A high-salt diet promotes atherosclerosis by altering haematopoiesis

Microwave-induced heterogeneity in protein conformation and water mobility interferes with the distribution pattern and migration pathway of sodium ion in myofibrillar protein gel

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution pattern and migration pathway of sodium ion in the myofibrillar protein (MP) gel matrix during microwave heating. The results showed that the content of sodium ions in the outer layer of MP gel increased by 47.85% compared with that in the inner layer. In the inner layer of protein gel, the non-covalent disulfide bonds (mainly ε(γ-Glu)-Lys) increased (P < 0.05), which contributed to the formation of a better rigid structure of the protein. The free water content was significantly higher than that of the inner layer (P < 0.05), which was related to the higher mobility of sodium ions. The results of microstructure analysis showed that the outer layer of the MP gel formed a more porous network than the inner layer. This work is expected to give some insights into the development of promising salt-reduced meat products by microwave heating.

Chitosan and inulin synergized with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LPP95 to improve the quality characteristics of low-salt pickled tuber mustard

Low-salt pickled vegetables are in line with a healthier diet, yet ensuring consistent quality of such products is challenging. In this study, low-salt tuber mustard pickles fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LPP95 in the presence of chitosan and inulin were analyzed over a 30-day period, and quality changes were evaluated. Total acid productions along with high bacterial counts (106 CFU/mL) were observed in the initial 20 days during indoor storage temperature, in which the reduced fiber aperture was found significantly lead to an increase in crispness (16.94 ± 1.87 N) and the maintenance of a low nitrate content (1.23 ± 0.01 mg/kg). Moreover, the combined pickling treatment resulted in higher malic acid content, lower tartaric acid content, and a decrease in the content of bitter amino acids (e.g., isoleucine and leucine), thus leading to an increase in the proportion of sweet amino acids. Additionally, combined pickling led to the production of unique volatile flavor compounds, especially the distinct spicy flavor compounds isothiocyanates. Moreover, the combined pickling treatment resulted in an increase in the abundance of Lactiplantibacillus and promoted microbial diversity within the fermentation system. Thus, the synergistic effect among chitosan, inulin, and L. plantarum LPP95 significantly enhanced the quality of pickles. The study offers a promising strategy to standardize the quality of low-salt fermented vegetables.

Pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases: effects of mitochondrial CF6 on endothelial cell function

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) stands as a predominant global cause of morbidity and mortality, necessitating effective and cost-efficient therapies for cardiovascular risk reduction. Mitochondrial coupling factor 6 (CF6), identified as a novel proatherogenic peptide, emerges as a significant risk factor in endothelial dysfunction development, correlating with CVD severity. CF6 expression can be heightened by CVD risk factors like mechanical force, hypoxia, or high glucose stimuli through the NF-κB pathway. Many studies have explored the CF6-CVD relationship, revealing elevated plasma CF6 levels in essential hypertension, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), stroke, and preeclampsia patients. CF6 acts as a vasoactive and proatherogenic peptide in CVD, inducing intracellular acidosis in vascular endothelial cells, inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin generation, increasing blood pressure, and producing proatherogenic molecules, significantly contributing to CVD development. CF6 induces an imbalance in endothelium-dependent factors, including NO, prostacyclin, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), promoting vasoconstriction, vascular remodeling, thrombosis, and insulin resistance, possibly via C-src Ca2+ and PRMT-1/DDAH-2-ADMA-NO pathways. This review offers a comprehensive exploration of CF6 in the context of CVD, providing mechanistic insights into its role in processes impacting CVD, with a focus on CF6 functions, intracellular signaling, and regulatory mechanisms in vascular endothelial cells.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells as an Integrative Hub Linking Lifestyle to Cardiovascular Health

Despite breakthroughs in modern medical care, the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is even more prevalent globally. Increasing epidemiologic evidence indicates that emerging cardiovascular risk factors arising from the modern lifestyle, including psychosocial stress, sleep problems, unhealthy diet patterns, physical inactivity/sedentary behavior, alcohol consumption, and tobacco smoking, contribute significantly to this worldwide epidemic, while its underpinning mechanisms are enigmatic. Hematological and immune systems were recently demonstrated to play integrative roles in linking lifestyle to cardiovascular health. In particular, alterations in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) homeostasis, which is usually characterized by proliferation, expansion, mobilization, megakaryocyte/myeloid-biased differentiation, and/or the pro-inflammatory priming of HSCs, have been shown to be involved in the persistent overproduction of pro-inflammatory myeloid leukocytes and platelets, the cellular protagonists of cardiovascular inflammation and thrombosis, respectively. Furthermore, certain lifestyle factors, such as a healthy diet pattern and physical exercise, have been documented to exert cardiovascular protective effects through promoting quiescence, bone marrow retention, balanced differentiation, and/or the anti-inflammatory priming of HSCs. Here, we review the current understanding of and progression in research on the mechanistic interrelationships among lifestyle, HSC homeostasis, and cardiovascular health. Given that adhering to a healthy lifestyle has become a mainstream primary preventative approach to lowering the cardiovascular burden, unmasking the causal links between lifestyle and cardiovascular health from the perspective of hematopoiesis would open new opportunities to prevent and treat CVD in the present age.

Exploring a novel therapeutic strategy: the interplay between gut microbiota and high-fat diet in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders

In the past two decades, the rapid increase in the incidence of metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hypertension, and hyperuricemia, has been attributed to high-fat diets (HFD) and decreased physical activity levels. Although the phenotypes and pathologies of these metabolic diseases vary, patients with these diseases exhibit disease-specific alterations in the composition and function of their gut microbiota. Studies in germ-free mice have shown that both HFD and gut microbiota can promote the development of metabolic diseases, and HFD can disrupt the balance of gut microbiota. Therefore, investigating the interaction between gut microbiota and HFD in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases is crucial for identifying novel therapeutic strategies for these diseases. This review takes HFD as the starting point, providing a detailed analysis of the pivotal role of HFD in the development of metabolic disorders. It comprehensively elucidates the impact of HFD on the balance of intestinal microbiota, analyzes the mechanisms underlying gut microbiota dysbiosis leading to metabolic disruptions, and explores the associated genetic factors. Finally, the potential of targeting the gut microbiota as a means to address metabolic disturbances induced by HFD is discussed. In summary, this review offers theoretical support and proposes new research avenues for investigating the role of nutrition-related factors in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders in the organism.