Relationship of Inflammatory Markers and Metabolic Syndrome in Postmenopausal Women

Novel diagnostic approaches and management of coronary microvascular dysfunction

The mechanism underlying ischaemic heart disease (IHD) has been primarily attributed to obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). However, non-obstructive coronary arteries are identified in >50% of patients undergoing elective coronary angiography, recently leading to growing interest in the investigation and management of angina/ischaemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (ANOCA/INOCA). INOCA is an umbrella term encompassing a multiple spectrum of possible pathogenetic entities, including coronary vasomotor disorders which consist of two major endotypes: coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) and vasospastic angina. Both conditions can coexist and be associated with concomitant obstructive CAD. Particularly, CMD refers to myocardial ischaemia due to reduced vasodilatory capacity of coronary microcirculation secondary to structural remodelling or impaired resting microvascular tone (functional) or a combination of both. CMD is not a benign condition and is more prevalent in women presenting with chronic coronary syndrome compared to men. In this setting, an impaired coronary flow reserve has been associated with increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. ANOCA/INOCA patients also experience impaired quality of life and associated increased healthcare costs. Therefore, research in this scenario has led to better definition, classification, and prognostic stratification based on the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. The development and validation of non-invasive imaging modalities, invasive coronary vasomotor function testing and angiography-derived indices provide a comprehensive characterisation of CMD. The present narrative review aims to summarise current data relating to the diagnostic approach to CMD and provides details on the sequence that therapeutic management should follow.

Underlying Mechanisms behind the Brain-Gut-Liver Axis and Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD): An Update

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) includes several metabolic dysfunctions caused by dysregulation in the brain-gut-liver axis and, consequently, increases cardiovascular risks and fatty liver dysfunction. In MAFLD, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic syndrome are frequently present; these conditions are related to liver lipogenesis and systemic inflammation. This study aimed to review the connection between the brain-gut-liver axis and MAFLD. The inflammatory process, cellular alterations in hepatocytes and stellate cells, hypercaloric diet, and sedentarism aggravate the prognosis of patients with MAFLD. Thus, to understand the modulation of the physiopathology of MAFLD, it is necessary to include the organokines involved in this process (adipokines, myokines, osteokines, and hepatokines) and their clinical relevance to project future perspectives of this condition and bring to light new possibilities in therapeutic approaches. Adipokines are responsible for the activation of distinct cellular signaling in different tissues, such as insulin and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which is important for balancing substances to avoid MAFLD and its progression. Myokines improve the quantity and quality of adipose tissues, contributing to avoiding the development of MAFLD. Finally, hepatokines are decisive in improving or not improving the progression of this disease through the regulation of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory organokines.

Complete blood count inflammation derived indexes as predictors of metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of comorbidities related to regulating hyperglycemia and acute cardiovascular incidents and complications. With the increasing prevalence in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), MetS represents an increasing public health problem and clinical challenge, and early diagnosis is necessary to avoid the accelerated development of diabetic complications.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role of Complete Blood Count-derived Inflammation Indexes (CBCIIs) in predicting MetS in T2DM individuals.

METHODS

The study was designed as a two-year prospective study and included 80 T2DM individuals divided into MetS and non-MetS groups based on MetS development over two years. The sera samples were analyzed for complete blood count parameters and C-reactive protein (CRP). Based on the laboratory test results, 13 CBCIIs were calculated and analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and their corresponding areas under the curve (AUC) were used to determine prognostic accuracy.

RESULTS

There were significant differences between T2DM participants with Mets and those without MetS concerning Neutrophil to Platelet Ratio (NPR) values (p< 0.001), Neutrophil to Lymphocyte and Platelet Ratio (NLPR) (p< 0.001), Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) (p< 0.001), Lymphocyte to C-reactive protein Ratio (LCR) (p< 0.001), C-reactive protein to Lymphocyte Ratio (CRP/Ly) (p< 0.001), Systemic immune inflammation index (SII) (< 0.001), and Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation (AISI) (p= 0.005). The results of ROC curve analysis have shown that the LCR (AUC of 0.907), CRP/Ly (AUC of 0.907) can serve as excellent predictors, but NPR (AUC of 0.734), NLRP (AUC of 0.755), PLR (AUC of 0.823), SII (AUC of 0.745), and AISI (AUC of 0.688) as good predictors of MetS in T2 DM individuals.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms the reliability of the CBCIIs as novel, simple, low cost and valuable predictors of MetS developing in T2DM.

