Developing and evaluating the construct validity of a dietary pattern predictive of plasma TMAO and choline.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The metabolism of choline (highly present in animal products) can produce trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite with atherosclerotic effects; however, dietary fiber may suppress this metabolic pathway. This study aimed to develop a dietary pattern predictive of plasma TMAO and choline concentrations using reduced rank regression (RRR) and to evaluate its construct validity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Diet and plasma concentrations of choline (µmol/L) and TMAO (µmol/L) were assessed in 1724 post-menopausal women who participated in an ancillary study within the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (1993-1998). The TMAO dietary pattern was developed using RRR in half of the sample (Training Sample) and applied to the other half of the sample (Validation Sample) to evaluate its construct validity. Energy-adjusted food groups were the predictor variables and plasma choline and TMAO, the response variables. ANCOVA and linear regression models were used to assess associations between each biomarker and the dietary pattern score. Discretionary fat, potatoes, red meat, and eggs were positively associated with the dietary pattern, while yogurt, fruits, added sugar, and starchy vegetables were inversely associated. Mean TMAO and choline concentrations significantly increased across increasing quartiles of the dietary pattern in the Training and Validation samples. Positive associations between the biomarkers and the TMAO dietary pattern were also observed in linear regression models (Validation Sample: TMAO, adjusted beta-coefficient = 0.037 (p-value = 0.0088); Choline, adjusted beta-coefficient = 0.011 (p-value = 0.0224). CONCLUSION: We established the TMAO dietary pattern, a dietary pattern reflecting the potential of the diet to contribute to plasma concentrations of TMAO and choline.

Pharmacological effects of mTORC1/C2 inhibitor in a preclinical model of NASH progression.

Knowledge of the benefits of mTOR inhibition concerning adipogenesis and inflammation has recently encouraged the investigation of a new generation of mTOR inhibitors for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We investigated whether treatment with a specific mTORC1/C2 inhibitor (Ku-0063794; KU) exerted any beneficial impacts on experimentally-induced NASH in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that KU decreases palmitic acid-induced lipotoxicity in cultivated primary hepatocytes, thus emerging as a successful candidate for testing in an in vivo NASH dietary model, which adopted the intraperitoneal KU dosing route rather than oral application due to its significantly greater bioavailability in mice. The pharmacodynamics experiments commenced with the feeding of male C57BL/6 mice with a high-fat atherogenic western-type diet (WD) for differing intervals over several weeks aimed at inducing various phases of NASH. In addition to the WD, the mice were treated with KU for 3 weeks or 4 months. Acute and chronic KU treatments were observed to be safe at the given concentrations with no toxicity indications in the mice. KU was found to alleviate NASH-related hepatotoxicity, mitochondrial and oxidative stress, and decrease the liver triglyceride content and TNF-α mRNA in at least one set of in vivo experiments. The KU modulated liver expression of selected metabolic and oxidative stress-related genes depended upon the length and severity of the disease. Although KU failed to completely reverse the histological progression of NASH in the mice, we demonstrated the complexity of mTORC1/C2 signaling regulation and suggest a stratified therapeutic management approach throughout the disease course.

Anti-malarial artesunate ameliorates atherosclerosis by modulating arterial inflammatory responses via inhibiting the NF-κB-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

Introduction: Chronic inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS), and involves a complex interplay between blood components, macrophages, and arterial wall. Therefore, it is valuable in the development of targeted therapies to treat AS. Methods: AS rat model was induced by atherogenic diet plus with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and then treated by anti-malarial artesunate (Art), a succinate derivative of artemisinin. The arterial morphology was observed after Oil red O, hematoxylin-eosin, and Masson's staining. The arterial protein level was detected by immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence. The expression level of mRNA was determined by PCR array or real-time PCR. Results: Herein, we showed that Art possessed a dose-dependently protective effect on AS rats. In detail, Art showed a comparable inhibitory effect on arterial plaque and serum lipids compared to those of rosuvastatin (RS), and further showed a better inhibition on arterial lipid deposition and arterial remodeling comprised of arterial wall thicken and vascular collagen deposition, than those of RS. The improvement of Art on AS rats was related to inhibit arterial macrophage recruitment, and inhibit nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-related excessive arterial inflammatory responses. Critically, Art showed significant inhibition on the NLRP3 inflammasome activation in both arterial wall and arterial macrophages, by down-regulating the expression of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) and apoptosis associated speckle-like protein containing CARD (ASC), leading to less production of the NLRP3 inflammasome-derived caspase-1, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-18, and subsequent transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) in AS rats. Conclusion: We propose that Art is an anti-AS agent acts through modulating the arterial inflammatory responses via inhibiting the NF-κB - NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

