Increase In High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels Research Articles

Hypoglycemic activity of Garcinia mangostana L. extracts on diabetes rodent models: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Diabetes mellitus is a significant global health issue, and alternative treatments from natural products like Garcinia mangostana L. [Clusiaceae] or GM are being explored for their potential benefits. This study focused on evaluating the hypoglycemic effects of GM on diabetic rodent models. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Embase for studies reporting blood glucose levels within 2weeks as the primary outcome and changes in total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) as secondary outcomes. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to determine the pooled effectiveness of each intervention, estimating the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) from both direct and indirect evidence. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SURCA) was used to rank the interventions. Ten articles were identified, with nine included for quantitative analysis. All GM extracts showed greater effectiveness than the control in decreasing blood glucose levels within 2weeks. GM at 200mg/kg (GM200) was the top-ranked extract for reducing glucose levels beyond 2weeks and increasing HDL-C levels. The ethanol extract of GM at 200mg/kg (GME200) was the most effective for blood glucose reduction within 2weeks and for TC and TG reductions. The methanol extract of GM at 200mg/kg (GMM200) was the top-ranked extract for LDL-C reductions. GM and its extracts demonstrated significant hypoglycemic activity and improvements in lipid profiles in diabetic rodent models, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus. Further research in human trials is warranted to confirm these findings and establish clinical applications. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023426254.

Role of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Aegle marmelos (AM) Leaves and Tamarindus indica (TI) Seeds on High Fat High Sugar Diet Induced Hyperlipidemia in Rodent Models

Hyperlipidemia is an increase in plasma levels of lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides) and various lipoproteins. Though many drugs have been used for controlling hyperlipidemia, yet most of them have unpleasant side effects, which has stimulated the search for natural remedies. Hypolipidemic activity of hydroalcoholic extracts of Aegle marmelos (AM) leaves and Tamarindus indica (TI) seed alone and in combination on High Fat High Sugar (Fructose) Diet (HFHSD) induced hyperlipidemia in male rats was evaluated in this study. Out of 54 male Sprague Dawley rats, six received standard diet (Group I, normal control) throughout the study. The remaining 48 rats were fed orally with HFHSD for 30 days to induce hyperlipidemia (plasma cholesterol level >200 mg/dL). For the next thirty days, rats which had received HFHSD were divided into 8 groups with six animals in each. Group II- HFHSD control received standard diet, Group III- positive control (Niacin, 100 mg/kg/day), Group IV - AM25 (25 mg/kg/day), Group V - AM50 (50 mg/kg/day), Group VI - TI25 (25 mg/kg/day), Group VII - TI50 (50mg/kg/day), Groups VIII - AM25+TI25 (25 + 25 mg/kg/day) and Group IX - AM50+TI50 (50 + 50 mg/kg/day). Treatment of HFHSD fed rats with each extract alone and in combination resulted in a significant decrease in plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL and increase in HDL levels. Treatment with AM50+TI50 significantly lowered plasma cholesterol (p<0.001), triglycerides (p<0.001) and increased HDL cholesterol levels (p<0.05), in comparison to positive control. Both the extracts alone and in combination exerted hypolipidemic effect in rats.

Evaluation of the Antihyperlipidemic Effect of Encapsulated Octacosanol for Lipid-Lowering Effect Against High-Fat Diet-Induced Hyperlipidaemia in Experimental Rats.

Background: Elevated blood lipid levels, or hyperlipidemia, are the main risk factors for cardiovascular illnesses and are frequently brought on by high-fat diets. Objectives: In this work, high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia in experimental rats is used to examine the antihyperlipidemic efficacy of a test formulation containing 1-octacosanol. Method: A healthy female Wistar rat was utilized for investigation, separated into four groups: normal, disease, standard control, and test group, receiving the 1-octacosanol formulation. Results: Hyperlipidemia was induced in the rats through a high-fat diet over 28 days, followed by a 28-day treatment period. Various parameters, including lipid profile (LDL, TC, TG, VLDL, HDL), body weight and antioxidant properties (MDA, SOD, GSH), were evaluated. The results showed that the 1-octacosanol formulation significantly reduced body weight and improved lipid profiles by decreasing levels of TC, TG, LDL and VLDL while increasing HDL levels. Additionally, the formulation exhibited notable antioxidant properties, contributing to its lipid-lowering effects. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and multiple comparison tests confirmed the significance of these findings, underscoring the therapeutic potential of 1-octacosanol in managing hyperlipidemia and mitigating associated cardiovascular risks. Conclusion: The test formulation of 1-octacosanol demonstrated a significant antihyperlipidemic effect in rats with high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia. The treatment effectively reduced serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL while increasing HDL cholesterol levels. These marks suggest that 1-octacosanol has the potential as a therapeutic agent for managing hyperlipidemia, a key risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.

