Probiotic-fermented purple sweet potato yogurt activates compensatory IGF-IR/PI3K/Akt survival pathways and attenuates cardiac apoptosis in the hearts of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Regulation of optimized new Shengmai powder on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis in ischemic heart failure rats: The mediating role of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/tumor protein 53 signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Optimized New Shengmai Powder (ONSMP) is a sophisticated traditional Chinese medicinal formula renowned for bolstering vital energy, optimizing blood circulation, and mitigating fluid retention. After years of clinical application, ONSMP has shown a significant impact in improving myocardial injury and cardiac function and has a positive effect on treating heart failure. However, many unknowns exist about the molecular biological mechanisms of how ONSMP exerts its therapeutic effects, which require further research and exploration.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Exploring the potential molecular biological mechanisms by which ONSMP ameliorates cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis in ischemic heart failure (IHF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

First, we constructed a rat model of IHF by inducing acute myocardial infarction through surgery and using echocardiography, organ coefficients, markers of heart failure, antioxidant markers, and histopathological examination to assess the effects of ONSMP on cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis in IHF rats. Next, we used bioinformatics analysis techniques to analyze the active components, signaling pathways, and core targets of ONSMP and calculated the interactions between core targets and corresponding elements. Finally, we detected the positive expression of apoptosis and ferroptosis markers and core indicators of signaling pathways by immunohistochemistry; detected the mean fluorescence intensity of core indicators of signaling pathways by immunofluorescence; detected the protein expression of signaling pathways and downstream effector molecules by western blotting; and detected the mRNA levels of p53 and downstream effector molecules by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

ONSMP can activate the Ser83 site of ASK by promoting the phosphorylation of the PI3K/AKT axis, thereby inhibiting the MKK3/6-p38 axis and the MKK4/7-JNK axis signaling to reduce p53 expression, and can also directly target and inhibit the activity of p53, ultimately inhibiting p53-mediated mRNA and protein increases in PUMA, SAT1, PIG3, and TFR1, as well as mRNA and protein decreases in SLC7A11, thereby inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis, effectively improving cardiac function and ventricular remodeling in IHF rat models.

CONCLUSION

ONSMP can inhibit cardiomyocyte apoptosis and ferroptosis through the PI3K/AKT/p53 signaling pathway, delaying the development of IHF.

Gut microbiota as a residual risk factor causally influencing cardiac structure and function: Mendelian randomization analysis and biological annotation

Background

The gut microbiota (GM) is widely acknowledged to have a significant impact on cardiovascular health and may act as a residual risk factor affecting cardiac structure and function. However, the causal relationship between GM and cardiac structure and function remains unclear.

Objective

This study aims to employ a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to investigate the causal association between GM and cardiac structure and function.

Methods

Data on 119 GM genera were sourced from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis (13,266 European participants) conducted by the MiBioGen consortium, while data on 16 parameters of cardiac structure and function were obtained from the UK Biobank's GWAS of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (up to 41,135 European participants). Inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median (WM) methods were utilized for causal association assessments, with sensitivity analyses conducted to reinforce the findings. Finally, biological annotation was performed on the GWAS data of GM and cardiac phenotypes with causal associations to explore potential mechanisms.

Results

The MR analysis, predominantly based on the IVW model, revealed 93 causal associations between the genetically predicted abundance of 44 GM genera and 16 cardiac structure and function parameters. These associations maintained consistent directions in MR-Egger and WM models, with no evidence of pleiotropy detected. Biological annotations suggest that GM may influence cardiac structure and function through pathways involved in myocardial cell development, cardiac contractility, and apoptosis.

Conclusion

The MR analysis supports a causal association between certain abundances of genetically predicted GM and cardiac structure and function, suggesting that GM could be a residual risk factor impacting cardiac phenotypes.

Probiotics: functional food ingredients with the potential to reduce hypertension

Hypertension is an increasingly pressing public health concern across the globe. It can be triggered by a variety of factors such as age and diet, as well as the stress of modern life. The traditional treatment of hypertension includes calcium ion blockers, angiotensin II receptor inhibitors and β-receptor blockers, but these drugs have at least some side effects. Recent studies have revealed that intestinal flora plays a vital role in maintaining and promoting human health. This is due to the type and amount of probiotics present in the flora. Probiotics can reduce hypertension symptoms through four mechanisms: regulating vascular oxidative stress, producing short-chain fatty acids, restoring endothelial cell function, and reducing inflammation. It has been reported that certain functional foods, using probiotics as their raw material, can modify the composition of intestinal flora, thus regulating hypertension symptoms. Consequently, utilizing the probiotic function of probiotics in conjunction with the properties of functional foods to treat hypertension is a novel, side-effect-free treatment method. This study seeks to summarize the various factors that contribute to hypertension, the mechanism of probiotics in mitigating hypertension, and the fermented functional foods with probiotic strains, in order to provide a basis for the development of functional foods which utilize probiotics as their raw material and may have the potential to reduce hypertension.

The Implication of the Gut Microbiome in Heart Failure

Heart failure is a worldwide health problem with important consequences for the overall wellbeing of affected individuals as well as for the healthcare system. Over recent decades, numerous pieces of evidence have demonstrated that the associated gut microbiota represent an important component of human physiology and metabolic homeostasis, and can affect one's state of health or disease directly, or through their derived metabolites. The recent advances in human microbiome studies shed light on the relationship between the gut microbiota and the cardiovascular system, revealing its contribution to the development of heart failure-associated dysbiosis. HF has been linked to gut dysbiosis, low bacterial diversity, intestinal overgrowth of potentially pathogenic bacteria and a decrease in short chain fatty acids-producing bacteria. An increased intestinal permeability allowing microbial translocation and the passage of bacterial-derived metabolites into the bloodstream is associated with HF progression. A more insightful understanding of the interactions between the human gut microbiome, HF and the associated risk factors is mandatory for optimizing therapeutic strategies based on microbiota modulation and offering individualized treatment. The purpose of this review is to summarize the available data regarding the influence of gut bacterial communities and their derived metabolites on HF, in order to obtain a better understanding of this multi-layered complex relationship.

Linggui Zhugan Decoction activates the SIRT1-AMPK-PGC1α signaling pathway to improve mitochondrial and oxidative damage in rats with chronic heart failure caused by myocardial infarction

Objective: To investigate the effects of Linggui Zhugan Decoction on mitochondrial and oxidative damage in rats with chronic heart failure after myocardial infarction and the related mechanisms. Methods: Chronic heart failure after myocardial infarction was established by coronary artery ligation. Heart failure rats were randomly divided into three groups: Model group (n = 11), Linggui Zhugan Decoction group (n = 12), and captopril group (n = 11). Rats whose coronary arteries were only threaded and not ligated were sham group (n = 11). Cardiac function, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, soluble growth-stimulating expression factor (ST2), and N-terminal B-type brain natriuretic peptide precursor (NTproBNP) levels were analyzed after treatment. Moreover, the level of mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by JC-1 staining, the ultrastructural of myocardial mitochondria were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The related signal pathway of silent information regulator factor 2-related enzyme 1 (SIRT1), adenylate activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphorylated adenylate activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) is an important pathway to regulate mitochondrial energy metabolism, and to initiate mitochondrial biogenesis. The expression level was detected by Western blot and reverse transcription to explore the mechanism of the decoction. Results: Compared with the model rats, Linggui Zhugan Decoction significantly improved cardiac function (p < 0.05), reduced MDA production (p < 0.01), increased SOD activity (p < 0.05), reduced ST-2(p < 0.01), and NT-proBNP(p < 0.05) levels, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, and improved mitochondria function. In addition, Linggui Zhugan Decoction upregulated the expression of SIRT1, p-AMPK, PGC-1α protein, and mRNA in cardiac myocytes. Conclusion: Linggui Zhugan Decoction can improve the cardiac function of heart failure rats by enhancing myocardial antioxidant capacity and protecting the mitochondrial function, the mechanism is related to activating SIRT1/AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

The Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Its Therapeutic Implications

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the precise molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear, and it is still a challenging disease to diagnose and treat. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain and leucine-rich repeat pyrin 3 domain (NLRP3) inflammasome is a critical part of the innate immune system in the host to defend against endogenous danger and pathogenic microbial infections. Dysregulated NLRP3 inflammasome activation results in the overproduction of cytokines, primarily IL-1β and IL-18, and eventually, inflammatory cell death-pyroptosis. A series of studies have indicated that NLRP3 inflammasome activation participates in the development of DCM, and that corresponding interventions could mitigate disease progression. Accordingly, this narrative review is aimed at briefly summarizing the cell-specific role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in DCM and provides novel insights into developing DCM therapeutic strategies targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Gut microbiota in various childhood disorders: Implication and indications

Gut microbiota has a significant role in gut development, maturation, and immune system differentiation. It exerts considerable effects on the child's physical and mental development. The gut microbiota composition and structure depend on many host and microbial factors. The host factors include age, genetic pool, general health, dietary factors, medication use, the intestine's pH, peristalsis, and transit time, mucus secretions, mucous immunoglobulin, and tissue oxidation-reduction potentials. The microbial factors include nutrient availability, bacterial cooperation or antagonism, and bacterial adhesion. Each part of the gut has its microbiota due to its specific characteristics. The gut microbiota interacts with different body parts, affecting the pathogenesis of many local and systemic diseases. Dysbiosis is a common finding in many childhood disorders such as autism, failure to thrive, nutritional disorders, coeliac disease, Necrotizing Enterocolitis, helicobacter pylori infection, functional gastrointestinal disorders of childhood, inflammatory bowel diseases, and many other gastrointestinal disorders. Dysbiosis is also observed in allergic conditions like atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and asthma. Dysbiosis can also impact the development and the progression of immune disorders and cardiac disorders, including heart failure. Probiotic supplements could provide some help in managing these disorders. However, we are still in need of more studies. In this narrative review, we will shed some light on the role of microbiota in the development and management of common childhood disorders.

The Effect of Synbiotic Consumption on Serum NTproBNP, hsCRP and Blood Pressure in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Controlled Trial

Background

In recent years, there has been a positive attitude toward gut microbiota and its effect on cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of synbiotics on left ventricular hypertrophy by measuring NT-proBNP, and their effect on blood pressure and hsCRP as an inflammatory biomarker in patients with chronic heart failure.

Design

In this triple-blind randomized clinical trial, 90 eligible patients were included in the study. They were randomly assigned to receive one capsule (500 mg) of synbiotics or placebo per day for 10 weeks. NTproBNP, hsCRP and blood pressure were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Statistical analysis was performed on 80 patients by using SPSS 24, and p < 0.05 as statistically significant.

Result

At the end of the study, the level of NT-proBNP decreased significantly in the synbiotic group compared to the placebo group (r = −256.55; P = 0.04). However, hsCRP increased in both groups as compared to the beginning of the study, but only in the placebo group the increase in hsCRP was significant (P = 0.01). The results showed that the changes in hs-CRP was not significant between the two groups. No statistically significant differences were observed in systolic and diastolic blood pressure between the two groups at the end of the intervention.

Conclusion

Synbiotics have favorable effect on cardiac hypertrophy index (NT-proBNP). Although the inflammatory factor increased in both groups, the significant increase in hsCRP in the placebo group could indicate the beneficial effects of synbiotics on the inflammatory status of these patients.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://en.irct.ir/user/trial/42905/view, identifier: IRCT20091114002709N52.

Probiotics in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Increasing knowledge of the gut microbiota and its interference in human homeostasis in recent years has contributed to a better understanding of number of different interactions occurring in the gastrointestinal tract. Disruption of the microbiota is detrimental to health and contributes to the development of numerous diseases and may also be an accelerator of pathophysiological processes such as atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide, so the development of new methods to support the treatment and prevention of these diseases becoms one of the priorities of modern medicine. Probiotics may constitute an important element of support in the treatment and prevention of CVD (cardiovascular diseases). A number of papers support such a statement, however, larger clinical trials are needed. Through a number of mechanisms including mitigating inflammation, sealing the intestinal epithelium, and affecting metabolism, probiotics may have a beneficial effect on general health and slow down the pathogenesis of many diseases, including those affecting the cardiovascular system. This article contains a review of current discoveries on the role of probiotics in the prevention and support of CVD treatment.

Preventive and Therapeutic aspects of Fermented Foods

In recent times, the status of some fermented foods which are considered as functional foods that confer health benefits in certain disease conditions has grown rapidly. The health benefits of fermented foods are due to the presence of probiotic microbes and the bioactive compound formed during fermentation. Microbes involved and metabolites produced by them are highly species-specific and contribute to the authenticity of the fermented foods. Several studies pertaining to the effect of fermented foods on various disease conditions have been conducted in recent years using both animal models and clinical trials on humans. This review focuses on the impact of fermented foods on conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity, gastrointestinal disorder, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

Modulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway by probiotics as a fruitful target for orchestrating the immune response

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B or Akt (PKB/Akt) signaling pathways are considered as two but somewhat interconnected significant immune pathways which play complex roles in a variety of physiological processes as well as pathological conditions. Aberrant activation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways has been reported to be associated in a wide variety of human diseases. Over the past few years, growing evidence in in vitro and in vivo models suggest that this sophisticated and subtle cascade mediates the orchestration of the immune response in health and disease through exposure to probiotics. An expanding body of literature has highlighted the contribution of probiotics and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways in gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic syndrome, skin diseases, allergy, salmonella infection, and aging. However, longitudinal human studies are possibly required to verify more conclusively whether the investigational tools used to understand the regulation of these pathways might provide effective approaches in the prevention and treatment of various disorders. In this Review, we summarize the experimental evidence from recent peer-reviewed studies and provide a brief overview of the causal relationship between the effects of probiotics and their metabolites on the components of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways and human disease.

Exercise training and probiotic supplementation effects on skeletal muscle apoptosis prevention in type-Ι diabetic rats

AIMS

Hyperglycemia occurring in the diabetic condition can cause apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway with higher pro-apoptotic protein expression. Probiotics are viable microorganisms that have anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects. Also, exercise may affect the signaling pathways of skeletal muscle apoptosis. This study examined the aerobic exercise training and probiotic supplementation effects on some apoptotic indices of the soleus muscle in diabetic rats-induced by streptozotocin.

