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Li B, Zhang Y, Zheng Y, Cai H. The mechanisms and therapeutic potential of clopidogrel in mitigating diabetic cardiomyopathy in db/db mice. iScience 2024; 27:109134. [PMID: 38375215 PMCID: PMC10875154 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Clopidogrel has been shown to play a protective role against diabetic nephropathy. However, whether clopidogrel exerts a protective effect against diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is unknown. Three-month-old male db/db mice were administered clopidogrel daily at doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg by gavage for 5 months. Here, we showed that clopidogrel effectively attenuated diabetes-induced cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction by inhibiting cardiac fibrosis, inflammatory responses, and oxidative stress damage in db/db mice. Diabetes-induced cardiac fibrosis was inhibited by clopidogrel treatment via blockade of the TGF-β1/Smad3/P2RY12 pathway and inhibition of macrophage infiltration in db/db mice. The protective effects of clopidogrel against oxidative damage were mediated by the induction of the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings provide strong evidence that clopidogrel is a promising effective agent for the treatment of DCM by alleviating diabetes-induced cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction. P2RY12 might be an effective target for the treatment of DCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yaoting Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yang Zheng
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - He Cai
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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Prokopidis K, Morwani-Mangnani J, McDowell G, Lip GYH, Venturelli M, Sankaranarayanan R, Isanejad M. Sarcopenia is linked to higher levels of B-type natriuretic peptide and its N-terminal fragment in heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Geriatr Med 2024:10.1007/s41999-024-00950-x. [PMID: 38457043 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-024-00950-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Sarcopenia is linked to impaired physical function and exercise tolerance. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the association of sarcopenia and low appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM) with biomarkers of cardiac function, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its N-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP), in patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS From inception until May 2023, a systematic literature search of observational studies was undertaken utilizing the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. A meta-analysis employing a random-effects model was used to compute the pooled effects (CRD42023418465). Overall, 16 studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Our main analysis showed that sarcopenia in HF was linked to significantly higher levels of BNP (MD: 87.76, 95% CI 20.74-154.78, I2 = 61%, P = 0.01) and NT-proBNP (MD: 947.45, 95% CI 98.97-1795.93, I2 = 35%, P = 0.03). Similarly, low ASM was associated with significantly higher levels of BNP (MD: 118.95, 95% CI 46.91-191.00, I2 = 93%, P < 0.01) and NT-proBNP (MD: 672.01, 95% CI 383.72-960.30, I2 = 2%, P < 0.01). The quality of the included cohort studies was considered moderate, using the binary AXIS checklist and the Cochrane Tool to Assess the Risk of Bias in Cohort Studies. CONCLUSIONS In patients with HF, sarcopenia and reduced ASM are associated with considerably higher plasma levels of BNP and NT-proBNP. Future research is required to investigate whether sarcopenia may express dysregulated biomarkers of cardiac function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Prokopidis
- Department of Musculoskeletal Ageing and Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | | | - Garry McDowell
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
- Research Lab, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Danish Center for Clinical Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Massimo Venturelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Rajiv Sankaranarayanan
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
- Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Masoud Isanejad
- Department of Musculoskeletal Ageing and Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Sosa J, Oyelakin A, Sinha S. The Reign of Follistatin in Tumors and Their Microenvironment: Implications for Drug Resistance. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:130. [PMID: 38392348 PMCID: PMC10887188 DOI: 10.3390/biology13020130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Follistatin (FST) is a potent neutralizer of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily and is associated with normal cellular programs and various hallmarks of cancer, such as proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. The aberrant expression of FST by solid tumors is a well-documented observation, yet how FST influences tumor progression and therapy response remains unclear. The recent surge in omics data has revealed new insights into the molecular foundation underpinning tumor heterogeneity and its microenvironment, offering novel precision medicine-based opportunities to combat cancer. In this review, we discuss these recent FST-centric studies, thereby offering an updated perspective on the protean role of FST isoforms in shaping the complex cellular ecosystem of tumors and in mediating drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Sosa
