Chronic senolytic treatment alleviates established vasomotor dysfunction in aged or atherosclerotic mice

While reports suggest a single dose of senolytics may improve vasomotor function, the structural and functional impact of long‐term senolytic treatment is unknown. To determine whether long‐term senolytic treatment improves vasomotor function, vascular stiffness, and intimal plaque size and composition in aged or hypercholesterolemic mice with established disease. Senolytic treatment (intermittent treatment with Dasatinib + Quercetin via oral gavage) resulted in significant reductions in senescent cell markers (TAF⁺ cells) in the medial layer of aorta from aged and hypercholesterolemic mice, but not in intimal atherosclerotic plaques. While senolytic treatment significantly improved vasomotor function (isolated organ chamber baths) in both groups of mice, this was due to increases in nitric oxide bioavailability in aged mice and increases in sensitivity to NO donors in hypercholesterolemic mice. Genetic clearance of senescent cells in aged normocholesterolemic INK‐ATTAC mice phenocopied changes elicited by D+Q. Senolytics tended to reduce aortic calcification (alizarin red) and osteogenic signaling (qRT–PCR, immunohistochemistry) in aged mice, but both were significantly reduced by senolytic treatment in hypercholesterolemic mice. Intimal plaque fibrosis (picrosirius red) was not changed appreciably by chronic senolytic treatment. This is the first study to demonstrate that chronic clearance of senescent cells improves established vascular phenotypes associated with aging and chronic hypercholesterolemia, and may be a viable therapeutic intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases.     

血管内皮功能与急性脑梗死患者梗死类型及颈动脉斑块性质的相关性

目的:研究急性脑梗死(ACI)患者血管内皮功能的变化情况,并分析其与脑梗死类型及颈动脉斑块性质的相关性。方法:选择2014年6月到2015年6月在我院收治的脑梗死患者100例作为研究对象。根据病史及磁共振成像(MRI)诊断结果分为ACI组(n=70)和非急性脑梗死(NACI)组(n=30),对两组患者间的血管内皮细胞功能的相关指标进行比较,同时按照梗死类型以及颈动脉斑块性质不同对ACI组进行分组,探究梗死类型与斑块性质与反应性充血指数(RHI)的相关性。结果:ACI组纤维蛋白原(Fbg)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)、大内皮素-1(big ET-1)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)和内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)水平均高于NACI组,RHI水平低于NACI组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。不同急性脑梗死TOAST分型中心源性栓塞型(CE)、小血管闭塞或腔隙性梗死型(SAA)、不明原因型(SUE)和大动脉粥样硬化型(LAA)测得RHI水平逐渐上升,hs-CRP水平和big ET-1水平逐渐下降,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);比较不同斑块性质发现无斑块组、硬斑块组、软斑块组和混合斑块组的VEGF水平逐渐升高,RHI水平逐渐降低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。相关性分析显示,RHI与斑块性质、hs-CRP以及big ET-1之间呈现负相关(r=-0.672,-0.402,-0.512,P0.05)。结论:血管内皮功能与急性脑梗死类型和颈动脉斑块性质有相关性,可作为评估梗死类型和斑块性质的预测指标。     

高血压患者颈动脉粥样硬化与血脂、血压和血尿酸水平的相关性分析

目的:探讨高血压患者颈动脉粥样硬化(CAS)与血脂、血压以及血尿酸水平的相关性。方法:选择2017年2月至2018年8月在我院就诊的高血压患者117例作为研究组,另选择同期在我院进行体检的健康志愿者50例作为对照组。采用彩色多普勒超声诊断仪测定所有受试者的颈动脉内中膜厚度(IMT),并根据研究组患者的颈动脉IMT将其分为斑块组(IMT≥1.3 mm,33例)、IMT增厚组(1.0 mm≤IMT1.3 mm,49例)和IMT正常组(IMT1.0 mm,35例)。比较研究组与对照组受试者IMT,同时分别比较研究组与对照组受试者以及不同IMT高血压患者平均收缩压(SBP)、平均舒张压(DBP)、血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)以及尿酸水平,并采用Pearson相关性分析法分析高血压患者IMT与各指标的相关性。结果:与对照组比较,研究组IMT、SBP、DBP、TC、TG、LDL-C、血尿酸水平升高,HDL-C水平降低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。斑块组患者SBP、DBP、TC、TG、LDL-C、血尿酸水平高于IMT增厚组和IMT正常组,HDL-C水平低于IMT增厚组和IMT正常组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);IMT增厚组患者SBP、DBP、TC、TG、LDL-C、血尿酸水平高于IMT正常组,HDL-C水平低于IMT正常组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。Pearson相关性分析显示,高血压患者的IMT与SBP、DBP、TC、TG、LDL-C、血尿酸均呈正相关,与HDL-C呈负相关(P0.05)。结论:高血压患者IMT与血脂、血压和血尿酸水平均有明显相关性,血压、血脂、血尿酸参与了高血压患者CAS的发生与发展。     