Chronic ethanol consumption plus an atherogenic diet cause metabolic steatohepatitis with advanced liver fibrosis in apolipoprotein E/low-density lipoprotein receptor double-knockout mice.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is the inflammatory subtype of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with a high risk of progression to liver fibrosis. We investigated metabolic steatohepatitis with advanced liver fibrosis in apolipoprotein E/low-density lipoprotein receptor double-knockout (AL) mice fed a co-diet of ethanol with a low-carbohydrate-high-protein-high-fat atherogenic diet (AD) for 16 weeks. We also examined the underlying mechanisms, especially hepatic sympathetic activation, involved in the effects. METHODS: We maintained 12-week-old male AL mice on AD and a standard chow diet (SCD) with or without ethanol treatment for 16 weeks. Age-matched male C57BL/6J mice on SCD without ethanol treatment served as controls. We conducted blood biochemical, histopathological, and fluorescence immunohistochemical, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction studies. RESULTS: AL mice showed significant hyperlipidemia. AD induced increased body weight, hepatic steatosis, and hepatic damage; ethanol and the AD co-diet resulted in hepatic sympathetic activation accompanied by hepatic steatosis, lobular inflammation, bridging fibrosis, and hepatic damage. Hepatic Kupffer cells (KCs) and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which showed sympathetic activation, produced 4.4- to 9.4-fold more inflammatory factors (KC and KC-derived tumor necrosis factor-α, and chemokine [C-C motif] ligand 2) and 2.0- to 32.0-fold more fibrosis factors (HSC and HSC-derived transforming growth factor ß1 and collagen 1a1); all p < 0.05 vs. controls. CONCLUSIONS: We created a model of metabolic steatohepatitis with advanced liver fibrosis from coexisting hyperlipidemia and hepatic sympathetic activation in AL mice on a co-diet of ethanol and AD. KCs and HSCs became the cellular targets of hepatic sympathetic activation, which could play a role in the initiation and progression of metabolic steatohepatitis with advanced liver fibrosis.

Anti-obesity potential of almond (Prunus dulcis) in experimental animals under cafeteria and atherogenic diets.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Natural dietary supplements are progressively getting famous to supplant synthetic substances particularly in chronic morbidities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-obesity potential of almond on the normal, Cafeteria, and Atherogenic diets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parameters such as change in body weight, body temperature, lipid profile, organ weights, and fat pad weights were assessed. Central Nervous System related studies (Despair Swim test and Elevated Plus maze test) were also performed to comprehend the effect of the diets, and almond on the brain. All of the experimental animals were randomly assigned to one of three diet categoriesregular, cafeteria, or atherogenic, and fed those diets for 40 days. Each diet had the control group, standard drug group and three almond groups (low dose: 50; medium dose: 100 and high dose: 200 mg/kg body weight). Body weight was recorded every alternate day. On 40th day, body temperature was measured. On day 41, lipid parameters, organ weights, fat pad weights and the CNS parameters were evaluated. ANOVA followed by Duncans Multiple Range Test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Treatment of animals with either a low or high dose of almond as well as a standard herb prevented a rise in body weight significantly (p = 0.01) in all three diet groups. When a regular diet was replaced with a cafeteria and atherogenic diet, the serum levels of triglycerides and LDL increased significantly, while HDL levels decreased significantly. Overall, almond preparation reduced lipid parameters, organ weights, fat-pad weights, and stabilized CNS parameters substantially. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The almond high dose was the most effective of all the almond preparations. Our study suggests that chronic administration of almond independently reduces the body weight in experimental animals.

The Susceptibility to Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis Is Exacerbated with Aging in C57B1/6 Mice.

