scholarly journals Standardized Aronia melanocarpa Extract as Novel Supplement against Metabolic Syndrome: A Rat Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Jakoviljevic ◽  
Petar Milic ◽  
Jovana Bradic ◽  
Jovana Jeremic ◽  
Vladimir Zivkovic ◽  
...  

The aim of our study was to examine the effects of different dietary strategies, high-fat (HFd) or standard diet (Sd) alone or in combination with standardized oral supplementation (0.45 mL/kg/day) of Aronia melanocarpa extract (SAE) in rats with metabolic syndrome (MetS). SAE is an official product of pharmaceutical company Pharmanova (Belgrade, Serbia); however, the procedure for extraction was done by EU-Chem company (Belgrade, Serbia). Rats were divided randomly into six groups: control with Sd, control with Sd and SAE, MetS with HFd, MetS with HFd and SAE, MetS with Sd and MetS with Sd and SAE during 4 weeks. At the end of the 4-week protocol, cardiac function and liver morphology were assessed, while in the blood samples glucose, insulin, iron levels and systemic redox state were determined. Our results demonstrated that SAE had the ability to lower blood pressure and exert benefits on in vivo and ex vivo heart function. Moreover, SAE improved glucose tolerance, attenuated pathological liver alterations and oxidative stress present in MetS. Obtained beneficial effects of SAE were more prominent in combination with changing dietary habits. Promising potential of SAE supplementation alone or in combination with different dietary protocols in triggering cardioprotection should be further examined in future.

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beniamino Pagliaro ◽  
Caterina Santolamazza ◽  
Francesca Simonelli ◽  
Speranza Rubattu

Cardiovascular diseases represent a worldwide relevant socioeconomical problem. Cardiovascular disease prevention relies also on lifestyle changes, including dietary habits. The cardioprotective effects of several foods and dietary supplements in both animal models and in humans have been explored. It was found that beneficial effects are mainly dependent on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, also involving modulation of mitochondrial function. Resveratrol is one of the most studied phytochemical compounds and it is provided with several benefits in cardiovascular diseases as well as in other pathological conditions (such as cancer). Other relevant compounds areBrassica oleracea, curcumin, and berberine, and they all exert beneficial effects in several diseases. In the attempt to provide a comprehensive reference tool for both researchers and clinicians, we summarized in the present paper the existing literature on both preclinical and clinical cardioprotective effects of each mentioned phytochemical. We structured the discussion of each compound by analyzing, first, its cellular molecular targets of action, subsequently focusing on results from applications in both ex vivo and in vivo models, finally discussing the relevance of the compound in the context of human diseases.


Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1086
Author(s):  
Yuan-Pin Hung ◽  
Ching-Chi Lee ◽  
Jen-Chieh Lee ◽  
Pei-Jane Tsai ◽  
Po-Ren Hsueh ◽  
...  

Probiotic supplements have been used to decrease the gut carriage of antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacterales through changes in the microbiota and metabolomes, nutrition competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial proteins. Many probiotics have shown Enterobacterales-inhibiting effects ex vivo and in vivo. In livestock, probiotics have been widely used to eradicate colon or environmental antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacterales colonization with promising efficacy for many years by oral supplementation, in ovo use, or as environmental disinfectants. In humans, probiotics have been used as oral supplements for infants to decease potential gut pathogenic Enterobacterales, and probiotic mixtures, especially, have exhibited positive results. In contrast to the beneficial effects in infants, for adults, probiotic supplements might decrease potentially pathogenic Enterobacterales, but they fail to completely eradicate them in the gut. However, there are several ways to improve the effects of probiotics, including the discovery of probiotics with gut-protection ability and antimicrobial effects, the modification of delivery methods, and the discovery of engineered probiotics. The search for multifunctional probiotics and synbiotics could render the eradication of “bad” Enterobacterales in the human gut via probiotic administration achievable in the future.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (39) ◽  
pp. 4953-4954
Author(s):  
Mallikarjuna Korivi ◽  
Betty Revon Liu

