Influence of atorvastatin on metabolic pattern of rats with pulmonary hypertension

The contributory role of GSK3β in hypertension exacerbating atherosclerosis by regulating the OMA1/PGC1α pathway

Atherosclerosis is closely related to endothelial dysfunction and hypertension. GSK3β is a critical regulator in atherosclerosis. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of GSK3β on hypertension exacerbating atherosclerosis in vitro and in vivo. L-NAME + HFD-ApoE-/- mice were used for this study for 12 weeks, and their endothelial dysfunction and inflammation were analyzed. Oil red O and H&E staining revealed that treatment with LiCl, an inhibitor of GSK3β, reduced atherosclerotic lesions and lipid accumulation. The levels of lipid homeostasis and oxidation stress were attenuated following LiCl administration. LiCl-treated ApoE-/- mice showed lowered blood pressure. LiCl also suppressed the expressions of Drp1, Bax, ICAM1, VCAM1 and TNF-α compared to HFD + L-NAME induced mice and oxLDL + L-NAME-treated Human aorta endothelial cell line(HAECs). LiCl treatment increased the expressions of MFN2 and Bcl2. Mitotracker-red, MitoSOX and JC-1 staining indicated that LiCl treatment reduced mitochondrial division and ROS production, increased mitochondrial ΔΨm compared to oxLDL + L-NAME-treated HAECs. The expression of OMA1 was decreased by LiCl treatment, while PGC1α expression was increased. In HAECs, we found that OMA1 knockdown increased mitochondrial function and the expression of PGC1α. We also demonstrated LiCl increased OMA1 ubiquitination compared with the Control group, thus decreased OMA1 expression. Furthermore, siOMA1 antagonized the increased protein expressions of ICAM1, VCAM1, TNF-α, Bax and Drp1, decreased the protein expressions of Bcl2 and MFN2 by siPGC1α. Taken together, we demonstrated that GSK3β could play a contributory role in hypertension exacerbating atherosclerosis by regulating the OMA1/PGC1α pathway and inhibiting mitochondrial function.

Oroxylin A, a broad‑spectrum anticancer agent, relieves monocrotaline‑induced pulmonary arterial hypertension by inhibiting the Warburg effect in rats

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic and fatal disease characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling, similar to the 'Warburg effect' observed in cancer, which is caused by reprogramming of glucose metabolism. Oroxylin A (OA), an active compound derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, which can inhibit glycolytic enzymes [hexokinase 2 (HK2), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) by downregulating aerobic glycolysis to achieve the treatment of liver cancer. To the best of our knowledge, however, the impact of OA on PAH has not been addressed. Consequently, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential protective role and mechanism of OA against PAH induced by monocrotaline (MCT; 55 mg/kg). The mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was measured using the central venous catheter method; HE and Masson staining were used to observe pulmonary artery remodeling. Non‑targeted metabolomics was used to analyze the metabolic pathways and pathway metabolites in MCT‑PAH rats. Western Blot analysis was employed to assess the levels of glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), HK2), pyruvate kinase (PK), isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1(PDK1), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) protein expression in both lung tissue samples from MCT‑PAH rats. The results demonstrated that intragastric administration of OA (40 and 80 mg/kg) significantly decreased mPAP from 43.61±1.88 mmHg in PAH model rats to 26.51±1.53 mmHg and relieve pulmonary artery remodeling. Untargeted metabolomic analysis and multivariate analysis indicated abnormal glucose metabolic pattern in PAH model rats, consistent with the Warburg effect. OA administration decreased this effect on the abnormal glucose metabolism. The protein levels of key enzymes involved in glucose metabolism were evaluated by western blotting, which demonstrated that OA could improve aerobic glycolysis and inhibit PAH by decreasing the protein levels of Glut1, HK2, LDH, PDK1 and increasing the protein levels of PK and IDH2. In conclusion, OA decreased MCT‑induced PAH in rats by reducing the Warburg effect.

