Beneficial role of the phytoestrogen genistein on vascular calcification

Review on critical factor in monocyte adhesion: Nutrients

Endogenous and exogenous factors play a role in endothelial dysfunction. Inflammation, leukocyte adhesion-aggregation, abnormal vascular proliferation, atherosclerosis, and hypertension are among the endogenous factors. Another factor that affects endothelial dysfunction is exogenous factors such as drug treatments, smoking, alcohol, and nutrition. According various studies on nutrition and endothelial function, it is supported that fatty acids, proteins, and phenolic compounds modulate this function. In vitro studies show that nutrients change the adhesion of monocytes to the endothelium. The pathways that play a role in the adhesion process of monocytes are also affected by nutrients. Particularly among these pathways, mTORC1, S6 plaques, monocyte chemotaxis protein, monocyte integrins, monocyte cytokines are transferred to the lesional area selectin protein. In this article, the effects of various nutrients on monocyte adhesion are examined. It explains the changes and possible mechanisms of nutrients such as fatty acids, protein, phenolic compounds, and other dietary components on monocyte adhesion, and examines the relationship between nutrients and monocyte adhesion in our country and allows us to look at our profession from a different perspective. Although not all nutritional elements are included, it is thought that our profession will play a role in taking the first step towards cell studies.

Pharmacological Effects of Genistein on Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders that involve the heart or blood vessels and are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Natural products have several pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunoregulatory properties. This review summarizes the possible therapeutic effects of Genistein on CVD. The information from the current review study was obtained by searching for the keywords such as "Genistein", "Cardiac dysfunction", "hypertrophy", and "Ischemia" "lipid profile" in different online database such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, until February 2022. The results of the studies showed that genistein intake has a promising effect on improving cardiac dysfunction, ischemia, and reperfusion of the heart, decreasing cardiac toxicity, modulating lipid profile, and lowering blood pressure. The preventive effects of genistein on experimental models of studies were shown through mechanisms such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. Pharmacological effects of genistein on cardiac dysfunction, cardiac toxicity, lipid profile, and hypertension indicate the possible remedy effect of this agent in the treatment of CVD.

Genistein Inhibits Proliferation and Metastasis in Human Cervical Cancer Cells through the Focal Adhesion Kinase Signaling Pathway: A Network Pharmacology-Based In Vitro Study in HeLa Cells

Previous studies have provided evidence that genistein exerts a therapeutic effect on different tumor cells. However, the mechanism of action of genistein against cervical cancer cells remains largely unknown. The aim of this study was to comprehensively decipher the anti-metastatic effect and molecular mechanism of genistein action on cervical cancer cells. We developed an integrated strategy from genotype to phenotype, combining network pharmacology and a transcriptome screening approach, to elucidate the underlying mechanism of action of genistein against human cervical cancer cells. In silico studies predicted that the focal adhesion pathway may be an important signaling cascade targeted by genistein treatment. Using RNA sequencing analysis, representative genes of the focal adhesion pathway were demonstrated to be significantly downregulated. Phenotypic studies revealed that genistein demonstrated strong anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic activity in HeLa cells. Moreover, genistein modulated this activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Genistein also inhibited both the activation and gene expression of FAK (Focal Adhesion Kinase) and paxillin. In addition, vimentin and β-catenin protein expression, and Snail and Twist gene expression, were strongly inhibited by genistein. Our findings provide strong evidence for a pleiotropic effect of genistein on cervical cancer cells, mediated through the focal adhesion pathway.

The roles of immune cells in atherosclerotic calcification

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of acute cardiovascular events, and vascular calcification is an important pathological phenomenon in atherosclerosis. Recently, many studies have shown that immune cells are closely associated with the development of atherosclerosis and calcification, but there are many conflicting viewpoints because of immune system complications, such as the pro-atherosclerotic and atheroprotective effects of regulatory B cells (Bregs), T helper type 2 (Th2) cells and T helper type 17 (Th17) cells. In this review, we summarize the studies on the roles of immune cells, especially lymphocytes and macrophages, in atherosclerotic calcification. Furthermore, we prepared graphs showing the relationship between T cells, B cells and macrophages and atherosclerotic calcification. Finally, we highlight some potential issues that are closely associated with the function of immune cells in atherosclerotic calcification. Based on current research results, this review summarizes the relationship between immune cells and atherosclerotic calcification, and it will be beneficial to understand the relationship of immune cells and atherosclerotic calcification.

