Hydroxymethylglutaryl Coenzyme Research Articles

Cross-linking Proteomics Indicates Effects of Simvastatin on the TLR2 Interactome and Reveals ACTR1A as a Novel Regulator of the TLR2 Signal Cascade

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is a pattern recognition receptor that, upon ligation by microbial molecules, interacts with other proteins to initiate pro-inflammatory responses by the cell. Statins (hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors), drugs widely prescribed to reduce hypercholesterolemia, are reported to have both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects upon cells. Some of these responses are presumed to be driven by effects on signaling proteins at the plasma membrane, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. We reasoned that profiling the effect of statins on the repertoire of TLR2-interacting proteins might provide novel insights into the mechanisms by which statins impact inflammation. In order to study the TLR2 interactome, we designed a coimmunoprecipitation (IP)-based cross-linking proteomics study. A hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged-TLR2 transfected HEK293 cell line was used to precipitate the TLR2 interactome upon cell exposure to the TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4 and simvastatin, singly and in combination. To stabilize protein interactors, we used two different chemical cross-linkers with different spacer chain lengths. Proteomic analysis revealed important combinatorial effects of simvastatin and Pam3CSK4 on the TLR2 interactome. After stringent data filtering, we identified alpha-centractin (ACTR1A), an actin-related protein and subunit of the dynactin complex, as a potential interactor of TLR2. The interaction was validated using biochemical methods. RNA interference studies revealed an important role for ACTR1A in induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, we report that statins remodel the TLR2 interactome, and we identify ACTR1A, a part of the dynactin complex, as a novel regulator of TLR2-mediated immune signaling pathways.

Molecular mechanism of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced and aggravated by chronic stress through HSL/ATGL-FFA which promotes fat mobilization

Abstract Objective To study the effects of social stress (CS) and social stress combined with high-fat diet on fat mobilization as a candidate mechanism for the induction or aggravation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods Thirty-two male Wistar rats (250 ± 10 g) were randomly allocated to a blank control group (BC), a high-fat diet group (HFD), a CS group, and a combined CS and high-fat diet group (CS + HFD). Rats were sacrificed and tissues were collected after 8 weeks. Liver and body mass were measured and used to calculate the liver index. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and free fatty acids (FFAs) were measured. Liver sections were examined microscopically after oil red O and hematoxylin and eosin staining. The relative mRNA expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase), hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in liver, and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) in subcutaneous adipose tissue, were measured by real-time PCR. The liver concentrations of triglyceride, reactive oxygen species, and ACCase were measured by ELISA and HSL activity was determined using turbidimetry. Results NAFLD developed in the CS, HFD, and CS + HFD groups, with the most severe NAFLD being in the CS + HFD group. Serum AST, ALT, and FFA, liver index, and hepatic triglyceride, FFA, and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly higher in both the CS and CS + HFD groups. However, food intake and ACCase mRNA expression were lower. The mRNA expression of HSL and ATGL in adipose tissue was much higher, and HSL activity was higher in the CS group than in the BC group, and in the CS + HFD group than in the HFD group. Conclusion We have successfully established two models of stress-induced NAFLD, suggesting stress can induce and aggravate NAFLD by promoting fat mobilization through upregulation of HSL and ATGL.

Hydroxymethylglutaryl Coenzyme a Reductase Inhibitors Differentially Modulate Plasma Fatty Acids in Rats With Diet-Induced-Hyperhomocysteinemia: Is ω-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation Necessary?

DATA REPORT article Front. Physiol., 16 July 2019 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.00892

A Study Comparative of Some Haematological Parameters after Treatment by Extracted Octacosanol and Atorvastatin in Female Rats