MAIN METHODS

We examined 32 male Wistar rats (weight: 250-270 g; age: eight weeks old) and divided them into four groups: control, control + probiotics, aerobic training (AT), and AT + probiotics (ATS). The rats in the training groups aerobically exercised using a treadmill five days per week for five weeks. We evaluated the gene expression of Bax, Bcl2, and p53 using the RT-PCR. We also used a one-way ANOVA for statistical analysis and set the significance level at P ≤ 0.05.

KEY FINDINGS

The results showed that the fasting blood sugar was significantly higher in the control and control + probiotics groups (P = 0.008). Moreover, the AT + probiotics group showed lower expression of p53 (P = 0.005), Bax (P = 0.001) and the Bax/Bcl2 ratio (P = 0.001). Conversely, Bcl2 expression was higher after aerobic training and receiving probiotics (P = 0.002). However, the groups revealed no significant difference regarding muscle weight (P = 0.053) and the muscle weight/final body weight ratio of the rats (P = 0.26).

SIGNIFICANCE

It appears that aerobic exercise training with the use of probiotics prevents apoptosis in the muscle with the down-regulation of blood glucose.

Ameliorative effect of curcumin and zinc oxide nanoparticles on multiple mechanisms in obese rats with induced type 2 diabetes

The present study was carried out to investigate the therapeutic effect of synthesized naturally compounds, curcumin nanoparticles (CurNPs) and metal oxide, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) on a high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hepatic and pancreatic pathophysiology in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) via measuring AKT pathway and MAPK pathway. T2DM rats were intraperitoneally injected with a low dose of 35 mg/kg STZ after being fed by HFD for 8 weeks. Then the rats have orally received treatments for 6 weeks. HFD/STZ-induced hepatic inflammation, reflected by increased phosphorylation of p38-MAPK pathway's molecules, was significantly decreased after nanoparticle supplementation. In addition, both nanoparticles significantly alleviated the decreased phosphorylation of AKT pathway. Further, administration of ZnONPs, CurNPs, conventional curcumin, and ZnSO₄ (zinc sulfate), as well as metformin, effectively counteracted diabetes-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in the internal hepatic and pancreatic tissues. Based on the results of the current study, ZnONPs and CurNPs could be explored as a therapeutic adjuvant against complications associated with T2DM. Both nanoparticles could effectively delay the progression of several complications by activating AKT pathway and down-regulating MAPK pathway. Our findings may provide an experimental basis for the application of nanoparticles in the treatment of T2DM with low toxicity.

Exploring the Potential Role of the Gut Microbiome in Chemotherapy-Induced Neurocognitive Disorders and Cardiovascular Toxicity

Chemotherapy, targeting not only malignant but also healthy cells, causes many undesirable side effects in cancer patients. Due to this fact, long-term cancer survivors often suffer from late effects, including cognitive impairment and cardiovascular toxicity. Chemotherapy damages the intestinal mucosa and heavily disrupts the gut ecosystem, leading to gastrointestinal toxicity. Animal models and clinical studies have revealed the associations between intestinal dysbiosis and depression, anxiety, pain, impaired cognitive functions, and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, a possible link between chemotherapy-induced gut microbiota disruption and late effects in cancer survivors has been proposed. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of preclinical and clinical findings regarding the emerging role of the microbiome and the microbiota-gut-brain axis in chemotherapy-related late effects affecting the central nervous system (CNS) and heart functions. Importantly, we provide an overview of clinical trials evaluating the relationship between the gut microbiome and cancer survivorship. Moreover, the beneficial effects of probiotics in experimental models and non-cancer patients with neurocognitive disorders and cardiovascular diseases as well as several studies on microbiota modulations via probiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation in cancer patients are discussed.

A cross-talk between gut microbiome, salt and hypertension

Cardiac disorders contribute to one of the major causes of fatality across the world. Hypertensive patients, even well maintained on drugs, possess a high risk to cardiovascular diseases. It is, therefore, highly important to identify different factors and pathways that lead to risk and progression of cardiovascular disorders. Several animals and human studies suggest that taxonomical alterations in the gut are involved in the cardiovascular physiology. In this article, with the help of various experimental evidences, we suggest that the host gut-microbiota plays an important in this pathway. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and Trimethyl Amine -n-Oxide (TMAO) are the two major products of gut microbiome. SCFAs present a crucial role in regulating the blood pressure, while TMAO is involved in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and other coronary artery diseases, including hypertension. We prove that there exists a triangular bridge connecting the gap between dietary salt, hypertension and gut microbiome. We also present some of the dietary interventions which can regulate and control microbiota that can prevent cardiovascular complications.We strongly believe that this article would improve the understanding the role of gut microbiota in hypertension, and will be helpful in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for prevention of hypertension through restoring gut microbiome homeostasis in the near future.

Role of potato protein hydrolysate and exercise in preventing high-fat diet-induced hepatocyte apoptosis in senescence-accelerated mouse

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered to be a serious clinical complication, which could cause significant liver dysfunction including fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer. Obesity could lead to NAFLD and contributes to liver disorder and related complicated liver diseases. Effect of exercise combined with alcalase treatment derived potato protein hydrolysate (APPH) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic injury was investigated in senescence accelerated mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8) mice in the present study. Mice were divided into six groups (n = 6): Group I-Control, Group II-HFD, Group III-Exercise, Group IV-HFD + APPH, Group V-HFD + Exercise, and Group VI-HFD + Exercise + APPH. Combined APPH treatment and exercise offer better cytoprotection in HFD-induced histological changes than APPH treatment and exercise alone. Further, APPH and exercise activate the cell survival proteins PI3K/Akt and prevent FasL/FADD-mediated apoptosis in HFD fed SAMP8 mouse. APPH with swimming exercise effectively modulate HFD-induced liver damage and apoptosis in aged mice through activation of PI3K/Akt protein. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Exercise training is proven to reduce the health problems associated with aging and obesity, however, intensity and duration of the exercise differs between individuals. We used integrated pharmacological and nonpharmacological approach as a therapeutic strategy for preventing HFD-induced hepatic injury in aged subjects.

Probiotics Supplementation on Cardiac Remodeling Following Myocardial Infarction: a Single-Center Double-Blind Clinical Study

Adverse cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) can lead to the syndrome of heart failure (HF). Recently, changes in gut microbiota composition (dysbiosis) have appeared as a novel candidate that may be linked to the development of CR and HF. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effects of probiotics administration on attenuating CR in patients with MI. A single-center double-blind placebo-controlled stratified randomized clinical study was conducted in 44 subjects with MI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients were randomly assigned to take, with lunch, either a probiotic capsule containing 1.6 × 10⁹ colony-forming unit (CFU) of bacteria (treatment group) or capsules contained inulin (control group) over 3 months. CR biomarkers (including serum procollagen III, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9)) were assessed. Echocardiography results were measured at baseline and after the intervention. Significant decreases were seen in serum TGF-β concentrations (- 8.0 ± 2.1 vs. - 4.01 ± 1.8 pg/mL, p = 0.001) and TMAO levels (- 17.43 ± 10.20 vs. - 4.54 ± 8.7 mmol/L, p = 0.043), and there were no differences were seen in MMP-9 (- 4.1 ± 0.12 vs. - 4.01 + 0.15 nmol/mL, p = 0.443) and procollagen III levels (- 1.35 ± 0.70 vs. 0.01 + 0.3 mg/L, p = 0.392) subsequent to probiotics supplementation compared with the placebo group. Improvements in echocardiographic indices were also greater in the probiotics group as compared with that in the control group, but not at a significant level. Regression analysis revealed that baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and changes of procollagen III, predicted 62% of the final LVEF levels. Probiotics administration may have a beneficial effect on the cardiac remodeling process in patients with myocardial infarction. Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20121028011288N15.

