Search Results (19)

D-glucuronolactone (DGL), a hepatoprotective compound widely used in clinical and energy products, was evaluated for its effects on Chinese soft-shelled turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis) through an 8-week feeding trial with dietary supplementation (0, 200, and 400 mg kg⁻¹). DGL did not alter survival or feed intake, but induced dose-dependent growth improvements, including increased final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, and muscle/liver glycogen, alongside reduced feed conversion ratio and muscle and liver fat. Serum analysis showed decreased activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triacylglycerols. Antioxidant indices revealed elevated catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in serum and intestine, coupled with reduced malondialdehyde, though hepatic SOD activity declined. Histologically, 400 mg kg⁻¹ DGL alleviated liver lesions without impacting intestinal morphology. Molecular analyses demonstrated upregulated muscle mTOR signaling genes (mTOR, IGF1, S6K1) but downregulated hepatic/intestinal mTOR and IGF1 expression. DGL also suppressed inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10) in liver and intestine. Challenge tests with Aeromonas hydrophila confirmed the enhanced disease resistance in DGL-supplemented turtles. These findings highlight DGL’s potential as a nutritional strategy to enhance growth, antioxidant capacity, and health in intensive turtle farming. Full article

The formation of protein coronas around engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in biological environments is critical in nanomedicine, as these coronas significantly influence the biological behavior of ENPs. Despite extensive research on protein coronas, understanding the in situ influence of whole (soft plus hard) protein coronas has remained challenging. In this study, we demonstrate a strategy to assess the in situ effects of whole coronas on the model biosensing of anti-IgG using IgG-conjugated gold nanoparticles (IgG-AuNPs) through fluorescence nanoparticle tracking analysis (F-NTA), which enables the selective tracking of fluorescent particles within complex media. In our approach, anti-IgG and IgG-AuNPs were labeled with distinct fluorescent dyes. The accordance in hydrodynamic diameter distributions observed at two different wavelengths verifies the successful capture of anti-IgG on the IgG-AuNPs. The counting of fluorescent anti-IgG within the size distribution allows for a quantitative assessment of biosensing efficiency. This method was applied to evaluate the effects of four protein coronas—human serum albumin, high-density lipoproteins, immunoglobulin G, and fibrinogen—as well as their mixture across varying incubation times and concentrations. The results suggest that the physical presence of whole protein coronas surrounding the IgG-AuNPs may assist the biosensing interaction in situ rather than screening it. Full article

Atherosclerotic plaque buildup in the coronary and carotid arteries is pivotal in the onset of acute myocardial infarctions or cerebrovascular events, leading to heightened levels of illness and death. Atherosclerosis is a complex and multistep disease, beginning with the deposition of low-density lipoproteins in the arterial intima and culminating in plaque rupture. Modern technology favors non-invasive imaging techniques to assess atherosclerotic plaque and offer insights beyond mere artery stenosis. Among these, computed tomography stands out for its widespread clinical adoption and is prized for its speed and accessibility. Nonetheless, some limitations persist. The introduction of photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT), with its multi-energy capabilities, enhanced spatial resolution, and superior soft tissue contrast with minimal electronic noise, brings significant advantages to carotid and coronary artery imaging, enabling a more comprehensive examination of atherosclerotic plaque composition. This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the main concepts related to PCCT. Additionally, we aim to explore the existing literature on the clinical application of PCCT in assessing atherosclerotic plaque. Finally, we will examine the advantages and limitations of this recently introduced technology. Full article

Sn-2 palmitate is widely used in infant formula. However, little is known about its effects on metabolism and body composition in middle-aged and elderly adults. In a double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, we enrolled Chinese adults aged 45–75 years with self-reported constipation. Individuals were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a 1,3-dioleoyl-2-palmitoyl-glycerol (OPO)-enriched oil (66% palmitic acid in the sn-2 position) or a control vegetable oil (24% palmitic acid in the sn-2 position) daily for 24 weeks. Skim milk powder was used as the carrier for both fats. Interviews and body composition were performed at baseline, week 4, week 12 and week 24. A fasting blood draw was taken except at week 4. This study was a secondary analysis and considered exploratory. A total of 111 adults (83 women and 28 men, mean age 64.2 ± 7.0 years) were enrolled, of whom 53 were assigned to the OPO group and 57 to the control group. During the intervention, blood glucose, triglyceride, the triglyceride-glucose index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and remnant cholesterol remained stable, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased in both groups (p = 0.003). No differences in change were observed between the groups (all p > 0.05). From baseline to week 24, the level of visceral fat increased slightly (p = 0.017), while body weight, total body water, protein, soft lean mass, fat-free mass, skeletal muscle and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) decreased in two groups (p < 0.01). At weeks 4, 12 and 24, the SMI decreased less in the OPO group than in the control group, with a trend towards significance (p = 0.090). A 24-week daily intake of sn-2-palmitate-enriched oil had no adverse impact on fasting blood glucose, lipids and body composition compared with the control vegetable oil in Chinese adults (funded by Chinese Nutrition Society National Nutrition Science Research Grant, National Key Research and Development Program of China and Wilmar (Shanghai) Biotechnology Research & Development Center Co., Ltd.; ChiCTR1900026480). Full article

