An investigation of the antiplatelet effects of succinobucol (AGI-1067)

Succinobucol is a phenolic antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet effects. Given the importance of oxidant stress in modulating platelet–platelet and platelet–vessel wall interactions, the aim of this study was to establish if antioxidant activity was responsible for the antiplatelet activity of succinobucol. Platelet aggregation in response to collagen and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) was studied in rabbit whole blood and platelet-rich plasma using impedance aggregometry. The effect of oxidant stress on aggregation, platelet lipid peroxides, and vascular tone was studied by incubating platelets, washed platelets or preconstricted rabbit iliac artery rings respectively with a combination of xanthine and xanthine oxidase (X/XO). To study the effect of succinobucol in vivo, anaesthetized rats were injected with up to 150 mg/kg succinobucol and aggregation measured in blood removed 15 mins later. Succinobucol (10−5–10−4 M) significantly attenuated platelet aggregation to collagen and ADP in whole blood and platelet-rich plasma. X/XO significantly increased aggregation to collagen and platelet lipid peroxides and this was reversed by succinobucol. Addition of X/XO to denuded rabbit iliac arteries caused a dose-dependent relaxation which was significantly inhibited by succinobucol. In vivo administration up to 150 mg/kg had no effect on heart rate or mean arterial blood pressure but significantly inhibited platelet aggregation to collagen ex vivo. In conclusion, succinobucol displays anti-platelet activity in rabbit and rat blood and reverses the increase in platelet aggregation in response to oxidant stress

Effect of peroxynitrite (ONOO−) on the function of murine perivascular adipose tissue

Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) surrounds the exterior of blood vessels and releases numerous substances such as adiponectin which positively modulate blood vessel tone. In some cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, the function of PVAT changes and we speculated that oxidant stress may play a role in this change. PVAT has the ability to generate both superoxide and nitric oxide and these can combine rapidly under physiological conditions to form peroxynitrite (ONOO-). In disease states, the production of ONOO- may be increased and so its effect on the function of PVAT is of great interest. Consequently, we studied the effects of acute addition of the oxidant species ONOO- on vascular tone and production of adiponectin by mouse thoracic aortic PVAT. Murine PVAT immunostained for nitrotyrosine, indicating that ONOO- is formed in the PVAT. Exogenous ONOO- significantly increased the anticontractile effect of PVAT via increased adiponectin content but had no effect on eNOS expression or phosphorylation. These results suggest that generation of ONOO- within PVAT may be an important regulatory mechanism which influences the activity of PVAT. The effect of chronic exposure to raised levels of ONOO- on PVAT function remains to be determined

Association between pulse wave velocity with other vascular markers and inflammation among young adults: an evidence-based review

Studies evaluating the association between pulse wave velocity (PWV), a gold standard measurement of aortic stiffness and established markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with other established vascular markers or inflammation among young adult is still scarce. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify relevant studies on the association between PWV with other vascular markers or inflammation. Relevant articles from Ovid Medline, Science Direct and Scopus databases were explored between 2009 and March 2018. Original articles published in English measuring any correlation between carotid-femoral PWV (PWVcf) with either augmentation index (AIx), carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) or C-reactive protein (CRP) on young adult with age range between 18 and 45 years old were included. The literature search identified 21 potential articles to be reviewed, which meet all the inclusion criteria. Four articles investigated the correlation between PWVcf with CRP, however only two studies gave significant but weak correlations. As for CIMT, a single relevant article was found and the correlation was not significant. In conclusion, lack of association between PWV and other vascular markers and inflammation may suggest that these vascular markers have their own property in assessing vascular status. Thus, these markers should be measured independently for comprehensive assessment of future CVD risk

Piper Sarmentosum Increases Nitric Oxide Production in Oxidative Stress: A Study on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

OBJECTIVE: Nitric oxide produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) possesses multiple anti-atherosclerotic properties. Hence, enhanced expression of eNOS and increased Nitric oxide levels may protect against the development of atherosclerosis. Piper sarmentosum is a tropical plant with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Piper sarmentosum on the eNOS and Nitric oxide pathway in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: HUVECs were divided into four groups: control, treatment with 180 μM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), treatment with 150 μg/mL aqueous extract of Piper sarmentosum, and concomitant treatment with aqueous extract of PS and H2O2 for 24 hours. Subsequently, HUVECs were harvested and eNOS mRNA expression was determined using qPCR. The eNOS protein level was measured using ELISA, and the eNOS activity and Nitric oxide level were determined by the Griess reaction. RESULTS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with aqueous extract of Piper sarmentosum showed a marked induction of Nitric oxide. Treatment with PS also resulted in increased eNOS mRNA expression, eNOS protein level and eNOS activity in HUVECs. CONCLUSION: Aqueous extract of Piper sarmentosum may improve endothelial function by promoting NO production in HUVECs