Ex vivo and in vivo studies of Viola tricolor Linn. as potential cardio protective and hypotensive agent: Inhibition of voltage-gated Ca++ ion channels

Viola tricolor Linn. is used as cardio-protective and anti-hypertensive agent in traditional medicine. Current study objective was to evaluate cardio-protective and hypotensive effects of Viola tricolor L. in vitro and in vivo studies. Viola tricolor L. crude extract (Vt.Cr) and its fractions (Aqueous and organic) were tested at rabbit atria and aorta coupled to Power Lab Data Acquisition System for cardio depressant and vasorelaxant effects in vitro whereas in vivo Blood Pressure was checked by invasive method in normotensive ketamine-diazepam anesthetized rats. Isoproterenol was employed for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) development and cardioprotective effects of Vt.Cr were evaluated hemodynamically and histopathologically. Vt.Cr and its fractions decreased heart rate and contractile force in paired atria and relaxed Phenylephrine (1 µM) and K⁺ (80 mM) stimulated contractions in aorta possibly mediated through Voltage dependent L-type calcium channels blockage supported by in vivo hypotensive action. In LVH, Vt.Cr lowered Angiotensin Converting Enzymes and renin, increased cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate and nitric oxide levels, decreased cardiomyocytes size and fibrosis attributed to Gallic acid as detected by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Partial positive results were seen hemodynamically and histologically in AMI Viola tricolor L. showed vasorelaxant, cardio-relaxant, hypotensive, and cardio protective effect validating traditional practice in cardiovascular disorders.

Sarcopenia in chronic liver diseases: a translational overview

INTRODUCTION

Sarcopenia refers to a progressive and generalized muscle mass and strength loss. In liver diseases, it has been related to worse outcomes and high risk of decompensations.

AREAS COVERED

Sarcopenia is caused by a set of cellular processes in the muscle such as denervation, mitochondrial dysfunction, endotoxemia and inflammation; which are manifested through the alteration of several proteolytic pathways such as lysosomal, proteasomal and caspase systems. In autophagy, myostatin and oxidative stress; such as hyperammonemia, contributes importantly to liver sarcopenia through loss of muscle mass already demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, hormones and the regulation of the intestinal microbiota, influence in a not less important magnitude. In the clinical setting, early identification of sarcopenia has been established as a mandatory item to prevent progression of muscle mass loss; however, diagnostic methods have extreme variation according to methodology, population, etiology and severity of liver disease. Reversing sarcopenia should be an integral therapeutic strategy.

EXPERT OPINION

Clinical and nutritional interventions should be adapted to liver injury etiology and stage of disease, each of them shares a similar sarcopenia development pathway. There are specific biomarkers that condition or exacerbate loss of skeletal muscle.

Systems Pharmacology-Based Strategy to Investigate Pharmacological Mechanisms of Radix Puerariae for Treatment of Hypertension

Hypertension is a clinical cardiovascular syndrome characterized by elevated systemic arterial pressure with or without multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Radix Pueraria (RP) has the effects of anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-arrhythmia, vasodilatation, blood pressure reduction, anti-inflammation, and attenuating insulin resistance. Although RP can be effective for the treatment of hypertension, its active compounds, drug targets, and exact molecular mechanism are still unclear. In this study, systems pharmacology was used to analyze the active compounds, drug target genes, and key pathways of RP in the treatment of hypertension. Thirteen active compounds and related information on RP were obtained from the TCMSP database, and 140 overlapping genes related to hypertension and drugs were obtained from the GeneCards and OMIM databases. A PPI network and a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) comprehensive network (Drug-Compounds-Genes-Disease network) were constructed, and 2,246 GO terms and 157 pathways were obtained by GO enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Some important active compounds and targets were evaluated by in vitro experiments. This study shows that RP probably acts by influencing the proliferation module, apoptosis module, inflammation module, and others when treating hypertension. This study provides novel insights for researchers to systematically explore the mechanism of action of TCM.

CAY10683 and imatinib have synergistic effects in overcoming imatinib resistance via HDAC2 inhibition in chronic myeloid leukemia

Imatinib (IM) is utilized for targeting the BCR-ABL fusion protein and as such, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is considered to be a curable disorder for which patients can achieve a long survival. However, 15-20% CML cases end up with IM resistance that will develop into the accelerated stage and eventually the blast crisis, thereby restricting the treatment choices and giving rise to a dismal survival rate. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have been identified to modulate the oncogene as well as tumor suppressor gene activities, and they play crucial parts in tumorigenesis. It is found recently that IM combined with HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) can serve as a promising means of overcoming IM resistance in CML cases. Santacruzamate A (CAY10683) has been developed as one of the selective and powerful HDACi to resist HDAC2. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to examine whether CAY10683 combined with IM could serve as the candidate antitumor treatment for CML cases with IM resistance. The influences of CAY10683 combined with IM on the cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and viability of CML cells with IM resistance were investigated, and it was discovered that the combined treatment exerted synergistic effects on managing the IM resistance. Moreover, further studies indicated that CAY10683 combined with IM mainly exerted synergistic effects through inhibiting HDAC2 in K562-R and LAMA84-R cells with IM resistance. Besides, the PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathway was found to mediate the HDAC2 regulation of CML cells with IM resistance. Eventually, it was also discovered, based on the xenograft mouse model, that the combined treatment dramatically suppressed CML proliferation in vivo. To sum up, findings in the current study indicate that CAY10683 combined with IM can be potentially used as the candidate treatment for CML with IM resistance.

Role and Effective Therapeutic Target of Gut Microbiota in Heart Failure

Although the mechanism of the occurrence and development of heart failure has been continuously explored in the past ten years, the mortality and readmission rate of heart failure is still very high. Modern studies have shown that gut microbiota is associated with a variety of cardiovascular diseases, among which the study of gut microbiota and heart failure attracts particular attention. Therefore, understanding the role of gut microbiota in the occurrence and development of heart failure will help us further understand the pathogenesis of heart failure and provide new ideas for its treatment. This paper introduced intestinal flora and its metabolites, summarized the changes of intestinal flora in patients with heart failure, clarified that intestinal barrier damage and bacterial translocation induced inflammation and immune response aggravated heart failure, and altered intestinal microflora affected various metabolic pathways including trimethylamine/TMAO, SCFA, and Bile acid pathway leads to heart failure. At the same time, regulating intestinal microflora through diet, probiotics, antibiotics, fecal transplantation and microbial enzyme inhibitors has grown up to be a potential treatment for many metabolic disorders.

The efficacy and safety of probiotics intervention in attenuating cardiac remodeling following myocardial infraction: Literature review and study protocol for a randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Structural and functional changes that occur post myocardial infraction (MI) lead to the syndrome of heart failure (HF). However, their pathogenesis is poorly understood. Recently, alteration of the intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis) has emerged as a new candidate that may be correlated with risk of HF development. We hypothesized that selective gut modulation by probiotic administration may improve metabolic dysfunction and attenuate cardiac remodeling (CR) in MI subjects.