Physiology disorders of the liver, as it is an important tissue in lipid metabolism, can cause fatty liver disease. The mechanism might be regulated by 17 circadian clock genes and 18 fat metabolism genes, together with a high-fat diet (HFD). Due to their rich nutritional and medicinal value, Chinese soft-shelled turtles (Trionyx sinensis) are very popular among the Chinese people. In the study, we aimed to investigate the influence of an HFD on the daily expression of both the core clock genes and the lipid metabolism genes in the liver tissue of the turtles. The two diets were formulated with 7.98% lipid (the CON group) and 13.86% lipid (the HFD group) to feed 180 juvenile turtles, which were randomly divided into two groups with three replicates per group and 30 turtles in each replicate for six weeks, and the diet experiment was administrated with a photophase regimen of a 24 h light/dark (12L:12D) cycle. At the end of the experiment, the liver tissue samples were collected from nine turtles per group every 3 h (zeitgeber time: ZT 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24) for 24 h to investigate the daily expression and correlation analysis of these genes. The results showed that 11 core clock genes [i.e., circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (Clock), brain and muscle arnt-like protein 1 and 2 (Bmal1/2), timeless (Tim), cryptochrome 1 (Cry2), period2 (Per2), nuclear factor IL-3 gene (Nfil3), nuclear receptor subfamily 1, treatment D, member 1 and 2 (Nr1d1/2) and retinoic acid related orphan receptor α/β/γ β and γ (Rorβ/γ)] exhibited circadian oscillation, but 6 genes did not, including neuronal PAS domain protein 2 (Npas2), Per1, Cry1, basic helix-loop-helix family, member E40 (Bhlhe40), Rorα and D-binding protein (Dbp), and 16 lipid metabolism genes including fatty acid synthase (Fas), diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (Dgat1), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (Hmgcr), Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1-like (Ldlr1), Lipin 1 (Lipin1), Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (Cpt1a), Peroxisome proliferator activation receptor α, β and γ (Pparα/β/γ), Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), Apoa (Apoa1), Apolipoprotein B (Apob), Pyruvate Dehydrogenase kinase 4 (Pdk4), Acyl-CoA synthase long-chain1 (Acsl1), Liver X receptors α (Lxrα) and Retinoid X receptor, α (Rxra) also demonstrated circadian oscillations, but 2 genes did not, Scd and Acaca, in the liver tissues of the CON group. However, in the HFD group, the circadian rhythms’ expressional patterns were disrupted for the eight core clock genes, Clock, Cry2, Per2, Nfil3, Nr1d1/2 and Rorβ/γ, and the peak expression of Bmal1/2 and Tim showed delayed or advanced phases. Furthermore, four genes (Cry1, Per1, Dbp and Rorα) displayed no diurnal rhythm in the CON group; instead, significant circadian rhythms appeared in the HFD group. Meanwhile, the HFD disrupted the circadian rhythm expressions of seven fat metabolism genes (Fas, Cpt1a, Sirt1, Apoa1, Apob, Pdk4 and Acsl1). Meanwhile, the other nine genes in the HFD group also showed advanced or delayed expression peaks compared to the CON group. Most importantly of all, there were remarkably positive or negative correlations between the core clock genes and the lipid metabolism genes, and their correlation relationships were altered by the HFD. To sum up, circadian rhythm alterations of the core clock genes and the lipid metabolism genes were induced by the high-fat diet (HFD) in the liver tissues of T. sinensis. This result provides experimental and theoretical data for the mass breeding and production of T. sinensis in our country. Full article

