PPARγ partial agonist LPSF/GQ-16 prevents dermal and pulmonary fibrosis in HOCl-induced systemic sclerosis (SSc) and modulates cytokine production in PBMC of SSc patients.

Thiazolidinediones (TZD) are synthetic molecules that have a range of biological effects, including antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory, and they may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory and antifibrotic properties of LPSF/GQ-16, a TZD derivative, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from SSc patients and in a murine model of SSc HOCl-induced. The PBMC of 20 SSc patients were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and treated with LPSF/GQ-16 for 48 h, later cytokines in the culture supernatants were quantified by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or cytometric bead array (CBA).

Ischemia-reperfusion damage is attenuated by GQ-11, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α/γ agonist, after aorta clamping in rats.

Introduction: Ischemia-Reperfusion (I/R) damage is one of the major challenges in cardiothoracic surgeries and in a pathological manner, is identified by exacerbated damage signals resulted from blood supply restriction and subsequent flow restoration and re‑oxygenation. I/R damage includes cellular dysfunction and death, impairing tissue and organ function. Inflammation and oxidative stress are known to underlie either ischemia or reperfusion, leaded by HIF, TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-6 and ROS formation.

Polylactide Nanocapsules Attenuate Adverse Cardiac Cellular Effects of Lyso-7, a Pan-PPAR Agonist/Anti-Inflammatory New Thiazolidinedione.

Lyso-7 is a novel synthetic thiazolidinedione, which is a receptor (pan) agonist of PPAR α,β/δ,γ with anti-inflammatory activity. We investigated the cardiotoxicity of free Lyso-7 in vitro (4.5-450 nM), and Lyso-7 loaded in polylactic acid nanocapsules (NC) in vivo (Lyso-7-NC, 1.

scFv-Anti-LDL(-)-Metal-Complex Multi-Wall Functionalized-Nanocapsules as a Promising Tool for the Prevention of Atherosclerosis Progression.

Atherosclerosis can be originated from the accumulation of modified cholesterol-rich lipoproteins in the arterial wall. The electronegative LDL, LDL(-), plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis once this cholesterol-rich lipoprotein can be internalized by macrophages, contributing to the formation of foam cells, and provoking an immune-inflammatory response. Herein, we engineered a nanoformulation containing highly pure surface-functionalized nanocapsules using a single-chain fragment variable (scFv) reactive to LDL(-) as a ligand and assessed whether it can affect the LDL(-) uptake by primary macrophages and the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in mice.

Histological Evaluation and Gene Expression Profiling of Autophagy-Related Genes for Cartilage of Young and Senescent Rats.

Autophagy is a cellular mechanism that protects cells from stress by digesting non-functional cellular components. In the cartilage, chondrocytes depend on autophagy as a principal mechanism to maintain cellular homeostasis. This protective role diminishes prior to the structural damage that normally occurs during aging.

Prodigiosin Modulates the Immune Response and Could Promote a Stable Atherosclerotic Lession in C57bl/6 -/- Mice.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease, whose progression and stability are modulated, among other factors, by an innate and adaptive immune response. Prodiginines are bacterial secondary metabolites with antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activities; however, their effect on the progression or vulnerability of atheromatous plaque has not been evaluated. This study assessed the therapeutic potential of prodigiosin and undecylprodigiosin on inflammatory marker expression and atherosclerosis.

Inflammasome Activation in Human Macrophages Induced by a LDL (-) Mimetic Peptide.

The inflammasome is responsible for maturation of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) contributing to the inflammatory process in atherosclerosis. It is shown here that an electronegative low-density lipoprotein [LDL (-)] apoB-100 mimetic peptide can activate the transcriptional and posttranslational signs needed for complete inflammasome activation. This peptide, named p2C7, can activate the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) that induces NF-κB activation and the transcription of inflammasome components.

New Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Agonist (GQ-11) Improves Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice.

Chronic wounds associated with diabetes are an important public health problem demanding new treatments to improve wound healing and decrease amputations. Monocytes/macrophages play a key role in sustained inflammation associated with impaired healing and local administration of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ agonists may modulate macrophage, improving healing. In this study, we investigated the effects of GQ-11, a partial/dual PPARα/γ agonist, on macrophage function and wound healing in diabetes.

Proinflammatory Action of a New Electronegative Low-Density Lipoprotein Epitope.

The electronegative low-density lipoprotein, LDL (-), is an endogenously modified LDL subfraction with cytotoxic and proinflammatory actions on endothelial cells, monocytes, and macrophages contributing to the progression of atherosclerosis. In this study, epitopes of LDL (-) were mapped using a phage display library of peptides and monoclonal antibodies reactive to this modified lipoprotein. Two different peptide libraries (X6 and CX8C for 6- and 8-amino acid-long peptides, respectively) were used in the mapping.

Propolis Reduces the Expression of Autophagy-Related Proteins in Chondrocytes under Interleukin-1β Stimulus.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive and multifactorial disease that is associated with aging. A number of changes occur in aged cartilage, such as increased oxidative stress, decreased markers of healthy cartilage, and alterations in the autophagy pathway. Propolis extracts contain a mixture of polyphenols and it has been proved that they have high antioxidant capacity and could regulate the autophagic pathway.

Use of nPSi-βCD Composite Microparticles for the Controlled Release of Caffeic Acid and Pinocembrin, Two Main Polyphenolic Compounds Found in a Chilean Propolis.

