Propionate attenuates atherosclerosis by immune-dependent regulation of intestinal cholesterol metabolism.

Aims: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, and increased low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) play a critical role in development and progression of atherosclerosis. Here, we examined for the first time gut immunomodulatory effects of the microbiota-derived metabolite propionic acid (PA) on intestinal cholesterol metabolism.

Methods And Results: Using both human and animal model studies, we demonstrate that treatment with PA reduces blood total and LDL cholesterol levels.

Propionic Acid Shapes the Multiple Sclerosis Disease Course by an Immunomodulatory Mechanism.

Short-chain fatty acids are processed from indigestible dietary fibers by gut bacteria and have immunomodulatory properties. Here, we investigate propionic acid (PA) in multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease. Serum and feces of subjects with MS exhibited significantly reduced PA amounts compared with controls, particularly after the first relapse.

Conditional Deletion of LRP1 Leads to Progressive Loss of Recombined NG2-Expressing Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells in a Novel Mouse Model.

The low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is a transmembrane receptor, mediating endocytosis and activating intracellular signaling cascades. LRP1 is highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), especially in oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Previous studies have suggested LRP1 as a regulator in early oligodendrocyte development, repair of chemically induced white matter lesions, and cholesterol homeostasis.

Elevated levels of miR-181c and miR-633 in the CSF of patients with MS: A validation study.

Objective: To validate a previously discovered microRNA (miRNA) panel in the CSF of patients with MS, we now tested the diagnostic value of CSF-derived candidate miRNAs in a case-control study in a larger MS cohort.

Methods: The levels of miR-181c, miR-633, and miR-922 were analyzed in the CSF of 218 patients with MS and 211 patients with other neurologic diseases (OND) by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR.

Results: CSF levels of both miR-181c ( < 0.

Predictors for Therapy Response to Intrathecal Corticosteroid Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis.

The autoimmune disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS) represents a heterogeneous disease pattern with an individual course that may lead to permanent disability. In addition to immuno-modulating therapies patients benefit from symptomatic approaches like intrathecal corticosteroid therapy (ICT), which is frequently applied in a growing number of centers in Germany. ICT reduces spasticity, which elongates patient's walking distance and speed, thus improves quality of life.