Hematological and serum parameters are a prerequisite to understand the normal functioning of the system and to confirm the nontoxic nature of the administered crude drug. Hematological parameters such as mean platelet volume (MPV) and RBCs count are associated with the increased risk for cardio vascular diseases CVD. Octacosanol is the major effective component of policosanol forming about (62.9%), it has antioxidative, lipid lowering, antithrombotic (antiplatelet) effects and provides protection against free radical associated diseases. Statins are the inhibitors of hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase. They are mostly used to treat hyperlipidaemia. Statins such as atorvastatin and some of medical plants have shown their beneficial effect on the cardiovascular disease (CVD) by virtue of their lipid lowering, antioxidant and cardioprotective effects. The present study was designed to compare some of hematological parameters after treatment of extracted octacosanol and atorvastatin in female Norwegian rats. Thirty two females rat with (10-12) weeks old-and weighting (200-250 gm) were used in the current study. Policosanol was extracted from sugarcane that obtained from Mesan province. Octacosanol is determined in this extraction by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Animals were divided into 4 equal groups: G.1 (n=8) (Control) : only 0.5 ml/ animal of Dimethyl Sulphoxide (DMSO). G.2 (n=8) animals treated with (0.02 mg/ animal) of standard octacosanol . G.3 (n=8) animals treated with (0.02mg/ animal) of octacocosanol extraction, G. 4 (n=8) treated with only (0.02mg/ animal) of atorvastatine. The treatment continued for 30 days. All animals were then sacrificed and blood samples were collected in EDTA tubes for measuring of hematological parameters. Results: all hematological parameters (RBCs, Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC) in group treated with extracted octacosanol were nearby the control group except platelet count and MPV level were lower than those of control group, while platelet count and MPV were higher in extracted group than those in the Atorvastatin group (all P≤0.05). In conclusion: The antiplatelet activity of the extracted octacosanol is more than atorvastatin and without side effects. So the extracted octacosanol successfully used in prevention of platelet aggregation and thrombosis in patients with CVD.

Effects of asiatic acid, an active constituent in Centella asiatica (L.): restorative perspectives of streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced changes on lipid profile and lipid metabolic enzymes in diabetic rats

The present study was aimed to evaluate the restorative efficacy of asiatic acid (AA), an active constituent in Centella asiatica (L.) in streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide (NAD)-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar albino rats were made diabetic with STZ-NAD administration and assessed the effect of AA (20, 30, and 40 mg/kg body weight per day, for 45 days) on body weight, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, lipid metabolic parameters in plasma and tissue (liver and kidney), and histopathology of liver in control and experimental diabetic rats. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in the concentrations of plasma and tissue lipids cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and phospholipids and low-density and very low-density lipoproteins, and a decrease in the concentration of high-density lipoproteins were observed in diabetic rats. A significant elevation in the activity and expression of 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase in plasma and tissue and a concomitant decline in the activity of plasma lipoprotein lipase and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase were observed in diabetic rats. The pathological abnormalities in plasma and tissues of diabetic rats were significantly ameliorated by AA supplementation for a period of 45 days and offered great support to the biochemical findings. AA also reduced the fat accumulation in the liver and protected from the hepatic steatosis. In conclusion, AA exhibited antidiabetic potential through extenuating hyperglycemic status, changing insulin resistance by alleviating metabolic dysregulation of lipid profile in both plasma and tissues.

Fluvastatin Sodium Ameliorates Obesity through Brown Fat Activation.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT), an organ that burns energy through uncoupling thermogenesis, is a promising therapeutic target for obesity. However, there are still no safe anti-obesity drugs that target BAT in the market. In the current study, we performed large scale screening of 636 compounds which were approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to find drugs that could significantly increase uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) mRNA expression by real-time PCR. Among those UCP1 activators, most of them were antibiotics or carcinogenic compounds. We paid particular attention to fluvastatin sodium (FS), because as an inhibitor of the cellular hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, FS has already been approved for treatment of hypercholesteremia. We found that in the cellular levels, FS treatment significantly increased UCP1 expression and BAT activity in human brown adipocytes. Consistently, the expression of oxidative phosphorylation-related genes was significantly increased upon FS treatment without differences in adipogenic gene expression. Furthermore, FS treatment resisted to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced body weight gain by activating BAT in the mice model. In addition, administration of FS significantly increased energy expenditure, improved glucose homeostasis and ameliorated hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, we reveal that FS induced browning in subcutaneous white adipose tissue (sWAT) known to have a beneficial effect on energy metabolism. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that as an effective BAT activator, FS may have great potential for treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Analgesic activity of some aroylhydrazone-based molecular hybrids with antiseizure activity: in vivo and in silico evaluations

We have recently identified several aroylhydrazone-based molecular hybrids with antiseizure activity. We aimed to investigate the analgesic activity of these molecules further. Male ICR mice were injected intraperitoneally with the tested substances or with the vehicle only (controls). We performed hot plate tests, formalin test and maximal electroshock (MES) test and further studied the cytokine proteome in the brain. In silico analysis was performed for prediction of the physicochemical parameters and activity. The furan-substituted aroylhydrazone-based 2H-chromene hybrid showed a significant increase of the latent time as compared with the baseline values (p < .05). Both the chlorine-substituted and the methyl-substituted aroylhydrazone-based coumarin derivatives significantly decreased the first phase of the formalin test (p < .05). We also found suppression of all the cytokines which were overexpressed in the model of acute seizures (MES test) and in the formalin paw test. The in silico model predicted hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A synthetase 2 (HMGCS2) enhancer activity. Further testing is needed to confirm the mechanism of the potentially beneficial effects of the tested substances and to evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of the proposed molecules.

