Associations between healthy food groups and platelet-activating factor, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A and C-reactive protein: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: To investigate the association between pro-inflammatory markers platelet-activating factor (PAF), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A (Lp-PLA), hsCRP, and intake of core food groups including fruit, cruciferous and other vegetables, grains, meat and poultry, fish and seafood, nuts and legumes, and dairy.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. 100 adults (49 ± 13 years, 31% male) with variable cardiovascular disease risk were recruited.

Interrelationships among platelet-activating factor and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A activity and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Traditionally cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has been assessed through blood lipids and inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Recent clinical interest in novel pro-inflammatory markers platelet-activating factor (PAF) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A (Lp-PLA ) recognizes that vascular damage can exist in the absence of traditional risk factors. This cross-sectional study investigated the potential relationship between circulating PAF, Lp-PLA , hsCRP, and traditional risk factors for CVD.

Extra virgin olive oil improves HDL lipid fraction but not HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity: a double-blind, randomised, controlled, cross-over study (OLIVAUS).

Olive oil (OO) polyphenols have been shown to improve HDL anti-atherogenic function, thus demonstrating beneficial effects against cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of extra virgin high polyphenol olive oil (HPOO) . low polyphenol olive oil (LPOO) on the capacity of HDL to promote cholesterol efflux in healthy adults.

Extra virgin olive oil high in polyphenols improves antioxidant status in adults: a double-blind, randomized, controlled, cross-over study (OLIVAUS).

Purpose: Olive oil polyphenols have been associated with cardiovascular health benefits. This study examined the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect of extra-virgin high polyphenol olive oil (HPOO) vs. low polyphenol olive oil (LPOO) in healthy Australian adults.

The association between dietary patterns and the novel inflammatory markers platelet-activating factor and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2: a systematic review.

Context: Atherosclerosis is a disease of chronic inflammation. Recent research has identified 2 novel inflammatory biomarkers: platelet-activating factor (PAF) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2). Diet has been proposed as a mediator of inflammation, but to date, the focus for these novel biomarkers has been on individual foods and nutrients rather than overall dietary patterns.

Renal artery responses to trace amines: Multiple and differential mechanisms of action.

Purpose: The rise in consumption of dietary supplements containing the trace amines p-tyramine, p-synephrine and p-octopamine has been associated with cardiovascular side effects. Since renal blood flow plays an important role in blood pressure regulation, this study investigated the mechanisms of action of these trace amines on isolated porcine renal arteries.

Main Methods: Contractile responses to amines were investigated in noradrenaline-depleted rings of porcine main renal arteries in the absence and presence of the α-adrenoceptor antagonist, prazosin (1 μM), β-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol (1 μM), or the trace amine-associated receptor (TAAR-1) antagonist, EPPTB (RO-5212773; 100 nM or 100 μM).

Racemic synephrine found in Citrus aurantium-listing pre-workout supplements suggests a non-plant-based origin.

Multi-ingredient pre-workout supplements (MIPS) contain Citrus aurantium as a source of bioactive amines such as p-synephrine, but concerns regarding the authenticity of ingredients in some supplements as well as adverse effects from consumption have been raised. R-(-)-Synephrine is the predominant enantiomer in Citrus aurantium extracts while synthetic preparations are often racemic. The aims of this study were to develop a screening method to determine the ratio of synephrine enantiomers in pre-workout supplements listing Citrus aurantium and to assess the ingredient authenticity by directly comparing their ratios to that found in Citrus aurantium standardised reference materials (SRMs).

HPLC-UV-QDa analysis of Citrus aurantium-labelled pre-workout supplements suggest only a minority contain the plant extract.

Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium) is a common ingredient in pre-workout supplements with purported weight-loss and performance-enhancing effects. Supplements listing Citrus aurantium or p-synephrine have been associated with reports of adverse cardiovascular events attributed to the active biogenic amines, p-synephrine, p-octopamine or p-tyramine. Additionally, questions have been raised as to the authenticity of the plant-derived active components listed on the supplement labels.

Differential mechanisms of action of the trace amines octopamine, synephrine and tyramine on the porcine coronary and mesenteric artery.

Trace amines such as p-tyramine, p-octopamine and p-synephrine are found in low concentrations in animals and plants. Consumption of pre-workout supplements containing these plant-derived amines has been associated with cardiovascular side effects. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanisms of action of these trace amines on porcine isolated coronary and mesenteric arteries.

A Practical Guide to Molecular Docking and Homology Modelling for Medicinal Chemists.

Elucidating details of the relationship between molecular structure and a particular biological end point is essential for successful, rational drug discovery. Molecular docking is a widely accepted tool for lead identification however, navigating the intricacies of the software can be daunting. Our objective was therefore to provide a step-by-step guide for those interested in incorporating contemporary basic molecular docking and homology modelling into their design strategy.

In silico investigation into the interactions between murine 5-HT receptor and the principle active compounds of ginger (Zingiber officinale).

Gingerols and shogaols are the primary non-volatile actives within ginger (Zingiber officinale). These compounds have demonstrated in vitro to exert 5-HT receptor antagonism which could benefit chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). The site and mechanism of action by which these compounds interact with the 5-HT receptor is not fully understood although research indicates they may bind to a currently unidentified allosteric binding site.

Synthesis and preliminary investigations into novel 1,2,3-triazole-derived androgen receptor antagonists inspired by bicalutamide.

A versatile and high yielding synthesis of novel androgen receptor (AR) antagonists is presented. Using this methodology, six 1,4-substituted-1,2,3-triazole derived bicalutamide mimics were synthesised in five steps and in isolated overall yields from 41% to 85%. Evaluation of these compounds for their anti-proliferative properties against androgen dependent (LNCaP) and independent (PC-3) cells showed promising IC50 values of 34-45 μM and 29-151 μM, respectively.

Preliminary investigations into triazole derived androgen receptor antagonists.

A range of 1,4-substituted-1,2,3-N-phenyltriazoles were synthesized and evaluated as non-steroidal androgen receptor (AR) antagonists. The motivation for this study was to replace the N-phenyl amide portion of small molecule antiandrogens with a 1,2,3-triazole and determine effects, if any, on biological activity. The synthetic methodology presented herein is robust, high yielding and extremely rapid.