颈动脉斑块LRNC特征可诊断2型糖尿病患者急性脑梗死的风险

2型糖尿病可能加重颈动脉斑块的易损性并增加缺血性中风的风险,关于2型糖尿病患者伴有颈动脉斑块特征的急性中风亚型鲜有研究报道。本研究旨在探讨2型糖尿病患者颈动脉斑块特征与MRI确定的急性脑梗死病变特征之间的关系。本研究以颈内动脉区急性脑血管病患者为研究对象,所有患者分为2型糖尿病组和非2型糖尿病组,分别行颈动脉和脑部MRI扫描,测定同侧颈动脉斑块的形态和特征,以及颅内和颅外颈动脉狭窄。基于中风亚型和急性脑梗塞病变模式对患者进行评估。研究结果表明,与非2型糖尿病患者相比,2型糖尿病患者颈动脉型IV-VI病变的患病率更高,斑块负荷更大,以及富脂质坏死核(LRNC)更大。在有症状的颈动脉LRNC患者中,与非2型糖尿病组相比,2型糖尿病组颈内动脉区出现较多的伴有大穿孔动脉梗塞形态和较大的急性脑梗塞。LRNC%>23.5%的颈动脉斑块是2型糖尿病患者存在颈动脉狭窄的急性脑梗塞病变的独立危险因素。颈动脉斑块特征的量化,尤其是MRI诊断的富脂质坏死核对中风风险具有潜在应用价值。     

Picroside II attenuates hyperhomocysteinemia‐induced endothelial injury by reducing inflammation,oxidative stress and cell apoptosis

Picroside II (P‐II), one of the main active components of scrophularia extract, which have anti‐oxidative, anti‐inflammatory effects, but its effect on hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) induced endothelial injury remains to be determined. Here, we test whether P‐II protects HHcy‐induced endothelial dysfunction against oxidative stress, inflammation and cell apoptosis. In vitro study using HUVECs, and in hyperhomocysteinemia mouse models, we found that HHcy decreased endothelial SIRT1 expression and increased LOX‐1 expression, subsequently causing reactive oxygen species generation, up‐regulation of NADPH oxidase activity and NF‐κB activation, thereby promoting pro‐inflammatory response and cell apoptosis. Blockade of Sirt1 with Ex527 or siRNASIRT1 increased LOX‐1 expression, whereas overexpression of SIRT1 decreased LOX‐1 expression markedly. P‐II treatment significantly increased SIRT1 expression and reduced LOX‐1 expression, and protected against endothelial cells from Hcy‐induced oxidative injury, inflammation and apoptosis. However, blockade of SIRT1 or overexpression of LOX‐1 attenuated the therapeutic effects of P‐II. In conclusion, our results suggest that P‐II prevents the Hcy induced endothelial damage probably through regulating the SIRT1/LOX‐1 signaling pathway.     

Suppression of 5-lipoxygenase activity by anionic cholesterol derivatives

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) is a key enzyme involved into biosynthesis of leukotrienes (LTs), mediating the host defense system, and acting simultaneously as inflammatory agents. In this work the effect of anionic cholesterol derivatives on 5-LO activity has been investigated. Cholesterol sulfate activates human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and stimulates their adhesion to endothelium and collagen. Cholesterol sulfate and cholesterol phosphate suppressed leukotriene production in PMNL and in rat basophil leukemia (RBL-1) cell line as well as in homogenates of these cells. Kinetic characteristics of the effect of anionic cholesterol derivatives on leukotriene synthesis have been obtained. In all experiments cholesterol phosphate (charge-2) was shown to be more potent inhibitor than cholesterol sulfate (charge-1). We believe that this fact highlights the importance of negatively charged ester groups for suppression of 5-LO activity.     

