Trimetazidine enhances myocardial angiogenesis in pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy mice through directly activating Akt and promoting the binding of HSF1 to VEGF-A promoter

Role and molecular mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors in pathological cardiac remodeling (Review)

Cardiovascular diseases are caused by pathological cardiac remodeling, which involves fibrosis, inflammation and cell dysfunction. This includes autophagy, apoptosis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, changes in energy metabolism, angiogenesis and dysregulation of signaling pathways. These changes in heart structure and/or function ultimately result in heart failure. In an effort to prevent this, multiple cardiovascular outcome trials have demonstrated the cardiac benefits of sodium‑glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), hypoglycemic drugs initially designed to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus. SGLT2is include empagliflozin and dapagliflozin, which are listed as guideline drugs in the 2021 European Guidelines for Heart Failure and the 2022 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/Heart Failure Society of America Guidelines for Heart Failure Management. In recent years, multiple studies using animal models have explored the mechanisms by which SGLT2is prevent cardiac remodeling. This article reviews the role of SGLT2is in cardiac remodeling induced by different etiologies to provide a guideline for further evaluation of the mechanisms underlying the inhibition of pathological cardiac remodeling by SGLT2is, as well as the development of novel drug targets.

Role of Trimetazidine in Ameliorating Endothelial Dysfunction: A Review

Endothelial dysfunction is a hallmark of cardiovascular diseases, contributing to impaired vasodilation, altered hemodynamics, and atherosclerosis progression. Trimetazidine, traditionally used for angina pectoris, exhibits diverse therapeutic effects on endothelial dysfunction. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying trimetazidine's actions and its potential as a therapeutic agent for endothelial dysfunction and associated cardiovascular disorders. Trimetazidine enhances vasodilation and hemodynamic function by modulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity, nitric oxide production, and endothelin-1. It also ameliorates metabolic parameters, including reducing blood glucose, mitigating oxidative stress, and dampening inflammation. Additionally, trimetazidine exerts antiatherosclerotic effects by inhibiting plaque formation and promoting its stability. Moreover, it regulates apoptosis and angiogenesis, fostering endothelial cell survival and neovascularization. Understanding trimetazidine's multifaceted mechanisms underscores its potential as a therapeutic agent for endothelial dysfunction and associated cardiovascular disorders, warranting further investigation for clinical translation.

N-myc Downstream-Regulated Gene 1 (NDRG1) Regulates Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) and Malignancies in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

Background

NDRG1 has been reported to exhibit relatively low expression levels in glioma tissues compared with adjacent brain tissues. Additionally, NDRG1 is reported to be a tumor suppressor with the potential to suppress the proliferation, invasion, and migration of cancer cells. However, its exact roles in GBM are still unknown.

Methods

Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) was employed to evaluate the expression level of NDRG1 in GBM. After the introduction of NDRG1, proliferation, analyses of colony formation, migration, and invasion capacities were performed. A luciferase reporter assay was performed to detect the effect of NDRG1 on the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) promoter.

Results

In this study, data from GBM and healthy individuals were retrospectively collected by employing GBM, and VEGFA was found to be differentially expressed in GBM tissues compared with adjacent brain tissues. Furthermore, NDRG1 expression is positively correlated with VEGFA expression, but not expression of the other two VEGF isoforms, VEGFB and VEGFC. In the glioma cell lines U87MG and U118, overexpression of NDRG1 significantly upregulated VEGFA. By performing a dual-luciferase reporter assay, it was observed that overexpressed NDRG1 transcriptionally activated VEGFA. Expectedly, overexpression of NDRG1 decreased cell viability by blocking cell cycle phases at G1 phase. Additionally, overexpression of NDRG1 inhibited invasion, colony formation, and tumor formation in soft agar. Remarkably, VEGFA silencing or blockade of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) further inhibited malignant behaviors in soft agar, including proliferation, invasion, colony formation, and tumor formation.

Conclusions

NDRG1-induced VEGFA exerts protective effects in GBM via the VEGFA/VEGFR2 pathway. Therefore, targeting both NDRG1 and VEGFA may represent a novel therapy for the treatment of GBM.