HVC1 ameliorates hyperlipidemia and inflammation in LDLR-/- mice

Beyond cardiovascular risk: Implications of Familial hypercholesterolemia on cognition and brain function

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a metabolic condition caused mainly by a mutation in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene (LDLR), which is highly prevalent in the population. Besides being an important causative factor of cardiovascular diseases, FH has been considered an early risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive and emotional behavioral impairments in LDL receptor knockout (LDLr-/-) mice are associated with neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, impaired neurogenesis, brain oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Notably, today, LDLr-/- mice, a widely used animal model for studying cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerosis, are also considered an interesting tool for studying dementia. Here, we reviewed the main findings in LDLr-/- mice regarding the relationship between FH and brain dysfunctions and dementia development.

Association of Hyperlipidemia With Perioperative Complications in Posterior Cervical Spine Fusion: A Comparative Retrospective Study

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective database study.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the impact of hyperlipidemia (HLD) on the incidence of perioperative complications associated with posterior cervical spine fusion (PCF).

BACKGROUND

HLD is a very common disease that leads to atherosclerosis. Therefore, it can cause fatal diseases as well as lifestyle-related diseases. The possible impact of HLD on outcomes after PCF has not yet been investigated.

METHODS

Patients with cervical degeneration underwent initial PCF from 2010 through the third quarter of 2020 using the MSpine subset of the PearlDiver Patient Record Database. The incidence of perioperative complications was queried using relevant ICD-9, 10, and CPT codes. χ 2 analysis was performed in age-, sex-, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI)-matched populations to compare between non-HLD and HLD patients in each single-level and multilevel PCF.

RESULTS

Through propensity score matching, 1600 patients each in the HLD and non-HLD groups were analyzed in the single-level PCF, 6855 patients were analyzed in the multilevel PCF were analyzed. The comorbidity of HLD significantly decreased the incidence of respiratory failure in single-level PCF (OR=0.58, P <0.01). In the multilevel PCF, the presence of HLD increased the incidence of cervicalgia (OR=1.26, P =0.030). On the contrary, the incident of spinal cord injury (OR=0.72, P <0.01), dysphagia (OR=0.81, P =0.023), respiratory failure (OR=0.85, P =0.030), pneumonia (OR=0.70, P =0.045), neurological bladder (OR=0.84, P =0.041), and urinary tract infection (OR=0.85, P =0.021) in the HLD group were significantly lower than those in non-HLD group.

CONCLUSIONS

In the current study, the presence of HLD significantly increased the incidence of postoperative cervicalgia in multilevel PCF. On the other hand, the incidence of some complications was significantly decreased with HLD. Further studies are needed taking into account other factors such as the treatment of HLD, its efficacy, and intraoperative events.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Lycopene Modulates Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Hypercholesterolemic Rats

The complicated disorder of hypercholesterolemia has several underlying factors, including genetic and lifestyle factors. Low LDL cholesterol and elevated serum total cholesterol are its defining features. A carotenoid with antioxidant quality is lycopene. Examining lycopene activity in an animal model of hypercholesterolemia induced using food was the aim of this investigation. Triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and plasma total cholesterol were all measured. Biomarkers of renal and cardiac function were also examined. Apoptotic indicators, pro-inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress were also assessed. Additionally, the mRNA expression of paraoxonase 1 (PON-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), and PPAR-γ coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) in cardiac and renal tissues was examined. Rats showed elevated serum lipid levels, renal and cardiac dysfunction, significant oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory and apoptotic markers at the end of the study. Treatment with lycopene significantly corrected and restored these changes. Additionally, lycopene markedly increased the mRNA expression of PGC-1α and PON-1, and decreased PPAR-γ expression. It was determined that lycopene has the capacity to modulate the PPAR-γ and PON-1 signaling pathway in order to preserve the cellular energy metabolism of the heart and kidney, which in turn reduces tissue inflammatory response and apoptosis. According to these findings, lycopene may be utilized as a medication to treat hypercholesterolemia. However, further studies should be conducted first to determine the appropriate dose and any adverse effects that may appear after lycopene usage in humans.

