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Almowallad S, Al-Massabi R. Berberine modulates cardiovascular diseases as a multitarget-mediated alkaloid with insights into its downstream signals using in silico prospective screening approaches. Saudi J Biol Sci 2024; 31:103977. [PMID: 38510527 PMCID: PMC10951604 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2024.103977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is potentially correlated with several cardiac disorders that are greatly associated with cellular oxidative stress generation, inflammation, endothelial cells dysfunction, and many cardiovascular complications. Berberine is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid compound that widely modulates pathogenesis of atherosclerosis through its different curative potentials. This in silico screening study was designed to confirm the potent restorative properties of berberine chloride as a multitarget-mediated alkaloid against the CVDs and their complications through screening, identifying, visualizing, and evaluating its binding models, affinities, and interactions toward several CVDs-related targets as direct and/or indirect-mediated signals via inhibiting cellular ER stress and apoptotic signals and activating autophagy pathway. The drug-likeness properties of berberine were predicted using the computational QSAR/ADMET and Lipinski's RO5 analyses as well as in silico molecular docking simulations. The potent berberine-binding modes, residues-interaction patterns, and free energies of binding scores towards several CVDs-related targets were estimated using molecular docking tools. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetic properties and toxicological features of berberine were clearly determined. According to this in silico virtual screening study, berberine chloride could restore cardiac function and improve pathogenic features of atherosclerotic CVDs through alleviating ER stress and apoptotic signals, activating autophagy, improving insulin sensitivity, decreasing hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, increasing intracellular RCT signaling, attenuating oxidative stress and vascular inflammation, and upregulating cellular antioxidant defenses in many cardiovascular tissues. In this in silico study, berberine chloride greatly modulated several potent CVDs-related targets, including SIGMAR1, GRP78, CASP3, BECN1, PIK3C3, SQSTM1/p62, LC3B, GLUT3, INSR, LDLR, LXRα, PPARγ, IL1β, IFNγ, iNOS, COX-2, MCP-1, IL10, GPx1, and SOD3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaa Almowallad
- Assistant Professor of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rehab Al-Massabi
- Assistant Professor of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
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Brüser L, Teichmann E, Hinz B. Effect of Flavonoids on MCP-1 Expression in Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells and Impact on MCP-1-Dependent Migration of Human Monocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16047. [PMID: 38003237 PMCID: PMC10671372 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), also known as chemokine (CC motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), is involved in the formation, progression, and destabilization of atheromatous plaques. Flavonoids, found in fruits and vegetables, have been associated with various health-promoting properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective effects. In the present study, the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin, but not cannflavin A, were shown to substantially inhibit interleukin (IL)-1β-induced MCP-1 mRNA and protein expression in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC). At the functional level, conditioned medium (CM) from IL-1β-stimulated HCAEC caused an increase in the migration of THP-1 monocytes compared with CM from unstimulated HCAEC. However, this induction was suppressed when IL-1β-treated HCAEC were coincubated with quercetin, kaempferol, or luteolin. The functional importance of MCP-1 in IL-1β-induced monocyte migration was supported by experiments showing that neutralization of MCP-1 in the CM of IL-1β-treated HCAEC led to a significant inhibition of migration. In addition, a concentration-dependent induction of monocyte migration in the presence of recombinant MCP-1 was demonstrated. Collectively, the flavonoids quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin were found to exert potential antiatherogenic effects in HCAEC, challenging further studies with these compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Burkhard Hinz
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rostock University Medical Center, Schillingallee 70, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (L.B.); (E.T.)