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Akinsola Oyelakin
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Satrajit Sinha
- Department of Biochemistry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
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Ryaboshapkina M, Ye R, Ye Y, Birnbaum Y. Effects of Dapagliflozin on Myocardial Gene Expression in BTBR Mice with Type 2 Diabetes. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 2023:10.1007/s10557-023-07517-1. [PMID: 37914900 DOI: 10.1007/s10557-023-07517-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. DAPA-HF and DELIVER trial results demonstrate that the cardiovascular protective effect of dapagliflozin extends to non-diabetic patients. Hence, the mechanism-of-action may extend beyond glucose-lowering and is not completely elucidated. We have previously shown that dapagliflozin reduces cardiac hypertrophy, inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis and increases ejection fraction in BTBR mice with type 2 diabetes. METHODS We conducted a follow-up RNA-sequencing study on the heart tissue of these animals and performed differential expression and Ingenuity Pathway analysis. Selected markers were confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS SGLT2 had negligible expression in heart tissue. Dapagliflozin improved cardiac metabolism by decreasing glycolysis and pyruvate utilization enzymes, induced antioxidant enzymes, and decreased expression of hypoxia markers. Expression of inflammation, apoptosis, and hypertrophy pathways was decreased. These observations corresponded to the effects of dapagliflozin in the clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ryaboshapkina
- Translational Science and Experimental Medicine, Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Regina Ye
- University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Yumei Ye
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Yochai Birnbaum
- The Section of Cardiology, The Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Cheng J, Xue F, Cheng C, Sui W, Zhang M, Qiao L, Ma J, Ji X, Chen W, Yu X, Xi B, Xu F, Su G, Zhao Y, Hao P, Zhang Y, Zhang C. ADAM17 knockdown mitigates while ADAM17 overexpression aggravates cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction via regulating ACE2 shedding and myofibroblast transformation. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:997916. [PMID: 36313337 PMCID: PMC9613967 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.997916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A disintegrin and metalloprotease domain family protein 17 (ADAM17) is a new member of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) but its role in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is obscure. To test the hypothesis that ADAM17 knockdown mitigates while ADAM17 overexpression aggravates cardiac fibrosis via regulating ACE2 shedding and myofibroblast transformation in diabetic mice, ADAM17 gene was knocked down and overexpressed by means of adenovirus-mediated short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) and adenovirus vector carrying ADAM17 cDNA, respectively, in a mouse model of DCM. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography, histopathology and immunohistochemistry were performed in all mice and in vitro experiments conducted in primary cardiofibroblasts. The results showed that ADAM17 knockdown ameliorated while ADAM17 overexpression worsened cardiac dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis in diabetic mice. In addition, ADAM17 knockdown increased ACE2 while reduced AT1R expression in diabetic hearts. Mechanistically, ADAM17 knockdown decreased while ADAM17 overexpression increased cardiac fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation through regulation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, ADAM17 knockdown attenuates while ADAM17 overexpression aggravates cardiac fibrosis via regulating ACE2 shedding and myofibroblast transformation through TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in diabetic mice. Targeting ADAM17 may provide a promising approach to the prevention and treatment of cardiac fibrosis in DCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Cheng
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Heart Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Xue
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenhai Sui
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Lei Qiao
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jing Ma
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoping Ji
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenqiang Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiao Yu
- Key Laboratory Experimental Teratology of the Ministry of Education, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bo Xi
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Chest Pain Center, Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guohai Su
- Cardiovascular Disease Research Center of Shandong First Medical University, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuxia Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Panpan Hao
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Panpan Hao, ; Yun Zhang, ; Cheng Zhang,
