Nutraceutical COMP-4 confers protection against endothelial dysfunction through the eNOS/iNOS-NO-cGMP pathway

The nutraceutical COMP-4 -consisting of L-citrulline, ginger extract, and herbal components Paullinia cupana and muira puama-has been shown previously to stimulate the production of nitric oxide (NO) in a variety of tissue types. We hypothesized that COMP-4 may have a protective, stimulatory effect on the vascular endothelial cell. Human umbilical arterial endothelial cells were incubated for 24 hours with or without COMP-4 and, to replicate impairment of endothelial function, co-incubated with or without H2O2. NO intracellular content, nitrite formation and cGMP content in culture media, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms and mRNA content, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and PAI-1 expression and activity were measured. COMP-4 increased endothelial cell production of NO and cGMP and the expression of both endothelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS), in tandem with a reduction in cytokine expression and activity of PAI-1. Co-incubation of COMP-4 with H2O2 reversed detrimental effects of H2O2 on endothelial function, evidenced by improvement in NO availability and abrogation of the pro-inflammatory milieu. These results suggest that COMP-4 exerts a stimulatory effect on endothelial cell eNOS and iNOS to increase NO bioavailability, leading to a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines, particularly the prothrombotic PAI-1.

Selective nitric oxide redistribution by phospholipid nanoparticles: A novel strategy to mitigate massive nitric oxide release and prevent reperfusion injury in septic shock

Nitric oxide plays a critical role in regulating vascular tone, but excessive nitric oxide release during septic shock results in hypotension due to excessive vasodilation and the formation of toxic free radicals. VBI-S is a phospholipid nanoparticle based fluid composed of lipid bilayers formed primarily by phosphatidylcholine and micelles of soybean oil encapsulated by a monolayer of phosphatidylcholine. These nanoparticles offer a novel solution by absorbing and redistributing nitric oxide and nitrite, potentially mitigating the harmful effects of excessive nitric oxide in sepsis. This paper proposes a mechanism in which VBI-S not only redistributes nitric oxide but also reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury by limiting the production and availability of reactive species. VBI-S captures nitric oxide and nitrite in areas of high concentration and redistributes them in low-nitric oxide environments, primarily within oxygen-deprived tissues. Nitrite then contributes to nitric oxide regeneration in hypoxic microvasculature via various reduction pathways, thereby improving tissue perfusion and minimizing oxidative stress. Preliminary studies suggest that nitrite may also decrease reactive species production, primarily superoxide, through the inhibition of mitochondrial complex I. Additionally, the lipid composition of VBI-S is rich in poly and monounsaturated fatty acids which allows VBI-S to act as a substrate for peroxidation via peroxynitrite. Therefore, VBI-S acts as a decoy target thereby protecting cellular membranes from oxidative damage caused by reactive species. These findings position VBI-S as a promising therapeutic agent, offering both nitric oxide regulation and protection against hypotension and toxic free radicals in septic shock patients. Further research is necessary to fully elucidate the molecular pathways and optimize its clinical application.

In Situ Uterine Artery Prostaglandin E2 and Nitric Oxide in Open-Cervix Pyometra and Medically Treated Bitches

Uterine vascular alterations take place in pyometra bitches speculatively influenced by prostaglandin and nitric oxide pathways. However, no causative effect of nitric oxide on endometrial vascularization was proved elsewhere for medically treated pyometra bitches. This study aimed to identify the main in situ uterine artery vasodilation pathway in pyometra bitches medically treated with antigestagen solely or coupled with prostaglandin. Pyometra bitches were enrolled into groups: Ovariohysterectomy at diagnosis (Control-OHE; n = 7), Antigestagen (10 mg/kg aglepristone on Days 1, 2, and 8 after diagnosis; n = 5), and Antigestagen + luteolytic (aglepristone plus 1 μg/kg of cloprostenol from Days 1-7; n = 5). Treated bitches were ovariohysterectomized after 8 days of treatment. Uterine artery fragments from all bitches were collected for tissue nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 assays. Control-OHE group had lower uterine artery concentration of nitric oxide compared to treated bitches (Antigestagen and Antigestagen + luteolytic groups). No significant difference was verified between the medical treated groups. Uterine artery concentration of prostaglandin E2 was not different between control and treated bitches, as well as between both treated groups. In conclusion, nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 are not directly involved in vascular modulation of the uterine artery, albeit pyometra medical treatment influences nitric oxide concentration in the uterine artery.

Toloese Generates Nitric Oxide through Natural Radiation of Far Infrared Rays, Reducing Serum Glucose, Cholesterol, and Triglycerides

Toloese, a bed composition, is formulated with a combination of minerals of various wavelengths by utilizing a specific ratio and particle size. A maturation mixing technique is used without additional compression processes, resulting in the natural formation of numerous fine pores in the bed structure. At 40 °C, far infrared radiation in the range of 5-20 μm is emitted with a 0.916 radiant ratio, and the measured emitted radiant energy is 3.69 × 102 W/m2·μm. This study aimed to investigate the influence of far infrared radiation emitted from a Toloese bed on endogenous nitric oxide production. Clinical trials were conducted with 20 healthy adults aged 20 years. Blood samples were collected before and after Toloese bed usage for 1 h daily for 3 weeks. Nitric oxide levels in the saliva and blood of men and women significant increased after they used the Toloese bed for 1 h. Additionally, sweating sharply increased in the upper and lower body regions after Toloese bed usage. No hematological changes or adverse effects were observed, but blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides decreased after Toloese bed usage compared with those before Toloese bed usage. These findings demonstrated that far infrared radiation emitted by the Toloese bed induced endogenous nitric oxide production and contributed to significant reductions in blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

Coronary microvascular dysfunction

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is a key mechanism underlying ischemic heart disease (IHD), yet its diagnosis and treatment remain challenging. This article presents a comprehensive overview of CMD research, covering its pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, assessment techniques, risk factors, and therapeutic strategies. Additionally, it highlights the prospects for future CMD research. The article aims at advocating early and effective intervention for CMD and improving the prognosis of IHD.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Association between Uric Acid and Allantoin and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Alterations in the circulating concentrations of uric acid and its degradation product, allantoin, might account for the systemic pro-oxidant state and the increased cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We sought to address this issue by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between the plasma/serum concentrations of uric acid and allantoin and RA. We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to 20 June 2023 for studies comparing plasma/serum concentrations of uric acid and allantoin between RA patients and healthy controls. We assessed the risk of bias with the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for analytical studies and the certainty of evidence with the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group system. In the 19 studies selected for analysis, there were non-significant differences in uric acid concentrations between RA patients and controls (standard mean difference, SMD = 0.11, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.30, p = 0.22; I2 = 87.9%, p < 0.001; low certainty of evidence). By contrast, the concentrations of allantoin were significantly higher in RA patients (SMD = 1.10, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.55, p < 0.001; I2 = 55.6%, p = 0.08; extremely low certainty of evidence). In meta-regression, a significant association was observed between the SMD of uric acid concentrations and body mass index, a risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (t = 3.35, p = 0.007). Our study has shown a significant increase in the concentrations of the oxidative stress biomarker allantoin in patients with RA. Further research is warranted to investigate the interplay between uric acid, allantoin, redox balance, and cardiovascular disease in this group. (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023441127).