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) which is caused by poor dietary habits and sedentary behavior is a serious global health problem. MetS is a cluster of risk factors, represented by central obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. In the 21st century, MetS and associated comorbidities, including obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, are the major threats to human health. Practical dietary strategies, nutritional bioactive compounds and a healthy lifestyle are claimed to be efficient in the management of one or more components of MetS. Nevertheless successful management of MetS and commodities is still a major concern. Since hyperglycemia, inflammation and redox imbalance are intrinsically involved in the progression of MetS comorbidities, finding effective strategies that precisely target these systems is highly warranted. In this scenario, pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches with or without dietary patterns, phytochemicals or exercise interventions are the practical strategies to combat MetS and associated diseases. However, designing and prescribing of optimal nutritional patterns and exercise regimens remains a big challenge to achieve the maximum beneficial effects. This thematic issue addressed the concerns and provided practical strategies to overcome the malady of MetS in the modern world.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 531-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Szwajgier ◽  
Ewa Baranowska-Wojcik ◽  
Kamila Borowiec

Numerous authors have provided evidence regarding the beneficial effects of phenolic acids and their derivatives against Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this review, the role of phenolic acids as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is discussed, including the structure-activity relationship. In addition, the inhibitory effect of phenolic acids on the formation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) fibrils is presented. We also cover the in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies concerning the prevention and treatment of the cognitive enhancement.


2013 ◽  
Vol 305 (11) ◽  
pp. L844-L855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-Yuan Jian ◽  
Mikhail F. Alexeyev ◽  
Paul E. Wolkowicz ◽  
Jaroslaw W. Zmijewski ◽  
Judy R. Creighton

Acute lung injury secondary to sepsis is a leading cause of mortality in sepsis-related death. Present therapies are not effective in reversing endothelial cell dysfunction, which plays a key role in increased vascular permeability and compromised lung function. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a molecular sensor important for detection and mediation of cellular adaptations to vascular disruptive stimuli. In this study, we sought to determine the role of AMPK in resolving increased endothelial permeability in the sepsis-injured lung. AMPK function was determined in vivo using a rat model of endotoxin-induced lung injury, ex vivo using the isolated lung, and in vitro using cultured rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs). AMPK stimulation using N1-(α-d-ribofuranosyl)-5-aminoimidizole-4-carboxamide or metformin decreased the LPS-induced increase in permeability, as determined by filtration coefficient ( Kf) measurements, and resolved edema as indicated by decreased wet-to-dry ratios. The role of AMPK in the endothelial response to LPS was determined by shRNA designed to decrease expression of the AMPK-α1 isoform in capillary endothelial cells. Permeability, wounding, and barrier resistance assays using PMVECs identified AMPK-α1 as the molecule responsible for the beneficial effects of AMPK in the lung. Our findings provide novel evidence for AMPK-α1 as a vascular repair mechanism important in the pulmonary response to sepsis and identify a role for metformin treatment in the management of capillary injury.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evaristo Fernández-Sada ◽  
Alejandro Torres-Quintanilla ◽  
Christian Silva-Platas ◽  
Noemí García ◽  
B. Cicero Willis ◽  
...  

Metabolic syndrome (MS) increases cardiovascular risk and is associated with cardiac dysfunction and arrhythmias, although the precise mechanisms are still under study. Chronic inflammation in MS has emerged as a possible cause of adverse cardiac events. Male Wistar rats fed with 30% sucrose in drinking water and standard chow for 25–27 weeks were compared to a control group. The MS group showed increased weight, visceral fat, blood pressure, and serum triglycerides. The most important increases in serum cytokines included IL-1β(7-fold), TNF-α(84%), IL-6 (41%), and leptin (2-fold), the latter also showing increased gene expression in heart tissue (35-fold). Heart function ex vivo in MS group showed a decreased mechanical performance response to isoproterenol challenge (ISO). Importantly, MS hearts under ISO showed nearly twofold the incidence of ventricular fibrillation. Healthy rat cardiomyocytes exposed to MS group serum displayed impaired contractile function and Ca2+handling during ISO treatment, showing slightly decreased cell shortening and Ca2+transient amplitude (23%), slower cytosolic calcium removal (17%), and more frequent spontaneous Ca2+release events (7.5-fold). As spontaneous Ca2+releases provide a substrate for ventricular arrhythmias, our study highlights the possible role of serum proinflammatory mediators in the development of arrhythmic events during MS.