Effects of Alpha-Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Treatment on Cardiovascular Biomarkers: A Comprehensive Review

This comprehensive review explores that subjoining of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) have improved effect on cardiovascular biomarkers in the human subjects, focusing on its potential role in addressing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which are major global health challenges exacerbated by risk factors such as dyslipidaemia and hypertension. Systematic analysis of various randomized controlled trials, evaluates alpha-tocopherol's effects on LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol levels etc. The synthesis of current literature consistently indicates that alpha-tocopherol treatment leads to significant reductions in systolic blood pressure compared to control groups. Furthermore, substantial evidence supports alpha-tocopherol's ability to increase HDL-cholesterol levels and decrease LDL-cholesterol concentrations, suggesting beneficial impacts on lipid profiles. The review also discusses alphatocopherol's influence on additional cardiovascular biomarkers such as Troponin I, B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), Nterminal pro-BNP, Troponin T, C-reactive Protein (CRP), Lipoproteins, Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB), Myoglobin, and Fibrinogen, highlighting its potential broader effects on cardiovascular health indicators. Overall, this review underscores alpha-tocopherol's potential as an adjunctive therapy for managing cardiovascular risk factors, particularly hypertension and dyslipidemia. The findings suggest that alpha-tocopherol supplementation may induce favourable changes in cardiovascular biomarkers, offering insights into its therapeutic potential and calling for further investigation in clinical settings.

Study on the mechanism of Shenling Baizhu powder on the pathogenesis of pregnancy complicated with non-alcoholic fatty liver, based on PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway.

This study investigates the effectiveness of Shenlin Baizhu powder in managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) during pregnancy and its mechanism through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Eight healthy male and 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. After acclimatization, 6 female rats were fed normal chow, and 18 female rats were fed high-fat chow to induce NAFLD. After 8 weeks, female rats were mated with males to create a pregnant NAFLD model. The rats were divided into four groups: normal feeding, high-fat diet with saline, high-fat diet with 1.6 g/kg Shenlin Baizhu powder, and high-fat diet with 4.8 g/kg Shenlin Baizhu powder. Maternal body weight, serum and liver levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), related inflammatory indexes interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. Liver tissue was examined using hematoxylin and oil red O staining, and protein expression related to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was assessed via Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Results showed significant weight gain and increases in ALT, AST, TG, TC, LDL-C, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, along with decreased HDL-C in NAFLD rats compared to controls. The high and low-dose Shenlin Baizhu powder groups exhibited improvements in body weight, liver histopathology, and reductions in serum TG, TC, LDL-C, ALT, AST, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, with increased HDL-C levels. Notably, the high-dose group showed greater efficacy in reducing hepatic fat accumulation, liver function markers, blood lipids, and inflammatory indexes, and decreased expression of hepatic PPARγ mRNA, SREBP1 mRNA, AKT mRNA, and related proteins. Shenlin Baizhu powder demonstrates potential in ameliorating high-fat diet-induced NAFLD in pregnant rats, likely through modulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, suggesting its therapeutic potential for gestational NAFLD.

The Effect of Vitamin D Deficiency Treatment on Lipid Profile and C-reactive Protein in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease: Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Atherosclerosis is the main process in coronary artery stenosis, which is exacerbated by vitamin D deficiency. This study aims to investigate the relationship between vitamin D deficiency treatment, lipid profile, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in ischemic heart disease (IHD). Materials and Methods: This is a double-blind, randomized clinical trial involving 44 IHD patients with hypovitaminosis, aged 40–65 years, who were referred to Chamran Specialty Heart Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: The intervention group received weekly doses of 50,000 units of vitamin D3 for 5 weeks, while the placebo group received a control substance. CRP and serum lipid profiles, including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), were assessed before and after the intervention. Trial registration number: IRCT20200905048622N1. Results: The mean age of the IHD patients was 57.84 ± 9.66 years, and among all 44 patients, 40 patients (91%) were male In the intervention group receiving vitamin D3, serum levels of HDL (P = 0.048) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) (P < 0.001) increased, while serum level of TG (P = 0.008) decreased significantly. In the placebo group, HDL level (P = 0.007) was increased and alanine transaminase (ALT) (P = 0.05) was significantly decreased. The results showed that the correlation between serum 25(OH)D treatment and CRP level was not significant. Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation in IHD patients led to notable improvements in lipid profiles, including increased HDL-C levels and decreased TG levels. These findings hold potential clinical implications for healthcare professionals in managing risk factors in IHD patients.

