Redox Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species in Cardiovascular Diseases

Therapeutic impacts of GNE‑477‑loaded H2O2 stimulus‑responsive dodecanoic acid‑phenylborate ester‑dextran polymeric micelles on osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly malignant primary bone neoplasm that is the leading cause of cancer‑associated death in young people. GNE‑477 belongs to the second generation of mTOR inhibitors and possesses promising potential in the treatment of OS but dose tolerance and drug toxicity limit its development and utilization. The present study aimed to prepare a novel H2O2 stimulus‑responsive dodecanoic acid (DA)‑phenylborate ester‑dextran (DA‑B‑DEX) polymeric micelle delivery system for GNE‑477 and evaluate its efficacy. The polymer micelles were characterized by morphology, size and critical micelle concentration. The GNE‑477 loaded DA‑B‑DEX (GNE‑477@DBD) tumor‑targeting drug delivery system was established and the release of GNE‑477 was measured. The cellular uptake of GNE‑477@DBD by three OS cell lines (MG‑63, U2OS and 143B cells) was analyzed utilizing a fluorescent tracer technique. The hydroxylated DA‑B was successfully grafted onto dextran at a grafting rate of 3%, suitable for forming amphiphilic micelles. Following exposure to H2O2, the DA‑B‑DEX micelles ruptured and released the drug rapidly, leading to increased uptake of GNE‑477@DBD by cells with sustained release of GNE‑477. The in vitro experiments, including MTT assay, flow cytometry, western blotting and RT‑qPCR, demonstrated that GNE‑477@DBD inhibited tumor cell viability, arrested cell cycle in G1 phase, induced apoptosis and blocked the PI3K/Akt/mTOR cascade response. In vivo, through the observation of mice tumor growth and the results of H&E staining, the GNE‑477@DBD group exhibited more positive therapeutic outcomes than the free drug group with almost no adverse effects on other organs. In conclusion, H2O2‑responsive DA‑B‑DEX presents a promising delivery system for hydrophobic anti‑tumor drugs for OS therapy.

Progeria-based vascular model identifies networks associated with cardiovascular aging and disease

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a lethal premature aging disorder caused by a de novo heterozygous mutation that leads to the accumulation of a splicing isoform of Lamin A termed progerin. Progerin expression deregulates the organization of the nuclear lamina and the epigenetic landscape. Progerin has also been observed to accumulate at low levels during normal aging in cardiovascular cells of adults that do not carry genetic mutations linked with HGPS. Therefore, the molecular mechanisms that lead to vascular dysfunction in HGPS may also play a role in vascular aging-associated diseases, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Here, we show that HGPS patient-derived vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) recapitulate HGPS molecular hallmarks. Transcriptional profiling revealed cardiovascular disease remodeling and reactive oxidative stress response activation in HGPS VSMCs. Proteomic analyses identified abnormal acetylation programs in HGPS VSMC replication fork complexes, resulting in reduced H4K16 acetylation. Analysis of acetylation kinetics revealed both upregulation of K16 deacetylation and downregulation of K16 acetylation. This correlates with abnormal accumulation of error-prone nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) repair proteins on newly replicated chromatin. The knockdown of the histone acetyltransferase MOF recapitulates preferential engagement of NHEJ repair activity in control VSMCs. Additionally, we find that primary donor-derived coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells from aged individuals show similar defects to HGPS VSMCs, including loss of H4K16 acetylation. Altogether, we provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying vascular complications associated with HGPS patients and normative aging.

Mitochondrial KATP channel-mediated autophagy contributes to angiotensin II-induced vascular dysfunction in mice

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The present study aimed to investigate whether the mitochondrial KATP channel contributes to angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vascular dysfunction, the development of hypertension, and atherosclerosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

ApoE (-/-) mice fed a high-fat diet were chronically infused with Ang II for eight weeks and concomitantly treated with losartan (ARB), apocynin, or 5-hydroxy decanoate (5-HD), or 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Systolic blood pressure was measured, and pathological changes of aortic or liver tissue were observed. Nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) levels and vasorelaxation rate were measured, and protein and mRNA expressions were examined by western blot and RT-PCR. Ang II-induced development of hypertension was suppressed not only by ARB, and apocynin but also by 5-HD or 3-MA. Ang II infusion decreased aortic NO production and relaxation, as well as SOD2 activity in liver, which were improved by all treatments. In addition, Ang II-induced activation of autophagy was suppressed by 5-HD in aortic tissue, furthermore, Ang II increases the atherosclerotic index in plasma and exacerbates the development of atherosclerosis by increases of fat deposition in the aorta and liver. Lipid metabolism-related mRNA expressions (LXR-α, LDLR, SRBI, Acca, and FASN) were changed by Ang II. Similarly, not only ARB, and apocynin, but also 5-HD and 3-MA suppressed Ang II-induced these changes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our present findings evidence that mitochondrial KATP channel-mediated autophagy contributes to Ang II-induced vascular dysfunction, development of hypertension, and atherosclerosis.

Depletion of hepatic glutathione and adenosine by glucocorticoid exposure in Wistar rats is pregnancy-independent

Liver diseases have gained increasing attention due to their substantial impact on health, independently as well as in association with cardio-metabolic disorders. Studies have suggested that glutathione and adenosine assist in providing protection against oxidative stress and inflammation while glucocorticoid (GC) therapy has been associated with chronic inflammatory disorders, even in pregnancy. The implications of Glucocorticoid exposure on maternal health and fetal growth is a concern, however, the possible role of glutathione and adenosine has not been thoroughly investigated. The study therefore hypothesize that exposure to glucocorticoids leads to depletion of hepatic glutathione and adenosine levels, contributing to oxidative stress and tissue injury. Additionally, we aim to investigate whether the effects of glucocorticoids on hepatic health are pregnancy dependent in female rats. Twelve Pregnant and twelve age-matched non-pregnant rats were used for this study; an exogenous administration of glucocorticoid (Dex: 0.2 mg/kg) or vehicle (po) was administered to six pregnant and six non-pregnant rats from gestational day 14 to 19 or for a period of 6 days respectively. Data obtained showed that GC exposure led to a decrease in hepatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase, GSH/GSSG ratio and adenosine content in both pregnant and non-pregnant rats. In addition, increased activities of adenosine deaminase and xanthine oxidase, along with increased production of uric acid and increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were observed. In summary, the study indicates that GC-induced liver damage is underlined by depleted hepatic adenosine and glutathione levels as well as elevated markers of tissue inflammation and/or injury. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the effects of GC exposure on hepatic health are pregnancy independent.

microRNAs, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity as the main inducers in the pathobiology of cancer development

Cancer is one of the most serious leading causes of death in the world. Many eclectic factors are involved in cancer progression including genetic and epigenetic alongside environmental ones. In this account, the performance and fluctuations of microRNAs are significant in cancer diagnosis and treatment, particularly as diagnostic biomarkers in oncology. So, microRNAs manage and control the gene expression after transcription by mRNA degradation, or also they can inhibit their translation. Conspicuously, these molecular structures take part in controlling the cellular, physiological and pathological functions, which many of them can accomplish as tumor inhibitors or oncogenes. Relatively, Oxidative stress is defined as the inequality between the creation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body's ability to detoxify the reactive mediators or repair the resulting injury. ROS and microRNAs have been recognized as main cancer promoters and possible treatment targets. Importantly, genotoxicity has been established as the primary reason for many diseases as well as several malignancies. The procedures have no obvious link with mutagenicity and influence the organization, accuracy of the information, or fragmentation of DNA. Conclusively, mutations in these patterns can lead to carcinogenesis. In this review article, we report the impressive and practical roles of microRNAs, oxidative stress, and genotoxicity in the pathobiology of cancer development in conjunction with their importance as reliable cancer biomarkers and their association with circulating miRNA, exosomes and exosomal miRNAs, RNA remodeling, DNA methylation, and other molecular elements in oncology.

