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Peiu SN, Iosep DG, Danciu M, Scripcaru V, Ianole V, Mocanu V. Ghrelin Expression in Atherosclerotic Plaques and Perivascular Adipose Tissue: Implications for Vascular Inflammation in Peripheral Artery Disease. J Clin Med 2024; 13:3737. [PMID: 38999303 PMCID: PMC11242600 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13133737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of peripheral artery disease (PAD), is driven by lipid accumulation and chronic inflammation within arterial walls. Objectives: This study investigates the expression of ghrelin, an anti-inflammatory peptide hormone, in plaque morphology and inflammation in patients with PAD, highlighting its potential role in age-related vascular diseases and metabolic syndrome. Methods: The analysis specifically focused on the immunohistochemical expression of ghrelin in atherosclerotic plaques and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) from 28 PAD patients. Detailed immunohistochemical staining was performed to identify ghrelin within these tissues, comparing its presence in various plaque types and assessing its association with markers of inflammation and macrophage polarization. Results: Significant results showed a higher prevalence of calcification in fibro-lipid plaques (63.1%) compared to fibrous plaques, with a notable difference in inflammatory infiltration between the two plaque types (p = 0.027). Complicated plaques exhibited increased ghrelin expression, suggesting a modulatory effect on inflammatory processes, although this did not reach statistical significance. The correlation between ghrelin levels and macrophage presence, especially the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype, indicates ghrelin's involvement in the inflammatory dynamics of atherosclerosis. Conclusions: The findings propose that ghrelin may influence plaque stability and vascular inflammation, pointing to its therapeutic potential in managing atherosclerosis. The study underlines the necessity for further research to clarify ghrelin's impact on vascular health, particularly in the context of metabolic syndrome and age-related vascular alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorin Nicolae Peiu
- Vascular Surgery Department, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Morpho-Functional Sciences II (Physiopathology) Department, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Diana Gabriela Iosep
- Pathology Department, "Sf. Spiridon" Emergency Clinical Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
- Morpho-Functional Department-Morphopathology, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Mihai Danciu
- Pathology Department, "Sf. Spiridon" Emergency Clinical Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
- Morpho-Functional Department-Morphopathology, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Veronica Scripcaru
- Morpho-Functional Department-Morphopathology, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Victor Ianole
- Morpho-Functional Department-Morphopathology, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Veronica Mocanu
- Morpho-Functional Sciences II (Physiopathology) Department, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
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Tang F, Liu D, Zhang L, Xu LY, Zhang JN, Zhao XL, Ao H, Peng C. Targeting endothelial cells with golden spice curcumin: A promising therapy for cardiometabolic multimorbidity. Pharmacol Res 2023; 197:106953. [PMID: 37804925 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) is an increasingly significant global public health concern. It encompasses the coexistence of multiple cardiometabolic diseases, including hypertension, stroke, heart disease, atherosclerosis, and T2DM. A crucial component to the development of CMM is the disruption of endothelial homeostasis. Therefore, therapies targeting endothelial cells through multi-targeted and multi-pathway approaches hold promise for preventing and treatment of CMM. Curcumin, a widely used dietary supplement derived from the golden spice Carcuma longa, has demonstrated remarkable potential in treatment of CMM through its interaction with endothelial cells. Numerous studies have identified various molecular targets of curcumin (such as NF-κB/PI3K/AKT, MAPK/NF-κB/IL-1β, HO-1, NOs, VEGF, ICAM-1 and ROS). These findings highlight the efficacy of curcumin as a therapeutic agent against CMM through the regulation of endothelial function. It is worth noting that there is a close relationship between the progression of CMM and endothelial damage, characterized by oxidative stress, inflammation, abnormal NO bioavailability and cell adhesion. This paper provides a comprehensive review of curcumin, including its availability, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutics, and therapeutic application in treatment of CMM, as well as the challenges and future prospects for its clinical translation. In summary, curcumin shows promise as a potential treatment option for CMM, particularly due to its ability to target endothelial cells. It represents a novel and natural lead compound that may offer significant therapeutic benefits in the management of CMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Tang
- Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Dong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Li Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Li-Yue Xu
- Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Jing-Nan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Xiao-Lan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Hui Ao
- Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China; Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
| | - Cheng Peng
- Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
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Kalra P, Khan H, Singh TG, Grewal AK. Mechanistic insights on impact of Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) mediated signalling pathways on cerebral ischemic injury. Neurosci Res 2023; 190:17-28. [PMID: 36403790 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2022.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral ischemia is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide due to the perturbations in the blood supply to the brain. The brain triggers a cascade of complex metabolic and cellular defects in response to ischemic stress. However, due to the disease heterogeneity and complexity, ischemic injury's metabolic and cellular pathologies remain elusive, and the link between various pathological mechanisms is difficult to determine. Efforts to develop effective treatments for these disorders have yielded limited efficacy, with no proper cure available to date. Recent clinical and experimental research indicates that several neuronal diseases commonly coexist with metabolic dysfunction, which may aggravate neurological symptoms. As a result, it stands to a reason that metabolic hormones could be a potential therapeutic target for major NDDs. Moreover, fasting signals also influence the circadian clock, as AMPK phosphorylates and promotes the degradation of the photo-sensing receptor (cryptochrome). Here, the interplay of AMPK signaling between metabolic regulation and neuronal death and its role for pathogenesis and therapeutics has been studied. We have also highlighted a significant signaling pathway, i.e., the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) involved in the relationship between the metabolism and ischemia, which could be used as a target for future studies therapeutics, and review some of the clinical progress in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palak Kalra
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, Punjab, India
| | - Heena Khan
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, Punjab, India
| | - Thakur Gurjeet Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, Punjab, India.
| | - Amarjot Kaur Grewal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, Punjab, India
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Inceu AI, Neag MA, Craciun AE, Buzoianu AD. Gut Molecules in Cardiometabolic Diseases: The Mechanisms behind the Story. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:3385. [PMID: 36834796 PMCID: PMC9965280 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043385] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diabetes mellitus increases cardiovascular risk. Heart failure and atrial fibrillation are associated comorbidities that share the main cardiovascular risk factors. The use of incretin-based therapies promoted the idea that activation of alternative signaling pathways is effective in reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and heart failure. Gut-derived molecules, gut hormones, and gut microbiota metabolites showed both positive and detrimental effects in cardiometabolic disorders. Although inflammation plays a key role in cardiometabolic disorders, additional intracellular signaling pathways are involved and could explain the observed effects. Revealing the involved molecular mechanisms could provide novel therapeutic strategies and a better understanding of the relationship between the gut, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea-Ioana Inceu
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Maria-Adriana Neag
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Anca-Elena Craciun
- Department of Diabetes, and Nutrition Diseases, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Anca-Dana Buzoianu
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400337 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Zhang Y, Zhong DL, Zheng YL, Li YX, Huang YJ, Jiang YJ, Jin RJ, Li J. Influence of electroacupuncture on ghrelin and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling pathway in spontaneously hypertensive rats. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 20:432-441. [PMID: 35850968 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2022.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) on ghrelin and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (PI3K/Akt/eNOS) signaling pathway in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). METHODS Eight Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as the healthy blood pressure (BP) control (normal group), and 32 SHRs were randomized into model group, EA group, EA plus ghrelin group (EA + G group), and EA plus PF04628935 group (a potent ghrelin receptor blocker; EA + P group) using a random number table. Rats in the normal group and model group did not receive treatment, but were immobilized for 20 min per day, 5 times a week, for 4 continuous weeks. SHRs in the EA group, EA + G group and EA + P group were immobilized and given EA treatment in 20 min sessions, 5 times per week, for 4 weeks. Additionally, 1 h before EA, SHRs in the EA + G group and EA + P group were intraperitoneally injected with ghrelin or PF04628935, respectively, for 4 weeks. The tail-cuff method was used to measure BP. After the 4-week intervention, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, and pathological morphology of the abdominal aorta was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of ghrelin, nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) in the serum. Isolated thoracic aortic ring experiment was performed to evaluate vasorelaxation. Western blot was used to measure the expression of PI3K, Akt, phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and eNOS proteins in the abdominal aorta. Further, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to measure the relative levels of mRNA expression for PI3K, Akt and eNOS in the abdominal aorta. RESULTS EA significantly reduced the systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) (P < 0.05). HE staining showed that EA improved the morphology of the vascular endothelium to some extent. Results of ELISA indicated that higher concentrations of ghrelin and NO, and lower concentrations of ET-1 and TXA2 were presented in the EA group (P < 0.05). The isolated thoracic aortic ring experiment demonstrated that the vasodilation capacity of the thoracic aorta increased in the EA group. Results of Western blot and qRT-PCR showed that EA increased the abundance of PI3K, p-Akt/Akt and eNOS proteins, as well as expression levels of PI3K, Akt and eNOS mRNAs (P < 0.05). In the EA + G group, SBP and DBP decreased (P < 0.05), ghrelin concentrations increased (P < 0.05), and the concentrations of ET-1 and TXA2 decreased (P < 0.05), relative to the EA group. In addition, the levels of PI3K and eNOS proteins, the p-Akt/Akt ratio, and the expression of PI3K, Akt and eNOS mRNAs increased significantly in the EA + G group (P < 0.05), while PF04628935 reversed these effects. CONCLUSION EA effectively reduced BP and protected the vascular endothelium, and these effects may be linked to promoting the release of ghrelin and activation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Dong-Ling Zhong
- School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Ya-Ling Zheng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Second People's Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu 610017, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yu-Xi Li
- School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yi-Jie Huang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yi-Jing Jiang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350003, Fujian Province, China
| | - Rong-Jiang Jin
- School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Juan Li
- School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610075, Sichuan Province, China.