The effects of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. on lipid and glycaemic profiles and cardiovascular function in menopausal women: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

AIMS

The reduced production of ovarian hormones is considered to be the cause of an increase in the incidence of heart disease in women after menopause. Phytoestrogens are found in various herbal sources and are considered as an alternative to hormone therapy because of structural similarity with oestrogen. Elaeagnus angustifolia L., known as Senjed in Persian, is used in Iranian traditional medicine with various medicinal properties, contains valuable compounds, including two types of phytoestrogens. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of E. angustifolia fruit on the cardiovascular function, lipid and glycaemic profiles in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

In this double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 58 postmenopausal women were randomly assigned into two experimental groups of medicinal herb (15 g/day of the whole E. angustifolia fruit powder) and placebo (15 g/day of isomalt + corn starch). Before the trial and after 10 weeks of the treatment, cardiovascular function (heart rate, blood pressure), serum glycaemic profile (fasting blood glucose; glycated haemoglobin, HbA1C), insulin and lipid profile (total cholesterol, TC; triglyceride, TG; LDL-C and HDL-C) were measured.

RESULTS

Heart rate, and serum level of LDL-C and HDL-C significantly decreased after treatment with E. angustifolia. Changes in glycaemic profile were not clinically significant. In addition, some studied biochemical parameters significantly changed in the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

E. angustifolia was somewhat effective in improving cardiovascular function and lipid profile, as well as the overall health of postmenopausal women. However, the use of isomalt and corn starch in menopausal women needs further investigation.

Beneficial effect of soy isoflavones and soy isoflavones plus soy protein on serum concentration of C-reactive protein among postmenopausal women: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Scientists suggest that soy isoflavones or the combination of soy isoflavones and soy protein may have beneficial effects on inflammation. Thus, the present study aims at conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which the effect of soy isoflavones and the combination of soy isoflavones and soy protein on serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) among postmenopausal women is assessed.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A literature searching was done to identify a breadth of related references in PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Clinicaltrials.gov up to December 2020. The mean change from baseline in the CRP concentrations and its standard deviation (SD) for both intervention and comparison groups were used to calculate the effect size. The summary of the overall effects and heterogeneity was estimated by using the DerSimonian and Laird random effects model. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42020166053).

RESULTS

This study considered 23 articles for systematic review and 19 articles for meta-analysis. The overall effect presented a non-significant effect of soy isoflavones on serum CRP concentrations (WMD = 0.08 mg/L, 95 % CI: -0.08, 0.24; p = 0.302) and the overall effect of the combination of soy isoflavones and soy protein indicated non-significant effect in serum levels of CRP (WMD= -0.02 mg/L 95 % CI: -0.12, 0.08; p = 0.715).

CONCLUSION

Published RCTs did not provide strong evidence regarding beneficial effect of soy isoflavones or the combination of soy isoflavones and soy protein on serum CRP concentration among postmenopausal women.

Quercetin exerts bidirectional regulation effects on the efficacy of tamoxifen in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer therapy: An in vitro study

Tamoxifen was widely applied in the therapy of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. With the purpose of determining the potential impacts of quercetin on its effectiveness, MCF-7 cells were selected as the in vitro model and several cellular biological behaviors (ie, cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cycle, apoptosis, and oxidative stress) were investigated. As results, quercetin showed contrasting dose-response to cellular behaviors dependent on the ROS-regulated p53 signaling pathways. In detail, quercetin promoted cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis at low concentrations, whereas high-concentration resulted in apoptosis induction. Moreover, quercetin at a low concentration significantly inhibited tamoxifen-induced antiproliferation in MCF-7 cells, whereas high concentrations enhanced cell apoptosis in a synergetic manner. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis further implied that quercetin exerted its dual roles in tamoxifen-induced antiproliferative effects by regulated the gene expression involved in cell metastasis, cycle, and apoptosis through the ER pathways. Our present study provides a considerable support to the combination of quercetin and tamoxifen on human ER-positive breast carcinoma management.