Propolis is widely recognized for its various therapeutic properties. These are attributed to its rich composition in polyphenols, which exhibit multiple biological properties (e.g.

Comparison between red wine and isolated trans-resveratrol on the prevention and regression of atherosclerosis in LDLr mice.

Moderate consumption of red wine has been widely associated with reduced cardiovascular risk, mainly due to its composition in phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity, such as resveratrol. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of red wine vs. trans-resveratrol consumption on the prevention and regression of atherosclerosis in LDLr mice.

GQ-11: A new PPAR agonist improves obesity-induced metabolic alterations in LDLr mice.

Background: Obesity and insulin resistance/diabetes are important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and demand safe and efficacious therapeutics.

Objective: To assess the effects of a new thiazolidine compound-GQ-11-on obesity and insulin resistance induced by a diabetogenic diet in LDL receptor-deficient (LDLr) mice.

Methods: Molecular docking simulations of GQ-11, PPARα and PPARγ structures were performed.

One-Year Conservative Care Using Sodium Bicarbonate Supplementation Is Associated with a Decrease in Electronegative LDL in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Pilot Study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients develop metabolic acidosis when approaching stages 3 and 4, a period in which accelerated atherogenesis may ensue. Studies in vitro show that low pH may increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, suggesting a role for chronic metabolic acidosis in atherosclerosis. The present study attempted to evaluate the effects of conservative care using oral sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO) supplementation on the electronegative LDL [LDL(-)], a minimally oxidized LDL, plasma levels in CKD patients.

Chronic administration of the soluble, nonbacterial fraction of kefir attenuates lipid deposition in LDLr mice.

Objectives: Kefir is obtained by the action of acidic bacteria and yeasts that exist in symbiotic association in kefir grains. Recently, this fermented milk drink has been recommended for the treatment of several clinical conditions, such as inflammatory, gastrointestinal, or cardiovascular-related diseases, or a combination of these diseases. However, its effects on atherosclerosis are not yet clear.

Chronic LPSF/GQ-02 treatment attenuates inflammation and atherosclerosis development in LDLr mice.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a complex disorder with a multifactorial pathogenesis. We previously indicated that the new TZD LPSF/GQ-02 inhibits hepatic steatosis and inflammation, which are reported as risk factors for atherosclerosis development. Here, we explored the effects of LPSF/GQ-02 on atherosclerosis in LDLr-/- mice comparing two treatment periods.

Polyphenol-Related Epigenetic Modifications in Osteoarthritis: Current Therapeutic Perspectives.

The hyaline cartilage is an avascular, aneural and alymphatic tissue with a limited ability to repair itself. When the cartilage is exposed to some kind of injury, it usually triggers osteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent and degenerative joint disease closely related to aging. OA is both complex and multifactorial, and is the most common form of arthritis, being positioned as a major cause of pain and dysfunction in the world.

A nanoformulation containing a scFv reactive to electronegative LDL inhibits atherosclerosis in LDL receptor knockout mice.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease responsible for the majority of cases of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. The electronegative low-density lipoprotein, a modified subfraction of native LDL, is pro-inflammatory and plays an important role in atherogenesis. To investigate the effects of a nanoformulation (scFv anti-LDL(-)-MCMN-Zn) containing a scFv reactive to LDL(-) on the inhibition of atherosclerosis, its toxicity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo and further it was also administered weekly to LDL receptor knockout mice.

Polyphenols from Chilean Propolis and Pinocembrin Reduce MMP-9 Gene Expression and Activity in Activated Macrophages.

Polyphenols from diverse sources have shown anti-inflammatory activity. In the context of atherosclerosis, macrophages play important roles including matrix metalloproteinases synthesis involved in degradation of matrix extracellular components affecting the atherosclerotic plaque stability. We prepared a propolis extract and pinocembrin in ethanol solution.

New thiazolidinediones affect endothelial cell activation and angiogenesis.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) agonists used in treating type 2 diabetes that may exhibit beneficial pleiotropic effects on endothelial cells. In this study, we characterized the effects of three new TZDs [GQ-32 (3-biphenyl-4-ylmethyl-5-(4-nitro-benzylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione), GQ-169 (5-(4-chloro-benzylidene)-3-(2,6-dichloro-benzyl)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione), and LYSO-7 (5-(5-bromo-1H-indol-3-ylmethylene)-3-(4-chlorobenzyl)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione)] on endothelial cells. The effects of the new TZDs were evaluated on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell migration, tube formation and the gene expression of adhesion molecules and angiogenic mediators in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Probiotic Soy Product Supplemented with Isoflavones Improves the Lipid Profile of Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. Several studies have demonstrated that specific probiotics affect the host's metabolism and may influence the cardiovascular disease risk.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of an isoflavone-supplemented soy product fermented with Enterococcus faecium CRL 183 and Lactobacillus helveticus 416 on cardiovascular risk markers in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects.

Acute modification in plasma lipid levels in ultramarathon runners.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of a 24-h ultramarathon, an aerobic test of high physical load, on lipid profile and apolipoproteins B (ApoB) and A1 (ApoA1) levels, minimally modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and oxidised LDL. Prospective evaluation of 16 male athletes who participated in an ultramarathon run, where the objective was to run the greatest distance possible in 24 h. Fourteen participants completed the run.