Estrogen plays an important role by influencing the NLRP3 inflammasome

The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is an important part of the natural immune system that plays an important role in many diseases. Estrogen is a sex hormone that plays an important role in controlling reproduction and regulates many physiological and pathological processes. Recent studies have indicated that estrogen is associated with disease progression. Estrogen can ameliorate some diseases (e. g, sepsis, mood disturbances, cerebral ischemia, some hepatopathy, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, osteoarthritis, and renal fibrosis) by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome. Estrogen can also promote the development of diseases (e.g., ovarian endometriosis, dry eye disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus) by upregulating the NLRP3 inflammasome. In addition, estrogen has a dual effect on the development of cancers and asthma. However, the mechanism of these effects is not summarized. This article reviewed the progress in understanding the effects of estrogen on the NLRP3 inflammasome and its mechanisms in recent years to provide a theoretical basis for an in-depth study.

Oxidative stress: A common pathological state in a high-risk population for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is becoming a major concern in the field of public health. The process of bone loss is insidious and does not directly induce obvious symptoms. Complications indicate an irreversible decrease in bone mass. The high-risk populations of osteoporosis, including postmenopausal women, elderly men, diabetic patients and obese individuals need regular bone mineral density testing and appropriate preventive treatment. However, the primary changes in these populations are different, increasing the difficulty of effective treatment of osteoporosis. Determining the core pathogenesis of osteoporosis helps improve the efficiency and efficacy of treatment among these populations. Oxidative stress is a common pathological state secondary to estrogen deficiency, aging, hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia. In this review, we divided oxidative stress into the direct effect of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the reduction of antioxidant enzyme activity to discuss their roles in the development of osteoporosis. ROS initiated mitochondrial apoptotic signaling and suppressed osteogenic marker expression to weaken osteogenesis. MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways mediated the positive effect of ROS on osteoclast differentiation. Antioxidant enzymes not only eliminate the negative effects of ROS, but also directly participate in the regulation of bone metabolism. Additionally, we also described the roles of proinflammatory factors and HIF-1α under the pathophysiological changes of inflammation and hypoxia, which provided a supplement of oxidative stress-induced osteoporosis. In conclusion, our review showed that oxidative stress was a common pathological state in a high-risk population for osteoporosis. Targeted oxidative stress treatment would greatly optimize the therapeutic schedule of various osteoporosis treatments.

Detection of Metabolic Syndrome Using Insulin Resistance Indexes: A Cross-Sectional Observational Cohort Study

Insulin resistance (IR) is considered cardinal to the pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Previously, several simple indexes of IR calculated from biochemical and anthropometric variables have been proposed. However, these indexes are population-dependent; therefore, further studies on a global scale are necessary. The present study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of eight IR indicators, namely, METS-IR, TG-HDL-c, TyG, TyG-BMI, TyG-NC, TyG-NHtR, TyG-WC, and TyG-WHtR, in indicating MetS among a Brazilian population. For this, 268 patients (152 men and 116 women, 53–59 years of age) were included in the study, out of which 111 were diagnosed with MetS according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III). All indexes achieved significant accuracy, with TyG-WC (0.849 (0.800–0.889)), TyG (0.837 (0.787–0.879)), and TG-HDL-c (0.817 (0.765–0.861)) having the highest area under the curve (AUC). Further, the most heightened diagnostic sensitivities were observed for TG-HDL-c (90.99%), TyG-WC (89.19%), and TyG-NC (84.68%), whereas the highest diagnostic specificities were noted for TyG (73.89%), TyG-WHtR (72.61%), and TyG-WC (66.88%). Thus, TyG-WC, TyG, and TG-HDL-c reached the greatest AUC values in our analyses, making them useful diagnostic indicators of MetS, and crucial for patients’ clinical management.