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Montoro-García S, Velasco-Soria Á, Mora L, Carazo-Díaz C, Prieto-Merino D, Avellaneda A, Miranzo D, Casas-Pina T, Toldrá F, Abellán-Alemán J. Beneficial Impact of Pork Dry-Cured Ham Consumption on Blood Pressure and Cardiometabolic Markers in Individuals with Cardiovascular Risk. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14020298. [PMID: 35057479 PMCID: PMC8777827 DOI: 10.3390/nu14020298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Evidence suggests that bioactive peptides reduce hypertension and affect certain metabolic pathways. Methods: Fifty-four volunteers with stage 1 prehypertension and/or hypercholesterolemia and/or basal glucose >100 mg/dL were recruited and randomized to pork dry-cured ham (n = 35) or cooked ham (placebo group; n = 19) for 28 days. After a wash-out period, meat products were changed for 28 additional days. Bioactive peptides composition and enzyme inhibitory activities of both products were characterized. Treatment comparisons for the main effects were made using a two (treatment) × two (times) repeated measures minus the effect of cooked ham (placebo). Results: 24 h mean systolic and diastolic pressures decreased up to 2.4 mmHg in the dry-cured ham period (treatment effect, p = 0.0382 y p = 0.0233, respectively) as well as the number of systolic pressure measures > 135 mmHg (treatment effect, p = 0.0070). Total cholesterol levels also decreased significantly after dry-cured ham intake (p = 0.049). No significant differences were observed between the two treatments for basal glucose, HOMA-IR index and insulin levels (p > 0.05). However, a significant rise of ghrelin levels was observed (treatment effect, p = 0.0350), while leptin plasma values slightly decreased (treatment effect, p = 0.0628). Conclusions: This study suggested the beneficial effects of regular dry-cured ham consumption on the improvement of systolic/diastolic blood pressures and facilitated the maintenance of metabolic pathways, which may be beneficial in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Montoro-García
- Department for Cardiovascular Risk, Faculty of Health Sciences, UCAM Catholic University of Murcia, Campus los Jerónimos, 30107 Murcia, Spain; (Á.V.-S.); (J.A.-A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ángeles Velasco-Soria
- Department for Cardiovascular Risk, Faculty of Health Sciences, UCAM Catholic University of Murcia, Campus los Jerónimos, 30107 Murcia, Spain; (Á.V.-S.); (J.A.-A.)
| | - Leticia Mora
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, CSIC, Av Agustín Escardino 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain; (L.M.); (F.T.)
| | - Carmen Carazo-Díaz
- Cátedra de Estadística “Big data”, UCAM Catholic University of Murcia, Campus los Jerónimos, 30107 Murcia, Spain; (C.C.-D.); (D.P.-M.)
| | - David Prieto-Merino
- Cátedra de Estadística “Big data”, UCAM Catholic University of Murcia, Campus los Jerónimos, 30107 Murcia, Spain; (C.C.-D.); (D.P.-M.)
| | - Antonio Avellaneda
- R&D Department, ElPozo Alimentación S.A., 30840 Alhama de Murcia, Spain; (A.A.); (D.M.)
| | - Domingo Miranzo
- R&D Department, ElPozo Alimentación S.A., 30840 Alhama de Murcia, Spain; (A.A.); (D.M.)
| | - Teresa Casas-Pina
- Clinical Analysis Service, University Hospital Virgen de la Arrixaca, Carretera Madrid-Cartagena, s/n, 30120 Murcia, Spain;
| | - Fidel Toldrá
- Instituto de Agroquímica y Tecnología de Alimentos, CSIC, Av Agustín Escardino 7, 46980 Paterna, Valencia, Spain; (L.M.); (F.T.)
| | - José Abellán-Alemán
- Department for Cardiovascular Risk, Faculty of Health Sciences, UCAM Catholic University of Murcia, Campus los Jerónimos, 30107 Murcia, Spain; (Á.V.-S.); (J.A.-A.)
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Verbeure W, van Goor H, Mori H, van Beek AP, Tack J, van Dijk PR. The Role of Gasotransmitters in Gut Peptide Actions. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:720703. [PMID: 34354597 PMCID: PMC8329365 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.720703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Although gasotransmitters nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) receive a bad connotation; in low concentrations these play a major governing role in local and systemic blood flow, stomach acid release, smooth muscles relaxations, anti-inflammatory behavior, protective effect and more. Many of these physiological processes are upstream regulated by gut peptides, for instance gastrin, cholecystokinin, secretin, motilin, ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1 and 2. The relationship between gasotransmitters and gut hormones is poorly understood. In this review, we discuss the role of NO, CO and H2S on gut peptide release and functioning, and whether manipulation by gasotransmitter substrates or specific blockers leads to physiological alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wout Verbeure
- Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Harry van Goor
- Departement of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Hideki Mori
- Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - André P van Beek
- Departement of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Jan Tack
- Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter R van Dijk
- Departement of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Uchida Y, Tsunekawa C, Sato I. Systemic acyl-ghrelin increases tail skin temperature in rats without affecting their thermoregulatory behavior in a cold environment. Neurosci Lett 2020; 737:135306. [PMID: 32822766 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Fasting increases ghrelin that is a peptide hormone with two circulating isoforms, acyl and des-acyl ghrelin. We reported that fasting or des-acyl ghrelin facilitates behavioral thermoregulation in the cold in rats assessed by tail-hiding behavior that was the indicator of rats' thermoregulatory behavior in the cold; however, the effect of acyl-ghrelin on the same process remains to be elucidated. We investigated the effect of acyl-ghrelin on thermoregulatory behavior in the cold in rats. The animals received an intraperitoneal saline or 24 μg acyl-ghrelin injection and were exposed to 27 °C or 15 °C for 2 h, while their body temperature, tail skin temperature, and tail-hiding behavior were constantly monitored. cFos immunoreactive (cFos-IR) cells in the median preoptic area, medial preoptic area, paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and arcuate nucleus were counted. Body temperature and the duration of thermoregulatory behavior did not show a significant difference between the acyl-ghrelin-treated and control groups at 15 °C; however, tail skin temperature in the acyl-ghrelin-treated group was higher than that in the control group. The number of cFos-IR cells in the PVN was greater in the control group than that in the acyl-ghrelin-treated group at 27 °C. These results indicate that acyl-ghrelin did not affect behavioral thermoregulation but might affect tail skin temperature in rats in the cold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Uchida
- Women's Environmental Science Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Human Life and Environment, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan.
| | - Chinami Tsunekawa
- Women's Environmental Science Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Human Life and Environment, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan
| | - Izumi Sato
- Women's Environmental Science Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Human Life and Environment, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan
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9
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Gupta S, Mitra A. Heal the heart through gut (hormone) ghrelin: a potential player to combat heart failure. Heart Fail Rev 2020; 26:417-435. [PMID: 33025414 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-020-10032-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin, a small peptide hormone (28 aa), secreted mainly by X/A-like cells of gastric mucosa, is also locally produced in cardiomyocytes. Being an orexigenic factor (appetite stimulant), it promotes release of growth hormone (GH) and exerts diverse physiological functions, viz. regulation of energy balance, glucose, and/or fat metabolism for body weight maintenance. Interestingly, administration of exogenous ghrelin significantly improves cardiac functions in CVD patients as well as experimental animal models of heart failure. Ghrelin ameliorates pathophysiological condition of the heart in myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, cachexia, and ischemia reperfusion injury. This peptide also exerts significant impact at the level of vasculature leading to lowering high blood pressure and reversal of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. However, the molecular mechanism of actions elucidating the healing effects of ghrelin on the cardiovascular system is still a matter of conjecture. Some experimental data indicate its beneficial effects via complex cellular cross talks between autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular cells, some other suggest more direct receptor-mediated molecular actions via autophagy or ionotropic regulation and interfering with apoptotic and inflammatory pathways of cardiomyocytes and vascular endothelial cells. Here, in this review, we summarise available recent data to encourage more research to find the missing links of unknown ghrelin receptor-mediated pathways as we see ghrelin as a future novel therapy in cardiovascular protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shreyasi Gupta
- Department of Zoology, Triveni Devi Bhalotia College, Raniganj, Paschim Bardhaman, 713347, India
| | - Arkadeep Mitra
- Department of Zoology, City College , 102/1, Raja Rammohan Sarani, Kolkata, 700009, India.