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Mirza Z, Al-Saedi DA, Saddeek S, Almowallad S, AlMassabi RF, Huwait E. Atheroprotective Effect of Fucoidan in THP-1 Macrophages by Potential Upregulation of ABCA1. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2929. [PMID: 38001931 PMCID: PMC10669811 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11112929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting foam cells reduces the risk and pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, of which they are one of its early hallmarks. The precise mechanism of action of fucoidan, a potential anti-atherogenic drug, is still unknown. Our objective was to assess the ability of fucoidan to regulate expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) in ox-LDL-induced THP-1 macrophages. Molecular docking was used to predict how fucoidan interacts with anti-foam cell markers, and further in vitro experiments were performed to evaluate the protective effect of fucoidan on modulating uptake and efflux of lipids. THP-1 macrophages were protected by 50 µg/mL of fucoidan and were then induced to form foam cells with 25 µg/mL of ox-LDL. Expression levels were assessed using RT-qPCR, and an Oil Red O stain was used to observe lipid accumulation in THP-1 macrophages. In addition, ABCA1 protein was examined by Western blot, and cellular cholesterol efflux was determined using fluorescently labeled cholesterol. Under a light microscope, decreased lipid accumulation in ox-LDL-induced-THP-1 macrophages pre-treated with fucoidan showed a significant effect, although it did not affect the expression of scavenger receptors (SR-AI and CD36). It is interesting to note that fucoidan dramatically increased the gene and protein expression of ABCA1, perhaps via the liver X receptor-α (LXR-α). Moreover, fucoidan's ability to increase and control the efflux of cholesterol from ox-LDL-induced THP-1 macrophages revealed how it may alter ABCA1's conformation and have a major effect on how it interacts with apolipoprotein A (ApoA1). In vitro results support a rationale for predicting fucoidan and its interaction with its receptor targets' predicted data, hence validating its anti-atherogenic properties and suggesting that fucoidan could be promising as an atheroprotective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeenat Mirza
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Dalal A. Al-Saedi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Cell Culture Lab, Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salma Saddeek
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Hafr Al Batin, Hafr Al Batin 39511, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Sanaa Almowallad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 48322, Saudi Arabia (R.F.A.)
| | - Rehab F. AlMassabi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 48322, Saudi Arabia (R.F.A.)
| | - Etimad Huwait
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Cell Culture Lab, Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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Pushparaj PN, Rasool M, Naseer MI, Gauthaman K. Exploration of potential molecular mechanisms and genotoxicity of anti-cancer drugs using next generation knowledge discovery methods. Pak J Med Sci 2023; 39:988-993. [PMID: 37492288 PMCID: PMC10364265 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.39.4.7427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Objectives Accurate identification of molecular and toxicological functions of potential drug candidates is crucial for drug discovery and development. This may aid in the evaluation of the risks of genotoxicity and carcinogenesis. In addition, in silico characterization of existing and new drugs might offer clues for future investigations and aid in the development of anticancer treatments. Using next-generation knowledge discovery (NGKD) methodology, we endeavored to establish a risk assessment of anticancer drugs for their molecular mechanism(s) and genotoxicity. Methods This study was performed at the Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in November 2022. Using innovative in silico model systems, we assessed the molecular mechanism of action and toxicity of around 20 distinct substances such as Deguelin, Etoposide, Camptothecin, Cytarabine (Ara-C), Cisplatin, Hydroxyurea, Trichostain A, Antimycin, Colchicine, 2-deoxyglucose, Tunicamycin, Thapsigargin, Vinblastin, Docetaxel, Oxaliplatin, Methotrexate, 5-flurouracil, Bleomycin, Taxol (Paclitaxel), and Apicidin. Using the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) knowledge base, the number of targets for each compound was determined in silico. Subsequently, they were examined using Fisher's exact test and Benjamini Hochberg Multiple Testing Correction (P<0.05) and submitted to core analysis with IPA to decode the biological and toxicological activities differently controlled by these drugs. In addition, a multiple comparison module in IPA was used to compare the core analyses of each molecule. In addition, we obtained the top 100 protein targets of Etoposide, Camptothecin, and Ara-C using SwissTargetPrediction, as well as the key pathways and gene ontologies affected by these drugs and disease associations using the WebGestalt tool. Results We identified distinct toxicological signatures and canonical signaling pathways in tumor cell lines regulated by these 20 anticancer drugs. These signaling pathways included cell death and apoptosis in addition to molecular processes, p53 signaling, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling. The TP53 signaling pathway is utilized by these agents to effectively trigger cell death