The anti-atherogenic activity of HDL is mainly due to their capacity to mediate reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). However, it is not clear to what extent this activity is affected by aging or pro-atherogenic conditions. Three and 24-month-old C57Bl/6 mice were fed an atherogenic diet (high fat, high cholesterol) for 12 weeks. The aged mice displayed a significant reduction in the capacity of HDL to mediate RCT (29.03%, p < 0.0006). Interestingly, the atherogenic diet significantly stimulated the RCT process in both young and aged mice (241% and 201%, respectively, p < 0.01). However, despite this, significant amounts of cholesterol accumulated in the aortas of mice fed an atherogenic diet as compared to regular chow. The accumulation of cholesterol was more marked in the aortas of aged mice (110% increase, p < 0.002). ABCA1 and ABCG1 protein expression on macrophages decreased significantly (52 to 37% reduction, p < 0.002), whereas their expression on hepatic cells increased significantly (up to 590% for ABCA1 and 116% for ABCG1, p < 0.002). On the other hand, SR-BI protein expression on hepatic cells decreased significantly (42.85%, p < 0.0001). ABCG5, ABCG8, and CYP7a protein expression on hepatic cells was also higher in mice fed an atherogenic diet. The increase was age-dependent for both ABCG5 and ABCG8. Our results suggest that the susceptibility to diet-induced atherosclerosis is exacerbated with aging and is a consequence of the dysregulation of the expression levels of membrane cholesterol transporters.

Effects of withdrawing an atherogenic diet on the atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits.

Lifestyle interventions and pharmacotherapy are the most common of non-invasive treatments for atherosclerosis, but the individual effect of diet on plaques remains unclear. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of withdrawing the atherogenic diet on plaque in the aortas of rabbits. Experimental atheroma was induced in 33 rabbits using a 1% high cholesterol diet for 30 days (H-30 d) or 90 days (H-90 d, baseline group). After 90 days of the atherogenic diet, the remaining animals were divided into four groups: A total of 10 rabbits continued to consume the atherogenic diet for 50 days (H-90 d & H-50 d; n=5) or 140 days (H-90 d & H-140 d; n=5). Another 13 rabbits were switched to a chow diet for 50 days (H-90 d & C-50 d; n=7) or 140 days (H-90 d & C-140 d; n=6). A total of 10 age-matched rabbits in the control groups were fed a chow diet for 90 and 230 days, respectively. The en face or cross-sectional plaque areas were determined using oil red O staining and elastic van Gieson staining. Immunohistochemistry analyses were used to assess the macrophages or smooth muscle cell contents. When fed an atherogenic diet for 90 days, the rabbits' abdominal aortas exhibited severe atherosclerotic lesions (the median en face plaque area was 63.6%). After withdrawing the atherogenic diet, the plaque area did not shrink with feeding the chow diet compared with the baseline, but increased to 71.8 or 80.5% after 50 or 140 days, respectively. After removing cholesterol from the diet, the lipids content in the plaques increased during the first 50 days, and then decreased compared with the baseline group. Furthermore, withdrawing the atherogenic diet increased the total collagen content and the percentage of the smooth muscle cells, alleviated macrophage infiltration, decreased the vulnerable index and promoted the cross-linking of collagen. Feeding the rabbits an atherogenic diet followed by removal of cholesterol from the diet did not lead to the regression of established lesions but instead delayed the progression of the lesions and promoted the stabilization of the plaque.

Protection of renal damage by HMG-CoA inhibitors: A comparative study between atorvastatin and rosuvastatin.

