Retinol binding protein 4 induces mitochondrial dysfunction and vascular oxidative damage.

Objectives: Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in cardiovascular diseases. Elevation of serum retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) in patients has been linked to cardiovascular disease. However, the role of RBP4 on mitochondrial oxidative stress and vascular oxidative damage is not well demonstrated.

Elevated retinol binding protein 4 induces apolipoprotein B production and associates with hypertriglyceridemia.

Context And Objective: A high level of retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) is reported to be associated with insulin resistance in humans. However, evidence from large-scale populations about the relationship between serum RBP4 and metabolic phenotypes is scarce. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate serum RBP4 distribution and its association with metabolic phenotypes among middle-aged and elderly Chinese.

Taking a low glycemic index multi-nutrient supplement as breakfast improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial.

Dietary therapy is the mainstay of treatment for diabetes. This study examined the effect of a low glycemic index (GI) multi-nutrient supplement, consumed in place of breakfast, on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 71 participants were randomized at a 2:1 ratio into either a breakfast replacement group or a normal breakfast group for a 12-week interventional study.

Circulating retinol binding protein 4 is associated with coronary lesion severity of patients with coronary artery disease.

Objectives: This study was to examine the association between plasma retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels and the complexity of angiographic coronary lesion in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods And Results: A cross-sectional and prospective study was carried out in Guangzhou Chinese population. 672 persons were evaluated by medical history, clinical examination, coronary angiography, and fasting plasma samples, and were followed prospectively for 3 years.

Plant food anthocyanins inhibit platelet granule secretion in hypercholesterolaemia: Involving the signalling pathway of PI3K-Akt.

Controlling platelet granule secretion has been considered an effective strategy to dampen thrombosis and prevent atherosclerosis. Anthocyanins are natural plant pigments and possess a wide range of biological activities, including cardiovascular protective activity. In the present study we explored the effects and the potential mechanisms of anthocyanins on platelet granule secretion in hypercholesterolemia.

Cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside protects primary mouse hepatocytes against high glucose-induced apoptosis by modulating mitochondrial dysfunction and the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Apoptosis is an early event of steatohepatitis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and an increase in oxidative stress induced by hyperglycemia has been linked to an acceleration of apoptosis in hepatocytes. Cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside (C3G), a classic anthocyanin, has been reported to reduce oxidative stress and attenuate non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of high glucose in primary hepatocytes of mice fed with a high fat diet and amelioration of this toxicity by C3G.

Dietary supplementation with fish oil alters the expression levels of proteins governing mitochondrial dynamics and prevents high-fat diet-induced endothelial dysfunction.

Diets supplemented with fish oil (FO), which is rich in n-3 PUFA, have been shown to modify several key risk factors for CVD. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of FO supplementation on mitochondrial dynamic protein expression in the endothelium and on endothelial cell function. Male apoE-deficient (apoE-/-) mice (8 weeks old, n 12 per group) were fed a high-fat diet containing 45% fat (HFD group) or a HFD with partial replacement of lard with 10% (w/w) FO (FO group) (total EPA and DHA content 64.

Coenzyme Q10 promotes macrophage cholesterol efflux by regulation of the activator protein-1/miR-378/ATP-binding cassette transporter G1-signaling pathway.

Objective: Recent studies have shown the role of miRNAs in macrophage reverse cholesterol transport and atherogenesis. We hypothesized that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may increase macrophage reverse cholesterol transport by regulating miRNA expression that contributes to the prevention of atherosclerosis.

Approach And Results: CoQ10 treatment suppressed oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced macrophage foam cell formation by ameliorating the binding of activator protein-1 to the putative promoter region of miR-378 primary transcript, thus decreasing the miR-378 level and enhancing the ATP-binding cassette transporter G1-mediated macrophage cholesterol efflux to high-density lipoprotein.

7-Ketocholesterol inhibits isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 expression and impairs endothelial function via microRNA-144.

Oxysterol is associated with the induction of endothelial oxidative stress and impaired endothelial function. Mitochondria play a central role in oxidative energy metabolism and the maintenance of proper redox status. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects and mechanisms of 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) on isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (IDH2) and its impact on endothelial function in both human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and C57BL/6J mice.

Associations of retinol-binding protein 4 with oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and metabolic syndrome in a middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.

Background: Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), a novel adipokine secreted by adipocytes and the liver, has elevated levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, its association with human metabolic diseases remains controversial. The present study was designed to investigate the associations of plasma RBP4 levels with oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a Chinese population.

Effects of bayberry juice on inflammatory and apoptotic markers in young adults with features of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: Oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Bayberries contain high levels of polyphenols that possess antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the consumption of bayberry juice beneficially alters the levels of oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic biomarkers in young individuals with features of NAFLD.

Anthocyanin supplementation improves HDL-associated paraoxonase 1 activity and enhances cholesterol efflux capacity in subjects with hypercholesterolemia.

Context And Objective: Paraoxonase 1 (PON1), an enzyme associated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL-PON1), is reported to have antioxidant and cardioprotective properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of anthocyanins on the HDL-PON1 activity and cholesterol efflux capacity in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

Design And Participants: A total of 122 hypercholesterolemic subjects were given 160 mg of anthocyanins twice daily or placebo (n = 61 of each group) for 24 weeks in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

The prevalence and awareness of cardiometabolic risk factors in Southern Chinese population with coronary artery disease.

Background: Cardiometabolic risk factors significantly accelerate the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD); however, whether CAD patients in South China are aware of the prevalence of these risk factors is not clear yet.

