HDL: o yin-yang da doença cardiovascular

Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine on the Cardiovascular Diseases

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the health care system developed with the help of clinical trials that are based ideally on the scientific model of regulation. Objective: This systematic health care system relies on some specific unique theories and practical experiences to treat and cure diseases, thus enhancing the public's health. Review Methodology: The current review covers the available literature from 2000 to 2021. The data was collected from journals research articles, published books, thesis, and electronic databases, search engines such as Google Scholar, Elsevier, EBSCO, PMC, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Willey Online Library, Springer Link, and CNKI) searching key terms, cardiovascular disease, traditional Chinese medicines, natural products, and bioactive compounds. Full-length articles and abstracts were screened for the collection of information included in the paper. Results: Clinical trials on the TCM and basic research carried out on its mechanism and nature have led to the application and development of the perfect design of the research techniques, for example, twofold striking in acupuncture that aid in overcoming the limitations and resistances in integrating and applicability of these experiences and trials into the pre-existing biomedical models. Furthermore, TCM has also been utilized from ancient times to treat heart diseases in Asia, particularly in China, and is now used by people in many other areas. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is mainly developed by oxidative stress. Hence antioxidants can be beneficial in treating this particular disease. TCM has a wide variety of antioxidant components. Conclusion: The current review article summarizes the underlying therapeutic property of TCM and its mechanism. It also overviews the evidence of the mechanism of TCM action in CVD prevention by controlling oxidative stress and its signaling pathway.

Effect of blueberry (Vaccinium virgatum) extract on depressive-like behavior and metabolic serum alterations in lipopolysaccharide-challenged mice

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of blueberry extract on behavioral, biochemical, and morphological changes in an experimental model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depressive behavior. Male Swiss mice were pretreated with the vehicle, fluoxetine (20 mg/kg), or Vaccinium virgatum extract (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) for seven days. On day 7, the animals were administered an LPS injection (0.83 mg/kg) or vehicle. Pretreatment with blueberry extract prevented LPS-induced depressive-like behavior. Moreover, LPS increased serum levels of total cholesterol; however, V. virgatum did not prevent the increase in total cholesterol levels. Furthermore, the extract prevented the LPS-induced elevation in serum reactive oxygen species. Also, V. virgatum extract increased the HDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, this extract prevented the LPS-induced decrease in glucose levels and serum adenosine deaminase activity. Collectively, V. virgatum extract has a potential protective effect against changes similar to those observed in patients with depression. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Vaccinium virgatum, popularly known as blueberry, has been effective in preventing or treating neuropsychiatric diseases owing to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Fluoxetine is a known drug used to treat depression; however, its adverse effects result in therapeutic non-adherence. Thus, the search for new natural compounds possessing antidepressant activities while lacking adverse effects is crucial for identifying novel therapeutic alternatives against depression.

Prevalence of altered total cholesterol and fractions in the Brazilian adult population: National Health Survey

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the prevalence of altered total cholesterol and fractions levels in the Brazilian population, according to biochemical data from the National Health Survey.

METHODS

A descriptive study, using data from the National Health Survey, collected between 2014 and 2015. Total cholesterol and fractions were analyzed and population prevalences of altered values according to socio-demographic variables were calculated. The cutoff points considered were: total cholesterol ≥ 200mg/dl; low-density lipoprotein LDL ≥ 130mg/dL and high-density lipoprotein HDL < 40mg/dL.

RESULTS

The prevalence of total cholesterol ≥200mg/dL in the population was 32.7%, and higher in women (35.1%). The prevalence of altered HDL was 31.8%, 22.0% in females and 42.8% in males. LDL ≥ 130mg/dL was found in 18.6% and was higher in women (19.9%). The population aged 45 years old and older and those with low levels of education presented a higher prevalence of altered cholesterol.

CONCLUSION

Altered values of total cholesterol and fractions were frequent in the Brazilian population, especially among women, the elderly and people with low levels of education. These results may guide control and preventative actions such as healthy eating, physical activity and treatment, all of which aim to prevent coronary diseases.

HDL Particle Size and Functionality Comparison between Patients with and without Confirmed Acute Myocardial Infarction

Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be the most common cause of death worldwide, and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is noteworthy due to its great magnitude.

Objectives

This study was carried out to evaluate the structure (molecular and particle size) and functionality of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) shortly after AMI, in the presence of acute inflammatory response.