OBJECTIVES: Hypercholesterolemia is a common metabolic disorder in developing and developed countries and is associated with the increased rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Statin therapy could reduce cholesterol synthesis as well as progression of CKD. Diversity between statins causes variety in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and also their pleiotropic effects. In the present investigation we aimed to evaluate the protective potentials of both atorvastatin (Ator) (as lipid-soluble statin) and rosuvastatin (Ros) (as water-soluble statin) against renal histopathological damages in the high cholesterol diet induced hypercholesterolemic rats (HCDIHR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum lipid profile, oxidized low density lipoprotein (OX-LDL), malondialdehyde (MDA), urea and creatinine levels, as well as renal histopathology were evaluated. RESULTS: While Ros acted better than Ator to reduce serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P<0.01), atherogenic index (AI) (P<0.01), MDA (P<0.01), and OX-LDL (P<0.01); no significant differences were noted in their cholesterol (P=0.72), triglyceride (TG) (P=0.79), and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering (VLDL-C) (P=0.79) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol elevating effects (HDL-C) (P=0.72). Ator was more effective to reduce renal histopathologic indices compared to Ros, including accumulation of lipid droplet, glomerular foam cells, mesangial cell proliferation, renal hemorrhage, and tubulointerstitial damages in the kidneys of diet induced hypercholesterolemic rats. CONCLUSION: The findings underline that the lipophilic Ator may performs better than Ros in attenuating renal damages in HCDIHR.

Expression of chemokines in macrophage polarization and downregulation of NFκB in aorta allow macrophage polarization by diosgenin in atherosclerosis.

M1 macrophages serve one edge as proinflammatory and M2 macrophages serve the other edge as an anti-inflammatory macrophage. It appears that a related "switch" in macrophage morphology may also happen in the course of atherosclerosis, which has not yet been elucidated. An atherogenic diet (AD) was given to rats, and induction of macrophage differentiation and the nuclear localization of nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB) were investigated by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Chemokines were analyzed using an antibody array with 32 target proteins. M2 macrophage transformation was confirmed in diosgenin-treated aorta by immunofluorescence and was validated in vitro using THP-1 cells. MAC387 (macrophage marker) and NFκBp65 (inflammatory hub) were upregulated in oxidatively-modified low-density lipoprotein (OxyLDL) and AD-induced condition. Macrophage differentiation, which induced the formation of inflammatory mediators, was not significantly suppressed by the inhibition of NFκB using dexamethasone. M1 macrophage polarization was identified in OxyLDL-induced monocytes, which are proinflammatory in nature, whereas M2 macrophage polarization was noticed in diosgenin-treated monocytes, which exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. M1-and M2-specific chemokines were analyzed using chemokine antibody array. Furthermore, the expression of proinflammatory macrophage (M1) was noticed in AD-induced aorta and anti-inflammatory macrophage (M2) was observed in diosgenin-treated aorta. This is the first report where, unifying the mechanism of diosgenin as aan nti-atherosclerotic and the expression of M1 and M2 specific chemokines is shown by downregulating NFκB and not by preventing the differentiation of monocyte into a macrophage, but by allowing macrophage to differentiate into M2, which aids in preventing the atherosclerotic progression.

Molecular interaction of NFκB and NICD in monocyte-macrophage differentiation is a target for intervention in atherosclerosis.

The activation of two transcription factors, NFκB and NICD (notch intracellular domain), plays a crucial role in different stages of atherosclerotic disease progression, from early endothelial activation by modified lipids like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxyLDL) to the imminent rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque. Inflammatory mediators and the notch pathway proteins were upregulated in atherogenic diet-induced rats and the same was confirmed by the differentiation of monocyte to macrophage on exposure to oxyLDL. The inflammatory transcription factor NFκB and the notch signaling transcription factor NICD were analysed for their molecular interaction in monocyte to macrophage differentiation. Inhibition of NFκB by dexamethasone in monocyte to macrophage differentiation resulted in a concomitant downregulation of NICD, whereas inhibition of NICD by N-(N-[3, 5-difluorophenacetyl])-l-alanyl)-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester (DAPT), a γ-secretase inhibitor, did not significantly influence the expression of NFκB, but downregulated macrophage differentiation. These findings revealed that NFκB inhibition using dexamethasone regulated NICD, which turned down macrophage differentiation. Thus, inhibition of both NFκB-NICD is a potential target for intervention in atherosclerosis.

