Rat Pial Microvascular Changes During Cerebral Blood Flow Decrease and Recovery: Effects of Cyanidin Administration

The effectiveness of vasodilators on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex progressive disease. Some vasodilators have been reported with therapeutic potential to protect vascular function therefore may delay the progression of COPD.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, OVID and Clinicaltrials.gov database for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published before January 1, 2024. RCTs which treatment with vasodilators to COPD patients were included. Gas-blood exchange indicators were the primary outcomes, and ventilation function and quality of life indicators were the secondary outcomes. Mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were extracted. Subgroup analysis of vasodilator category and COPD complicated with or without pulmonary hypertension (PH) were performed. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the meta-analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Twenty studies with a total sample size of 986 were included. The results showed that the 2 types of drugs in vasodilators included PDE-5 inhibitors could improve DLCO (MD = 6.56 [95% CI (1.74, 11.39)], P = .008) and iNO could reduce PaCO2 (MD = -0.10 [95% CI (-0.17, -0.03)], P = .006). Vasodilators could reduce PaCO2 in COPD complicated with PH (COPD-PH) (MD = -0.10 [95% CI (-0.17, -0.03)], P = .006). There were no statistically significant differences in FEV1 (MD = 0.02 [95% CI (-0.11, 0.16)], P = .74), FEV1% predicted (MD = 0.07 [95% CI (-1.90, 2.05)], P = .94), FEV1/FVC (MD = 0.70 [95% CI (-4.02, 5.42)], P = .77) and VE/VCO2 (MD = -0.17 [95% CI (-2.39, 2.05)], P = .88) levels. The total SGRQ score was significantly lower in vasodilator groups (MD = -5.53 [95% CI (-9.81, -1.24)], P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

The therapeutic effects of vasodilators for COPD are controversial. In this meta-analysis, vasodilators have benefits in improving gas-blood exchange function and quality of life in COPD patients. However, vasodilators may have a limited capacity to improve pulmonary function.

Polyphenols effect on cerebrovascular health

Polyphenols are a wide group of plant components that include a high number of individual compounds and are present in foods, dietary supplements and drugs. Many of them have shown pharmacological effects, are used in cardiovascular disease prevention, and not as many have been assayed in cancer treatment or co-treatment. In the last few years, however, the research on polyphenols implications in a healthy aging and especially in neurodegeneration and cognition improvement has increased dramatically. Most of the results found in this sense are again related with the capacity of some specific polyphenols to regulate the blood flow, but this time at the cerebral level, and to protect the endothelium at this same level. In this thorough review, we want to concentrate precisely on the effect of polyphenols on the cerebrovascular homeostasis, reviewing the mechanisms that underline this effect and the radiological methods and endogenous biomarkers that are used in human trials aimed at showing the beneficial effect of polyphenols or polyphenols rich foods on neuroprotection and cognition function.

Modulation of vascular integrity and neuroinflammation by peroxiredoxin 4 following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with oxidative stress playing a key role in the injury mechanism of thrombolytic therapy. There is increasing evidence that oxidative stress damages endothelial cells (ECs), degrades tight junction proteins (TJs), and contributes to increased blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. It has been demonstrated that the breakdown of BBB could increase the risk of intracerebral hemorrhagic transformation in ischemic stroke. And an episode of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) also initiates oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory processes in ECs, which further promotes BBB disruption and the progression of brain injury. Previous studies have revealed that antioxidants could inhibit ROS generation and attenuate BBB disruption after cerebral I/R. Peroxiredoxin 4 (Prx4) is a member of the antioxidant enzymes family (Prx1-6) and has been characterized to be an efficient H₂O₂ scavenger. It should be noted that Prx4 may be directly involved in the protection of ECs from the effects of ROS and function in ECs as a membrane-associated peroxidase. This paper reviewed the implication of Prx4 on vascular integrity and neuroinflammation following a cerebral I/R injury.