One of the strategies to reduce the contents of low density lipoproteins (LDLs) in blood is a hemoperfusion, when they are selectively retracted from plasma by an adsorber located outside the patient’s body. Recently, a photo-controllable smart surface was developed experimentally, that is characterized by high selectivity and reusability. It comprises a nanocarrier functionalised by a brush of azobenzene-containing polymer chains. We present a mesoscopic model that mimics principal features of this setup and focus our study on the role played by the length and flexibility of the chains and grafting density of a brush. The model for LDL comprises a spherical core covered by a shell of model phospholipids. The model is studied via coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation, performed with the aid of the GMBOLDD package modified for the case of soft-core beads. We examined the dependencies of the binding energy on both the length of polymer chains and the grafting density of a brush and established optimal conditions for adsorption. These are explained by competition between the concentration of azobenzenes and phospholipids in the same spatial region, flexibility of polymer chains, and excluded volume effects. Full article

Risk-factor-based scoring systems for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) remain concerningly inaccurate at the level of the individual and would benefit from the addition of biomarkers that correlate with atherosclerosis burden directly. We hypothesized that serum soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (sLOX-1) would be independently associated with CAD and investigated this in the BioHEART study using 968 participants with CT coronary angiograms, which were scored for disease burden in the form of coronary artery calcium scores (CACS), Gensini scores, and a semi-quantitative soft-plaque score (SPS). Serum sLOX-1 was assessed by ELISA and was incorporated into regression models for disease severity and incidence. We demonstrate that sLOX-1 is associated with an improvement in the prediction of CAD severity when scored by Gensini or SPS, but not CACS. sLOX-1 also significantly improved the prediction of the incidence of obstructive CAD, defined as stenosis in any vessel >75%. The predictive value of sLOX-1 was significantly greater in the subgroup of patients who did not have any of the standard modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (SMuRFs). sLOX-1 is associated with CAD severity and is the first biomarker shown to have utility for risk prediction in the SMuRFless population. Full article

The effects of the four heating intensities (hot-spring egg yolk, HEY; soft-boiled egg yolk, SEY; normal-boiled egg yolk, NEY; and over-boiled egg yolk, OEY) on lipidomes of boiled egg yolks were investigated. The results indicated that four heating intensities had no significant effect on the total abundance of lipids and lipid categories except for bile acids, lysophosphatidylinositol, and lysophosphatidylcholine. However, of all the 767 lipids quantified, the differential abundance of 190 lipids was screened among the egg yolk samples at four heating intensities. Soft-boiling and over-boiling altered the assembly structure of the lipoproteins through thermal denaturation and affected the binding of lipids and apoproteins, resulting in an increase in low-to-medium-abundance triglycerides. The decreased phospholipid and increased lysophospholipid and free fatty acid in HEY and SEY suggests potential hydrolysis of phospholipids under relatively low-intensity heating. Results provide new insights into the effect of heating on the lipid profiles of egg yolk and would support the public’s choice of cooking method for egg yolks. Full article

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to be effective in lowering triglyceride (TG) levels; however, tolerability issues arise due to the large size of the pills. The purpose of this study was to examine the safety, compliance, and efficacy of Omethyl QTlet soft capsules (OQCs). This multi-center, prospective, observational study evaluated the safety, compliance, and efficacy of OQCs. Patients with hypertriglyceridemia with a history of omega-3 fatty acid intake were enrolled in this study and were prescribed OQCs (2 g–4 g/day) for eight weeks. All adverse events (AEs), adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and serious adverse events (SAEs) were recorded for safety evaluation. Adherence to treatment was assessed using questionnaires, and efficacy was assessed by changes in lipid and lipoprotein levels after eight weeks from baseline. The convenience of taking medication was analyzed for 580 patients, and the efficacy test was performed for 563 patients. The AE and ADR rates were 8.2% and 5.7%, respectively. There were only two SAEs. Of the patients, 55.8% responded that the OQC improved medication convenience, and mean changes in TG, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C from baseline to eight weeks were −37.88 mg/dL, −11.56 mg/dL, −5.55 mg/dL, and −10.87 mg/dL, respectively (p-values < 0.001). In patients who had previously taken omega-3 fatty acids, OQCs showed safety and efficacy in lowering TG, and it was confirmed that compliance with medicine also improved compared to omega-3 fatty acids. Full article