Pharmacological properties of marine macroalgae-associated heterotrophic bacteria.

The rich diversity of marine macroalgae and their associated bacterial flora represent a potential reservoir of bioactive compounds with valuable biotechnological and pharmaceutical use. Heterotrophic bacteria associated with the intertidal macroalgae were isolated and evaluated for their pharmacological properties using various in vitro models. Among 148 cultivable isolates, more than 50% were dominated by γ-Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, wherein 53 of them showed consistent antibacterial activity against a broad spectrum of clinically significant pathogens. The bacteria were characterized by extensive microbiological, molecular and chemical identification tools. The heterotrophs Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MTCC 12716 and Shewanella algae MTCC 12715 isolated from a red marine macroalga Hypnea valentiae exhibited potential anti-infective properties against multidrug-resistant pathogens, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (minimum inhibitory concentration of 6.25-12.5µg/mL). The organic extract of B. amyloliquefaciens displayed significantly greater antioxidative properties (IC90 < 1mg/mL) and the activities showed considerable positive correlation (r2 > 0.8, P < 0.05) with the inhibitory activities against angiotensin converting enzyme-I, pro-inflammatory cyclooxygenases and 5-lipoxygenase, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, which were associated with hypertension, inflammation, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia, respectively. The applications of nuclear magnetic resonance-based fingerprinting to analyze the characteristic signals in the solvent extracts and to correlate them with the pharmaceutical properties were underlined. The heterotrophic bacterium B. amyloliquefaciens MTCC 12716 might, therefore, serve as a potential therapeutic candidate to develop products with wide pharmaceutical applications.

Atorvastatin protects cardiac progenitor cells from hypoxia-induced cell growth inhibition via MEG3/miR-22/HMGB1 pathway.

Heart failure (HF) induced by ischemia myocardial infarction (MI) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality all around the world. Atorvastatin, a hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, has been demonstrated to benefit patients with ischemic or non-ischemic-induced HF, but the mechanism is still poorly understood. Increasing evidence indicates that lncRNAs play important role in variety of human disease. However, the role and underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear. In our work, we applied 0.5% O2 to generate a hypoxia cardiac progenitor cell (CPC) model. Then, CCK8 and EdU assays were employed to investigate the role of atorvastatin in hypoxia CPC cell model. We found that hypoxia inhibits CPC viability and proliferation through modulating MEG3 expression, while atorvastatin application can protect CPCs from hypoxia-induced injury through inhibiting MEG3 expression. Then, we demonstrated that repression of MEG3 inhibited the hypoxia-induced injury of CPCs and overexpression of MEG3 inhibited the protective effect of atorvastatin in the hypoxia-induced injury of CPCs. Furthermore, our study illustrated that atorvastatin played its role in CPC viability and proliferation by modulating the expression of HMGB1 through the MEG3/miR-22 pathway. Our study, for the first time, uncovered the molecular mechanism of atorvastatin's protective role in cardiomyocytes under hypoxia condition, which may provide an exploitable target in developing effective therapy drugs for MI patients.

Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia: A rare adverse reaction of atorvastatin

Introduction: Statins have been shown to effectively prevent both cardiovascular morbidity and mortality by inhibiting the hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase enzyme. Pulmonary complications are very rare, and can include pneumonitis, pleural effusion, and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). There have been very few previously documented cases of statin-induced fibrotic NSIP.Case report: We present a female with a history of hyperlipidemia on atorvastatin who presented with shortness of breath. Computed tomography scan of the chest revealed interstitial infiltrates with bilateral ground-glass opacities. She underwent a surgical lung biopsy which showed uniform fibrous alveolar septal thickening, scattered collections of alveolar macrophages and inflammation, along with areas of fibrosis. The findings were most suggestive of fibrotic NSIP. Atorvastatin was stopped and she was started on mycophenolic acid with improvement of her symptoms.Discussion: Although rare, the clinician should be aware of possible pulmonary complications of statin therapy. The exact mechanism of injury is unclear, however immunological or toxicological mechanisms are implicated. One case series of statin induced interstitial lung disease showed some improvement of dyspnea with systemic glucocorticoids and termination of statin therapy. Statins, specifically pravastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin have been associated with drug induced pneumonitis and interstitial lung disease.