Virgin coconut oil mitigates ageing-associated oxidative stress and dyslipidaemia in male Wistar rats

Background and aimAgeing often leads to the deterioration of physiological functions, including a decline in antioxidant defences, which can result in various health complications. Exogenous antioxidants have been recognised for their potential to alleviate these age-related health complications. Virgin coconut oil (VCO), known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-lipidemic efficacies, has gained recognition as a functional food with promising benefits. However, the safety of VCO consumption among individuals of the aged and diseased population remains to be fully established. Methods and resultsFive experimental groups were established, consisting of one control group and four groups administered either “2 mL” or “4 mL” per kg body weight of “HP-VCO” or “F-VCO” daily for six weeks. Body weight, water, and feed intake were monitored. After six weeks, animals were euthanized, blood and organs were collected for analysis. Oxidative stress and dyslipidemia markers were analysed, and liver tissues underwent histological examination.HP-VCO-administered animals exhibited increased serum total cholesterol and triglycerides, whereas F-VCO-fed animals showed reduced triglyceride levels. LDL-cholesterol levels decreased in all VCO-fed groups, accompanied by increased HDL-cholesterol levels. Additionally, all treated groups showed a slight increase in the HMG Co. A/mevalonate ratio. Both VCO-fed animals displayed elevated reduced glutathione levels and reduced glutathione – S transferase activity. Consistent with these findings, decreased conjugated dienes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances confirmed the improved redox status. ConclusionThe study indicated that F-VCO is advantageous over VCO prepared by hot pressing as it offers protection against oxidative stress and related degenerative diseases.

Lipid-lowering effects of gefarnate in statin-treated patients with residual hypertriglyceridemia: a randomized controlled study.

The prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD) faces dual challenges: the aspirin-induced gastrointestinal injury, and the residual cardiovascular risk after statin treatment. Geraniol acetate (Gefarnate) is an anti-ulcer drug. It was reported that geraniol might participate in lipid metabolism through a variety of pathways. The aim of this study was to assess the lipid-lowering effects of gefarnate in statin-treated CAD patients with residual hypertriglyceridemia. In this prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled trial, 69 statin-treated CAD patients with residual hypertriglyceridemia were randomly assigned to gefarnate group and control group, received gefarnate (100 mg/3 times a day) combined with statin and statin alone, respectively. At baseline and after one-month treatment, the levels of plasma triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol were tested. After one-month gefarnate treatment, triglyceride level was significantly lowered from 2.64 mmol/L to 2.12 mmol/L (P = 0.0018), LDL-C level lowered from 2.7 mmol/L to 2.37 mmol/L (P = 0.0004), HDL-C level increased from 0.97 mmol/L to 1.17 mmol/L (P = 0.0228). Based on statin therapy, gefarnate could significantly reduce the plasma triglyceride level (P = 0.0148) and increase the plasma HDL-C level (P = 0.0307). Although the LDL-C and total cholesterol levels tended to decrease, there was no statistically significant difference. The addition of gefarnate to statin reduced triglyceride level and increased HDL-C level to a significant extent compared to statin alone in CAD patients with residual hypertriglyceridemia. This suggested that gefarnate might provide the dual benefits of preventing gastrointestinal injury and lipid lowering in CAD patients.