Carotid atherosclerosis represents a relevant healthcare problem, since unstable plaques are responsible for approximately 15% of neurologic events, namely transient ischemic attack and stroke. Although statins treatment has proven effective in reducing LDL-cholesterol and the onset of acute clinical events, a residual risk may persist suggesting the need for the detection of reliable molecular markers useful for the identification of patients at higher risk regardless of optimal medical therapy. In this regard, several lines of evidence show a relationship among specific biologically active plasma lipids, atherosclerosis, and acute clinical events. We performed a Selected Reaction Monitoring-based High Performance Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry (SRM-based HPLC-MS/MS) analysis on plasma HDL, LDL, and VLDL fractions purified, by isopycnic salt gradient ultracentrifugation, from twenty-eight patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, having either a “hard” or a “soft” plaque, with the aim of characterizing the specific lipidomic patterns associated with features of carotid plaque instability. One hundred and thirty lipid species encompassing different lipid (sub)classes were monitored. Supervised multivariate analysis showed that lipids belonging to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), sphingomyelin (SM), and diacylglycerol (DG) classes mostly contribute to discrimination within each lipoprotein fraction according to the plaque typology. Differential analysis evidenced a significant dysregulation of LDL PE (38:6), SM (32:1), and SM (32:2) between the two groups of patients (adj. p-value threshold = 0.05 and log₂FC ≥ |0.58|). Using this approach, some LDL-associated markers of plaque vulnerability have been identified, in line with the current knowledge of the key roles of these phospholipids in lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular disease. This proof-of-concept study reports promising results, showing that lipoprotein lipidomics may present a valuable approach for identifying new biomarkers of potential clinical relevance. Full article

Monitoring the many aspects that are crucial to an athlete’s performance progress is vital for further training planning and for the development of performance and the sport. We evaluated a four-year change (2018 vs. 2022) in the current nutritional and cardiovascular health status of the most successful elite-level female swimmer in Slovenia. Body composition and dietary intake were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and a standardized food questionnaire. The concentration of blood lipids, blood pressure, and serum micronutrients (B₁₂, 25(OH)D), potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron) were measured. The four-year comparison showed an improved body composition status (i.e., increased body mass and decreased body fat (percentage and mass), increased lean soft tissue and total bone mineral density (BMD) (i.e., significantly decreased BMD of a left femoral neck and increased BMD of a spine and head)). We also measured an improvement in the cardiovascular health status of some markers (i.e., decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure but increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), most likely due to the differences in assessed dietary intake (i.e., lower carbohydrate intake, higher total and saturated fat intake, and lower sodium intake). Notably, nutrient intakes that are generally of concern (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin B₁₂ and D, calcium, iron, and zinc (except for fiber intake)) were all within recommended ranges. However, the athlete’s vitamin K and potassium intake were not adequate. Furthermore, in 2018, the athlete did not consume dietary supplements, while she now regularly uses several dietary supplements, including EPA and DHA omega-3, vitamin D, multivitamins, carbohydrate powder, and sports drink. Moreover, from the micronutrient serum, only iron levels deviated from the reference values (37 μmol/L vs. 10.7–28.6 μmol/L). The presented screening example using valid, sensitive, and affordable methods and with rapid organizational implementation may be a viable format for regular monitoring. Full article

This review focuses on a rare group of steroids and triterpenoids that share common properties as regulators of lipid metabolism. This group of compounds is divided by the type of chemical structure, and they represent: aromatic steroids, steroid phosphate esters, highly oxygenated steroids such as steroid endoperoxides and hydroperoxides, α,β-epoxy steroids, and secosteroids. In addition, subgroups of carbon-bridged steroids, neo steroids, miscellaneous steroids, as well as synthetic steroids containing heteroatoms S (epithio steroids), Se (selena steroids), Te (tellura steroids), and At (astatosteroids) were presented. Natural steroids and triterpenoids have been found and identified from various sources such as marine sponges, soft corals, starfish, and other marine invertebrates. In addition, this group of rare lipids is found in fungi, fungal endophytes, and plants. The pharmacological profile of the presented steroids and triterpenoids was determined using the well-known computer program PASS, which is currently available online for all interested scientists and pharmacologists and is currently used by research teams from more than 130 countries of the world. Our attention has been focused on the biological activities of steroids and triterpenoids associated with the regulation of cholesterol metabolism and related processes such as anti-hyperlipoproteinemic activity, as well as the treatment of atherosclerosis, lipoprotein disorders, or inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis. In addition, individual steroids and triterpenoids were identified that demonstrated rare or unique biological activities such as treating neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases with a high degree of certainty over 95 percent. For individual steroids or triterpenoids or a group of compounds, 3D drawings of their predicted biological activities are presented. Full article