Construction of diallyltrisulfide nanoparticles for alleviation of ethanol-induced acute gastric injury

Gastric ulcer, a significant health issue characterized by the degradation of the gastric mucosa, often arises from excessive gastric acid secretion and poses a challenge in current medical treatments due to the limited efficacy and side effects of first-line drugs. Addressing this, our study develops a novel therapeutic strategy leveraging gas therapy, specifically targeting the release of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the treatment of gastric ulcers. We successfully developed a composite nanoparticle, named BSA·SH-DATS, through a two-step process. Initially, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was sulfhydrated to generate BSA·SH nanoparticles via a mercaptosylation method. Subsequently, these nanoparticles were further functionalized by incorporating diallyltrisulfide (DATS) through a precise Michael addition reaction. This sequential modification resulted in the creation of BSA·SH-DATS nanoparticles. Our comprehensive in vitro and in vivo investigations demonstrate that these nanoparticles possess an exceptional ability for site-specific action on gastric mucosal cells under the controlled release of H2S in response to endogenous glutathione (GSH), markedly diminishing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby alleviating inflammation and apoptosis. Moreover, the BSA·SH-DATS nanoparticles effectively regulate critical inflammatory proteins, including NF-κB and Caspase-3. Our study underscores their potential as a transformative approach for gastric ulcer treatment.

Cleavage and Noncleavage Chemistry in Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)-Responsive Materials for Smart Drug Delivery

The design and development of advanced drug delivery systems targeting reactive oxygen species (ROS) have gained significant interest in recent years for treating various diseases, including cancer, psychiatric diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, metabolic diseases, and chronic inflammations. Integrating specific chemical bonds capable of effectively responding to ROS and triggering drug release into the delivery system is crucial. In this Review, we discuss commonly used conjugation linkers (chemical bonds) and categorize them into two groups: cleavable linkers and noncleavable linkers. Our goal is to clarify their unique drug release mechanisms from a chemical perspective and provide practical organic synthesis approaches for their efficient production. We showcase numerous significant examples to demonstrate their synthesis routes and diverse applications. Ultimately, we strive to present a comprehensive overview of cleavage and noncleavage chemistry, offering insights into the development of smart drug delivery systems that respond to ROS.

A Review: Pharmacological Effect of Natural Compounds in Diospyros kaki Leaves from the Perspective of Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant levels. Current research suggests that oxidative stress is one of the key factors in the development of many chronic diseases, and it has been a concern for many years. Many natural compounds have been studied for their special free-radical-scavenging properties. The major chemical constituents of the leaves of Diospyros kaki are flavonoids and triterpenoids, both of which are potential antioxidants that can prevent damage caused by reactive oxygen species or reactive nitrogen species and ameliorate diseases associated with oxidative stress. In addition to the major constituents such as flavonoids and triterpenoids, the leaves of Diospyros kaki include compounds such as phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, phenolic acids, and terpenes. Studies have shown these compounds have certain antioxidant and neuroprotective activities. Experiments have shown that flavonoids or the extracts from the leaves of Diospyros kaki have a variety of good pharmacological activities, which could activate oxidative stress and mitochondrial apoptosis, inhibit the proliferation of human prostate cancer cells and induce apoptosis. It also could achieve the effect of anti-cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis by regulating oxidative stress. The main chemical substance of the leaves of Diospyros kaki regulating oxidative stress may be these multi-hydroxyl structure compounds. These natural products exhibit significant antioxidant activity and are an important basis for the leaves of Diospyros kaki to treat human diseases by regulating oxidative stress. This review summarizes the structural types of natural products in the leaves of Diospyros kaki and elaborates the mechanism of the leaves of Diospyros kaki in neuroprotection, anti-diabetes, renal protection, retinal degenerative diseases, and anti-cancer from a new perspective of oxidative stress, including how it supplements other pharmacological effects. The chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of the leaves of Diospyros kaki are summarized in this paper. The relationship between the chemical components in the leaves of Diospyros kaki and their pharmacological effects is summarized from the perspective of oxidative stress. This review provides a reference for the study of natural anti-oxidative stress drugs.

Angelica gigas extract inhibits acetylation of eNOS via IRE1α sulfonation/RIDD-SIRT1-mediated posttranslational modification in vascular dysfunction

Angelica gigas NAKAI (AG) is a popular traditional medicinal herb widely used to treat dyslipidemia owing to its antioxidant activity. Vascular disease is intimately linked to obesity-induced metabolic syndrome, and AG extract (AGE) shows beneficial effects on obesity-associated vascular dysfunction. However, the effectiveness of AGE against obesity and its underlying mechanisms have not yet been extensively investigated. In this study, 40 high fat diet (HFD) rats were supplemented with 100-300 mg/kg/day of AGE to determine its efficacy in regulating vascular dysfunction. The vascular relaxation responses to acetylcholine were impaired in HFD rats, while the administration of AGE restored the diminished relaxation pattern. Endothelial dysfunction, including increased plaque area, accumulated reactive oxygen species, and decreased nitric oxide (NO) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) Ser1177 phosphorylation, were observed in HFD rats, whereas AGE reversed endothelial dysfunction and its associated biochemical signaling. Furthermore, AGE regulated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and IRE1α sulfonation and its subsequent sirt1 RNA decay through controlling regulated IRE1α-dependent decay (RIDD) signaling, ultimately promoting NO bioavailability via the SIRT1-eNOS axis in aorta and endothelial cells. Independently, AGE enhanced AMPK phosphorylation, additionally stimulating SIRT1 and eNOS deacetylation and its associated NO bioavailability. Decursin, a prominent constituent of AGE, exhibited a similar effect in alleviating endothelial dysfunctions. These data suggest that AGE regulates dyslipidemia-associated vascular dysfunction by controlling ROS-associated ER stress responses, especially IRE1α-RIDD/sirt1 decay and the AMPK-SIRT1 axis.

The SP/NK1R system promotes the proliferation of breast cancer cells through NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses

BACKGROUND

Numerous molecules have been introduced to participate in the formation of breast cancer, the most common malignancy in women. Among them, neuropeptide substance P (SP) and its related receptor neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) have attracted unprecedented attention in tumorigenesis processes. In this study, we investigated the effect of the SP/NK1R pathway on the induction of oxidative stress in breast cancer and examine the therapeutic potential of NK1R inhibition in this malignancy.