Chronic Kidney Disease as A Potential Risk Factor for Uveitis: A 13-Year Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study in Taiwan

PURPOSE

To investigate whether patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of uveitis.

METHODS

Data was collected from the Taiwan National Health Insurance system and included patients newly diagnosed with CKD between 2000 and 2012. The endpoint of interest was a diagnosis of uveitis.

RESULTS

30,256 CKD patients and 121,024 matched comparisons were analyzed. CKD patients were found to have a significantly higher cumulative uveitis incidence. Through multivariate Cox regression analysis, the CKD group was found to have higher risk of developing uveitis (adjusted hazard ratio 1.51). After stratified by gender, age, and comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia), the increased risk of uveitis in CKD patients remained significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CKD were found to have higher risk of developing uveitis. For patients over 18 years old and with hypertension, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia, the presence of CKD was demonstrated as an additional crucial factor for uveitis development.

Research progress of signaling pathways of the natural substances intervene dyslipidemia (Review)

Dyslipidemia is an umbrella term for a range of lipid metabolic disorders in the body. This condition has been widely reported to greatly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, threatening human health. In recent years, advances in molecular biology have deepened understanding of the dyslipidemia-related signaling pathways and specific mechanisms underlying dyslipidemia. Signaling pathways possess the ability to transmit an extracellular signal to the inside of the cell, leading to specific biological effects. Lipid metabolism disorders and lipid levels in the blood are frequently affected by aberrant alterations in the dyslipidemia-related signaling pathways. Therefore, further investigations into these pathways are required for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia. The present review summarizes the characteristics of six dyslipidemia-associated signaling pathways: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, farnesoid X receptor, forkhead box O, adipocytokine and cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling pathways. In particular, specific focus was placed on previous experimental studies and reports on the intervention effects of natural substances (compounds from animals, plants, marine organisms and microorganisms) on dyslipidemia.

Effects of Daehwang-Hwanglyoun-Sasim-Tang on brain injury and cognitive function in mice caused by bilateral common carotid artery stenosis

Among geriatric diseases, cerebrovascular disease ranks fourth according to the Causes of Death Statistics in 2019, Korea, and is the most common cause of acquired disorders in adults. Daehwang-Hwanglyoun-Sasim-Tang (DHST), a herbal prescription consisting of two herbal medicines, Rhei Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. This study was conducted to confirm the anti-inflammatory mechanism of DHST treatment in ischemic brain injury and to confirm the role of DHST in cognitive function improvement. C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into four groups (sham operation, bilateral common carotid artery stenosis (BCAS) control, experimental group administered 5 mL/kg DHST, experimental group administered 50 mL/kg DHST), with each group containing five mice. After 1 week, DHST was orally administered for 4 weeks, 5 days a week, and then behavioral evaluation of learning and memory was performed. In addition, morphological changes in the neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus were observed. Inflammation-related factors were evaluated using western blot analysis. In the 50 mL/kg DHST (H-DHST) group, the expression of apoptosis-related proteins was reduced and neuronal damage was suppressed in the hippocampal CA1 region. However, cognitive improvement was observed in the H-DHST group that was attributable to anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic pathways. In the 5 mL/kg DHST group, no significant effect was observed compared with the control group.