In the past years, it has become increasingly clear that the protein cargo of the different lipoprotein classes is largely responsible for carrying out their various functions, also in relation to pathological conditions, including atherosclerosis. Accordingly, detailed information about their apolipoprotein composition and structure may contribute to the revelation of their role in atherogenesis and the understanding of the mechanisms that lead to atherosclerotic degeneration and toward vulnerable plaque formation. With this aim, shotgun proteomics was applied to identify the apolipoprotein signatures of both high-density and low-density lipoproteins (HDL and LDL) plasma fractions purified from healthy volunteers and atherosclerotic patients with different plaque typologies who underwent carotid endarterectomy. By this approach, two proteins with potential implications in inflammatory, immune, and hemostatic pathways, namely, integrin beta-2 (P05107) and secretoglobin family 3A member 2 (Q96PL1), have been confirmed to belong to the HDL proteome. Similarly, the list of LDL-associated proteins has been enriched with 21 proteins involved in complement and coagulation cascades and the acute-phase response, which potentially double the protein species of LDL cargo. Moreover, differential expression analysis has shown protein signatures specific for patients with “hard” or “soft” plaques. Full article

Diet has been clearly associated with cardiovascular disease, but few studies focus on the influence of cooking and food preservation methods on health. The aim of this study was to describe cooking and food preservation patterns, as well as to examine their association with inflammatory and cardio-metabolic biomarkers in the Spanish adult population. A cross-sectional study of 10,010 individuals, representative of the Spanish population, aged 18 years or over was performed using data from the ENRICA study. Food consumption data were collected through a face-to-face dietary history. Cooking and food preservation patterns were identified by factor analysis with varimax rotation. Linear regression models adjusted for main confounders were built. Four cooking and food preservation patterns were identified. The Spanish traditional pattern (positively correlated with boiling and sautéing, brining, and light frying) tends to be cardio-metabolically beneficial (with a reduction in C-reactive protein (−7.69%)), except for high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), insulin levels, and anthropometrics. The health-conscious pattern (negatively correlated with battering, frying, and stewing) tends to improve renal function (with a reduction in urine albumin (−9.60%) and the urine albumin/creatinine ratio (−4.82%)). The youth-style pattern (positively correlated with soft drinks and distilled alcoholic drinks and negatively with raw food consumption) tends to be associated with good cardio-metabolic health except, for lower HDL-c (−6.12%), higher insulin (+6.35%), and higher urine albumin (+27.8%) levels. The social business pattern (positively correlated with the consumption of fermented alcoholic drinks, food cured with salt or smoke, and cured cheese) tends to be detrimental for the lipid profile (except HDL-c), renal function (urine albumin +8.04%), diastolic blood pressure (+2.48%), and anthropometrics. Cooking and food preservation patterns showed a relationship with inflammatory and cardio-metabolic health biomarkers. The Spanish traditional pattern and the health-conscious pattern were associated with beneficial effects on health and should be promoted. The youth-style pattern calls attention to some concerns, and the social business pattern was the most detrimental one. These findings support the influence of cooking and preservation patterns on health. Full article

YAP and its paralog TAZ are the nuclear effectors of the Hippo tumour-suppressor pathway, and function as transcriptional co-activators to control gene expression in response to mechanical cues. To identify both common and unique transcriptional targets of YAP and TAZ in gastric cancer cells, we carried out RNA-sequencing analysis of overexpressed YAP or TAZ in the corresponding paralogous gene-knockouts (KOs), TAZ KO or YAP KO, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of the YAP/TAZ-transcriptional targets revealed activation of genes involved in platelet biology and lipoprotein particle formation as targets that are common for both YAP and TAZ. However, the GO terms for cell-substrate junction were a unique function of YAP. Further, we found that YAP was indispensable for the gastric cancer cells to re-establish cell-substrate junctions on a rigid surface following prolonged culture on a soft substrate. Collectively, our study not only identifies common and unique transcriptional signatures of YAP and TAZ in gastric cancer cells but also reveals a dominant role for YAP over TAZ in the control of cell-substrate adhesion. Full article