Anti-cholesterol antibody levels in hereditary angioedema

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disorder caused by the deficiency of the C1-inhibitor gene (C1INH) and characterized by recurrent bouts of angioedema. Autoimmune disorders frequently occur in HAE. Previously we found, that danazol has an adverse effect on serum lipid profile: reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels are associated with long-term prophylactic use, whereas total cholesterol levels are unchanged. Our aim was to study the anti-cholesterol antibody (ACHA) production in HAE patients and compare it with those of healthy blood donors, and to investigate the possible associations between ACHA levels and serum lipid profile alterations caused by danazol. Anti-cholesterol IgG levels were measured by ELISA and their correlation with serum concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides was determined in HAE patients receiving/not receiving danazol. Serum ACHA levels were significantly higher in HAE patients, compared to healthy blood donors (P<0.0001). Longterm danazol prophylaxis had no effect on serum ACHA levels in HAE patients. However, we found a significant, negative correlation between ACHA levels and serum total cholesterol (r=-0.4033, P=0.0200), LDL (r=-0.4565, P=0.0076) and triglyceride (r=-0.4230, P=0.0121) levels only in danazol-treated patients, but not in HAE patients who did not receive long-term prophylaxis. Patients with HAE have higher baseline ACHA levels compared to healthy subjects, and this might reflect polyclonal B-cell activation. The latter would be a potential explanation for the lack of an increased incidence of infectious diseases in HAE patients, but might lead to increased autoimmunity.     

Toll-like receptor 4 in atherosclerosis

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is key regulators of both innate and adaptive immune responses. TLR4 recognizes pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and activates the inflammatory cells. The function of TLR4 in atherosclerosis has been investigated in mouse knockout studies and epidemiological studies of human TLR4 polymorphisms. These studies have shown that TLR4 function affects the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. This article reviews the biological functions and clinical implications of TLR4 in atherosclerosis.     

丁苯酞对颈动脉狭窄大鼠认知功能及海马CA1区神经元凋亡的影响及相关机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨与研究丁苯酞对颈动脉狭窄大鼠认知功能及海马CA1区神经元凋亡的影响及相关机制。方法：将颈动脉狭窄大鼠大鼠（n=42）随机为三组-模型组、低剂量丁苯酞（20 mg/kg）组和高剂量丁苯酞（40 mg/kg）组,每组14只。低剂量丁苯酞组与高剂量丁苯酞组每天给予20 mg/kg、40 mg/kg丁苯酞灌胃治疗,对照组给予等剂量的生理盐水灌胃,持续21 d。结果：低剂量丁苯酞组与高剂量丁苯酞组治疗第7 d、第14 d、第21 d的BBT评分低于模型组（P<0.05）,高剂量丁苯酞组低于低剂量丁苯酞组（P<0.05）。低剂量丁苯酞组与高剂量丁苯酞组治疗第21 d、第28 d的海马CA1区神经元凋亡指数低于模型组,高剂量丁苯酞组低于低剂量丁苯酞组（P<0.05）。低剂量丁苯酞组与高剂量丁苯酞组治疗第21 d、第28 d的脑组织超氧化物歧化酶（Superoxide dismutase,SOD）活性高于模型组（P<0.05）,丙二醛（Malondialdehyde,MDA）活性低于模型组（P<0.05）,高剂量丁苯酞组与低剂量丁苯酞组对比差异都有统计学意义（P<0.05）。低剂量丁苯酞组与高剂量丁苯酞组治疗第21 d、第28 d的海马CA1区BCL2-Associated X（Bax）、B淋巴细胞瘤-2（B-cell lymphoma-2,bcl-2）蛋白相对表达水平高于模型组（P<0.05）,高剂量丁苯酞组高于低剂量丁苯酞组（P<0.05）。结论：丁苯酞在颈动脉狭窄大鼠的应用能提高海马CA1区Bax、Bcl-2蛋白的表达,抑制神经元的凋亡,改善氧化应激状态,从而提高大鼠的认知功能。     

Cardiovascular complications and related risk factors underlying opium consumption

Opium is considered as the second most abused addictive compound in worldwide. It seems that one of the causes for common consumption of opium in many countries is a traditional belief, even among medical personnel, through which opium might have advantageous influences on cardiovascular events and be beneficial in controlling hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes. According to several investigations, it is thought that opium not only has no beneficial effects on cardiovascular events, but it might have deleterious influences on these settings. As a result, people need to be trained with regard to the adverse effects of opium on cardiovascular events. In this review, we try to go through the understanding of the effects of opium cardiovascular disorders and related complications such as blood pressure, blood sugar, lipid circumstances, and finally atherosclerosis.