Protective effects of Gingko biloba extract 761 on myocardial infarction via improving the viability of implanted mesenchymal stem cells in the rat heart

Exploring Cutting-Edge Approaches to Potentiate Mesenchymal Stem Cell and Exosome Therapy for Myocardial Infarction

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be a significant global health concern. Many studies have reported promising outcomes from using MSCs and their secreted exosomes in managing various cardiovascular-related diseases like myocardial infarction (MI). MSCs and exosomes have demonstrated considerable potential in promoting regeneration and neovascularization, as well as exerting beneficial effects against apoptosis, remodeling, and inflammation in cases of myocardial infarction. Nonetheless, ensuring the durability and effectiveness of MSCs and exosomes following in vivo transplantation remains a significant concern. Recently, novel methods have emerged to improve their effectiveness and robustness, such as employing preconditioning statuses, modifying MSC and their exosomes, targeted drug delivery with exosomes, biomaterials, and combination therapy. Herein, we summarize the novel approaches that intensify the therapeutic application of MSC and their derived exosomes in treating MI.

A Wireless Power Transfer Based Implantable ECG Monitoring Device

Implantable medical devices (IMDs) enable patients to monitor their health anytime and receive treatment anywhere. However, due to the limited capacity of a battery, their functionalities are restricted, and the devices may not achieve their intended potential fully. The most promising way to solve this limited capacity problem is wireless power transfer (WPT) technology. In this study, a WPT based implantable electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring device that continuously records ECG data has been proposed, and its effectiveness is verified through an animal experiment using a rat model. Our proposed device is designed to be of size 24 × 27 × 8 mm, and it is small enough to be implanted in the rat. The device transmits data continuously using a low power Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication technology. To charge the battery wirelessly, transmitting (Tx) and receiving (Rx) antennas were designed and fabricated. The animal experiment results clearly showed that our WPT system enables the device to monitor the ECG of a heart in various conditions continuously, while transmitting all ECG data in real-time.

Ginkgo biloba Pretreatment Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via mitoBKCa

Ginkgo biloba extracts (EGb) alleviate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been characterized. This study aimed to investigate whether activation of large-conductance [Formula: see text]-activated [Formula: see text] channels at the inner mitochondrial membrane ([Formula: see text] of cardiomyocytes is involved in Ginkgo biloba extract-mediated cardioprotection. Shuxuening injection (SXNI, 12.5[Formula: see text]ml/kg/d), a widely prescribed herbal medicine containing Ginkgo biloba extracts in China, or vehicle, was administered to C57BL/6 mice via tail vein injection for one week prior to surgical procedures. The mitoBKCa blocker paxilline (PAX) (1[Formula: see text]ml/kg, 115 nM) was administered via tail vein injection 30[Formula: see text]min prior to the onset of ischemia. The mice were randomly divided into the following groups: Sham, MI/R, MI/R+SXNI, and MI/R+SXNI+PAX. MI/R was induced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30[Formula: see text]min with subsequent reperfusion for 24[Formula: see text]h. SXNI pretreatment conferred cardioprotective effects against MI/R injury as evidenced by reduced infarct size, improved cardiac function, and improved mitochondrial function. However, these effects were abrogated by co-administration with PAX. In addition, activation of mitoBKCa by Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 reduced hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cardiomyocyte injury in vitro through the inhibition of mitochondrial fragmentation, restoration of the mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased generation of superoxide, and inhibition of apoptosis which is associated with alleviating mitochondrial [Formula: see text] overload. These results indicated that Ginkgo biloba extracts pretreatment protected against MI/R injury via activation of mitoBKCa.

Human Stem Cells Promote Liver Regeneration After Partial Hepatectomy in BALB/C Nude Mice

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been suggested to augment liver regeneration after surgically and pharmacologically induced liver failure. To further investigate this we processed human bone marrow-derived MSC according to good manufacturing practice (GMP) and tested those cells for their modulatory capacities of metabolic alterations and liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in BALB/c nude mice.

