Garlic and cardioprotection: insights into the molecular mechanisms

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 448-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarak Nath Khatua ◽  
Ramu Adela ◽  
Sanjay K. Banerjee

Garlic is widely recognized for its immense therapeutic potential. Garlic has been shown to exert its beneficial effects against a wide spectrum of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and microbial infections, as well as immunological and cardiovascular disorders. Most of the research on garlic has indicated that garlic and its active compounds are effective in reducing cardiovascular and metabolic risk by normalizing abnormal plasma lipids, oxidized low density lipoproteins, abnormal platelet aggregation, high blood pressure, and cardiac injury. Some of the beneficial effects of dietary garlic against cardiovascular disorders are mediated via the generation of hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide in cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. Garlic has the potential to protect the heart against myocardial infarction, doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, arrhythmia, hypertrophy, and ischemia–reperfusion injury. The induction of cardiac endogenous antioxidants and the reduction of lipid peroxidation by garlic has been reported by several different groups. Other mechanisms, such as regulating ion channels, modulating Akt signaling pathways, histone deacetylase inhibition, and cytochrome P450 inhibition, could be responsible for the cardioprotective effect of garlic. Although several mechanisms have been identified for the cardioprotective effect of garlic, there is a need for further research to identify the specific molecular mechanism of cardioprotection in different cardiac diseases.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Daniela Gradinaru ◽  
Anca Ungurianu ◽  
Denisa Margina ◽  
Maria Moreno-Villanueva ◽  
Alexander Bürkle

Since its discovery in 1905 and its employment in everyday medical practice as a local anesthetic, to its highly controversial endorsement as an “anti-aging” molecule in the sixties and seventies, procaine is part of the history of medicine and gerontoprophylaxis. Procaine can be considered a “veteran” drug due to its long-time use in clinical practice, but is also a molecule which continues to incite interest, revealing new biological and pharmacological effects within novel experimental approaches. Therefore, this review is aimed at exploring and systematizing recent data on the biochemical, cellular, and molecular mechanisms involved in the antioxidant and potential geroprotective effects of procaine, focusing on the following aspects: (1) the research state-of-the-art, through an objective examination of scientific literature within the last 30 years, describing the positive, as well as the negative reports; (2) the experimental data supporting the beneficial effects of procaine in preventing or alleviating age-related pathology; and (3) the multifactorial pathways procaine impacts oxidative stress, inflammation, atherogenesis, cerebral age-related pathology, DNA damage, and methylation. According to reviewed data, procaine displayed antioxidant and cytoprotective actions in experimental models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, lipoprotein oxidation, endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation, inflammation, sepsis, intoxication, ionizing irradiation, cancer, and neurodegeneration. This analysis painted a complex pharmacological profile of procaine: a molecule that has not yet fully expressed its therapeutic potential in the treatment and prevention of aging-associated diseases. The numerous recent reports found demonstrate the rising interest in researching the multiple actions of procaine regulating key processes involved in cellular senescence. Its beneficial effects on cell/tissue functions and metabolism could designate procaine as a valuable candidate for the well-established Geroprotectors database.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaqi Shen ◽  
Zhuqing Shen ◽  
Shanshan Luo ◽  
Wei Guo ◽  
Yi Zhun Zhu

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is now recognized as a third gaseous mediator along with nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO), though it was originally considered as a malodorous and toxic gas. H2S is produced endogenously from cysteine by three enzymes in mammalian tissues. An increasing body of evidence suggests the involvement of H2S in different physiological and pathological processes. Recent studies have shown that H2S has the potential to protect the heart against myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, hypertrophy, fibrosis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and heart failure. Some mechanisms, such as antioxidative action, preservation of mitochondrial function, reduction of apoptosis, anti-inflammatory responses, angiogenic actions, regulation of ion channel, and interaction with NO, could be responsible for the cardioprotective effect of H2S. Although several mechanisms have been identified, there is a need for further research to identify the specific molecular mechanism of cardioprotection in different cardiac diseases. Therefore, insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying H2S action in the heart may promote the understanding of pathophysiology of cardiac diseases and lead to new therapeutic targets based on modulation of H2S production.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitriona M. McEvoy ◽  
Sergi Clotet-Freixas ◽  
Tomas Tokar ◽  
Chiara Pastrello ◽  
Shelby Reid ◽  
...  