Ameliorating diabetes-associated atherosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy through modulation of soluble guanylate cyclase

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an independent risk factor for micro- and macrovascular complications such as nephropathy and atherosclerosis respectively, which are the major causes of premature morbidity and mortality in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients. Endothelial dysfunction is the critical first step of vascular disease and is characterized by reduced bioavailability of the essential endothelial vasodilator, nitric oxide (NO), coupled with an elevation in inflammation and oxidative stress. A novel pathway to bolster NO activity is to upregulate soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), an enzyme responsible for mediating the protective actions of NO. Two classes of sGC modulators exist, activators and stimulators, with differing sensitivity to oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of the sGC stimulator BAY 41-2272 (Bay 41) and the sGC activator BAY 60-2770 (Bay 60) on endpoints of atherosclerosis and renal disease as well as inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetic Apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice. We hypothesized that under oxidative conditions known to accompany diabetes, sGC activation might be more efficacious than sGC stimulation in limiting diabetic vascular complications. We demonstrate that Bay 60 not only significantly decreased nitrotyrosine staining (P < 0.01) and F4/80 positive cells by 75% (P < 0.05), but it also significantly reduced total plaque area (P < 0.05) and improved endothelial function (P < 0.01). Our data suggest an important anti-atherogenic role for Bay 60 accompanied by reduced oxidative stress and inflammation under diabetic settings. Treatment with the stimulator Bay 41, on the other hand, had minimal effects or caused no changes with respect to cardiovascular or renal pathology. In the kidneys, treatment with Bay 60 significantly lessened urinary albuminuria, mesangial expansion and nitrotyrosine staining under diabetic conditions. In summary, our head-to-head comparator is the first preclinical study to show that a sGC activator is more efficacious than a sGC stimulator for the treatment of diabetes-associated vascular and renal complications.

We like to move it, move it: A perspective on performing passive leg movement as a non-invasive assessment of vascular function in pediatric populations

The passive leg movement (PLM) technique is a non-invasive assessment of lower-limb vascular function. PLM is methodologically simple to perform and utilizes Doppler ultrasound to determine leg blood flow (LBF) through the common femoral artery at rest and in response to passive movement of the lower leg. LBF responses to PLM have been reported to be mostly nitric oxide (NO)-mediated when performed in young adults. Moreover, PLM-induced LBF responses, as well as the NO contribution to PLM-induced LBF responses, are reduced with age and in various diseased populations, demonstrating the clinical utility of this non-invasive test. However, no PLM studies to date have included children or adolescents. Since its conception in 2015, our laboratory has performed PLM on hundreds of individuals including a large cohort of children and adolescents. Thus, the purpose of this perspective article is threefold: 1) to uniquely discuss the feasibility of performing PLM in children and adolescents, 2) to report PLM-induced LBF values from our laboratory in 7-17-year-olds, and 3) to discuss considerations for making comparisons among pediatric populations. Based on our experiences performing PLM in children and adolescents (among various other age groups), it is our perspective that PLM can feasibly be performed in this population. Further, data from our laboratory may be used to provide context for typical PLM-induced LBF values that could be observed in children and adolescents, as well as across the lifespan.

Impact of Vitamin D Status Correction on Serum Lipid Profile, Carboxypeptidase N and Nitric Oxide Levels in Saudi Adults

This study aimed to determine the impact on the lipid profile, carboxypeptidase N (CPN) and nitric oxide (NOx) associated with vitamin D (VD) status correction among Saudi adults with VD deficiency. A total 111 VD deficient (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L)) adult Saudis aged 18-50 years old (57 females and 54 males) were enrolled in this 6-month interventional study. They were given 50,000 IU VD weekly for the first 2 months and then twice a month for the next 2 months, followed by 1000 IU daily for the last 2 months. The fasting lipid profile and the blood glucose, VD, NOx and CPN concentrations were measured at baseline and after intervention. Post-supplementation, the median VD was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in females [58.3 (50.6-71.2)] and males [57.8 (51.0-71.8)]. HDL cholesterol significantly increased (p = 0.05) and NOx significantly decreased (p = 0.02) in males post-supplementation. Triglycerides were positively associated with NOx in all subjects before (r = 0.44, p = 0.01) and after (r = 0.37, p = 0.01) VD status correction. There was a significant increase in serum levels of CPN2 (p = 0.02) in all subjects. Furthermore, CPN was inversely correlated with NOx (r = -0.35, p = 0.05) in males post-supplementation. In conclusion, VD status correction reduced serum NOx, particularly in males. The inhibition of NOx synthesis may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of VD supplementation. An inverse association was found between NOx and CPN2.

Potential preventive markers in the intracerebral hemorrhage process are revealed by serum untargeted metabolomics in mice using hypertensive cerebral microbleeds

Hypertensive cerebral microbleeds (HCMB) may be the early stage of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH), which is a serious threat to health due to its high mortality and disability rates. The early clinical symptoms of HCMB may not be significant. Moreover, it is difficult to achieve early diagnosis and intervention for targeted prevention of HICH. Although hypertension (HTN) is a predisposition for HCMB, it remains unclear whether there is any difference between hypertensive patients with or without HCMB. Therefore, we carried out liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to analyze early biomarkers for HCMB in mice with hypertension and to lay the foundation for early prevention of HICH in hypertensive patients. In total, 18 C57 male mice were randomly divided into the HCMB (n = 6), HTN (n = 6), and control groups (CON, n = 6). Hematoxylin-eosin and diaminobenzidine staining were used to assess the reliability of the model. The metabolite expression level and sample category stability were tested using the displacement test of orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Significant differences in metabolites were screened out using variable importance in the projection (VIP > 1), which were determined using the OPLS-DA model and the P-value of the t-test (P < 0.05) combined with the nonparametric rank-sum test. With an area under the curve (AUC) > 0.85 and a P-value of 0.05, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to further screen the distinct metabolites of HCMB. Compared with the HTN and CON groups, the HCMB group had significantly higher blood pressure and lower average body weight (P < 0.05). Through untargeted LC-MS analysis, 93 distinct metabolites were identified in the HCMB (P < 0.05, VIP > 1) group. Among these potential biomarkers, six significantly decreased and eight significantly increased differential metabolites were found. Meanwhile, we found that the HCMB group had statistically distinct arginine and purine metabolism pathways (P < 0.05), and citrulline may be the most significant possible biomarker of HCMB (AUC > 0.85, P < 0.05). All of these potential biomarkers may serve as early biomarkers for HICH in hypertension.