Contrasting effects of sterols on metabolism

Phytosterolaemia,1 causing severe atherosclerosis,2 illustrates the stringent requirements for sterols in membranes and the impact of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor on metabolism, but is not associated with malformations seen with...

Association of Statin Exposure With Histologically Confirmed Idiopathic Inflammatory Myositis in an Australian Population

Statin medications are widely prescribed for cardiovascular risk reduction. Myalgia and rhabdomyolysis are well-recognized adverse effects of statins, and they resolve with the cessation of statin therapy. Idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM) is a heterogeneous group of autoimmune myopathies that may also be associated with statin use. Recently, statin-associated autoimmune myopathy has been recognized as a distinct entity with the presence of specific autoantibodies against hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, which results in a necrotizing myositis that does not resolve with cessation of statin therapy and requires treatment with immunosuppressive agents. To examine the association between histologically confirmed IIM and current exposure to statin medications. Population-based case-control study using the South Australian Myositis Database of all histologically confirmed cases of IIM diagnosed between 1990 and 2014 in patients 40 years or older (n = 221) and population-based controls from the North West Adelaide Health Study (n = 662), matched by age and sex in a 3:1 ratio of controls to cases. Data analysis using conditional logistic regression was performed from June 1, 2016, to July 14, 2017. Current statin medication use. Unadjusted and adjusted (for diabetes and cardiovascular disease) odds ratios and 95% CIs for likelihood of inflammatory myositis. A total of 221 IIM cases met the inclusion criteria with a mean (SD) age of 62.2 (10.8) years, and 132 (59.7%) were female. Statin exposure at the time of IIM diagnosis was 68 of 221 patients (30.8%) and 142 of 662 matched controls (21.5%) (P = .005). There was an almost 2-fold increased likelihood of statin exposure in patients with IIM compared with controls (adjusted odds ratio, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.23-2.60; P = .001). Similar results were observed when patients with necrotizing myositis were excluded from the analysis (adjusted odds ratio, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.29-2.86; P = .001). In this large population-based study, statin exposure was significantly associated with histologically confirmed IIM. Given the increased use of statins worldwide and the severity of IIM, increased awareness and recognition of this potentially rare adverse effect of statin exposure is needed.

Cholesterol screening and statin use in children: a literature review.

Atherosclerosis begins in childhood. Fatty streaks, the earliest precursor of atherosclerotic lesions, have been found in the coronary arteries of children of 2years of age. Hypercholesterolaemia is a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Hypercholesterolaemia can be either primary, when it is characteristic of the main disease, or secondary when it occurs as a result of either a disease process or drug treatment. Given the risk of vascular disease, including myocardial infarction (MI), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA, also known as strokes), peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and ruptured aortic aneurysm, which may follow atherosclerosis, it is important to prevent or slow the early development of atherosclerotic lesions. This prevention necessitates the control of key risk factors such hypercholesterolaemia, dyslipidaemia, hypertension etc. However, at what point this prevention ought to occur, and in what form, is uncertain. Using pharmacological primary prevention for hypercholesterolaemia in the paediatric population is controversial. In an adult patient, hypercholesterolaemia warrants the initiation of a statin. Statins, also known as hydroxymethylglutaryl co-enzyme A inhibitors (or HMG-CoA inhibitors) act by altering cholesterol metabolism. In the paediatric population, the clinical course of vascular disease and the effect of altering this clinical course are less certain. This article reviews the published literature on hypercholesterolaemia in children and the use of statins as a treatment for dyslipidaemia in children. The US National Cholesterol Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents 2012 guidelines (NCEP guidelines) regarding the recognition and treatment of childhood dyslipidaemia are reviewed.

Over-expression of 3-hydroxy-3- methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase 1 (hmgr1) gene under super-promoter for enhanced latex biosynthesis in rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.)