Effects of luseogliflozin on suspected MASLD in patients with diabetes: a pooled meta-analysis of phase III clinical trials

BackgroundLuseogliflozin, a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, potentially exerts pleiotropic effects on the liver. However, the sufficient evidence is still lacking. We aimed to investigate the effects of luseogliflozin on hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and cardiometabolic risk factors in diabetic patients by a pooled meta-analysis.MethodsIn this pooled meta-analysis, we enrolled diabetic patients who participated in phase III clinical trials of luseogliflozin (luseogliflozin group n = 302, placebo group n = 191). The primary outcomes were changes in fatty liver index (FLI) and Hepamet fibrosis score (HFS) after 24 weeks. The secondary outcomes were changes in cardiometabolic risk factors after 24 weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using propensity scoring analysis by the inverse probability of treatment weighting method.ResultsPrimary outcomes: Luseogliflozin significantly decreased FLI compared to placebo after 24 weeks (adjusted coefficient − 5.423, 95%CI − 8.760 to − 2.086, P = 0.0016). There was no significant difference in changes in HFS between the two groups. However, luseogliflozin significantly decreased HFS compared to placebo in diabetic patients with ALT > 30 U/L (adjusted coefficient − 0.039, 95%CI − 0.077 to − 0.001, P = 0.0438) and with FIB-4 index > 1.3 (adjusted coefficient − 0.0453, 95%CI − 0.075 to − 0.016, P = 0.0026). Secondary outcom8es: Luseogliflozin significantly decreased HbA1c level, HOMA-IR value, BMI, and uric acids level, and increased HDL cholesterol level compared to placebo.ConclusionsThis pooled meta-analysis demonstrated that 24-week treatment with luseogliflozin improved hepatic steatosis and fibrosis indexes in diabetic patients, especially those with liver injury. Furthermore, luseogliflozin improved various cardiometabolic risk factors. Thus, luseogliflozin may be useful for improving MASLD in diabetic patients.Graphical abstract

Effects of the combination of red yeast rice-containing commercial Chinese polyherbal preparation with statins for dyslipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Significant challenges are associated with the pharmacological management of dyslipidemia, an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Limited reliable evidence exists regarding the efficacy of red yeast rice (RYR)-containing commercial Chinese polyherbal preparation (CCPP), despite their widespread use in China. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of RYR-containing CCPPs combined with statins in treating dyslipidemia. Eight databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from database inception date to November 2023. Outcome measures, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), clinical efficacy, and adverse reactions, were assessed. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was used for quality evaluation, and the meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.1. Thirty-three studies involving 4,098 participants were included. The combination of RYR-containing CCPP, such as Xuezhikang (XZK), Zhibitai (ZBTAI), or Zhibituo (ZBTUO) with statins had a significant effect on the increase in clinical efficacy [RR:1.16, 95%CI (1.13, 1.19), p < 0.00001]. In addition, they also improved blood lipid profile parameters by increasing HDL-C levels [MD:0.21, 95%CI(0.17, 0.25), p < 0.00001], and decreasing TC [MD: 0.60, 95%CI(-0.76, -0.45), p < 0.00001], TG [MD: 0.33, 95%CI(-0.39, -0.26), p < 0.00001] and LDL-C levels [MD: 0.45, 95%CI(-0.54, -0.36), p < 0.00001]. No significant adverse reactions was observed in the RYR-containing CCPPs. Notably, ZBTAI and XZK significantly reduced the incidence of gastrointestinal disturbances and muscular adverse reactions. However, subgroup analyses suggested that the type of CCPPs, dose, and treatment duration might affect the efficacy of RYR-containing CCPPs. RYR-containing CCPPs combined with statins appears to improve lipid profiles and clinical efficacy in patients with dyslipidemia. However, due to the poor quality of the included studies, and some studied showing negative findings was unpublished. The results should be interpreted with caution until further confirmation by well-designed RCTs. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=487402, identifier CRD42023487402.

Inhibition of FoxO1 ameliorates hepatic steatosis and hepatitis in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis mice through regulation of gut microbiota.

We aimed to investigate the role of forkhead box O1 (FoxO1) inhibitor AS1842856 (AS) in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mice and the potential mechanisms. Mice were given methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS), or methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet for 5 weeks, along with AS (60 mg/kg) or vehicle gavage treatment (0.2 mL/day). Body and liver weight, serum triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fasting glucose and insulin levels were measured. Liver macrophage infiltration and ileal ZO-1 protein expression were also detected. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1c, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), recombinant collagen type III α1 (Col3a1), and connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) expressions were measured. Stool samples were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing. Compared to the MCD group, AS attenuated liver weight, reduced serum TG, ALT, and AST levels, increased HDL-C levels, mitigated hepatic steatosis, decreased macrophage infiltration, and augmented ileal ZO-1 proteins in NASH mice. It also reduced the levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, alongside with the Srebp-1c mRNA expression. However, no significant effects on Pepck, G6Pase, α-SMA, Col3a1, or Ctgf were observed. Furthermore, AS promoted diversity and altered gut microbiota composition in NASH mice, causing increased beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia muciniphila, Parabacteroides distasonis, and Prevotellamassilia, which were associated with metabolic functions. FoxO1 inhibitor AS ameliorated hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and intestinal dysbiosis in NASH mice, making it a potentially promising treatment for NASH.

