N-terminal domain of CTRP9 promotes cardiac fibroblast activation in myocardial infarction via Rap1/Mek/Erk pathway.

Background: In developed nations, myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality, resulting in a significant economic burden and becoming a global public health problem. C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein 9 (CTRP9) is a secreted protein comprising a variable domain, a collagenous region, and a C-terminal trimerizing globular C1q (gC1q) domain. In vivo, the full-length CTRP9 (fCTRP9) can be cleaved into the globular domain of CTRP9 (gCTRP9).

Bergenin alleviates proliferative arterial diseases by modulating glucose metabolism in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Background: Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and phenotypic switching are key mechanisms in the development of proliferative arterial diseases. Notably, reprogramming of the glucose metabolism pattern in VSMCs plays an important role in this process.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic potential and the mechanism underlying the effect of bergenin, an active compound found in Bergenia, in proliferative arterial diseases.