| | - Yun Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Cardiovascular Disease Research Center of Shandong First Medical University, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Panpan Hao, ; Yun Zhang, ; Cheng Zhang,
| | - Cheng Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Cardiovascular Disease Research Center of Shandong First Medical University, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Panpan Hao, ; Yun Zhang, ; Cheng Zhang,
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Zhang D, Li Y, Wang W, Lang X, Zhang Y, Zhao Q, Yan J, Zhang Y. NOX1 promotes myocardial fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction via activating the TLR2/NF-κB pathway in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:928762. [PMID: 36225554 PMCID: PMC9549956 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.928762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a prevalent complication in patients with diabetes, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. However, the molecular mechanisms of diabetic cardiomyopathy have yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we investigated a novel target, NOX1, an isoform of superoxide-producing NADPH oxidase with key functional involvement in the pathophysiology of DCM. The DCM rat model was established by a high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin injections. DCM rats elicited myocardial fibrosis exacerbation, which was accompanied by a marked elevation of NOX1 expression in cardiac tissue. In particular, a specific NOX1 inhibitor, ML171, effectively decreased myocardial fibrosis and protected against cardiac dysfunction in DCM rats. Rat neonatal cardiac fibroblasts were incubated with high glucose (HG, 33 mM) as an in vitro model of DCM. We also observed that the expression of NOX1 was upregulated in HG-cultured cardiac fibroblasts. Silencing of NOX1 was found to attenuate myocardial fibrosis and oxidative stress in HG-induced cardiac fibroblasts. Furthermore, the upregulation of NOX1 by hyperglycemia induced activation of the TLR2/NF-κB pathway both in vitro and in vivo, whereas these effects were significantly attenuated with NOX1 gene silencing and further enhanced with NOX1 gene overexpression. In summary, we demonstrated that NOX1 induced activation of the TLR2/NF-κB pathway and increased reactive oxygen species production accumulation, which ultimately increased myocardial fibrosis and deteriorated cardiac function in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Our study revealed that NOX1 was a potential therapeutic target for DCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yilan Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Weijie Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xueyan Lang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yanxiu Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qianqian Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jingru Yan
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Ministry of Education, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Yao Zhang,
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Dugbartey GJ, Wonje QL, Alornyo KK, Adams I, Diaba DE. Alpha-lipoic acid treatment improves adverse cardiac remodelling in the diabetic heart - The role of cardiac hydrogen sulfide-synthesizing enzymes. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 203:115179. [PMID: 35853498 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a licensed drug for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. We recently reported that it also improves diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this study, we present evidence supporting our hypothesis that the cardioprotective effect of ALA is via upregulation of cardiac hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-synthesizing enzymes. METHODS Following 12 h of overnight fasting, T2DM was induced in 23 out of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats by intraperitoneal administration of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg) followed by streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) while the rest served as healthy control (HC). T2DM rats then received either oral administration of ALA (60 mg/kg/day; n = 7) or 40 mg/kg/day DL-propargylglycine (PAG, an endogenous H2S inhibitor; n = 7) intraperitoneally for 6 weeks after which all rats were sacrificed and samples collected for analysis. Untreated T2DM rats served as diabetic control (DCM; n = 9). RESULTS T2DM resulted in weight loss, islet destruction, reduced pancreatic β-cell function and hyperglycemia. Histologically, DCM rats showed significant myocardial damage evidenced by myocardial degeneration, cardiomyocyte vacuolation and apoptosis, cardiac fibrosis and inflammation, which positively correlated with elevated levels of cardiac damage markers compared to HC rats (p < 0.001). These pathological alterations worsened significantly in PAG-treated rats (p < 0.05). However, ALA treatment restored normoinsulemia, normoglycemia, prevented DCM, and improved lipid and antioxidant status. Mechanistically, ALA significantly upregulated the expression of cardiac H2S-synthesizing enzymes and increased plasma H2S concentration compared to DCM rats (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION ALA preserves myocardial integrity in T2DM likely by maintaining the expression of cardiac H2S-synthezing enzymes and increasing plasma H2S level.