Quercetin regulates pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension by downregulating TGF-β1-Smad2/3 pathway

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a worldwide challenging disease characterized by progressive elevation of pulmonary artery pressure. The proliferation, migration and phenotypic transformation of pulmonary smooth muscle cells are the key steps of pulmonary vascular remodeling. Quercetin (3,3', 4', 5, 6-pentahydroxyflavone, Que) is a natural flavonol compound that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and other biological activities. Studies have shown that Que has therapeutic effects on PAH. However, the effect of quercetin on pulmonary vascular remodeling in PAH and its mechanism remain unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In vivo, PAH rats were constructed by intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline (MCT) at 60 mg/kg. Human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs) were treated with platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) 20 ng/mL to construct PAH cell model in vitro. The results showed that in vivo studies, MCT could induce right ventricular wall hyperplasia, narrow the small and medium pulmonary artery cavity, up-regulate the expression of proliferating and migration-related proteins proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and osteopontin (OPN), and down-regulate the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Que reversed the MCT-induced results. This process works by down-regulating the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/ Smad2/3 signaling pathway. In vitro studies, Que had the same effect on PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration cell models.

CONCLUSIONS

Que inhibits the proliferation, migration and phenotypic transformation of HPASMCs by down-regulating TGF-β1/Smad2/Smad3 pathway, thereby reducing right ventricular hyperplasia (RVH) and pulmonary vascular remodeling, providing potential pharmacological and molecular explanations for the treatment of PAH.

Functions and novel regulatory mechanisms of key glycolytic enzymes in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive vascular disease characterized by remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature and elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, ultimately leading to right heart failure and death. Despite its clinical significance, the precise molecular mechanisms driving PAH pathogenesis warrant confirmation. Compelling evidence indicates that during the development of PAH, pulmonary vascular cells exhibit a preference for energy generation through aerobic glycolysis, known as the "Warburg effect", even in well-oxygenated conditions. This metabolic shift results in imbalanced metabolism, increased proliferation, and severe pulmonary vascular remodeling. Exploring the Warburg effect and its interplay with glycolytic enzymes in the context of PAH has yielded current insights into emerging drug candidates targeting enzymes and intermediates involved in glucose metabolism. This sheds light on both opportunities and challenges in the realm of antiglycolytic therapy for PAH.

Metabolomics in Pulmonary Hypertension-A Useful Tool to Provide Insights into the Dark Side of a Tricky Pathology

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a multifaceted illness causing clinical manifestations like dyspnea, fatigue, and cyanosis. If left untreated, it often evolves into irreversible pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), leading to death. Metabolomics is a laboratory technique capable of providing insights into the metabolic pathways that are responsible for a number of physiologic or pathologic events through the analysis of a biological fluid (such as blood, urine, and sputum) using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy or mass spectrometry. A systematic review was finalized according to the PRISMA scheme, with the goal of providing an overview of the research papers released up to now on the application of metabolomics to PH/PAH. So, eighty-five papers were identified, of which twenty-four concerning PH, and sixty-one regarding PAH. We found that, from a metabolic standpoint, the hallmarks of the disease onset and progression are an increase in glycolysis and impaired mitochondrial respiration. Oxidation is exacerbated as well. Specific metabolic fingerprints allow the characterization of some of the specific PH and PAH subtypes. Overall, metabolomics provides insights into the biological processes happening in the body of a subject suffering from PH/PAH. The disarranged metabolic pathways underpinning the disease may be the target of new therapeutic agents. Metabolomics will allow investigators to make a step forward towards personalized medicine.

