Excessive fat expenditure in MCT-induced heart failure rats is associated with BMAL1/REV-ERBα circadian rhythmic loop disruption.

Fat loss predicts adverse outcomes in advanced heart failure (HF). Disrupted circadian clocks are a primary cause of lipid metabolic issues, but it's unclear if this disruption affects fat expenditure in HF. To address this issue, we investigated the effects of disruption of the BMAL1/REV-ERBα circadian rhythmic loop on adipose tissue metabolism in HF.50 Wistar rats were initially divided into control (n = 10) and model (n = 40) groups. The model rats were induced with HF via monocrotaline (MCT) injections, while the control group received equivalent solvent injections. After establishing the HF model, the model group was further subdivided into four groups: normal rhythm (LD), inverted rhythm (DL), lentivirus vector carrying Bmal1 short hairpin RNA (LV-Bmal1 shRNA), and empty lentivirus vector control (LV-Control shRNA) groups, each with 10 rats. The DL subgroup was exposed to a reversed light-dark cycle of 8 h: 16 h (dark: light), while the rest adhered to normal light-dark conditions (light: dark 12 h: 12 h). Histological analyses were conducted using H&E, Oil Red O, and Picrosirius red stains to examine adipose and liver tissues. Immunohistochemical staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting were performed to detect markers of lipolysis, lipogenesis, and beiging of white adipose tissue (WAT), while thermogenesis indicators were detected in brown adipose tissue (BAT). The LD group rats exhibited decreased levels of BMAL1 protein, increased levels of REV-ERBα protein, and disrupted circadian circuits in adipose tissue compared to controls. Additionally, HF rats showed reduced adipose mass and increased ectopic lipid deposition, along with smaller adipocytes containing lower lipid content and fibrotic adipose tissue. In the LD group WAT, expression of ATGL, HSL, PKA, and p-PKA proteins increased, alongside elevated mRNA levels of lipase genes (Hsl, Atgl, Peripilin) and FFA ß-oxidation genes (Cpt1, acyl-CoA). Conversely, lipogenic gene expression (Scd1, Fas, Mgat, Dgat2) decreased, while beige adipocyte markers (Cd137, Tbx-1, Ucp-1, Zic-1) and UCP-1 protein expression increased. In BAT, HF rats exhibited elevated levels of PKA, p-PKA, and UCP-1 proteins, along with increased expression of thermogenic genes (Ucp-1, Pparγ, Pgc-1α) and lipid transportation genes (Cd36, Fatp-1, Cpt-1). Plasma NT-proBNP levels were higher in LD rats, accompanied by elevated NE and IL-6 levels in adipose tissue. Remarkably, morphologically, the adipocytes in the DL and LV-Bmal1 shRNA groups showed reduced size and lower lipid content, while lipid deposition in the liver was more pronounced in these groups compared to the LD group. At the gene/protein level, the BMAL1/REV-ERBα circadian loop exhibited severe disruption in LV-Bmal1 shRNA rats compared to LD rats. Additionally, there was increased expression of lipase genes, FFA ß oxidation genes, and beige adipocyte markers in WAT, as well as higher expression of thermogenic genes and lipid transportation genes in BAT. Furthermore, plasma NT-proBNP levels and adipose tissue levels of NE and IL-6 were elevated in LV-Bmal1 shRNA rats compared with LD rats. The present study demonstrates that disruption of the BMAL1/REV-ERBα circadian rhythmic loop is associated with fat expenditure in HF. This result suggests that restoring circadian rhythms in adipose tissue may help counteract disorders of adipose metabolism and reduce fat loss in HF.

A comprehensive multiomics approach reveals that high levels of sphingolipids in cardiac cachexia adipose tissue are associated with inflammatory and fibrotic changes.

