Dimethyl Fumarate Prevents the Development of Chronic Social Stress-Induced Hypertension in Borderline Hypertensive Rats.

This study investigated the effects of chronic crowding-induced social stress and dimethyl fumarate (DMF) on borderline hypertensive rats, focusing on the transcription nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) gene , on the expression of selected NFR2-mediated gene expressions in the heart, and on vascular function. Rats were exposed to chronic crowding, DMF treatment (30 mg/kg/day, p.o.

Intake of Dark and Milk Chocolate Differently Affects Autonomic Nervous Control of the Heart During Rest and Mental Stress.

Objective: Chocolate is a popular food that may affect the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a single dose of dark or milk chocolate on ANS cardiac control during rest and mental stress induced by the Stroop test (ST).

Methods: Healthy participants, divided into DARK or MILK chocolate groups, ingested corresponding type of chocolate (1 g/kg body weight).

Molecular Aspects of Cardiometabolic Diseases: From Etiopathogenesis to Potential Therapeutic Targets.

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) encompass a range of prevalent, often preventable, non-communicable illnesses, including myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiac insufficiency, arterial hypertension, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, chronic renal dysfunction, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and rare metabolic disorders [...

The effect of zofenopril on the cardiovascular system of spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with the ACE2 inhibitor MLN-4760.

Background: Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays a crucial role in the infection cycle of SARS-CoV-2 responsible for formation of COVID-19 pandemic. In the cardiovascular system, the virus enters the cells by binding to the transmembrane form of ACE2 causing detrimental effects especially in individuals with developed hypertension or heart disease. Zofenopril, a HS-releasing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), has been shown to be effective in the treatment of patients with essential hypertension; however, in conditions of ACE2 inhibition its potential beneficial effect has not been investigated yet.

Taxifolin Reduces Blood Pressure via Improvement of Vascular Function and Mitigating the Vascular Inflammatory Response in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

The effect of a 10-day-long treatment with taxifolin (TAX, 20 mg/kg/day p.o.) was investigated on spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) with a focus on the vascular functions of isolated femoral arteries and thoracic aortas.

Effects of Iron Nanoparticles Administration on Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Isolated Hearts of Male Wistar Rats.

Iron is an essential mineral participating in numerous biological processes in the organism under physiological conditions. However, it may be also involved in the pathological mechanisms activated in various cardiovascular diseases including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, due to its involvement in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Furthermore, iron has been reported to participate in the mechanisms of iron-dependent cell death defined as "ferroptosis".

A Single Infusion of Polyethylene Glycol-Coated Superparamagnetic Magnetite Nanoparticles Alters Differently the Expressions of Genes Involved in Iron Metabolism in the Liver and Heart of Rats.

This study investigated genotype- and tissue-related differences in the biodistribution of superparamagnetic magnetite (FeO) nanoparticles (IONs) into the heart and liver of normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats after a single i.v. infusion of polyethylene glycol-coated IONs (~30 nm, 1mg Fe/kg) 100 min post-infusion.

Effects of Taxifolin in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats with a Focus on Erythrocyte Quality.

Oxidative stress and multiple erythrocyte abnormalities have been observed in hypertension. We focused on the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) inhibition by MLN-4760 inhibitor on angiotensin peptides, oxidative stress parameters, and selected erythrocyte quality markers in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). We also investigated the potential effects of polyphenolic antioxidant taxifolin when applied in vivo and in vitro following its incubation with erythrocytes.

MLN-4760 Induces Oxidative Stress without Blood Pressure and Behavioural Alterations in SHRs: Roles of Gene, Nitric Oxide and Hydrogen Sulfide.

Reduced angiotensin 1-7 bioavailability due to inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) may contribute to increased mortality in hypertensive individuals during COVID-19. However, effects of ACE2 inhibitor MLN-4760 in brain functions remain unknown. We investigated the selected behavioural and hemodynamic parameters in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) after a 2-week s.

Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases: From Etiopathogenesis to Potential Therapeutic Targets.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the top cause of death worldwide, and arterial hypertension per se remains the major preventable cause of CVDs [...

Preliminary Findings on the Effect of Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Acute Stress on Selected Markers of Oxidative Stress in Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats.

Several studies have reported that the administration of various nanoparticles in vivo can cause oxidative stress. The combination of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIONs) and acute stress was selected because, during intravenous application of a contrast agent, patients are exposed to psycho-emotional stress. This study was designed to investigate the effect of acute stress and USPIONs on selected markers of oxidative stress (antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities, levels of advanced oxidation protein products, protein carbonyls, lipoperoxides and 8-isoprostanes) in plasma and erythrocytes in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Age- and Hypertension-Related Changes in NOS/NO/sGC-Derived Vasoactive Control of Rat Thoracic Aortae.

This study was aimed at examining the role of the NOS/NO/sGC signaling pathway in the vasoactive control of the thoracic aorta (TA) from the early to late ontogenetic stages (7 weeks, 20 weeks, and 52 weeks old) of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) were significantly increased in SHRs compared to age-matched WKYs, which was associated with left heart ventricle hypertrophy in all age groups of rats. The plasma urea level was increased in 20-week-old and 52-week-old SHRs compared with WKYs without increasing creatinine and uric acid.

Vascular Effects of Low-Dose ACE2 Inhibitor MLN-4760-Benefit or Detriment in Essential Hypertension?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects host cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Concurrently, the product of ACE2 action, angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7), binds to Mas receptors within the cardiovascular system and provides protective effects. Therefore, it is crucial to reveal the role of ACE2 inhibition, especially within pre-existing cardiovascular pathologies.

Angiotensin System Modulations in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats and Consequences on Erythrocyte Properties; Action of MLN-4760 and Zofenopril.

Various pathologies (COVID-19 including) are associated with abnormalities in erythrocyte properties. Hypertension represents an unfavorable condition for erythrocyte quality and is the most prevalent risk factor in COVID-19 patients. ACE2 downregulation that is typical of these patients can further deteriorate cardiovascular health; however, its consequences on erythrocyte properties are not known yet.

Differences in Distribution and Biological Effects of FO@PEG Nanoparticles in Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats-Focus on Vascular Function and Liver.

We investigate the distribution and biological effects of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated magnetite (FeO@PEG) nanoparticles (~30 nm core size, ~51 nm hydrodynamic size, 2 mg Fe/kg/day, intravenously, for two days) in the aorta and liver of Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). FeO@PEG had no effect on open-field behaviour but reduced the blood pressure (BP) of FeO@PEG-treated SHR (SHRu) significantly, compared to both FeO@PEG-treated WKY (WKYu) and saline-treated control SHR (SHRc). The FeO@PEG content was significantly elevated in the aorta and liver of SHRu vs.

Poly(ethylene glycol)-Alendronate-Coated Magnetite Nanoparticles Do Not Alter Cardiovascular Functions and Red Blood Cells' Properties in Hypertensive Rats.

In this study, magnetite nanoparticles were prepared and coated with poly(ethylene glycol) terminated by alendronate to ensure firm binding to the iron oxide surface. Magnetic nanoparticles, designated as magnetite coated with poly(ethylene glycol)-alendronate (FeO@PEG-Ale), were characterized in terms of number-average () and hydrodynamic () size, ζ-potential, saturation magnetization, and composition. The effect of particles on blood pressure, vascular functions, nitric oxide (NO), and superoxide production in the tissues of spontaneously hypertensive rats, as well as the effect on red blood cell (RBC) parameters, was investigated after intravenous administration (1 mg FeO/kg of body weight).

Ultra-Small Superparamagnetic Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles Exert Different Effects on Erythrocytes in Normotensive and Hypertensive Rats.