Casuistic and Methods

A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted between January 2015 and August 2016, with a total convenient sample of 85 patients. The patients' data were segregated according to the Registry of Acute Myocardial Infarction (REAMI), with 45 confirmed AMI patients. The study groups consisted of patients from both sexes, older than 35 years, presented to the Hospital São Rafael (HSR) initially with AMI clinical symptoms. In addition, 40 nonischemic control patients (CPs), without AMI symptomatology, and according to previous inclusion criteria, were selected for convenience in an outpatient care unit. The HDL particle size was measured by laser light scattering (LLS), after separation of HDL from apoB-rich lipoproteins. The paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity was determined in a spectrophotometer by using paraoxon as a substrate. The other laboratory marker information, secondary data, was obtained in the laboratory system.

Results

The HDL particle size, free cholesterol, and hs-CRP analysis showed significant differences when compared between REAMI and CP groups (p < 0.0001, p=0.007, and p < 0.0001; two-tailed unpaired t-test, respectively). Regarding paraoxonase, the data comparison between REAMI and CP groups was also significantly different (p < 0.0067; two-tailed unpaired t-test).

Conclusion

Despite an important current database on the HDL cholesterol role, our study provides relevant complementary information about the HDL particle susceptibility to the inflammation following AMI. The HDL particles' quantitative and functional attributes should be measured as markers of HDL functionality.

Cholecalciferol, Ergosterol, and Cholesterol Enhance the Antibiotic Activity of Drugs

Abstract. Background: This is the first report demonstrating the antibiotic-modifying activity of cholecalciferol. Aim: In this study, cholecalciferol was evaluated against multiresistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. Methods: The antibacterial and modulatory effects of cholecalciferol, ergosterol, and cholesterol (8–512 μg/mL) were evaluated by microdilution assay against multiresistant bacterial strains. Results: Cholecalciferol, when combined with aminoglycosides, was more effective against P. aeruginosa, reducing the concentration of amikacin and gentamicin necessary to inhibit bacterial growth from 156.25 to 39.06 μg/mL and from 39.06 to 9.76 μg/mL, respectively. It is possible that cholecalciferol, due to its lipid-soluble nature, had a lipophilic interaction with the cell membrane, enhancing antibiotic uptake. Cholesterol and ergosterol were used to see if the mechanism of action of cholecalciferol was similar to that of these lipid compounds. Ergosterol and cholesterol increased aminoglycoside activity, where the effect was greater with higher subinhibitory concentration of sterol. Conclusions: There is no reported study on the use of cholesterol and ergosterol as modulators of antibiotics or any other drug, making this the first study in this area highlighting the interaction between cholesterol, ergosterol, and cholecalciferol with regard to modifying aminoglycoside activity.

Menadione (vitamin K) enhances the antibiotic activity of drugs by cell membrane permeabilization mechanism

Menadione, vitamin K3, belongs to the class of lipid-soluble vitamins and lipophilic substances as menadione cause disturbances in the bacterial membrane, resulting in damage to the fundamental elements for the integrity of the membrane, thus allowing increased permeability. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the antibiotic-modifying activity of menadione in multiresistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, with a gradual increase in its subinhibitory concentration. In addition, menadione was compared with cholesterol and ergosterol for similarity in mechanism of drug modulatory action. Antibiotic-modifying activity and antibacterial effect were determined by the broth microdilution assay. Menadione, cholesterol and ergosterol showed modulatory activity at clinically relevant concentrations, characterizing them as modifiers of bacterial drug resistance, since they lowered the MIC of the antibiotics tested. This is the first report of the antibacterial activity of menadione and its potentiation of aminoglycosides against multiresistant bacteria.

Enhancement of the antibiotic activity of aminoglycosides by alpha-tocopherol and other cholesterol derivates

Alpha-tocopherol, one of the most abundant isoforms of vitamin E, is a biologically active liposoluble vitamin and potent antioxidant. It occurs naturally in foods of plant and animal origin. Because of its lipophilic character, it can cause perturbations in the bacterial cell membrane, resulting in damage to components essential for the integrity of the membrane, thereby allowing an increase in permeability. This is the first report of the modulatory effect of alpha-tocopherol in multiresistant bacteria. We evaluated alpha-tocopherol against multiresistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, and determined if there was any similarity with the mechanism of modulatory action of cholesterol and ergosterol. When combined with aminoglycosides in a microdilution broth assay, alpha-tocopherol possibly acted through a lipophilic action on the cell envelope, modulating more effectively P. aeruginosa and E. coli, when compared with S. aureus.