METHODS

MCF-7 cells were treated with varying concentrations of SP and aprepitant, an FDA-approved NK1R antagonist, either as a single drug or in a combined modality. Resazurin assay was used to evaluate the anti-cancer ability of aprepitant. The alteration in the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and gene expression were determined using ROS assay and the qRT-PCR analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

The stimulation of the SP/NK1R axis in the MCF-7 cells was coupled with the accumulation of ROS as well as upregulation of NF-κB and its related pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6. In contrast, the suppression of NK1R by aprepitant halted the viability of MCF-7 cells, at least partly due to p53-mediated upregulation of p21. Moreover, aprepitant attenuated the oncogenic properties of SP by preventing the oxidative property of this neuropeptide.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our results suggest that the SP/NK1R pathway might play a critical role in breast cancer pathogenesis, probably through inducing ROS/NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses. Moreover, it seems that blockage of the axis has promising therapeutic value against breast cancer cells. Schematic representation proposed for the plausible mechanism by which the stimulation of the SP/NK1R might induce oxidative stress in breast cancer-derived MCF-7 cells. Once SP interacts with NK1R, this signaling axis could disturb the balance between the expression of p53 and NF-κB, an event that leads to the accumulation of ROS within MCF-7 cells. The produced ROS, in turn, elevates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and downregulates the expression of p21. On the other hand, aprepitant, an antagonist of NK1R, could reduce the survival of proliferative capacity of MCF-7 cells by decreasing the intracellular levels of ROS and p53-mediated up-regulation of p21. Along with the effect on p53, aprepitant could also reduce the expression of NF-κB and its related pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Targeting Endothelial HIF2α/ARNT Expression for Ischemic Heart Disease Therapy

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, with novel therapeutic strategies urgently needed. Endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of IHD, contributing to its development and progression. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are transcription factors activated in response to low oxygen levels, playing crucial roles in various pathophysiological processes related to cardiovascular diseases. Among the HIF isoforms, HIF2α is predominantly expressed in cardiac vascular endothelial cells and has a key role in cardiovascular diseases. HIFβ, also known as ARNT, is the obligate binding partner of HIFα subunits and is necessary for HIFα's transcriptional activity. ARNT itself plays an essential role in the development of the cardiovascular system, regulating angiogenesis, limiting inflammatory cytokine production, and protecting against cardiomyopathy. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of HIF2α and ARNT signaling in endothelial cell function and dysfunction and their involvement in IHD pathogenesis. We highlight their roles in inflammation and maintaining the integrity of the endothelial barrier, as well as their potential as therapeutic targets for IHD.

Construction and evaluation of an antioxidant synergistic system containing vitamin C and vitamin E

AIMS

The aim of this study is to develop a liposome that could exert unparalleled antioxidant effects. In the present study, a vitamin C (VC)/vitamin E (VE)-co-loaded multivesicular liposome (VCVE-MVL) was constructed.

METHODS

Vitamins were encapsulated in soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and cholesterol (CHO) by multi-emulsification method. The concentration of VC was determined by Fast Blue method. The concentration of VE was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Vitamin antioxidant capacity in vitro and in vivo was determined using β-carotene bleaching.

RESULTS

VCVE-MVL with particle diameter of 848.55 ± 0.29 nm and SPAN of 0.16 ± 0.11 were obtained. The encapsulation efficiency of VC reached 48.51% (w/w)±0.15. Compared with VC/VE solution, VCVE-MVL had a higher permeation efficiency. In addition, the in vitro and ex-vivo antioxidant tests verified the adequate antioxidant activity of VCVE-MVL.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the antioxidant synergistic system we constructed and demonstrated its potential applications in the cosmetics industry.

Cardioprotective potential of vanillic acid

Nowadays, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a global threat to public health, accounting for almost one-third of all deaths worldwide. One of the key mechanistic pathways contributing to the development of CVDs, including cardiotoxicity (CTX) and myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is oxidative stress (OS). Increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is closely associated with decreased antioxidant capacity and mitochondrial dysfunction. Currently, despite the availability of modern pharmaceuticals, dietary-derived antioxidants are becoming more popular in developed societies to delay the progression of CVDs. One of the antioxidants derived from herbs, fruits, whole grains, juices, beers, and wines is vanillic acid (VA), which, as a phenolic compound, possesses different therapeutic properties, including cardioprotective. Based on experimental evidence, VA improves mitochondrial function as a result of the reduction in ROS production, aggravates antioxidative status, scavenges free radicals, and reduces levels of lipid peroxidation, thereby decreasing cardiac dysfunction, in particular CTX and MIRI. Considering the role of OS in the pathophysiology of CVDs, the purpose of this study is to comprehensively address recent evidence on the antioxidant importance of VA in the cardiovascular system.

L-Carnitine supplementation reduces biomarkers of inflammatory and oxidative stress in patients with coronary artery disease: a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

l-Carnitine has been suggested as a potential nutrient that alleviates the oxidative and inflammatory damages of coronary artery disease (CAD), but the results of the previous studies of the importance of this supplementation remains unclear. This study attempts to evaluate the effects of l-carnitine (LC) supplementation on oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with CAD.

METHODS

A double-blind, randomised, placebo-trial was conducted on 75 CAD subjects. Patients were randomly assigned to receive LC (1000 mg/day) or placebo capsules over 3 months. Sera high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitrotyrosine (NT) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assayed.

RESULTS

A significant increase in serum TAC and a significant decrease in MPO, NT, and hs-CRP levels were detected following 12 weeks of LC supplementation, compared to the placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that LC supplementation may exert beneficial effect on cardiovascular health through attenuate oxidative and inflammatory markers in CAD patients.

Clinical Evidence on the Potential Beneficial Effects of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Cardiovascular Disease

The 'gut microbiome'-the hundreds of trillions of bacteria in the human gastrointestinal tract-serves several functions. The gut microbiome includes all the microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi in the gastrointestinal tract and their genetic material. It helps digest indigestible foods and produces nutrients. Through the metabolism of sugars and proteins, it helps the intestinal barrier, the immune system, and metabolism. Some bacteria, such as those in the gut microbiome, cause disease, but others are essential to our health. These "good" microbes protect us from pathogens. Numerous studies have linked an unhealthy gut microbiome to obesity, insulin resistance, depression, and cardiometabolic risk factors. To maximize probiotic benefits in each case, knowledge of probiotic bacterial strains and how to consume them should be increased. This study aims to examine the benefits of probiotic and prebiotic organisms on cardiovascular health, specifically on heart disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. To complete the research, a literature review was conducted by gathering clinical studies and data. The clinical evidence demonstrates the beneficial effect of probiotics and prebiotic microorganisms on the gut microbiome, which has multiple benefits for overall health and especially for cardiovascular diseases.

Oxidatively Damaged Nucleic Acid: Linking Diabetes and Cancer

Significance: Our current knowledge of the mechanism between diabetes and cancer is limited. Oxidatively damaged nucleic acid is considered a critical factor to explore the connections between these two diseases. Recent Advances: The link between diabetes mellitus and cancer has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Emerging evidence supports that oxidatively damaged nucleic acid caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species generation and elimination is a bridge connecting diabetes and cancer. 8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine assume important roles as biomarkers in assessing the relationship between oxidatively damaged nucleic acid and cancer. Critical Issues: The consequences of diabetes are extensive and may lead to the occurrence of cancer by influencing a combination of factors. At present, there is no direct evidence that diabetes causes cancer by affecting a single factor. Furthermore, the difficulty in controlling variables and differences in detection methods lead to poor reliability and repeatability of results, and there are no clear cutoff values for biomarkers to indicate cancer risk. Future Directions: A better understanding of connections as well as mechanisms between diabetes and cancer is still needed. Both diabetes and cancer are currently intractable diseases. Further exploration of the specific mechanism of oxidatively damaged nucleic acid in the connection between diabetes and cancer is urgently needed. In the future, it is necessary to further take oxidatively damaged nucleic acid as an entry point to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and cancer. Experimental drugs targeting the repair process of oxidatively generated damage require an extensive preclinical evaluation and could ultimately provide new treatment strategies for these diseases. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 37, 1153-1167.