Cardiac cachexia is a deadly consequence of advanced heart failure that is characterised by the dysregulation of adipose tissue homeostasis. Once cachexia occurs with heart failure, it prevents the normal treatment of heart failure and increases the risk of death. Targeting adipose tissue is an important approach to treating cardiac cachexia, but the pathogenic mechanisms are still unknown, and there are no effective therapies available. Transcriptomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics were used to examine the underlying mechanisms of cardiac cachexia. Transcriptomics investigation of cardiac cachexia adipose tissue revealed that genes involved in fibrosis and monocyte/macrophage migration were increased and strongly interacted. The ECM-receptor interaction pathway was primarily enriched, as shown by KEGG enrichment analysis. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis revealed that monocyte chemotaxis/macrophage migration and fibrosis gene sets were upregulated in cardiac cachexia. Metabolomics enrichment analysis demonstrated that the sphingolipid signalling pathway is important for adipose tissue remodelling in cardiac cachexia. Lipidomics analysis showed that the adipose tissue of rats with cardiac cachexia had higher levels of sphingolipids, including Cer and S1P. Moreover, combined multiomics analysis suggested that the sphingolipid metabolic pathway was associated with inflammatory-fibrotic changes in adipose tissue. Finally, the key indicators were validated by experiments. In conclusion, this study described a mechanism by which the sphingolipid signalling pathway was involved in adipose tissue remodelling by inducing inflammation and fat fibrosis in cardiac cachexia.

SIRT6: A potential therapeutic target for diabetic cardiomyopathy.

The abnormal lipid metabolism in diabetic cardiomyopathy can cause myocardial mitochondrial dysfunction, lipotoxicity, abnormal death of myocardial cells, and myocardial remodeling. Mitochondrial homeostasis and normal lipid metabolism can effectively slow down the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Recent studies have shown that SIRT6 may play an important role in the pathological changes of diabetic cardiomyopathy such as myocardial cell death, myocardial hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis by regulating mitochondrial oxidative stress and glucose and lipid metabolism. Therefore, understanding the function of SIRT6 and its role in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy is of great significance for exploring and developing new targets and drugs for the treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy. This article reviews the latest findings of SIRT6 in the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy, focusing on the regulation of mitochondria and lipid metabolism by SIRT6 to explore potential clinical treatments.

The Carthamus tinctorius L. and Lepidium apetalum Willd. Drug Pair Inhibits EndMT through the TGFß1/Snail Signaling Pathway in the Treatment of Myocardial Fibrosis.

Background: Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is an essential pathological factor for heart failure. Previous studies have shown that the combination of Carthamus tinctorius L. and Lepidium apetalum Willd. (C-L), two types of Chinese herbal medicine, can ameliorate MF after myocardial infarction (MI) in rats and inhibit the activation of myocardial fibroblasts. However, the mechanism of C-L in the treatment of MF remains unclear. Methods: A rat model of MF with left anterior descending coronary ligation-induced MI was first established. Then, the effects of C-L on cardiac function, MF, and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) were evaluated by the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, Masson's trichrome staining, and immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. Next, a hypoxia-induced cardiac microvascular endothelial cell (CMEC) model was established to observe the effects of C-L on EndMT. The supernatant of CMECs was collected and used to culture cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and observe the effects of CMEC paracrine factors on CFs. Results: Animal experiments indicated that C-L improves the cardiac function of rats after MI, inhibits the progression of EndMT and MF, and downregulates TGFß1, Snail, and CTGF expression. Cell experiments showed that drug-loaded serum containing C-L inhibits the EndMT of CMECs under hypoxic conditions. The culture supernatant of CMECs grown under hypoxic conditions significantly activated CFs. After treatment with C-L, the activating factor for CFs in hypoxic CMEC culture supernatant was substantially downregulated, and the effect of the culture supernatant on CF activation was also reduced. However, TGFß1 agonists inhibited the effects of C-L on CMECs and CFs. Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that by regulating the TGFß1/Snail pathway, C-L inhibits EndMT of CMECs and reduces the release of CF-activating factors in cells undergoing EndMT.

Astragalus polysaccharide prevents heart failure-induced cachexia by alleviating excessive adipose expenditure in white and brown adipose tissue.