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10
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Akalu Y, Molla MD, Dessie G, Ayelign B. Physiological Effect of Ghrelin on Body Systems. Int J Endocrinol 2020; 2020:1385138. [PMID: 32565790 PMCID: PMC7267865 DOI: 10.1155/2020/1385138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin is a relatively novel multifaceted hormone that has been found to exert a plethora of physiological effects. In this review, we found/confirmed that ghrelin has effect on all body systems. It induces appetite; promotes the use of carbohydrates as a source of fuel while sparing fat; inhibits lipid oxidation and promotes lipogenesis; stimulates the gastric acid secretion and motility; improves cardiac performance; decreases blood pressure; and protects the kidneys, heart, and brain. Ghrelin is important for learning, memory, cognition, reward, sleep, taste sensation, olfaction, and sniffing. It has sympatholytic, analgesic, antimicrobial, antifibrotic, and osteogenic effects. Moreover, ghrelin makes the skeletal muscle more excitable and stimulates its regeneration following injury; delays puberty; promotes fetal lung development; decreases thyroid hormone and testosterone; stimulates release of growth hormone, prolactin, glucagon, adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, vasopressin, and oxytocin; inhibits insulin release; and promotes wound healing. Ghrelin protects the body by different mechanisms including inhibition of unwanted inflammation and induction of autophagy. Having a clear understanding of the ghrelin effect in each system has therapeutic implications. Future studies are necessary to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of ghrelin actions as well as its application as a GHSR agonist to treat most common diseases in each system without any paradoxical outcomes on the other systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonas Akalu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Meseret Derbew Molla
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Gashaw Dessie
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Birhanu Ayelign
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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11
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Noda M, Uemura Y, Yoshii Y, Horita T, Takemi S, Sakata I, Sakai T. Circulating messenger for neuroprotection induced by molecular hydrogen. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2019; 97:909-915. [DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2019-0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Molecular hydrogen (H2) showed protection against various kinds of oxidative-stress-related diseases. First, it was reported that the mechanism of therapeutic effects of H2was antioxidative effect due to inhibition of the most cytotoxic reactive oxygen species, hydroxy radical (•OH). However, after chronic administration of H2in drinking water, oxidative-stress-induced nerve injury is significantly attenuated even in the absence of H2. It suggests indirect signaling of H2and gastrointestinal tract is involved. Indirect effects of H2could be tested by giving H2water only before nerve injury, as preconditioning. For example, preconditioning of H2for certain a period (∼7 days) in Parkinson’s disease model mice shows significant neuroprotection. As the mechanism of indirect effect, H2in drinking water induces ghrelin production and release from the stomach via β1-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Released ghrelin circulates in the body, being transported across the blood–brain barrier, activates its receptor, growth-hormone secretagogue receptor. H2-induced upregulation of ghrelin mRNA is also shown in ghrelin-producing cell line, SG-1. These observations help with understanding the chronic effects of H2and raise intriguing preventive and therapeutic options using H2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mami Noda
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yuya Uemura
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yusuke Yoshii
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Taichi Horita
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Shota Takemi
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Ichiro Sakata
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
| | - Takafumi Sakai
- Area of Regulatory Biology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakuraku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
- Area of Life-NanoBio, Division of Strategy Research, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan
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12
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Gruzdeva OV, Borodkina DA, Belik EV, Akbasheva OE, Palicheva EI, Barbarash OL. [Ghrelin Physiology and Pathophysiology: Focus on the Cardiovascular System]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 59:60-67. [PMID: 30990143 DOI: 10.18087/cardio.2019.3.10220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin is a multifunctional peptide hormone, mainly synthesized by P / D1 cells of the stomach fundus mucosa. Its basic effect, which is realized via GHS-R1 α receptor in the arcuate and the ventromedial nucleuses of hypothalamus, is stimulation of the synthesis of pituitary hormones. Ghrelin is involved in control of appetite and energy balance, regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as modulation of functioning of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, pulmonary and immune systems. It was found that cardiomyocytes are able to synthesize ghrelin. High concentrations of GHS-R1α in the heart and major blood vessels evidence for its possible participation in functioning of cardiovascular system. Ghrelin inhibits apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells, and improves the functioning of the left ventricle (LV) after injury of ischemia-reperfusion mechanism. In rats with heart failure (HF) ghrelin improves LV function and attenuates development of cardiac cachexia. In addition, ghrelin exerts vasodilatory effects in humans, improves cardiac function and reduces peripheral vascular resistance in patients with chronic HF. The review contains of the predictive value of ghrelin in the development and prevention of cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- O V Gruzdeva
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases Kemerovo State Medical University
| | - D A Borodkina
- Kemerovo regional clinical hospital named after S. V. Belyaeva
| | - E V Belik
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases
| | | | - E I Palicheva
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases Kemerovo State Medical University
| | - O L Barbarash
- Research Institute for Complex Issues of Cardiovascular Diseases Kemerovo State Medical University
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13
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Cao L, Kong X, Lin S, Zhang S, Wang J, Liu C, Jiang X. Synergistic effects of dual growth factor delivery from composite hydrogels incorporating 2-N,6-O-sulphated chitosan on bone regeneration. ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2018; 46:S1-S17. [PMID: 30231646 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2018.1488721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A promising strategy to accelerate bone generation is to deliver a combination of certain growth factors to the integration site via a controlled spatial and temporal delivery mode. Here, a composite hydrogel incorporating poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres was accordingly prepared to load and deliver the osteogenic rhBMP-2 and angiogenic rhVEGF165 in the required manner. In addition, 2-N,6-O-sulphated chitosan (26SCS), which is a synergetic factor of growth factors, was incorporated in the composite hydrogel as well. The system showed a similar release behaviour of the two growth factors regardless of 26SCS inclusion. RhBMP-2 loaded in PLGA microspheres showed a sustained release over a period of 2 weeks, whereas rhVEGF165 loaded in hydrogel eluted almost completely from the hydrogel over the first 16 days. Both growth factors retained their efficacy, as quantified with relevant in vitro assays. Moreover, an enhanced cell response was achieved upon the delivery of dual growth factors, compared to that obtained with a single factor. Furthermore, in the presence of 26SCS, the system revealed significantly upregulated alkaline phosphatase activity, human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation, sprouting, nitric oxide secretion, and angiogenic gene expression. This study highlighted that the composite hydrogel incorporated with 26SCS appears to constitute a promising approach to deliver multiple growth factors. From our findings, we could also conclude that rhBMP-2 can promote angiogenesis and that the mechanism is worthy of further study in subsequent research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Cao
- a Department of Prosthodontics , Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai, PR China.,b Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology , National Clinical Research Center of Stomatology , Shanghai , PR China
| | - Xiangjun Kong
- c Engineering Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai , PR China
| | - Shuxian Lin
- a Department of Prosthodontics , Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai, PR China.,b Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology , National Clinical Research Center of Stomatology , Shanghai , PR China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- c Engineering Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai , PR China
| | - Jing Wang
- c Engineering Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai , PR China
| | - Changsheng Liu
- c Engineering Research Center for Biomedical Materials of Ministry of Education , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai , PR China.,d Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education , East China University of Science and Technology , Shanghai , PR China
| | - Xinquan Jiang
- a Department of Prosthodontics , Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine , Shanghai, PR China.,b Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology & Shanghai Research Institute of Stomatology , National Clinical Research Center of Stomatology , Shanghai , PR China
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14
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Subacute ghrelin administration inhibits apoptosis and improves ultrastructural abnormalities in remote myocardium post-myocardial infarction. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 101:920-928. [PMID: 29635901 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of ghrelin on cardiomyocytes function, apoptosis and ultra-structural alterations of remote myocardium of the left ventricle (LV) of rats, 21 days post myocardial infarction (MI). Rats were divided into 4 groups as a control, a sham-operated rats, a sham-operated+ghrelin, an MI + vehicle and an MI + ghrelin-treated rats. MI was induced by LAD ligation and then rats were recievd a concomitant doe of either normal saline as a vehicle or treated with ghrelin (100 μg/kg S.C., 2x/day) for 21 consecutive days. Ghrelin enhanced myocardial contractility in control rats and reversed the decreases in myocardial contractility and the increases in the serum levels of CK-MB and LDH in MI-induced rats. Additionally, it inhibited the increases in levels of Bax and cleaved caspase 3 and increased those for Bcl-2 in the remote myocardium of rat's LV, post-MI. At ultra-structural level, while ghrelin has no adverse effects on LV myocardium obtained from control or sham-treated rats, ghrelin post-administration to MI-induced rats reduced vascular formation, restored normal microfilaments appearance and organization, preserved mitochondria structure, and prevented mitochondrial swelling, collagen deposition and number of ghost bodies in the remote areas of their LV. Concomitantly, in remote myocardium of MI-induced rats, ghrelin enhanced endoplasmic reticulum intracellular organelles count, decreased number of atrophied nuclei and phagocytes, diminished the irregularity in the nuclear membranes and inhibited chromatin condensation. In conclusion, in addition to the physiological, biochemical and molecular evidence provided, this is the first study that confirms the anti-apoptotic effect of ghrelin in the remote myocardium of the LV during late MI at the level of ultra-structural changes.
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15
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Al-Ayed MSZ. Relaxant effect of ghrelin on guinea pig isolated tracheal smooth muscle: role of epithelial NO and PGE2. Pflugers Arch 2018; 470:949-958. [DOI: 10.1007/s00424-018-2126-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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16
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Camargo-Silva G, Turones LC, da Cruz KR, Gomes KP, Mendonça MM, Nunes A, de Jesus IG, Colugnati DB, Pansani AP, Pobbe RLH, Santos R, Fontes MAP, Guatimosim S, de Castro CH, Ianzer D, Ferreira RN, Xavier CH. Ghrelin potentiates cardiac reactivity to stress by modulating sympathetic control and beta-adrenergic response. Life Sci 2018; 196:84-92. [PMID: 29366747 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Revised: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Prior evidence indicates that ghrelin is involved in the integration of cardiovascular functions and behavioral responses. Ghrelin actions are mediated by the growth hormone secretagogue receptor subtype 1a (GHS-R1a), which is expressed in peripheral tissues and central areas involved in the control of cardiovascular responses to stress. AIMS In the present study, we assessed the role of ghrelin - GHS-R1a axis in the cardiovascular reactivity to acute emotional stress in rats. MAIN METHODS AND KEY FINDINGS Ghrelin potentiated the tachycardia evoked by restraint and air jet stresses, which was reverted by GHS-R1a blockade. Evaluation of the autonomic balance revealed that the sympathetic branch modulates the ghrelin-evoked positive chronotropy. In isolated hearts, the perfusion with ghrelin potentiated the contractile responses caused by stimulation of the beta-adrenergic receptor, without altering the amplitude of the responses evoked by acetylcholine. Experiments in isolated cardiomyocytes revealed that ghrelin amplified the increases in calcium transient changes evoked by isoproterenol. SIGNIFICANCE Taken together, our results indicate that the Ghrelin-GHS-R1a axis potentiates the magnitude of stress-evoked tachycardia by modulating the autonomic nervous system and peripheral mechanisms, strongly relying on the activation of cardiac calcium transient and beta-adrenergic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Camargo-Silva
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Therapeutics, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania, GO, Brazil
| | - Larissa Córdova Turones
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Therapeutics, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania, GO, Brazil
| | - Kellen Rosa da Cruz
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Therapeutics, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania, GO, Brazil
| | - Karina Pereira Gomes
- Integrative Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Neurological Pathophysiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania, GO, Brazil
| | - Michelle Mendanha Mendonça
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Therapeutics, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania, GO, Brazil
| | - Allancer Nunes
- Integrative Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Neurological Pathophysiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania, GO, Brazil
| | - Itamar Guedes de Jesus
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Diego Basile Colugnati
- Integrative Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Neurological Pathophysiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania, GO, Brazil
| | - Aline Priscila Pansani
- Integrative Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Neurological Pathophysiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania, GO, Brazil
| | - Roger Luis Henschel Pobbe
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Therapeutics, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania, GO, Brazil
| | - Robson Santos
- National Institute of Science and Technology Nanobiopharmaceutics (INCT NanoBioFar), Brazil
| | | | - Silvia Guatimosim
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology Nanobiopharmaceutics (INCT NanoBioFar), Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique de Castro
- Integrative Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Neurological Pathophysiology, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania, GO, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology Nanobiopharmaceutics (INCT NanoBioFar), Brazil
| | - Danielle Ianzer
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Therapeutics, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania, GO, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology Nanobiopharmaceutics (INCT NanoBioFar), Brazil
| | - Reginaldo Nassar Ferreira
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Therapeutics, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania, GO, Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique Xavier
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Physiology and Therapeutics, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiania, GO, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology Nanobiopharmaceutics (INCT NanoBioFar), Brazil.
