Cardiac biogenic amine profile and its relationship with parameters of cardiovascular disease in obesity.

Aims: To identify the cardiac biogenic amine profile of obese rats and associate these compounds with parameters of cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods: Wistar rats (n = 20) were randomly distributed into two groups: control and obese. Obesity was induced by a high-sugar fat diet.

Vascular injury associated with ethanol intake is driven by AT1 receptor and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Background: Renin-angiotensin (Ang II)-aldosterone system (RAAS) is crucial for the cardiovascular risk associated with excessive ethanol consumption. Disturbs in mitochondria have been implicated in multiple cardiovascular diseases. However, if mitochondria dysfunction contributes to ethanol-induced vascular dysfunction is still unknown.

Suppressed vascular Rho-kinase activation is a protective cardiovascular mechanism in obese female mice.

Background: Obesity is the number one cardiovascular risk factor for both men and women and is a complex condition. Although a sex dimorphism on vascular function has already been noted, the underlying processes remain unclear. The Rho-kinase pathway has a unique role in controlling vascular tone, and in obese male mice, hyperactivation of this system results in worsened vascular constriction.