Transcriptome and Molecular Endocrinology Aspects of Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of published literature on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in human epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) to identify molecules associated with CVDs. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Science literature databases for papers published before October 2014 that addressed EAT genes and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We included original papers that had performed gene expressions in EAT of patients undergoing open-heart surgery. The Reporting Recommendations for Tumor Marker Prognostic Studies (PRIMARK) assessment tool was also used for methodological quality assessment. From the 180 papers identified by our initial search strategy, 40 studies met the inclusion criteria and presented DEGs in EAT samples from patients with and without CVDs. The included studies reported 42 DEGs identified through comparison of EAT-specific gene expression in patients with and without CVDs. Among the 42 DEGs, genes involved in regulating apoptosis had higher enrichment scores. Notably, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor protein p53 (TP53) were the main hub genes in the network. The results suggest that regulation of apoptosis in EAT is critical for CVD development. Moreover, IL-6 and TP53 as hub genes could serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CVDs

Expression and enzyme activity of MnSOD and catalase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from multiple sclerosis patients

Background: It is evident that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). Dysregulation of antioxidant enzymes have been implicated in demylination and neuronal loss in MS. The aim of this study was to evaluate mRNA expression and activity of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and catalase in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and healthy controls.Materials and Methods: We recruited 20 RRMS patients and 20 age-and sex-matched healthy subjects. PBMCs were isolated, RNA was extracted and real time-PCR was used to evaluate mRNA expression of MnSOD and catalase. Enzyme activity of MnSOD and catalase were measured using colorimetric assays.Results: We found a significant increase in mRNA expression and activity of catalase in PBMCs from patients compared with controls, which was accompanied by reduced activity and expression of MnSOD in MS patients.Conclusion: It appears that impaired antioxidant enzymes in term of high activity of catalase and decreased activity of MnSOD are involved in MS pathogenesis, however further studies are needed to establish this concept

Assessment of soy phytoestrogens' effects on bone turnover indicators in menopausal women with osteopenia in Iran: a before and after clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is the gradual declining in bone mass with age, leading to increased bone fragility and fractures. Fractures in hip and spine are known to be the most important complication of the disease which leads in the annual mortality rate of 20% and serious morbidity rate of 50%. Menopause is one of the most common risk factors of osteoporosis. After menopause, sex hormone deficiency is associated with increased remodeling rate and negative bone balance, leading to accelerated bone loss and micro-architectural defects, resulting into increased bone fragility. Compounds with estrogen-like biological activity similar to "Isoflavones" present in plants especially soy, may reduce bone loss in postmenopausal women as they are similar in structure to estrogens. This research, therefore, was carried out to study the effects of Iranian soy protein on biochemical indicators of bone metabolism in osteopenic menopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This clinical trial of before-after type was carried out on 15 women 45–64 years of age. Subjects were given 35 g soy protein per day for 12 weeks. Blood and urine sampling, anthropometric measurement and 48-h-dietary recalls were carried out at zero, 6 and 12 weeks. Food consumption data were analyzed using Food Proccessor Software. For the study of bone metabolism indicators and changes in anthropometric data as well as dietary intake, and repeated analyses were employed. RESULTS: Comparison of weight, BMI, physical activity, energy intake and other intervening nutrients did not reveal any significant changes during different stages of the study. Soy protein consumption resulted in a significant reduction in the urinary deoxypyridinoline and increasing of total alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.05), although the alterations in osteocalcin, c-telopeptide, IGFBP3 and type I collagen telopeptide were not significant. CONCLUSION: In view of beneficial effect of soy protein on bone metabolism indicators, inclusion of this relatively inexpensive food in the daily diet of menopausal women, will probably delay bone resorption, thereby preventing osteoporosis

Transcriptome and Molecular Endocrinology Aspects of Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of published literature on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in human epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) to identify molecules associated with CVDs. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Science literature databases for papers published before October 2014 that addressed EAT genes and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We included original papers that had performed gene expressions in EAT of patients undergoing open-heart surgery. The Reporting Recommendations for Tumor Marker Prognostic Studies (PRIMARK) assessment tool was also used for methodological quality assessment. From the 180 papers identified by our initial search strategy, 40 studies met the inclusion criteria and presented DEGs in EAT samples from patients with and without CVDs. The included studies reported 42 DEGs identified through comparison of EAT-specific gene expression in patients with and without CVDs. Among the 42 DEGs, genes involved in regulating apoptosis had higher enrichment scores. Notably, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor protein p53 (TP53) were the main hub genes in the network. The results suggest that regulation of apoptosis in EAT is critical for CVD development. Moreover, IL-6 and TP53 as hub genes could serve as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for CVDs

Can Melatonin Act as an Antioxidant in Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress Model in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells?

