Maternal high-cholesterol diet negatively programs offspring bone development and downregulates hedgehog signaling in osteoblasts.

Cholesterol is one of the essential intrauterine factors required for fetal growth and development. Maternal high cholesterol levels are known to be detrimental for offspring health. However, its long-term effect on offspring skeletal development remains to be elucidated.

Trace metals concentration in water hyacinth implicates the saltwater barrage altered hydrography of Kochi backwaters, southwest Coast of India.

This study in the Kochi backwaters (KBW) presents the distribution of 9 trace metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, Co, Cr, Cd, Pb) in different parts (root, stolon and leaf) of the common water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes during three different seasons [Pre-Monsoon (PRM), Southwest Monsoon (SWM), and Northeast Monsoon (NEM)]. The hyacinth was collected from 4 sections upstream of the KBW where a saltwater barrage [Thannermukkom Barrage (TB)] prevents saltwater intrusion. Results showed that regardless of seasons, all the trace metals concentration in different parts of Eichhornia varied in the following order: roots > stolon > leaves.

Combinatorial inhibition of Angiotensin converting enzyme, Neutral endopeptidase and Aminopeptidase N by N-methylated peptides alleviates blood pressure and fibrosis in rat model of dexamethasone-induced hypertension.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and aminopeptidase N (APN) are responsible for generation of vasoactive peptides that regulates vasoconstriction, vasodilation and natriuresis, which altogether regulate blood pressure. Cumulative inhibition of ACE, NEP and APN effectively blocks the progression of respective pathways. In this study, N-methylated peptide inhibitors F-N(Me)H-L, V-N(Me)F-R and R-N(Me)V-Y were synthesized against ACE, NEP and APN respectively, using their respective physiological substrates.

Plant latex thrombin-like cysteine proteases alleviates bleeding by bypassing factor VIII in murine model.

Hemostasis is a tightly regulated process which maintains a fluid state of blood within the vasculature and provides thrombotic response upon tissue injury. Various scientific studies have implicated the role of plant latex proteases in hemostasis using in vitro experiments. However, in vivo models substantiate their role in hemostasis.

Active-site directed peptide l-Phe-d-His-l-Leu inhibits angiotensin converting enzyme activity and dexamethasone-induced hypertension in rats.

Hypertension is the fundamental cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders. Several natural and synthetic peptides are being used as antihypertensive agents, which target angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), the master regulator of angiotensin (Ang) II production. In this study, we have evaluated ACE-inhibitory potential of the tripeptide l-Phenylalanyl-d-Histidyl-l-Leucine (l-Phe-d-His-l-Leu) in vitro and its antihypertensive effect in rat model of dexamethasone-induced hypertension.