1.
Beneficial effects of cinnamon and its extracts in the management of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Shang, C, Lin, H, Fang, X, Wang, Y, Jiang, Z, Qu, Y, Xiang, M, Shen, Z, Xin, L, Lu, Y, et al
Food & function. 2021;(24):12194-12220
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes are the leading causes of death worldwide, which underlines the urgent necessity to develop new pharmacotherapies. Cinnamon has been an eminent component of spice and traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Numerous lines of findings have elucidated that cinnamon has beneficial effects against CVDs in various ways, including endothelium protection, regulation of immune response, lowering blood lipids, antioxidative properties, anti-inflammatory properties, suppression of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth and mobilization, repression of platelet activity and thrombosis and inhibition of angiogenesis. Furthermore, emerging evidence has established that cinnamon improves diabetes, a crucial risk factor for CVDs, by enhancing insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion; regulating the enzyme activity involved in glucose; regulating glucose metabolism in the liver, adipose tissue and muscle; ameliorating oxidative stress and inflammation to protect islet cells; and improving diabetes complications. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms by which cinnamon regulates CVDs and diabetes in order to provide a theoretical basis for the further clinical application of cinnamon.
2.
Genome-wide association meta-analysis of coronary artery disease and periodontitis reveals a novel shared risk locus.
Munz, M, Richter, GM, Loos, BG, Jepsen, S, Divaris, K, Offenbacher, S, Teumer, A, Holtfreter, B, Kocher, T, Bruckmann, C, et al
Scientific reports. 2018;(1):13678
Abstract
Evidence for a shared genetic basis of association between coronary artery disease (CAD) and periodontitis (PD) exists. To explore the joint genetic basis, we performed a GWAS meta-analysis. In the discovery stage, we used a German aggressive periodontitis sample (AgP-Ger; 680 cases vs 3,973 controls) and the CARDIoGRAMplusC4D CAD meta-analysis dataset (60,801 cases vs 123,504 controls). Two SNPs at the known CAD risk loci ADAMTS7 (rs11634042) and VAMP8 (rs1561198) passed the pre-assigned selection criteria (PAgP-Ger < 0.05; PCAD < 5 × 10-8; concordant effect direction) and were replicated in an independent GWAS meta-analysis dataset of PD (4,415 cases vs 5,935 controls). SNP rs1561198 showed significant association (PD[Replication]: P = 0.008 OR = 1.09, 95% CI = [1.02-1.16]; PD [Discovery + Replication]: P = 0.0002, OR = 1.11, 95% CI = [1.05-1.17]). For the associated haplotype block, allele specific cis-effects on VAMP8 expression were reported. Our data adds to the shared genetic basis of CAD and PD and indicate that the observed association of the two disease conditions cannot be solely explained by shared environmental risk factors. We conclude that the molecular pathway shared by CAD and PD involves VAMP8 function, which has a role in membrane vesicular trafficking, and is manipulated by pathogens to corrupt host immune defense.
3.
[Antibodies against modified low-density lipoproteins and their complexes in blood of patients with various manifestations of atherosclerosis].
Belik, IV, Ivantsova, AA, Mamedova, ZE, Denisenko, AD
Biomeditsinskaia khimiia. 2016;(4):471-5
Abstract
The study included 79 patients with coronary artery disease, 25 individuals with preclinical atherosclerosis and 59 healthy controls. Key lipid parameters were examined in all the participants. Levels of antibodies (Abs) against (IgG and IgM) LDL modified by malondialdehyde (MDA), acetic anhydride and hypochlorite, were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Abs specificity was tested by competitive ELISA. Circulating immune complexes (CIC) were isolated by precipitation in polyethylene glycol. Abs to hypochlorite-modified low density lipoprotein (hypochlorite-LDL) were detected in the serum samples. These Abs did not demonstrate cross-reactivity with MDA-modified LDL (MDA-LDL) and acetylated LDL (acetyl-LDL). Patients with coronary artery disease had increased levels of CIC (p<0.0001) and decreased levels of Abs (IgM) to hypochlorite-LDL, compared with healthy controls and patients with preclinical atherosclerosis (p=0.006). A correlation between the levels of Abs (IgG) to the hypochlorite-LDL and Abs to MDA- and acetyl-LDL was found. There was a correlation between the content of the Abs (IgM) to MDA- and acetyl-LDL and the concentration of CIC-cholesterol. Lipid parameters did not correlate with Abs levels.
4.
Inflammation, high-density lipoprotein and cardiovascular dysfunction.
Haas, MJ, Mooradian, AD
Current opinion in infectious diseases. 2011;(3):265-72
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review describes the evidence that supports the hypothesis that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is atheroprotective due to its antiinflammatory effects and benefits on vascular health. RECENT FINDINGS Recent investigations have shown that HDL may inhibit atherosclerosis by promoting healthy endothelial function and by limiting or inhibiting the activation of macrophage and other immune cells. Receptors for HDL clearly regulate immune system function as well as cellular stress. Recent studies also suggest that participation of HDL in the process of reverse cholesterol transport may inhibit growth factor and cytokine receptor signaling by depleting cholesterol from lipid rafts. However, inflammation can also be associated with circulating dysfunctional HDL, which often possesses both prooxidative and proinflammatory properties. SUMMARY These studies suggest that HDL-based therapeutics have potential in treating both acute and chronic conditions associated with inflammation. These studies also reveal several other pathways that may be targeted for therapeutic drug development.
5.
Rapid immunomodulation by rosuvastatin in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
Link, A, Ayadhi, T, Böhm, M, Nickenig, G
European heart journal. 2006;(24):2945-55
Abstract
AIMS: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with stable coronary artery disease as well as acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It is unclear how rapidly the beneficial effects of statins occur in patients with ACS and whether these drug properties are related to lipid lowering. METHODS AND RESULTS Patients with troponin-positive ACS (n=35) were randomized to 20 mg/day rosuvastatin therapy or to placebo treatment. Anti-inflammatory effects of rosuvastatin measured by lymphocyte intracellular cytokine production were taken before initiation of treatment and on days 1, 3, and 42. Compared with placebo, rosuvastatin treatment significantly reduced plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma at 72 h. Rosuvastatin also induced a rapid and significant reduction of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma production in stimulated T-lymphocytes at 72 h. When compared with placebo, rosuvastatin inhibited the Th-1-immune response measured at 72 h. CONCLUSION Rosuvastatin exerts rapid immunomodulatory effects on the level of T-cell activation in patients with ACS.