Effects of a Six-Week Aerobic Exercise Training Program on Lipid Profiles in Sedentary Women

This study investigated how a six-week training program involving aerobic exercise affected the lipid profile of women who were sedentary. Using the pre-test post-test model, 36 sedentary female volunteers aged 18-29 years participated in the study. After the participants had fasted overnight, healthcare professionals took blood samples from them both before and after the training program in a clinical setting. Measurements were taken of triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and total cholesterol. The data obtained was subjected to a paired-samples test using the SPSS 22.0 statistical program to compare the values before and after training. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were used to clarify the levels of comparison. Statistically significant differences were seen in blood lipid levels (triglycerides, HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol) between pre- and post-training assessments (p &amp;lt; 0.05). This study found that a six-week aerobic exercise program significantly increased HDL cholesterol levels by 15.8% (from 46.66 mg/dL to 54.05 mg/dL, p = 0.000) and decreased LDL cholesterol levels by 15.7% (from 96.72 mg/dL to 81.52 mg/dL, p = 0.000) in sedentary women. The study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that aerobic exercise programs, such as spinning, can significantly improve lipid profiles in sedentary women, potentially reducing their risk of cardiovascular disease. Future research should incorporate control groups to strengthen these findings.

Investigation of the molecular mechanism of Smilax glabra Roxb. in treating hypertension based on proteomics and bioinformatics.

Smilax glabra Roxb. (named tufuling in Chinese, SGR) has both medicinal and edible value. SGR has obvious pharmacological activity, especially in anti-inflammation and treating immune system diseases. This study investigated differential protein expression and its relationship with immune infiltration in hypertension treated with SGR using proteomics and bioinformatics. N-Nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was used to replicate the hypertension model, with SGR administered by gavage for 4 weeks, and the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in each group of rats was measured using the tail-cuff method every 7 days. Furthermore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) expressions in each group, followed by the detection of protein expression in rat liver samples using the tandem mass tag (TMT) technique. Additionally, hub targets were output using Cytoscape 3.9.1 software, and ALDH2 expression in the liver and serum in each group of rats was detected by ELISA. Moreover, R4.3.0 software was used to evaluate the relationship between acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) and immune cells, and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was performed to identify the components of SGR. Furthermore, the association between components of SGR and ALDH2 was analyzed with molecular docking and LigPlot1.4.5 software. Compared with the model group (L-NAME), SGR at high and medium doses reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure while reducing TC, TG, and LDL-C levels and increasing HDL-C levels in hypertensive rats (p < 0.05). Moreover, 92 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified using TMT. These DEPs participated in peroxisome functioning, fatty acid degradation, and other signaling pathways, with ALDH2 being the core target and correlated with various immune cells. In addition, 18 components were determined in SGR, with 8 compounds binding to ALDH2. Molecular docking was performed to confirm that SGR played a role in hypertension based on the combined action of multiple components. In conclusion, SGR has an antihypertensive effect on L-NAME-induced hypertension, with ALDH2 as its hub target. SGR may regulate neutrophil, regulatory T cell, and other cells' infiltration by targeting ALDH2, thereby contributing to the treatment of hypertension.

Bergamot Polyphenols: Promising Agents for Health and Wellness

Introduction and purpose: Citrus bergamia, commonly known as bergamot, is a unique plant native to the Calabria region in Italy, prized for its fragrant fruits and versatile applications. Historically utilized for extracting essential oil, bergamot has garnered attention for its therapeutic properties, particularly its Bergamot-derived Polyphenolic Fraction (BPF), which exhibits lipid-lowering, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive summary of existing research on the therapeutic potential of BPF in humans.Brief description of the state of knowledge: BPF has shown promise in supporting wound healing, alleviating neuropathic pain, and exhibiting antimicrobial properties. Research highlights BPF's role in modulating lipid metabolism, particularly in reducing LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL cholesterol levels. Additionally, BPF demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects, accelerating the recovery process in conditions such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and potentially influencing pathways involved in cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. Further studies explore BPF's impact on bone metabolism, erectile dysfunction, and its potential in dermatological applications, particularly in counteracting photoaging.Conclusions: While existing studies underscore the promising therapeutic effects of BPF in various medical domains, further research is warranted to establish its efficacy and safety for broader clinical use. Continued investigation on a larger scale holds the potential to develop BPF as a valuable physiotherapeutic strategy across diverse medical fields.