β-Lapachone, an NQO1 activator, alleviates diabetic cardiomyopathy by regulating antioxidant ability and mitochondrial function

BACKGROUND

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC) is one of the major lethal complications in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM); however, no specific strategy for preventing or treating DC has been identified.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the effects of β-lapachone (Lap), a natural compound that increases antioxidant activity in various tissues, on DC and explore the underlying mechanisms.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

As an in vivo model, C57BL/6 mice were fed with the high-fat diet (HF) for 10 weeks to induce type 2 DM. Mice were fed Lap with the HF or after 5 weeks of HF treatment to investigate the protective effects of Lap against DC.

RESULTS

In the two in vivo models, Lap decreased heart weight, increased heart function, reduced oxidative stress, and elevated mitochondrial content under the HF. In the in vitro model, palmitic acid (PA) was used to mimic the effects of an HF on the differentiated-cardiomyoblast cell line H9c2. The results demonstrated that Lap reduced PA-induced ROS production by increasing the expression of antioxidant regulators and enzymes, inhibiting inflammation, increasing mitochondrial activity, and thus reducing cell damage. Via the use of specific inhibitors and siRNA, the protective effects of Lap were determined to be mediated mainly by NQO1, Sirt1 and mitochondrial activity.

CONCLUSION

Heart damage in DM is usually caused by excessive oxidative stress. This study showed that Lap can protect the heart from DC by upregulating antioxidant ability and mitochondrial activity in cardiomyocytes. Lap has the potential to serve as a novel therapeutic agent for both the prevention and treatment of DC.

Electronic Cigarette and Atherosclerosis: A Comprehensive Literature Review of Latest Evidences

Coronary artery diseases (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease (CHD), are the world’s leading cause of death. The basis of coronary artery disease is the narrowing of the heart coronary artery lumen due to atherosclerosis. The use of electronic cigarettes has increased significantly over the years. However, harmful effects of electronic cigarettes are still not firm. The aim of this article is to review the impact of electronic cigarette and its role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis from recent studies. The results showed that several chemical compounds, such as nicotine, propylene glycol, particulate matters, heavy metals, and flavorings, in electronic cigarette induce atherosclerosis with each molecular mechanism that lead to atherosclerosis progression by formation of ROS, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation. Further research is still needed to determine the exact mechanism and provide more clinical evidence.

Rosiglitazone Ameliorates Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction by Correction of Energetics in Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare neurodegenerative disease that is accompanied by skeletal muscle atrophy and cardiomyopathy. Tissues affected by HD (central nervous system [CNS], skeletal muscle, and heart) are known to suffer from deteriorated cellular energy metabolism that manifests already at presymptomatic stages. This work aimed to test the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ agonist—rosiglitazone on grip strength and heart function in an experimental HD model—on R6/1 mice and to address the mechanisms. We noted that rosiglitazone treatment lead to improvement of R6/1 mice grip strength and cardiac mechanical function. It was accompanied by an enhancement of the total adenine nucleotides pool, increased glucose oxidation, changes in mitochondrial number (indicated as increased citric synthase activity), and reduction in mitochondrial complex I activity. These metabolic changes were supported by increased total antioxidant status in HD mice injected with rosiglitazone. Correction of energy deficits with rosiglitazone was further indicated by decreased accumulation of nucleotide catabolites in HD mice serum. Thus, rosiglitazone treatment may not only delay neurodegeneration but also may ameliorate cardio- and myopathy linked to HD by improvement of cellular energetics.

The Effect of Ketogenic Diet on Shared Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer are the first and second leading causes of death worldwide, respectively. Epidemiological evidence has demonstrated that the incidence of cancer is elevated in patients with CVD and vice versa. However, these conditions are usually regarded as separate events despite the presence of shared risk factors between both conditions, such as metabolic abnormalities and lifestyle. Cohort studies suggested that controlling for CVD risk factors may have an impact on cancer incidence. Therefore, it could be concluded that interventions that improve CVD and cancer shared risk factors may potentially be effective in preventing and treating both diseases. The ketogenic diet (KD), a low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet, has been widely prescribed in weight loss programs for metabolic abnormalities. Furthermore, recent research has investigated the effects of KD on the treatment of numerous diseases, including CVD and cancer, due to its role in promoting ketolysis, ketogenesis, and modifying many other metabolic pathways with potential favorable health effects. However, there is still great debate regarding prescribing KD in patients either with CVD or cancer. Considering the number of studies on this topic, there is a clear need to summarize potential mechanisms through which KD can improve cardiovascular health and control cell proliferation. In this review, we explained the history of KD, its types, and physiological effects and discussed how it could play a role in CVD and cancer treatment and prevention.

Exposure to Long-Term Air Pollution and Incidence of Peripheral Arterial Disease in the General Population: A Korean National Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study

This study aimed to evaluate the causal relationship between long-term outdoor air pollutants and incidence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC) database. We included 292,091 subjects from the general population who had previously not been diagnosed with PAD by the NHIS-NSC between 2008 and 2014. Hourly air pollutant data (particulate and gaseous) and climate data were collected. Correlation analysis of the collected data confirmed the relationship between air pollution and PAD incidence. For 1,836,965.4 person-years, incident cases of PAD were observed in 5243 subjects (285.4/100,000 person-years). In the Cox proportional hazard analysis, exposure to long-term average concentration of sulfur dioxide (SO2) [hazard ratio (HR), 1.686; (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.108–2.565) for .01ppm] and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) [HR, 1.200; (95% CI, 1.077–1.336) for .01 ppm] significantly increased the risk of PAD occurrence after the adjustment for several variables. This study demonstrated that SO2 and NO2 exposure are independent predictors of PAD.

Crystallographic mining of ASK1 regulators to unravel the intricate PPI interfaces for the discovery of small molecule

Protein seldom performs biological activities in isolation. Understanding the protein–protein interactions’ physical rewiring in response to pathological conditions or pathogen infection can help advance our comprehension of disease etiology, progression, and pathogenesis, which allow us to explore the alternate route to control the regulation of key target interactions, timely and effectively. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is now a global public health problem exacerbated due to the lack of appropriate treatments. The most advanced anti-NASH lead compound (selonsertib) is withdrawn, though it is able to inhibit its target Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) completely, indicating the necessity to explore alternate routes rather than complete inhibition. Understanding the interaction fingerprints of endogenous regulators at the molecular level that underpin disease formation and progression may spur the rationale of designing therapeutic strategies. Based on our analysis and thorough literature survey of the various key regulators and PTMs, the current review emphasizes PPI-based drug discovery’s relevance for NASH conditions. The lack of structural detail (interface sites) of ASK1 and its regulators makes it challenging to characterize the PPI interfaces. This review summarizes key regulators interaction fingerprinting of ASK1, which can be explored further to restore the homeostasis from its hyperactive states for therapeutics intervention against NASH.