Alcohol Consumption in Combination with an Atherogenic Diet Increased Indices of Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E/Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Double-Knockout Mice.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol abuse and adherence to atherogenic diet (AD; a low-carbohydrate-high-protein diet) have been positively associated with cardiovascular disease. In addition, it has been demonstrated clinically that dietary intake is increased on days when alcohol is consumed. Here, the additive effects of ethanol (EtOH) and AD on atherosclerosis, a major underlying cause of cardiovascular disease, were investigated in apolipoprotein E/low-density lipoprotein receptor double-knockout (KO) mice. The mechanisms, especially aortic oxidative stress damage, were highlighted. METHODS: Twelve-week-old male KO mice on AD with or without EtOH treatment were bred for 4 months. Age-matched male C57BL/6J mice on a standard chow diet without EtOH treatment served as controls. Analyses were conducted using ultrasound biomicroscopy, histopathological and fluorescence immunohistochemical examinations, Western blots, and polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: KO mice on AD with EtOH treatment showed increases in aortic maximum intima media thickness, hypoechoic plaque formation, and mean Oil-Red-O content. These results were associated with enhanced ratio of aortic 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)-immunopositive area to the metallothionein (MT) immunopositive area and suppression of AD-induced up-regulated aortic Mt1, Mt2, and upstream stimulatory factor 1 mRNA expressions. Moreover, 8-OHdG was expressed in the nuclei of CD31- and alpha smooth muscle actin-immunopositive cells, and the up-regulated mRNA expressions of aortic nitric oxide synthase 3 and platelet-derived growth factors were only observed in the KO mice on AD with EtOH treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol abuse and adherence to AD may promote the shift of aortic oxidative stress and antioxidative stress balance toward oxidative stress predominance and reduced antioxidative stress, which may be partly due to the decrease in MT at the cell biological level and down-regulation of Mt at the gene level, which in turn could play a role in the up-regulation of endothelial dysfunction-related and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation-related gene expression and the progression of atherosclerosis in mice with hyperlipidemia.

Ethanolic extract of cashew apple inhibits lipid metabolism and ameliorates obesity in atherogenic diet-induced obese rats

Objective: To evaluate the anti-obesity activity of ethanolic extract of cashew apple using various in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: Phytochemical screening was carried out in ethanolic extract of cashew apple, followed by quantification of phenol and flavonoid. Antioxidant potential was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) scavenging assays. The inhibitory effect of ethanolic extract of cashew apple on α-amylase and pancreatic lipase was also studied. In addition, anti-obesity activity was determined in two in vivo models, lipid emulsion model and atherogenic diet-induced obese rat model. Levels of postprandial plasma triglycerides were assessed in lipid emulsion model, whereas serum lipid profile, in vivo antioxidants and histopathological studies of the carotid artery and liver were performed in an atherogenic diet-induced obese model. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, polyphenols, terpenoids, and steroids. The in vitro assays showed inhibition of α-amylase and pancreatic lipase and strong antioxidant potential. Ethanolic extract of cashew apple showed significant and time-dependent inhibitory activity on postprandial triglycerides after administration of lipid emulsion for 5 h. Ethanolic extract of cashew apple at 200 and 400 mg/kg on day 60 showed a significant reduction in body weight, body mass index and atherogenic index, whereas lipid profile and liver function marker levels in the serum were decreased in a dose-dependent manner at time intervals (day 0, 20, 40, and 60) compared to the atherogenic diet-induced obese rats. Histological observations showed reduced non-alcoholic fatty liver deposits and decreased atherosclerotic fatty streak plaques (carotid artery) after treatment with ethanolic extract of cashew apple. Conclusions: Ethanolic extract of cashew apple ameliorates obesity, which may be partly mediated by its delayed absorption of cholesterol and carbohydrates.

Ethanolic extract of cashew apple inhibits lipid metabolism and ameliorates obesity in atherogenic diet-induced obese rats