METHODS

/Design: This article is presented in two sections: First, we provided a review of recent findings related to gut microbiota and CR and their association with probiotic supplementation. Secondly, we will conduct a randomized double-blinded controlled clinical trial in 46 Iranian patients with MI after successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The participants (age: ≥ 30 years; ejection fraction (EF) greater than 30) will be selected by a simple random sampling method and will be assigned to 3 months of 1.6* 109 CFU probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus), or placebo groups (maltodextrin). The primary outcome is development of CR. The secondary outcomes measures include gut microbiota profile, biochemical variables and the safety of the probiotics supplementation. Also, echocardiography will be measured at baseline and following treatment. The data will be compared within and between groups using appropriate statistical methods.

DISCUSSION

The results of this trial will provide evidence about the efficacy and safety of gut microbiota manipulation by probiotics in post-MI cardiac remodeling prevention.

ETHICAL ISSUES

Present study protocol was approved by the regional committee of ethics in international branch of Tabriz University of Medical sciences (TBZMED) as a thesis proposal for PhD degree in Nutrition Sciences (IR.TBZMED.REC.1397.184).Trial registration The Clinical trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20121028011288N15).

Synergistic effect of nano-selenium and metformin on type 2 diabetic rat model: Diabetic complications alleviation through insulin sensitivity, oxidative mediators and inflammatory markers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

In the present article, we explore a novel strategy of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by investigating the effect of Se-NPs alone and in combination with standard anti-diabetic drug metformin (MET) in high-fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced T2DM.

METHODS

HFD was supplemented daily to experimental rats for 8 weeks, followed by a single low dose injection of 35 mg/kg of STZ to induce T2DM. The synergistic effect of the different therapeutic strategies on diabetic complications was evaluated after the Se-NPs and MET administration for 8 weeks. Molecular and biochemical analyses were conducted to figure out the effectiveness of our treatment on insulin sensitivity, oxidative mediators and inflammatory markers.

RESULTS

Our observations demonstrated that HFD/STZ-induced rats have a toxic effect on serum and hepatic tissues resulted in inducing remarkable oxidative damage and hyper-inflammation with a significant disturbance in the insulin signaling pathway. Experimental animals either treated with mono-therapeutic-two doses Se-NPs (0.1 and 0.4 mg/kg) and/or MET (100 mg/kg) alone as well as the combined therapy resulted in a remarkable protective anti-diabetic effect illustrated by significant decreases in fasting blood glucose and insulin levels after 8 weeks treatment. At the same time, the levels of active insulin signaling proteins pIRS1/pAKT/pGSK-3β/pAMPK were significantly improved. Moreover, Se-NPs exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect by the mitigation of cytokine expression and a balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant status was restored. Furthermore, the anti-diabetic drug MET administration also exhibited a significant improvement in diabetic complications after the treatment period.

CONCLUSION

This study provides mightily the mechanism of action of combined Se-NPs and MET as a promising therapeutic alternative that synergistically alleviates most of diabetic complications and insulin resistance.

Current understanding of gut microbiota alterations and related therapeutic intervention strategies in heart failure

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review is to stress the complicated interactions between the microbiota and the development of heart failure. Moreover, the feasibility of modulating intestinal microbes and metabolites as novel therapeutic strategies is discussed.

DATA SOURCES

This study was based on data obtained from PubMed up to March 31, 2019. Articles were selected using the following search terms: "gut microbiota," "heart failure," "trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)," "short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)," "bile acid," "uremic toxin," "treatment," "diet," "probiotic," "prebiotic," "antibiotic," and "fecal microbiota transplantation."

RESULTS

Accumulated evidence has revealed that the composition of the gut microbiota varies obviously in people with heart failure compared to those with healthy status. Altered gut microbial communities contribute to heart failure through bacterial translocation or affecting multiple metabolic pathways, including the trimethylamine/TMAO, SCFA, bile acid, and uremic toxin pathways. Meanwhile, modulation of the gut microbiota through diet, pre/probiotics, fecal transplantation, and microbial enzyme inhibitors has become a potential therapeutic approach for many metabolic disorders. Specifically, a few studies have focused on the cardioprotective effects of probiotics on heart failure.

CONCLUSIONS

The composition of the gut microbiota in people with heart failure is different from those with healthy status. A reduction in SCFA-producing bacteria in patients with heart failure might be a notable characteristic for patients with heart failure. Moreover, an increase in the microbial potential to produce TMAO and lipopolysaccharides is prominent. More researches focused on the mechanisms of microbial metabolites and the clinical application of multiple therapeutic interventions is necessarily required.

Tid1-S attenuates LPS-induced cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis through ER-a mediated modulation of p-PI3K/p-Akt signaling cascade

Myocardial dysfunction is clinically relevant? repercussion that follows sepsis. Tid 1 protein has been implicated in many biological process. However, the role of Tid 1 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and apoptosis remains elusive. In the current research endeavor, we have elucidated the role of Tid1-S on LPS-induced cardiac hypertrophy and apoptosis. Interestingly, we found that overexpression of Tid1-S suppressed TLR-4, NFATc3, and BNP protein expression which eventually led to inhibition of LPS-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Moreover, Tid1-S overexpression attenuated cellular apoptosis and activated survival proteins p-PI3K and p^ser473 Akt. Besides this, Tid1-S overexpression enhanced ER-a protein expression. Collectively, our data suggest that Tid1-S plausibly enhance ER-a protein and further activate p-PI3K and p ^ser473 Akt survival protein expression; which thereby led to attenuation of LPS-induced apoptosis in cardiomyoblast cells. Interestingly, our data suggest that Tid1-S is involved in attenuation of cardiomyoblast cells damages induced by LPS.

Probiotics as Beneficial Dietary Supplements to Prevent and Treat Cardiovascular Diseases: Uncovering Their Impact on Oxidative Stress

The gut microbiota, the ecosystem formed by a wide symbiotic community of nonpathogenic microorganisms that are present in the distal part of the human gut, plays a prominent role in the normal physiology of the organism. The gut microbiota's imbalance, gut dysbiosis, is directly related to the origin of various processes of acute or chronic dysfunction in the host. Therefore, the ability to intervene in the gut microbiota is now emerging as a possible tactic for therapeutic intervention in various diseases. From this perspective, evidence is growing that a functional dietary intervention with probiotics, which maintain or restore beneficial bacteria of the digestive tract, represents a promising therapeutic strategy for interventions in cardiovascular diseases and also reduces the risk of their occurrence. In the present work, we review the importance of maintaining the balance of the intestinal microbiota to prevent or combat such processes as arterial hypertension or endothelial dysfunction, which underlie many cardiovascular disorders. We also review how the consumption of probiotics can improve autonomic control of cardiovascular function and provide beneficial effects in patients with heart failure. Among the known effects of probiotics is their ability to decrease the generation of reactive oxygen species and, therefore, reduce oxidative stress. Therefore, in this review, we specifically focus on this antioxidant capacity and its relationship with the beneficial cardiovascular effects described for probiotics.