METHODS

Human MSCs were obtained by bone marrow aspiration of healthy donors as in a previously described GMP process. Transgenic GFP-MSCs were administered i.p. 24 h after 70% hepatectomy in BALB/c nude mice, whereas control mice received phosphate-buffered saline. Mice were sacrificed 2, 3, and 5 d after partial hepatectomy. Blood and organs were harvested and metabolic alterations as well as liver regeneration subsequently assessed by liver function tests, multianalyte profiling immunoassays, histology, and immunostaining.

RESULTS

Hepatocyte and sinusoidal endothelial cell proliferation were significantly increased after partial hepatectomy in mice receiving MSC compared to control mice (Hepatocyte postoperative day 3, P < 0.01; endothelial cell postoperative day 5, P < 0.05). Hepatocyte fat accumulation correlated inversely with hepatocyte proliferation (r² = 0.4064, P < 0.01) 2 d after partial hepatectomy, with mice receiving MSC being protected from severe fat accumulation. No GFP-positive cells could be detected in the samples. Serum levels of IL-6, HGF, and IL-10 were significantly decreased at day 3 in mice receiving MSC when compared to control mice (P < 0.05). Relative body weight loss was significantly attenuated after partial hepatectomy in mice receiving MSC (2 d and 3 d, both P < 0.001) with a trend toward a faster relative restoration of liver weight, when compared to control mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Human bone marrow-derived MSC attenuate metabolic alterations and improve liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in BALB/c nude mice. Obtained results using GMP-processed human MSC suggest functional links between fat accumulation and hepatocyte proliferation, without any evidence for cellular homing. This study using GMP-proceeded MSC has important regulatory implications for an urgently needed translation into a clinical trial.

Enhancement of Functionality and Therapeutic Efficacy of Cell-Based Therapy Using Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease usually triggers coronary heart disease, stroke, and ischemic diseases, thus promoting the development of functional failure. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are cells that can be isolated from various human tissues, with multipotent and immunomodulatory characteristics to help damaged tissue repair and avoidance of immune responses. Much research has proved the feasibility, safety, and efficiency of MSC-based therapy for cardiovascular disease. Despite the fact that the precise mechanism of MSCs remains unclear, their therapeutic capability to treat ischemic diseases has been tested in phase I/II clinical trials. MSCs have the potential to become an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ischemic and non-ischemic cardiovascular disorders. The molecular mechanism underlying the efficacy of MSCs in promoting engraftment and accelerating the functional recovery of injury sites is still unclear. It is hypothesized that the mechanisms of paracrine effects for the cardiac repair, optimization of the niche for cell survival, and cardiac remodeling by inflammatory control are involved in the interaction between MSCs and the damaged myocardial environment. This review focuses on recent experimental and clinical findings related to cardiovascular disease. We focus on MSCs, highlighting their roles in cardiovascular disease repair, differentiation, and MSC niche, and discuss their therapeutic efficacy and the current status of MSC-based cardiovascular disease therapies.

Composition and cardioprotective effects of Primula veris L. solid herbal extract in experimental chronic heart failure

BACKGROUND

High interest in chronic heart failure (CHF) is accounted for by its high incidence, poor prognosis, growing number of hospital admissions due to the heart failure relapse, and inadequate treatment. These facts necessitate a search for new pharmacological agents for the CHF correction. Herbal medicinal products appear to be very promising as they have a noticeable therapeutic effect and tend to be more harmless in comparison to the most of synthesized medications.

PURPOSE

Our aim was to study the composition of the Primula veris L. solid herbal extract (PVSHE) and its effects on the myocardial contractile function in animals with experimental CHF.

STUDY DESIGN

The study design involved the identification of the raw material composition of the P. veris L. extract. For the experimental part of our research, we used the model of CHF to elucidate the cardioprotective properties of PVSHE.

METHODS

The active extract constituents were isolated by thin-layer chromatography and column chromatography; the extract components were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography, ultraviolet spectroscopy (UVS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMRS). To model CHF, L-isoproterenol at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected to the experimental rats twice a day for 21 days. Cardiac output was assessed with the loading test, adrenoreactivity test, and maximum isometric loading test; CHF markers adrenomedullin and copeptin were detected in blood plasma with ELISA kit for adrenomedullin and copeptin (Coud-Clone Corp., USA).