Objective: To evaluate the anti-obesity activity of ethanolic extract of cashew apple using various in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: Phytochemical screening was carried out in ethanolic extract of cashew apple, followed by quantification of phenol and flavonoid. Antioxidant potential was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) scavenging assays. The inhibitory effect of ethanolic extract of cashew apple on α-amylase and pancreatic lipase was also studied. In addition, anti-obesity activity was determined in two in vivo models, lipid emulsion model and atherogenic diet-induced obese rat model. Levels of postprandial plasma triglycerides were assessed in lipid emulsion model, whereas serum lipid profile, in vivo antioxidants and histopathological studies of the carotid artery and liver were performed in an atherogenic diet-induced obese model. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, polyphenols, terpenoids, and steroids. The in vitro assays showed inhibition of α-amylase and pancreatic lipase and strong antioxidant potential. Ethanolic extract of cashew apple showed significant and time-dependent inhibitory activity on postprandial triglycerides after administration of lipid emulsion for 5 h. Ethanolic extract of cashew apple at 200 and 400 mg/kg on day 60 showed a significant reduction in body weight, body mass index and atherogenic index, whereas lipid profile and liver function marker levels in the serum were decreased in a dose-dependent manner at time intervals (day 0, 20, 40, and 60) compared to the atherogenic diet-induced obese rats. Histological observations showed reduced non-alcoholic fatty liver deposits and decreased atherosclerotic fatty streak plaques (carotid artery) after treatment with ethanolic extract of cashew apple. Conclusions: Ethanolic extract of cashew apple ameliorates obesity, which may be partly mediated by its delayed absorption of cholesterol and carbohydrates.

Metabolic and morphometric changes in Indonesian cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) fed an atherogenic diet composed of locally sourced ingredients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study was designed to determine the effects of a new atherogenic diet formulated at Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) (Bogor, Indonesia) on metabolic, morphometric, and carotid artery imaging of cynomolgus monkeys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 adult male cynomolgus monkeys fed IPB-1 atherogenic diet for 1 year. Total plasma cholesterol (TPC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and morphometric measurements were evaluated at baseline and monthly during the study. Carotid plaques and intima-media thickness (IMT) were measured using ultrasonography at baseline and after 8 months of treatment. RESULTS: This diet increased TPC, LDL, and TPC/HDL ratio and induced carotid atherosclerosis in this model. The TPC, LDL, and TPC/HDL ratio were positively associated; however, HDL was negatively associated with carotid plaques and IMT. CONCLUSION: The IPB-1 atherogenic diet formulated with locally and readily available ingredients provides an economically and scientifically feasible monkey model to study atherosclerosis in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.

Dieta aterogénica y alteración de los índices de riesgo cardiovascular / Atherogenic diet and alteration of cardiovascular risk indexes

Introducción: una alimentación muy selectiva y poco variada durante la primera infancia, puede modificar seriamente los índices de riesgo cardiovascular, ante lo cual, la detección de la alteración lipídica es de suma importancia para promover e implementar el cambio de hábitos. Caso clínico: se presenta una niña de 6 años con una dieta a base de alimentos industriales, a quien se le realizó un perfil lipídico, por considerar que la alimentación tan limitada que consumía era un factor de riesgo aterogénico. Esto permitió diagnosticar una marcada disminución del HDL-colesterol, hipertrigliceridemia y franca alteración de los índices de riesgo. Discusión: existe una relación directa entre la hipertrigliceridemia y el consumo de azúcares simples, presentes en las golosinas, postres o gaseosas. Además, las grasas saturadas e industriales (trans) son responsables de la disminución del colesterol HDL. Llamó la atención la contundencia que ejerció la alteración del laboratorio, sobre el accionar de los padres. Luego de 6 meses de poner en práctica las indicaciones, los valores y los índices de riesgo se normalizaron. Conclusiones: se destaca la importancia de realizar un perfil lipídico en niños mayores de 2 años cuando se detecta el consumo de una dieta aterogénica, dado que el descenso de colesterol HDL tiene relación directa con la alimentación y el estilo de vida. Un valor inferior a 45 mg/dL es un factor de riesgo que puede ser modificado(AU)

Introduction: a very selective and little varied diet during early childhood can seriously modify the cardiovascular risk indexes, and because of that the detection of lipid alteration is very important to promote and implement the change of habits. Clinical case: a 6-year-old girl was presented with a diet based on industrial foods. A lipid profile was made considering that the very limited diet she consumed was an atherogenic risk factor. This allowed diagnosing a marked decrease in HDL-cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemia and real alteration in the risk indexes. Discussion: there is a direct relation among hypertriglyceridemia and the consumption of simple sugars, which are present in sweets, desserts or sodas. In addition, saturated and industrial (trans) fats are responsible for lowering HDL cholesterol. It was significant the impact of the alteration in the laboratory results in the actions taken by the parents. After 6 months of putting the indications into practice, the values and risk indexes were normalized. Conclusions: it is highlighted the importance of performing a lipid profile in children older than 2 years when the consumption of an atherogenic diet is detected, since the decrease in HDL cholesterol is directly related to diet and lifestyle. A value below 45 mg/dL is a risk factor that can be modified(AU)