Blood Vessel Organoids for Development and Disease

Despite enormous advances, cardiovascular disorders are still a major threat to global health and are responsible for one-third of deaths worldwide. Research for new therapeutics and the investigation of their effects on vascular parameters is often limited by species-specific pathways and a lack of high-throughput methods. The complex 3-dimensional environment of blood vessels, intricate cellular crosstalks, and organ-specific architectures further complicate the quest for a faithful human in vitro model. The development of novel organoid models of various tissues such as brain, gut, and kidney signified a leap for the field of personalized medicine and disease research. By utilizing either embryonic- or patient-derived stem cells, different developmental and pathological mechanisms can be modeled and investigated in a controlled in vitro environment. We have recently developed self-organizing human capillary blood vessel organoids that recapitulate key processes of vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and diabetic vasculopathy. Since then, this organoid system has been utilized as a model for other disease processes, refined, and adapted for organ specificity. In this review, we will discuss novel and alternative approaches to blood vessel engineering and explore the cellular identity of engineered blood vessels in comparison to in vivo vasculature. Future perspectives and the therapeutic potential of blood vessel organoids will be discussed.

The Role of miRNA in the Regulation of Angiogenesis in Ischemic Heart Disease

Despite continued improvements in primary prevention and treatment, ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the most common cause of mortality in both developing and developed countries. Promoting angiogenesis and reconstructing vascular network in ischemic myocardium are critical process of postischemic tissue repair. Effective strategies to promote survival and avoid apoptosis of endothelial cells in the ischemic myocardium can help to achieve long-term cardiac angiogenesis. Therefore, it is of great importance to investigate the molecular pathophysiology of angiogenesis in-depth and to find the key targets that promote angiogenesis. Recently years, many studies have found that microRNAs play important regulatory roles in almost all process of angiogenesis, including vascular sprouting, proliferation, survival and migration of vascular endothelial cells, recruitment of vascular progenitor cells, and control of angiopoietin expression. This review presents detailed information about the regulatory role of miRNAs in the angiogenesis of IHD in recent years, and provides new therapeutic ideas for the treatment of IHD.

Zhijing powder manages blood pressure by regulating PI3K/AKT signal pathway in hypertensive rats

Background

Zhijing Powder (ZJP) is a traditional Chinese medicine containing two kinds of Chinese medicine. Those studies analyze the molecular mechanism of ZJP in treating hypertension through network pharmacology, combined with animal experiments.

Methods

First, the effective ingredients and potential targets of the drug were obtained through drug databases, while the targets of disease obtained through disease target databases. The potential targets, cellular bioanalysis and signaling pathways were found in some platforms by analyzing collected targets. Further experiments were conducted to verify the effect and mechanism of drugs on cold and high salt in an induced-hypertension rat model.

Results

There are 17 effective components of centipedes and 10 of scorpions, with 464 drug targets obtained after screening. A total of 1263 hypertension targets were obtained after screening and integration, resulting in a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) with 145 points and 1310 edges. Gene ontology (GO) analysis shows that blood circulation regulation and activation of G protein-coupled receptors are mainly biological processes. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis shows that neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, calcium signaling pathways, PI3K-AKT signaling pathways are the most abundant gene-enriched pathway. Animal experiments indicated that ZJP can reduce blood pressure (BP), affect expression of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, and improve oxidative stress in the body.

Conclusion

ZJP ameliorates oxidative stress and reduces BP in hypertensive rats caused by cold stimuli and high salt, revealing its effect on the expression of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in the rat aorta.

Methotrexate and cardiovascular prevention: an appraisal of the current evidence

New evidence continues to accumulate regarding a significant association between excessive inflammation and dysregulated immunity (local and systemic) and the risk of cardiovascular events in different patient cohorts. Whilst research has sought to identify novel atheroprotective therapies targeting inflammation and immunity, several marketed drugs for rheumatological conditions may serve a similar purpose. One such drug, methotrexate, has been used since 1948 for treating cancer and, more recently, for a wide range of dysimmune conditions. Over the last 30 years, epidemiological and experimental studies have shown that methotrexate is independently associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly in rheumatological patients, and exerts several beneficial effects on vascular homeostasis and blood pressure control. This review article discusses the current challenges with managing cardiovascular risk and the new frontiers offered by drug discovery and drug repurposing targeting inflammation and immunity with a focus on methotrexate. Specifically, the article critically appraises the results of observational, cross-sectional and intervention studies investigating the effects of methotrexate on overall cardiovascular risk and individual risk factors. It also discusses the putative molecular mechanisms underpinning the atheroprotective effects of methotrexate and the practical advantages of using methotrexate in cardiovascular prevention, and highlights future research directions in this area.

ATF3 in atherosclerosis: a controversial transcription factor

Atherosclerosis, the pathophysiological basis of most malignant cardiovascular diseases, remains a global concern. Transcription factors play a key role in regulating cell function and disease progression in developmental signaling pathways involved in atherosclerosis. Activated transcription factor (ATF) 3 is an adaptive response gene in the ATF/cAMP response element binding (CREB) protein family that acts as a transcription suppressor or activator by forming homodimers or heterodimers with other ATF/CREB members. Appropriate ATF3 expression is vital for normal physiological cell function. Notably, ATF3 exhibits distinct roles in vascular endothelial cells, macrophages, and the liver, which will also be described in detail. This review provides a new perspective for atherosclerosis therapy by summarizing the mechanism of ATF3 in atherosclerosis, as well as the structure and pathophysiological properties of ATF3. KEY MESSAGES: • In endothelial cells, ATF3 overexpression aggravates oxidative stress and inflammation. • In macrophages and liver cells, ATF3 can act as a negative regulator of inflammation and promote cholesterol metabolism. • ATF3 can be used as a potential therapeutic factor in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Sex differences in the participation of endothelial mediators and signaling pathways involved in the vasodilator effect of a selective GPER agonist in resistance arteries of gonadectomized Wistar rats

AIM

Endothelial mechanisms underlying the vascular effects of estrogen modulated by the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) are not well understood, especially in gonadal sex hormone deprivation. Thus, we investigated vascular function and endothelial signaling pathways involved in the selective activation of GPER in resistance arteries of gonadectomized rats.

METHODS

Gonadectomy was performed in Wistar rats of both sexes. After 21 days, the animals were euthanized. Concentration-response curves were obtained by cumulative additions of G-1 in third-order mesenteric arteries. The vasodilatory effects of G-1 were evaluated before and after endothelium removal or incubation with pharmacological inhibitors. Tissue protein expression was measured by western blotting. Assays with 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein diacetate (DAF-FM) and 2',7' dichlorodihydrofluorescein-diacetate (DCF-DA) were performed in the arteries investigated. Immunolocalization was assessed by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

G-1 induced partially endothelium-dependent relaxation in both sexes. The three isoforms of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase contributed to the production and release of nitric oxide in both gonadectomized groups, but the role of inducible nitric oxide synthase is more expressive in males. The mechanistic pathway by which endothelial nitric oxide synthase is phosphorylated appears to differ between sexes, with the rapid signaling pathway phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (PI3k-Akt-eNOS) being identified for males and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (MEK-ERK-eNOS) for females. The contribution of hydrogen peroxide as an endothelial relaxation mediator seems to be greater in females.

CONCLUSION

These results provide new insights into the effects of estrogen-induced responses via GPER on vascular function in gonadal sex hormone deprivation.