BACKGROUND: Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is a key active ingredient isolated from Astragalus membranaceus that has been reported to be a potential treatment for obesity and diabetes by regulating lipid metabolism and adipogenesis, alleviating inflammation, and improving insulin resistance. However, whether APS regulates lipid metabolism in the context of cachexia remains unclear. Therefore, this study analysed the effects of APS on lipid metabolism and adipose expenditure in a heart failure (HF)-induced cardiac cachexia rat model.  METHODS: A salt-sensitive hypertension-induced cardiac cachexia rat model was used in the present study. Cardiac function was detected by echocardiography. The histological features and fat droplets in fat tissue and liver were observed by H&E staining and Oil O Red staining. Immunohistochemical staining, Western blotting and RT‒qPCR were used to detect markers of lipolysis and adipose browning in white adipose tissue (WAT) and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Additionally, sympathetic nerve activity and inflammation in adipose tissue were detected. RESULTS: Rats with HF exhibited decreased cardiac function and reduced adipose accumulation as well as adipocyte atrophy. In contrast, administration of APS not only improved cardiac function and increased adipose weight but also prevented adipose atrophy and FFA efflux in HF-induced cachexia. Moreover, APS inhibited HF-induced lipolysis and browning of white adipocytes since the expression levels of lipid droplet enzymes, including HSL and perilipin, and beige adipocyte markers, including UCP-1, Cd137 and Zic-1, were suppressed after administration of APS. In BAT, treatment with APS inhibited PKA-p38 MAPK signalling, and these effects were accompanied by decreased thermogenesis reflected by decreased expression of UCP-1, PPAR-γ and PGC-1α and reduced FFA ß-oxidation in mitochondria reflected by decreased Cd36, Fatp-1 and Cpt1. Moreover, sympathetic nerve activity and interleukin-6 levels were abnormally elevated in HF rats, and astragalus polysaccharide could inhibit their activity. CONCLUSION: APS prevented lipolysis and adipose browning in WAT and decreased BAT thermogenesis. These effects may be related to suppressed sympathetic activity and inflammation. This study provides a potential approach to treat HF-induced cardiac cachexia.

Endothelial-cell-mediated mechanism of coronary microvascular dysfunction leading to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Although the prevalence of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is growing worldwide, its complex pathophysiology has yet to be fully elucidated, and multiple hypotheses have all failed to produce a viable target for therapeutic action or provide effective treatment. Cardiac remodeling has long been considered an important mechanism of HFpEF. Strong evidence has been reported over the past years that coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), manifesting as structural and functional abnormalities of coronary microvasculature, also contributes to the evolution of HFpEF. However, the mechanisms of CMD are still not well understood and need to be studied further. Coronary microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) are one of the most abundant cell types in the heart by number and active players in cardiac physiology and pathology. CMECs are not only important cellular mediators of cardiac vascularization but also play an important role in disease pathophysiology by participating in the inception and progression of cardiac remodeling. CMECs are also actively involved in the pathogenesis of CMD. Numerous studies have confirmed that CMD is closely related to cardiac remodeling. ECs may serve a critical function in mediating the connection between CMD and HFpEF. It follows that CMECs participate in the mechanism of CMD leading to HFpEF. In this review article, we focus on the role of CMD in the pathogenesis of HFpEF resulting from cardiac remodeling and highlight the subsequent complexity of the EC-mediated correlation between CMD and HFpEF.

[Mechanism of Carthami Flos and Lepidii Semen drug pair in inhibition of myocardial fibrosis by improving cardiac microenvironment based on network pharmacology and animal experiment].

Previously, Carthami Flos and Lepidii Semen(CF-LS) drug pair has been proved effective in inhibiting myocardial fibrosis(MF) by blunting the activity of cardiac fibroblasts. The present study explored the underlying mechanism of CF-LS in inhibiting MF by improving the cardiac microenvironment based on network pharmacology combined with experimental verification. Active compounds and potential targets of CF-LS were retrieved from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP), and the potential targets of MF were obtained from GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM), and Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base(PharmGKB). The "active component-target-MF" network was constructed and analyzed by Cytoscape 3.8.1. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was constructed by STRING. The Gene Ontology(GO) biological process enrichment analysis was performed by CluoGO plug-in. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) signaling pathway enrichment analysis was performed by R 4.0.2 and Funrich. Subsequently, the inhibitory effect of CF-LS on MF was investigated based on angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)-induced MF rats. RT-PCR and ELISA were used to verify the effect of CF-LS on the targets of signaling pathways related to vascular endothelial cells predicted by the network pharmacology. Thirty-one active components and 204 potential targets of CF-LS, 4 671 MF-related targets, and 174 common targets were obtained. The network analysis showed that the key targets of CF-LS against MF included RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase(AKT1), transcription factor AP-1(JUN), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1), cellular tumor antigen p53(TP53), transcription factor p65(RELA), and mitogen-activated protein kinase 8(MAPK8). Biological processes mainly involved regulation of blood vessel diameter, regulation of blood vessel endothelial cell migration, cell death in response to oxidative stress, etc. Advanced glycation end products(AGE)-receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE) signaling pathway, phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3 K)-serine/threonine protein kinase(AKT) signaling pathway, hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1) signaling pathway, integrin signaling pathway, transforming growth factor-ß(TGF-ß) signaling pathway, etc. were involved in signaling pathway enrichment. Literature retrieval confirmed that some of these signaling pathways were closely related to vascular endothelial cells, including AGE-RAGE, PI3 K-AKT, HIF-1α, p53, the transcription factor activator protein-1(AP-1), integrin, p38 MAPK, and TGF-ß. Animal experiments showed that CF-LS inhibited MF induced by Ang Ⅱ in rats by suppressing the expression of RAGE, HIF-1α, integrin ß6, and TGF-ß1. The inhibitory effect of CF-LS on MF has the characteristics of multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways. CF-LS can inhibit MF by regulating the activity of vascular endothelial cells in the cardiac microenvironment.

