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HomeCirculation ResearchVol. 126, No. 1In This Issue Free AccessIn BriefPDF/EPUBAboutView PDFView EPUBSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload citationsTrack citationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InMendeleyReddit Jump toFree AccessIn BriefPDF/EPUBIn This Issue Ruth Williams Ruth WilliamsRuth Williams Search for more papers by this author Originally published2 Jan 2020https://doi.org/10.1161/RES.0000000000000319Circulation Research. 2020;126:2is related toTriglyceride Paradox Is Related to Lipoprotein Size, Visceral Adiposity and Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase Activity in Black Versus White WomenRapamycin-Loaded Biomimetic Nanoparticles Reverse Vascular Inflammationis related toEnriched Marine Oil Supplements Increase Peripheral Blood Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators Concentrations and Reprogram Host Immune ResponsesBiomimetic Particles Reduce Vascular Inflammation (p 25)Can Atherosclerosis be Reversed? Rapamycin-loaded nanoparticles curb vascular inflammation without toxicity, report Boada et al.Download figureDownload PowerPointIn addition to excessive lipids in the blood, inflammation is a key driver of atherosclerosis. Indeed, plaques grow as a result of fatty deposits and the accumulation and proliferation of monocytes and macrophages in the vessel walls. In mice, such proliferation can be inhibited by the systemic administration of the immunosuppressive compound rapamycin. However, because such treatment can cause toxic side effects, researchers are investigating tissue-localized delivery methods. One such approach suggested by Boada and colleagues is to use rapamycin-loaded leukosomes—nanoparticles encapsulated in a lipid coating containing leukocyte membrane proteins. The coating enables the particles to mimic leukocyte homing such that they accumulate at atherosclerotic plaques. And now the team has shown that with a rapamycin payload, the particles reduce plaque macrophage proliferation better than systemic administration of the drug. Following 7 days of once-daily rapamycin-leukosome administration, plaque burden in atherosclerosis model mice was significantly lower than in control animals. Importantly, no toxicity was detected. These proof-of-principle results now set the stage for further testing in larger, clinically relevant animals, say the authors.Upregulation of Plasma SPM by Enriched Marine Oils (p 75)Can fish oil help human immunity? SPMs indicate the clinical efficacy of fatty acid supplementation, say Souza et al.Download figureDownload PowerPointIn the body, essential fatty acids, such as those found in fish oils, are converted into specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs)—molecules that promote phagocytosis of dead cells and reduce inflammation. Whether taking such oils reduces vascular inflammation in people, however, is unclear. Some studies show the oils reduce inflammation, others show no effect. One problem is that there is no impartial measure of the clinical efficacy of such supplementation. Souza and colleagues, therefore, performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine the effects of marine oil supplementation on both SPM levels and immune cell function. Twenty-two volunteers were randomly assigned to receive placebo or 1 of 3 doses of marine oil. Blood samples from the subjects revealed a dose-dependent increase in SPMs that was significant in the 2 high-dose groups and peaked a few hours after dosing. The team went on to show that, in the high-dose blood samples, monocytes and neutrophils had increased phagocytic activity while leukocyte activation was decreased. These effects persisted after SPM levels returned to baseline. The results suggest SPMs are not only likely mediators of fatty acid-induced immune effects but that they could be useful efficacy indicators for future trials.Triglyceride Lipoproteins and Insulin Resistance (p 94)Chung et al tackle the triglyceride paradox and discover size of the lipoproteins matters.Download figureDownload PowerPointA high level of triglycerides in the blood is a marker of cardiometabolic disease—a collection of symptoms including insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. However, this correlation does not occur in people of African ancestry. Indeed, black individuals may have apparently low triglyceride levels even when symptoms of cardiometabolic disease are present. To get to the bottom of this paradox, Chung and colleagues examined triglycerides in blood samples from black and white women to see if a specific subfraction of the lipoproteins—based on particle size—might correlate with symptoms. Women (122) of similar ages, body mass indices, and backgrounds had blood samples collected for insulin sensitivity tests and triglyceride measurements. The team found that while levels of large, medium, and small triglycerides were lower in blacks than whites regardless of insulin sensitivity, levels of very small triglycerides, which are known to be proatherogenic, did correlate with insulin sensitivity in both racial groups. The findings could not only form the basis of more accurate triglyceride tests for assessing cardiovascular disease severity in all races, but also highlight the potential importance of very small triglycerides in contributing to the progression of the condition. Previous Back to top Next FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRelated articlesTriglyceride Paradox Is Related to Lipoprotein Size, Visceral Adiposity and Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase Activity in Black Versus White WomenStephanie T. Chung, et al. Circulation Research. 2020;126:94-108Rapamycin-Loaded Biomimetic Nanoparticles Reverse Vascular InflammationChristian Boada, et al. Circulation Research. 2020;126:25-37Enriched Marine Oil Supplements Increase Peripheral Blood Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators Concentrations and Reprogram Host Immune ResponsesPatricia R. Souza, et al. Circulation Research. 2020;126:75-90 January 3, 2020Vol 126, Issue 1 Advertisement Article InformationMetrics © 2019 American Heart Association, Inc.https://doi.org/10.1161/RES.0000000000000319 Originally publishedJanuary 2, 2020 PDF download Advertisement