Transcriptomics of angiotensin II-induced long noncoding and coding RNAs in endothelial cells

OBJECTIVE

Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced endothelial dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases such as systemic hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and atherosclerosis. Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play an essential role in the pathobiology of cardiovascular diseases; however, the effect of Ang II on lncRNAs and coding RNAs expression in endothelial cells has not been evaluated. Accordingly, we sought to evaluate the expression profiles of lncRNAs and coding RNAs in endothelial cells following treatment with Ang II.

METHODS

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and treated with Ang II (10-6 mol/l) for 24 h. The cells were then profiled for the expression of lncRNAs and mRNAs using the Arraystar Human lncRNA Expression Microarray V3.0.

RESULTS

In HUVECs following Ang II treatment, from a total of 30 584 lncRNA targets screened, 25 targets were significantly upregulated, while 69 were downregulated. In the same HUVECs samples, from 26 106 mRNA targets screened, 28 targets were significantly upregulated and 67 were downregulated. Of the differentially expressed lncRNAs, RP11-354P11.2 and RP11-360F5.1 were the most upregulated (11-fold) and downregulated (three-fold) lncRNAs, respectively. Assigning the differentially regulated genes into functional groups using bioinformatics reveals numerous genes involved in the nucleotide excision repair and ECM-receptor interaction.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to profile the Ang II-induced differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs in human endothelial cells. Our results reveal novel targets and substantially extend the list of potential candidate genes involved in Ang II-induced endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases.

Untargeted Metabolomics Profiling Reveals Perturbations in Arginine-NO Metabolism in Middle Eastern Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of death in Middle Eastern (ME) populations, with current studies of the metabolic fingerprints of CHD lacking in diversity. Identification of specific biomarkers to uncover potential mechanisms for developing predictive models and targeted therapies for CHD is urgently needed for the least-studied ME populations. A case-control study was carried out in a cohort of 1001 CHD patients and 2999 controls. Untargeted metabolomics was used, generating 1159 metabolites. Univariate and pathway enrichment analyses were performed to understand functional changes in CHD. A metabolite risk score (MRS) was developed to assess the predictive performance of CHD using multivariate analysis and machine learning. A total of 511 metabolites were significantly different between the CHD patients and the controls (FDR p < 0.05). The enriched pathways (FDR p < 10−300) included D-arginine and D-ornithine metabolism, glycolysis, oxidation and degradation of branched chain fatty acids, and sphingolipid metabolism. MRS showed good discriminative power between the CHD cases and the controls (AUC = 0.99). In this first study in the Middle East, known and novel circulating metabolites and metabolic pathways associated with CHD were identified. A small panel of metabolites can efficiently discriminate CHD cases and controls and therefore can be used as a diagnostic/predictive tool.

The Potential of Dietary Bioactive Compounds against SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction

COVID-19 is an endothelial disease. All the major comorbidities that increase the risk for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 including old age, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disease, compromised immune system, coronary artery disease or heart failure are associated with dysfunctional endothelium. Genetics and environmental factors (epigenetics) are major risk factors for endothelial dysfunction. Individuals with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and poor COVID-19 outcomes and higher risk of mortality. Old age is a non-modifiable risk factor. All other risk factors are modifiable. This review also identifies dietary risk factors for endothelial dysfunction. Potential dietary preventions that address endothelial dysfunction and its sequelae may have an important role in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection severity and are key factors for future research to address. This review presents some dietary bioactives with demonstrated efficacy against dysfunctional endothelial cells. This review also covers dietary bioactives with efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Dietary bioactive compounds that prevent endothelial dysfunction and its sequelae, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, will result in more effective prevention of SARS-CoV-2 variant infection severity and are key factors for future food research to address.

Ratiometric Determination of Nitroxyl Utilizing a Novel Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer-Based Fluorescent Probe Based on a Coumarin-Rhodol Derivative

Nitroxyl (HNO) is a member of the reactive nitrogen species, and how to detect it quickly and accurately is a challenging task. In this work, we designed and prepared a fluorescent ratiometric probe based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism, which can detect HNO with high selectivity. The coumarin derivative was used as an energy donor, the rhodol derivative was applied as an energy receptor, and 2-(diphenylphosphine)benzoate was utilized as the recognition group to detect nitroxyl. In the absence of HNO, the rhodol derivative exists in a non-fluorescent spironolactone state, and the FRET process is inhibited. Upon adding HNO, the closed spironolactone form is transformed into a conjugated xanthene structure and the FRET process occurs. This probe could specifically recognize nitroxyl, showing high sensitivity and selectivity. When the HNO concentration was changed from 3.0 × 10^-7 to 2.0 × 10^-5 mol·L^-1, I _543nm/I _470nm exhibited a satisfactory linear correlation with the concentration of HNO. A detection limit of 7.0 × 10^-8 mol·L^-1 was obtained. In addition, almost no cell toxicity had been verified for the probe. The probe had been successfully applied to the ratiometric fluorescence imaging of HNO in HepG2 cells.

Purinergic signaling in the modulation of redox biology

Purinergic signaling is a cell communication pathway mediated by extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides. Tri- and diphosphonucleotides are released in physiological and pathological circumstances activating purinergic type 2 receptors (P2 receptors): P2X ion channels and P2Y G protein-coupled receptors. The activation of these receptors triggers the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and alters antioxidant defenses, modulating the redox biology of cells. The activation of P2 receptors is controlled by ecto-enzymes named ectonucleotidases, E-NTPDase1/CD39 and ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73) being the most relevant. The first enzyme hydrolyzes adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) into adenosine monophosphate (AMP), and the second catalyzes the hydrolysis of AMP to adenosine. The activity of these enzymes is diminished by oxidative stress. Adenosine actives P1 G-coupled receptors that, in general, promote the maintenance of redox hemostasis by decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increase antioxidant enzymes. Intracellular purine metabolism can also contribute to ROS generation via xanthine oxidase activity, which converts hypoxanthine into xanthine, and finally, uric acid. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of redox biology modulated by purinergic signaling and how this signaling may be affected by disturbances in the redox homeostasis of cells.

The decrease of MYPT1 is critical for impairment of NO-mediated vosodilation in mesenteric artery of the older spontaneously hypertensive rats

Nitric oxide (NO) mediated vasodilatation is a fundamental response of vasculature, however, the regulation of NO signaling pathway on resistance vessels in the elderly hypertension is still unclear. The 16-weeks-spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the 18-months-SHR (OldSHR), and the age matched Wistar-Kyoto rats were used to study the changes of mesenteric resistance artery dilatation caused by sodium nitroprusside (SNP). After pre-vasoconstriction by Norepinephrine (NE), the response of endothelium-denuded mesenteric artery ring to SNP was observed, and the changes in vascular response after pharmacological interventions of key nodes in the NO/sGC/cGMP/PKG1α signaling pathway were observed as well. RNA sequencing and functional enrichment analyses were used to provide information for conducting validation experiments. Vasodilation of NO in OldSHR was decreased, which significantly correlated with the reduction of PKG-mediated effect. Functional enrichment analysis of RNA sequencing showed that genes encoding important proteins such as sGC and MYPT1 (protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 12A) were downregulated in OldSHR. Molecular biology validation results showed that mRNA expression of both α and β subunits of sGC were reduced, while mRNA and protein expression of PKG1α were reduced in OldSHR. More importantly, the expression of MYPT1 and p S668-MYPT1 was significantly reduced in OldSHR, even under the treatment of SNP. The experiment also revealed an enhanced cAMP system in vasodilatory in hypertension, while this function completely lost in the elderly hypertension. Therefore, a NO-mediated decrease in vascular smooth muscle relaxation was found in the elderly hypertension. The dysfunction in cGMP-PKG signaling, in particular, the decreased p S668-MYPT1 was mechanistically involved.