Astragali Radix-Coptis Rhizoma Herb Pair Attenuates Atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- Mice by Regulating the M1/M2 and Th1/Th2 Immune Balance and Activating the STAT6 Signaling Pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Immune imbalance and the inflammatory response are associated with atherosclerosis (AS) progression. Astragali Radix and Coptis Rhizoma (ARCR) are an ancient and classic herb pair that is used in herbal medicines for the treatment of coronary heart disease. We focused on the effects and mechanisms of the ARCR herb pair attenuation of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice. METHODS: ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to establish a model of AS. The ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into a model group, simvastatin group (Simva), Astragali Radix group (AR), Coptis Rhizoma group (CR), Astragali Radix-Coptis Rhizoma group (ARCR), and Astragali Radix-Coptis Rhizoma + signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 6 (STAT6) inhibitor (AS1517499) group (ARCR + AS1517499). C57BL/6 mice were used as controls. Each group was administered the corresponding drugs, and mice in the model and control groups were given the same volume of normal saline once daily for 6 weeks. The body weights of the mice were observed regularly. The effect of the ARCR herb pair on lipid content in peripheral blood was evaluated using blood lipid tests. The levels of serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), interleukins-12 (IL-12), IL-10, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and IL-4 were determined to assess inflammation. Oil Red O staining, Sirius Red staining, and immunohistochemistry were used to observe changes in plaque stability. Western blotting was used to assay M1/M2 macrophages, Th1/Th2 cells, and STAT6 signaling pathway protein expression. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to detect M1/M2 macrophages and Th1/Th2 cells and reflect the immune imbalance. RESULTS: The ARCR herb pair significantly reduced blood lipids levels and plaque vulnerability and regulated the levels of inflammatory factors and the number of M1/M2 macrophages and Th1/Th2 cells in ApoE-/- AS mice. It also decreased iNOS and T-bet protein levels and increased the Arg-1 and GATA-3 protein levels. The ARCR herb pair also increased STAT6 phosphorylation. A STAT6 inhibitor attenuated the regulation of M1/M2 and Th1/Th2 markers induced by the ARCR herb pair. CONCLUSION: The ARCR herb pair regulates blood lipid metabolism and attenuates atherosclerosis via regulation of M1/M2 and Th1/Th2 immune balance, which is achieved partially by increasing STAT6 phosphorylation. Our study provides new evidence for the possible use of ARCR herb pair in the prevention and treatment of AS.

Excessive fat expenditure in cachexia is associated with dysregulated circadian rhythm: a review.

Cachexia is a progressive metabolic disorder characterized by the excessive depletion of adipose tissue. This hypermetabolic condition has catastrophic impacts on the survival and quality of life for patients suffering from critical illness. However, efficient therapies to prevent adipose expenditure have not been discovered. It has been established that the circadian clock plays an important role in modulating fat metabolic processes. Recently, an increasing number of studies had provided evidence showing that disrupted circadian rhythm leads to insulin resistance and obesity; however, studies analyzing the relationship between circadian misalignment and adipose tissue expenditure in cachexia are scarce. In the present review, we cover the involvement of the circadian clocks in the regulation of adipogenesis, lipid metabolism and thermogenesis as well as inflammation in white and brown adipose tissue. According to the present review, we conclude that circadian clock disruption is associated with lipid metabolism imbalance and elevated adipose tissue inflammation. Moreover, under cachexia conditions, lipid synthesis and storage processes lost rhythm and decreased, while lipolysis and thermogenesis activities remained high for 24 h. Therefore, disordered circadian clock may be responsible for fat expenditure in cachexia by adversely influencing lipid synthesis/ storage/lipolysis/utilization. Further study needs to be performed to explore the direct interaction between circadian clock and fat expenditure in cachexia, it will likely provide potential efficient drugs for the treatment of fat expenditure in cachexia.