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Penna C, Tullio F, Femminò S, Rocca C, Angelone T, Cerra MC, Gallo MP, Gesmundo I, Fanciulli A, Brizzi MF, Pagliaro P, Alloatti G, Granata R. Obestatin regulates cardiovascular function and promotes cardioprotection through the nitric oxide pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2017; 21:3670-3678. [PMID: 28744974 PMCID: PMC5706590 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.13277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with ischaemic heart disease or chronic heart failure show altered levels of obestatin, suggesting a role for this peptide in human heart function. We have previously demonstrated that GH secretagogues and the ghrelin gene-derived peptides, including obestatin, exert cardiovascular effects by modulating cardiac inotropism and vascular tone, and reducing cell death and contractile dysfunction in hearts subjected to ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R), through the Akt/nitric oxide (NO) pathway. However, the mechanisms underlying the cardiac actions of obestatin remain largely unknown. Thus, we suggested that obestatin-induced activation of PI3K/Akt/NO and PKG signalling is implicated in protection of the myocardium when challenged by adrenergic, endothelinergic or I/R stress. We show that obestatin exerts an inhibitory tone on the performance of rat papillary muscle in both basal conditions and under β-adrenergic overstimulation, through endothelial-dependent NO/cGMP/PKG signalling. This pathway was also involved in the vasodilator effect of the peptide, used both alone and under stress induced by endothelin-1. Moreover, when infused during early reperfusion, obestatin reduced infarct size in isolated I/R rat hearts, through an NO/PKG pathway, comprising ROS/PKC signalling, and converging on mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium [mitoK(ATP)] channels. Overall, our results suggest that obestatin regulates cardiovascular function in stress conditions and induces cardioprotection by mechanisms dependent on activation of an NO/soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)/PKG pathway. In fact, obestatin counteracts exaggerated β-adrenergic and endothelin-1 activity, relevant factors in heart failure, suggesting multiple positive effects of the peptide, including the lowering of cardiac afterload, thus representing a potential candidate in pharmacological post-conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Penna
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,National Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Tullio
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Saveria Femminò
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Carmine Rocca
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Biology, Ecology and E.S., University of Calabria, Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Tommaso Angelone
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Biology, Ecology and E.S., University of Calabria, Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Maria C Cerra
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Biology, Ecology and E.S., University of Calabria, Rende, CS, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Gallo
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Iacopo Gesmundo
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Pasquale Pagliaro
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,National Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Alloatti
- National Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Riccarda Granata
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Kilic N, Dagli N, Aydin S, Erman F, Bek Y, Akin O, Kilic SS, Erdemli HK, Alacam H. Saliva/serum ghrelin, obestatin and homocysteine levels in patients with ischaemic heart disease. Cardiovasc J Afr 2017; 28:159-164. [PMID: 28759087 PMCID: PMC5558140 DOI: 10.5830/cvja-2016-075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to compare ghrelin, obestatin, homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B12 and folate levels in the serum and saliva of ischaemic heart disease patients. METHODS Serum and saliva were collected from 33 ischaemic heart disease (IHD) patients and 28 age- and body mass index-matched healthy individuals. Levels of acylated and desacylated ghrelin, obestatin and Hcy were determined using the ELISA method. RESULTS Acylated ghrelin, desacylated ghrelin and obestatin levels in the saliva were found to be higher than those in the serum of the control group, while acylated and desacylated ghrelin levels in the saliva were significantly lower than those in the serum. Obestatin levels were higher in IHD patients (p = 0.001). Saliva and serum vitamin B12 and folate levels in IHD patients were significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS It was determined that serum ghrelin levels increased in ischaemic heart disease patients, while serum levels of obestatin decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nermin Kilic
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Necati Dagli
- Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Suleyman Aydin
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Fazilet Erman
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Yuksel Bek
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Okhan Akin
- Biochemistry Laboratory, Kecioren Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - S S Kilic
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Training and Research Hospital, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Haci Kemal Erdemli
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Corum Training and Research Hospital, Corum, Turkey
| | - Hasan Alacam
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
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Abstract
Ghrelin is a small peptide released primarily from the stomach. It is a potent stimulator of growth hormone secretion from the pituitary gland and is well known for its regulation of metabolism and appetite. There is also a strong relationship between ghrelin and the cardiovascular system. Ghrelin receptors are present throughout the heart and vasculature and have been linked with molecular pathways, including, but not limited to, the regulation of intracellular calcium concentration, inhibition of proapoptotic cascades, and protection against oxidative damage. Ghrelin shows robust cardioprotective effects including enhancing endothelial and vascular function, preventing atherosclerosis, inhibiting sympathetic drive, and decreasing blood pressure. After myocardial infarction, exogenous administration of ghrelin preserves cardiac function, reduces the incidence of fatal arrhythmias, and attenuates apoptosis and ventricular remodeling, leading to improvements in heart failure. It ameliorates cachexia in end-stage congestive heart failure patients and has shown clinical benefit in pulmonary hypertension. Nonetheless, since ghrelin's discovery is relatively recent, there remains a substantial amount of research needed to fully understand its clinical significance in cardiovascular disease.
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Zhang CJ, Bidlingmaier M, Altaye M, Page LC, D'Alessio D, Tschöp MH, Tong J. Acute administration of acyl, but not desacyl ghrelin, decreases blood pressure in healthy humans. Eur J Endocrinol 2017; 176:123-132. [PMID: 27913606 PMCID: PMC5325691 DOI: 10.1530/eje-16-0789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of acyl ghrelin (AG) and desacyl ghrelin (DAG) on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and other autonomic parameters in healthy humans and to elucidate the hormonal mechanisms through which AG could exert its cardiovascular effects. DESIGN Seventeen healthy participants underwent frequent monitoring of systolic (sBP) and diastolic blood pressure (dBP), HR, respiratory rate (RR) and body surface temperature (Temp) during continuous infusion of AG, DAG, combined AG + DAG or saline control before and during an IV glucose tolerance test on 4 separate days. Plasma catecholamines, renin and aldosterone levels were also measured. Differences in outcome measures between treatment groups were assessed using mixed-model analysis. RESULTS Compared to the saline control, AG and combined AG + DAG infusions decreased sBP, dBP, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), HR and Temp. In contrast, DAG infusion did not alter BP, RR or Temp, but did decrease HR. The AG and AG + DAG infusions also raised plasma aldosterone levels compared to saline (P < 0.001) without affecting renin or catecholamine levels. CONCLUSIONS The decrease in BP, HR, RR and Temp with AG infusion suggests mediation through the autonomic nervous system. The lack of response to DAG suggests that these autonomic effects require activation of the ghrelin receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia J Zhang
- Division of EndocrinologyMetabolism and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Martin Bidlingmaier
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IVLudwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Mekibib Altaye
- BiostatisticsClinical Translational Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Laura C Page
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and DiabetesDepartment of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - David D'Alessio
- Division of EndocrinologyDiabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of EndocrinologyMetabolism and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical CenterCincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Matthias H Tschöp
- Division of EndocrinologyDiabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Institute for Obesity and DiabetesHelmholtz Diabetes Center Munich and Division of Metabolic Diseases, Technical University, Munich, Germany
| | - Jenny Tong
- Division of EndocrinologyDiabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Division of EndocrinologyMetabolism and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Abstract
Ghrelin is a growth hormone-releasing polypeptide that was first isolated from the rat stomach in 1999. High expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor, the ghrelin receptor, in the heart, kidney, and blood vessels provides evidence of ghrelin activity in blood pressure regulation. Circulating ghrelin concentrations are reported to be inversely correlated with blood pressure, and the acute and chronic effects of ghrelin in decreasing blood pressure have been reported in animals with normal blood pressure, healthy individuals, animals and patients with heart failure, and animals with hypertension. The mechanism by which ghrelin regulates blood pressure appears to be related to modulation of the autonomic nervous system, direct vasodilatory activities, and kidney diuresis. Thus, modulation of the signaling pathway through ghrelin may provide a novel concept for treating hypertension. In this review, we discuss the current evidence and potential mechanisms of ghrelin activity in blood pressure regulation.
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23
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Li G, Xia J, Jia P, Zhao J, Sun Y, Wu C, Liu B. Plasma Levels of Acylated Ghrelin in Children with Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Congenital Heart Disease. Pediatr Cardiol 2015; 36:1423-8. [PMID: 25981561 DOI: 10.1007/s00246-015-1178-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to estimate plasma levels of acylated ghrelin in children with pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with congenital heart disease (CHD) and to correlate the levels of acylated ghrelin with endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), and clinical hemodynamic parameters. We investigated the plasma concentration of acylated ghrelin, ET-1, NO, and the hemodynamic parameters in 20 children with CHD, 20 children with PH-CHD, and 20 normal children. Plasma-acylated ghrelin and NO levels were significantly higher in CHD group than in control subjects (P < 0.001). Moreover, plasma-acylated ghrelin, ET-1, and NO levels were significantly elevated in PH-CHD group compared with the CHD group (P < 0.05). In PH-CHD children, plasma-acylated ghrelin levels correlated positively with pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP; r = 0.740, P < 0.001), pulmonary artery diastolic pressure (PADP; r = 0.613, P = 0.004), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP; r = 0.642, P = 0.002), mean pulmonary arterial hypertension (mPAP; r = 0.685, P = 0.001), right ventricle diameter (RVD; r = 0.473, P = 0.035), pulmonary artery trunk diameter (PAD; r = 0.613, P = 0.004), NO (r = 0.463, P = 0.04), and ET-1 (r = 0.524, P = 0.018). Plasma-acylated ghrelin levels were elevated both in CHD and in PH-CHD. Increased acylated ghrelin levels correlated positively with ET-1, NO, PASP, PADP, RVSP, mPAP, RVD, and PAD. Acylated ghrelin may be a new biomarker of PH-CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, No. 25 Taiping Street, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiyi Xia
- Research Center for Drug and Functional Foods of Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Peng Jia
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, No. 25 Taiping Street, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Jian Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, No. 25 Taiping Street, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yuqin Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, No. 25 Taiping Street, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Changxue Wu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, No. 25 Taiping Street, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
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Virdis A, Duranti E, Colucci R, Ippolito C, Tirotta E, Lorenzini G, Bernardini N, Blandizzi C, Taddei S. Ghrelin restores nitric oxide availability in resistance circulation of essential hypertensive patients: role of NAD(P)H oxidase. Eur Heart J 2015. [PMID: 26224075 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehv365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS We assessed whether acute intra-arterial infusion of exogenous ghrelin can improve endothelial dysfunction by restoring nitric oxide (NO) availability in the forearm microcirculation of essential hypertensive patients. The effect of ghrelin on endothelial dysfunction (pressurized myograph), vascular oxidative stress generation (fluorescent dihydroethidium), and phosphorylation of p47phox (western blot), an index of NAD(P)H oxidase activation, in isolated small arteries taken from essential hypertensive patients (subcutaneous biopsy) were also investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS In 18 normotensive control subjects and 18 essential hypertensive patients, we studied the forearm blood flow (strain-gauge plethysmography) response to intra-arterial acetylcholine, repeated under NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA) or the antioxidant ascorbic acid. The protocol was repeated at the end of exogenous ghrelin intra-arterial infusion. In hypertensive patients, ghrelin normalized the blunted response to acetylcholine, restored the inhibiting effect of l-NMMA and abrogated the potentiating effect of ascorbic acid on acetylcholine. In controls, ghrelin failed to modify these vascular responses. In hypertensive patients, ghrelin decreased venous levels of malondialdehyde, lipoperoxide, and interleukin-6, and concomitantly increased endogenous antioxidant capacity. Small vessels from hypertensive patients showed an enhanced intravascular oxidative stress, which was strongly and similarly decreased by incubation with ghrelin, the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor gp91 ds-tat, or both. Ghrelin also normalized the overexpression of p47 phosphorylation and restored the NO availability in small vessels from hypertensive patients. CONCLUSIONS Exogenous ghrelin increases endothelial dysfunction by restoring NO availability in the forearm microcirculation of essential hypertensive patients, an effect ascribable to an antioxidant effect via inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agostino Virdis
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Emiliano Duranti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rocchina Colucci
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Chiara Ippolito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Erika Tirotta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gianni Lorenzini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nunzia Bernardini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Corrado Blandizzi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Taddei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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Potential ghrelin-mediated benefits and risks of hydrogen water. Med Hypotheses 2015; 84:350-5. [PMID: 25649854 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2015.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Molecular hydrogen (H2) can scavenge hydroxyl radical and diminish the toxicity of peroxynitrite; hence, it has interesting potential for antioxidant protection. Recently, a number of studies have explored the utility of inhaled hydrogen gas, or of hydrogen-saturated water, administered parenterally or orally, in rodent models of pathology and in clinical trials, oftentimes with very positive outcomes. The efficacy of orally ingested hydrogen-rich water (HW) has been particularly surprising, given that only transient and rather small increments in plasma hydrogen can be achieved by this method. A recent study in mice has discovered that orally administered HW provokes increased gastric production of the orexic hormone ghrelin, and that this ghrelin mediates the favorable impact of HW on a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. The possibility that most of the benefits observed with HW in experimental studies are mediated by ghrelin merits consideration. Ghrelin is well known to function as an appetite stimulant and secretagogue for growth hormone, but it influences physiological function throughout the body via interaction with the widely express GHS-R1a receptor. Rodent and, to a more limited extent, clinical studies establish that ghrelin has versatile neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing activity, favorably impacts vascular health, exerts anti-inflammatory activity useful in autoimmune disorders, and is markedly hepatoprotective. The stimulatory impact of ghrelin on GH-IGF-I activity, while potentially beneficial in sarcopenia or cachectic disorders, does raise concerns regarding the long-term impact of ghrelin up-regulation on cancer risk. The impact of ingesting HW water on ghrelin production in humans needs to be evaluated; if HW does up-regulate ghrelin in humans, it may have versatile potential for prevention and control of a number of health disorders.