Short-term exposure to air pollution and biomarkers of cardiovascular effect: A repeated measures study

To help understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms linking air pollutants and cardiovascular disease (CVD), we employed a repeated measures design to investigate the associations of four short-term air pollution exposures - particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), with two blood markers involved in vascular effects of oxidative stress, soluble lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (sLOX-1) and nitrite, using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA). Seven hundred and forty participants with plasma sLOX-1 and nitrite measurements at three exams between 2002 and 2007 were included. Daily PM2.5, NO2, O3 and SO2 zero to seven days prior to blood draw were estimated from central monitors in six MESA regions, pre-adjusted using site-specific splines of meteorology and temporal trends, and an indicator for day of the week. Unconstrained distributed lag generalized estimating equations were used to estimate net effects over eight days with adjustment for sociodemographic and behavioral factors. The results showed that higher short-term concentrations of PM2.5, but not other pollutants, were associated with increased sLOX-1 analyzed both as a continuous outcome (percent change per interquartile increase: 16.36%, 95%CI: 0.1-35.26%) and dichotomized at the median (odds ratio per interquartile increase: 1.21, 95%CI: 1.01-1.44). The findings were not meaningfully changed after adjustment for additional covariates or in several sensitivity analyses. Pollutant concentrations were not associated with nitrite levels. This study extends earlier experimental findings of increased sLOX-1 levels following PM inhalation to a much larger population and at ambient concentrations. In light of its known mechanistic role in promoting vascular disease, sLOX-1 may be a suitable translational biomarker linking air pollutant exposures and cardiovascular outcomes.

Oxidative Stress, GTPCH1, and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Uncoupling in Hypertension

Significance: Hypertension has major health consequences, which is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-produced nitric oxide (NO) signaling in the vasculature plays an important role in maintaining vascular homeostasis. Considering the importance of NO system, this review aims to provide a brief overview of the biochemistry of members of NO signaling, including GTPCH1 [guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) cyclohydrolase 1], tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), and eNOS. Recent Advances: Being NO signaling activators and regulators of eNOS signaling, BH4 treatment is getting widespread attention either as potential therapeutic agents or as preventive agents. Recent clinical trials also support that BH4 treatment could be considered a promising therapeutic in hypertension. Critical Issues: Under conditions of BH4 depletion, eNOS-generated superoxides trigger pathological events. Abnormalities in NO availability and BH4 deficiency lead to disturbed redox regulation causing pathological events. This disturbed signaling influences the development of systemic hypertension as well as pulmonary hypertension. Future Directions: Considering the importance of BH4 and NO to improve the translational significance, it is essential to continue research on this field to manipulate BH4 to increase the efficacy for treating hypertension. Thus, this review also examines the current state of knowledge on the effects of eNOS activators on preclinical models and humans to utilize this information for potential therapy.

Hydrogen Sulfide and its Interaction with Other Players in Inflammation

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) plays a vital role in human physiology and in the pathophysiology of several diseases. In addition, a substantial role of H₂S in inflammation has emerged. This chapter will discuss the involvement of H₂S in various inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, the contribution of reactive oxygen species (ROS), adhesion molecules, and leukocyte recruitment in H₂S-mediated inflammation will be discussed. The interrelationship of H₂S with other gasotransmitters in inflammation will also be examined. There is mixed literature on the contribution of H₂S to inflammation due to studies reporting both pro- and anti-inflammatory actions. These apparent discrepancies in the literature could be resolved with further studies.

Arginine recycling in endothelial cells is regulated BY HSP90 and the ubiquitin proteasome system

Despite the saturating concentrations of intracellular l-arginine, nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells (EC) can be stimulated by exogenous arginine. This phenomenon, termed the "arginine paradox" led to the discovery of an arginine recycling pathway in which l-citrulline is recycled to l-arginine by utilizing two important urea cycle enzymes argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) and argininosuccinate lyase (ASL). Prior work has shown that ASL is present in a NO synthetic complex containing hsp90 and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). However, it is unclear whether hsp90 forms functional complexes with ASS and ASL and if it is involved regulating their activity. Thus, elucidating the role of hsp90 in the arginine recycling pathway was the goal of this study. Our data indicate that both ASS and ASL are chaperoned by hsp90. Inhibiting hsp90 activity with geldanamycin (GA), decreased the activity of both ASS and ASL and decreased cellular l-arginine levels in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). hsp90 inhibition led to a time-dependent decrease in ASS and ASL protein, despite no changes in mRNA levels. We further linked this protein loss to a proteasome dependent degradation of ASS and ASL via the E3 ubiquitin ligase, C-terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP) and the heat shock protein, hsp70. Transient over-expression of CHIP was sufficient to stimulate ASS and ASL degradation while the over-expression of CHIP mutant proteins identified both TPR- and U-box-domain as essential for ASS and ASL degradation. This study provides a novel insight into the molecular regulation l-arginine recycling in EC and implicates the proteasome pathway as a possible therapeutic target to stimulate NO signaling.

MicroRNA-151 Attenuates Apoptosis of Endothelial Cells Induced by Oxidized Low-density Lipoprotein by Targeting Interleukin-17A (IL-17A)

Apoptosis of endothelial cells plays an important role in atherosclerosis (AS). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been confirmed to participate in the process of endothelial cell apoptosis. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of miR-151 and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in apoptosis of atherosclerotic endothelial cells. The expression levels of miR-151 in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) after Ox-LDL treatment were detected by qRT-PCR. The expression levels of IL-17A were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. The effects of miR-151 and IL-17A on the apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry. The relationship between miR-151 and IL-17A was assessed by bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay. The expression levels of miR-151 in HAEC after Ox-LDL treatment were reduced, and the expression of IL-17A was upregulated. MiR-151 and si-IL-17A inhibited the apoptosis rate of aortic endothelial cells treated by Ox-LDL. MiR-151 and si-IL-17A reduced the expression levels of c-caspase-9, c-caspase-3, and BAX proteins in Ox-LDL-treated HAEC and increased the expression levels of Bcl-2. MiR-151 inhibited the apoptosis of endothelial cells in AS, and IL-17A was a new target for miR-151. Our findings provided a potential treatment for atherosclerosis in the treatment of AS. Graphical abstract.

