11 research outputs found

    Regulation of CD163 Receptor in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm and Associations with Antioxidant Enzymes HO-1 and NQO1

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    Red blood cells are found within the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), in the intraluminal thrombus (ILT), and in neovessels. Hemolysis promotes aortic degeneration, e.g., by heme-induced reactive oxygen species formation. To reduce its toxicity, hemoglobin is endocytosed by the CD163 receptor and heme is degraded by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). A soluble form (sCD163) is discussed as an inflammatory biomarker representing the activation of monocytes and macrophages. HO-1 and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) are antioxidant genes that are induced by the Nrf2 transcription factor, but their regulation in AAA is only poorly understood. The aim of the present study was to analyze linkages between CD163, Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 and to clarify if plasma sCD163 has diagnostic and risk stratification potential. Soluble CD163 was 1.3-fold (p = 0.015) higher in AAA compared to patients without arterial disease. The difference remained significant after adjusting for age and sex. sCD163 correlated with the thickness of the ILT (rs = 0.26; p = 0.02) but not with the AAA diameter or volume. A high aneurysmal CD163 mRNA was connected to increases in NQO1, HMOX1, and Nrf2 mRNA. Further studies are needed to analyze the modulation of the CD163/HO-1/NQO1 pathway with the overall goal of minimizing the detrimental effects of hemolysis

    Pharmacotherapies and Aortic Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

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    Background: Treatment of cardiovascular risk factors slows the progression of small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a stress- and hemin-induced enzyme providing cytoprotection against oxidative stress when overexpressed. However, nothing is known about the effects of cardiometabolic standard therapies on HO-1 expression in aortic walls in patients with end-stage AAA. Methods: The effects of statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), beta-blockers, diuretics, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), and therapeutic anticoagulation on HO-1 mRNA and protein expressions were analyzed in AAA patients using multivariate logistic regression analysis and comparison of monotherapy. Results: Analysis of monotherapy revealed that HO-1 mRNA and protein expressions were higher in patients on diuretics and lower in patients on statin therapy. Tests on combinations of antihypertensive medications demonstrated that ACE inhibitors and diuretics, ARBs and diuretics, and beta-blockers and diuretics were associated with increase in HO-1 mRNA expression. ASA and therapeutic anticoagulation were not linked to HO-1 expression. Conclusion: Diuretics showed the strongest association with HO-1 expression, persisting even in combination with other antihypertensive medications. Hence, changes in aortic HO-1 expression in response to different medical therapies and their effects on vessel wall degeneration should be analyzed in future studies

    Associations of Tissue and Soluble LOX‐1 with Human Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

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    Background Indication for prophylactic surgical abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair depends on the maximal aortic diameter. The lectin‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐1 (LOX‐1) is the major receptor for uptake of oxidized low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and is implicated in atherosclerosis. A soluble form of LOX‐1 (sLOX‐1) has been discussed as a novel biomarker in coronary artery disease and stroke. Herein, we assessed the regulation of aortic LOX‐1 as well as the diagnostic and risk stratification potential of sLOX‐1 in patients with AAA. Methods and Results Serum sLOX‐1 was assessed in a case–control study in AAA (n=104) and peripheral artery disease (n=104). sLOX‐1 was not statistically different between AAA and peripheral artery disease but was higher in AAA (β=1.28, P=0.04) after adjusting for age, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, prescription of statins, β‐blockers, ACE inhibitors, and therapeutic anticoagulation. sLOX‐1 was not associated with the aortic diameter, AAA volume, or the thickness of the intraluminal thrombus. Aortic LOX‐1 mRNA expression tended to be higher in AAA when compared with disease, and expression was positively associated with cleaved caspase‐3, smooth muscle actin, collagen, and macrophage content. Conclusions In AAA, sLOX‐1 was differently affected by age, cardiometabolic diseases, and corresponding medical therapies. Comparison with nonatherosclerotic disease would be beneficial to further elucidate the diagnostic potential of sLOX‐1, although it was not useful for risk stratification. Aneurysmal LOX‐1 mRNA expression was increased and positively associated with smooth muscle cells and collagen content, suggesting that LOX‐1 is eventually not deleterious in human AAA and could counteract AAA rupture

    Agroecological practices supporting food production and reducing food insecurity in developing countries: A study on scientific literature in 17 countries

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    This report represents the initial effort to structure existing knowledge about agroecology as farming and food system in support of the EC Knowledge Centre on Food and Nutrition Security (https://ec.europa.eu/knowledge4policy/global-food-nutrition-security_en). Scientific literature has been screened on a selection of developing countries in which food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture represent a focal sector for EU intervention (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cuba, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Kenya, Lao PDR, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Zimbabwe). In total, 172 documents have been synthesised, a country brief has been prepared for each investigated country, and some general conclusions have been drawn. Overall, the majority of analysed publications focuses on small scale, extensive farming systems that produce food at subsistence levels and for sale on local markets. This includes smallholder farming producing staple crops (millet, sorghum, yam, etc.) or vegetable gardening for local markets. The agroecological practices that are mostly studied are: agroforestry, intercropping (or mixed cropping), introduction of legumes in rotations, soil and water conservation practices (mulching, return of crop residues, zaï holes etc.), use of animal manure, biocontrol methods to mitigate chemical pesticide use. At least 50% of the analysed papers report a positive contribution of agroecological practices to food security, mostly due to improved yields and/or a better economic situation of producers. The improvement of soil quality is key to improve yields and consequently income and food security; this can be achieved using various practices including the use of residue mulch from tree leaves in agroforestry, as well as crop mixtures or intercropping and longer more diversified crop rotations. Moreover, higher on-farm crop species diversity often results in more diversified diets. Diversified crop systems, including the introduction of agroforestry, improve household nutritional status and have positive links to better health conditions. On the other hand, the lack of access to inputs is an important limitation to the improvement of soil fertility (manure, mineral fertilizer, leaf litter, etc.), which remains a major hindrance for food security. The agroecological cultivation of cash crops, post-harvest practices and crop-livestock integration were overall lacking in the scientific analyses, as well as the assessments of fully agroecological systems compared to individual agroecological practices or groups of practices. The report identifies three factors required for the substantial development of agroecology at the farm level: more financial support from the government, greater scientific knowledge on novel agroecological practices, and a higher market value for agroecological products
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