RESULTS

P. veris L. solid herbal extract contains flavonoid aglycons (apigenin, quercetine, kaemferol), flavonoid glycosides (cinarozid, rutin, hyperozid), as well as polymethoxylated flavonoids acting as chemotaxonomic markers for the genus Primula (8-methoxy-flavone; 3',4'methylenedioxy-5'-methoxyflavone). The substance 3',4'methylenedioxy-5'-methoxyflavone has been isolated from the primrose herb for the first time. We showed that the PVSHE has a cardioprotective effect when it was administered at a dose of 30 mg/kg in the experimental CHF, as evidenced by a lower number of animal death, lower level of CHF markers in the blood plasma of the experimental animals, the higher increase in rate of myocardial contraction and relaxation, the higher level of left ventricular pressure (LVP) and of maximum intensity of structural performance (MISP), as compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

P. veris L. solid herbal extract contains flavonoid aglycons, flavonoid glycosides, and polymethoxylated flavonoids. The herbal agent increases the myocardial contractility in experimental CHF.

Functionally Improved Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Better Treat Myocardial Infarction

Myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is considered a promising approach and has made significant progress in preclinical studies and clinical trials for treating MI. However, hurdles including poor survival, retention, homing, and differentiation capacity largely limit the therapeutic effect of transplanted MSCs. Many strategies such as preconditioning, genetic modification, cotransplantation with bioactive factors, and tissue engineering were developed to improve the survival and function of MSCs. On the other hand, optimizing the hostile transplantation microenvironment of the host myocardium is also of importance. Here, we review the modifications of MSCs as well as the host myocardium to improve the efficacy of MSC-based therapy against MI.

Tnfrsf12a-Mediated Atherosclerosis Signaling and Inflammatory Response as a Common Protection Mechanism of Shuxuening Injection Against Both Myocardial and Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injuries

Shuxuening injection (SXNI) is a widely prescribed herbal medicine of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGB) for cerebral and cardiovascular diseases in China. However, its curative effects on ischemic stroke and heart diseases and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Taking an integrated approach of RNA-seq and network pharmacology analysis, we compared transcriptome profiles of brain and heart ischemia reperfusion injury in C57BL/6J mice to identify common and differential target genes by SXNI. Models for myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI) by ligating left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) for 30 min ischemia and 24 h reperfusion and cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 90 min ischemia and 24 h reperfusion were employed to identify the common mechanisms of SXNI on both cerebral and myocardial ischemia reperfusion. In the CIRI model, ischemic infarct volume was markedly decreased after pre-treatment with SXNI at 0.5, 2.5, and 12.5 mL/kg. In the MIRI model, pre-treatment with SXNI at 2.5 and 12.5 mL/kg improved cardiac function and coronary blood flow and decreased myocardial infarction area. Besides, SXNI at 2.5 mL/kg also markedly reduced the levels of LDH, AST, CK-MB, and CK in serum. RNA-seq analysis identified 329 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in brain and 94 DEGs in heart after SXNI treatment in CIRI or MIRI models, respectively. Core analysis by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) revealed that atherosclerosis signaling and inflammatory response were top-ranked in the target profiles for both CIRI and MIRI after pre-treatment with SXNI. Specifically, Tnfrsf12a was recognized as an important common target, and was regulated by SXNI in CIRI and MIRI. In conclusion, our study showed that SXNI effectively protects brain and heart from I/R injuries via a common Tnfrsf12a-mediated pathway involving atherosclerosis signaling and inflammatory response. It provides a novel knowledge of active ingredients of Ginkgo biloba on cardio-cerebral vascular diseases in future clinical application.

Mesenchymal stem cells increase antioxidant capacity in intestinal ischemia/reperfusion damage

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may have beneficial effects in reversing intestinal damage resulting from circulatory disorders. The hypothesis of this study is that MSCs increase antioxidant capacity of small bowel tissue following intestinal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) damage.