Dieta aterogénica y alteración de los índices de riesgo cardiovascular / Atherogenic diet and alteration of cardiovascular risk indexes

Introducción: una alimentación muy selectiva y poco variada durante la primera infancia, puede modificar seriamente los índices de riesgo cardiovascular, ante lo cual, la detección de la alteración lipídica es de suma importancia para promover e implementar el cambio de hábitos. Caso clínico: se presenta una niña de 6 años con una dieta a base de alimentos industriales, a quien se le realizó un perfil lipídico, por considerar que la alimentación tan limitada que consumía era un factor de riesgo aterogénico. Esto permitió diagnosticar una marcada disminución del HDL-colesterol, hipertrigliceridemia y franca alteración de los índices de riesgo. Discusión: existe una relación directa entre la hipertrigliceridemia y el consumo de azúcares simples, presentes en las golosinas, postres o gaseosas. Además, las grasas saturadas e industriales (trans) son responsables de la disminución del colesterol HDL. Llamó la atención la contundencia que ejerció la alteración del laboratorio, sobre el accionar de los padres. Luego de 6 meses de poner en práctica las indicaciones, los valores y los índices de riesgo se normalizaron. Conclusiones: se destaca la importancia de realizar un perfil lipídico en niños mayores de 2 años cuando se detecta el consumo de una dieta aterogénica, dado que el descenso de colesterol HDL tiene relación directa con la alimentación y el estilo de vida. Un valor inferior a 45 mg/dL es un factor de riesgo que puede ser modificado(AU)

Introduction: a very selective and little varied diet during early childhood can seriously modify the cardiovascular risk indexes, and because of that the detection of lipid alteration is very important to promote and implement the change of habits. Clinical case: a 6-year-old girl was presented with a diet based on industrial foods. A lipid profile was made considering that the very limited diet she consumed was an atherogenic risk factor. This allowed diagnosing a marked decrease in HDL-cholesterol, hypertriglyceridemia and real alteration in the risk indexes. Discussion: there is a direct relation among hypertriglyceridemia and the consumption of simple sugars, which are present in sweets, desserts or sodas. In addition, saturated and industrial (trans) fats are responsible for lowering HDL cholesterol. It was significant the impact of the alteration in the laboratory results in the actions taken by the parents. After 6 months of putting the indications into practice, the values and risk indexes were normalized. Conclusions: it is highlighted the importance of performing a lipid profile in children older than 2 years when the consumption of an atherogenic diet is detected, since the decrease in HDL cholesterol is directly related to diet and lifestyle. A value below 45 mg/dL is a risk factor that can be modified(AU)

Inhibition of nuclear translocation of notch intracellular domain (NICD) by diosgenin prevented atherosclerotic disease progression.

Notch signaling plays a pivotal role in homeostasis and cardiovascular development. The role of notch signaling in atherosclerosis cannot be complete without analysing the key role of notch in macrophages, which trigger the inflammatory response and subsequent plaque formation in atherosclerosis. Diosgenin showed its anti-atherosclerotic property by the unifying mechanism of suppressing the expression of notch signaling pathway, particularly the nuclear translocation of notch intracellular domain (NICD) in aorta and in differentiated macrophage cells. It is further confirmed by the inhibition of NICD by DAPT (N-[N-(3, 5-difluorophenacetyl)-l-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester), which also restricted the differentiation of macrophage. Hence, inhibition of nuclear translocation of NICD by diosgenin aids in preventing atherosclerosis.