and apoptosis, and p53 functions as a master regulator in a variety of cellular stress responses, including genotoxic stress. Conclusion Our research has laid the groundwork for the discovery of additional biomarkers that assess both the safety and effectiveness of treatment. Our mechanism based "NGKD" tools have more relevance for the identification of safer therapies and has the potential to lead to the rational screening of drug candidates targeting specific molecular networks and canonical pathways implicated in cancer and genotoxicity. In addition, the combination of protein, microRNA and metabolome profiles may be essential for the development of translatable biomarkers for the safety and efficacy of pharmacotherapeutic agents.Our research has laid the groundwork for the discovery of additional biomarkers that assess both the safety and the effectiveness of a treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Natesan Pushparaj
- Peter Natesan Pushparaj, PhD Associate Professor Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmood Rasool
- Mahmood Rasool, PhD Professor Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Imran Naseer
- Muhammad Imran Naseer, PhD Professor Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kalamegam Gauthaman
- Kalamegam Gauthaman, MBBS, PhD Professor, Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental, College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, India
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Tomou EM, Papakyriakopoulou P, Skaltsa H, Valsami G, Kadoglou NPE. Bio-Actives from Natural Products with Potential Cardioprotective Properties: Isolation, Identification, and Pharmacological Actions of Apigenin, Quercetin, and Silibinin. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052387. [PMID: 36903630 PMCID: PMC10005323 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. As a result, pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions modifying risk factors for CVDs are a top priority of scientific research. Non-pharmaceutical therapeutical approaches, including herbal supplements, have gained growing interest from researchers as part of the therapeutic strategies for primary or secondary prevention of CVDs. Several experimental studies have supported the potential effects of apigenin, quercetin, and silibinin as beneficial supplements in cohorts at risk of CVDs. Accordingly, this comprehensive review focused critically on the cardioprotective effects/mechanisms of the abovementioned three bio-active compounds from natural products. For this purpose, we have included in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies associated with atherosclerosis and a wide variety of cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, cardiac injury, and metabolic syndrome). In addition, we attempted to summarize and categorize the laboratory methods for their isolation and identification from plant extracts. This review unveiled many uncertainties which are still unexplored, such as the extrapolation of experimental results to clinical practice, mainly due to the small clinical studies, heterogeneous doses, divergent constituents, and the absence of pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina-Michaela Tomou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Papakyriakopoulou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Helen Skaltsa
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Valsami
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Athens, Greece
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Zhi W, Liu Y, Wang X, Zhang H. Recent advances of traditional Chinese medicine for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 301:115749. [PMID: 36181983 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Atherosclerosis (AS) is a common systemic disease with increasing morbidity and mortality worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with characteristics of multiple pathways and targets, presents advantages in the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis. AIM OF THE STUDY With the modernization of TCM, the active ingredients and molecular mechanisms of TCM for AS treatment have been gradually revealed. Therefore, it is necessary to examine the existing studies on TCM therapies aimed at regulating AS over the past two decades. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using "atherosclerosis" and "Traditional Chinese medicine" as keywords, all relevant TCM literature published in the last 10 years was collected from electronic databases (such as Elsevier, Springer, PubMed, CNKI, and Web of Science), books and papers until March 2022, and the critical information was statistically analyzed. RESULTS In this review, we highlighted extracts of 8 single herbs, a total of 41 single active ingredients, 20 TCM formulae, and 25 patented drugs, which were described with chemical structure, source, model, efficacy and potential mechanism. CONCLUSION We summarized the cytopathological basis for the development of atherosclerosis involving vascular endothelial cells, macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells, and categorically elaborated the medicinal TCM used for AS, all of which provide the current evidence on the better management of atherosclerosis by TCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbing Zhi
- Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Xi'an, 710003, PR China.
| | - Yang Liu
- Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Xi'an, 710003, PR China
| | - Xiumei Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Hong Zhang
- Shaanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital), Xi'an, 710003, PR China.