Cardiac Remodelling Following Cancer Therapy: A Review

Cardiac remodelling is characterized by abnormal changes in the function and morphological properties such as diameter, mass, normal diameter of cavities, heart shape, fibrosis, thickening of vessels and heart layers, cardiomyopathy, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and some others. These damages are associated with damage to systolic and diastolic abnormalities, damage to ventricular function, and vascular remodelling, which may lead to heart failure and death. Exposure of the heart to radiation or anti-cancer drugs including chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin, receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (RTKIs) such as imatinib, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can induce several abnormal changes in the heart structure and function through the induction of inflammation and fibrosis, vascular remodelling, hypertrophy, and some others. This review aims to explain the basic mechanisms behind cardiac remodelling following cancer therapy by different anti-cancer modalities.

Deuterium-Reinforced Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Prevent Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis by Reducing Oxidative Stress

Background and Objectives: Oxidative stress is implicated in the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) through the triggering of inflammation. Deuterium-reinforced polyunsaturated fatty acids (D-PUFAs) are more resistant to the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-initiated chain reaction of lipid peroxidation than regular hydrogenated (H-) PUFAs. Here, we aimed to investigate the impacts of D-PUFAs on oxidative stress and its protective effect on NASH. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups and were fed a normal chow diet, a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet, and an MCD with 0.6% D-PUFAs for 5 weeks. The phenotypes of NASH in mice were determined. The levels of oxidative stress were examined both in vivo and in vitro. Results: The treatment with D-PUFAs attenuated the ROS production and enhanced the cell viability in tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-loaded hepatocytes. Concurrently, D-PUFAs decreased the TBHP-induced oxidative stress in Raw 264.7 macrophages. Accordingly, D-PUFAs increased the cell viability and attenuated the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated proinflammatory cytokine expression of macrophages. In vivo, the administration of D-PUFAs reduced the phenotypes of NASH in MCD-fed mice. Specifically, D-PUFAs decreased the liver transaminase activity and attenuated the steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in the livers of NASH mice. Conclusion: D-PUFAs may be potential therapeutic agents to prevent NASH by broadly reducing oxidative stress.

Bacopa monniera extract mitigates isoproterenol-induced cardiac stress via Nrf2/Keap1/NQO1 mediated pathway

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of standardised hydroalcoholic extract of Bacopa monniera (BME) against isoproterenol (ISO) induced cardiac stress. Isoproterenol (85 mg/kg body weight) was administered intraperitoneally to induce cardiac stress in rats. Bacopa monniera extract (BME75 and 150 mg/kg) was orally administered for 21 days followed by ISO on 22nd and 23rd experimental days. ISO caused significant cardiac damage, which was concomitant with increased apoptosis and attenuated expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, and regulating apoptotic protein expressions of Bax, Bcl2 and NOS2. Treatment with BME in rats significantly improved cardiac dysfunction by maintaining cardiac rhythm, myocardial integrity. Decreased oxidative stress by restored expressions of Nrf2, NQO1 and HO-1 followed by elevating antioxidant enzymes and total glutathione levels. Our present results suggest that the BME treatment strengthening the endogenous defence system through Nrf2 modulation and played a key role against cardiac oxidative stress induced by ISO in rats.

Protective Effect and Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine on Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

After acute myocardial infarction, early restoration of myocardial perfusion by thrombolysis or percutaneous coronary intervention is the most effective way to reduce the size of myocardial infarction and improve clinical outcomes. However, recovery of blood flow to the ischemic myocardium may cause ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, a phenomenon that instead reduces the efficacy of myocardial reperfusion. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long been used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and has shown remarkable efficacy. Many studies have shown that some TCMs and their active components can exert protective effects against myocardial I/R injury through different mechanisms. This review summarized the protective mechanisms and current research advances of TCMs in myocardial I/R injury.

Role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in homeostasis regulation

Mitochondria are the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells. Early studies have shown that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) are related to the occurrence and adverse outcomes of many diseases, and are thus regarded as an important risk factor that threaten human health. Recently, increasing evidence has shown that mROS are very important for an organism’s homeostasis. mROS can regulate a variety of signaling pathways and activate the adaptation and protection behaviors of an organism under stress. In addition, mROS also regulate important physiological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, aging, and apoptosis. Herein, we review the mechanisms of production, transformation, and clearance of mROS and their biological roles in different physiological processes.

Tuning the enzyme-like activities of cerium oxide nanoparticles using triethyl phosphite ligand

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) depict excellent in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties, determined by the redox switching of surface cerium ions between its two oxidation states (Ce3+ and Ce4+)....

Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women

In China, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has surpassed malignant tumours to become the disease with the highest mortality rate, and atherosclerosis (AS) is an important pathological cause of CVD. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant steroid hormone in circulating human blood and is a precursor of estrogen and androgen. DHEA is converted into a series of sex hormones in local peripheral tissues where its acts physiologically. DHEA also acts therapeutically, thereby avoiding the adverse systemic reactions to sex hormones. DHEA inhibits AS, thus inhibiting the development of CVD, and it improves the prognosis for CVD. The incidence of CVD in postmenopausal women is substantially higher than that in premenopausal women, and that incidence is believed to be related to a decrease in ovarian function. The current review analyzes the mechanisms of postmenopausal women's susceptibility to AS. They tend to have dyslipidemia, and their vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferate and migrate more. In addition, oxidative stress and the inflammatory response of endothelial cells (ECs) are more serious in postmenopausal women. This review also discusses how DHEA combats AS by countering these mechanisms, which include regulating the blood lipid status, protecting ECs (including coping with oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions of the vascular endothelium, inhibiting apoptosis of ECs, and inducing NO production) and inhibiting the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. As a result, DHEA has great value in preventing AS and inhibiting its progression in postmenopausal women.

Antioxidant Activity of Rosmarinic Acid Extracted and Purified from Mentha piperita

Rosmarinic acid was obtained from methanolic extract of Mentha piperita L. under a reflux condenser. The current study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activities and rosmarinic acid levels of the methanol extracts of M. piperita. The analysis of the sample by high-performance liquid chromatography technique (HPLC) indicated that rosmarinic acid was present in high concentration 1.9 mg/mL in the extract. Purification was carried out by column chromatography to give 0.020 g from 1 g of crude extract, and then the antioxidant activity of purified rosmarinic acid was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), H2O2 scavenging, and REDOX methods. It was revealed that the anti-oxidant potential of the rosmarinic acid extract was greater than 95% (at 100 µg/mL) for DPPH assay and 87.83% (at 100 µg/ml) for H2O2 scavenging assay. This study was performed by using a reflux methanolic extraction of M. piperita. This possible instructional technique proved to be a quick and successful method for retaining the antioxidant properties of rosmarinic acid. The rosmarinic acid content was determined using HPLC.

Phytoantioxidant Functionalized Nanoparticles: A Green Approach to Combat Nanoparticle-Induced Oxidative Stress

Nanotechnology is gaining significant attention, with numerous biomedical applications. Silver in wound dressings, copper oxide and silver in antibacterial preparations, and zinc oxide nanoparticles as a food and cosmetic ingredient are common examples. However, adverse effects of nanoparticles in humans and the environment from extended exposure at varied concentrations have yet to be established. One of the drawbacks of employing nanoparticles is their tendency to cause oxidative stress, a significant public health concern with life-threatening consequences. Cardiovascular, renal, and respiratory problems and diabetes are among the oxidative stress-related disorders. In this context, phytoantioxidant functionalized nanoparticles could be a novel and effective alternative. In addition to performing their intended function, they can protect against oxidative damage. This review was designed by searching through various websites, books, and articles found in PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. To begin with, oxidative stress, its related diseases, and the mechanistic basis of oxidative damage caused by nanoparticles are discussed. One of the main mechanisms of action of nanoparticles was unearthed to be oxidative stress, which limits their use in humans. Secondly, the role of phytoantioxidant functionalized nanoparticles in oxidative damage prevention is critically discussed. The parameters for the characterization of nanoparticles were also discussed. The majority of silver, gold, iron, zinc oxide, and copper nanoparticles produced utilizing various plant extracts were active free radical scavengers. This potential is linked to several surface fabricated phytoconstituents, such as flavonoids and phenols. These phytoantioxidant functionalized nanoparticles could be a better alternative to nanoparticles prepared by other existing approaches.