Atherogenic diet induced lipid accumulation induced NFκB level in heart, liver and brain of Wistar rat and diosgenin as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Atherogenic Diet (AD) was given to rats to understand the key role of inflammatory mediators in atherosclerotic lesion formation, as a serendipitous study, the diet induced inflammatory mediators in liver and brain, whereas pancreas, kidney and spleen were not affected. The efficacy of diosgenin in ameliorating atherosclerotic progression in heart and suppression of inflammatory mediators in liver and brain of Wistar rat fed on AD diet was investigated. Atherogenic diet triggered inflammatory mediators in heart, liver and brain by upregulating TNF-α, COX-2 and NFkBp65 which are the inflammatory hub, played a key role in pathophysiologic conditions. Endothelial dysfunction, liver tissue with prominent steatosis and the stress evoked in the brain by the atherogenic diet triggered these inflammatory mediators. TNF-α and COX-2 expression was upregulated and its elevation was associated with NFkBp65 activation in heart, liver and brain of atherogenic diet induced rat. Diosgenin downregulated these inflammatory mediators, thereby prevented the atherosclerotic disease progression and concomitant suppression of inflammatory mediators in liver and brain.

Detrimental effects of atherogenic and high fat diet on bone and aortic calcification rescued by an isoflavonoid Caviunin ß-d-glucopyranoside.

OBJECTIVE: Atherogenic diet (AD) and high fat diet (HFD) cause deleterious effect on bone micro-architecture and this phenomenon prompts aortic calcification. This study aims to show the effects of Caviunin ß-d-glucopyranoside (CAFG), against bone loss and its associated aortic calcification in presence of AD and HFD challenged diets. METHODS: Five groups of C57BL/6 male mice with 8 animals in each group, comprising of chow, AD, HFD, AD+CAFG and HFD+CAFG were fed with respective diets for 16 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, preventive effects of CAFG on bone tissue were analyzed by assessing the osteogenic potential of bone marrow cells, bone micro-architecture, ability of new bone formation and histomorphometry studies. Aortic calcification was assessed by transcription and translation analysis of osteogenic key markers in aortic tissue and assessment of aortic endothelial function. Plasma lipid profiling was done to assess the effects of diets as its role in both bone loss and aortic calcification. RESULTS: Bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC's) dynamics showed that AD and HFD decreased osteoblast number that led to bone loss, deterioration in bone micro-architecture with up-regulated bone resorptive genes that lead to increase in aortic calcification. CAFG treatment rescued the bone health by modulating BMSC's towards osteogenic lineage. It increased the osteogenic gene expression with simultaneous decrease in osteoclastic genes thus stabilized the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa-B ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio that eventually reduced the amount of calcification in aorta. Biochemical studies showed that CAFG reduced the TC, TG and LDL-C content with no marked changes in HDL-C. Moreover, CAFG decreased the osteogenic key markers in the aortic tissue and enhanced endothelial function. CONCLUSION: Overall, this study indicates that CAFG protected against physiologically challenged diet induced bone loss with associated vascular calcification in mice. Moreover, data revealed that atherogenic diet is more detrimental as compared to the excess fatty acid diet to the bone and aorta.

Atherogenic high cholesterol/high fat diet induces TLRs-associated pulmonary inflammation in C57BL/6J mice.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of high cholesterol/high fat diet-induced hypercholesterolemia on pulmonary homeostasis of wild-type C57BL/6J mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six- to eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into two groups and treated with either high cholesterol/high fat diet (HCD, containing 20 % fat, 1.25 % cholesterol and 0.5 % sodium cholate) or a matching regular diet (RD, containing 4 % fat with no cholesterol and cholate added) for 12-16 weeks. RESULTS: Twelve to sixteen weeks after HCD diet feeding, hypercholesterolemia and pulmonary lipid accumulation were progressively exacerbated in C57BL/6J mice. Meanwhile, the HCD-fed mice showed distinctive signs of inflammation in the lung, which includes macrophage accumulation in alveolar lumen and lymphocyte infiltration around perivascular area. Simultaneously, the mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 were significantly up-regulated, and the translocation of NFκB into nucleus was activated in HCD-fed mice lung. In vitro, oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) could directly up-regulate the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in both A549 and MLE-12 lung epithelial cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that high cholesterol/high fat diet-induced hypercholesterolemia could result in TLRs/NFκB pathway-associated low-grade pulmonary inflammation in C57BL/6J mice, which might alter the lung's immune responsiveness to a variety of environmental exposures.