The Role of Antioxidants in the Prevention of Cadmium-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction

Background:

Cadmium is a worldwide spread toxicant that accumulates in tissues and affects many organs, mainly through oxidative damage. Oxidative stress is often associated with cardiovascular diseases and, when it affects vessels, it induces endothelial dysfunction, which, in turn, could precipitate atherosclerosis and hypertension. Therefore, it is reasonable to suggest antioxidant supplementation as a therapy against cadmiuminduced endothelial dysfunction.

Objective:

This literature review aims to present the mechanisms involving oxidative stress in which cadmium induces endothelial dysfunction and the benefits of antioxidant supplementation as a therapeutic strategy against its harmful effects.

Methods:

On PubMed Central, articles that contemplated studies on cadmium intoxication and associated oxidative stress with endothelial dysfunction as well as articles that reported the use of antioxidant supplementation in an attempt to prevent or avoid endothelial dysfunction induced by cadmium exposure were selected.

Results:

Most of the studies that associated cadmium intoxication with endothelial dysfunction suggested oxidative stress as the major mechanism for this damage. Furthermore, experimental studies also revealed that the administration of substances with antioxidant properties, such as ascorbic acid and curcumin, has beneficial effects on the prevention of such dysfunction, reducing reactive oxygen species within the vessels, preventing a reduction in the amount of glutathione and the increase in blood pressure observed in animals exposed to cadmium.

Conclusion:

Antioxidant therapy demonstrated to be a potential treatment to reduce cardiovascular injuries provoked by cadmium, but more studies are needed to determine the best antioxidant substance and dose to treat or avoid this complication.

Exercise benefits on Alzheimer's disease: State-of-the-science

Although there is no unanimity, growing evidence supports the value of regular physical exercise to prevent Alzheimer's disease as well as cognitive decline in affected patients. Together with an introductory summary on epidemiological evidence, the aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the potential biological mechanisms underlying exercise benefits in this condition. Regular physical exercise has proven to be beneficial for traditional cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., reduced vascular flow, diabetes) involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Exercise also promotes neurogenesis via increases in exercise-induced metabolic factors (e.g., ketone bodies, lactate) and muscle-derived myokines (cathepsin-B, irisin), which in turn stimulate the production of neurotrophins such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Finally, regular exercise exerts anti-inflammatory effects and improves the brain redox status, thereby ameliorating the pathophysiological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (e.g., amyloid-β deposition). In summary, physical exercise might provide numerous benefits through different pathways that might, in turn, help prevent risk and progression of Alzheimer's disease. More evidence is needed, however, based on human studies.

Development of elastic artificial vessels with a digital pulse flow system to investigate the risk of restenosis and vasospasm

The postoperative risk of stenosis is a complex issue, with risk factors including the status of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, the shear stress of dynamic blood flow, and blood physiology. Current research would benefit from in vitro models that can mimic the microenvironment of living vessels, to study the response of endothelial cells to stent placement. In this study, we constructed a digital pulse flow system based on a group of programmable solenoid valves, to mimic dynamic blood flows in the left coronary artery. Elastic artificial vessels, with internally cultured endothelial cells, were used to simulate vessel function and physiology. Based on this novel platform, we systematically explored cell proliferation and function in artificial vessels implanted with bare metal stents or drug-eluting stents, using unstented vessels as controls, under static and pulse flow conditions. The results indicate that the natural shear stresses of dynamic blood flow actually benefit endothelial cell attachment and proliferation. And drug-eluting stents showed stronger inhibition of cell proliferation than bare metal stents, but had a more negative effect on the synthesis of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), suggesting that drug elution might reduce the postoperative risk of restenosis, while increasing the risk of vasospasm. The results suggest that stent evaluation should include both the risk of restenosis and the effect on endothelial cells. Our simulation establishes a realistic in vitro model for pathological studies of restenosis and vasospasm, shows potential for evaluation of new stent designs, and could help develop individualised therapies for patients with atherosclerosis.

The Role of Angiogenesis-Inducing microRNAs in Vascular Tissue Engineering

Angiogenesis is an important process in tissue repair and regeneration as blood vessels are integral to supply nutrients to a functioning tissue. In this review, the application of microRNAs (miRNAs) or anti-miRNAs that can induce angiogenesis to aid in blood vessel formation for vascular tissue engineering in ischemic diseases such as peripheral arterial disease and stroke, cardiac diseases, and skin and bone tissue engineering is discussed. Endothelial cells (ECs) form the endothelium of the blood vessel and are recognized as the primary cell type that drives angiogenesis and studied in the applications that were reviewed. Besides ECs, mesenchymal stem cells can also play a pivotal role in these applications, specifically, by secreting growth factors or cytokines for paracrine signaling and/or as constituent cells in the new blood vessel formed. In addition to delivering miRNAs or cells transfected/transduced with miRNAs for angiogenesis and vascular tissue engineering, the utilization of extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes, microvesicles, and EVs collectively, has been more recently explored. Proangiogenic miRNAs and anti-miRNAs contribute to angiogenesis by targeting the 3'-untranslated region of targets to upregulate proangiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 and increase the transduction of VEGF signaling through the PI3K/AKT and Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathways such as phosphatase and tensin homolog or regulating the signaling of other pathways important for angiogenesis such as the Notch signaling pathway and the pathway to produce nitric oxide. In conclusion, angiogenesis-inducing miRNAs and anti-miRNAs are promising tools for vascular tissue engineering for several applications; however, future work should emphasize optimizing the delivery and usage of these therapies as miRNAs can also be associated with the negative implications of cancer.

Does the Oral Microbiome Play a Role in Hypertensive Pregnancies?

Chronic hypertension during gestation is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes including pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction and preterm birth. Research into new chemotherapeutic regimes for the treatment of hypertension in pregnancy is limited due to concerns about fetal toxicity and teratogenicity, and new therapeutic avenues are being sought in alternative physiological pathways. Historically, generation of the vasodilator nitric oxide was believed to be solely from L-arginine by means of nitric oxide synthase enzymes. Recently, a novel pathway for the reduction of dietary inorganic nitrate to nitrite by the bacteria in the oral cavity and subsequently to vasodilatory nitric oxide within the body has been uncovered. Dietary nitrate is abundant in green leafy vegetables, including beetroot and spinach, and reduction of exogenous nitrate to nitrite by oral bacteria can increase nitric oxide in the vasculature, lessening hypertension. Supplements rich in nitrate may be an attractive choice for treatment due to fewer side effects than drugs that are currently used to treat hypertensive pregnancy disorders. Additionally, manipulation of the composition of the oral microbiota using pro- and prebiotics in tandem with additional dietary interventions to promote cardiovascular health during gestation may offer a safe and effective means of treating hypertensive pregnancy disorders including gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. The use of dietary inorganic nitrate as a supplement during pregnancy requires further exploration and large scale studies before it may be considered as part of a treatment regime. The aim of this article is to review the current evidence that oral microbiota plays a role in hypertensive pregnancies and whether it could be manipulated to improve patient outcomes.