We determined erythrocyte physiological and biochemical properties after the single and repeated administration of ultra-small superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (USPIONs) in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. Polyethylene glycol-coated USPIONs (transmission electron microscope detected a mean size of ~30 nm and hydrodynamic size ~51 nm) were intravenously administered to rats either in one infusion at nominal dose 1 mg Fe/kg or in two infusions (administered with a difference of 24 h) at nominal dose 2 mg Fe/kg. Results showed that USPIONs did not deteriorate erythrocyte deformability, nitric oxide production, and osmotic resistance in both experimental settings.

Mechanisms Modified by (-)-Epicatechin and Taxifolin Relevant for the Treatment of Hypertension and Viral Infection: Knowledge from Preclinical Studies.

Various studies have shown that certain flavonoids, flavonoid-containing plant extracts, and foods can improve human health. Experimental studies showed that flavonoids have the capacity to alter physiological processes as well as cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with their antioxidant properties. An important function of flavonoids was determined in the cardiovascular system, namely their capacity to lower blood pressure and to improve endothelial function.

Effect of iron oxide nanoparticles on vascular function and nitric oxide production in acute stress-exposed rats.

We investigated whether polyethylene glycol-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (IONs), acute stress and their combination modifies vascular functions, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, mean arterial pressure (MAP) as well as hepcidin and ferritin H gene expressions in Wistar-Kyoto rats. Rats were divided into control, ION-treated rats (1 mg Fe/kg i.v.

The Molecular Mechanisms of Iron Metabolism and Its Role in Cardiac Dysfunction and Cardioprotection.

Iron is an essential mineral participating in different functions of the organism under physiological conditions. Numerous biological processes, such as oxygen and lipid metabolism, protein production, cellular respiration, and DNA synthesis, require the presence of iron, and mitochondria play an important role in the processes of iron metabolism. In addition to its physiological role, iron may be also involved in the adaptive processes of myocardial "conditioning".

High concentration of uric acid failed to affect endothelial function of small mesenteric arteries, femoral arteries and aortas from aged Wistar-Kyoto rats.

It is known that a high level of uric acid (UA) in plasma, hyperuricemia (HU), is associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Endothelial damage has been suggested as a potential mechanism involved in HU-induced CVDs, especially in patients with the accumulation of other cardiovascular risk factors. However, the role of UA in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction is still a matter of debate.

Sensitive SQUID Bio-Magnetometry for Determination and Differentiation of Biogenic Iron and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in the Biological Samples.

This study aimed to develop the method for determination of the ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (USPION)-originated iron (UOI) in the tissues of rats on the basis of the magnetic characteristics (MC) in the liver, left heart ventricle (LHV), kidneys, aorta and blood of Wistar-Kyoto (WKY). Rats were treated intravenously by USPIONs dispersed in saline (transmission electron microscope (TEM) mean size ~30 nm, hydrodynamic size ~51 nm, nominal iron content 1 mg Fe/mL) at the low iron dose of 1 mg/kg. MC in the form of the mass magnetisation () versus the magnetic field () curves and temperature dependences of (determined using the SQUID magnetometer), histochemical determination of iron (by Perl's method) and USPION-induced superoxide production (by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence) were investigated 100 min post-infusion.

(-)-Epicatechin Reduces the Blood Pressure of Young Borderline Hypertensive Rats During the Post-Treatment Period.

This study investigated the effects of (-)-epicatechin (Epi) in young male borderline hypertensive rats (BHR) during two weeks of treatment (Epi group, 100 mg/kg/day p.o.) and two weeks post treatment (PE group).

The Effect of a Single Dose of Dark Chocolate on Cardiovascular Parameters and Their Reactivity to Mental Stress.

This study investigated the effect of a single administration of dark or milk chocolate on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and double product (DP) in young healthy women at rest and during acute mental stress. Measurements consisted of anthropometry, BP, and HR. Mean arterial BP (MAP) and DP were computed.