Consumption of oil macerated with garlic produces renovascular protective effects in adult apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Oxidative stress and chronic inflammatory conditions contribute as key determinants in the development of vascular and renal diseases. Organosulfur compounds (OSCs) of oil macerated with garlic (OMG) are promising phytochemicals which could protect us from hyper-inflammation and oxidative stress-induced organ damage. The present work evaluated the effect of OMG intake in apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-KO) mice. Adult female ApoE-KO mice were randomly divided into three groups and fed with control chow, oil-supplemented diet and OMG-supplemented diet. After 8 weeks, the animals were euthanized and blood, aorta, kidneys, liver and abdominal adipose tissues were obtained for further analysis. Biochemical parameters were measured in plasma, lipid peroxidation as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels was determined in the adipose tissue, oil red O was used to stain atherosclerotic lesions, and histological and ultrastructural analyses of the kidneys were performed. Renal expression levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Wilms' Tumor Protein (WT-1) were determined by western blotting and the co-immunoprecipitation assay (p53/WT-1). Also, transmission electron microscopy for studying the expression of mitofusin 2 (Mfn-2) was used to assess mitochondrial damage. The results showed that long-term moderate intake of OMG improved serum triglyceride levels, diminished the atheroma plaque area, and reduced lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, we found a decrease in oxidative and inflammatory markers, less apoptosis and reduced WT-1 expression in the kidneys. Also, OMG increased p53/WT-1 protein interactions and reduced mitochondrial damage. Our findings suggest that OMG intake would produce anti-atherosclerotic, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects in adult ApoE-KO mice, conferring significant renovascular protective actions in a mechanism mediated, at least in part, by WT-1.

Antioxidant and Anti-atherogenic Properties of Prosopis strombulifera and Tessaria absinthioides Aqueous Extracts: Modulation of NADPH Oxidase-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species.

Despite popular usage of medicinal plants, their effects as cardiovascular protective agents have not been totally elucidated. We hypothesized that treatment with aqueous extract from Prosopis strombulifera (AEPs) and Tessaria absinthioides (AETa), Argentinian native plants, produces antioxidant effects on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and attenuates atherogenesis on apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-KO) mice. In VSMCs, both extracts (5-40 µg/ml) inhibited 10% fetal calf serum-induced cell proliferation, arrested cell in G2/M phase, reduced angiotensin II-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and decreased NADPH oxidase subunit expression. In ApoE-KO mice, extracts significantly reduced triglycerides and lipid peroxidation [plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)], increased plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), and improved glutathione peroxidase activity in the liver. Under high-fat diet (HFD), both extracts were able to inhibit O2 - generation in the aortic tissue and caused a significant regression of atheroma plaques (21.4 ± 1.6% HFD group vs. 10.2 ± 1.2%∗ AEPs group and 14.3 ± 1.0%∗ AETa group; ∗ p < 0.01). Consumption of AEPs and AETa produces antioxidant/antimitogenic/anti-atherosclerotic effects, and their use may be beneficial as a complementary strategy regarding cardiovascular disease therapies.

2-Vinyl-4H-1,3-Dithiin, a Bioavailable Compound from Garlic, Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Proliferation and Migration by Reducing Oxidative Stress.

Organosulfur compounds (OSCs) of garlic have various health benefits including anti-hypertensive effect. It has been described that volatile OSCs uptake occurs into a moderate extent. Among the bioavailable OSCs present in garlic, 2-vinyl-4H-1,3-dithiin (2VD) is a main component in garlic macerated oil and stir-fried garlic but has been poorly investigated compared with others OSCs, such allyl mercaptan (AM) and S-allyl cysteine (SAC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of 2VD on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) isolated from spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and compare them with those produced by AM and SAC. Cell viability and proliferation were measured using tetrazolium dye MTT assay and flow cytometry. Cell migration was evaluated by scrape-wound migration assay. OSCs anti-oxidative capacity was determined by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and total antioxidant status (TAS). Non-toxic plasmatic concentrations (10 µg L-1) of 2VD and AM inhibited VSMCs proliferation stimulated with 5% fetal bovine serum and impaired cell migration. In further flow cytometry analysis 2VD treatment resulted in a partial cell cycle arrest at G2 phase. The OSCs tested were able to prevent ROS increase after angiotensin II stimulation and surprisingly 2VD induced higher total antioxidant status compared with AM and SAC. Our results showed that 2VD produces equivalent or superior beneficial effects on VSMCs to those reported for other bioavailable compounds of garlic. This preliminary evidence suggests that 2VD intake could also exert important protective effects against arterial remodeling in hypertension.

Effect of Garlic's Active Constituents in Inflammation, Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Several studies have attributed garlic's beneficial properties to its high content of organosulfur compounds (OSCs). Here, we summarized recent studies published and some own findings regarding OSCs and its effects on cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and obesity. RECENT FINDING: The analysis of the multiple actions produced by OSCs suggests that many of its bioactivities interfere against inflammation, oxidative stress, obesogenic effects, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Accumulating evidence from in vitro, animal, and human studies reinforce the notion that OSCs modify signaling pathways that trigger chronic diseases, and to highlight, actions over these pathways are related to the treatment of disorders addressed in this review. Garlic's bioactive OSCs behave like a nutraceutical panacea because they cover a broad spectrum of applications with promising impact for the prevention and treatment of prevalent chronic pathologies associated with low-grade inflammation.

