The powerful story against cardiovascular diseases: Dietary factors

Consumption of oil macerated with garlic produces renovascular protective effects in adult apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory conditions contribute as key determinants in the development of vascular and renal diseases. Organosulfur compounds (OSCs) of oil macerated with garlic (OMG) are promising phytochemicals which could protect us from hyper-inflammation and oxidative stress-induced organ damage. The present work evaluated the effect of OMG intake in apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-KO) mice. Adult female ApoE-KO mice were randomly divided into three groups and fed with control chow, oil-supplemented diet and OMG-supplemented diet. After 8 weeks, the animals were euthanized and blood, aorta, kidneys, liver and abdominal adipose tissues were obtained for further analysis. Biochemical parameters were measured in plasma, lipid peroxidation as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels was determined in the adipose tissue, oil red O was used to stain atherosclerotic lesions, and histological and ultrastructural analyses of the kidneys were performed. Renal expression levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Wilms' Tumor Protein (WT-1) were determined by western blotting and the co-immunoprecipitation assay (p53/WT-1). Also, transmission electron microscopy for studying the expression of mitofusin 2 (Mfn-2) was used to assess mitochondrial damage. The results showed that long-term moderate intake of OMG improved serum triglyceride levels, diminished the atheroma plaque area, and reduced lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, we found a decrease in oxidative and inflammatory markers, less apoptosis and reduced WT-1 expression in the kidneys. Also, OMG increased p53/WT-1 protein interactions and reduced mitochondrial damage. Our findings suggest that OMG intake would produce anti-atherosclerotic, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects in adult ApoE-KO mice, conferring significant renovascular protective actions in a mechanism mediated, at least in part, by WT-1.

Superfruits in China: Bioactive phytochemicals and their potential health benefits - A Review

The term "superfruit" usually refers to certain fruits, which are rich in antioxidant components, therefore, are beneficial to human health. In China, there has been the concept of health preservation and dietary therapy through food intake in a long history. However, some other superfruits growing mainly in China have not attracted extensive attention, such as Cili, Goji berry, and sea buckthorn. Many studies suggested all of these superfruits showed strong antioxidant effects and anti-inflammatory activity in common. However, there are various other advantages and functions in different fruits. This article reviewed the research findings from the existing literature published about major antioxidant bioactive compounds and the potential health benefits of these fruits. The phytochemicals from superfruits are bioaccessible and bioavailable in humans with promising health benefits. More studies are needed to validate the health benefits of these superfruits. It would provide essential information for further research and functional food development.

Comparative Phytochemical, Antioxidant, and Hemostatic Studies of Extract and Four Fractions from Paulownia Clone in Vitro 112 Leaves in Human Plasma

Background: The Paulownia Clone in Vitro 112, known as oxytree or oxygen tree, is a hybrid clone of the species Paulownia elongata and Paulownia fortunei (Paulowniaceae). The oxytree is a fast-growing hybrid cultivar that can adapt to wide variations in edaphic and climate conditions. In this work, Paulownia Clone in Vitro 112 leaves were separated into an extract and four fractions (A–D) differing in chemical content in order to investigate their chemical content using LC-MS analysis. The extract and fractions were also evaluated for their anticoagulant and antioxidant properties in a human plasma in vitro. Results: The Paulownia leaf extract contained mainly phenolic compounds (e.g., verbascoside), small amounts of iridoids (e.g., aucubin or 7-hydroxytometoside) and triterpenoids (e.g., maslinic acid) were also detected. Our results indicate that the extract and fractions have different effects on oxidative stress in human plasma treated with H₂O₂/Fe in vitro, which could be attributed to differences in their chemical content. For example, the extract and all the fractions, at the two highest concentrations of 10 and 50 µg/mL, significantly inhibited the plasma lipid peroxidation induced by H₂O₂/Fe. Fractions C and D, at all tested concentrations (1–50 µg/mL) were also found to protect plasma proteins against H₂O₂/Fe-induced carbonylation. The positive effects of fraction C and D were dependent on the dose. Conclusions: The extract and all four fractions, but particularly fractions C and D, which are rich in phenolic compounds, are novel sources of antioxidants, with an inhibitory effect on oxidative stress in human plasma in vitro. Additionally, the antioxidant potential of fraction D may be associated with triterpenoids.

Hepatic cholesterol synthesis and lipoprotein levels impaired by dietary fructose and saturated fatty acids in mice: Insight on PCSK9 and CD36

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the uncertain effects of high saturated fatty acids (SFAs) or fructose intake on cholesterol and lipoproteins with an insight of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9)- and cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36)-induced mechanisms.

METHODS

Forty male C57 BL/6 mice (8 wks of age) were divided into four groups and fed ad libitum with standard chow or three isocaloric diets containing high SFAs (SFA group), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA group, vehicle), or fructose for 15 wks. Subsequently, mice were sacrificed and blood, liver, and heart were collected for further analysis.

RESULTS

Consequently, fructose or SFA intake resulted in higher plasma and liver total cholesterol (TC) levels, plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein (Apo)-B levels, TC/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios, and lower plasma levels of HDL-C and Apo-A1 (P < 0.05). Levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase and acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 1 enzymes in liver and CD36 levels in plasma were elevated by high SFAs and fructose intake (P < 0.05), whereas plasma PCSK9 levels were not significantly changed. Fructose and SFA intake increased PCSK9 and CD36 levels in the heart, along with increased CD36 levels in the liver (P < 0.05). Furthermore, plasma LDL-C was found to be positively correlated with liver PCSK9 (r = 0.85, P = 0.02), and CD36 (r = 0.70, P = 0.02) in the SFA and fructose groups.

CONCLUSION

High intakes of dietary SFAs and fructose might induce dysregulations in the cholesterol synthesis and blood lipoprotein levels via proposed nutrient-sensitive biomarkers PCSK9 and CD36 in liver and extrahepatic tissues involved in cholesterol homeostasis.

Dietary fatty acids and CD36-mediated cholesterol homeostasis: potential mechanisms

Currently, the prevention and treatment of CVD have been a global focus since CVD is the number one cause of mortality and morbidity. In the pathogenesis of CVD, it was generally thought that impaired cholesterol homeostasis might be a risk factor. Cholesterol homeostasis is affected by exogenous factors (i.e. diet) and endogenous factors (i.e. certain receptors, enzymes and transcription factors). In this context, the number of studies investigating the potential mechanisms of dietary fatty acids on cholesterol homeostasis have increased in recent years. As well, the cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) receptor is a multifunctional membrane receptor involved in fatty acid uptake, lipid metabolism, atherothrombosis and inflammation. CD36 is proposed to be a crucial molecule for cholesterol homeostasis in various mechanisms including absorption/reabsorption, synthesis, and transport of cholesterol and bile acids. Moreover, it has been reported that the amount of fatty acids and fatty acid pattern of the diet influence the CD36 level and CD36-mediated cholesterol metabolism principally in the liver, intestine and macrophages. In these processes, CD36-mediated cholesterol and lipoprotein homeostasis might be impaired by dietary SFA and trans-fatty acids, whereas ameliorated by MUFA in the diet. The effects of PUFA on CD36-mediated cholesterol homeostasis are controversial depending on the amount of n-3 PUFA and n-6 PUFA, and the n-3:n-6 PUFA ratio. Thus, since the CD36 receptor is suggested to be a novel nutrient-sensitive biomarker, the role of CD36 and dietary fatty acids in cholesterol metabolism might be considered in medical nutrition therapy in the near future. Therefore, the novel nutritional target of CD36 and interventions that focus on dietary fatty acids and potential mechanisms underlying cholesterol homeostasis are discussed in this review.