Plant Secondary Metabolites: An Opportunity for Circular Economy

Moving toward a more sustainable development, a pivotal role is played by circular economy and a smarter waste management. Industrial wastes from plants offer a wide spectrum of possibilities for their valorization, still being enriched in high added-value molecules, such as secondary metabolites (SMs). The current review provides an overview of the most common SM classes (chemical structures, classification, biological activities) present in different plant waste/by-products and their potential use in various fields. A bibliographic survey was carried out, taking into account 99 research articles (from 2006 to 2020), summarizing all the information about waste type, its plant source, industrial sector of provenience, contained SMs, reported bioactivities, and proposals for its valorization. This survey highlighted that a great deal of the current publications are focused on the exploitation of plant wastes in human healthcare and food (including cosmetic, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and food additives). However, as summarized in this review, plant SMs also possess an enormous potential for further uses. Accordingly, an increasing number of investigations on neglected plant matrices and their use in areas such as veterinary science or agriculture are expected, considering also the need to implement "greener" practices in the latter sector.

From Preclinical Stroke Models to Humans: Polyphenols in the Prevention and Treatment of Stroke

Polyphenols are an important family of molecules of vegetal origin present in many medicinal and edible plants, which represent important alimentary sources in the human diet. Polyphenols are known for their beneficial health effects and have been investigated for their potential protective role against various pathologies, including cancer, brain dysfunctions, cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The prevention of stroke promoted by polyphenols relies mainly on their effect on cardio- and cerebrovascular systems. However, a growing body of evidence from preclinical models of stroke points out a neuroprotective role of these molecules. Notably, in many preclinical studies, the polyphenolic compounds were effective also when administered after the stroke onset, suggesting their possible use in promoting recovery of patients suffering from stroke. Here, we review the effects of the major polyphenols in cellular and in vivo models of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in immature and adult brains. The results from human studies are also reported.

The Pomace Extract Taurisolo Protects Rat Brain From Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Taurisolo^® is a pomace extract from Aglianico Grapes, a wine cultivar native to Campania (Southern Italy). It exhibits a very high polyphenolic content and, consumed as a nutraceutical, is effective in reducing the level of Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a cardiovascular disease risk factor marker. We here show the effects of Taurisolo^® on rat brain microvascular alterations induced by a diminution in cerebral blood flow (CBFD) for 30 min, due to bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, and subsequent blood flow restoration (CBFR) for 60 min. The rat pial microcirculation was investigated by intravital fluorescence microscopy through a parietal closed window implanted into the skull bone. The rat pial arterioles were classified according to Strahler’s ordering scheme, from smaller penetrating arterioles up to the larger ones. Western blotting analysis and mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics were used to investigate the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) or the presence of peroxidized cardiolipin and several inflammatory mediators, respectively. Radical Oxygen Species (ROS) formation and neuronal loss were assessed. In rats CBFD and CBFR caused a decrease in arteriolar diameter, increase in fluorescent leakage and in adhesion of leukocytes to venular walls, reduction in the length of perfused capillaries and increment of ROS formation with large infarct size. Taurisolo^®, intravenously or orally administered, induced pial arteriolar dilation (up to >30% of baseline), prevented fluorescent leakage, adhesion of leukocytes, ROS formation, while facilitated capillary perfusion and significantly reduced infarct size. These effects were accompanied by an increase in eNOS expression. Mass-spectrometry metabolomics analysis detected a marked decrease in the amount of peroxidized cardiolipin and pronounced reduction in pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and thromboxane Txb2. Altogether, these results extend the nutraceutical potential of Taurisolo^® and suggest their eligibility for preventing brain damage due to ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Dietary Anthocyanins and Stroke: A Review of Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Studies

Cerebrovascular accidents are currently the second major cause of death and the third leading cause of disability in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has provided protocols for stroke prevention. Although there is a multitude of studies on the health benefits associated with anthocyanin (ACN) consumption, there is no a rigorous systematization of the data linking dietary ACN with stroke prevention. This review is intended to present data from epidemiological, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies dealing with the stroke related to ACN-rich diets or ACN supplements, along with possible mechanisms of action revealed by pharmacokinetic studies, including ACN passage through the blood-brain barrier (BBB).