Corrigendum: Quercetin Attenuates Atherosclerosis via Modulating Oxidized LDL-Induced Endothelial Cellular Senescence.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00512.].

Quercetin Attenuates Atherosclerosis via Modulating Oxidized LDL-Induced Endothelial Cellular Senescence.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endothelial senescence is an important risk factor leading to atherosclerosis. The mechanism of quercetin against endothelial senescence is worth exploring. METHODS: Quercetin (20 mg/kg/d) was administered to ApoE-/- mice intragastrically to evaluate the effectiveness of quercetin on atherosclerotic lesion in vivo. In vitro, human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were used to assess the effect of quercetin on cellular senescence induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). Transcriptome microarray and quantitative RT-PCR was conducted to study the pharmacological targets of quercetin. RESULTS: ApoE-/- mice demonstrated obvious lipid deposition in arterial lumina, high level of serum sIcam-1 and IL-6, and high density of Vcam-1 and lower density of Sirt1 in aorta. Quercetin administration decreased lipid deposition in arterial lumina, serum sIcam-1, and IL-6 and Vcam-1 in aorta, while increased the density of Sirt1 in aorta of ApoE-/- mice. In vitro, quercetin (0.3, 1, or 3 µmol/L) decreased the expression of senescence-associated ß-galactosidase and improved cell morphology of HAECs. And quercetin decreased the cellular apoptosis and increased mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in dose-dependent manner, and decreased ROS generation simultaneously. Transcriptome microarray suggested 254 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs (110 mRNAs were upregulated and 144 mRNAs were downregulated) in HAECs after quercetin treatment (fold change > 1.5, P < 0 .05, Que vs Ox-LDL). GO and KEGG analysis indicated nitrogen metabolism, ECM-receptor interaction, complement, and coagulation cascades, p53 and mTOR signaling pathway were involved in the pharmacological mechanisms of quercetin against ox-LDL. CONCLUSIONS: Quercetin alleviated atherosclerotic lesion both in vivo and in vitro.

Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang Maintains Cardiac Function during Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction in Salt-Sensitive Rats by Regulating the Imbalance of Cardiac Sympathetic Innervation.

OBJECTIVE: The anatomical and functional imbalances of sympathetic nerves are associated with cardiovascular disease progression. Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang (XQLT), an ancient Chinese herbal formula, has been used to treat cardiovascular diseases in eastern Asia for thousands of years. We determined the effect of XQLT in maintaining cardiac function during heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) with respect to its neurobiological effects in salt-sensitive rats. METHODS: Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats were fed a high-salt diet to establish an HFrEF model and were divided into model (DS, administered normal saline) and XQL groups (administrated XQLT) randomly, with SS-13BN rats being used as the control. The bodyweight and blood pressure of rats were observed regularly. Electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were determined to assess cardiac function. The sympathetic tune and myocardial morphological changes were evaluated. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to assay the expression of the nerve growth factor (NGF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), choline acetyltransferase (CHAT), and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) were assayed to confirm sympathetic remodeling. The micromorphological changes in cardiac sympathetic nerve endings were observed by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Four weeks after XQLT treatment, cardiac function and bodyweight were higher and blood pressure was lower than that of the DS group. Myocardial noradrenaline (NA) increased, while the plasma NA level decreased significantly. The morphology demonstrated that XQLT significantly alleviated myocardial damage. XQLT decreased the expression of LIF, increased the expression of NGF, enhanced the TH+/GAP43+ and TH+/CHAT + positive nerve fiber density, and improved the TH and GAP43 protein expression, but had no effect on CHAT. Moreover, XQLT improved the micromorphology of sympathetic nerve endings in the myocardium. CONCLUSION: XQLT maintains cardiac function during HFrEF in salt-sensitive rats, in part, by regulating the imbalance of cardiac sympathetic innervation.