The assessment of finger photoplethysmography fitness index (PPGF) among young men with cardiovascular disease risk factors: a cross sectional study

Two new vascular health markers which are derived from finger photoplethysmography (PPG) waveform have been introduced based on Malaysian population, namely PPG fitness index (PPGF) and vascular risk prediction index (VRPI). The objectives of this study were to investigate the associations between PPGF and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) markers such as carotid femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVCF), to compare PPGF between those with and without CVD risk factors and to determine the sensitivity of VRPI in identifying young subjects with CVD risk factors. A total of 114 men age 20 to 40 yrs with and without CVD risk factors were recruited. Risk factors included hypertension, smoking, dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity and family history of premature CVD. Subjects were divided into healthy, those with one risk factor and those with at least two risk factors. Their weight, height, peripheral and central blood pressure (BP), PWVCF and PPGF were measured and the sensitivity of VRPI in predicting subjects with CVD risk factor was calculated. Data was analyzed via SPSS version 15 and p 0.05). The independent variables for PPGF were forward pressure (Beta = 0.35, p < 0.01), PWVCF (Beta = -0.26, p < 0.01), systolic BP (Beta = -0.26, p = 0.04) and height (Beta = 0.24, p < 0.01). The sensitivity of VRPI was 82.02%. In conclusion, PPGF was correlated to PWVCF and may be a potential marker of arterial stiffness. In addition, VRPI is sensitive to be used as an early screening of CVD risk factors

Deletion of AMPKα1 attenuates the anticontractile effect of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and reduces adiponectin release

Background and Purpose: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) surrounds most blood vessels and secretes numerous active substances, including adiponectin, which produce a net anticontractile effect in healthy individuals. AMPK is a key mediator of cellular energy balance and may mediate the vascular effects of adiponectin. In this study, we investigated the role of AMPK within PVAT in mediating the anticontractile effect of PVAT. Experimental Approach: Endothelium-denuded aortic rings from wild-type (WT; Sv129) and α1AMPK knockout (KO) mice were mounted on a wire myograph. Dose–response curves to the AMPK-independent vasodilator cromakalim were studied in vessels with and without PVAT, and effect of pre-incubation with conditioned media and adiponectin on relaxation was also studied. The effect of AMPKα1 KO on the secretory profile of PVAT was assessed by elisa. Key Results: Thoracic aortic PVAT from KO mice was morphologically indistinct from that of WT and primarily composed of brown adipose tissue. PVAT augmented relaxation to cromakalim in WT but not KO aortic rings. Addition of WT PVAT augmented relaxation in KO aortic rings but KO PVAT had no effect in WT rings. PVAT from KO mice secreted significantly less adiponectin and addition of adiponectin to either KO or WT aortic rings without PVAT augmented relaxation to cromakalim. An adiponectin blocking peptide significantly attenuated relaxation in WT rings with PVAT but not in KO rings. Conclusions and Implications: AMPKα1 has a critical role in maintaining the anticontractile actions of PVAT; an effect independent of the endothelium but likely mediated through altered adiponectin secretion or sensitivity

Kelulut honey regulates sex steroid receptors in a polycystic ovary syndrome rat model

Reproductive and metabolic anomalies in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have been associated with the dysregulation of sex steroid receptors. Kelulut honey (KH) has been shown to be beneficial in PCOS-induced rats by regulating folliculogenesis and the oestrus cycle. However, no study has been conducted to evaluate KH’s effect on sex steroid receptors in PCOS. Therefore, the current study examined the effects of KH, metformin, or clomiphene alone and in combination on the mRNA expression and protein distribution of androgen receptor (AR), oestrogen receptor α (ERα), oestrogen receptor β (ERβ), and progesterone receptor (PR) in PCOS-induced rats. The study used female Sprague-Dawley rats, which were treated orally with 1 mg/kg/day of letrozole for 21 days to develop PCOS. PCOS-induced rats were then divided and treated orally for 35 days with KH, metformin, clomiphene, KH + metformin, KH+ clomiphene and distilled water. In this study, we observed aberrant AR, ERα, ERβ and PR expression in PCOS-induced rats compared with the normal control rats. The effects of KH treatment were comparable with clomiphene and metformin in normalizing the expression of AR, ERα, and ERβ mRNA. However, KH, clomiphene and metformin did not affect PR mRNA expression and protein distribution. Hence, this study confirms the aberrant expression of sex steroid receptors in PCOS and demonstrates that KH treatment could normalise the sex steroid receptors profile. The findings provide a basis for future clinical trials to utilize KH as a regulator of sex steroid receptors in patients with PCOS

