Methyl-donor supplementation in women with systemic lupus erythematosus with different nutritional status: the protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: DNA hypomethylation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been recently documented in the literature. Low levels of DNA methylation have been observed globally and in genes associated with immune and inflammatory pathways in SLE's CD4+T lymphocytes. Given that certain micronutrients can either donate methyl groups within one-carbon metabolism pathways or serve as cofactors for enzymes involved in the DNA methylation process, this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aims to investigate whether a 3-month supplementation of folic acid and vitamin B will modulate the DNA methylation profile in subcutaneous adipose tissue (primary outcome) of women with SLE and normal weight or excess body weight.

Obesity as an aggravating factor of systemic lupus erythematosus disease: What we already know and what we must explore. A rapid scoping review.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect various organs and systems. Symptoms of SLE can vary widely from person to person and over time, including fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, fever, and inflammation of multiple organs. The association between SLE and excess body weight has been the subject of study, with evidence suggesting that overweight and obesity can worsen the disease´s clinical presentation.

Impact of Methyl-Donor Micronutrient Supplementation on DNA Methylation Patterns: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of in vitro, Animal, and Human Studies.

Background: DNA methylation patterns are directly associated with diverse metabolic disorders. The status of methyl-donor micronutrients has been associated with DNA methylation levels, and altered ingestion of folate, choline, betaine, B vitamins and methionine may impact genes both globally and at the level of promoter regions. Despite this, the role of methyl-donor micronutrient supplementation on DNA methylation profiles is currently unclear.

Nicotinamide attenuates streptozotocin-induced diabetes complications and increases survival rate in rats: role of autonomic nervous system.

Background: To evaluate the effect of nicotinamide prior to streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetes in baroreflex sensitivity and cardiovascular autonomic modulation, and its association with hemodynamics and metabolic parameters.

Methods: Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into control (Cont) and STZ-induced diabetes (Diab). Half of the rats from each group received a single dose of nicotinamide (100 mg/Kg) before STZ injection (Cont+NicA and Diab+NicA).

Aerobic Training Is Better Than Resistance Training on Cardiac Function and Autonomic Modulation in Female ob/ob Mice.

This study evaluated the effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercise training on cardiac function and autonomic modulation in female ob/ob mice. Four-week-old female wild type and obese (ob/ob) mice were divided into five groups ( = 8): control (WT), obese (OB) obese + aerobic training (OBA), obese + resistance training (OBR), and obese + combined training (OBC). The exercise training was performed on treadmill and/or ladder at 40-60% maximum test during 8 weeks.

Tonin Overexpression in Mice Diminishes Sympathetic Autonomic Modulation and Alters Angiotensin Type 1 Receptor Response.

Tonin, a serine-protease that forms Angiotensin II (AngII) from angiotensinogen, is increased in failing human heart samples. Increased blood pressure (BP) and decreased heart rate (HR) variabilities are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity. Losartan has been used to reduce hypertension and, therefore, lowers the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events.

Circulating catecholamines are associated with biobehavioral factors and anxiety symptoms in head and neck cancer patients.

Studies have shown that stress-related catecholamines may affect cancer progression. However, little is known about catecholamine secretion profiles in head and neck cancer patients. The present study investigated plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine levels in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients and patients with oral leukoplakia, as well as their association with clinicopathological and biobehavioral variables and anxiety symptoms.

Nebivolol prevents vascular oxidative stress and hypertension in rats chronically treated with ethanol.

Background And Aims: Chronic ethanol consumption is associated with hypertension and atherosclerosis. Vascular oxidative stress is described as an important mechanism whereby ethanol predisposes to atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that nebivolol would prevent ethanol-induced hypertension and vascular oxidative stress.

(Pro)renin receptor expression in myocardial infarction in transgenic mice expressing rat tonin.

The (pro)renin receptor [(P)RR] has been implicated as a renin/prorenin receptor, and plays a role in local renin angiotensin system activation. Our goal was to investigate whether a transgenic mouse that expresses rat tonin [TGM'(rTon)] can regulate (P)RR mRNA levels. Control (C) and TGM'(rTon) animals were subdivided into the C sham, C MI, TGM'(rTon) sham, and TGM'(rTon) MI groups.

Alternative pathways for angiotensin II production as an important determinant of kidney damage in endotoxemia.

Sepsis is an uncontrolled systemic inflammatory response against an infection and a major public health issue worldwide. This condition affects several organs, and, when caused by Gram-negative bacteria, kidneys are particularly damaged. Due to the importance of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in regulating renal function, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of endotoxemia over the renal RAS.

Characterization of the renal renin-angiotensin system in transgenic mice that express rat tonin.

Introduction: Tonin is an enzyme that is able to generate angiotensin II (Ang II) from angiotensin I (Ang I) or directly from angiotensinogen. Our goal was to characterize the renal renin-angiotensin system in transgenic mice that express rat tonin (TGM`(rTon)).

Materials And Methods: Mice were euthanized and the kidneys removed for analysis.

Contrasting effects of aliskiren versus losartan on hypertensive vascular remodeling.

Background: Hyperactivation of the renin-angiotensin system contributes to hypertension-induced upregulation of vascular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and remodeling, especially in the two kidney, one clip (2K1C) hypertension model. We hypothesized that the AT1R antagonist losartan or the renin inhibitor aliskiren, given at doses allowing similar antihypertensive effects, could prevent in vivo vascular MMPs upregulation and remodeling, and collagen/elastin deposition found in 2K1C hypertension by preventing the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). We also hypothesized that aliskiren could enhance the effects of losartan.