Guizhi Decoction () Inhibits Cholinergic Transdifferentiation by Regulating Imbalance of NGF and LIF in Salt-Sensitive Hypertensive Heart Failure Rats.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the imbalance of anatomical and functional innervation factors of sympathetic nerves, nerve growth factor (NGF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), in salt-sensitive hypertensive heart failure rats and to explore the effects of treatment with Guizhi Decoction () on sympathetic remodeling by inhibiting cholinergic transdifferentiation. METHODS: SS-13BN and Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats were divided into 3 groups: SS-13BN group (control group, n=9), DS group (model group, n=9) and GS group (Guizhi Decoction, n=9). After 10 weeks of a high-salt diet, the GS group rats were given Guizhi Decoction and other two groups were given saline at an equal volume as a vehicle. After 4 weeks' intragastric administration, rats were executed to detect the relevant indicators. Echocardiography and plasma n-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were used to assess cardiac function. Noradrenaline (NA) levels in the plasma and myocardium were detected to evaluate the sympathetic function. NGF and LIF expression were detected in the myocardium by Western blot or quantitative real-time PCR. Double immunofluorescence or Western blot was used to detect tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), choline acetyltransferase (CHAT) and growth associated protein 43 (GAP43) in order to reflect anatomical and functional changes of sympathetic nerves. RESULTS: DS group had anatomical and functional deterioration of sympathetic nerves in the decompensation period of heart failure compared with SS-13BN group. Compared with the DS group, Guizhi Decoction significantly decreased the expression of LIF mRNA/protein (P<0.01), increased the expression of NGF (P<0.05 or P<0.01), enhanced the levels of TH+/GAP43+ and TH+/CHAT+ positive nerve fibers (P<0.01), and improved the protein expression of TH and GAP43 in left ventricle, but had no effect on CHAT (P>0.05). Guizhi Decoction inhibited inflammatory infiltration and collagen deposition of myocardial injury, increased the content of myocardial NA (P<0.05), reduced the plasma NA level (P<0.01), improved cardiac function (P<0.01), and improved weight and blood pressure to some extent (P<0.05), compared with DS group. CONCLUSIONS: Guizhi Decoction could inhibit cholinergic transdifferentiation of sympathetic nerves, improve the anatomical and functional denervation of sympathetic nerves, and delay the progression of decompensated heart failure. The mechanism may be associated with the correction of the imbalance of NGF and LIF.

Xiao-Qing-Long Tang Prevents Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy, Fibrosis, and the Development of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Faction in Rats by Modulating the Composition of the Gut Microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Changes in the gut microbiota are associated with cardiovascular disease progression. Xiao-Qing-Long Tang (XQLT), a traditional herbal formula, has an anti-inflammatory effect and regulates the steady state of the immune system, which is also associated with the progression of heart failure with preserved ejection faction (HFpEF). In this study, we investigated whether XQLT could contribute to prevent the development of HFpEF and whether the modulation of the gut microbiota by this herbal formula could be involved in such effect. METHODS: The gut microbiota, SCFAs, the histology/function of the heart, and systolic blood pressure were examined to evaluate the effect of XQLT on the gut microbiota and the progression of HFpEF after oral administration of XQLT to model rats. Furthermore, we evaluated, through fecal microbiota transplantation experiments, whether the favorable effects of XQLT could be mediated by the gut microbiota. RESULTS: Oral administration of XQLT contributed to the reduction of elevated blood pressure, inflammation, and compensatory hypertrophy, features that are associated with the progression of HFpEF. The gut microbiota composition, SCFA levels, and intestinal mucosal histology were improved after treatment with XQLT. Moreover, fecal transfer from XQLT-treated rats was sufficient to prevent the progression of HFpEF. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggested that XQLT prevented the development of HFpEF in model rats by regulating the composition of the gut microbiota.

Review: the Roles and Mechanisms of Glycoprotein 130 Cytokines in the Regulation of Adipocyte Biological Function.

Chronic low-grade inflammation is now widely accepted as one of the most important contributors to metabolic disorders. Glycoprotein 130 (gp130) cytokines are involved in the regulation of metabolic activity. Studies have shown that several gp130 cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), oncostatin M (OSM), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), have divergent effects on adipogenesis, lipolysis, and insulin sensitivity as well as food intake. In this review, we will summarize the present knowledge about gp130 cytokines, including IL-6, LIF, CNTF, CT-1, and OSM, in adipocyte biology and metabolic activities in conditions such as obesity, cachexia, and type 2 diabetes. It is valuable to explore the diverse actions of these gp130 cytokines on the regulation of the biological functions of adipocytes, which will provide potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of obesity and cachexia.

Astragaloside IV Prevents Obesity-Associated Hypertension by Improving Pro-Inflammatory Reaction and Leptin Resistance.