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Ku JM, Andrews ZB, Barsby T, Reichenbach A, Lemus MB, Drummond GR, Sleeman MW, Spencer SJ, Sobey CG, Miller AA. Ghrelin-related peptides exert protective effects in the cerebral circulation of male mice through a nonclassical ghrelin receptor(s). Endocrinology 2015; 156:280-90. [PMID: 25322462 PMCID: PMC4272401 DOI: 10.1210/en.2014-1415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The ghrelin-related peptides, acylated ghrelin, des-acylated ghrelin, and obestatin, are novel gastrointestinal hormones. We firstly investigated whether the ghrelin gene, ghrelin O-acyltransferase, and the ghrelin receptor (GH secretagogue receptor 1a [GHSR1a]) are expressed in mouse cerebral arteries. Secondly, we assessed the cerebrovascular actions of ghrelin-related peptides by examining their effects on vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide production. Using RT-PCR, we found the ghrelin gene and ghrelin O-acyltransferase to be expressed at negligible levels in cerebral arteries from male wild-type mice. mRNA expression of GHSR1a was also found to be low in cerebral arteries, and GHSR protein was undetectable in GHSR-enhanced green fluorescent protein mice. We next found that exogenous acylated ghrelin had no effect on the tone of perfused cerebral arteries or superoxide production. By contrast, exogenous des-acylated ghrelin or obestatin elicited powerful vasodilator responses (EC50 < 10 pmol/L) that were abolished by the NO synthase inhibitor N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. Furthermore, exogenous des-acylated ghrelin suppressed superoxide production in cerebral arteries. Consistent with our GHSR expression data, vasodilator effects of des-acylated ghrelin or obestatin were sustained in the presence of YIL-781 (GHSR1a antagonist) and in arteries from Ghsr-deficient mice. Using ghrelin-deficient (Ghrl(-/-)) mice, we also found that endogenous production of ghrelin-related peptides regulates NO bioactivity and superoxide levels in the cerebral circulation. Specifically, we show that NO bioactivity was markedly reduced in Ghrl(-/-) vs wild-type mice, and superoxide levels were elevated. These findings reveal protective actions of exogenous and endogenous ghrelin-related peptides in the cerebral circulation and show the existence of a novel ghrelin receptor(s) in the cerebral endothelium.
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Iantorno M, Campia U, Di Daniele N, Nistico S, Forleo GB, Cardillo C, Tesauro M. Gut hormones and endothelial dysfunction in patients with obesity and diabetes. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2014; 27:433-6. [PMID: 25280035 DOI: 10.1177/039463201402700314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Overweight and obesity are the fifth leading risk for global deaths and its prevalence has doubled since 1980. At least 2.8 million adults, worldwide, die each year as a result of being overweight or obese. The deleterious effects of obesity are tightly related to diabetes, as they are often clinically present in combination to confer increased cardiovascular mortality. Thus, patients with diabetes and obesity are known to develop accelerated atherosclerosis characterized by a dysfunctional endothelium and decreased nitric oxide bioavailability. Recent clinical studies support, indeed, the use of incretin-based antidiabetic therapies for vascular protection. Thus, attention has been focusing on gut hormones and their role, not only in the regulation of appetite but also in vascular health. Intervention directed at modulating these molecules has the potential to decrease mortality of patients with diabetes and obesity. This review will cover part of the ongoing research to understand the role of gut hormones on endothelial function and vascular health.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Iantorno
- Critical Care Medicine Department, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - U Campia
- MedStar Cardiovascular Research Network Washington, DC, USA
| | - N Di Daniele
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - S Nistico
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Grecia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - G B Forleo
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - C Cardillo
- Internal Medicine, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - M Tesauro
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Leggio L, Zywiak WH, Fricchione SR, Edwards SM, de la Monte SM, Swift RM, Kenna GA. Intravenous ghrelin administration increases alcohol craving in alcohol-dependent heavy drinkers: a preliminary investigation. Biol Psychiatry 2014; 76:734-41. [PMID: 24775991 PMCID: PMC4176606 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Revised: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a need to identify novel pharmacologic targets to treat alcoholism. Animal and human studies suggest a role for ghrelin in the neurobiology of alcohol dependence and craving. Here, we were the first to test the hypothesis that intravenous administration of exogenous ghrelin acutely increases alcohol craving. METHODS This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled human laboratory proof-of-concept study. Nontreatment-seeking, alcohol-dependent, heavy-drinking individuals were randomized to receive intravenous ghrelin 1 mcg/kg, 3 mcg/kg or 0 mcg/kg (placebo), followed by a cue-reactivity procedure, during which participants were exposed to neutral (juice) and alcohol cues. The primary outcome variable was the increase in alcohol craving (also called urge) for alcohol, assessed by the Alcohol Visual Analogue Scale. RESULTS Out of 103 screenings, 45 individuals received the study drug. Repeated measures of analysis of covariance revealed a group effect across ghrelin doses in increasing alcohol craving (p < .05). A dose-specific examination revealed a significant effect of ghrelin 3 mcg/kg versus placebo in increasing alcohol craving (p < .05) with a large effect size (d = .94). By contrast, no significant ghrelin effect was found in increasing either urge to drink juice or food craving (p = ns). No significant differences in side effects were found (p = ns). CONCLUSIONS Intravenous administration of exogenous ghrelin increased alcohol craving in alcohol-dependent heavy-drinking individuals. Although the small sample requires confirmatory studies, these findings provide preliminary evidence that ghrelin may play a role in the neurobiology of alcohol craving, thus demonstrating a novel pharmacologic target for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Leggio
- Section on Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology, Laboratory of Clinical and Translational Studies, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland; Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence.
