Altered levels of circulating natural antibodies against VEGFR1-derived peptide in atherosclerosis

Background Several lines of evidence have pointed to a protective role of natural antibodies in chronic diseases like atherosclerosis and cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and VEGFR2 are important regulators of angiogenesis and may be involved in the development of atherosclerosis. In this retrospective study, we developed an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to assess whether natural IgG levels against VEGFR1 and the regulatory T cell markers CD25 and FOXP3 were associated with atherosclerosis. Methods A total of 218 patients with atherosclerosis and 200 healthy controls were enrolled. All patients had atherosclerotic carotid plaques. Carotid intima–media thickness was analyzed using a diagnostic ultrasound system. Results Plasma anti-VEGFR1 IgG levels were significantly lower in patients with atherosclerosis than control subjects. Decreased anti-VEGFR1 IgG levels were more obvious in male patients. Spearman correlation analysis showed no significant correlation between natural IgG levels and carotid intima–media thickness. Conclusions Decreased levels of anti-VEGFR1 IgG may be involved in development of atherosclerosis and related conditions.

Raspberry ketone improves diabetic nephropathy in mice by inhibiting streptozotocin-induced oxidative stress and inflammation

Background Oxidative stress and inflammation play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. Raspberry ketone (RK) is one of the main active substances in raspberry and has a variety of medicinal values. Nevertheless, its protective effect on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy mice has not been reported. In this study, we researched if RK improves oxidative stress and inflammation of STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy mice. Methods The model of diabetic nephropathy mice was established by a single injection of STZ (130 mg/kg). Diabetic nephropathy mice were treated orally with 400 mg/kg/day raspberry ketone extract to eight weeks. The expression levels of serum creatinine (Scr), urine micro-albumin (mALB), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA). Renal structural changes were investigated by using animal diagnostic ultrasound system. Results RK obviously ameliorated as observed in the visible decrease levels of serum creatinine (Scr), urine micro-albumin (mALB). Furthermore, RK improved expression levels of antioxidant enzyme markers (GSH-Px, SOD, CAT) and obviously reduced MDA, a product of lipid peroxidation, pro-inflammatory divisors (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) in diabetic nephropathy mice. After treatment with RK, we observed that the size of the kidneys and the damage of renal interstitial of mice were obviously improved, as well as the loss of integrity of basement membrane and the renal interstitial edema in diabetic nephropathy mice by using animal diagnostic ultrasound system. Conclusion This study strongly indicates that raspberry ketone provides a protective effect against STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy in improving oxidative stress and inflammation.

Alteration of circulating natural antibodies against VEGFR1-derived peptide antigens in atherosclerosis

Background Several lines of evidence suggest the protective role of natural antibody in common chronic disease like atherosclerosis and cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 (VEGFR1) and 2 (VEGFR2) are important regulators of angiogenesis and their involvement in developing atherosclerosis cannot be ruled out. Purpose The present study was designed to develop an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to test if natural IgG for VEGFR1 and regulatory T cell markers CD25 and FOXP3 could be associated with atherosclerosis. Methods A total of 218 patients with atherosclerosis and 200 healthy controls were recruited; all patients had atherosclerotic carotid plaque and carotid intima–media thickness was analyzed using a diagnostic ultrasound system. Results Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated that plasma anti-VEGFR1 IgG levels were significantly lower in atherosclerosis patients than control subjects (Z=-2.46, P =0.014) although neither anti-CD25 IgG levels nor anti-FOXP3 IgG levels showed significant changes. Male patients mainly contributed to the decreased antiVEGFR1 IgG levels (Z=-2.45, P =0.014). Spearman correlation analysis failed to show any significant correlation between natural IgG levels and carotid intima–media thickness. Conclusion Decreased levels of anti-VEGFR1 IgG may be involved in developing atherosclerosis-related conditions.