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Potential Pharmaceutical Applications of Quercetin in Cardiovascular Diseases. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15081019. [PMID: 36015169 PMCID: PMC9412669 DOI: 10.3390/ph15081019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Quercetin, as a member of flavonoids, has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in recent decades. In this comprehensive literature review, our goal was a critical appraisal of the pathophysiological mechanisms of quercetin in relation to the classical cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., hyperlipidemia), atherosclerosis, etc. We also assessed experimental and clinical data about its potential application in CVDs. Experimental studies including both in vitro methods and in vivo animal models mainly outline the following effects of quercetin: (1) antihypertensive, (2) hypolipidemic, (3) hypoglycemic, (4) anti-atherosclerotic, and (5) cardioprotective (suppressed cardiotoxicity). From the clinical point of view, there are human studies and meta-analyses implicating its beneficial effects on glycemic and lipid parameters. In contrast, other human studies failed to demonstrate consistent favorable effects of quercetin on other cardiometabolic risk factors such as MS, obesity, and hypertension, underlying the need for further investigation. Analyzing the reason of this inconsistency, we identified significant drawbacks in the clinical trials’ design, while the absence of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic tests prior to the studies attenuated the power of clinical results. Therefore, additional well-designed preclinical and clinical studies are required to examine the therapeutic mechanisms and clinical efficacy of quercetin in CVDs.
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Grbić E, Gorkič N, Pleskovič A, Ljuca F, Gasparini M, Mrđa B, Cilenšek I, Fras Z, Petrovič D. Association between the rs2279238 of the Liver X receptor alpha gene polymorphism and advanced carotid atherosclerosis in the Slovenian cohort. Gene 2022; 840:146764. [PMID: 35907563 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146764] [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: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver X receptor alpha (LXRA) plays important role in cholesterol and lipid homeostasis and lipid metabolism; moreover, it has been investigated as a candidate gene in a number of conditions, including onset and progression of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that the LXRA gene rs2279238 polymorphism may be associated with the onset and progression of carotid atherosclerosis in the Slovenian cohort. METHODS 783 unrelated Slovenian patients were included in this cross-sectional case-control study: 308 patients in the group of cases with severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis (> 75%) and 475 patients with hemodynamically insignificant ICA stenosis (<50%) in the control group. Medical records were used to acquire patient laboratory and clinical data. The TaqMan SNP Genotyping assay was used to genotype the rs2279238 polymorphism. RESULTS Between the case and control groups, we identified a statistically significant variation in genotype distribution (p=0.04), but not in allele frequency (p=0.13) of the LXRA gene polymorphism rs2279238. The results, also show that there is a statistically significant association (p=0.04) between the two genetic models (codominant and recessive) of the LXRA gene rs2279238 polymorphism and carotid atherosclerosis. CONCLUSION In the Slovenian cohort, we found a significant association between the TT genotype of rs2279238 and advanced carotid artery disease, suggesting that this polymorphism might be a genetic risk factor for ICA atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emin Grbić
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nataša Gorkič
- International Center for Cardiovascular Diseases MC Medicor d.d, Izola, Slovenia
| | - Aleš Pleskovič
- Department of Cardiology, Division of Medicine, University Medical Centre of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Farid Ljuca
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tuzla, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Mladen Gasparini
- Department of Vascular Surgery, General Hospital Izola, Izola, Slovenia
| | - Božidar Mrđa
- Department of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Ines Cilenšek
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Zlatko Fras
- Department of Cardiology, Division of Medicine, University Medical Centre of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Division of Medicine, Centre for Preventive Cardiology, Division of Medicine, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 7, SI-1525, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Chair of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Daniel Petrovič
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov trg 2, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia; International Center for Cardiovascular Diseases MC Medicor d.d, Izola, Slovenia.
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