Ginaton reduces M1-polarized macrophages in hypertensive cardiac remodeling via NF-κB signaling

Elucidating the mechanisms of formononetin in modulating atherosclerotic plaque formation in ApoE-/- mice

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis(AS) poses a pressing challenge in contemporary medicine. Formononetin (FMN) plays a crucial role in its prevention and treatment. However, the detailed impact of FMN on the stability of atherosclerotic plaques and its underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated.

METHODS

An intervention consisting of FMN was given along with a high-fat food regimen in the ApoE-/- mouse model. The investigation included the evaluation of the degree of atherosclerotic lesion, the main components of the plaque, lipid profiles, particular markers indicating M1/M2 macrophage phenotypes, the quantities of factors related to inflammation, the infiltration of macrophages, and the identification of markers linked to the α7nAChR/JAK2/STAT3 axis effect molecules.

RESULTS

The evaluation of aortic morphology in ApoE-/-mice revealed that FMN significantly improved the plaque area, fibrous cap protrusion, lipid deposition, and structural alterations on the aortic surface, among other markers of atherosclerosis,and there is concentration dependence. Furthermore, the lipid content of mouse serum was assessed, and the results showed that the low-, medium-, and high-dosage FMN groups had significantly lower levels of LDL-C, ox-LDL, TC, and TG. The results of immunohistochemical staining indicated that the low-, medium-, and high-dose FMN therapy groups had enhanced CD206 expression and decreased expression of CD68 and iNOS. According to RT-qPCR data, FMN intervention has the potential to suppress the expression of iNOS, COX-2, miR-155-5p, IL-6, and IL-1β mRNA, while promoting the expression of IL-10, SHIP1, and Arg-1 mRNA levels. However, the degree of inhibition varied among dosage groups. Western blot investigation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway proteins and cholinergic α7nAChR protein showed that p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein expression was suppressed at all dosages, whereas α7nAChR protein expression was enhanced.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the aforementioned findings, FMN can reduce inflammation and atherosclerosis by influencing macrophage polarization, blocking the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, and increasing α7nAChR expression.

Omaveloxolone ameliorates isoproterenol-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy in mice

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an important transcriptional regulator that plays a protective role against various cardiovascular diseases. Omaveloxolone is a newly discovered potent activator of Nrf2 that has a variety of cytoprotective functions. However, the potential role of omaveloxolone in the process of pathological cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure are still unknown. In this study, an isoproterenol (ISO)-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy model was established to investigate the protective effect of omaveloxolone in vivo and in vitro. Our study first confirmed that omaveloxolone administration improved ISO-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy in mice and neonatal cardiomyocytes. Omaveloxolone administration also diminished ISO-induced cardiac oxidative stress, inflammation and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In addition, omaveloxolone administration activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway, and Nrf2 knockdown almost completely abolished the cardioprotective effect of omaveloxolone, indicated that the cardioprotective effect of omaveloxolone was directly related to the activation of the Nrf2 signaling. In summary, our study identified that omaveloxolone may be a promising therapeutic agent to mitigate pathological cardiac hypertrophy.