Effects of moderate ethanol exposure on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer in adult Wistar rats

While past studies have provided evidence linking excessive alcohol consumption to increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and colorectal cancer (CRC), existing data on the effects of moderate alcohol use on these conditions have produced mixed results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on risk factors associated with the development of CVDs and CRC in adult rats. Twenty-four, 14-month-old, non-deprived male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to either an ethanol group, which consisted of voluntary access to a 20% (v/v) ethanol solution on alternate days, or a water control group (n = 12/group) for 13 weeks. Blood samples were collected to analyze levels of albumin, glucose, adiponectin, lipids, oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), C-reactive protein (CRP), high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG), liver function enzymes, and antioxidant capacity. Colonic gene expression related to colon carcinogenesis was also assessed. Ethanol-treated rats were found to have significantly higher HDL-C and apoA1 levels compared to controls. Moderate alcohol consumption led to significantly lower CRP levels and a trend for decrease in HMGB-1, TNF-α, and 8-oxo-dG levels. In the ethanol-exposed group, colonic gene expression of superoxide dismutase was upregulated while aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 showed a trend for increase compared to the control group. These results indicate that adopting a moderate approach to alcohol consumption could potentially improve health biomarkers related to CVD and CRC by increasing HDL-C levels and antioxidant activity and reducing DNA damage and inflammatory activity.

High-density lipoprotein in diabetes: Structural and functional relevance.

Low levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) is considered a major cardiovascular risk factor. However, recent studies have suggested a more U-shaped association between HDL-C and cardiovascular disease. It has been shown that the cardioprotective effect of HDL is related to the functions of HDL particles rather than their cholesterol content. HDL particles are highly heterogeneous and have multiple functions relevant to cardiometabolic conditions including cholesterol efflux capacity, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and vasoactive properties. There are quantitative and qualitative changes in HDL as well as functional abnormalities in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Non-enzymatic glycation, carbamylation, oxidative stress, and systemic inflammation can modify the HDL composition and therefore the functions, especially in situations of poor glycemic control. Studies of HDL proteomics and lipidomics have provided further insights into the structure-function relationship of HDL in diabetes. Interestingly, HDL also has a pleiotropic anti-diabetic effect, improving glycemic control through improvement in insulin sensitivity and β-cell function. Given the important role of HDL in cardiometabolic health, HDL-based therapeutics are being developed to enhance HDL functions rather than to increase HDL-C levels. Among these, recombinant HDL and small synthetic apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptides may hold promise for preventing and treating diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and type 2 diabetes mellitus: dual evidence from NHANES database and Mendelian randomization analysis.

Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are commonly seen in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, it is unclear whether there is an independent or causal link between HDL-C levels and T2DM. This study aims to address this gap by using the The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database and Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Data from the NHANES survey (2007-2018) with 9,420 participants were analyzed using specialized software. Logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to assess the relationship between HDL-C and T2DM incidence, while considering covariates. Genetic variants associated with HDL-C and T2DM were obtained from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to evaluate the causal relationship between HDL-C and T2DM. Various tests were conducted to assess pleiotropy and outliers. In the NHANES study, all groups, except the lowest quartile (Q1: 0.28-1.09 mmol/L], showed a significant association between HDL-C levels and reduced T2DM risk (all P < 0.001). After adjusting for covariates, the Q2 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): (0.57, 0.79)], Q3 [OR = 0.51, 95% CI: (0.40, 0.65)], and Q4 [OR = 0.29, 95% CI: (0.23, 0.36)] groups exhibited average reductions in T2DM risk of 23%, 49%, and 71%, respectively. In the sensitivity analysis incorporating other lipid levels, the Q4 group still demonstrates a 57% reduction in the risk of T2DM. The impact of HDL-C levels on T2DM varied with age (P for interaction = 0.006). RCS analysis showed a nonlinear decreasing trend in T2DM risk with increasing HDL-C levels (P = 0.003). In the MR analysis, HDL-C levels were also associated with reduced T2DM risk (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.52-0.82; P = 1.41 × 10-13), and there was no evidence of pleiotropy or outliers. This study provides evidence supporting a causal relationship between higher HDL-C levels and reduced T2DM risk. Further research is needed to explore interventions targeting HDL-C levels for reducing T2DM risk.