Modulación de marcadores de inflamación y estrés oxidativo en pacientes con diabetes tipo 1 y sobrepeso que participan en un programa de cambio de estilo de vida / Modulation of Inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in overweight type 1 Diabetes patients participating in a lifestyle change program

Introduction: Reduction in the expression of inflammatory markers and oxidative stress associated with exercise will protect against cardiovascular complications in Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Aim: The aim of this study was evaluated cardiovascular fitness (VO2 Max), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemo-attractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and serum lipid peroxidation (TBARS) in overweight patients with Type-1 diabetes (T1DM) participating in a lifestyle-change program. Results: 20 T1DM overweight patients (43.3 ± 13.8 years), with BMI= 29.6 ± 3.5 kg/m2 , initial HbA1c 7.9 ± 0.91% and treated with multiple insulin injections, were included in this work. The lifestyle-change program consisted of: a) walking 10,000 steps/day, b) sequence of exercises of 24 minutes, 3-5 times/week, c) ¨healthy-plate¨ (and counting carbohydrates, and d) prandial insulin as blood-glucose levels. VO2 max, HbA1c, TBARS, IL6, MCP-1 were determined before starting the lifestyle-change program. Six months of adherence later, participants showed an average number of steps of 8242 ± 1834, a significant increase in VO2 max, (33.4 ±1.3 vs 36.2 ±1.5 ml.Kg-1.min-1 p= 0.008), a significant decrease in serum MCP-1 (314 ±42 vs 235 ±43 MFI p= 0.02), and less TBARS (3.01 ±0.44 vs 2.12 ±0.22 µmol/mL p= 0.015). IL-6 and HbA1c showed no significant decrease. Conclusion: Our results showed that a 6-month systemized and simple exercise plan improves cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 max), and reduces both circulating oxidative stress and inflammation markers in overweight patients with T1DM.

Introducción: La reducción en la expresión de marcadores inflamatorios y de estrés oxidativo asociado con el ejercicio podría proteger contra las complicaciones cardiovasculares de la diabetes mellitus (DM). Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar en pacientes con DM tipo1 (DMT1) y sobrepeso, la capacidad cardiorespiratoria (VO2 Max), la expresión sérica de marcadores inflamatorios (IL-6 y MCP-1) y la peroxidación lipídica sérica (TBARS), luego de participar por 6 meses de un programa de cambios de estilo de vida. Resultados: Veinte pacientes adultos (43.3 ± 13.8 años), de ambos sexos, con un Índice de Masa Corporal de 29.6 ± 3.5 kg/m2 , HbA1c inicial de 7,9% ± 0,91, en tratamiento con inyecciones múltiples de insulina participaron del estudio. Se indicó: 1) caminar 10.000 pasos/día, 2) realizar en domicilio una secuencia de ejercicios de 20 minutos, 3-5 veces/semana, 3) plato saludable (consumo de 1 fruta antes de las 3 comidas principales), 4) Insulina prandial según glucemia y conteo de carbohidratos. Se registraron parámetros antropométricos, presión arterial, se determinó VO2 max, y se midieron los niveles séricos de HbA1c, IL6, MCP-1 y TBARs. Luego de seis meses, los participantes alcanzaron un número promedio de pasos de 8242 ± 1834 y mostraron un aumento significativo en VO2 max, (33.4 ±1.3 vs 36.2 ±1.5 ml.Kg-1.min-1 p= 0.008). Además, se encontró una disminución significativa de MCP-1 (314 ±42 vs 235 ±43 MFI p=0.02) y TBARs (3.01 ±0.44 vs 2.12 ±0.22 µmol/mL p= 0.015) en comparación con el día 0. No se observaron modificaciones en los niveles de IL-6 y HbA1c. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados demuestran que el ejercicio, implementado como un plan accesible y acompañado, es adecuado para reducir los riesgos de inflamación y estado pro-oxidativo en pacientes con DM tipo1.

Vascular dysfunction elicited by a cross talk between periaortic adipose tissue and the vascular wall is reversed by pioglitazone.

AIM: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is in intimate contact with the vessel wall and extravascular PVAT-derived inflammatory mediators may adversely influence atherosclerotic plaque formation and stability through outside-to-inside signaling. We sought to investigate the role of PVAT on the atheroma development in an experimental animal model of metabolic syndrome (MS) associated with oxidative stress and low-grade inflammatory state. We also studied the effect of pioglitazone an insulin sensitizer, on the aortic wall and its surrounding PVAT, considering a bi-directional communication between both layers. METHODS: Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (ApoE-/- ) were fed with standard diet (CD, control diet) or fructose overload (10% w/v) (FD, fructose diet) for 8 weeks and treated with or without pioglitazone the latest 4 weeks. RESULTS: Biochemical variables show that glycemia and lipid peroxidation determined by thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) significantly increased in FD-fed ApoE-/- mice. FD significantly increased aortic PVAT expression of oxidative stress associated genes: p22phox , Nox1, Nox2, Nox4 and p47phox , and proinflammatory genes: Visfatin, MCP-1, and MMP-9. Pioglitazone diminished PVAT-oxidative damage elicited by fructose treatment and markedly down-regulated proinflammatory markers. Even pioglitazone did not prevent the development of the aortic atheroma plaques stimulated by FD, significantly diminished VCAM-1 expression, MMP-9 expression and activity in aortic media wall and significantly reduced the accumulation of lipids and macrophages in atheroma plaques. CONCLUSION: Our results support the fact that PVAT contributes to the development and progression of cardiovascular disease by underlying mechanisms elicited by "outside-in" signaling. Treatment with pioglitazone may offer a new effect on the whole vessel wall, promoting the stability of advanced atherosclerotic plaques.

Estudio de los tratamientos tópicos y los cuidados de enfermería en el paciente dermatológico / Study of topical treatments and nursing care in the dermatologic patient

Se presenta un estudio del uso de distintas medicaciones externas dermatológicas en pacientes ingresados en dermatología y se describen las formas de aplicación de estos medicamentos. Se confecciona una guía de los cuidados de enfermería en los pacientes dermatológicos