AbstractNormothermic ex-vivo kidney perfusion (NEVKP) results in significantly improved graft function in porcine auto-transplant models of DCD injury compared to static cold storage (SCS); however, the molecular mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects remain unclear. We performed an unbiased proteomics analysis of 28 kidney biopsies obtained at 3 time points from pig kidneys subjected to 30-minutes of warm ischemia, followed by 8 hours of NEVKP or SCS, and auto-transplantation. 70/6593 proteins quantified were differentially expressed between NEVKP and SCS groups (FDR<0.05). Proteins increased in NEVKP mediated key metabolic processes including fatty acid ß-oxidation, the TCA-cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. Comparison of our findings with external datasets of ischemia-reperfusion, and other models of kidney injury confirmed that 47 of our proteins represent a common signature of kidney injury reversed or attenuated by NEVKP. We validated key metabolic proteins (ETFB, CPT2) by immunoblotting. Transcription factor databases identified PPARGC1A, PPARA/G/D and RXRA/B as the upstream regulators of our dataset, and we confirmed their increased expression in NEVKP with RT-PCR. The proteome-level changes observed in NEVKP mediate critical metabolic pathways that may explain the improved graft function observed. These effects may be coordinated by PPAR-family transcription factors, and may represent novel therapeutic targets in ischemia-reperfusion injury.


Author(s):  
Irina Tikhomirova ◽  
Alexei Muravyov

this review summarizes current knowledge of the hydrogen sulfide role in cardiovascular system, the proposed mechanisms of its action and the prospects for its applicability in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Hydrogen sulfide was recently recognized as gasotransmitter &ndash; simple signaling molecule which freely penetrates the cell membrane and regulates a number of biological functions. In humans endogenous H2S is generated via enzymatic and non-enzymatic pathways and its content varies in different tissues and is strictly regulated. In cardiovascular system H2S is produced by myocardial, vascular and blood cells and regulates a number of vital functions. Numerous experimental data prove that endogenously generated as well as exogenously administered H2S exerts a wide range of actions in cardiovascular system, including vasodilator/vasoconstrictor effects, regulation of blood pressure, pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects in the vascular smooth muscle cells, influence on angiogenesis and erythropoiesis, myocardial cytoprotection in ischemia-reperfusion injury, oxygen sensing, inhibition of platelet aggregation and blood coagulation, modification of erythrocyte microrheological properties (aggregability and deformability). Understanding of molecular mechanisms of H2S action and molecular crosstalk between H2S, NO, and CO is essential for the development of its diagnostic and therapeutic potential.


Author(s):  
Hongyang Shu ◽  
Yizhong Peng ◽  
Weijian Hang ◽  
Ning Zhou ◽  
Dao Wen Wang

Valosin-containing protein (VCP/p97) is a member of the conserved type II AAA+ (ATPases associated with diverse cellular activities) family of proteins with multiple biological functions, especially in protein homeostasis. Mutations in VCP/p97 are reportedly related to unique autosomal dominant diseases, which may worsen cardiac function. Although the structure of VCP/p97 has been clearly characterized, with reports of high abundance in the heart, research focusing on the molecular mechanisms underpinning the roles of VCP/p97 in the cardiovascular system has been recently undertaken over the past decades. Recent studies have shown that VCP/p97 deficiency affects myocardial fibers and induces heart failure, while overexpression of VCP/p97 eliminates ischemia/reperfusion injury and relieves pathological cardiac hypertrophy caused by cardiac pressure overload, which is related to changes in the mitochondria and calcium overload. However, certain studies have drawn opposing conclusions, including the mitigation of ischemia/reperfusion injury via inhibition of VCP/p97 ATPase activity. Nevertheless, these emerging studies shed light on the role of VCP/p97 and its therapeutic potential in cardiovascular diseases. In other words, VCP/p97 may be involved in the development of cardiovascular disease, and is anticipated to be a new therapeutic target. This review summarizes current findings regarding VCP/p97 in the cardiovascular system for the first time, and discusses the role of VCP/p97 in cardiovascular disease.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (23) ◽  
pp. 13155
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Krzystek-Korpacka ◽  
Mariusz G. Fleszar ◽  
Paulina Fortuna ◽  
Kinga Gostomska-Pampuch ◽  
Łukasz Lewandowski ◽  
...  

Molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of sitagliptin repurposed for hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) are poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the impact of IRI and sitagliptin on the hepatic profile of eicosanoids (LC-MS/MS) and expression/concentration (RTqPCR/ELISA) of GLP-1/GLP-1R, SDF-1α/CXCR4 and VIP/VPAC1, VPAC2, and PAC1 in 36 rats. Animals were divided into four groups and subjected to ischemia (60 min) and reperfusion (24 h) with or without pretreatment with sitagliptin (5 mg/kg) (IR and SIR) or sham-operated with or without sitagliptin pretreatment (controls and sitagliptin). PGI2, PGE2, and 13,14-dihydro-PGE1 were significantly upregulated in IR but not SIR, while sitagliptin upregulated PGD2 and 15-deoxy-12,14-PGJ2. IR and sitagliptin non-significantly upregulated GLP-1 while Glp1r expression was borderline detectable. VIP concentration and Vpac2 expression were downregulated in IR but not SIR, while Vpac1 was significantly downregulated solely in SIR. IRI upregulated both CXCR4 expression and concentration, and sitagliptin pretreatment abrogated receptor overexpression and downregulated Sdf1. In conclusion, hepatic IRI is accompanied by an elevation in proinflammatory prostanoids and overexpression of CXCR4, combined with downregulation of VIP/VPAC2. Beneficial effects of sitagliptin during hepatic IRI might be mediated by drug-induced normalization of proinflammatory prostanoids and upregulation of PGD2 and by concomitant downregulation of SDF-1α/CXCR4 and reinstating VIP/VCAP2 signaling.


Reproduction ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheba M.j. MohanKumar ◽  
Priya Balasubramanian ◽  
Madhan Subramanian ◽  
P.s. MohanKumar

Estradiol (E2) is a female hormone that is produced largely by the ovaries, but also by the adrenal glands, fat and liver. It is present in the circulation of both males and females. Many studies in the literature have described how E2 is beneficial to the body in terms of preventing bone loss, affording protection in ischemia reperfusion injury, relieving symptoms of menopause, maintaining vaginal health, and helping with ovarian failure or hypogonadism. Beneficial effects on the brain have been reported to include protection against memory loss, neuronal degeneration, changes in cognition, mood and behavior. However, the effects of E2 exposure on the neuroendocrine system have not been understood completely. This is because differences in doses, preparation and duration of exposure have produced variable results ranging from beneficial, to no change, or to detrimental. Studies in our lab over the last few years have shown that chronic exposures to low levels of E2 in young rats can produce specific effects on the neuroendocrine system. We have observed that these exposures can induce reproductive senescence, hypertension, anxiety-like behavior, and cause degenerative changes in specific neuronal populations leading to hyperprolactinemia. The purpose of the review is to present evidence from the literature for these effects and to discuss the underlying molecular mechanisms.


2013 ◽  
Vol 184 (1) ◽  
pp. 533-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlin Wayne Causey ◽  
Seth Miller ◽  
Zachary Hoffer ◽  
James Hempel ◽  
Jonathan D. Stallings ◽  
...  

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1390
Author(s):  
Kristína Ferenczyová ◽  
Lucia Kindernay ◽  
Jana Vlkovičová ◽  
Barbora Kaločayová ◽  
Tomáš Rajtík ◽  
...  

Catechins represent a group of polyphenols that possesses various beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system, including protective effects in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, a major pathophysiology associated with ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, as well as with cardioplegic arrest during heart surgery. In particular, catechin, (−)-epicatechin, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have been reported to prevent cardiac myocytes from I/R-induced cell damage and I/R-associated molecular changes, finally, resulting in improved cell viability, reduced infarct size, and improved recovery of cardiac function after ischemic insult, which has been widely documented in experimental animal studies and cardiac-derived cell lines. Cardioprotective effects of catechins in I/R injury were mediated via multiple molecular mechanisms, including inhibition of apoptosis; activation of cardioprotective pathways, such as PI3K/Akt (RISK) pathway; and inhibition of stress-associated pathways, including JNK/p38-MAPK; preserving mitochondrial function; and/or modulating autophagy. Moreover, regulatory roles of several microRNAs, including miR-145, miR-384-5p, miR-30a, miR-92a, as well as lncRNA MIAT, were documented in effects of catechins in cardiac I/R. On the other hand, the majority of results come from cell-based experiments and healthy small animals, while studies in large animals and studies including comorbidities or co-medications are rare. Human studies are lacking completely. The dosages of compounds also vary in a broad scale, thus, pharmacological aspects of catechins usage in cardiac I/R are inconclusive so far. Therefore, the aim of this focused review is to summarize the most recent knowledge on the effects of catechins in cardiac I/R injury and bring deep insight into the molecular mechanisms involved and dosage-dependency of these effects, as well as to outline potential gaps for translation of catechin-based treatments into clinical practice.


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