Roles of adiponectin and oxidative stress in the regulation of membrane microviscosity of red blood cells in hypertensive men-an electron spin resonance study

Effectiveness and Safety of Fufang Danshen Dripping Pill (Cardiotonic Pill) on Blood Viscosity and Hemorheological Factors for Cardiovascular Event Prevention in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Objectives: Diabetes can cause various vascular complications. The Compounded Danshen-Dripping-Pill (CDDP) is widely used in China. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness and safety of CDDP in the blood viscosity (BV) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods: We conducted a systematic search of seven databases from their inception to July 2022 for randomized controlled trials that used CDDP to treat T2DM. To evaluate BV, we measured low shear rate (LSR), high shear rate (HSR), and plasma viscosity (PV). Homocysteine and adiponectin levels were also assessed as factors that could affect BV. Results: We included 18 studies and 1532 patients with T2DM. Meta-analysis revealed that CDDP significantly reduced LSR (mean difference [MD] -2.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] -3.77 to -1.72), HSR (MD -0.86, 95% CI -1.08 to -0.63), and PV (MD -0.37, 95% CI -0.54 to -0.19) compared to controls. CDDP also reduced homocysteine (MD -8.32, 95% CI -9.05 to -7.58), and increased plasma adiponectin (MD 2.72, 95% CI 2.13 to 3.32). Adverse events were reported less frequently in the treatment groups than in controls. Conclusions: CDDP is effective in reducing BV on T2DM. However, due to the poor design and quality of the included studies, high-quality, well-designed studies are required in the future.

Protective Effects of Adiponectin against Cobalt Chloride-Induced Apoptosis of Smooth Muscle Cells via cAMP/PKA Pathway

Adiponectin (APN) is an adipokine secreted from adipose tissue and exhibits biological functions such as microcirculation-regulating, hearing-protective, and antiapoptotic. However, the effect of APN on the apoptosis of spiral arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) under hypoxic conditions in vitro is not clear. We used cobalt chloride (CoCl₂) to simulate chemical hypoxia in vitro, and the SMCs were pretreated with APN and then stimulated with CoCl₂. The viability of cells and apoptosis were assessed by CCK-8 and flow cytometry, respectively. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, cAMP level, and the activity of PKA were detected by ELISA. Protein expression and localization were studied by Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis. In the present study, we found that APN exhibits antiapoptosis effects. CoCl₂ exhibited decreased cell viability, increased apoptosis and MDA levels, and decreased SOD activity in a concentration-dependent manner, compared with the control group. Moreover, CoCl₂ upregulated the expression levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 and then downregulated Bcl-2 levels in a time-dependent manner. Compared with the CoCl₂ group, the group pretreated with APN had increased cell viability, SOD activity, PKA activity, cAMP level, and PKA expression, but decreased MDA levels and apoptosis. Lastly, the protective effect of APN was blocked by cAMP inhibitor SQ22536 and PKA inhibitor H 89. These results showed that APN protected SMCs against CoCl₂-induced hypoxic injury via the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.

Role of oxidative stress, adiponectin and endoglin in the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction in diabetic and non-diabetic men

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and diabetes mellitus (DM) share common pathophysiological risk factors including endothelial dysfunction which together with hyperglycemia contribute to the increased oxidative/glycooxidative stress. A reduced NO concentration is insufficient for relaxation processes in the penis. Chronic inflammation and endoglin are involved in the regulation of endothelial function. Adiponectin from the adipose tissue has anti-inflammatory effects. Our study aimed to investigate the relation between erectile function in patients with and without DM and the oxidative stress, hormone adiponectin, and endothelial dysfunction marker endoglin. Men (n=32) with ED evaluated by the International Index of Erectile function (IIEF-5) questionnaire (17 without DM (NDM); 15 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM)) and 31 controls were included. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), 8-isoprostanes (8-isoP), protein carbonyls, antioxidant capacity, adiponectin and endoglin were determined in the blood. DM patients compared to NDM patients and controls, had increased levels of glucose, C-reactive protein, triacylglycerols, 8-isoP, AGEs, endoglin and BMI. IIEF-5 score, NO and adiponectin levels were decreased. We are the first to find out that endoglin shows a negative correlation with erectile function in NDM, but not in DM patients. Endoglin can be considered as endothelial dysfunction marker in nondiabetic men suffering from ED.

Effects of a 12-week aerobic exercise on markers of hypertension in men

Introduction: This study was aimed at determining the effects of a 12-week aerobic exercise program on markers of hypertension in men.