Pharmacometabolomics for the Study of Lipid-Lowering Therapies: Opportunities and Challenges

Lipid-lowering therapies are widely used to prevent the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and related mortality worldwide. "Omics" technologies have been successfully applied in recent decades to investigate the mechanisms of action of these drugs, their pleiotropic effects, and their side effects, aiming to identify novel targets for future personalized medicine with an improvement of the efficacy and safety associated with the treatment. Pharmacometabolomics is a branch of metabolomics that is focused on the study of drug effects on metabolic pathways that are implicated in the variation of response to the treatment considering also the influences from a specific disease, environment, and concomitant pharmacological therapies. In this review, we summarized the most significant metabolomic studies on the effects of lipid-lowering therapies, including the most commonly used statins and fibrates to novel drugs or nutraceutical approaches. The integration of pharmacometabolomics data with the information obtained from the other "omics" approaches could help in the comprehension of the biological mechanisms underlying the use of lipid-lowering drugs in view of defining a precision medicine to improve the efficacy and reduce the side effects associated with the treatment.

The zinc transporter ZIP12 regulates monocrotaline-induced proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells via the AKT/ERK signaling pathways

Background

The zinc transporter ZIP12 is a membrane-spanning protein that transports zinc ions into the cytoplasm from the extracellular space. Recent studies demonstrated that upregulation of ZIP12 is involved in elevation of cytosolic free zinc and excessive proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) induced by hypoxia. However, the expression of ZIP12 and its role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) induced by monocrotaline (MCT) in rats have not been evaluated previously. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ZIP12 on the proliferation and migration of PASMCs and its underlying mechanisms in MCT-induced PAH.

Methods

A PAH rat model was generated by intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg MCT twice at one-week intervals. PASMCs were isolated from the pulmonary arteries of rats with MCT-induced PAH or control rats. The expression of ZIP12 and related molecules was detected in the lung tissues and cells. A ZIP12 knockdown lentivirus and an overexpressing lentivirus were constructed and transfected into PASMCs derived from PAH and control rats, respectively. EdU assays, wound healing assays and Western blotting were carried out to explore the function of ZIP12 in PASMCs.

Results

Increased ZIP12 expression was observed in PASMCs derived from MCT-induced PAH rats. The proliferation and migration of PASMCs from PAH rats were significantly increased compared with those from control rats. These results were corroborated by Western blot analysis of PCNA and cyclin D1. All these effects were significantly reversed by silencing ZIP12. Comparatively, ZIP12 overexpression resulted in the opposite effects as shown in PASMCs from control rats. Furthermore, selective inhibition of AKT phosphorylation by LY294002 abolished the effect of ZIP12 overexpression on enhancing cell proliferation and migration and partially suppressed the increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation induced by ZIP12 overexpression. However, inhibition of ERK activity by U0126 resulted in partial reversal of this effect and did not influence an increase in AKT phosphorylation induced by ZIP12 overexpression.

Conclusions

ZIP12 is involved in MCT-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and enhances the proliferation and migration of PASMCs. The mechanism of these effects was partially mediated by enhancing the AKT/ERK signaling pathways.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12890-022-01905-3.

[Gly14]-Humanin inhibits an angiotensin II-induced vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switch via ameliorating intracellular oxidative stress

Angiotensin II (AngII) is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertensive artery remodeling by inducing a phenotypic switch in vascular smooth muscle cells [Gly14]-Humanin (HNG), a humanin analogue, exerts potent cytoprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo. This study aimed to investigate the effects of HNG on an AngII-induced phenotypic switch in VSMCs and the potential mechanisms underlying these effects. The roles of [Gly14]-Humanin in AngII-stimulated VSMCs proliferation and migration was detected by CCK-8 assay, Cell cycle analysis, wound healing assay, trsnswell assay and western blot. The mechanism by which [Gly14]-Humanin regulates VSMC phenotypic switch was determined by intracellular oxidative stress detection, transcriptomic analysis and qRT-PCR. The results showed that HNG inhibited AngII-induced VSMC proliferation and migration and maintained a stable VSMC contractile phenotype. In addition, HNG reduced the level of AngII-induced oxidative stress in vascular smooth muscle cells. This process could be accomplished by inhibiting nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity. In conclusion, the results suggested that HNG ameliorated intracellular oxidative stress by inhibiting NAD(P)H oxidase activity, thereby suppressing the AngII-induced VSMC phenotype switch. Thus, HNG is a potential drug to ameliorate artery remodeling in hypertension.