Methods: The study consisted of 2312 in-admission CAD patients from 2008 to 2011 in South China. Disease history including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes was relied on patients' self-reported records.

Erythrocyte membrane fatty acid composition is related to overloaded plasma ferritin in Chinese males with angiographic coronary artery disease.

Not only is iron deficiency an abnormal iron status, but iron overload is also harmful for human health. It has been reported that overloaded iron stores are positively associated with increased coronary artery disease (CAD) risk, which is called the "iron-heart hypothesis". Previous studies evaluating the relationships between fatty acids (FAs) and body iron status only focused on participants with iron deficiency.

Supplementation of cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside promotes endothelial repair and prevents enhanced atherogenesis in diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Atherosclerosis is accelerated in diabetes mellitus mainly due to the reduced availability and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). The purpose of this study was to determine the protective effects of the anthocyanin cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside (C3G) on EPC function and endothelial repair in diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice. Diabetes mellitus was induced in 8-wk-old male apoE(-/-) mice with streptozotocin.

Adiponectin increases macrophages cholesterol efflux and suppresses foam cell formation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: Low levels of blood adiponectin contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). To determine the mechanism through which adiponectin deficiency mediates accelerated cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes, we investigated the effects of adiponectin on macrophage cholesterol deposition.

Methods And Results: 35 diabetic patients and 35 nondiabetic healthy subjects were recruited in this study.

Association between rs10118757(A/G) in methylthioadenosine phosphorylase gene and coronary artery disease in Chinese Hans.

Studies focusing on the association of gene methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) with the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) are limited. In this study, we explored the effects of rs10118757 in MTAP gene on CAD and MI by performing association analysis in a Chinese Han population. rs10118757 was genotyped in 1007 CAD patients (including 338 MI patients) and 885 healthy controls.

Cytochrome P4502E1 inhibitor, chlormethiazole, decreases lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in rat Kupffer cells with ethanol treatment.

Aim: To investigate the role of Cytochrome P4502E1 in sensitizing Kupffer cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammation after ethanol induction.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a liquid ethanol diet, control diet or ethanol diet supplemented with CYP2E1 inhibitor, chlormethiazole (CMZ), for 4 weeks. Hepatic CYP2E1 protein, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 protein and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α mRNA were measured.

Cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside induces oxysterol efflux from endothelial cells: role of liver X receptor alpha.

Objectives: Oxidized sterols are toxic to endothelial cells and play a central role in promoting atherogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the impact of anthocyanin, a class of flavonoid compounds, on oxysterol efflux from endothelial cells and the underlying mechanism.

Methods And Results: The human aortic ECs (HAECs) were incubated with anthocyanin cyanidin-3-O-β-glucoside (C3G) for different times.

Joint effects of genetic variants in multiple loci on the risk of coronary artery disease in Chinese Han subjects.

Background: The aim of the present study was to explore risk variants for coronary artery disease (CAD) and to evaluate their joint effects (quantified by genetic risk score; GRS) on the discrimination of CAD in a Chinese Han sample.

Methods And Results: An association analysis of 91 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with CAD risk was undertaken in 1,007 CAD patients and 889 healthy controls. Two GRSs, counted GRS (cGRS) and weighted GRS (wGRS), were calculated using the significant SNPs, and their discriminant power for CAD was assessed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction of anthocyanins from mulberry and identification of anthocyanins in extract using HPLC-ESI-MS.

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring compounds that impart color to fruits, vegetables, and plants. This study aims to optimize the microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) conditions of anthocyanins from mulberry (M. atropurpurea Roxb.

Anthocyanin extract from black rice significantly ameliorates platelet hyperactivity and hypertriglyceridemia in dyslipidemic rats induced by high fat diets.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that anthocyanin extract from black rice (AEBR) inhibits atherosclerosis. Whether dietary AEBR supplementation can affect platelet function, an important factor in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, remains unclear. The aim of the present study is to explore the effects and mechanisms of dietary AEBR supplementation on platelet function and lipid profile in dyslipidemic rats.

Cyanidin 3-glucoside attenuates obesity-associated insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in high-fat diet-fed and db/db mice via the transcription factor FoxO1.

Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes, and both conditions are now recognized to possess significant inflammatory components underlying their pathophysiologies. Here, we hypothesized that cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G), a typical anthocyanin reported to possess potent anti-inflammatory properties, would ameliorate obesity-associated inflammation and metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in mouse models of diabesity. Male C57BL/6J obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks and genetically diabetic db/db mice at an age of 6 weeks received dietary C3G supplementation (0.

Anthocyanin inhibits high glucose-induced hepatic mtGPAT1 activation and prevents fatty acid synthesis through PKCζ.

Mitochondrial acyl-CoA:glycerol-sn-3-phosphate acyltransferase 1 (mtGPAT1) controls the first step of triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis and is critical to the understanding of chronic metabolic disorders such as primary nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Anthocyanin, a large group of polyphenols, was negatively correlated with hepatic lipid accumulation, but its impact on mtGPAT1 activity and NAFLD has yet to be determined. Hepatoma cell lines and KKAy mice were used to investigate the impact of anthocyanin on high glucose-induced mtGPAT1 activation and hepatic steatosis.

Involvement of oxygen-regulated protein 150 in AMP-activated protein kinase-mediated alleviation of lipid-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Hepatocytes show endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress when exposed to lipotoxic stimuli such as hyperlipidemia. Recent work has revealed that AMP- activated protein kinase (AMPK) can mitigate ER stress. In this study we investigated the impact of AMPK on lipid-induced ER stress in hepatocytes and its underlying molecular mechanism.