Methods: The study was of a semi-experimental design featuring repeated measurements. A total of 40 men (age range=37.9 ± 2.68) with primary hypertension were divided into two groups, namely, the exercise group (n=20) and the control group (n=20) (systolic blood pressure [SBP]: 140.531 ± 0.23, diastolic blood pressure [DBP]: 90.71 ± 0.05). The exercise group participated in a 12-week aerobic exercise program (55% to 70% of HRmax). Blood samples were taken from both groups at the baseline and at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks of the training program for the assessment of adiponectin, paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) levels as the markers for investigation. A linear mixed model was also used to evaluate the association among the markers.

Results: In the exercise group, exercise reduced the SBP and DBP at week 12 (P=0.031 and 0.023, respectively), and adiponectin increased at weeks 8 and 12 (P=0.014 and 0.001, respectively). The plasma PON-1 level showed a significant increase in all the three stages of measurement (P=0.007, 0.004, and 0.002 at weeks 4, 8, and 12, respectively), whereas the H2 O2 levels showed a significant decrease at weeks 8 and 12 (P=0.013 and 0.011, respectively). The control group exhibited significantly decreased PON-1 (P=0.003) and adiponectin (P=0.025) levels but significantly increased SBP at week 12 (P=0.032).

Conclusion: The exercise-induced reduction of oxidative stress exerts a considerable effect on the reduction of blood pressure in hypertensive patients. According to our results increase in oxidative stress has the great impact on the of blood pressure.

The role of red blood cell deformability and Na,K-ATPase function in selected risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in humans: focus on hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia

Deformability of red blood cells (RBC) is the ability of RBC to change their shape in order to pass through narrow capillaries in circulation. Deterioration in deformability of RBC contributes to alterations in microcirculatory blood flow and delivery of oxygen to tissues. Several factors are responsible for maintenance of RBC deformability. One of them is the Na,K-ATPase known as crucial enzyme in maintenance of intracellular ionic homeostasis affecting thus regulation of cellular volume and consequently RBC deformability. Decreased deformability of RBC has been found to be the marker of adverse outcomes in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and the presence of cardiovascular risk factors influences rheological properties of the blood. This review summarizes knowledge concerning the RBC deformability in connection with selected risk factors of CVD, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus, based exclusively on papers from human studies. We attempted to provide an update on important issues regarding the role of Na,K-ATPase in RBC deformability. In patients suffering from hypertension as well as diabetes mellitus the Na,K-ATPase appears to be responsible for the changes leading to alterations in RBC deformability. The triggering factor for changes of RBC deformability during hypercholesterolemia seems to be the increased content of cholesterol in erythrocyte membranes.

Chronic kidney disease predicts impaired membrane microviscosity of red blood cells in hypertensive and normotensive subjects

Current evidence indicates that abnormalities in physical properties of the cell membranes may be strongly linked to hypertension and other circulatory disorders. Recent studies have shown that chronic kidney disease (CKD) might be a risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to examine the possible relationship between kidney function and membrane fluidity (a reciprocal value of membrane microviscosity) of red blood cells (RBCs) in hypertensive and normotensive subjects using an electron spin resonance (ESR) and spin-labeling method. The order parameter (S) for the ESR spin-label agent (5-nitroxide stearate) in RBC membranes was significantly higher in hypertensive subjects than in normotensive subjects, indicating that membrane fluidity was decreased in hypertension. The order parameter (S) of RBCs was inversely correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), suggesting that a decreased eGFR value might be associated with reduced membrane fluidity of RBCs. Multivariate regression analysis also demonstrated that, after adjustment for general risk factors, eGFR might be a significant predictor of membrane fluidity of RBCs. The reduced levels of both membrane fluidity of RBCs and eGFR were associated with increased plasma 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (an index of oxidative stress) and decreased plasma nitric oxide (NO)-metabolites, suggesting that kidney function could be a determinant of membrane microviscosity of RBCs, at least in part, via oxidative stress- and NO-dependent mechanisms. The ESR study suggests that CKD might have a close correlation with impaired rheologic behavior of RBCs and microcirculatory disorders in hypertensive subjects.

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum M.) sprout treated with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) improved anti-adipogenic activity associated with the oxidative stress system in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Buckwheat sprouts contain various bioactive compounds including rutin which have a number of biological activities. We have previously shown that buckwheat sprouts (TBWE) treated with methyl jasmonate (MeJA) significantly increased the amount of phenolics and the antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of TBWE on anti-adipogenesis and pro-oxidant enzyme in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We also evaluated the anti-oxidative activity of TBWE in adipocytes by using the nitroblue tetrazolium assay. Our data showed that TBWE markedly inhibited adipocyte differentiation and ROS production in 3T3-L1 cells compared with control groups. Moreover, TBWE has strongly shown the inhibition of adipogenic transcription factor as well as pro-oxidant enzymes. Together, we demonstrate that the MeJA treatment significantly increased the amount of phenolic compound, resulting in the suppression of adipogenesis and ROS production in the 3T3-L1 cells. These findings indicate that TBWE has the potential for anti-adipogenesis activity with anti-oxidative properties.