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Affiliation(s)
- George J Dugbartey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Quinsker L Wonje
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Karl K Alornyo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ismaila Adams
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Deborah E Diaba
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Dugbartey GJ, Wonje QL, Alornyo KK, Robertson L, Adams I, Boima V, Mensah SD. Combination Therapy of Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Gliclazide and Ramipril Protects Against Development of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy via Inhibition of TGF-β/Smad Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:850542. [PMID: 35401218 PMCID: PMC8988231 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.850542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major long-term complication of diabetes mellitus, accounting for over 20% of annual mortality rate of diabetic patients globally. Although several existing anti-diabetic drugs have improved glycemic status in diabetic patients, prevalence of DCM is still high. This study investigates cardiac effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation of anti-diabetic therapy in experimental DCM. Methods: Following 12 h of overnight fasting, 44 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to two groups of healthy control (n = 7) and diabetic (n = 37) groups, and fasting blood glucose was measured. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was induced in diabetic group by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg) and streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). After confirmation of T2DM on day 3, diabetic rats received monotherapies with ALA (60 mg/kg; n = 7), gliclazide (15 mg/kg; n = 7), ramipril (10 mg/kg; n = 7) or combination of the three drugs (n = 7) for 6 weeks while untreated diabetic rats received distilled water and were used as diabetic control (n = 9). Rats were then sacrificed, and blood, pancreas and heart tissues were harvested for analyses using standard methods. Results: T2DM induction caused pancreatic islet destruction, hyperglycemia, weight loss, high relative heart weight, and development of DCM, which was characterized by myocardial degeneration and vacuolation, cardiac fibrosis, elevated cardiac damage markers (plasma and cardiac creatine kinase-myocardial band, brain natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I). Triple combination therapy of ALA, gliclazide and ramipril preserved islet structure, maintained body weight and blood glucose level, and prevented DCM development compared to diabetic control (p < 0.001). In addition, the combination therapy markedly reduced plasma levels of inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α), plasma and cardiac tissue malondialdehyde, triglycerides and total cholesterol while significantly increasing cardiac glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol compared to diabetic control (p < 0.001). Mechanistically, induction of T2DM upregulated cardiac expression of TGF-β1, phosphorylated Smad2 and Smad3 proteins, which were downregulated following triple combination therapy (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Triple combination therapy of ALA, gliclazide and ramipril prevented DCM development by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad pathway. Our findings can be extrapolated to the human heart, which would provide effective additional pharmacological therapy against DCM in T2DM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- George J Dugbartey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Quinsker L Wonje
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Karl K Alornyo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Louis Robertson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ismaila Adams
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Vincent Boima
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel D Mensah
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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Tong J, Cong L, Jia Y, He BL, Guo Y, He J, Li D, Zou B, Li J. Follistatin Alleviates Hepatic Steatosis in NAFLD via the mTOR Dependent Pathway. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2022; 15:3285-3301. [PMID: 36325432 PMCID: PMC9621035 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s380053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of follistatin (FST) on hepatic steatosis in NAFLD and the underlying mechanism, which has rarely been reported before. METHODS Liver samples from NAFLD patients and normal liver samples (from liver donors) were collected to investigate hepatic FST expression in humans. Additionally, human liver cells (LO2) were treated with free fatty acid (FFA) to induce lipid accumulation. Furthermore, lentivirus with FST overexpression or knockdown vectors were used to generate stable cell lines, which were subsequently treated with FFA or FFA and rapamycin. In the animal experiments, male C57BL/6J mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce NAFLD, after which the adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene vectors for FST overexpression were administered. In both cell culture and mice, we evaluated morphological changes and the protein expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein1 (SREBP1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase1 (ACC1), carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP), fatty acid synthase (FASN), and Akt/mTOR signaling. The body weight and serum parameters of the mice were also measured. RESULTS Hepatic FST expression level was higher in NAFLD patients compared to normal samples. In LO2 cells, FST overexpression alleviated lipid accumulation and lipogenesis, whereas FST knockdown aggravated hepatic steatosis. FST could regulate Akt/mTOR signaling, and the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin abolished the effect of FST knockdown on hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL). Furthermore, FST expression was increased in HFD mice compared to the corresponding controls. FST overexpression in mice reduced body weight gain, hyperlipidemia, hepatic DNL, and suppressed Akt/mTOR signaling. CONCLUSION Hepatic FST expression increases in NAFLD and plays a protective role in hepatic steatosis. FST overexpression gene therapy alleviates hepatic steatosis via the mTOR pathway.Therefore, gene therapy for FST is a promising treatment in NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junlu Tong
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Central Laboratory, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li Cong
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yingbin Jia
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bai-Liang He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center of Molecular Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yifan Guo
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianzhong He
- Department of Pathology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Decheng Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Baojia Zou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jian Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Jian Li; Baojia Zou, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-756-252-8781, Email ;
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