Role of Fenofibrate Use in Dyslipidemia and Related Comorbidities in the Asian Population: A Narrative Review.

Hypertriglyceridemia and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) persist despite statin therapy, contributing to residual atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk. Asian subjects are metabolically more susceptible to hypertriglyceridemia than other ethnicities. Fenofibrate regulates hypertriglyceridemia, raises HDL-C levels, and is a recommended treatment for dyslipidemia. However, data on fenofibrate use across different Asian regions are limited. This narrative review summarizes the efficacy and safety data of fenofibrate in Asian subjects with dyslipidemia and related comorbidities (diabetes, metabolic syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy). Long-term fenofibrate use resulted in fewer cardiovascular (CV) events and reduced the composite of heart failure hospitalizations or CV mortality in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Fenofibrate plays a significant role in improving irisin resistance and microalbuminuria, inhibiting inflammatory responses, and reducing retinopathy incidence. Fenofibrate plus statin combination significantly reduced composite CV events risk in patients with metabolic syndrome and demonstrated decreased triglyceride and increased HDL-C levels with an acceptable safety profile in those with high CV or ASCVD risk. Nevertheless, care is necessary with fenofibrate use due to possible hepatic and renal toxicities in vulnerable individuals. Long-term trials and real-world studies are needed to confirm the clinical benefits of fenofibrate in the heterogeneous Asian population with dyslipidemia.

Effect of Nigella sativa Supplementation on Lipid Profile in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Ccontrolled Trials

Objectives: Type 2 diabetes has become a global health burden, especially in developing nations, and is frequently linked to dyslipidemia. While various medications are available, there is a growing interest in herbal remedies such as Nigella sativa (N. sativa) as alternative treatments for type 2 diabetes. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the objective was to assess the impact of N. sativa on the lipid profile of patients with type 2 diabetes.&#x0D; Methods: Online databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and EMBASE, were searched. Changes in lipid profile parameters were reported as weighted mean differences, along with a 95% confidence interval. Sensitivity analysis, quality assessment, subgroup analysis, and publication bias were evaluated in the eligible studies.&#x0D; Results: The study was performed on eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 1030 participants. According to the findings, supplementation of N. sativa in the form of seed powder or oil significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels, while increasing HDL-cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. The funnel plot exhibited visual symmetry for the studies included in the meta-analysis.&#x0D; Conclusion: The findings indicate that N sativa may be beneficial as an adjunctive treatment alongside standard medications for managing dyslipidemia in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Vitamin D was Superior to Omega-3 as a Simvastatin Adjuvant in Improving Blood Lipids and Atherogenic Index in Type-I Dyslipidemic Rats.

Adjuvant therapy is often used to optimize the antihyperlipidemic effect of simvastatin. Omega-3 and vitamin D supplementation are recommended as adjuvant therapies to low-intensity statins. This study aimed to compare the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 as adjuvant therapy to simvastatin to improve the lipid profiles and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) in type-I dyslipidemic rats. Thirty-six male rats were randomized and divided into six groups: healthy control, dyslipidemic rats with no treatment, and dyslipidemic rats treated with either low-dose simvastatin only or omega-3 or vitamin D at low and high doses. Dyslipidemia was induced with high-fat diets for four weeks, followed by treatment for the next two weeks. Blood samples were withdrawn before and after simvastatin treatment. In addition, aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were analyzed to assess liver function. Administration of a high-fat diet-induced type 1 dyslipidemia and increased ALT levels (p < 0.05). Treatment with low-dose simvastatin did not significantly improve triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) or non-HDLc levels. When combined with a high-dose vitamin D, simvastatin significantly reduced TG and increased HDLc levels (p < 0.05), thereby improving AIP levels. This improvement was not observed in rats treated with omega-3 or vitamin D at a lower dose. We concluded that high-dose vitamin D as an adjuvant to simvastatin therapy was superior to omega-3 in improving TG, HDL, and AIP levels. High-dose vitamin D also improved ALT levels in type-I dyslipidemic rats. This result may be translated in clinics to reduce the risk of coronary syndrome in patients with type-I dyslipidemia.