High levels of very long-chain saturated fatty acid in erythrocytes correlates with atherogenic lipoprotein profiles in subjects with metabolic syndrome

AIM

Very long chain saturated fatty acid (VLCFA) levels in erythrocytes are associated with metabolic syndrome (MS). However, the relationship between levels of the VLCFA ligonoceric acid (C24:0) in erythrocytes and the atherogenic lipoprotein profiles and inflammatory state in MS remain unclear.

METHODS

Based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition of MS, 195 apparently healthy males were assigned to either an MS group (n=38) or a non-MS group (n=157). Fatty acid composition of erythrocytes was determined by gas liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Erythrocytes from the MS group had a significantly higher level of C24:0 than cells from the non-MS group (4.06±0.48% versus 3.88±0.34%; p=0.03). C24:0 levels were significantly correlated with several components of MS. The C24:0 levels showed a significant negative correlation with LDL and HDL particle size. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that C24:0 levels were independently correlated with LDL particle size after adjusting for age and each MS criterion. C24:0 levels were also positively correlated with log-transformed high-sensitivity CRP levels (p=0.04).

CONCLUSION

C24:0 levels in erythrocytes are associated with specific atherogenic lipoprotein profiles and inflammation status in subjects with MS.

Disorders of erythrocyte structure and function in hypertensive patients

Background

The prevalence of hypertension is growing at an alarming rate. Increasing attention is being focussed on the oxidative stress accompanying this disease. In this study we examined the impact of this disease on some parameters of erythrocytes and human blood plasma.

Material/Methods

We examined the impact of hypertension on some parameters of erythrocytes and human plasma. The study involved 13 patients with hypertension and 19 healthy subjects. We determined lipid peroxidation, SH groups concentration, antioxidants enzymes activity, ATPase activity, total antioxidant capacity, total cholesterol level and erythrocyte membrane fluidity.

Results

We found an increased level of lipid peroxidation and the concentration of SH groups in membrane proteins in patients with hypertension, and a decrease in the activity of catalase and superoxide dysmutase. No changes were observed in glutathione peroxidase and ATPase activity, level of total antioxidant capacity, total cholesterol level and fluidity of erythrocyte membranes.

Conclusions

These results suggest the existence of an impaired oxidative balance in hypertensive human erythrocytes.

Novel adiponectin-resistin (AR) and insulin resistance (IRAR) indexes are useful integrated diagnostic biomarkers for insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome: a case control study

Background

Adiponectin and resistin are adipokines which modulate insulin action, energy, glucose and lipid homeostasis. Meta-analyses showed that hypoadiponectinemia and hyperresistinemia are strongly associated with increased risk of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to propose a novel adiponectin-resistin (AR) index by taking into account both adiponectin and resistin levels to povide a better indicator of the metabolic homeostasis and metabolic disorders. In addition, a novel insulin resistance (IR_AR) index was proposed by integration of the AR index into an existing insulin resistance index to provide an improved diagnostic biomarker of insulin sensitivity.

Methods

In this case control study, anthropometric clinical and metabolic parameters including fasting serum total adiponectin and resistin levels were determined in 809 Malaysian men (208 controls, 174 MS without T2DM, 171 T2DM without MS, 256 T2DM with MS) whose ages ranged between 40-70 years old. Significant differences in continuous variables among subject groups were confirmed by ANCOVA or MANCOVA test using 1,000 stratified bootstrap samples with bias corrected and accelerated (BCa) 95% CI. Spearman's rho rank correlation test was used to test the correlation between two variables.

Results

The AR index was formulated as 1+log₁₀(R₀)-log₁₀(A₀). The AR index was more strongly associated with increased risk of T2DM and MS than hypoadiponectinemia and hyperresistinemia alone. The AR index was more strongly correlated with the insulin resistance indexes and key metabolic endpoints of T2DM and MS than adiponectin and resistin levels alone. The AR index was also correlated with a higher number of MS components than adiponectin and resistin levels alone. The IR_AR index was formulated as log₁₀(I₀G₀)+log₁₀(I₀G₀)log₁₀(R₀/A₀). The normal reference range of the IR_AR index for insulin sensitive individuals was between 3.265 and 3.538. The minimum cut-off values of the IR_AR index for insulin resistance assessment were between 3.538 and 3.955.

Conclusions

The novel AR and IR_AR indexes are cost-effective, precise, reproducible and reliable integrated diagnostic biomarkers of insulin sensitivity for screening subjects with increased risk of future development of T2DM and MS.