| | - William H. Zywiak
- Decision Sciences Institute, P.I.R.E., Pawtucket, RI,Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Samuel R. Fricchione
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Steven M. Edwards
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
| | - Suzanne M. de la Monte
- Departments of Pathology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Robert M. Swift
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI,Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, RI
| | - George A. Kenna
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, RI
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Dobutovic B, Sudar E, Tepavcevic S, Djordjevic J, Djordjevic A, Radojcic M, Isenovic ER. Effects of ghrelin on protein expression of antioxidative enzymes and iNOS in the rat liver. Arch Med Sci 2014; 10:806-16. [PMID: 25276168 PMCID: PMC4175782 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2014.44872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2012] [Revised: 01/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We investigated the effects of ghrelin on protein expression of the liver antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutases (SODs), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR), nuclear factor κB (NFκB) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Furthermore, we aimed to investigate whether extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) and protein kinase B (Akt) are involved in ghrelin-regulated liver antioxidant enzymes and iNOS protein expression. MATERIAL AND METHODS Male Wistar rats were treated with ghrelin (0.3 nmol/5 µl) injected into the lateral cerebral ventricle every 24 h for 5 days, and 2 h after the last treatment the animals were sacrificed and the liver excised. The Western blot method was used to determine expression of antioxidant enzymes, iNOS, phosphorylation of Akt, ERK1/2 and nuclear factor κB (NFκB) subunits 50 and 65. RESULTS There was significantly higher protein expression of CuZnSOD (p < 0.001), MnSOD (p < 0.001), CAT (p < 0.001), GPx, (p < 0.001), and GR (p < 0.01) in the liver isolated from ghrelin-treated animals compared with control animals. In contrast, ghrelin significantly (p < 0.01) reduced protein expression of iNOS. In addition, phosphorylation of NFκB subunits p65 and p50 was significantly (p < 0.001 for p65; p < 0.05 for p50) reduced by ghrelin when compared with controls. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and of Akt was significantly higher in ghrelin-treated than in control animals (p < 0.05 for ERK1/2; p < 0.01 for Akt). CONCLUSIONS The results show that activation of Akt and ERK1/2 is involved in ghrelin-mediated regulation of protein expression of antioxidant enzymes and iNOS in the rat liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branislava Dobutovic
- Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Emina Sudar
- Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Snezana Tepavcevic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Djordjevic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Djordjevic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Radojcic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Esma R. Isenovic
- Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Callaghan B, Furness JB. Novel and Conventional Receptors for Ghrelin, Desacyl-Ghrelin, and Pharmacologically Related Compounds. Pharmacol Rev 2014; 66:984-1001. [DOI: 10.1124/pr.113.008433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
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Yuan MJ, Huang H, Huang CX. Potential new role of the GHSR-1a-mediated signaling pathway in cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (Review). Oncol Lett 2014; 8:969-971. [PMID: 25120643 PMCID: PMC4114710 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2014.2245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal hormone ghrelin has important cardiovascular protective effects, however, its specific mechanisms are not yet completely understood. Recent studies have shown that the ghrelin receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHSR-1a), regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation-related signaling pathways. In human aortic endothelial cells, ghrelin activates NO production through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Akt activation, and these effects can be blocked by knockdown of GHSR-1a. Obese mice have been found to exhibit an increased GHSR-1a content and expression in the heart, associated with an increase in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) content and an increase AKT content and phosphorylation. Furthermore, GHSR-1a expression was observed to be increased in heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. Given such complexity in GHSR-1a signaling and crosstalk with the AMPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, both of which are well-known factors involved in cardiac remodeling after MI, we speculate that GHSR-1a signaling may play a regulatory role in cardiac protection and hope to identify new drugs targets. However, to date, no direct association between GHSR-1a and cardiac remodeling has been found. Therefore, further studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Jie Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - He Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Cong-Xin Huang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
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Pan Q, Xie X, Guo Y, Wang H. Simvastatin promotes cardiac microvascular endothelial cells proliferation, migration and survival by phosphorylation of p70 S6K and FoxO3a. Cell Biol Int 2014; 38:599-609. [PMID: 24375611 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Pan
- Department of Cardiology; Xijing Hospital; Fourth Military Medical University; Xi'an Shaanxi 710032 China
| | - Xiaobo Xie
- Department of Disease Surveillance and Control; Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention of Guangzhou Military District; Guangzhou 510507 China
| | - Yan Guo
- Department of Oncology; State Key Discipline of Cell Biology; Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University; Xi'an Shaanxi 710032 China
| | - Haichang Wang
- Department of Cardiology; Xijing Hospital; Fourth Military Medical University; Xi'an Shaanxi 710032 China
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Delporte C. Structure and physiological actions of ghrelin. SCIENTIFICA 2013; 2013:518909. [PMID: 24381790 PMCID: PMC3863518 DOI: 10.1155/2013/518909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 11/10/2013] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Ghrelin is a gastric peptide hormone, discovered as being the endogenous ligand of growth hormone secretagogue receptor. Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid peptide presenting a unique n-octanoylation modification on its serine in position 3, catalyzed by ghrelin O-acyl transferase. Ghrelin is mainly produced by a subset of stomach cells and also by the hypothalamus, the pituitary, and other tissues. Transcriptional, translational, and posttranslational processes generate ghrelin and ghrelin-related peptides. Homo- and heterodimers of growth hormone secretagogue receptor, and as yet unidentified receptors, are assumed to mediate the biological effects of acyl ghrelin and desacyl ghrelin, respectively. Ghrelin exerts wide physiological actions throughout the body, including growth hormone secretion, appetite and food intake, gastric secretion and gastrointestinal motility, glucose homeostasis, cardiovascular functions, anti-inflammatory functions, reproductive functions, and bone formation. This review focuses on presenting the current understanding of ghrelin and growth hormone secretagogue receptor biology, as well as the main physiological effects of ghrelin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Delporte
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological and Nutritional Biochemistry, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 808 Route de Lennik, Bat G/E-CP611, 1070 Brussels, Belgium
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Yang D, Liu Z, Yang Z. Ghrelin and its relation with N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide, endothelin-1 and nitric oxide in patients with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. Cardiology 2013; 124:241-5. [PMID: 23571554 DOI: 10.1159/000348368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2012] [Accepted: 01/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate ghrelin levels in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and the association of ghrelin with N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (N-BNP), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO). METHODS Plasma ghrelin, N-BNP, ET-1 and NO were measured, and echocardiography was performed in 20 IPAH patients and in 20 control subjects matched for age, sex and body mass index. RESULTS Plasma ghrelin and NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in IPAH patients compared with values in control subjects (p < 0.05). In IPAH patients, ghrelin levels correlated positively with N-BNP (r = 0.616, p = 0.004), NO (r = 0.464, p = 0.039), right ventricle diameter (RVD; r = 0.485, p = 0.030) and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP; r = 0.591, p = 0.006). N-BNP levels correlated positively with RVD (r = 0.551, p = 0.012) and ET-1 (r = 0.451, p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS Plasma ghrelin levels were elevated in IPAH. Increased ghrelin levels correlated positively with N-BNP, PASP, RVD and NO, and N-BNP levels correlated positively with RVD and ET-1. Pulmonary vascular pathology is a complex imbalance of opposing forces. Ghrelin may not only provide a novel prognostic biomarker for IPAH but also be a potential new therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Yang
- Center for Pulmonary Vascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Canale MP, Manca di Villahermosa S, Martino G, Rovella V, Noce A, De Lorenzo A, Di Daniele N. Obesity-related metabolic syndrome: mechanisms of sympathetic overactivity. Int J Endocrinol 2013; 2013:865965. [PMID: 24288531 PMCID: PMC3833340 DOI: 10.1155/2013/865965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome has increased worldwide over the past few years. Sympathetic nervous system overactivity is a key mechanism leading to hypertension in patients with the metabolic syndrome. Sympathetic activation can be triggered by reflex mechanisms as arterial baroreceptor impairment, by metabolic factors as insulin resistance, and by dysregulated adipokine production and secretion from visceral fat with a mainly permissive role of leptin and antagonist role of adiponectin. Chronic sympathetic nervous system overactivity contributes to a further decline of insulin sensitivity and creates a vicious circle that may contribute to the development of hypertension and of the metabolic syndrome and favor cardiovascular and kidney disease. Selective renal denervation is an emerging area of interest in the clinical management of obesity-related hypertension. This review focuses on current understanding of some mechanisms through which sympathetic overactivity may be interlaced to the metabolic syndrome, with particular regard to the role of insulin resistance and of some adipokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Paola Canale
- Division of Hypertension and Nephrology, Department of System Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Manca di Villahermosa
- Division of Hypertension and Nephrology, Department of System Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuliana Martino
- Division of Hypertension and Nephrology, Department of System Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Rovella
- Division of Hypertension and Nephrology, Department of System Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Noce
- Division of Hypertension and Nephrology, Department of System Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonino De Lorenzo
- Division of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomic, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Di Daniele
- Division of Hypertension and Nephrology, Department of System Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- *Nicola Di Daniele:
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Berberoglu Z, Yazici AC, Bayraktar N, Demirag NG. Rosiglitazone decreases fasting plasma peptide YY3-36 in type 2 diabetic women: a possible role in weight gain? Acta Diabetol 2012; 49 Suppl 1:S115-22. [PMID: 22101910 DOI: 10.1007/s00592-011-0352-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2010] [Accepted: 11/05/2011] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Rosiglitazone often results in weight gain. We hypothesized that rosiglitazone may modulate circulating levels of ghrelin and peptide YY(3-36) and this modulation may be related to weight-gaining effect of this agent. This study was designed as an open-label, randomized, controlled trial of 3-month duration. Women with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were studied. Twenty-eight of the 55 eligible participants were randomly assigned to receive rosiglitazone (4 mg/d). Twenty-seven patients with diabetes matched for age and body mass index served as controls on diet alone. We evaluated the effects of 3 months of rosiglitazone treatment on fasting peptide YY(3-36) and ghrelin levels, and anthropometric measurements. The 3-month administration of rosiglitazone reduced fasting plasma peptide YY(3-36) levels by 25%, the between-group difference was statistically significant. No effect of this thiazolidinedione compound on fasting ghrelin concentrations was observed at the end of study. The ghrelin/body mass index ratio also did not change significantly after treatment. Seventy-five percent of the women with diabetes complained of increased hunger at the end of study. Nevertheless, all subjects exhibited a decrease in fasting PYY levels after 3 months of rosiglitazone therapy, irrespective of the levels of hunger. There was no significant correlation between changes in peptide YY(3-36) and those in anthropometric parameters and insulin sensitivity at the end of the study. Rosiglitazone-induced decrease in fasting peptide YY(3-36) levels may in part contribute to orexigenic and weight-gaining effect of this thiazolidinedione derivative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehra Berberoglu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Turkiye Yuksek Ihtisas Education and Research Hospital, Kızılay sokak, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
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Cardillo C. Drug treatments to restore vascular function and diabesity. ANNALES PHARMACEUTIQUES FRANÇAISES 2012; 71:27-33. [PMID: 23348853 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharma.2012.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Revised: 08/31/2012] [Accepted: 09/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decades, an escalating rate of type 2 diabetes has paralleled an epidemic rise in the prevalence of obesity. Both diabetes and obesity confer an increased risk of cardiovascular comorbidities, including hypertension, coronary artery disease and stroke. Vascular dysfunction, represented by impaired endothelial release of vasodilator substances or defective smooth muscle vasodilator reactivity, is the early stage of the process leading to atherosclerosis and a common finding in patients with diabesity. It is understandable, therefore, that effective treatments for diabesity should restore vascular function to prevent the development of cardiovascular disease. Recent evidence from clinical studies supports the efficacy of incretin-based antidiabetic therapies for vascular protection. Thus, glucose control with either DDP-4 inhibitor or GLP-1 receptor therapies seems associated with favorable effects on vascular function in diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Another mechanism to counter excess plasma glucose and reduce body weight in these patients may rely on drug therapies targeting gut hormones, as suggested by the efficacy of bariatric surgery to produce both sustained weight loss and high diabetes remission rates. Also, as knowledge of the multifaceted vascular actions of adipokines and their dysregulation in patients with diabesity increases, these substances become attractive targets for treatments aimed at cardiovascular prevention. The increasing coexistence of diabetes and obesity presents complex treatment challenges owing to the elevated risk of developing cardiovascular complications. Hence, therapeutic strategies integrating glycemic control, weight loss and vascular protection are of the greatest importance to successfully counteract the health and economic burden posed by diabesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Cardillo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University Medical School, Rome, Italy.