Low-grade pro-inflammatory state and leptin resistance are important underlying mechanisms that contribute to obesity-associated hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that Astragaloside IV (As IV), known to counteract obesity and hypertension, could prevent obesity-associated hypertension by inhibiting pro-inflammatory reaction and leptin resistance. High-fat diet (HFD) induced obese rats were randomly assigned to three groups: the HFD control group (HF con group), As IV group, and the As IV + α-bungaratoxin (α-BGT) group (As IV+α-BGT group). As IV (20 mg·Kg-1·d-1) was administrated to rats for 6 weeks via daily oral gavage. Body weight and blood pressure were continuously measured, and NE levels in the plasma and renal cortex was evaluated to reflect the sympathetic activity. The expressions of leptin receptor (LepRb) mRNA, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT3), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) mRNA, and protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) mRNA, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA were measured by Western blot or qRT-PCR to evaluate the hypothalamic leptin sensitivity. Additionally, we measured the protein or mRNA levels of α7nAChR, inhibitor of nuclear factor κB kinase subunit ß/ nuclear factor κB (IKKß/NF-KB) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and TNF-α) in hypothalamus and adipose tissue to reflect the anti-inflammatory effects of As IV through upregulating expression of α7nAChR. We found that As IV prevented body weight gain and adipose accumulation, and also improved metabolic disorders in HFD rats. Furthermore, As IV decreased BP and HR, as well as NE levels in blood and renal tissue. In the hypothalamus, As IV alleviated leptin resistance as evidenced by the increased p-STAT3, LepRb mRNA and POMC mRNA, and decreased p-PI3K, SOCS3 mRNA, and PTP1B mRNA. The effects of As IV on leptin sensitivity were related in part to the up-regulated α7nAchR and suppressed IKKß/NF-KB signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hypothalamus and adipose tissue, since co-administration of α7nAChR selective antagonist α-BGT could weaken the improved effect of As IV on central leptin resistance. Our study suggested that As IV could efficiently prevent obesity-associated hypertension through inhibiting inflammatory reaction and improving leptin resistance; furthermore, these effects of As IV was partly related to the increased α7nAchR expression.

[Preventive Effect of Different Compatibilities of Ramulus Cinnamomi and Radix Paeomlae alba in Guizhi Decoction on Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation Induced by 6-OHDA].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the preventive effect of different compatibilities of Ramulus Cinnamomi (RC) and Radix Paeomiae alba (RPA) in Guizhi Decoction (GZD) on neurotransmitters and their rate-limiting enzymes, and neurotrophic factors of cardiac sympathetic denervation model rats induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). METHODS: Totally 54 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e., the blank control group, the model group, the methycobal group, the 2:1 (RC/RPA) Guishao group, the 1:2 Guishao group, and the 1:1 Guishao group, 9 in each group. Sympathetic denervation was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 6-OHDA for three successive days. Rats in the methycobal group and GZD groups were administered with corresponding decoction by gastrogavage 1 week before modeling (methycobal at the daily dose 0.15 mg/kg; GZD at the daily dose of 4.0, 5.5, 5.5 g crude drugs/kg for GZD 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 groups). All medication lasted for 10 successive days. Levels of norepinephrine (NE), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), choline acetyl-transferase (ChAT), nerve growth factor (NGF), growth associated protein43 (GAP-43) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in myocar- dial homogenates of right atrium and ventricular septum were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, levels of NE, TH, TH/ChAT ratio, and GAP-43 in myocardial homogenates of right atrium and ventricular septum decreased in the model group, and level of NGF increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, levels of NE and GAP-43 increased in the right atrium and interventricular septum; NGF level of the ventricular septum decreased in the methycobal group and each GZD groups. TH and TH/ChAT ratio in the right atrium increased in the 2:1 Guishao group and the 1:2 Guishao group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); NGF levels in the right atrium and interventricular septum decreased only in the 1:1 Guishao group (P < 0.01, P< 0.05). Compared with the methycobal group, levels of NE, TH, and GAP-43 in the right atrium and interventricular septum increased, and NGF levels in the right atrium and interventricular septum decreased in the 1:1 Guishao group (P < 0.05). Compared with the methycobal group, levels of NE and GAP-43 in interventricular septum increased in the 2:1 Guishao group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: GZD (with the proportion between RC and RPA 2:1 and 1:1) could improve contents of neurotransmitters and their rate-limiting enzymes, as well as neurotrophic factors in cardiac sympathetic denervation model rats induced by 6-OHDA, alleviate cardiac sympathetic denervation induced by 6-OHDA, and maintain the balance of sympathetic-vagal nerve system.