Dysmetabolic Iron Overload Syndrome: Going beyond the Traditional Risk Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome

Dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome (DIOS) corresponds to the increase in iron stores associated with components of metabolic syndrome (MtS) and in the absence of an identifiable cause of iron excess. The objective of this work was to review the main aspects of DIOS. PUBMED and EMBASE were consulted, and PRISMA guidelines were followed. DIOS is usually asymptomatic and can be diagnosed by investigating MtS and steatosis. About 50% of the patients present altered hepatic biochemical tests (increased levels of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase itself or associated with increased levels of alanine aminotransferase). The liver may present parenchymal and mesenchymal iron overload, but the excess of iron is commonly mild. Steatosis or steatohepatitis is observed in half of the patients. Fibrosis is observed in about 15% of patients. Hyperferritinemia may damage the myocardium, liver, and several other tissues, increasing morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, DIOS is closely related to oxidative stress, which is closely associated with several pathological conditions such as inflammatory diseases, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, and cancer. DIOS is becoming a relevant finding in the general population and can be associated with high morbidity/mortality. For these reasons, investigation of this condition could be an additional requirement for the early prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Organokines, Sarcopenia, and Metabolic Repercussions: The Vicious Cycle and the Interplay with Exercise

Sarcopenia is a disease that becomes more prevalent as the population ages, since it is directly linked to the process of senility, which courses with muscle atrophy and loss of muscle strength. Over time, sarcopenia is linked to obesity, being known as sarcopenic obesity, and leads to other metabolic changes. At the molecular level, organokines act on different tissues and can improve or harm sarcopenia. It all depends on their production process, which is associated with factors such as physical exercise, the aging process, and metabolic diseases. Because of the seriousness of these repercussions, the aim of this literature review is to conduct a review on the relationship between organokines, sarcopenia, diabetes, and other metabolic repercussions, as well the role of physical exercise. To build this review, PubMed-Medline, Embase, and COCHRANE databases were searched, and only studies written in English were included. It was observed that myokines, adipokines, hepatokines, and osteokines had direct impacts on the pathophysiology of sarcopenia and its metabolic repercussions. Therefore, knowing how organokines act is very important to know their impacts on age, disease prevention, and how they can be related to the prevention of muscle loss.

Yin Huo Tang, a traditional Chinese herbal formula, relives ovariectomy and empty bottle stimulation-induced menopause-like symptoms in mice

BACKGROUND

Yin Huo Tang (YHT), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, is effectively used for the clinical treatment of menopause-like symptoms in China. This study aimed to investigate its efficacy on menopause-like symptoms in mice using behavioral tests and histopathological assessment, and to determine its possible mechanism of action based on network pharmacology.

METHODS

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technology was used to identify the potential active ingredients of YHT. In mice, menopause-like symptoms were induced by combination of bilateral ovariectomy and empty bottle stimulation. The mice were then treated with the YHT aqueous extract for three weeks. Behavior, sleep state, body weight, organ index, and histomorphology were analyzed separately. Additionally, network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to predict the mechanisms underlying the action of YHT. Finally, serum estradiol was quantified to preliminarily verify the results of network pharmacology.

RESULTS

YHT not only improved the behavior of mice (attack and explore behavior reduced; modify behavior increased) but also ameliorated the sleep state (sleep time increased and incubation time reduced). YHT reduced body weight, increased uterine weight, and improved the histomorphology of some organs. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses revealed that the estrogen signaling pathway might play a key role in attenuating menopause-like symptoms. Furthermore, YHT treatment reversed the reduction in serum estradiol levels.

CONCLUSIONS

YHT alleviates menopause-like symptoms in a mouse model, providing a rationale for using it as a potential therapeutic strategy.