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Effects of ghrelin on homocysteine-induced dysfunction and inflammatory response in rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells. Cell Biol Int 2012; 36:511-7. [PMID: 22339616 DOI: 10.1042/cbi20110235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Ghrelin is a well-characterized hormone that has protective effects on endothelial cells. Elevated HCY (homocysteine) can be a cardiovascular risk factor, but it is not known whether ghrelin can inhibit HCY-induced dysfunction and inflammatory response in rat CMECs (cardiac microvascular endothelial cells). We found that HCY treatment for 24 h inhibited proliferation and NO (nitric oxide) secretion, but with increased cell apoptosis and secretion of cytokines in CMECs. In contrast, ghrelin pretreatment significantly improved proliferation and NO secretion, and inhibited cell apoptosis and secretion of cytokines in HCY-induced CMECs. In addition, Western blot assay showed that NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) and cleaved-caspase 3 expression were elevated, and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) and eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) expression were decreased after treatment with HCY, which was significantly reversed by pretreatment with ghrelin. The data suggest that ghrelin inhibits HCY-induced CMEC dysfunction and inflammatory response, probably mediated by inhibition of NF-κB activation.
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Callaghan B, Hunne B, Hirayama H, Sartor DM, Nguyen TV, Abogadie FC, Ferens D, McIntyre P, Ban K, Baell J, Furness JB, Brock JA. Sites of action of ghrelin receptor ligands in cardiovascular control. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2012; 303:H1011-21. [PMID: 22886413 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00418.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Circulating ghrelin reduces blood pressure, but the mechanism for this action is unknown. This study investigated whether ghrelin has direct vasodilator effects mediated through the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR1a) and whether ghrelin reduces sympathetic nerve activity. Mice expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein under control of the promoter for growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) and RT-PCR were used to locate sites of receptor expression. Effects of ghrelin and the nonpeptide GHSR1a agonist capromorelin on rat arteries and on transmission in sympathetic ganglia were measured in vitro. In addition, rat blood pressure and sympathetic nerve activity responses to ghrelin were determined in vivo. In reporter mice, expression of GHSR was revealed at sites where it has been previously demonstrated (hypothalamic neurons, renal tubules, sympathetic preganglionic neurons) but not in any artery studied, including mesenteric, cerebral, and coronary arteries. In rat, RT-PCR detected GHSR1a mRNA expression in spinal cord and kidney but not in the aorta or in mesenteric arteries. Moreover, the aorta and mesenteric arteries from rats were not dilated by ghrelin or capromorelin at concentrations >100 times their EC(50) determined in cells transfected with human or rat GHSR1a. These agonists did not affect transmission from preganglionic sympathetic neurons that express GHSR1a. Intravenous application of ghrelin lowered blood pressure and decreased splanchnic nerve activity. It is concluded that the blood pressure reduction to ghrelin occurs concomitantly with a decrease in sympathetic nerve activity and is not caused by direct actions on blood vessels or by inhibition of transmission in sympathetic ganglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brid Callaghan
- Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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LPS-induced iNOS expression in N9 microglial cells is suppressed by geniposide via ERK, p38 and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways. Int J Mol Med 2012; 30:561-8. [DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2012.1030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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41
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Barazzoni R, Gortan Cappellari G, Zanetti M, Guarnieri G. Ghrelin and muscle metabolism in chronic uremia. J Ren Nutr 2012; 22:171-5. [PMID: 22200437 DOI: 10.1053/j.jrn.2011.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Accepted: 10/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are prone to nutritional complications with negative prognostic impact. In particular, protein-energy wasting is a major CKD-associated clinical burden, and emerging evidence indicates that clustered metabolic alterations, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, contribute to loss of skeletal muscle mass. Ghrelin is a gastric hormone discovered in its acylated form and extensively studied for its appetite-stimulating effect. Further studies have shown that ghrelin may positively modulate systemic inflammation and insulin action. In addition, a role of ghrelin in the regulation of redox state has been described in vitro. Ghrelin treatment could therefore represent a potential comprehensive therapeutic approach for CKD-related metabolic and nutritional complications, and evidence supporting this hypothesis has emerged in clinical and experimental CKD. Clinical trials of ghrelin administration are needed to test the hypothesis that ghrelin may chronically improve nutritional status and outcome in CKD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Barazzoni
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, Clinica Medica, University of Trieste, Italy.
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42
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Campia U, Tesauro M, Cardillo C. Human obesity and endothelium-dependent responsiveness. Br J Pharmacol 2012; 165:561-73. [PMID: 21895631 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01661.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Obesity is an ongoing worldwide epidemic. Besides being a medical condition in itself, obesity dramatically increases the risk of development of metabolic and cardiovascular disease. This risk appears to stem from multiple abnormalities in adipose tissue function leading to a chronic inflammatory state and to dysregulation of the endocrine and paracrine actions of adipocyte-derived factors. These, in turn, disrupt vascular homeostasis by causing an imbalance between the NO pathway and the endothelin 1 system, with impaired insulin-stimulated endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Importantly, emerging evidence suggests that the vascular dysfunction of obesity is not just limited to the endothelium, but also involves the other layers of the vessel wall. In particular, obesity-related changes in medial smooth muscle cells seem to disrupt the physiological facilitatory action of insulin on the responsiveness to vasodilator stimuli, whereas the adventitia and perivascular fat appear to be a source of pro-inflammatory and vasoactive factors that may contribute to endothelial and smooth muscle cell dysfunction, and to the pathogenesis of vascular disease. While obesity-induced vascular dysfunction appears to be reversible, at least in part, with weight control strategies, these have not proved sufficient to prevent the metabolic and cardiovascular complication of obesity on a large scale. While a number of currently available drugs have shown potentially beneficial vascular effects in patients with obesity and the metabolic syndrome, elucidation of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying vascular damage in obese patients is necessary to identify additional pharmacologic targets to prevent the cardiovascular complications of obesity, and their human and economic costs. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Fat and Vascular Responsiveness. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.165.issue-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Campia
- Department of Cardiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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43
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Rezaeian F, Wettstein R, Scheuer C, Bäumker K, Bächle A, Vollmar B, Menger MD, Harder Y. Ghrelin protects musculocutaneous tissue from ischemic necrosis by improving microvascular perfusion. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2012; 302:H603-10. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00390.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Persistent ischemia in musculocutaneous tissue may lead to wound breakdown and necrosis. The objective of this experimental study was to analyze, whether the gastric peptide ghrelin prevents musculocutaneous tissue from necrosis and to elucidate underlying mechanisms. Thirty-two C57BL/6 mice equipped with a dorsal skinfold chamber containing ischemic musculocutaneous tissue were allocated to four groups: 1) ghrelin; 2) Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME); 3) ghrelin and l-NAME; and 4) control. Microcirculation, inflammation, angiogenesis, and tissue survival were assessed by fluorescence microscopy. Inducible and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (iNOS I and eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) were assessed by Western blot analysis. Ghrelin-treated animals showed an increased expression of iNOS and eNOS in critically perfused tissue compared with controls. This was associated with arteriolar dilation, increased arteriolar perfusion, and a sustained functional capillary density. Ghrelin further upregulated NF-κB and VEGF and induced angiogenesis. Finally, ghrelin reduced microvascular leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions, apoptosis, and overall tissue necrosis ( P < 0.05 vs. control). Inhibition of nitric oxide by l-NAME did not affect the anti-inflammatory and angiogenic action of ghrelin but completely blunted the ghrelin-induced tissue protection by abrogating the arteriolar dilation, the improved capillary perfusion, and the increased tissue survival. Ghrelin prevents critically perfused tissue from ischemic necrosis. Tissue protection is the result of a nitric oxide synthase-mediated improvement of the microcirculation but not due to induction of angiogenesis or attenuation of inflammation. This might represent a promising, noninvasive, and clinically applicable approach to protect musculocutaneous tissue from ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Rezaeian
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität, Munich
| | - R. Wettstein
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - C. Scheuer
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar; and
| | - K. Bäumker
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - A. Bächle
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar; and
| | - B. Vollmar
- Institute for Experimental Surgery, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - M. D. Menger
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar; and
| | - Y. Harder
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität, Munich
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44
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Xu YP, Zhu JJ, Cheng F, Jiang KW, Gu WZ, Shen Z, Wu YD, Liang L, Du LZ. Ghrelin ameliorates hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension via phospho-GSK3 β/β-catenin signaling in neonatal rats. J Mol Endocrinol 2011; 47:33-43. [PMID: 21504941 DOI: 10.1530/jme-10-0143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Effective treatment and/or prevention strategies for neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) have been an important topic in neonatal medicine. However, mechanisms of impaired pulmonary vascular structure in hypoxia-induced PPHN are poorly understood and consequently limit the development of effective treatment. In this study, we aimed to explore the molecular signaling cascades in the lungs of a PPHN animal model and used primary cultured rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells to analyze the physiological benefits of ghrelin during the pathogenesis of PPHN. Randomly selected newborn rats were exposed to hypoxia (10-12%) or room air and received daily s.c. injections of ghrelin (150 μg/kg) or saline. After 2 weeks, pulmonary hemodynamics and morphometry were assessed in the rats. Compared with the control, hypoxia increased pulmonary arterial pressure, right ventricle (RV) hypertrophy, and arteriolar wall thickness. Ghrelin treatment reduced both the magnitude of PH and the RV/(left ventricle+septum (Sep)) weight ratio. Ghrelin protected neonatal rats from hypoxia-induced PH via the upregulation of phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β)/β-catenin signaling and associated with β-catenin translocation to the nucleus in the presence of growth hormone secretagogue receptor-1a. Our findings suggest that s.c. administration of ghrelin improved PH and attenuated pulmonary vascular remodeling after PPHN. These beneficial effects may be mediated by the regulation of p-GSK3β/β-catenin expression. We propose ghrelin as a novel potential therapeutic agent for PPHN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ping Xu
- Department of Neonatology, The Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Therapy of Neonatal Diseases, Hangzhou 310003, China
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45