β-catenin promotes endothelial survival by regulating eNOS activity and flow-dependent anti-apoptotic gene expression

Increased endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis is associated with the development of atherosclerotic plaques that develop predominantly at sites exposed to disturbed flow (DF). Strategies to promote EC survival may therefore represent a novel therapeutic approach in cardiovascular disease. Nitric oxide (NO) and β-catenin have both been shown to promote cell survival and they interact in ECs as we previously demonstrated. Here we investigated the physiological role of β-catenin as a mediator of NO-induced cell survival in ECs. We found that β-catenin depleted human umbilical vein ECs (HUVEC) stimulated with pharmacological activators of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) showed a reduction in eNOS phosphorylation (Ser1177) as well as reduced intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate levels compared to control cells in static cultures. In addition, β-catenin depletion abrogated the protective effects of the NO donor, S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, during TNFα- and H₂O₂-induced apoptosis. Using an orbital shaker to generate shear stress, we confirmed eNOS and β-catenin interaction in HUVEC exposed to undisturbed flow and DF and showed that β-catenin depletion reduced eNOS phosphorylation. β-catenin depletion promoted apoptosis exclusively in HUVEC exposed to DF as did inhibition of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) or β-catenin transcriptional activity. The expression of the pro-survival genes, Bcl-2 and survivin was also reduced following inhibition of β-catenin transcriptional activity, as was the expression of eNOS. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that β-catenin is a positive regulator of eNOS activity and cell survival in human ECs. sGC activity and β-catenin-dependent transcription of Bcl-2, survivin, BIRC3 and eNOS are essential to maintain cell survival in ECs under DF.

New Insights From MRI and Cell Biology Into the Acute Vascular-Metabolic Implications of Electronic Cigarette Vaping

The popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) has grown at a startling rate since their introduction to the United States market in 2007, with sales expected to outpace tobacco products within a decade. Spurring this trend has been the notion that e-cigs are a safer alternative to tobacco-based cigarettes. However, the long-term health impacts of e-cigs are not yet known. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approaches, developed in the authors’ laboratory, provide conclusive evidence of acute deleterious effects of e-cig aerosol inhalation in the absence of nicotine in tobacco-naïve subjects. Among the pathophysiologic effects observed are transient impairment of endothelial function, vascular reactivity, and oxygen metabolism. The culprits of this response are currently not fully understood but are likely due to an immune reaction caused by the aerosol containing thermal breakdown products of the e-liquid, including radicals and organic aldehydes, with particle concentrations similar to those emitted by conventional cigarettes. The acute effects observed following a single vaping episode persist for 1–3 h before subsiding to baseline and are paralleled by build-up of biological markers. Sparse data exist on long-term effects of vaping, and it is likely that repeated regular exposure to e-cig aerosol during vaping will lead to chronic conditions since there would be no return to baseline conditions as in the case of an isolated vaping episode. This brief review aims to highlight the potential of pairing MRI, with its extraordinary sensitivity to structure, physiology and metabolism at the holistic level, with biologic investigations targeting serum and cellular markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. Such a multi-modal framework should allow interpretation of the impact of e-cigarette vaping on vascular health at the organ level in the context of the underlying biological alterations. Applications of this approach to the study of other lifestyle-initiated pathologies including hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and metabolic syndrome are indicated.

Exosome Derived from Coronary Serum of Patients with Myocardial Infarction Promotes Angiogenesis Through the miRNA-143/IGF-IR Pathway

Purpose

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury primarily causes myocardial infarction (MI), which is manifested by cell death. Angiogenesis is essential for repair and regeneration in cardiac tissue after MI. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of exosomes derived from the serum of MI patients in angiogenesis and its related mechanism.

Patients and Methods

Exosomes, isolated from serum, were collected from MI (MI-exosome) and control (Con-exosome) patients. After coculturing with human umbilical vein endothelial cells, MI-exosome promoted cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation.

Results

The results revealed that the production and release of MI-exosome were associated with cardiomyocytes. Moreover, microarray assays demonstrated that miRNA-143 was significantly decreased in MI-exosome. Meanwhile, the overexpression and knockdown of miRNA-143 could inhibit and enhance angiogenesis, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of exosomal miRNA-143 on angiogenesis was mediated by its targeting gene, insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-IR), and was associated with the production of nitric oxide (NO).

Conclusion

Taken together, exosomes derived from the serum of patients with MI promoted angiogenesis through the IGF-IR/NO signaling pathway. The results provide novel understanding of the function of exosomes in MI.

Protective Effect of Ginkgolic Acid in Attenuating LDL Induced Inflammation Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells via Altering the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) is considered as the significant maker of inflammatory reaction. ox-LDL was reported to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS). In the current study, we scrutinize the suppressive effect of ginkgolic acid against ox-LDL induced an oxidative and inflammatory response in human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (nPBMCs) and explore the mechanism of action. HMEC-1 cells are treated with ox-LDL in the presence of different concentration of ginkgolic acid. MTT 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was performed for the estimation of cell viability effect. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammatory cytokines, and NF-κB activity are also estimated. For the hPBMCs assay, the cells were isolated from the healthy volunteers and cultured. The cells were further divided into different group and received the ginkgolic acid. Additionally, ROS, inflammatory marker such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), lipoxygenase (LOX), nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase (COX) protein expression, and mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1) were estimated in the ox-LDL treated group. The result exhibited that ginkgolic acid treatment induced the cell viability boosting in ox-LDL treatment and intracellular ROS significantly decreased by ginkgolic acid. Pro-inflammatory cytokines also downregulated via ginkgolic acid. Moreover, ginkgolic acid reduced the ox-LDL-induced NF-κB. The mRNA and protein expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and VCAM-1 considerably increased in the ox-LDL treated group and ginkgolic acid significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression. An inflammatory marker such as PGE2, LOX, and NO were increased in the ox-LDL treated group and ginkgolic acid treated group exhibited the reduction of an inflammatory marker. Based on the result, we can conclude that ginkgolic acid significantly reduced and reversed the ox-LDL-induced modulation, suggesting its anti-inflammatory effect via the NF-κB pathway.

Buddhist meditation for vascular function: A narrative review

Background

High blood pressure represents an important risk factor for diseases related to cardiovascular system and is directly associated with high oxidative stress, inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction. Recently, there is promising data available to suggest that meditation-based low-cost and low-risk lifestyle modification strategies may provide beneficial effects on chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and maintenance of blood pressure, both in young and older adults. This review aims to summarize the evidence regarding the effectiveness of Buddhist meditation for vascular endothelial function and blood pressure.

Method

A search was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL and PsycINFO for articles published from 1990 to 2018.

Results

Relevant articles (n = 407) were reviewed and 5 met selection criteria. Several lines of studies have provided compelling data showing that Buddhist meditation approach was effective in improving inflammation and vascular function (endothelial vasodilation and arterial stiffness) in both young and elderly cohorts. Particularly, Buddhist meditation approach has shown to be effective in reducing plasma inflammatory markers, increasing nitric oxide concentration and improving vascular endothelial function and glycemic control, which in turn can be favorable factors for demonstrated positive effects of Buddhist meditation on blood pressure and vascular function.

