI. Mechanistically, exercise alleviated BCAA accumulation and subsequently inactivated the mammalian target of rapamycin in MI hearts. These results showed that exercise elevated BCAA catabolism and protected the heart against myocardial ischemic injury, reinforcing the role of exercise in the promotion of cardiac health.
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Tuo B, Xu J, Zhang W, Li X, Peng L, Zou Q, Deng Y, Lei J, Li H. Upregulation of miR-140-5p uncouples mitochondria by targeting Bcl-xL in vascular smooth muscle cells in angiotensin II-induced hypertension. Bioengineered 2022; 13:1137-1148. [PMID: 35258391 PMCID: PMC8805896 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2017696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin II–induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) remodeling and dysfunction is a major contributor to the development of hypertension. In spite of the low content of mitochondria and their low contribution to bioenergetics in VSMCs, recent studies have suggested that mitochondria play an important role in the regulation of VSMC function. However, the role of mitochondria in angiotensin II–induced VSMC dysfunction remains unknown. Here, we found that angiotensin II decreased the expression of Bcl-2-like protein 1 (Bcl-xL), a newly identified protein in inhibition of uncoupled proton flux in mitochondria through interaction with the β-subunit of ATP synthase, and uncoupled mitochondria in VSMCs both in vivo and in vitro. Overexpression of Bcl-xL restored the mitochondrial and VSMC function in response to angiotensin II treatment in vitro, suggesting that angiotensin II uncouples mitochondria through downregulation of Bcl-xL. Mechanistically, angiotensin II increased the expression of miR-140-5p, which targeted and downregulated Bcl-xL in VSMCs. Inhibition of miR-140-5p using antagomir-140-5p in vivo attenuated mitochondrial uncoupling and hypertension in angiotensin II-treated mice. These results suggested that upregulation of miR-140-5p uncouples mitochondria by targeting Bcl-xL in VSMCs in angiotensin II–induced hypertension, and miR-140-5p and Bcl-xL are potential targets for treatment of vascular dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Buxiong Tuo
- Department of Cardiology, 986th Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Cardiology, 986 Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenqiang Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, 986 Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiaomiao Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lijing Peng
- Department of Cardiology, 986 Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qian Zou
- Department of Cardiology, 986 Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Ying Deng
- Department of Cardiology, 986 Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Junning Lei
- Department of Cardiology, 986 Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Cardiology, 986 Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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Zhang X, Gao F. Exercise improves vascular health: Role of mitochondria. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 177:347-359. [PMID: 34748911 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Vascular mitochondria constantly integrate signals from environment and respond accordingly to match vascular function to metabolic requirements of the organ tissues, while mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to vascular aging and pathologies such as atherosclerosis, stenosis, and hypertension. As an effective lifestyle intervention, exercise induces extensive mitochondrial adaptations through vascular mechanical stress and the increased production and release of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide that activate multiple intracellular signaling pathways, among which peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) plays a critical role. PGC-1α coordinates mitochondrial quality control mechanisms to maintain a healthy mitochondrial pool and promote endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity in vasculature. The mitochondrial adaptations to exercise improve bioenergetics, balance redox status, protect endothelial cells against detrimental insults, increase vascular plasticity, and ameliorate aging-related vascular dysfunction, thus benefiting vascular health. This review highlights recent findings of mitochondria as a central hub integrating exercise-afforded vascular benefits and its underlying mechanisms. A better understanding of the mitochondrial adaptations to exercise will not only shed light on the mechanisms of exercise-induced cardiovascular protection, but may also provide new clues to mitochondria-oriented precise exercise prescriptions for cardiovascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aerospace Medicine of the Ministry of Education, School of Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Feng Gao
- Key Laboratory of Aerospace Medicine of the Ministry of Education, School of Aerospace Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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