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Huang R, Sun Y, Liu R, Zhu B, Zhang H, Wu H. ZeXieYin formula alleviates atherosclerosis by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway in APOE-/- mice to attenuate vascular inflammation and increase plaque stability. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 327:117969. [PMID: 38437888 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Zexieyin formula (ZXYF), a traditional Chinese herbal formula recorded in the Huangdi Neijing to have efficacy in relieving spleen dampness and heat accumulation syndrome, which is also the key pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS). The efficacy has demonstrated by our previous studies. However, the intrinsic mechanism of ZXYF for treating vascular inflammation and the effect of inflammatory response on plaque are not known. Currently, plaque stabilization is crucial for the prognosis of AS. AIM OF THE STUDY Our study mainly focused on the therapeutic effects of ZXYF on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced vascular inflammation and vulnerable plaques (VP) in mice and explored its underlying mechanism. METHODS AND MATERIALS Male apolipoprotein E knockout (APOE-/-) mice were fed HFD for 8 weeks to establish a VP model. During this period, the mice were also administered ZXYF, while atorvastatin (ATO) was used as a positive control. Aortic plaque area and morphology were detected by oil red staining and HE staining. Aortic plaque collagen content was detected by Masson staining. M1/M2 type macrophages were detected using immunofluorescence (IF). The study analyzed the levels of inflammation-related cytokines (IL-1β, IL-10, IL-6), MAPK/NF-κB pathway proteins, and NLRP3 inflammasomes (NLRP3, Caspase-1) using Western blot. Additionally, the levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the aorta were analyzed using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The plaque instability index was calculated for each group using the vulnerable plaque formula. RESULTS In this study, APOE-/- mice were fed high-fat diet for 8 weeks. The results of oil-red and HE staining indicated a significant increase in the aortic plaque area of the mice, which exhibited a typical VP phenotype. ZXYF and ATO significantly improved AS plaques and prevented plaque rupture. HFD exacerbated vascular inflammation, stimulated macrophage conversion to M1-type through the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway, and released pro-inflammatory factors such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-1α, and IL-6. These factors activated NLRP3 inflammasome, leading to cellular death. However, ZXYF could reverse this trend and promote the conversion of macrophages to the anti-inflammatory M2 type. The anti-inflammatory effect of ATO was not significant. Moreover, HFD promoted the release of MMP-2 and MMP-9 from macrophages, which degraded plaque collagen, and induced a decrease in plaque SMC content, resulting in a thinning of the plaque fibrous cap. In contrast, ZXYF inhibited the decomposition of plaque collagen and increased the content of plaque smooth muscle cells (SMC) by reducing macrophage secretion of MMPs, thereby stabilizing plaques. Although ATO could reverse the decrease in plaque collagen and SMC content, its effect on MMPs was not significant. Finally, we calculated the vulnerability index to assess the overall risk of the plaque vulnerability phenotype. In line with these findings, ZXYF and ATO were able to effectively reverse the increase in the vulnerability index caused by HFD and lower the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. CONCLUSION Our results suggested that ZXYF could reduce inflammation and increase plaque stability by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway, which provided a theoretical basis for clinical application and subsequent research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rumin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Integrative Biomedicine for Brain Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China; National Famous Chinese Medicine Expert Inheritance Studio (Meng Jingchun), Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Yan Sun
- Key Laboratory of Integrative Biomedicine for Brain Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China; National Famous Chinese Medicine Expert Inheritance Studio (Meng Jingchun), Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Ruiyi Liu
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Personalized Medicine in Brain Disorders, School of Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China
| | - Boran Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Integrative Biomedicine for Brain Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China; National Famous Chinese Medicine Expert Inheritance Studio (Meng Jingchun), Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Hailou Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Personalized Medicine in Brain Disorders, School of Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China.
| | - Haoxin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Integrative Biomedicine for Brain Diseases, School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China; National Famous Chinese Medicine Expert Inheritance Studio (Meng Jingchun), Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
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Yan Z, Liu Z, Yang B, Zhu X, Song E, Song Y. Long-term pulmonary iron oxide nanoparticles exposure disrupts hepatic iron-lipid homeostasis and increases plaque vulnerability in ApoE -/- mice. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 341:122905. [PMID: 37951529 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) have attracted great attention due to their extensive applications, which warranted their environmental concerns. Although recent advances have proposed the relevance of Fe3O4 NPs to cardiovascular disease, the intrinsic mechanisms underlying the effects of NPs remain indistinct. ApoE-/- mice were chosen as a long-term exposure model to explore the immanent association between respiratory exposure to Fe3O4 NPs and the development of cardiovascular diseases. Pulmonary exposure to 20 nm and 200 nm Fe3O4 NPS resulted in significant lung injury, and pulmonary histopathological examination displayed inflammatory cell infiltration, septal thickening and alveolar congestion. Intriguingly, liver iron deposition and variations in the hepatic lipid homeostasis were found in Fe3O4 NPs-exposed mice, eventually leading to dyslipidemia, hinting the potential cardiovascular toxicity of Fe3O4 NPs. In addition, we not only found that Fe3O4 NPs exposure increased aortic plaque area, but also increased M1 macrophages in the plaque, which yielding plaque vulnerability in ApoE-/- mice Of note, 20 nm Fe3O4 NPs showed enhanced capability on the progression of atherosclerosis than 200 nm Fe3O4 NPs. This study may propose the potential mechanism for adverse cardiovascular disease induced by Fe3O4 NPs and provide convincing evidence for the safety evaluation of Fe3O4 NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Zixuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Bingwei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Erqun Song
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China.