Cardioprotective Effect of Stem-Leaf Saponins From Panax notoginseng on Mice With Sleep Derivation by Inhibiting Abnormal Autophagy Through PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway

Sleep deprivation (SD) may lead to serious myocardial injury in cardiovascular diseases. Saponins extracted from the roots of Panax notoginseng, a traditional Chinese medicine beneficial to blood circulation and hemostasis, are the main bioactive components exerting cardiovascular protection in the treatment of heart disorders, such as arrhythmia, ischemia and reperfusion injury, and cardiac hypertrophy. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of stem-leaf saponins from Panax notoginseng (SLSP) on myocardial injury in SD mice. SD was induced by a modified multi-platform method. Cardiac morphological changes were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Heart rate and ejection fraction were detected by specific instruments. Serum levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured with biochemical kits. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunofluorescent, and Western blotting analysis were used to observe the process and pathway of autophagy and apoptosis in heart tissue of SD mice. In vitro, rat H9c2 cells pretreated with rapamycin and the effect of SLSP were explored by acridine orange staining, transient transfection, flow cytometry, and Western blotting analysis. SLSP prevented myocardial injury, such as morphological damage, accumulation of autophagosomes in heart tissue, abnormal high heart rate, serum ANP, and serum LDH induced by SD. In addition, it reversed the expressions of proteins involved in the autophagy and apoptosis and activated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway that is disturbed by SD. On H9c2 cells induced by rapamycin, SLSP could markedly resume the abnormal autophagy and apoptosis. Collectively, SLSP attenuated excessive autophagy and apoptosis in myocardial cells in heart tissue induced by SD, which might be acted through activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Heme Oxygenase-1 at the Nexus of Endothelial Cell Fate Decision Under Oxidative Stress

Endothelial cells (ECs) form the inner lining of blood vessels and are central to sensing chemical perturbations that can lead to oxidative stress. The degree of stress is correlated with divergent phenotypes such as quiescence, cell death, or senescence. Each possible cell fate is relevant for a different aspect of endothelial function, and hence, the regulation of cell fate decisions is critically important in maintaining vascular health. This study examined the oxidative stress response (OSR) in human ECs at the boundary of cell survival and death through longitudinal measurements, including cellular, gene expression, and perturbation measurements. 0.5 mM hydrogen peroxide (HP) produced significant oxidative stress, placed the cell at this junction, and provided a model to study the effectors of cell fate. The use of systematic perturbations and high-throughput measurements provide insights into multiple regimes of the stress response. Using a systems approach, we decipher molecular mechanisms across these regimes. Significantly, our study shows that heme oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) acts as a gatekeeper of cell fate decisions. Specifically, HP treatment of HMOX1 knockdown cells reversed the gene expression of about 51% of 2,892 differentially expressed genes when treated with HP alone, affecting a variety of cellular processes, including anti-oxidant response, inflammation, DNA injury and repair, cell cycle and growth, mitochondrial stress, metabolic stress, and autophagy. Further analysis revealed that these switched genes were highly enriched in three spatial locations viz., cell surface, mitochondria, and nucleus. In particular, it revealed the novel roles of HMOX1 on cell surface receptors EGFR and IGFR, mitochondrial ETCs (MTND3, MTATP6), and epigenetic regulation through chromatin modifiers (KDM6A, RBBP5, and PPM1D) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) in orchestrating the cell fate at the boundary of cell survival and death. These novel aspects suggest that HMOX1 can influence transcriptional and epigenetic modulations to orchestrate OSR affecting cell fate decisions.

Transcriptional profiles of genes related to electrophysiological function in Scn5a+/- murine hearts

The Scn5a gene encodes the major pore-forming Nav 1.5 (α) subunit, of the voltage-gated Na+ channel in cardiomyocytes. The key role of Nav 1.5 in action potential initiation and propagation in both atria and ventricles predisposes organisms lacking Scn5a or carrying Scn5a mutations to cardiac arrhythmogenesis. Loss-of-function Nav 1.5 genetic abnormalities account for many cases of the human arrhythmic disorder Brugada syndrome (BrS) and related conduction disorders. A murine model with a heterozygous Scn5a deletion recapitulates many electrophysiological phenotypes of BrS. This study examines the relationships between its Scn5a+/- genotype, resulting transcriptional changes, and the consequent phenotypic presentations of BrS. Of 62 selected protein-coding genes related to cardiomyocyte electrophysiological or homeostatic function, concentrations of mRNA transcribed from 15 differed significantly from wild type (WT). Despite halving apparent ventricular Scn5a transcription heterozygous deletion did not significantly downregulate its atrial expression, raising possibilities of atria-specific feedback mechanisms. Most of the remaining 14 genes whose expression differed significantly between WT and Scn5a+/- animals involved Ca2+ homeostasis specifically in atrial tissue, with no overlap with any ventricular changes. All statistically significant changes in expression were upregulations in the atria and downregulations in the ventricles. This investigation demonstrates the value of future experiments exploring for and clarifying links between transcriptional control of Scn5a and of genes whose protein products coordinate Ca2+ regulation and examining their possible roles in BrS.

The neuroprotective potential of carotenoids in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in research on neurodegenerative diseases, the pathogenesis and treatment response of neurodegenerative diseases remain unclear. Recent studies revealed a significant role of carotenoids to treat neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to systematically review the neuroprotective potential of carotenoids in vivo and in vitro and the molecular mechanisms and pathological factors contributing to major neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and stroke).

HYPOTHESIS

Carotenoids as therapeutic molecules to target neurodegenerative diseases.

RESULTS

Aggregation of toxic proteins, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, the excitotoxic pathway, and neuroinflammation were the major pathological factors contributing to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo studies supported the beneficiary role of carotenoids, namely lycopene, β-carotene, crocin, crocetin, lutein, fucoxanthin and astaxanthin in alleviating disease progression. These carotenoids provide neuroprotection by inhibition of neuro-inflammation, microglial activation, excitotoxic pathway, modulation of autophagy, attenuation of oxidative damage and activation of defensive antioxidant enzymes. Additionally, studies conducted on humans also demonstrated that dietary intake of carotenoids lowers the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

CONCLUSION

Carotenoids may be used as drugs to prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases. Although, the in vitro and in vivo results are encouraging, further well conducted clinical studies on humans are required to conclude about the full potential of neurodegenerative diseases.

Association between plasma xanthine oxidoreductase activity and in-hospital outcomes in patients with stable coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention

OBJECTIVES

Reactive oxygen species generated by xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) are associated with the progression of atherosclerosis. However, changes in plasma XOR (pXOR) activity after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for stable coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unknown.

METHODS

Herein, we compared the change in the pXOR activity in patients undergoing PCI with that in patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) and further evaluated the relation between changes in pXOR activity and in-hospital and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing PCI. The pXOR activity of 80 consecutive patients who underwent PCI and 25 patients who underwent CAG during the hospitalization was analyzed daily. The percentage changes from baseline regulated time interval was evaluated.