Kelulut Honey Ameliorates Oestrus Cycle, Hormonal Profiles, and Oxidative Stress in Letrozole-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats

Kelulut honey (KH) has been proven to have excellent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties with unique physicochemical characteristics. Therefore, we investigated the isolated and combined effects of KH, metformin, or clomiphene in alleviating oxidative stress and reproductive and metabolic abnormalities in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were given 1 mg/kg/day of letrozole for 21 days to induce PCOS. PCOS rats were then divided into six treatment groups: untreated, metformin (500 mg/kg/day), clomiphene (2 mg/kg/day), KH (1 g/kg/day), combined KH (1 g/kg/day) and metformin (500 mg/kg/day), and combined KH (1 g/kg/day) and clomiphene (2 mg/kg/day). All treatments were administered orally for 35 days. The physicochemical characteristics of KH were assessed through hydroxymethylfurfural, free acidity, diastase number, moisture content, sugar profile, metals, and mineral compounds. Additionally, we determined the semi volatile organic compounds present in KH through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. KH and its combination with metformin or clomiphene were shown to improve the oestrus cycle, hormonal profile, and oxidative stress in PCOS rats. However, KH did not reduce the fasting blood glucose, insulin, and body weight gain in PCOS rats. These findings may provide a basis for future studies to discover the potential use of KH as a complementary treatment for women with PCO

High fat diet attenuates the anticontractile activity of aortic PVAT via a mechanism involving AMPK and reduced adiponectin secretion

Background and aim: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) positively regulates vascular function through production of factors such as adiponectin but this effect is attenuated in obesity. The enzyme AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is present in PVAT and is implicated in mediating the vascular effects of adiponectin. In this study, we investigated the effect of an obesogenic high fat diet (HFD) on aortic PVAT and whether any changes involved AMPK. Methods: Wild type Sv129 (WT) and AMPKα1 knockout (KO) mice aged 8 weeks were fed normal diet (ND) or HFD (42% kcal fat) for 12 weeks. Adiponectin production by PVAT was assessed by ELISA and AMPK expression studied using immunoblotting. Macrophages in PVAT were identified using immunohistochemistry and markers of M1 and M2 macrophage subtypes evaluated using real time-qPCR. Vascular responses were measured in endothelium-denuded aortic rings with or without attached PVAT. Carotid wire injury was performed and PVAT inflammation studied 7 days later. Key results: Aortic PVAT from KO and WT mice was morphologically indistinct but KO PVAT had more infiltrating macrophages. HFD caused an increased infiltration of macrophages in WT mice with increased expression of the M1 macrophage markers Nos2 and Il1b and the M2 marker Chil3. In WT mice, HFD reduced the anticontractile effect of PVAT as well as reducing adiponectin secretion and AMPK phosphorylation. PVAT from KO mice on ND had significantly reduced adiponectin secretion and no anticontractile effect and feeding HFD did not alter this. Wire injury induced macrophage infiltration of PVAT but did not cause further infiltration in KO mice. Conclusions: High-fat diet causes an inflammatory infiltrate, reduced AMPK phosphorylation and attenuates the anticontractile effect of murine aortic PVAT. Mice lacking AMPKα1 phenocopy many of the changes in wild-type aortic PVAT after HFD, suggesting that AMPK may protect the vessel against deleterious changes in response to HFD

Effects of Kelulut Honey on Oestrus Cycle Regulation and Histomorphological Changes in Letrozole-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats: A Preliminary Study

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex reproductive, metabolic, and endocrine disorder that affects women of reproductive age. Kelulut honey is stingless bee honey that possesses anti‐inflammatory, anti‐cancer, anti‐diabetic, and potent antioxidative activities in most conditions. However, its value in improving PCOS remains to be elucidated. Thus, this preliminary study aimed to determine the effective dose of Kelulut honey in oestrus cycle regulation and ovarian his-tomorphological changes in letrozole‐induced PCOS rats. PCOS was induced in all‐female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with 1 mg/kg/day of letrozole except for the control group for 21 days. Kelulut honey was then orally administered to the PCOS rats at the dose of 0.5, 1, or 2 g/kg/day, respectively, for 35 days. The oestrous cycle was determined through vaginal smears, while ovarian histomor-phological changes were observed by haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The untreated PCOS rats were characterised by irregular oestrous cyclicity, hyperglycaemia, and aberrant ovarian his-tology. In this study, Kelulut honey (1 g/kg/day) increased the number of corpus luteum and antral follicles (p < 0.05), improved the cystic follicle, and normalised the oestrus cycle (p < 0.05). This preliminary study demonstrated that Kelulut honey, particularly at a dose of 1 g/kg/day, has the potential to alleviate oestrus cycle dysregulation and ovarian histomorphological changes occurring in PCOS