Author(s):  
Meredith A. Redd ◽  
Sarah E. Scheuer ◽  
Natalie J. Saez ◽  
Yusuke Yoshikawa ◽  
Han Sheng Chiu ◽  
...  

Background: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the major risk factors implicated in morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease. During cardiac ischemia, the build-up of acidic metabolites results in decreased intracellular and extracellular pH that can reach as low as 6.0-6.5. The resulting tissue acidosis exacerbates ischemic injury and significantly impacts cardiac function. Methods: We used genetic and pharmacological methods to investigate the role of acid sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) in cardiac IRI at the cellular and whole organ level. Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) as well as ex vivo and in vivo models of IRI were used to test the efficacy of ASIC1a inhibitors as pre- and post-conditioning therapeutic agents. Results: Analysis of human complex trait genetics indicate that variants in the ASIC1 genetic locus are significantly associated with cardiac and cerebrovascular ischemic injuries. Using hiPSC-CMs in vitro and murine ex vivo heart models, we demonstrate that genetic ablation of ASIC1a improves cardiomyocyte viability after acute IRI. Therapeutic blockade of ASIC1a using specific and potent pharmacological inhibitors recapitulates this cardioprotective effect. We used an in vivo model of myocardial infarction (MI) and two models of ex vivo donor heart procurement and storage as clinical models to show that ASIC1a inhibition improves post-IRI cardiac viability. Use of ASIC1a inhibitors as pre- or post-conditioning agents provided equivalent cardioprotection to benchmark drugs, including the sodium-hydrogen exchange inhibitor zoniporide. At the cellular and whole organ level, we show that acute exposure to ASIC1a inhibitors has no impact on cardiac ion channels regulating baseline electromechanical coupling and physiological performance. Conclusions: Collectively, our data provide compelling evidence for a novel pharmacological strategy involving ASIC1a blockade as a cardioprotective therapy to improve the viability of hearts subjected to IRI.


Hypertension ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Fry ◽  
Leona Al Sayah ◽  
Robert Weisbrod ◽  
Isabelle Van Roy ◽  
Xiang Weng ◽  
...  

Arterial stiffness (AS), a major cardiovascular risk factor, develops within two months in mice fed a high fat, high sucrose diet (HFHS), serving as a model of human metabolic syndrome, and is associated with functional impairment of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells. Sirtuin1 (SirT1) is a NAD + -dependent deacetylase induced in response to cellular stresses. Our goal was to study the effects of VSM SirT1 on AS in the context of diet-induced metabolic syndrome. VSM specific genetic SirT1 over-expression (SMTG) prevented AS induced by HFHS, measured in vivo by pulse wave velocity (PWV) over 8 months. Resveratrol or S17834, two polyphenolic compounds known to activate SirT1, prevented HFHS-induced AS and were mimicked by global SirT1 over-expression (SirBACO), without evident metabolic improvements (HFHS-induced weight gains or response to a glucose tolerance test remained unchanged). Additionally, HFHS-induced PWV increases were reversed by one-week treatment with a specific, small molecule SirT1 activator (SRT1720). Overnight fasting acutely decreased PWV in mice fed HFHS for 8 months, but not in mice lacking SirT1 in VSM (SMKO). These beneficial effects of pharmacological, genetic or fasting-induced SirT1 activation against AS, were associated with a decrease in NFκB activation and VCAM-1 and p47phox protein expressions, in aorta and VSM cells. In conclusion, VSM SirT1 activation decreases AS in the setting of obesity by stimulating anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant pathways in the aortic wall. SirT1 activators may represent a novel therapeutic approach to prevent AS and associated CV complications in overweight/obese individuals with metabolic syndrome.


2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yigang Wang

Objective: We sought to assess the cardiac protective effects after MI of (1) PC differentiated directly into cardiomyocytes (CM) and endothelial cells (EC) to the site of injury, or (2) paracrine factors released from PC. Methods: These concepts were evaluated by using iPSC-derived PC genetically modified to express the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (TK) under the control of cardiomyocyte (NCX1) or endothelial cell (VE-cadherin) specific promoters. PC expressing the TK permitted ablation at the first week or the third week by iv ganciclovir (GCV). If GCV applied at the first week, but not at the third week, altered cardiac function, we would conclude that myocardial contractile recovery depends on CM and EC-derived from iPSC. If the beneficial effects on cardiac function persisted after GCV was given at the third week, we would surmise that the PC effect was via by a paracrine action. MI created by ligation of LAD, the cell patch with PC was applied to the scarred myocardium. Rats were treated with GCV at 1 or 3 weeks to ablate implanted PC. Echocardiography, vessel density, and histological analysis were used to obtain endpoints for this study. Result: In vivo : The levels of IGF-1α and VEGF released from ischemic tissues were significant higher in the cell patch group. Heart function, infarction size, and vessel density were significantly improved after cell patch treatment. However, this beneficial effect on cardiac function was completely abolished in the group given GCV at week 1, but only partially abolished in the group given GCV at week 3 compared to the untreated cell patch group. Conclusions: Taken together, these data support our conclusion that iPSC-derived cardiovascular lineages (CM and EC) contribute directly to an improved cardiac performance and attenuated remodeling, and that paracrine factors also play a supporting role in the restoration of heart function after MI.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreea Milasan ◽  
François Dallaire ◽  
Gabriel Jean ◽  
Jean-Claude Tardif ◽  
Yahye Merhi ◽  
...  

Rationale: Lymphatic vessels (LVs) are now recognized as prerequisite players in the modulation of cholesterol removal from the artery wall in experimental conditions of plaque regression, and a particular attention has been brought on the role of the collecting LVs in early atherosclerosis-related lymphatic dysfunction. Whereas recent findings revealed that apoA-I restores the neovascularization capacity of the lymphatic system during tumor necrosis factor-induced inflammation, the effect of apoA-I on collecting LV function during atherosclerosis has not been tested. Objective: In the present study, we address whether and how apoA-I can enhance collecting LV function in atherosclerosis-associated lymphatic dysfunction. Methods and Results: A 6-week systemic treatment with lipid-free apoA-I enhanced lymphatic transport and abrogated collecting lymphatic vessel permeability in atherosclerotic Ldlr –/– mice when compared to control. As injection of apoA-I has been shown to protect wild-type mice against flow restriction-induced thrombosis, and that platelets are identified as key elements in the maintenance of lymphatic vessel integrity via their interaction with lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs), we have tested whether the effects of apoA-I could be mediated through a platelet-dependent mechanism. Our in vivo results show that apoA-I kinetics in lymph reflected that of blood. Ex vivo experiments performed with washed platelets isolated from mouse blood reveal that apoA-I decreased thrombin-induced but not podoplanin-induced platelet aggregation. Whereas this result suggests that apoA-I limits platelet thrombotic potential in blood but not in lymph, we demonstrate that treatment of human LECs with apoA-I increases the adhesion of bridge-like platelets on human LECs. Conclusions: Our results suggest that apoA-I can mediate beneficial effects on lymphatic function by promoting platelet adhesion to the lymphatic endothelium and consequently restore collecting LV integrity. Altogether, we bring forward a new pleiotropic role for apoA-I in lymphatic function and unveil new potential therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document