Natural rubber (cis-1, 4-polyisoprene) is being produced from bark laticifer cells of Hevea brasiliensis and the popular high latex yielding Indian rubber clones are easily prone to onset of tapping panel dryness syndrome (TPD) which is considered as a physiological syndrome affecting latex production either partially or completely. This report describes an efficient protocol for development of transgenic rubber plants by over-expression of 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl Co-enzyme A reductase 1 (hmgr1) gene which is considered as rate limiting factor for latex biosynthesis via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The pBIB plasmid vector containing hmgr1 gene cloned under the control of a super-promoter was used for genetic transformation using embryogenic callus. Putatively transgenic cell lines were obtained on selection medium and produced plantlets with 44% regeneration efficiency. Transgene integration was confirmed by PCR amplification of 1.8 kb hmgr1 and 0.6 kb hpt genes from all putatively transformed callus lines as well as transgenic plants. Southern blot analysis showed the stable integration and presence of transgene in the transgenic plants. Over expression of hmgr1 transgene was determined by Northern blot hybridization, semi-quantitative PCR and real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Accumulation of hmgr1 mRNA transcripts was more abundant in transgenic plants than control. Increased level of photosynthetic pigments, protein contents and HMGR enzyme activity was also noticed in transgenic plants over control. Interestingly, the latex yield was significantly enhanced in all transgenic plants compared to the control. The qRT-PCR results exhibit that the hmgr1 mRNA transcript levels was 160-fold more abundance in transgenic plants over untransformed control. These results altogether suggest that there is a positive correlation between latex yield and accumulation of mRNA transcripts level as well as HMGR enzyme activity in transgenic rubber plants. It is presumed that there is a possibility for enhanced level of latex biosynthesis in transgenic plants as the level of mRNA transcripts and HMGR enzyme activity is directly correlated with latex yield in rubber tree. Further, the present results clearly suggest that the quantification of HMGR enzyme activity in young seedlings will be highly beneficial for early selection of high latex yielding plants in rubber breeding programs.

Design and Characterization of Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems of Rosuvastatin

Development of self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) are becoming more popular to improve the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Rosuvastatin is a lipid-lowering agent used in patients suffering from dyslipidemia. It is a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy 3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A, which converts mevalonate to cholesterol. Rosuvastatin is a BCS class II (poor solubility) drug; hence, SNEDDS are being formulated to enhance oral bioavailability of the drug. In the present study, rosuvastatin SNEDDS were formulated using different oils, surfactant and co-surfactant. The optimized formulation F9 has composition of Las (PEG-8-Caprylic glycerides), Maisine 35-1 and Tween 20 as oil phase, surfactant and co-surfactant respectively. Composition of SNEDDS was optimized using Pseudo-ternary phase diagram, where the formulations showed increased self-emulsification with increased concentration of surfactants. Formulation F9 was found to be best formulation based on evaluation parameters. The particle size of the optimized SNEDDS formulation was found to be 10.9 nm &amp; Z-Average of 55.6 nm indicating all the particles were in the nanometer range. The zeta potential of the optimized SNEDDS formulation was found to be -11.2 mV, which comply with the requirement of the zeta potential for stability. The developed rosuvastatin SNEDDS have the potential to minimize the variability in absorption and provide rapid onset of action of the drug. &#x0D;

Risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus during treatment with low-dose statins in Japan: A retrospective cohort study.

The risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) in Japanese patients using low-dose hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) has not been previously examined. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of NODM associated with use of high- and low-potency statins in Japanese patients taking low-dose statins. A retrospective cohort study of 2554 Japanese patients who started treatment with a statin was conducted. Only patients taking the same dose of the same statin were enrolled, and patients were separated into high- and low-potency statin groups. The outcome was incidence of NODM during statin treatment. The incidence rate of NODM in the cohort was 7.4% (n=190). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed a significantly higher rate of NODM in patients taking high-potency statins compared with those taking low-potency statins (P<.001, log-rank test). Baseline fasting plasma glucose levels, use of high-potency statins, male gender and combination treatment with calcium channel blockers, immunosuppressants or steroids were identified as factors that significantly increased the risk for NODM using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. The use of high-potency statins at a low standard daily dose significantly increased the risk of NODM in Japanese patients compared with low-potency statins. Furthermore, clinicians should also be careful when prescribing statins in combination with steroids or immunosuppressants due to the increased risk of NODM.

Hypocholesterolemic effect of β-caryophyllene in rats fed cholesterol and fat enriched diet.