RESULTS

We found that although pXOR activity decreased after PCI, and remained low until discharge, no significant changes were observed in patients undergoing CAG. Furthermore, among the patients undergoing PCI, those who experienced in-hospital adverse events, had a higher percentage of pXOR reduction 3 days after PCI. There was no association between these changes and long-term events.

CONCLUSIONS

A significant change in pXOR activity was observed in patients undergoing PCI than in patients undergoing CAG, and there seems to be a correlation between the in-hospital outcomes and the percentage reduction from baseline in pXOR activity.

Natural Compounds Attenuate Denervation-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy

The weight of skeletal muscle accounts for approximately 40% of the whole weight in a healthy individual, and the normal metabolism and motor function of the muscle are indispensable for healthy life. In addition, the skeletal muscle of the maxillofacial region plays an important role not only in eating and swallowing, but also in communication, such as facial expressions and conversations. In recent years, skeletal muscle atrophy has received worldwide attention as a serious health problem. However, the mechanism of skeletal muscle atrophy that has been clarified at present is insufficient, and a therapeutic method against skeletal muscle atrophy has not been established. This review provides views on the importance of skeletal muscle in the maxillofacial region and explains the differences between skeletal muscles in the maxillofacial region and other regions. We summarize the findings to change in gene expression in muscle remodeling and emphasize the advantages and disadvantages of denervation-induced skeletal muscle atrophy model. Finally, we discuss the newly discovered beneficial effects of natural compounds on skeletal muscle atrophy.

Redox signaling in heart failure and therapeutic implications

Heart failure is a growing health burden worldwide characterized by alterations in excitation-contraction coupling, cardiac energetic deficit and oxidative stress. While current treatments are mostly limited to antagonization of neuroendocrine activation, more recent data suggest that also targeting metabolism may provide substantial prognostic benefit. However, although in a broad spectrum of preclinical models, oxidative stress plays a causal role for the development and progression of heart failure, no treatment that targets reactive oxygen species (ROS) directly has entered the clinical arena yet. In the heart, ROS derive from various sources, such as NADPH oxidases, xanthine oxidase, uncoupled nitric oxide synthase and mitochondria. While mitochondria are the primary source of ROS in the heart, communication between different ROS sources may be relevant for physiological signalling events as well as pathologically elevated ROS that deteriorate excitation-contraction coupling, induce hypertrophy and/or trigger cell death. Here, we review the sources of ROS in the heart, the modes of pathological activation of ROS formation as well as therapeutic approaches that may target ROS specifically in mitochondria.

Lecithinized superoxide dismutase in the past and in the present: Any role in the actual pandemia of COVID-19?

The Coronavirus disease 19 (Covid-19) pandemic is devastating the public health: it is urgent to find a viable therapy to reduce the multiorgan damage of the disease. A validated therapeutic protocol is still missing. The most severe forms of the disease are related to an exaggerated inflammatory response. The pivotal role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the amplification of inflammation makes the antioxidants a potential therapy, but clinical trials are needed. The lecitinized superoxide dismutase (PC-SOD) could represent a possibility because of bioaviability, safety, and its modulatory effect on the innate immune response in reducing the harmful consequences of oxidative stress. In this review we summarize the evidence on lecitinized superoxide dismutase in animal and human studies, to highlight the rationale for using the PC-SOD to treat COVID-19.

Protocol of proceedings with Fusobacterium nucleatum and optimization of ABTS method for detection of reactive oxygen species

Aim: Characterization of the ability of Fusobacterium nucleatum DSM 15643 and DSM 20482 strains in the presence of Cu²⁺ and H₂O₂ to reactive oxygen species generation. Method: Spectrophotometric ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) method was used. Results: Determination of: MIC for Cu²⁺, H₂O₂ and ABTS; survivability of F. nucleatum under atmospheric oxygen exposure; the level and rate constants of free radicals production by the bacteria. Conclusion: F. nucleatum in the presence of Cu²⁺ and H₂O₂ is able to generate free radicals. Reactive oxygen species are produced mainly outside the bacterial cell, which suggests that outer membrane proteins may be involved in oxidative process.

Management of oxidative stress and inflammation in cardiovascular diseases: mechanisms and challenges

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have diverse physiopathological mechanisms with interconnected oxidative stress and inflammation as one of the common etiologies which result in the onset and development of atherosclerotic plaques. In this review, we illustrate this strong crosstalk between oxidative stress, inflammation, and CVD. Also, mitochondrial functions underlying this crosstalk, and various approaches for the prevention of redox/inflammatory biological impacts will be illustrated. In part, we focus on the laboratory biomarkers and physiological tests for the evaluation of oxidative stress status and inflammatory processes. The impact of a healthy lifestyle on CVD onset and development is displayed as well. Furthermore, the differences in oxidative stress and inflammation are related to genetic susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases and the variability in the assessment of CVDs risk between individuals; Omics technologies for measuring oxidative stress and inflammation will be explored. Finally, we display the oxidative stress-related microRNA and the functions of the redox basis of epigenetic modifications.

Dietary nutrients and their control of the redox bioenergetic networks as therapeutics in redox dysfunctions sustained pathologies

Electrons exchange amongst the chemical species in an organism is a pivotal concomitant activity carried out by individual cells for basic cellular processes and continuously contribute towards the maintenance of bioenergetic networks plus physiological attributes like cell growth, phenotypic differences and nutritional adaptations. Humans exchange matter and energy via complex connections of metabolic pathways (redox reactions) amongst cells being a thermodynamically open system. Usually, these reactions are the real lifeline and driving forces of health and disease in the living entity. Many shreds of evidence support the secondary role of reactive species in the cellular process of control apoptosis and proliferation. Disrupted redox mechanisms are seen in malaises, like degenerative and metabolic disorders, cancerous cells. This review targets the importance of redox reactions in the body's normal functioning and the effects of its alterations in cells to obtain a better understanding. Understanding the redox dynamics in a pathological state can provide an opportunity for cure or diagnosis at the earlier stage and serve as an essential biomarker to predict in advance to give personalized therapy. Understanding redox metabolism can also highlight the use of naturally available antioxidant in the form of diet.

Mechanistic Insight into Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Potential of Jasminum Species: A Herbal Approach for Disease Management

Drug resistance among microbial pathogens and oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species are two of the most challenging global issues. Firstly, drug-resistant pathogens cause several fatalities every year. Secondly aging and a variety of diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, are associated with free radical generated oxidative stress. The treatments currently available are limited, ineffective, or less efficient, so there is an immediate need to tackle these issues by looking for new therapies to resolve resistance and neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals. In the 21st century, the best way to save humans from them could be by using plants as well as their bioactive constituents. In this specific context, Jasminum is a major plant genus that is used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine to treat a variety of ailments. The information in this review was gathered from a variety of sources, including books, websites, and databases such as Science Direct, PubMed, and Google Scholar. In this review, a total of 14 species of Jasminum have been found to be efficient and effective against a wide variety of microbial pathogens. In addition, 14 species were found to be active free radical scavengers. The review is also focused on the disorders related to oxidative stress, and it was concluded that Jasminum grandiflorum and J. sambac normalized various parameters that were elevated by free radical generation. Alkaloids, flavonoids (rutoside), terpenes, phenols, and iridoid glucosides are among the main phytoconstituents found in various Jasminum species. Furthermore, this review also provides insight into the mechanistic basis of drug resistance, the generation of free radicals, and the role of Jasminum plants in combating resistance and neutralizing free radicals.