Protective effect of Fisetin against angiotensin II-induced apoptosis by activation of IGF-IR-PI3K-Akt signaling in H9c2 cells and spontaneous hypertension rats

BACKGROUND

Fisetin, a polyphenolic compound, has drawn notable attention owing to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and neuroprotective effects. However, the cardiac effects of fisetin are not clear yet.

HYPOTHESIS

The aim of the present study is to examine the cardioprotective effect of fisetin against Ang-II induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells and in spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR).

METHODS/STUDY DESIGN

The in vitro protective effect of fisetin was evaluated after the cells were treated with fisetin (50 µM/ml/ 24  h) for 2  h prior or after Ang-II administration to induce apoptosis. For in vivo experiments, SHRs were orally administered with fisetin (10  mg/kg) twice a week for 6 weeks. Cellular apoptosis was analyzed by TUNEL staining assay and the modulation in the expression levels of proteins involved in apoptosis and cell survival were determined by western blotting.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrate the potent cardioprotective efficacy of fisetin against Ang-II induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells and in SHR models. Fisetin administration reduced the apoptotic nuclei considerably And reduced the expression of apoptotic proteins such as TNF- α, Fas L, FADD, Cleaved caspase-3 and Cleaved PARP and increased the cell survival and anti-apoptotic proteins like Bcl-2, Bcl-x_L, p-IGF1R, p-PI3K and p-AKT in both in vitro and in vivo models.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the results of the present study reveal that fisetin activates the IGF-IR-dependent p-PI3K/p-Akt survival signaling pathway and suppresses the caspase dependent apoptosis.

Probiotics and yogurt modulate oxidative stress and fibrosis in livers of Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice

Background

Considerable morbidity, mortality, and economic loss result from schistosomiasis infection. Deposition of Schistosoma eggs in the hepatic portal vein is considered as the main causative agent for the development of liver fibrosis and subsequent liver cirrhosis. Probiotics are exogenous and beneficial microorganisms to living hosts against the harmful effect of many parasites. Strong evidence suggests the importance of probiotics in the control strategy of helminth. The ultimate goal of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of probiotics and yogurt on Schistosoma mansoni-induced oxidative stress and hepatic fibrosis in mice.

Methods

Mice were infected by tail immersion of schistosomal cercariae followed by an oral treatment with either probiotics or yogurt for one week before infection and immediately post-infection. Mice were scarified on day 56 following infection with S. mansoni and liver sample were obtained.

Results

We showed that oral administration of probiotics or yogurt revealed a significant reduction in worm number, egg load, and granuloma size in liver tissue, which is mainly assigned to the decreased expression level of matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP-9) in liver tissue. A significant reduction in the oxidative stress markers-induced by S. mansoni infection including lipid peroxidation and nitrite/nitrate was also detected. The level of some antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase) and reduced glutathione was greatly enhanced. Furthermore, treatment with probiotics or yogurt inhibited apoptosis in hepatic tissue, which is mainly assigned to the decreased expression level of caspases-3 in liver tissue.

Conclusion

Our findings represent the promising anti-schistosomal activities of probiotics and yogurt.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-018-2406-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Protective role of nano-selenium-enriched Bifidobacterium longum in delaying the onset of streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) could accumulate Selenium (Se) and nano-Se in the form of Se-B. longum and Nano-Se-B. longum, respectively. In this study, the effect of Nano-Se-B. longum in diabetic mice was evaluated. Physiological and metabolic parameters such as blood glucose, body weight, serum insulin level, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), food intake, water consumption and urine output were evaluated. The expression of insulin signalling pathway-related proteins was evaluated by western blotting. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) was used for histological examination of the liver, pancreas and kidney sections. Creatinine levels in serum (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. Nano-Se-B. longum was the best in terms of delaying the onset of diabetes. Nano-Se-B. longum decreased blood glucose and body weight compared with those noted for the model group. IPGTT, food intake, water consumption and urine output significantly increased and serum insulin levels significantly decreased in the model group compared with those in all the Nano-Se-B. longum-treated mice. Histological results showed that the Nano-Se-B. longum-treated mice were better than the model group mice in terms of pathological changes. The expression of insulin signalling pathway-related proteins was upregulated in the Nano-Se-B. longum-treated groups. A significant increase in SCr and BUN levels was noted in the model group. This study for the first time reported the dose-dependent preventive effect of Nano-Se-B. longum on the onset of diabetes and renal damage. The mechanism may be related to changes in insulin signalling.

Photoluminescent coral-like carbon-branched polymers as nanoprobe for fluorometric determination of captopril

The authors describe the synthesis of fluorescent coral-like carbon nano-branched polymers (PCNBPs) co-doped with nitrogen and phosphorus. Uric acid and phosphoric acid act as nitrogen and phosphorus sources, respectively. The PCNBPs have a coral-like branched structure, are cross-connected, and < 20 nm in skeleton diameter. Their blue fluorescence, best measured at excitation/emission wavelengths of 330/425 nm, is quenched by mercury (II) ions due to the specifically restricted rigid conformation caused by the interaction of phosphorus, nitrogen, and oxygen groups on the surface of the PCNBPs. Fluorescence is selectivity quenched by Hg(II) but restored in addition of the hypertension drug captopril (CAP) in the range 50 nM to 40 μM concentration range. Fluorescence recovery is attributed to the effectively specific interactions between the thiol group of CAP and Hg(II). The method was applied to the determination of the concentration of Cap in pharmaceutical samples, and recoveries were between 97.6 and 105.1%. Graphical abstract Fluorescent coral-like carbon nano-branched polymers (PCNBPs) co-doped with nitrogen and phosphorus are described. Their fluorescence is selectivity quenched by Hg(II) but restored in addition of the hypertension drug captopril (Cap) in the range 50 nM to 40 μM concentration range.

Anti-Apoptosis and Anti-Fibrosis Effects of Eriobotrya Japonica in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat Hearts

Myocardial apoptosis and fibrosis represent important contributing factors for development of hypertension-induced heart failure. The present study aims to investigate the potential effects of Eriobotrya japonica leaf extract (EJLE) against hypertension-induced cardiac apoptosis and fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Twelve-week-old male rats were randomly divided into four different groups; control Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, hypertensive SHR rats, SHR rats treated with a low dose (100 mg/kg body weight) of EJLE and SHR rats treated with a high dose (300 mg/kg body weight) of EJLE. Animals were acclimatized for 4 weeks and thereafter were gastric fed for 8 weeks with two doses of EJLE per week. The rats were then euthanized following cardiac functional analysis by echocardiography. The cardiac tissue sections were examined by Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-Mediated Deoxyuridine Triphosphate (dUTP) Nick End-Labeling (TUNEL) assay, histological staining and Western blotting to assess the cardio-protective effects of EJ in SHR animals. Echocardiographic measurements provided convincing evidence to support the ability of EJ to ameliorate crucial cardiac functional characteristics. Furthermore, our results reveal that supplementation of EJLE effectively attenuated cardiac apoptosis and fibrosis and also enhanced cell survival in hypertensive SHR hearts. Thus, the present study concludes that EJLE potentially provides cardio-protective effects against hypertension-induced cardiac apoptosis and fibrosis in SHR animals.