. Purpose. We aimed to investigate the possible effects of melatonin on gene expressions and activities of MnSOD and catalase under conditions of oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Materials and Methods. PBMCs were isolated from healthy subjects and treated as follows: (1) control (only with 0.1% DMSO for 12 h); (2) melatonin (1 mM) for 12 h; (3) H 2 O 2 (250 M) for 2 h; (4) H 2 O 2 (250 M) for 2 h following 10 h pretreatment with melatonin (1 mM). The gene expression was evaluated by real-time PCR. MnSOD and catalase activities in PBMCs were determined by colorimetric assays. Results. Pretreatment of PBMCs with melatonin significantly augmented expression and activity of MnSOD which were diminished by H 2 O 2 . Melatonin treatment of PBMCs caused a significant upregulation of catalase by almost 2-fold in comparison with untreated cells. However, activity and expression of catalase increased by 1.5-fold in PBMCs under H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress compared with untreated cell. Moreover, pretreatment of PBMCs with melatonin resulted in a significant 1.8-fold increase in catalase expression compared to PBMCs treated only with H 2 O 2 . Conclusion. It seems that melatonin could prevent from undesirable impacts of H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress on MnSOD downregulation. Moreover, melatonin could promote inductive effect of H 2 O 2 on catalase mRNA expression

Can Melatonin Act as an Antioxidant in Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress Model in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells?

Purpose. We aimed to investigate the possible effects of melatonin on gene expressions and activities of MnSOD and catalase under conditions of oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Materials and Methods. PBMCs were isolated from healthy subjects and treated as follows: (1) control (only with 0.1% DMSO for 12 h); (2) melatonin (1 mM) for 12 h; (3) H2O2 (250 μM) for 2 h; (4) H2O2 (250 μM) for 2 h following 10 h pretreatment with melatonin (1 mM). The gene expression was evaluated by real-time PCR. MnSOD and catalase activities in PBMCs were determined by colorimetric assays. Results. Pretreatment of PBMCs with melatonin significantly augmented expression and activity of MnSOD which were diminished by H2O2. Melatonin treatment of PBMCs caused a significant upregulation of catalase by almost 2-fold in comparison with untreated cells. However, activity and expression of catalase increased by 1.5-fold in PBMCs under H2O2-induced oxidative stress compared with untreated cell. Moreover, pretreatment of PBMCs with melatonin resulted in a significant 1.8-fold increase in catalase expression compared to PBMCs treated only with H2O2. Conclusion. It seems that melatonin could prevent from undesirable impacts of H2O2-induced oxidative stress on MnSOD downregulation. Moreover, melatonin could promote inductive effect of H2O2 on catalase mRNA expression

The effects of inclination angle and Prandtl number on the mixed convection in the inclined lid driven cavity using lattice Boltzmann method

The laminar mixed convection in a two-dimensional rectangular inclined cavity with moving top lid is investigated using the double population thermal lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) at different values of the Richardson number, inclination angle and the Prandtl number. In this problem, velocity components are changed by both buoyancy forces and the inclination angle of the cavity. Comparison of the present results with other available data shows good agreement. As the results, the velocity and temperature profiles, the Nusselt number, streamlines and isotherms are presented and discussed. It is shown that the increase of Prandtl number enhances the heat transfer rate, especially at higher values of inclination angle and Richardson number. Moreover, the average Nusselt number at the upper limit of the considered range of the Richardson and Prandtl numbers variability increases by a factor of 9

Investigation of the gravity effects on the mixed convection heat transfer in a microchannel using lattice Boltzmann method

This paper aims to study the gravity effects on the mixed convection heat transfer in a microchannel using lattice Boltzmann method. To include these effects, hydrodynamic boundary condition equations are modified. In this problem, cold fluid enters the microchannel and leaves it after cooling the hot walls. For a wide range of inlet Knudsen number (Kn), computations are performed, and for validation, appropriate comparisons between present and previous available results are made. As the results, stream lines, longitudinal variations of friction coefficient, Nusselt number, slip velocity and temperature jump, and velocity and temperature profiles in different cross sections are presented. The results show that lattice Boltzmann method can be used to simulate mixed convection in a microchannel, and the effects of buoyancy forces are important for Kn 0.05, these effects can be ignored. In addition, it is observed that buoyancy forces generate a rotational cell in the microchannel flow, leading to the negative slip velocity at Kn = 0.005. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved