Recent progress in the treatment of cardiovascular disease using olmesartan

In silico Evaluation of NO-Sartans against SARS-CoV-2

INTRODUCTION

Numerous clinical trials are currently investigating the potential of nitric oxide (NO) as an antiviral agent against coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, some researchers have reported positive effects of certain Sartans against SARS-CoV-2.

METHOD

Considering the impact of NO-Sartans on the cardiovascular system, we have compiled information on the general structure, synthesis methods, and biological studies of synthesized NOSartans. In silico evaluation of all NO-Sartans and approved sartans against three key SARS-CoV- -2 targets, namely Mpro (PDB ID: 6LU7), NSP16 (PDB ID: 6WKQ), and ACE-2 (PDB ID: 1R4L), was performed using MOE.

RESULTS

Almost all NO-Sartans and approved sartans demonstrated promising results in inhibiting these SARS-CoV-2 targets. Compound 36 (CLC-1280) showed the best docking scores against the three evaluated targets and was further evaluated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

CONCLUSION

Based on our in silico studies, CLC-1280 (a Valsartan dinitrate) has the potential to be considered as an inhibitor of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, further in vitro and in vivo evaluations are necessary for the drug development process.

Olmesartan Ameliorates Organ Injury and Mortality in Rats With Peritonitis-Induced Sepsis

INTRODUCTION

Sepsis and related complications lead to high morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. Olmesartan medoxomil (OLM), a nonpeptide angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, has antiinflammatory and antioxidative effects in various experimental animal models. The present study aimed to investigate whether OLM protects against sepsis in a clinically relevant model of polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).

METHODS

Sepsis was induced by CLP in anesthetized rats. OLM was administered intraperitoneally 3 h after CLP onset. Hemodynamic, biochemical, and inflammatory parameters were analyzed.

RESULTS

The administration of OLM in CLP rats significantly improved their survival rate. Moreover, OLM mitigated CLP-induced hypotension and organ injury (indicated by biochemical parameters), but not tachycardia. OLM significantly reduced the plasma levels of interleukin-6 and nitric oxide.

CONCLUSIONS

OLM markedly attenuated CLP-induced hypotension and organ injury, and hence improved survival by inhibiting the inflammatory response and nitrosative stress in this clinically relevant model of sepsis.

Molecules and Mechanisms to Overcome Oxidative Stress Inducing Cardiovascular Disease in Cancer Patients

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are molecules involved in signal transduction pathways with both beneficial and detrimental effects on human cells. ROS are generated by many cellular processes including mitochondrial respiration, metabolism and enzymatic activities. In physiological conditions, ROS levels are well-balanced by antioxidative detoxification systems. In contrast, in pathological conditions such as cardiovascular, neurological and cancer diseases, ROS production exceeds the antioxidative detoxification capacity of cells, leading to cellular damages and death. In this review, we will first describe the biology and mechanisms of ROS mediated oxidative stress in cardiovascular disease. Second, we will review the role of oxidative stress mediated by oncological treatments in inducing cardiovascular disease. Lastly, we will discuss the strategies that potentially counteract the oxidative stress in order to fight the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease, including that induced by oncological treatments.

Angiotensin (1-7)-attenuated vasoconstriction is associated with the Interleukin-10 signaling pathway

AIMS

Angiotensin-1-7 [Ang-(1-7)] is an essential peptide of the renin-angiotensin system that promotes benefits modulating effects in different tissues. Similarly, interleukin-10 (IL-10) exhibits an immunomodulatory action on the vasculature. This study aimed to evaluate whether Ang-(1-7) levels attenuates vascular contractile response, mediated by IL-10-pathway (JAK1/STAT3/IL-10).

MAIN METHODS

Aortas from male mice C57BL/6J and knockout for IL-10 (IL-10^-/-) were incubated with Ang-(1-7) [10 μM] or vehicle, during 5 min, 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h. Concentration-response curves to phenylephrine, western blotting, and flow cytometry analysis was performed to evaluate the contractile response, protein expression, and IL-10 levels, respectively.

KEY FINDINGS

Incubation with Ang-(1-7) produced a time-dependent increase in Janus kinases 1 (JAK1) expression, as well as increased expression and activity of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) protein. However, this effect was not observed in knockout animals for IL-10. After 12 h of Ang-(1-7) treatment, arteries from control mice displayed decreased vascular reactivity to phenylephrine, but this effect was not observed in the absence of endogenous IL-10. Additionally, incubation with Ang-(1-7) augments IL-10 levels after 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h of incubation.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results demonstrated the role of Ang-(1-7) in the IL-10 signaling pathway and its effects in the vascular contractility response. Thus, these findings suggest a new synergic action where Ang-(1-7) and IL-10 converge into a protective mechanism against vascular dysfunction.

Sulforaphane attenuates angiotensin II-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury by modulating ROS-mediated mitochondrial signaling

The study aimed to investigate whether sulforaphane (SFN) protects against angiotensin II (Ang II)-mediated human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury. Ang II treatment decreased HUVEC viability, increased cell apoptosis, decreased mitochondria membrane potential (MMP), impaired cytochrome c release, activated caspase 3/9, and induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity. Moreover, SFN treatment blunted Ang II-stimulated oxidative stress and mitochondria-related apoptosis in HUVECs. The ROS scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine reduced Ang II-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, indicating that ROS generation is involved in the Ang II-induced mitochondria-mediated apoptotic pathway. SFN induced nuclear factor erythroid 2 (Nrf2) activation and expression in Ang II-stimulated HUVECs. Downregulation of Nrf2 expression by a target-specific siRNA revealed an Nrf2-dependent effect on the SFN-mediated attenuation of Ang II-induced apoptosis in HUVECs. Pretreatment with brusatol, an Nrf2-specific inhibitor, reversed the protective effects of SFN on Ang II-induced HUVEC injury. SFN treatment protected HUVECs from Ang II-induced damage by decreasing oxidative stress and ameliorating mitochondrial injury.

Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Ameliorates Angiotensin II-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells through the Activation of Nrf2/Caspase-3 Signaling

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate whether epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) shows antioxidant activity against angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) apoptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The viability of HUVECs was revealed by MTT and LDH assay. The cell apoptosis was detected by FITC-PI assay. A fluorescent probe assay was used to measure the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HUVECs. Mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening, mitochondrial membrane potential, and caspase-3, -4, -8, -9 activities were also measured.

RESULTS

We found that Ang II treatment increased the generation of ROS, enhanced MPTP opening and cytochrome c release, activated caspase-3/9, and consequently induced HUVEC apoptosis. EGCG treatment-suppressed Ang II induces the oxidative stress of HUVECs and mitochondria-related cell apoptosis. We also showed that the antioxidant activity pathway, including cytochrome c release, MPTP opening, and caspase-3/9 activation, is a key endogenous defensive system in HUVECs, provoking Ang II exposure. Our study revealed that increased expression of Nrf2 by EGCG could partially repress Ang II-induced injury effects.

CONCLUSIONS

All of our findings indicated that EGCG treatment provides a protective effect for Ang II-induced HUVEC apoptosis by decreasing oxidative stress and ameliorating mitochondrial injury.