Gut microbiota in kidney disease and hypertension

The human gut microbiota is being composed of more than one hundred trillion microbial cells, including aerobic and anaerobic species as well as gram-positive and negative species. Animal based evidence suggests that the change of normal gut microbiota is responsible for several clinical implications including blood pressure increase and kidney function reduction. Trimethylamine-N-Oxide, short-chain fatty acids and inflammatory factors are originated from the gut microbes and may induce changes in arteries, kidneys and blood pressure. Prebiotics and probiotics change the gut microbiota and may reduce high blood pressure and ameliorate chronic kidney disease suggesting a new treatment target in patients for the initial stages of hypertension concomitant with other life style changes such as increased physical exercise and weight reduction to reduce cardiovascular disease complications.

New Off-On Sensor for Captopril Sensing Based on Photoluminescent MoO x Quantum Dots

Molybdenum oxide nanomaterials have recently attracted widespread attention for their unique optical properties and catalytic performance. However, until now, there is little literature on the application of photoluminescent molybdenum oxide nanomaterials in biological and pharmaceutical sensing. Herein, photoluminescent molybdenum oxide quantum dots (MoO _x QDs) were synthesized via a facile method, and then, the synthesized MoO _x QDs were further applied as a new type of photoluminescent probe to design a new off-on sensor for captopril (Cap) determination on the basis of the fact that the quenched photoluminescence of MoO _x QDs by Cu²⁺ was restored with Cap through specific interaction between the thiol group of Cap and Cu²⁺. Under optimal conditions, the restored photoluminescence intensity showed a good linear relationship with the content of Cap, ranging from 1.0 to 150.0 μM, with a limit of detection of 0.51 μM (3σ/k). Additionally, the content of Cap in pharmaceutical samples was successfully detected with the newly developed off-on sensor, and the recoveries were 99.4-101.7%, which suggest that the present off-on sensor has a high accuracy.

The Effect of Oral Consumption of Probiotics in Prevention of Heart Injury in a Rat Myocardial Infarction Model: a Histopathological, Hemodynamic and Biochemical Evaluation

Background:

Despite the emerging evidence on beneficial effects of probiotics on the cardiovascular system, their impact on the management of ischemic heart diseases and the possible mechanism(s) have not been elucidated.

Methods:

Four viable probiotics bacterial strains, including Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Lactobacillus acidophilus, at the concentrations of 2×10⁶ colony-forming units/ml, were orally administered to the rats daily for 14 days before the induction of infarct-like myocardial injury using isoproterenol. Subsequently, 24 h after myocardial injury, the right carotid artery and the left ventricle were catheterized for recording blood pressure and cardiac parameters. At the end of the experiment, the heart was removed for the evaluation of histopathological and biochemical parameters, as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) assay.

Results:

The induction of acute myocardial injury resulted in significant (P≤0.01) left ventricular (LV) dysfunction, as shown by an increase in LV end-diastolic pressure and a decrease in LV dp/dt max, LV dp/dt min, LV systolic pressure, and blood pressure, as compared with normal rats. Pretreatment with viable probiotics significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and TNF-α level and improved cardiac function (P<0.01).

Conclusion:

This study shows that viable probiotics have a cardioprotective effect on infarct-like myocardial injury through suppressing TNF-α and oxidative stress damage in a rat model. Probiotic supplements may be used as a new option for prophylaxis in patients at the risk of ischemic heart disease in future.

The Microbiome and Blood Pressure: Can Microbes Regulate Our Blood Pressure?

The surfaces of the human body are heavily populated by a highly diverse microbial ecosystem termed the microbiota. The largest and richest among these highly heterogeneous populations of microbes is the gut microbiota. The collection of microbes and their genes, called the microbiome, has been studied intensely through the past few years using novel metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and metabolomics approaches. This has enhanced our understanding of how the microbiome affects our metabolic, immunologic, neurologic, and endocrine homeostasis. Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease worldwide; it contributes to stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, premature death, and disability. Recently, studies in humans and animals have shown that alterations in microbiota and its metabolites are associated with hypertension and atherosclerosis. In this review, we compile the recent findings and hypotheses describing the interplay between the microbiome and blood pressure, and we highlight some prospects by which utilization of microbiome-related techniques may be incorporated to better understand the pathophysiology and treatment of hypertension.

Lactobacillus casei strain C1 attenuates vascular changes in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Hypertension can be caused by various factors while the predominant causes include increase in body fluid volume and resistance in the circulatory system that elevate the blood pressure. Consumption of probiotics has been proven to attenuate hypertension; however, the effect is much strain-dependent. In this study, a newly isolated Lactobacillus casei (Lb. casei) strain C1 was investigated for its antihypertensive properties in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) suspension of 11 log colony-forming unit (CFU) was given to SHR (SHR+LAB, n=8), and phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was given as a control in SHR (SHR, n=8) and in Wistar rats as sham (WIS, n=8). The treatment was given via oral gavage for 8 weeks. The results showed that the weekly systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and aortic reactivity function were remarkably improved after 8 weeks of bacterial administration in SHR+LAB. These effects were mostly attributed by restoration of wall tension and tensile stress following the bacterial treatment. Although not statistically significant, the level of malondialdehye (MDA) in SHR+LAB serum was found declining. Increased levels of glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO) in SHR+LAB serum suggested that the bacterium exerted vascular protection through antioxidative functions and relatively high NO level that induced vasodilation. Collectively, Lb. casei strain C1 is a promising alternative for hypertension improvement.

Anti-Apoptotic and Pro-Survival Effect of Alpinate Oxyphyllae Fructus (AOF) in a d-Galactose-Induced Aging Heart

Aging, a natural biological/physiological phenomenon, is accelerated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and identified by a progressive decrease in physiological function. Several studies have shown a positive relationship between aging and chronic heart failure (HF). Cardiac apoptosis was found in age-related diseases. We used a traditional Chinese medicine, Alpinate Oxyphyllae Fructus (AOF), to evaluate its effect on cardiac anti-apoptosis and pro-survival. Male eight-week-old Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were segregated into five groups: normal control group (NC), d-Galactose-Induced aging group (Aging), and AOF of 50 (AL (AOF low)), 100 (AM (AOF medium)), 150 (AH (AOF high)) mg/kg/day. After eight weeks, hearts were measured by an Hematoxylin–Eosin (H&E) stain, Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-assays and Western blotting. The experimental results show that the cardiomyocyte apoptotic pathway protein expression increased in the d-Galactose-Induced aging groups, with dose-dependent inhibition in the AOF treatment group (AL, AM, and AH). Moreover, the expression of the pro-survival p-Akt (protein kinase B (Akt)), Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2), anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-xL) protein decreased significantly in the d-Galactose-induced aging group, with increased performance in the AOF treatment group with levels of p-IGFIR and p-PI3K (Phosphatidylinositol-3′ kinase (PI3K)) to increase by dosage and compensatory performance. On the other hand, the protein of the Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) pathway expression decreased in the aging groups and showed improvement in the AOF treatment group. Our results suggest that AOF strongly works against ROS-induced aging heart problems.

Induction of apoptosis by hypertension via endoplasmic reticulum stress

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is one of the intrinsic apoptosis pathways, and cardiac apoptosis can occur in cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension. However, the mechanisms by which ER stress leads to apoptosis remain enigmatic, particularly in the progression from cardiac hypertrophy to diastolic heart failure due to hypertension.