METHODS

A total of 100 rats were used for the control group and three experimental groups, as follows: the sham control, local MSC, and systemic MSC groups. Each group consisted of 10 animals on days 1, 4, and 7 of the experiment. Ischemia was established by clamping the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 45min; following this, reperfusion was carried out for 1, 4, and 7days in all groups. In the local and systemic groups, MSCs were administered intravenously and locally just after the ischemia, and they were investigated after 1, 4, and 7days. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) activities, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) and total protein levels, were measured. Histopathological analysis was performed using light and electron microscopy. The indicators of proliferation from the effects of anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines were evaluated using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

MDA was increased (P<0.05) in the sham control group and decreased (P<0.05) in the MSC groups. SOD, CAT, and Gpx were decreased in the local MSC group (P<0.05). The highest level of amelioration was observed on day 7 in the local MSC group via light and electron microscopy. It was found that the MSCs arrived at the damaged intestinal wall in the MSC groups immediately after injection. Pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL1β), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), IL6, MIP2, and MPO decreased (P<0.05), while anti-inflammatory cytokines EP3 and IL1ra increased (p<0.05) in the local and systemic MSC groups. In addition, proliferation indicators, such as PCNA and KI67, increased (P<0.05) in the local and systemic MSC groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Parallel to our hypothesis, MSC increases the antioxidant capacity of small bowel tissue after intestinal I/R damage. The MSCs migrated to the reperfused small intestine by homing and reduced oxidative stress via the effects of SOD, CAT, and Gpx, as well as reducing the MDA level; thus, they could increase antioxidant capacity of intestine and have a therapeutic effect on the damaged tissue. We think that this effect was achieved via scavenging of oxygen radicals, suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increasing the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF Ailanthus excelsa ROXB IN MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION POST MESENCHYMAL STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION: STUDY IN CHRONIC ISCHEMIC RAT MODEL

Background:

Thia study evaluates the effects of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb methanolic extract (AER-ME) in rats induced with Myocardial Infarction (MI) followed by transplantation of MSCs.

Material and Methods:

Rats were induced with MI by ligation technique of left coronary artery. The sham-operated the control and AER-ME treated group of rats received transplantation of PKH-26 and marked MSCs followed by normal saline and AER-ME treatment (200mg/kg/day of AER-ME extract) respectively for 30 days. Parameters such as cardiac function, inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis and differentiation of MSCs (angiogenesis) were evaluated. Histological studies of infracted myocardium reveled anti-inflammatory activity of AER-ME treatment.

Result and Discussion:

Oxidative stress parameters revealed decrease in levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) activity significantly indicating antioxidant activity of the extract. There was a reduction in cell death rate of treated rats due to the decrease in apoptotic index with prolongation of MI when compared to both control and sham-operated groups. The expression of Fas protein was parallel to apoptotic index. The vascular density increased significantly in extract treated group. The treatment showed improved cardiac activity with decreased left ventricular end diastolic (LVEDP) and arterial pressure while the left ventricular end systolic pressure (LVEP) and dp/dtmax increased significantly when compared to both control and sham-operated groups respectively showing the protective effect of the extract as necessitated by the transplantation of MSCs. The study marked the protective outcomes of AER-ME treatment for MSCs in microenvironment of infracted myocardium by improving their viability and increasing differentiation into cardiomyocytes.

Mesenchymal stem cells in cardiac regeneration: a detailed progress report of the last 6 years (2010-2015)

Mesenchymal stem cells have been used for cardiovascular regenerative therapy for decades. These cells have been established as one of the potential therapeutic agents, following several tests in animal models and clinical trials. In the process, various sources of mesenchymal stem cells have been identified which help in cardiac regeneration by either revitalizing the cardiac stem cells or revascularizing the arteries and veins of the heart. Although mesenchymal cell therapy has achieved considerable admiration, some challenges still remain that need to be overcome in order to establish it as a successful technique. This in-depth review is an attempt to summarize the major sources of mesenchymal stem cells involved in myocardial regeneration, the significant mechanisms involved in the process with a focus on studies (human and animal) conducted in the last 6 years and the challenges that remain to be addressed.