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Zhang G, Yin X, Qi Y, Pendyala L, Chen J, Hou D, Tang C. Ghrelin and cardiovascular diseases. Curr Cardiol Rev 2011; 6:62-70. [PMID: 21286280 PMCID: PMC2845796 DOI: 10.2174/157340310790231662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2009] [Revised: 03/27/2009] [Accepted: 04/03/2009] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin, a newly discovered bioactive peptide, is a natural endogenous ligand of the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor and initially identified as a strong stimulant for the release of GH. Subsequent research has shown that ghrelin and its various receptors are ubiquitous in many other organs and tissues. Moreover, they participate in the regulation of appetite, energy, bodyweight, metabolism of glucose and fat, as well as modulation of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune functions and cell proliferation/apoptosis. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that ghrelin has a close relationship with cardiovascular system. Ghrelin and its receptors are widely distributed in cardiovascular tissues, and there is no doubt that the effects of ghrelin in the cardiovascular system are mediated not only via its growth-hormone-releasing effect but also by its direct effects on the heart. Exogenous administration of ghrelin can dilate peripheral blood vessels, constrict coronary artery, improve endothelial function, as well as inhibit myocardial cell apoptosis. So, ghrelin may have cardiovascular protective effect, including lowering of blood pressure, regulation of atherosclerosis, and protection from ischemia/reperfusion injury as well as improving the prognosis of myocardial infarction and heart failure. Some of these new functions of ghrelin may provide new potential therapeutic opportunities for ghrelin in cardiovascular medicine. In this paper, we will review the existing evidence for cardiovascular effects of ghrelin, including the cardiovascular function, the variations in ghrelin plasma levels in pathophysiologicalogical conditions, the possible protective mechanisms of ghrelin, as well as its future potential therapeutic roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaigai Zhang
- Cardiology Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin,P. R. China 150081
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46
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McGuane JT, Debrah JE, Sautina L, Jarajapu YPR, Novak J, Rubin JP, Grant MB, Segal M, Conrad KP. Relaxin induces rapid dilation of rodent small renal and human subcutaneous arteries via PI3 kinase and nitric oxide. Endocrinology 2011; 152:2786-96. [PMID: 21558316 PMCID: PMC3115605 DOI: 10.1210/en.2010-1126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The peptide hormone relaxin is a potent vasodilator with therapeutic potential in diseases complicated by vasoconstriction, including heart failure. However, the molecular mediators and magnitude of vasodilation may vary according to duration of exposure and artery type. The objective of these studies was to determine mechanisms of rapid (within minutes) relaxin-induced vasodilation and to examine whether relaxin dilates arteries from different animal species and vascular beds. Rat and mouse small renal, rat mesenteric, and human sc arteries were isolated, mounted in a pressure arteriograph, and treated with recombinant human relaxin (rhRLX; 1-100 ng/ml) after preconstriction with phenylephrine. Rat and mouse small renal as well as human sc arteries dilated in response to rhRLX, whereas rat mesenteric arteries did not. Endothelial removal or pretreatment with l-N(G)-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA) abolished rapid relaxin-induced vasodilation; phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors also prevented it. In cultured human endothelial cells, rhRLX stimulated nitric oxide (assessed using 4-amino-5-methylamino-2'7'-difluorofluorescein) as well as Akt and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation by Western blotting but not increases in intracellular calcium (evaluated by fura-2). NO production was attenuated by inhibition of Gα(i/o) and Akt (using pertussis toxin and the allosteric inhibitor MK-2206, respectively), PI3K, and NOS. Finally, the dilatory effect of rhRLX in rat small renal arteries was unexpectedly potentiated, rather than inhibited, by pretreatment with the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor SU5416. We conclude that relaxin rapidly dilates select arteries across a range of species. The mechanism appears to involve endothelial Gα(i/o) protein coupling to PI3K, Akt, and eNOS but not vascular endothelial growth factor receptor transactivation or increased calcium.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Angiogenesis Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Animals
- Cells, Cultured
- Endothelium, Vascular/cytology
- Endothelium, Vascular/drug effects
- Endothelium, Vascular/physiology
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Female
- Humans
- In Vitro Techniques
- Kidney/blood supply
- Male
- Mesenteric Arteries/drug effects
- Mesenteric Arteries/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Middle Aged
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/cytology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Nitric Oxide/metabolism
- Organ Specificity
- Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism
- Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
- Rats
- Rats, Long-Evans
- Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
- Relaxin/physiology
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Species Specificity
- Subcutaneous Tissue/blood supply
- Vasodilation/drug effects
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan T McGuane
- Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
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47
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Granata R, Isgaard J, Alloatti G, Ghigo E. Cardiovascular actions of the ghrelin gene-derived peptides and growth hormone-releasing hormone. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2011; 236:505-514. [DOI: 10.1258/ebm.2011.010365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In 1976, small peptide growth hormone secretagogues (GHSs) were discovered and found to promote growth hormone (GH) release from the pituitary. The GHS receptor (GHS-R) was subsequently cloned, and its endogenous ligand ghrelin was later isolated from the stomach. Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid peptide, whose acylation is essential for binding to GHS-R type 1a and for the endocrine functions, including stimulation of GH secretion and subsequent food intake. Unacylated ghrelin, the other ghrelin form, although devoid of GHS-R binding is an active peptide, sharing many peripheral effects with acylated ghrelin (AG). The ghrelin system is broadly expressed in myocardial tissues, where it exerts different functions. Indeed, ghrelin inhibits cardiomyocyte and endothelial cell apoptosis, and improves left ventricular (LV) function during ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. In rats with heart failure (HF), ghrelin improves LV dysfunction and attenuates the development of cardiac cachexia. Similarly, ghrelin exerts vasodilatory effects in humans, improves cardiac function and decreases systemic vascular resistance in patients with chronic HF. Obestatin is a recently identified ghrelin gene peptide. The physiological role of obestatin and its binding to the putative GPR39 receptor are still unclear, although protective effects have been demonstrated in the pancreas and heart. Similarly to AG, the hypothalamic peptide growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) stimulates GH release from the pituitary, through binding to the GHRH-receptor. Besides its proliferative effects in different cell types, at the cardiovascular level GHRH inhibits cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and reduces infarct size in both isolated rat heart after I/R and in vivo after myocardial infarction. Therefore, both ghrelin and GHRH exert cardioprotective effects, which make them candidate targets for therapeutic intervention in cardiovascular dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccarda Granata
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti, 14-10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Jörgen Isgaard
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Giuseppe Alloatti
- Department of Animal and Human Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, Italy
| | - Ezio Ghigo
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Corso Dogliotti, 14-10126 Turin, Italy
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PDK1-Foxo1 in agouti-related peptide neurons regulates energy homeostasis by modulating food intake and energy expenditure. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18324. [PMID: 21694754 PMCID: PMC3072380 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2010] [Accepted: 03/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Insulin and leptin intracellular signaling pathways converge and act synergistically on the hypothalamic phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase/3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1). However, little is known about whether PDK1 in agouti-related peptide (AGRP) neurons contributes to energy homeostasis. We generated AGRP neuron-specific PDK1 knockout (AGRPPdk1−/−) mice and mice with selective expression of transactivation-defective Foxo1 (Δ256Foxo1AGRPPdk1−/−). The AGRPPdk1−/− mice showed reductions in food intake, body length, and body weight. The Δ256Foxo1AGRPPdk1−/− mice showed increased body weight, food intake, and reduced locomotor activity. After four weeks of calorie-restricted feeding, oxygen consumption and locomotor activity were elevated in AGRPPdk1−/− mice and reduced in Δ256Foxo1AGRPPdk1−/− mice. In vitro, ghrelin-induced changes in [Ca2+]i and inhibition of ghrelin by leptin were significantly attenuated in AGRPPdk1−/− neurons compared to control neurons. However, ghrelin-induced [Ca2+]i changes and leptin inhibition were restored in Δ256Foxo1AGRPPdk1−/− mice. These results suggested that PDK1 and Foxo1 signaling pathways play important roles in the control of energy homeostasis through AGRP-independent mechanisms.
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49
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Tesauro M, Canale MP, Rodia G, Di Daniele N, Lauro D, Scuteri A, Cardillo C. Metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney, and cardiovascular diseases: role of adipokines. Cardiol Res Pract 2011; 2011:653182. [PMID: 21403882 PMCID: PMC3051177 DOI: 10.4061/2011/653182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2010] [Revised: 11/30/2010] [Accepted: 01/07/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a chronic disease, whose incidence is alarmingly growing. It is associated with metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular complications. These complications are clustered in the metabolic syndrome (MetS) leading to high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Obesity predisposes to diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephrosclerosis, and focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis and represents an independent risk factor for the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Albuminuria is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Microalbuminuria has been described as early manifestation of MetS-associated kidney damage and diabetic nephropathy. Obesity and MetS affect renal physiology and metabolism through mechanisms which include altered levels of adipokines such as leptin and adiponectin, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Secretory products of adipose tissue also deeply and negatively influence endothelial function. A better understanding of these interactions will help in designing more effective treatments aimed to protect both renal and cardiovascular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfredi Tesauro
- Department of Medicina Interna, Università di Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 81, 00133 Rome, Italy
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50
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Xiang Y, Li Q, Li M, Wang W, Cui C, Zhang J. Ghrelin inhibits AGEs-induced apoptosis in human endothelial cells involving ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt pathways. Cell Biochem Funct 2011; 29:149-55. [PMID: 21370247 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.1736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2010] [Revised: 12/28/2010] [Accepted: 01/03/2011] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction caused by cell apoptosis is thought to be a major cause of diabetic vascular complications. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications by inducing apoptosis of endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of ghrelin on AGEs-induced apoptosis in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the potential mechanisms involved in this process. Exposure to AGEs (200 mg l(-1) ) for 48 h caused a significant increase in cell apoptosis, while pretreatment with ghrelin eliminated AGEs-induced apoptosis in HUVECs, as evaluated by MTT assays, flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 staining. The induction of caspase-3 activation was also prevented by ghrelin in cells incubated with AGEs. Exposure to ghrelin (10(-6) M) resulted in a rapid activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK)1/2 and Akt. The inhibitory effect of ghrelin on caspase-3 activity was attenuated by inhibitors of ERK1/2 (PD98059), PI3K/Akt (LY294002) and growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR)-1a (D-Lys(3) -growth hormone releasing peptide-6). The results of this study indicated that ghrelin could inhibit AGEs-mediated cell apoptosis via the ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt pathways and GHSR-1a was also involved in the protective action of ghrelin in HUVECs. As such, ghrelin demonstrates significant potential for preventing diabetic cardiovascular complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xiang
- Department of Endocrinology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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