[Effects of Different Compatibilities of Ramulus Cinnamomi and Peony in Guizhi Decoction on Diabetic Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the preventive effect different compatibilities of Ramulus Cinnamomi (RC) and peony in Guizhi Decoction (GD) on diabetic cardiac autonomic neuropathy (DCAN). METHODS: Totally 60 male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the blank control DM group, the model group, the methycobal group, the 1:1 (RC/peony) Guishao group, the 2:1 Guishao group, and the 1:2 Guishao group, 10 in each group. Rats were pretreated with corresponding drugs for 1 week, and then induced diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Drugs were administrated by gastrogavage for 4 more weeks after STZ-injection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), choline acetyltransferase (CHAT), nerve growth factor. (NGF), and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in myocardial homogenates. RESULTS: After 4-week modeling, body weight (BW) was obviously lower, but blood glucose (BG) was higher in STZ rats than in rats of the blank control DM group. There was no statistical difference in BW or BG among the 5 groups (P >0.05). Compared with the blank control group, TH, TH/CHAT, and NGF in left ventricle and ventricular septum increased, CHAT and CNTF increased in the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, TH and TH/CHAT in left ventricle decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), CNTF in left ventricle increased (P < 0.05), CHAT in left ventricle and ventricular septum increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the methycobal group. TH and TH/CHAT in left ventricle and ventricular septum decreased, CNTF in left ventricle and ventricular septum increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), CHAT in left ventricle and ventricular septum increased (P < 0.01), NGF in ventricular septum decreased (P < 0.01) in the 1:1 Guishao group. TH/CHAT in left ventricle decreased (P < 0.01), CHAT and CNTF in left ventricle and ventricular septum increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the 1:2 Guishao group. Compared with the methycobal group, CHAT in left ventricle decreased, TH and TH/CHAT in left ventricle increased in the 2:1 Guishao group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). TH and TH/CHAT in ventricular septum decreased (P < 0.05), CHAT and CNTF in left ventricle and ventricular septum increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the 1:1 Guishao group. Compared with the 1:2 Guishao group and the 2:1 Guishao group, CHAT in left ventricle increased, TH/CHAT in left ventricle decreased, TH and TH/CHAT in ventricular septum decreased, CHAT in ventricular septum increased, CNTF in left ventricle and ventricular septum also increased in the 1:1 Guishao group (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: STZ model rats had autonomic neural injury, manifested as lowered vagal nerve activity and hyperactive sympathetic nerves. GD could effectively suppress hyperactive cardiac sympathetic nerves and protect the vagus. Besides, GD (1:1) showed the optimal effect in regulating the balance of cardiac autonomic nerves and could be used in early prevention of DCAN.

Cardiac Dysregulation and Myocardial Injury in a 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Rat Model of Sympathetic Denervation.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac sympathetic denervation is found in various cardiac pathologies; however, its relationship with myocardial injury has not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS: Twenty-four rats were assigned to the normal control group (NC), sympathectomy control group (SC), and a sympathectomy plus mecobalamin group (SM). Sympathectomy was induced by injection of 6-OHDA, after which, the destruction and distribution of sympathetic and vagal nerve in the left ventricle (LV) myocardial tissue were determined by immunofluorescence and ELISA. Heart rate variability (HRV), ECG and echocardiography, and assays for myocardial enzymes in serum before and after sympathectomy were examined. Morphologic changes in the LV by HE staining and transmission electron microscope were used to estimate levels of myocardial injury and concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were used to reflect the inflammatory reaction. RESULTS: Injection of 6-OHDA decreased NE (933.1 ± 179 ng/L for SC vs. 3418.1± 443.6 ng/L for NC, P < 0.01) and increased NGF (479.4± 56.5 ng/mL for SC vs. 315.85 ± 28.6 ng/mL for NC, P < 0.01) concentrations. TH expression was reduced, while ChAT expression showed no change. Sympathectomy caused decreased HRV and abnormal ECG and echocardiography results, and histopathologic examinations showed myocardial injury and increased collagen deposition as well as inflammatory cell infiltration in the cardiac tissue of rats in the SC and SM groups. However, all pathologic changes in the SM group were less severe compared to those in the SC group. CONCLUSIONS: Chemical sympathectomy with administration of 6-OHDA caused dysregulation of the cardiac autonomic nervous system and myocardial injuries. Mecobalamin alleviated inflammatory and myocardial damage by protecting myocardial sympathetic nerves.