Menaquinone 4 increases plasma lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic mice

Experimental Parkinson models and green chemistry approach

Parkinson's is the most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's. Motor findings in Parkinson's occur as a result of the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons starting in the substantia nigra pars compacta and ending in the putamen and caudate nucleus. Loss of neurons and the formation of inclusions called Lewy bodies in existing neurons are characteristic histopathological findings of Parkinson's. The disease primarily impairs the functional capacity of the person with cardinal findings such as tremor, bradykinesia, etc., as a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Experimental animal models of Parkinson's have been used extensively in recent years to investigate the pathology of this disease. These models are generally based on systemic or local(intracerebral) administration of neurotoxins, which can replicate many features of Parkinson's mammals. The development of transgenic models in recent years has allowed us to learn more about the modeling of Parkinson's. Applying animal modeling, which shows the most human-like effects in studies, is extremely important. It has been demonstrated that oxidative stress increases in many neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and various age-related degenerative diseases in humans and that neurons are sensitive to it. In cases where oxidative stress increases and antioxidant systems are inadequate, natural molecules such as flavonoids and polyphenols can be used as a new antioxidant treatment to reduce neuronal reactive oxygen species and improve the neurodegenerative process. Therefore, in this article, we examined experimental animal modeling in Parkinson's disease and the effect of green chemistry approaches on Parkinson's disease.

Lactococcus lactis‑fermented spinach juice suppresses LPS‑induced expression of adhesion molecules and inflammatory cytokines through the NF‑κB pathway in HUVECs

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), a green leafy vegetable, is widely regarded as a functional food due to its biological activities; however, to the best of our knowledge, there are no previous studies that have investigated the protective effects of fermented spinach against endothelial dysfunction and its underlying mechanisms. Therefore, this study investigated the effects and possible mechanisms of action of fresh spinach juice (S.juice) and fermented S.juice on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The HUVECs were treated with S.juice and fermented S.juice for 18 h before LPS exposure, and the levels of cytokines and chemokines, such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Furthermore, to examine the changes in inflammatory responses to the two treatments, immunofluorescence analysis was used to visualize the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Western blot analysis was also performed to detect the differences in the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules, specifically vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Both S.juice and fermented S.juice inhibited the LPS-induced expression of MCP-1 and IL-6, and suppressed VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. Additionally, fermented S.juice inhibited the LPS-induced activation of NF-κB and degradation of the inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBα) in an LPS dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin K₂-enriched fermented S.juice is mediated by the suppression of the NF-κB pathway, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic candidate for inflammatory cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin K and vascular calcification

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Vascular calcification is a common and important cardiovascular risk factor in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recent advances in the understanding of the biology of vascular calcification implicate vitamin K-dependent proteins as important regulators in this process. This review highlights recent key advances in vascular biology, epidemiology, and clinical trials in this rapidly evolving field.

RECENT FINDINGS

Vitamin K deficiency is associated with increasing severity of vascular calcification among patients with CKD, but the relationship with cardiovascular disease and mortality is inconsistent. Vitamin K may reduce calcification propensity by improving the activity of vitamin K-dependent calcification inhibitors or by down-regulating components of the innate immune system to reduce inflammation. However, recent randomized controlled trials in patients with diabetes, CKD, renal transplant, and on hemodialysis have failed to demonstrate improvement in vascular calcification or stiffness after vitamin K treatment.

SUMMARY

Current evidence does not support a clinically useful role for vitamin K supplementation to prevent or reverse vascular calcification in patients with CKD. Knowledge gaps remain, particularly whether higher doses of vitamin K, longer duration of supplementations, or use a vitamin K as a part of a package of measures to counteract vascular calcification might be effective.