Pathological Crosstalk Between Oxidized LDL and ER Stress in Human Diseases: A Comprehensive Review

The oxidative modification of the major cholesterol carrying lipoprotein, oxLDL, is a biomarker as well as a pathological factor in cardiovascular diseases (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity and other metabolic diseases. Perturbed cellular homeostasis due to physiological, pathological and pharmacological factors hinder the proper functioning of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is the major hub for protein folding and processing, lipid biosynthesis and calcium storage, thereby leading to ER stress. The cellular response to ER stress is marked by a defensive mechanism called unfolded protein response (UPR), wherein the cell adapts strategies that favor survival. Under conditions of excessive ER stress, when the survival mechanisms fail to restore balance, UPR switches to apoptosis and eliminates the defective cells. ER stress is a major hallmark in metabolic syndromes such as diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), neurological and cardiovascular diseases. Though the pathological link between oxLDL and ER stress in cardiovascular diseases is well-documented, its involvement in other diseases is still largely unexplored. This review provides a deep insight into the common mechanisms in the pathogenicity of diseases involving oxLDL and ER stress as key players. In addition, the potential therapeutic intervention of the targets implicated in the pathogenic processes are also explored.

Redox Role of ROS and Inflammation in Pulmonary Diseases

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), either derived from exogenous sources or overproduced endogenously, can disrupt the body's antioxidant defenses leading to compromised redox homeostasis. The lungs are highly susceptible to ROS-mediated damage. Oxidative stress (OS) caused by this redox imbalance leads to the pathogenesis of multiple pulmonary diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). OS causes damage to important cellular components in terms of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and DNA histone modification. Inflammation further enhances ROS production inducing changes in transcriptional factors which mediate cellular stress response pathways. This deviation from normal cell function contributes to the detrimental pathological characteristics often seen in pulmonary diseases. Although antioxidant therapies are feasible approaches in alleviating OS-related lung impairment, a comprehensive understanding of the updated role of ROS in pulmonary inflammation is vital for the development of optimal treatments. In this chapter, we review the major pulmonary diseases-including COPD, asthma, ARDS, COVID-19, and lung cancer-as well as their association with ROS.

Stress granules in Ciona robusta: First evidences of TIA-1-related nucleolysin and tristetraprolin gene expression under metal exposure

Stress granules are non-membranous cytoplasmic foci, composed of non-translating messenger ribonucleoproteins, translational initiation factors and other additional proteins. They represent a primary mechanism to rapidly modulate gene expression when cells are subjected to adverse environmental conditions. Very few works have been devoted to study the presence of the molecular components of stress granules in invertebrates. In this work, we characterized the transcript sequences for two important protein components of stress granules, TIA-1-related nucleolysin (TIAR) and tristetraprolin (TTP), in the solitary ascidian Ciona robusta, an invertebrate chordate, and carried out the first studies on their gene expression under stress conditions induced by metals (Cu, Zn and Cd). Data on mRNA expression levels, provided by qRT-PCR analyses, show a generalized decrease at the second day of metal-exposure for both tiar and ttp, suggesting that metal accumulation induces acute stress and the inhibition of the transcription for the two studied proteins. In-situ hybridization analyses demonstrate that TIAR and TTP antisense riboprobes recognize circulating granular amoebocytes in the hemolymph, in both blood lacunae and tunic. The results obtained in this work increase our knowledge on the evolution of anti-stress proteins in metazoans and emphasize the importance of the transcription of tiar and ttp, which represents an efficient physiological response allowing organisms to survive in the environment under stress conditions.

A review on herbal Nrf2 activators with preclinical evidence in cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are an ever-growing problem and are the most common cause of death worldwide. The uncontrolled production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the activation of ROS associated with various cell signaling pathways with oxidative cellular damage are the most common pathological conditions connected with CVDs including endothelial dysfunction, hypercontractility of vascular smooth muscle, cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. The nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a basic leucine zipper redox transcription factor, together with its negative regulator, kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), which serves as a key regulator of cellular defense mechanisms to combat oxidative stress and associated diseases. Multiple lines of evidence described here support the cardiac protective property of Nrf2 in various experimental models of cardiac related disease conditions. In this review, we emphasized the molecular mechanisms of Nrf2 and described the detailed outline of current findings on the therapeutic possibilities of the Nrf2 activators specifically from herbal origin in various CVDs. Based on evidence from various preclinical experimental models, we have highlighted the activation of Nrf2 pathway as a budding therapeutic option for the prevention and treatment of CVDs, which needs further investigation and validation in the clinical settings.

The Potential Role of Creatine in Vascular Health

Creatine is an organic compound, consumed exogenously in the diet and synthesized endogenously via an intricate inter-organ process. Functioning in conjunction with creatine kinase, creatine has long been known for its pivotal role in cellular energy provision and energy shuttling. In addition to the abundance of evidence supporting the ergogenic benefits of creatine supplementation, recent evidence suggests a far broader application for creatine within various myopathies, neurodegenerative diseases, and other pathologies. Furthermore, creatine has been found to exhibit non-energy related properties, contributing as a possible direct and in-direct antioxidant and eliciting anti-inflammatory effects. In spite of the new clinical success of supplemental creatine, there is little scientific insight into the potential effects of creatine on cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading cause of mortality. Taking into consideration the non-energy related actions of creatine, highlighted in this review, it can be speculated that creatine supplementation may serve as an adjuvant therapy for the management of vascular health in at-risk populations. This review, therefore, not only aims to summarize the current literature surrounding creatine and vascular health, but to also shed light onto the potential mechanisms in which creatine may be able to serve as a beneficial supplement capable of imparting vascular-protective properties and promoting vascular health.

Cardiopreventive capacity of a novel (E)-N'-(1-(7-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl) ethylidene)-4-methylbenzenesulfonohydrazide against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction by moderating biochemical, oxidative stress, and histological parameters

This study is carried out to assess the cardiopreventive effect of (E)-N'-(1-(7-methoxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl) ethylidene)-4-methylbenzenesulfonohydrazide or SHC, a novel synthesized coumarin, against myocardial infarction induced by isoproterenol (ISO). The SHC compound was identified and characterized by spectral methods (infrared, ¹ H NMR [nuclear magnetic resonance], ¹³ C NMR, Nuclear Overhauser Effect Spectroscopy, and high-resolution mass spectroscopy). Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Control, ISO (rats were injected subcutaneously by 85 mg/kg body weight [BW] of isoproterenol at Days 6 and 7 of the experience), ISO + SHC (150 µg/kg BW, orally for 7 days) and ISO + acenocoumarol (150 µg/kg BW, orally for 7 days). Results showed that ISO induced a remarkable alteration of electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern and increases of plasma cardiac troponin T, creatine kinase-MB, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, and malondialdehyde. In addition, ISO reduced the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol content and the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, with the induction of myocardial necrosis. However, SHC administration revealed a significant decrease in cardiac dysfunction markers, restored normal ECG pattern, as well as improving lipids parameters. Moreover, SHC treatment remarkably alleviated the cardiac oxidative stress and the myocardial remodeling process. Overall, the SHC offers good protection from acute myocardial infarction through the antioxidant capacity.