Conclusion

This paper presents brief overview of clinical outcomes of complementary therapeutic approach of Buddhist meditation in vascular function. In future, well-structured systematic reviews are essential to report specificity of Buddhist mindfulness-based approach on vascular function, blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors.

Physical Exercise in the Oldest Old

Societies are progressively aging, with the oldest old (i.e., those aged >80-85 years) being the most rapidly expanding population segment. However, advanced aging comes at a price, as it is associated with an increased incidence of the so-called age-related conditions, including a greater risk for loss of functional independence. How to combat sarcopenia, frailty, and overall intrinsic capacity decline in the elderly is a major challenge for modern medicine, and exercise appears to be a potential solution. In this article, we first summarize the physiological mechanisms underlying the age-related deterioration in intrinsic capacity, particularly regarding those phenotypes related to functional decline. The main methods available for the physical assessment of the oldest old are then described, and finally the multisystem benefits that exercise (or "exercise mimetics" in those situations in which volitional exercise is not feasible) can provide to this population segment are reviewed. In summary, lifetime physical exercise can help to attenuate the loss of many of the properties affected by aging, especially when the latter is accompanied by an inactive lifestyle and benefits can also be obtained in frail individuals who start exercising at an advanced age. Multicomponent programs combining mainly aerobic and resistance training should be included in the oldest old, particularly during disuse situations such as hospitalization. However, evidence is still needed to support the effectiveness of passive physical strategies including neuromuscular electrical stimulation or vibration for the prevention of disuse-induced negative adaptations in those oldest old people who are unable to do physical exercise. © 2019 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 9:1281-1304, 2019.

Coffee and Endothelial Function: A Coffee Paradox?

Coffee is a popular beverage throughout the world. Coffee contains various chemical compounds (e.g., caffeine, chlorogenic acids, hydroxyhydroquinone, kahweol, cafestol, and complex chemical mixtures). Caffeine is also the most widely consumed pharmacological substance in the world and is included in various beverages (e.g., coffee, tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks), products containing chocolate, and drugs. The effects of coffee and caffeine on cardiovascular diseases remain controversial. It is well known that there are J-curve-type or U-curve-type associations of coffee consumption with cardiovascular events including myocardial infarction and stroke. However, there is little information on the direct and indirect effects of coffee consumption on endothelial function in humans. It is likely that the coffee paradox or caffeine paradox exists the association of coffee intake with cardiovascular diseases, cardiovascular outcomes, and endothelial function. This review focusses on the effects of coffee and caffeine on endothelial function from molecular mechanisms to clinical perspectives.

The vitamin D-folate hypothesis in human vascular health

The vitamin D-folate hypothesis has been proposed as an explanation for the evolution of human skin pigmentation. According to this hypothesis, a darkened skin pigment was adapted by early human populations living in equatorial Africa to protect against photodegradation of bioavailable folate by ultraviolet radiation (UVR). As humans moved away from the equator to more northern latitudes and occupied regions of lower UVR exposure and greater seasonal variation, however, depigmentation occurred to allow for adequate biosynthesis of vitamin D. Vitamin D and folate are both recognized for their evolutionary importance in healthy pregnancy and early childhood development. More recently, evidence has emerged demonstrating the importance of both vitamin D and folate in vascular health via their effects in reducing oxidative stress and improving nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Thus, populations with darkened skin pigmentation may be at elevated risk of vascular dysfunction and cardiovascular disease in low UVR environments due to hypovitaminosis D; particularly important as darkly-pigmented African-Americans represent an at-risk population for cardiovascular disease. Conversely, lightly pigmented populations in high UVR environments may be at risk of deleterious vascular effects of UVR-induced folate degradation. The focus of this review is to explore the currently available literature regarding the potential role of UVR in vascular health via its differential effects on vitamin D and folate metabolism, as well as the interaction between skin pigmentation, genetics, and environment in modulating the vascular influence of UVR exposure.

Acute exposure to e-cigarettes causes inflammation and pulmonary endothelial oxidative stress in nonsmoking, healthy young subjects

The effects of e-cigarette (e-cig) aerosol inhalation by nonsmokers have not been examined to date. The present study was designed to evaluate the acute response to aerosol inhalation of non-nicotinized e-cigarettes in terms of oxidative stress and indices of endothelial activation in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMVEC). Ten smoking-naïve healthy subjects (mean age ± SD = 28.7 ± 5.5 yr) were subjected to an e-cig challenge, following which their serum was monitored for markers of inflammation [C-reactive protein (CRP) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)] and nitric oxide metabolites (NOx). The oxidative stress and inflammation burden of the circulating serum on the vascular network was also assessed by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and induction of ICAM-1 expression on HPMVEC. Our results show that serum indices of oxidative stress and inflammation increased significantly (P < 0.05 as compared with baseline), reaching a peak at approximately 1-2 h post-e-cig aerosol inhalation and returning to baseline levels at 6 h. The circulatory burden of the serum (ICAM-1 and ROS) increased significantly at 2 h and returned to baseline values 6 h post-e-cig challenge. ROS production by HPMVEC was found to occur via activation of the NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) pathways. These findings suggest that even in the absence of nicotine, acute e-cig aerosol inhalation leads to a transient increase in oxidative stress and inflammation. This can adversely affect the vascular endothelial network by promoting oxidative stress and immune cell adhesion. Thus e-cig inhalation has the potential to drive the onset of vascular pathologies.

Amino Acids and Their Metabolism in Atherosclerosis

As a leading cause of death worldwide, cardiovascular disease is a global health concern. The development and progression of atherosclerosis, which ultimately gives rise to cardiovascular disease, has been causally linked to hypercholesterolemia. Mechanistically, the interplay between lipids and the immune system during plaque progression significantly contributes to the chronic inflammation seen in the arterial wall during atherosclerosis. Localized inflammation and increased cell-to-cell interactions may influence polarization and proliferation of immune cells via changes in amino acid metabolism. Specifically, the amino acids l -arginine (Arg), l -homoarginine (hArg) and l -tryptophan (Trp) have been widely studied in the context of cardiovascular disease, and their metabolism has been established as key regulators of vascular homeostasis, as well as immune cell function. Cyclic effects between endothelial cells, innate, and adaptive immune cells exist during Arg and hArg, as well as Trp metabolism, that may have distinct effects on the development of atherosclerosis. In this review, we describe the current knowledge surrounding the metabolism, biological function, and clinical perspective of Arg, hArg, and Trp in the context of atherosclerosis.

Mechanistic effects of SGLT2 inhibition on blood pressure in diabetes

Diabetes mellitus prevalence is increasing worldwide leading to increased morbidity and mortality through diabetes related microvascular and macrovascular disease. The treatment of hypertension has been shown to be a major therapeutic intervention for the prevention of cardiovascular events and other diabetes related complications in diabetes. Sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitors (SGLT2i) are newly introduced anti-diabetes drugs that lower blood glucose by the inhibition of glucose reuptake and the induction of glycosuria. However, there is increasing evidence showing their cardiovascular benefit beyond the improvement of glycemic control. Here we review the latest findings on the effect of SGLT2i on blood pressure in diabetes.