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Lv H, Zhang Z, Fu B, Li Z, Yin T, Liu C, Xu B, Wang D, Li B, Hao J, Zhang L, Wang J. Characteristics of the gut microbiota of patients with symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaques positive for bacterial genetic material. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1296554. [PMID: 38282614 PMCID: PMC10811106 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1296554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The gut microbiota (GM) is believed to be closely associated with symptomatic carotid atherosclerosis (SCAS), yet more evidence is needed to substantiate the significant role of GM in SCAS. This study, based on the detection of bacterial DNA in carotid plaques, explores the characteristics of GM in SCAS patients with plaque bacterial genetic material positivity, aiming to provide a reference for subsequent research. Methods We enrolled 27 healthy individuals (NHF group) and 23 SCAS patients (PFBS group). We utilized 16S rDNA V3-V4 region gene sequencing to analyze the microbiota in fecal samples from both groups, as well as in plaque samples from the carotid bifurcation extending to the origin of the internal carotid artery in all patients. Results Our results indicate significant differences in the gut microbiota (GM) between SCAS patients and healthy individuals. The detection rate of bacterial DNA in plaque samples was approximately 26%. Compared to patients with negative plaques (PRSOPWNP group), those with positive plaques (PRSOPWPP group) exhibited significant alterations in their GM, particularly an upregulation of 11 bacterial genera (such as Klebsiella and Streptococcus) in the gut, which were also present in the plaques. In terms of microbial gene function prediction, pathways such as Fluorobenzoate degradation were significantly upregulated in the GM of patients with positive plaques. Conclusion In summary, our study is the first to identify significant alterations in the gut microbiota of patients with positive plaques, providing crucial microbial evidence for further exploration of the pathogenesis of SCAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Lv
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Bo Fu
- Department of Precision Medicine, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Zhongchen Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Tengkun Yin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Bin Xu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Dawei Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Baojie Li
- Bio-X Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiheng Hao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Liyong Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
| | - Jiyue Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China
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Shi L, Bi D, Luo J, Chen W, Yang C, Zheng Y, Hao J, Chang K, Li B, Liu C, Ta D. Associations between electrocardiogram and carotid ultrasound parameters: a healthy chinese group study. Front Physiol 2022; 13:976254. [PMID: 36003640 PMCID: PMC9393264 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.976254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Electrocardiogram (ECG) and carotid ultrasound (CUS) are important tools for the diagnosis and prediction of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to investigate the associations between ECG and CUS parameters and explore the feasibility of assessing carotid health with ECG. Methods: This cross-sectional cohort study enrolled 319 healthy Chinese subjects. Standard 12-lead ECG parameters (including the ST-segment amplitude [STA]), CUS parameters (intima-media thickness [IMT] and blood flow resistance index [RI]), and CVD risk factors (including sex, age, and systolic blood pressure [SBP]) were collected for analysis. Participants were divided into the high-level RI group (average RI ≥ 0.76, n = 171) and the normal RI group (average RI < 0.76, n = 148). Linear and stepwise multivariable regression models were performed to explore the associations between ECG and CUS parameters. Results: Statistically significant differences in sex, age, SBP, STA and other ECG parameters were observed in the normal and the high-level RI group. The STA in lead V3 yielded stronger significant correlations (r = 0.27–0.42, p < 0.001) with RI than STA in other leads, while ECG parameters yielded weak correlations with IMT (|r| ≤ 0.20, p < 0.05). STA in lead V2 or V3, sex, age, and SBP had independent contributions (p < 0.01) to predicting RI in the stepwise multivariable models, although the models for IMT had only CVD risk factors (age, body mass index, and triglyceride) as independent variables. The prediction model for RI in the left proximal common carotid artery (CCA) had higher adjusted R2 (adjusted R2 = 0.31) than the model for RI in the left middle CCA (adjusted R2 = 0.29) and the model for RI in the right proximal CCA (adjusted R2 = 0.20). Conclusion: In a cohort of healthy Chinese individuals, the STA was associated with the RI of CCA, which indicated that ECG could be utilized to assess carotid health. The utilization of ECG might contribute to a rapid screening of carotid health with convenient operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingwei Shi
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Information Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongsheng Bi
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Information Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingchun Luo
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Information Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cuiwei Yang
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Information Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zheng
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ju Hao
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Chang
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Information Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Boyi Li
- Academy for Engineering and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Boyi Li, ; Chengcheng Liu,
| | - Chengcheng Liu
- Academy for Engineering and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Boyi Li, ; Chengcheng Liu,
| | - Dean Ta
- Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Information Science and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Academy for Engineering and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Lipid Droplet-a New Target in Ischemic Heart Disease. J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2022; 15:730-739. [PMID: 34984637 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-021-10204-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Lipid droplet (LD) is a kind of subcellular organelle, which originates from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). LDs can move flexibly between other organelles and store energy in the cells. In recent years, LDs and lipid droplet-associated proteins have attracted added attention at home and abroad, especially in cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, especially ischemic heart disease (IHD), have always been the focus of attention because of their high morbidity and mortality. Atherosclerosis and myocardial remodeling are two important pathologic processes of IHD, and LDs and other organelles are involved in the development of the disease. The interaction between LDs and ER is involved in the formation of foam cells in atherosclerosis. And LDs, mitochondria, and lysosomes also affect the remodeling of cardiomyocytes by affecting ROS production and regulating PI3K/AKT pathways. In this article, we will review the role of LDs in IHD.
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