Review: In dyslipidemia or atherosclerotic CVD, alirocumab and evolocumab vs control each reduce MI and stroke

The current perspective and opportunities of small nucleic acid-based therapeutics

Compared to traditional small molecule and antibody drugs, RNA-based drugs offer a simple design, short research and development cycles, high specificity, broad treatment fields, and long-term efficacy. As a result, RNA-based drugs are extensively used to treat genetic diseases, tumors, viral infections, and other illnesses, suggesting that they have the potential to become the third-largest drug class after small molecule and antibody drugs. Currently, more than 10 small nucleic acid drugs have gained regulatory approval. The commercialization successes of small nucleic acid drugs will stimulate the development of RNA-based drugs. Small nucleic acid drugs primarily target liver diseases, metabolic diseases, genetic diseases, and tumors, and there is also significant potential for expanding indications in the future. This review provides a brief overview of the advantages and development of small nucleic acid-based therapeutics and shows a focus on platform technologies such as chemical modifications and delivery systems that have enabled the clinical translation of small nucleic acid-based therapeutics. Additionally, we summarize the latest clinical progress in small nucleic acid-based therapeutics for the treatment of various diseases, including rare diseases, liver diseases, metabolic diseases, and tumors. Finally, we highlight the future prospects for this promising treatment approach.

Evolocumab prevents atrial fibrillation in rheumatoid arthritis rats through restraint of PCSK9 induced atrial remodeling

INTRODUCTION

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of autoimmune disease. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at high risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), while whether PCSK9 is involved in the onset of AF among RA patients remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the role of PCSK9 in the occurrence of AF in RA patients and decipher the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

We established a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) by immunization with type II collagen in Freund's incomplete adjuvant. Atrial electrophysiological test was used to evaluate AF susceptibility. We performed a clinical study to examine the correlation between PCSK9 level and AF, which recruited healthy control, RA patients and RA patients complicated with AF. Evolocumab (a monoclonal antibody of PCSK9) is administered via intraperitoneal injection in CIA rats to assess the role of PCSK9 in RA-related AF. LPS-RS (LPS inhibitor), clodronate liposomes (depletion of macrophages), and cell co-culture model were used to dissect the mechanism underlying PCSK9 promotes AF.

RESULTS

AF inducibility and duration were higher in CIA rats, accompanied by elevated plasma and atrial PCSK9. Interestingly, compared with healthy control subjects, patients with RA showed an increase in PCSK9, and the PCSK9 is much higher in RA patients complicated with AF. The level of PCSK9 was independently associated with AF risk in RA patients. In the in vivo experiment, evolocumab reduced AF susceptibility, and ameliorated atrial structural remodeling of CIA rats. Mechanistically, augmented LPS in CIA rats led to an increase in PCSK9, which exacerbated fibrosis of cardiac fibroblasts and apoptosis of cardiac myocytes by enhancement of M1 macrophages polarization and inflammation, thereby contributing to AF.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that elevated PCSK9 causes atrial structural remodeling by enhancement of M1 macrophages polarization in atria, and evolocumab can effectively protects CIA rats from AF.

APLP2 gene polymorphisms are associated with high TC and LDL-C levels in Chinese population in Xinjiang, China

Hyperlipidemia is one of the main risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD). In the present study, we aimed to explore whether the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in amyloid precursor-like protein (APLP) 2 (APLP2) gene were associated with high lipid levels in Chinese population in Xinjiang, China. We recruited 1738 subjects (1187 men, 551 women) from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, and genotyped three SNPs (rs2054247, rs3740881 and rs747180) of APLP2 gene in all subjects by using the improved multiplex ligation detection reaction (iMLDR) method. Our study revealed that the rs2054247 SNP was associated with serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in additive model (all P<0.05). The rs747180 SNP was associated with serum TC and LDL-C levels in additive model (all P<0.05). Our study revealed that both rs2054247 and rs747180 SNPs of the APLP2 gene were associated with high TC and LDL-C levels in Chinese subjects in Xinjiang.

Mulberry leaf attenuates atherosclerotic lesions in patients with coronary heart disease possibly via 1-Deoxynojirimycin: A placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial

Mulberry leaf tea reduces atherosclerotic lesions and its main component is Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ). We aimed to explore the effects of Mulberry leaf DNJ (MLD) on atherosclerotic lesions in the patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). MLD and serum DNJ was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The CHD patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >140 mg/dl were assigned into the EG (MLD treatment) and the CG (placebo treatment) groups. Serum biochemical indices, the cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were measured before and after a 1-year intervention. Pearson Correlation Coefficient test was used to explore the relationship between serum levels of DNJ and IMT values. Serum DNJ was 70 ± 50 ng/ml in the EG group but no serum DNJ was detected in the CG group. The incidence of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events in the EG was lower than that in the CG group (p < .05). MLD therapy improved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and serum lipid profile (p < .05). The IMT values in the EG group were lower than those in the CG group (p < .05). Serum levels of DNJ had a strong negative relationship with IMT values. MLD treatment attenuates atherosclerotic lesions possibly via DNJ. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Mulberry leaves Deoxynojirimycin (MLD) treatment improved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and serum lipid profile in heart disease patients. MLD reduce carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and serum levels of DNJ (the main ingredient of mulberry leaf) had a strong relationship with IMT values. MLD is an amazing treat used for reducing the incidence of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular events in heart disease patients.

IDOL gene variant is associated with hyperlipidemia in Han population in Xinjiang, China

Hyperlipidemia is one of the main risk factors that contributed to atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). In the present study, our objective was to explore whether some genetic variants of human IDOL gene were associated with hyperlipidemia among Han population in Xinjiang, China. We designed a case–control study. A total of 1,172 subjects (588 diagnosed hyperlipidemia cases and 584 healthy controls) of Chinese Han were recruited. We genotyped three SNPs (rs9370867, rs909562, and rs2072783) of IDOL gene in all subjects by using the improved multiplex ligation detection reaction (iMLDR) method. Our study demonstrated that the distribution of the genotypes, the dominant model (AA vs GG + GA), and the overdominant model (AA + GG vs GA) of the rs9370867 SNP had significant differences between the case group and controls (all P < 0.001). For rs909562 and rs2072783, the distribution of the genotypes, the recessive model (AA + GA vs GG) showed significant differences between the case subjects and controls (P = 0.002, P = 0.007 and P = 0.045, P = 0.02, respectively). After multivariate adjustment for several confounders, the rs9370867 SNP is still an independent risk factor for hyperlipidemia [odds ratio (OR) = 1.380, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.201–1.586, P < 0.001]. The rs9370867 of human IDOL gene was associated with hyperlipidemia in Han population.