METHODS

We used spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) to investigate possible signalling pathways for ER stress.

RESULTS

We found that cardiac protein and mRNA levels of glucoseregulated protein 78 were up-regulated. In addition, the CHOP- and caspase-12-dependent pathways, but not that of JNK, were activated in the SHR rats.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ER stress can contribute to myocardial apoptosis during hypertensive disease.

Multi-Strain Probiotics Inhibit Cardiac Myopathies and Autophagy to Prevent Heart Injury in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats

High-fat diets induce obesity, leading to cardiomyocyte fibrosis and autophagy imbalance. In addition, no previous studies have indicated that probiotics have potential health effects associated with cardiac fibrosis and autophagy in obese rats. This study investigates the effects of probiotics on high-fat (HF) diet-induced obesity and cardiac fibrosis and autophagy in rat hearts. Eight-week-old male Wistar rats were separated randomly into five equally sized experimental groups: Normal diet (control) and high-fat (HF) diet groups and groups fed a high-fat diet supplemented with low (HL), medium (HM) or high (HH) doses of multi-strain probiotic powders. These experiments were designed for an 8-week trial period. The myocardial architecture of the left ventricle was evaluated using Masson's trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry staining. Key probiotics-related pathway molecules were analyzed using western blotting. Abnormal myocardial architecture and enlarged interstitial spaces were observed in HF hearts. These interstitial spaces were significantly decreased in groups provided with multi-strain probiotics compared with HF hearts. Western blot analysis demonstrated that key components of the TGF/MMP2/MMP9 fibrosis pathways and ERK5/uPA/ANP cardiac hypertrophy pathways were significantly suppressed in probiotic groups compared to the HF group. Autophagy balance is very important in cardiomyocytes. In this study, we observed that the beclin-1/LC3B/Atg7 autophagy pathway in HF was increased after probiotic supplementation was significantly decreased. Together, these results suggest that oral administration of probiotics may attenuate cardiomyocyte fibrosis and cardiac hypertrophy and the autophagy-signaling pathway in obese rats.

Bifidobacterium species lower serum glucose, increase expressions of insulin signaling proteins, and improve adipokine profile in diabetic mice

This study, using C57BL/6J mice with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes, aimed to determine whether Bifidobacterium species (spp.) both induces the expressions of proteins in the insulin signaling pathway and enhances the expressions of certain adipocytokines. The protein expressions of IκB kinase alpha (IKKα), IκB kinase beta (IKKβ), nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor alpha (IκBα), and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway were also investigated. Oral administration of Bifidobacterium spp. reduced blood glucose levels significantly and increased the protein expressions of insulin receptor beta, insulin receptor substrate 1, protein kinase B (Akt/PKB), IKKα, and IκBα. Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) showed increased expression. Bifidobacterium spp. also induced the adiponectin expression and decreased both macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression. In addition, IKKβ, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase expressions showed no significant changes in both groups. In conclusion, Bifidobacterium spp. may be the promising bacteria for treating diabetes.

Heat Killed Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 Reduces Fibrosis Effects on the Liver and Heart in High Fat Diet-Hamsters via TGF-β Suppression

Obesity is one of the major risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and NAFLD is highly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Scholars have suggested that certain probiotics may significantly impact cardiovascular health, particularly certain Lactobacillus species, such as Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 (Lr263) probiotics, which have been shown to reduce obesity and arteriosclerosis in vivo. In the present study, we examined the potential of heat-killed bacteria to attenuate high fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic and cardiac damages and the possible underlying mechanism of the positive effects of heat-killed Lr263 oral supplements. Heat-killed Lr263 treatments (625 and 3125 mg/kg-hamster/day) were provided as a daily supplement by oral gavage to HFD-fed hamsters for eight weeks. The results show that heat-killed Lr263 treatments reduce fatty liver syndrome. Moreover, heat-killed Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 supplementation in HFD hamsters also reduced fibrosis in the liver and heart by reducing transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) expression levels. In conclusion, heat-killed Lr263 can reduce lipid metabolic stress in HFD hamsters and decrease the risk of fatty liver and cardiovascular disease.

The Heart Protection Effect of Alcalase Potato Protein Hydrolysate Is through IGF1R-PI3K-Akt Compensatory Reactivation in Aging Rats on High Fat Diets

The prevalence of obesity is high in older adults. Alcalase potato protein hydrolysate (APPH), a nutraceutical food, might have greater benefits and be more economical than hypolipidemic drugs. In this study, serum lipid profiles and heart protective effects were evaluated in high fat diet (HFD) induced hyperlipidemia in aging rats treated with APPH (15, 45 and 75 mg/kg/day) and probucol (500 mg/kg/day). APPH treatments reduced serum triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels to the normal levels expressed in the control group. Additionally, the IGF1R-PI3K-Akt survival pathway was reactivated, and Fas-FADD (Fas-associated death domain) induced apoptosis was inhibited by APPH treatments (15 and 45 mg/kg/day) in HFD aging rat hearts. APPH (75 mg/kg/day) rather than probucol (500 mg/kg/day) treatment could reduce serum lipids without affecting HDL expression. The heart protective effect of APPH in aging rats with hyperlipidemia was through lowering serum lipids and enhancing the activation of the compensatory IGF1R-PI3K-Akt survival pathway.

Effects of lactic acid bacteria on cardiac apoptosis are mediated by activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/AKT survival-signalling pathway in rats fed a high-fat diet

Through a high-fat diet, obesity leads to cardiomyocyte dysfunction and apoptosis. In addition, there is no evidence that probiotics have potential health effects associated with cardiac apoptosis in obese rats. The present study aimed to explore the effects of probiotics on obesity and cardiac apoptosis in rats fed a high-fat diet (HF). Eight‑week‑old male Wistar rats were separated randomly into five equally sized experimental groups: Normal diet (NC) and high-fat diet (HFC) groups, and high-fat diet supplemented with low (HFL), medium (HFM) or high (HFH) doses of multi‑strain probiotics groups. The rats were subsequently studied for 8 weeks. Food intake and body weights were recorded following sacrifice, and food utilization rates, body fat and serum cholesterol levels were analysed. The myocardial architecture of the left ventricle was evaluated by hematoxylin‑eosin staining, and key apoptotic‑related pathway molecules were analysed by western blotting. Rat weights and triglyceride levels were decreased with oral administration of high doses of probiotics (HFH) compared to the HFC group. Abnormal myocardial architecture and enlarged interstitial spaces were observed in HFC hearts, but were significantly decreased in groups that were provided multi‑strain probiotics compared with NC hearts. Western blot analysis demonstrated that key components of the Fas receptor‑ and mitochondrial‑dependent apoptotic pathways were significantly suppressed in multi‑strain probiotic treated groups compared to the HF group. Additionally, cardiac insulin, such as the insulin‑like growth factor I receptor (IGFIR)‑dependent survival signalling components, were highly induced in left ventricles from rats administered probiotics. Together, these findings strongly suggest that oral administration of probiotics may attenuate cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activation of the phosphatidylinositol‑3 kinase/AKT survival‑signalling pathway in obese rats.