The Cordyceps militaris-Derived Polysaccharide CM1 Alleviates Atherosclerosis in LDLR(-/-) Mice by Improving Hyperlipidemia

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has a high mortality worldwide. Our lab previously purified a polysaccharide designated as CM1 with (1→4)-β-D-Glcp and (1→2)-α-D-Manp glycosyls as the backbone. In this study, we investigated the anti-atherosclerosis effect of CM1 and the underlying mechanisms of action in a low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR(-/-) mouse model. It was found that CM1 significantly decreased the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Mechanistically, CM1 enhanced plasma level of apolipoprotein A-I and decreased the plasma levels of triglyceride, apolipoprotein B, and total cholesterol. In the absence of LDLR, CM1 elevated the expression of very low-density lipoprotein receptor for liver uptake of plasma apolipoprotein B-containing particles and reduced hepatic triglyceride synthesis by inhibiting sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c. CM1 improved lipids excretion by increasing the liver X receptor α/ATP-binding cassette G5 pathway in small intestine. CM1 reduced lipogenesis and lipolysis by inhibiting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and adipose triglyceride lipase in epididymal fat. Furthermore, CM1 improved lipid profile in C57BL/6J mice. Collectively, CM1 can modulate lipid metabolism by multiple pathways, contributing to reduced plasma lipid level and formation of atherosclerotic plaques in LDLR(-/-) mice. This molecule could be explored as a potential compound for prevention and treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Thirteen-Week Oral Toxicity Study of HVC1 in Rats

Studies on the safety of herbal medicine are essential for the development of new drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) of HVC1 (Gamisamhwangsasim-tang, a 30% ethanol extract of a mixture of Pruni Cortex, Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, and Rhei Rhizoma) and identify its target organs after oral administration to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats repeatedly for 13 weeks. Three test groups were treated with HVC1 at a dose of either 500 (low-dose), 1,000 (middle-dose), or 2,000 (high-dose) mg/kg/day. Another group received high-dose HVC1 and was observed for 4 weeks following treatment to examine recovery from the effects of the extract. All treatment groups were compared to a vehicle control group. During the study, mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, food consumption, abnormal lesions in the eye, urinary parameters, hematological parameters, blood coagulation time, blood biochemical parameters, changes in organ weight, gross findings, and histopathological changes were examined. No systemic toxicity related to HVC1 was observed in any group, and it was concluded that the NOAEL of HVC1 was 2,000 mg/kg/day. No target organ was identified.

Coptidis Rhizoma inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviates renal damage in early obesity-related glomerulopathy

BACKGROUND

Obese subjects have been considered to be in a state of chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation. Excess fat accumulation and persistent inflammation may promote renal dysfunction, to cause chronic kidney disease (CKD) and even end-stage kidney failure. Coptidis Rhizoma is a classical traditional Chinese herb well known for its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties. The mechanism is partially associated with its anti-inflammatory effect. However, this effect is rarely investigated in obesity and obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG).

PURPOSE

The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of Coptidis Rhizoma on ORG. It also aimed to determine whether this renal protection effect of Coptidis Rhizoma was related to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome in ORG.

METHODS

Coptidis Rhizoma concentrated granules were prepared and the main components were identified by 3D-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (3D-HPLC) assay. The animal model of early stage ORG was established in obesity-prone (OP) rats by high protein and high fat diet feeding for 12 weeks. The treatment with Coptidis Rhizoma at different dosages was administered by intragastric infusion simultaneously. Then body weight, kidney weight, plasma lipid profiles, 24 h urine protein/albumin content and kidney histology were measured. Inflammatory biomarkers were examined both in the rat plasma and renal cortex. The gene expressions of NLRP3 inflammasome complex and NF-κB in renal tissues were also measured.

RESULTS

Coptidis Rhizoma alleviated dyslipidemia and reduced the renal weight of the rats with ORG. Meanwhile, urinary albumin to creatinine ratio and creatinine clearance rate were significantly improved. Coptidis Rhizoma also attenuated glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial hyperplasia, and effacement of podocyte foot in renal tissues of ORG rats. In addition, Coptidis Rhizoma intervention decreased the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18) both in plasma and renal tissue. The gene expression of NLRP3 inflammasome was down-regulated and NF-κB activity was also inhibited by Coptidis Rhizoma in renal tissues of ORG rats.

CONCLUSION

Coptidis Rhizoma can ameliorate early renal damage in ORG rats and the mechanisms appear to be related to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome complex.