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the cholesterol-lowering potential of β-caryophyllene in a rat model. Hypercholesterolemia was induced by feeding male Wistar rats a high cholesterol and fat diet for 2 weeks. This was followed by oral administration of β-caryophyllene to hypercholesterolemic rats at 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg b.w. for 4 weeks. A dose of 30 mg/kg of β-caryophyllene significantly lowered serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and the atherogenic index and significantly increased high density lipoprotein level. Moreover, it ameliorated liver injury as evidenced by decreasing hepatomegaly, macrovesicular steatosis and the activity of hepatic marker enzymes alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Furthermore, it increased the activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. This dose of β-caryophyllene significantly inhibited the activity of hepatic hydroxy-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase. Higher doses (100 and 300 mg/kg) of β-caryophyllene, however, did not induce significant beneficial effects on the studied parameters. These observations demonstrate that β-caryophyllene has a cholesterol-lowering effect on hypercholesterolemic rats, thus offering protection against hypercholesterolemia-induced diseases such as atherosclerosis and fatty liver.

Downregulation of monocytic differentiation via modulation of CD147 by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors.

CD147 is an activation induced glycoprotein that promotes the secretion and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and is upregulated during the differentiation of macrophages. Interestingly, some of the molecular functions of CD147 rely on its glycosylation status: the highly glycosylated forms of CD147 induce MMPs whereas the lowly glycosylated forms inhibit MMP activation. Statins are hydroxy-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors that block the synthesis of mevalonate, thereby inhibiting all mevalonate-dependent pathways, including isoprenylation, N-glycosylation and cholesterol synthesis. In this study, we investigated the role of statins in the inhibition of macrophage differentiation and the associated process of MMP secretion through modulation of CD147. We observed that differentiation of the human monocytic cell line THP-1 to a macrophage phenotype led to upregulation of CD147 and CD14 and that this effect was inhibited by statins. At the molecular level, statins altered CD147 expression, structure and function by inhibiting isoprenylation and N-glycosylation. In addition, statins induced a shift of CD147 from its highly glycosylated form to its lowly glycosylated form. This shift in N-glycosylation status was accompanied by a decrease in the production and functional activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9. In conclusion, these findings describe a novel molecular mechanism of immune regulation by statins, making them interesting candidates for autoimmune disease therapy.

Propuesta personal de actualización para el tratamiento de la hipercolesterolemia en Colombia

In 2014, Colombia published guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemias in adults, which were similar to those published by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) with regard to their rigidity in the systematic review of the evidence in hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A inhibitors (statins). The result of the review was to not set goals for the cholesterol contained in very low density lipoproteins (LDLc), but rather a percentage reduction in basal LDLc, using the highest doses of high-intensity statins to accomplish this. This proposal created controversy, and in spite of recognizing the evidence, it was argued that the concept of goals could be deduced from the clinical studies, and would make application to clinical practice easier for physicians and patients. In the last few years, international guidelines on dyslipidemias have emphasized LDLc goals, new clinical studies have been published, and novel hypolipidemic medications have appeared on the market. These findings warrant updating hypercholesterolemia treatment in Colombia, and a personal proposal is presented for this purpose, recognizing that a consensus must be reached. Additionally, the recent findings further confirm the importance of cholesterol as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and reaffirm that the lower an individual's cholesterol, the lower the probability of cardiovascular events.

Hypolipidemic effects of total flavonoide extracted from the leaves of Actinidiakolomikta in rats fed a high-fat diet.

Objective(s):This study was to investigate the antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effect of total flavonoid extract from Actinidiakolomikta (TFAK) in hyperlipidemia induced by a high-fat diet.Materials and Methods:Male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal group, model (hyperlipidemic diet) group, hyperlipedemic diet supplemented with TFAK (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and simvastatin (30 mg/kg) groups. The rats were administrated TFAK by oral for 28 days. Body weight, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase(CAT), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. The atherogenic index (AI) and coronary risk index (CRI) were calculated. The activity of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in hepatic tissue was examined. Histopathologic changes were also checked.Results:The levels of TC, TG and LDL-c were increased in model group. Compared to the model group, TFAK reduced significantly the body weight, TC, TG, LDL-c, AI, CRI and elevated the level of HDL-c. Moreover, the activity of SOD was elevated significantly, whereas the content of MDA decreased. The activity of HMG-CoA reductase was also decreased. Morphological evaluation found that rats in model group developed a severe steatosis, but the severity of liver steatosis was ameliorated in TFAK treated groups. The possible mechanism may be associated with decrease HMG-CoA reductase activity.Conclusion:Our results suggest that TFAK exerts strong antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects, prevents hepatic fatty deposition and regulates the HMG-CoA reductase.